Kate's random update

Watch - A friend let me have her old garmin for 50$.  I'm glad I tried it.  I LOVE it and it is perfect for my training.  The only problem is that it doesn't hold a charge very long.  I gave my Bro-In-Law a garmin from costco for Christmas but he isn't crazy about it so he is going to let me try it out.  I guess it is a tap system and it doesn't work for him. I hope it works for me!  I think I'll try it this weekend. 

Race - I'm scheduled to race an OLY this weekend.  I'm nervous about it b/c of my knee.  My hubby thinks it would be wise to drop down to the sprint.  I'm tempted but I wanted to test my training.  Tough call. 

Training - I am digging this training plan.  Even more so now that I adjusted my HR zones.  My zones were way low.  My zone 2 was 107-114.  Now that I adjusted them I feel like I'm getting a better work out. 

Weight - Right now I'm 3 pounds heavier than when I raced Ironman in 2010.  I'm pretty happy about it.  I'm down 10 pounds from January.  I still have a ways to go but I think I will make good progress if I can keep my eating in check. 

Swim - I'm looking up swim coaches.  I think I'm going to get some coaching from Camelback coaching and then join a masters class in Mesa.  If I could set up a couple private lessons and then hit a couple sessions before work every week, I think that would really help me.  I just need to bite the bullet and do it! 

Here is the plan I would like to do with Camelback.  (This is the group that Kim got her bike fit with.)  Anne the wife is supposed to be FANTASTIC at helping swimmers.  I want to do the swim plan.  Pricy but I need help!  http://www.camelbackcoaching.com/packages

Half IronMan - I was originally going to do SOMA but now I'm leaning towards Deuceman in the white mountains.  Deuceman is in early September and closer to the target date in Be Iron Fit.  I think that will give me more time to adjust.  Need to do more research.  http://www.trisportsracing.com/events/deuceman-triathlon

Happy Training Day!! (My Knee - Part II)

Happy Training!  Today is the first day of our 30 week training program. Lucky for me Day 1 was a "Rest" day.  On the first day of IMAZ training I went to the doctor and was sent for an x-ray of my knee.  The doctor told me everything I already knew. 

(1)  I'm getting old
(2)  I am carrying more weight than I should be
(3)  I was probably not properly trained for the race and my body is in shock.

Translation:  I'm old, fat and out of shape! 

I guess I need to be more careful when jumping into races.  I get the message.  UNDERSTOOD!

The doctor sent me for an x-ray and the results came back positive.  Nothing is torn or ripped.  He gave me some meds for pain and swelling and it really took the edge off.  He said to rest a bit and ease back into training.  Ease back into training.  The doctor also recommended that I check my shoes to make sure they are not too worn. 

For now, I'm icing and elevating.  I'm going to be ready for action soon. 

Note To Annette

Dear Annette -

I am writing you a love note.  Why?  Because I want you to know how PROUD I am of you for: (1) signing up for your first OLY; (2)  attempting your first 10k as part of an OLY; (3)  fighting through your cramp; (4)  FINISHING your first OLY and 10k; (5) sticking to your weight loss plan; and (6) maintaining a positive attitude.  YOU ARE AWESOME!  Keep up the good work. 

                                                              The Biggest IronMom 

Training?!

Can you believe that we are already a week into February?  Time is already flying by in 2012.  I am trying to recover from a cold (colds really) that has plagued me since the first week in December.  Every time I think I'm recovered, I seem to get a new bug.  So, I have spent the better part of the last 2 weeks focusing on getting rest.  It also means that my training has taken a pretty big hit. 

In order to be ready to hit the ground running when I start my "official" Ironman training regimen, I want to lose some lbs and so I have been learning about training for weight loss v. training for performance.  Now, I have to admit I haven't really looked at training with a specific goal other than to get in better shape.  I have been frustrated when the numbers on the scale don't reflect my efforts in the gym.  I am finding that I am getting my heart rate too high for too long to train for weight loss.  I am learning how to better maximize my work out for my goal of losing weight.  So, as a result here are my new training goals for February and March:

1.) Eat more calories, but choose healthier calories--my body thinks I'm starving so it's holding on to weight I want to lose.
2.) Lift more weights--more muscle=greater calorie burn.
3.) Focus on heart rate during cardio workouts--try to stay in the "fat burning" zone.
4.) Be o.k. with slower times in upcoming races (Ragnar, Phoenix 1/2)--since I'm training for weight loss I might lose ground with performance a bit.
5.) Train intervals--weight loss can be enhanced by incorporating more interval training into a workout regimen

Now, it's time to get on track and start moving!

Ironman Wisconsin 2012 - My friend Debb's blog

So I posted earlier about my friend Debb and her battle with Ironman Wisconsin.  She has signed up again and the 3rd time WILL be a charm.  She started a blog to document her journey.  Here is the link if you want to follow her training for IMOO and weight loss.  I think this will be a great year for all of our training!  Go Debb Go!!

Tri and Tri Again  http://astudyinpersistence.blogspot.com/

Kate's Weightloss Update

For all of September I've been a dieting machine.  I've been doing a pretty extreme diet and it has been working.  I've lost 10.8 pounds in 2 weeks and 2 days.  I weigh now about what I weighed when I finished Ironman in November.  I feel good having the weight off again but I know this diet is making me weak.  I have been working out, but I do not have the energy I should. 

I know some do not agree with my extreme dieting but I do have a plan.  Here is my thinking.  I want to lose as much weight as I can before I start working towards Ironman 2012.  That gives me a months before my training really gets moving again.   So my September is crazy but I promise I will start being smarter at the end of the month.  The thought of having less weight to carry around excites me!

My Friend Debb - IMOO 2011

I want to tell you about my friend Debb.  I met Debb on-line about 2 years ago.  She is amazing and a real inspiration.  Debb and I trained together last year for our Ironman races on the beginner triathlete website.  Debb started her training at 302 pounds and has lost 100 pounds on this Ironman journey. 

Last year she competed in Ironman Wisconsin 2010.  The Ironman community referrs to this race as IMOO.  The IMOO course is pretty intense and has lots of hills.  Our Ironman Arizona or IMAZ race is a favorite because it the course is pretty flat.

Although Debb was properly trained, she missed the last run cut off by a minute.  They wouldn't let her go on.  She had to give them her chip and she was carted to the finish line.  She was at Mile 19 of the RUN!  Yep, 133 miles into her 140 mile journey.  Just 7 miles short!  Instead of feeling blue she got up the next morning and signed up to do the race again.  She has worked her tail off this year and is ready to tackle it again. 

Debb competes this Sunday in IMOO 2011.  I am so nervous and excited for her.  I'll be glued to my computer "watching" her times through out the day.   Send her some good vibes this weekend!!  She said no matter what happens this weekend she is going to keep going.  She might even tackle IMAZ with us in 2012.

Vacation

So I went to San Diego this weekend and had an awesome time.  Maybe too much of an awesome time?  Is that possible?  It seems I ate too much and drank too much.  Now I'm feeling it!  BLAH!  It seems once I hit 40 it takes a week to work off a bad weekend.  SO NOT FAIR!   

As a result of my over indulgence I have decided to skip my weigh in this week because I know it will be horrible.  It is ok to have a skip week right? 

Kate's Tuesday Weigh-in = Down .5 lbs

3 days of Hot Yoga plus
a 3:40:00 bike hilly bike ride = .5 pounds lost. 

I have to admit I'm pretty bummed.  I thought I did a good job eating this week.  At this rate I'm going to have a hard time meeting my goal before "serious" Ironman training begins.  I really need to figure out my diet issues.  Sure, I know, 2.5 pounds in 2 weeks is good.  I should be happy.  BUT, I want to weight to fall off as quickly as possible.  I know I can do better. 

I have a mini beach vacation this weekend.  When I get back I'm going to figure this out.  The trick will be not gaining weight while I'm on vacation.

Movement on the Weightloss Meter!

Guess what?!  Lost some weight this week!!  I'm down two pounds!  I'll take it.  I know my weight loss is going to come down to my diet.  I really tried to watch it and I did a better job of eating breakfast.  I usually skip breakfast but I know it isn't good for me to do.  This is going to be a battle but at least it is going the right direction.  Now I need to make sure I don't blow it over the weekend.

Kate's Weight Struggle and the Weight Loss Meter

I originally started all this crazy triathlon training b/c I was at my heaviest weight in my adult life and I felt gross.  I hurt my back, could hardly walk, and had to take pain meds.  This was the point where I knew I needed to do something about my weight.  In the past couple years I've lost about 20 pounds thanks to my increased activity level.  Unfortunately, when I don't exercise the weight creeps right back.  I've put back on 10 of those pounds since the Ironman race in November.  I don't like it.

I know I do plenty of exercise.  The key this time around has to be my diet.  I'm 40 years old.  If I don't do it now, I know it will be VERY hard to do it later.  It is time to learn will power and start looking at my intake more closely.  I WILL DO THIS!

So, I got on the scale this morning to start my "Official" weight loss drive.  I was shocked to see I was two pounds heavier than I thought.  BOO!  I wonder what my weight would be if I didn't exercise at all?! 

I need to lose 25 pounds. (I could lose more but I"ll start with 25.)  The 25 pounds is not just for the Ironman but for my overall health goal.  The weight loss will put me at a weight where I've felt the most fit.  It is not my skinniest weight ever but I think it is a nice goal.

To make myself accountable, I'm going to track my weekly progress on the blog.  On the left hand side of the screen I posted the "Weight Loss Meter" so I can see my progress.  My weekly weigh-in day will be every Tuesday.  Hopefully the other moms will join me. 

Wish me luck!!  Signed, Kate aka  "Big Mama"

Kate's Race Schedule

I've had two weeks off and have had some time on my hands so I've been planning my races.  (I should be training but I'm just planning)  I've come up with a schedule that I think will be pretty solid. 

I need to keep races on the calendar.  If I don't schedule anything I found I don't train as much or as hard.  A big part of this Ironman goal is to lose as much weight as possible before the real hard core Ironman training begins.  I think if I lost about 20 pounds I would feel so much better and be able to move a little easier.  I would REALLY like to lose 25 to 30 pounds but I will start slowly.   

My list of races are listed below.  I'm hoping Annette does them with me in some form.  I think it would be nice to have the same race goals so we can continue to train and go to the races together.  It is not very fun racing alone! 

2011 Races:
09.25 - Nathan's Olymic Distance (registered) - 1500m Swim, 24 mile bike, 6.2 mile run
10.02 - Tour of Scottsdale (registered) - 70 mile bike ride
10.23 - Soma HIM (registered) - 2000m Swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run
11-06 - Women's Half Marathon - 13.1 mile run
11-20 - Vounteer at Ironman Arizona (Registered) - Swim exit and changing tent
11-21 - Annette and my Ironman Arizona 2012 Registration Day

2012 Races:
01-15- PF Chang's Rock n Roll Marathon (Registered) - 26.2 mile run
03-31 - California Half Ironman 70.3- 2000m swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run
04-14 - Tour of Mesa - 70 mile bike ride
05-XX - San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon - 26.2 mile run
09.XX - Nathan's Olymic Distance - 1500m Swim, 24 mile bike, 6.2 mile run
10.XX - Tour of Scottsdale  - 70 mile bike ride
10.XX - Soma HIM - 2000m Swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run
11-XX - Women's Half Marathon - 13.1 mile run
11-18 - Ironman Arizona 2012