Trying to be a runner...

Running is definitely my weakest skill in this training. In high school I ran track but was a sprinter. The longest distance I cared to do was 400m. But I always looked up to the girls who could run 1 mile or more with out stopping! Ok runners, laugh... yes 1 mile was something I did not run without stopping until about 1 year after Caleb was born. Then I found out I was pregnant again and did not run for distance (1mile) until Taylor was probably 2 or 3. About 2 years ago I decided to start getting back in shape. We joined the wellness center and I was going to pilates and running twice a week. Then I just lost motivation. I don't remember why but I just stopped exercising. So I spent two years doing nothing! Then something happened. Jake decided he wanted to do a triathlon so he went to sign up for the wellness center again. On his way there we were talking and I decided I wanted him to sign me up. At the time I had no plans to train for anything, I just wanted to get back in shape and stop feeling lazy! As Jake got excited about his training I got excited for him. Then I got to thinking why not try a 5k. So I signed up and started running. I took baby steps into running... ok so I forced myself to run the 3.2 miles on a treadmill and I did it!! I was so excited but my foot was not. Apparently bad shoes and not running for years don't mix well. But I had the 5k to train for so I bought some new shoes and kept running.

Most of my runs have been 1 mile of straight running and then a mix of run/walk for the next 2. Running is hard work!! Some people just get it (Jake) some people don't (me) but I am working on it. I have had many moments of "why am I doing this, this just does not make sense to do this." But I keep on doing it anyway. Signing up for the tri was a way to motivate me to keep trying. Signing up and paying for things such as the 5k or the sprint triathlon are good motivation for me. I want it to be money well spent. I want to have fun and finish so that is why I put myself through the uncomfortableness of running.

I am really excited about something that is about to start at our church. It is called Run for God. It is a 12 week class leading up to the Dalton 5k and Half Marathon.

"The 5K Challenge is a practical guide to running and a 12-week training plan aimed at running a 5K, but with a Christian focus. Although people run for many different reasons, this book is for those who make God the center of their lives—or need to be reminded to do so. The tone is conversational and accessible, and the workout plans, discussion questions, and Bible verses make it both a practical resource and a workbook for individuals and groups, especially beginning runners. From advice about shoes and Christian music for one’s MP3 player, to tips on race etiquette, the book will be useful and inspirational.

Run For God - The 5K Challenge is part bible study and part training program. The primary goal is to learn to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ while understanding the parallels of enduring a sport like running and enduring your faith.

This study is for everyone! In fact, this study is designed for those who have never run, and if you have never ran in your life, there is no better time to start than now.

Be ready for your first 5K road race in just 12 weeks, and learn how this sport relates to our faith in the process." -runforgod.com

Even though a friend of mine thinks I should train like her for the half marathon I think I will pass on that this year. I am just happy to be able to finish a 5k and would love to see my time improve. It will be fun meeting with other runners from church so we can help motivate each other!! If you do not live in Dalton but like the idea of Run for God then check out their web site runforgod.com to find out how to start one in your area. You can also look it up on facebook, to see if there is already a group near you. Rock Bridge Run for God starts July 15th at 6:00, childcare will be provided.

Britt Nicole - Walk On The Water (Slideshow With Lyrics)

1 Month

It is about 1 month until my triathlon. I am beginning to gain more respect for the sport and those who actually can compete to win. I have finally finished all three parts doing the full distances but on separate days. Based on my times... let's just say it will be amazing just to cross the finish line!! I am not worried about the 400 meter swim, I think I will be middle of my age group. I may even shave a few seconds off because I won't have to make the turns like in the swimming pool. The bike will be a little harder. Biking for speed is something new to me. I did 8.2 miles in the SHS parking lots today. The slope of the parking lot started to get to me after 4 miles but I pressed on! Luckily the tri bike will be on flat roads! Either way after swimming my bike time will probably be towards the bottom of my age group. Then comes the running :( It's only 2 miles but after swimming and biking 2 miles it is beginning to sound like a difficult task. I will get out there and try my best! Whatever time I finish with I will know that there is plenty of room for improvement!!

Best times as of today:
Swim 10:33
Bike 34:00
Run 24:40
Including 5 minutes for T1+T2 this would be a 1:13:73 finish time. Based on last years times I would have been 31/36 for females age 25 to 29 and 594/668 overall.

Caleb's first tri is in September. Since he has a broken arm we don't have a swim time for him... only 9 more days until the cast comes off!! The day the cast comes off he will begin swim training. He has had some impressive times for his 2 mile bike and 500 yard run. Here are his times so we can look back and compare when he gets closer to race day!

Best times as of today:
Swim: N/A
Bike: 9:15
Run: 2:28

Let the training continue...

My First Tri

I am signed up!!! My first sprint triathlon is August 8th in Chattanooga. The swim is 1/4 mile open water out and back swim in Lake Chickamauga. It is a flat 8.2 mile bike and a moderately challenging 2 mile run through downtown Chattanooga. This race benefits First Things First. FTF is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening families in the Chattanooga area.
http://www.sportsbarn.net/userfiles/file/popups/sprint/sprinthomepopup.htm

I am pretty excited!!! nervous but excited!!

Bicycle

Today was a very exciting day for Caleb and me. We both got new bikes!! Caleb has joined the tri-train and is planning to compete in his first ironkids in September. He had out grown his old bike so today he got a very nice upgrade! This bike should last him until high school... unless he turns out to be a super giant. I have not had a bike since college. I have not ridden a bike since college. So today was exciting!! At the risk of sounding like a moron (but just to let you know my inexperience)... My last bike had gears but to be honest I never knew which one did what. As I came in from my test drive Jake asked if I had tested the gears. I gave him a strange stare and said how do I do that? I knew which levers to push but which ones do what?? So I took another lap around the building and tried it out... I tested the gears, I could feel them doing something and it felt good. I knew with this bike I could finally figure it all out. So when we got home I took off up the hill... shifting the gears... but wait what's going on... ooops... I was shifting the wrong way!! So I had to get off my bike and push it. Oh well, I am learning. So I go back down the hill, turn around and start back up. Shifting the gears correctly this time and WOW I made it up the hill without having to get off my bike!!

I can't wait to get out and ride some more. My bike is called a Hybrid. It is a mix between a road and a mountain bike. It's tires are made to be fast on the road but they still have traction to handle off road conditions. It also has a coil-sprung fork to make the off road rides a little easier. I was excited to find a bike like this because I will need the road speed for my triathlon but I love the idea that I can take it on trails (Melydia get your bike ready!!). Now Jana, I am not ready for a group ride but at least I have a bike now!!

Jake will be riding with his new clip shoes this weekend. Clip shoes are shoes that clip to the peddles for maximum efficiency. He was already pretty fast without them so I can't wait to see what he can do with his shoes.

5k and 1 Mile Fun Run

Today was my first 5k and I finished better than I expected... 32:53!! The event was hosted by www.savinthegirls.com and was part of the Atlanta 2 Day Walk for Breast Cancer. It was held at Yahoola Creek Park in Dahlonega. This was their first year to host this race and they were very surprised by the turnout; close to 200 participants! Yahoola Creek Park was a great course for my first 5k. It was relatively level and had a nice section that went through a trail in the woods (I wish the whole thing could have been in the woods). I finished my first mile in 9:18 which I am pretty sure that was a record for me. I am not sure about the second mile because the marker was put in the wrong spot but my average was 10:16 per mile... a whole lot better than I expected! As I crossed the finish line I was not even thinking about my time all I could think was "I did it!!". Thankfully I have a coach for a husband who kept an eye and a camera on the timer... and he got me in the picture as well. But this is not all of my story for the day.

While I was running Jake signed the kids up for the 1 mile fun run. We are 2 adult and 3 kids. Caleb wanted to run fast so Jake said he would run with him. I knew Taryn would just run/walk it so I would stay with her. So what about Taylor? Taylor will run in between us and if he needed to stop then he could and then he could finish with Taryn and me. So what happens when Jake and Caleb are at the 1 mile finish line when Taryn and I get there but no sign of Taylor??? It was a pretty easy to follow course so HOW could he just disappear?? The event volunteers got on their phones and started the search. They were thinking they saw him finish with the group of boys who were already done so a nice man drove me and Taryn up to the 5k finish line area. I am thinking how could he finish before Jake and Caleb? We get to the 5k finish area and there he was! I had never been so scared!!! So the relief I felt when I saw him almost brought tears to my eyes but I held back. I had to make sure he was ok and I did not want to scare him. I said "Taylor, did you finish the race?" he shook his head yes, "Were you scared that you did not see us?" he shook his head yes again and then whimpered for like 3 seconds and then said, "Do I get an award or something?". He did not even know he was lost!! He knew the finish line was was across the bridge... what mommy and daddy did not know is that there were 2 bridges! He took the first bridge which took him to the 5k finish line. He was smart enough to find a place to stand and wait for us. He even said, "Mommy I heard them say my name on the microphone." He did not know why they were saying his name so he just waited for mommy and daddy to finish the race. I really think he thought he won the race. Our silly Taylor boy! I am just so glad that he was ok and not scared!!

Since Taylor did not really finish the race we don't have a time for him... but I know he would have been fast! Caleb finished in 8:25!! Since I was in a panic when Taryn finished I did not think to ask for her time but it was probably around 12 or 13 minutes. She won the girls 10 and under division... haha! She really did :) She was the only girl that ran the 1 mile fun run. Caleb was probably 4th out of 8. The other boys were probably around 10 except for Taylor and a baby boy being pushed in a stroller.

Overall it was a GREAT day. I bet you next year they will take the 1 mile a little more seriously with extra volunteers placed to make sure no wrong turns are taken. They were surprised that we came all the way from Dalton but it was an excellent cause to support and it was a beautiful course so I thought it was worth the drive.

Triathlon

Jake competed in his first Sprint Triathlon on June 20th, 2010. I think he did very well. He finished 441 out of 1500! His total time was 1:04:30! I won't tell you the winners time... Jake did awesome! He will compete in his second sprint tri in October at Lake Lanier Islands. I am so excited for him and his new hobby. Here are some pictures from this event on facebook.

He has inspired me! I have been semi training with him... mainly the running and swimming part. I say semi because I have not been as serious about it as him. But I have stepped it up a bit. I have a simple training plan I found online that if I stick to it I will be ready to do a sprint tri in 12 weeks. I have my goal set for a tri in September. I don't know if I will actually do that one but my goal is to be ready for one by then and then I will continue to train all winter for a spring sprint triathlon. Jake and I want to do a triathlon together this spring in Atlanta. It is fun training with my best friend... our jobs are to encourage... never discourage each other from reaching our goals.

Caleb is also thinking about doing a kids triathlon. Yes, they have kids tri's!! It would be so much fun watching Caleb compete and finish his first tri!! He has a friend from school who has already competed in several, his dad is big time into the sport. I watched several moms and dads competing in the Callaway Gardens triathlon with their kids. I guess this is our families new hobby and just a great way to stay in shape!

Just to stop any confusion, right now we are focused on sprint triathlons. These are just a fraction of the distance of the ironman kind, like the one you see on tv in Hawaii. I don't know that I would ever want to compete at that level!! Jake maybe, me no thanks! Jake has his eyes set on a half ironman in two years. This would be awesome!! Hard work but just for him to finish would be a big accomplishment.
Hopefully I will be back on here in September saying I am ready to compete! I have a countdown on the side of the page and I am reminding myself daily that I want to do this and I want to finish!! I think I have myself in an ok routine right now but will try to improve it when school starts. I just have to stay focused and positive!... I am such a beginner and I have a ways to go but I have 94 days to get there! 1/4 mile swim, 9 mile bike, 2 mile run!