Weight and Racing

Anybody who's been running for a significant amount of time will tell you that racing is not the way to lose weight.  You have to race because you love it.  Racing for the wrong reasons is a prescription for frustration, burnout, and quitting.  

The flip side of this coin is that when I'm over my prime racing weight, even by five pounds, my time suffers.  Every pound that I'm over racing weight is a pound that I have to move - over 5, 10, 13, or even 26.2 miles.  The extra pounds weigh down my knees, my form suffers, I can't feel the light, seamless wind move around my body, I feel sluggish, and it even effects my breathing.  This year, I want to finish the Chicago Marathon in 5hr or less, and getting the extra pounds off will help me achieve that goal.

Right now, I am over my prime racing weight by ten pounds.  In 2009, I ran the White Rock marathon at 136lbs, which was tough.  At the moment, I'm at 140lbs.  My prime is 130lbs or less.  If I can get under 130, that would be great, but... I'm not sure my body can get there at my advanced age of 32.  ;)

So what am I doing to achieve this?  Well, the truth is, I'm kind of trying to feel things out.  I've been on Weight Watchers for years (I'm a lifer!), and the new points program is killing me.  I've only lost three pounds in two months.  I really, really hate it.  I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but... it's something.  I wish they wouldn't have changed it, because the old way worked just fine, and it was healthy.  One thing I am going to try is eating big bowls of greens.  I tend to mix carbs, protein, and produce into my meals, but I think that I should try upping my intake of orange and green produce.

I am also hoping that since I just kicked out of off-season leisure and into season training, that my workouts are going to trim off a few pounds.  I only use processed sports nutrition on superlong runs; therwise I kick it with my trusty pre-run bananas.

I'm working my way through getting off these pounds.  Losing weight while training is tricky - it's not like normal weight loss.  Healthy nutrition is crucial to good workouts, and there are certain superfoods that can make your workout or race (like bananas!)  You can't just eat less - When I was new to running, I did it for all the wrong reasons (as a weight loss plan!), and I tried the whole normal "diet" + racing.  I was miserable.  My workouts sucked.  It's about finding the right foods that give me energy and strength, without adding bulk.

As of today, I'm 140 lbs - let's see where I'm at in a few months!

New Bike Day!

I LOVE New Bike Day, as you can see...

Am I the queen of goofy faces or what?

As you all know, this year I'm branching out into triathlons, irregardless of the fact that I barely know how to swim.  Apparently, I'm ok putting my life in the hands of lifeguards I wouldn't know from Adam.  Branching out into triathlons means... it's time to buy a bike.  Since this is my first tri season, I selected a road bike.  This way, even if I decide that I hate triathlons, I'll have a good road bike for fun/crosstraining to my running.

My dad and crazy sister Tweets (who used an ironman-distance race to tell us she's preggo) are both triathletes.  Tweets has been competing in tris for years, then my dad drank the Kool-Aid... and now they are trying to infect me.  We'll see how it goes this year.  

Anyway, Tweets recommended the Trek Women's Design bike line, since it's designed specifically for a good fit for the ladies.  She isn't able to use them, since she's too tall, but... I'm the perfect size!  In the bike department, I just do what Tweets says, so in January I locomoted to my local bike shop: On the Route.

After checking out my options, I settled on the Trek WD Lexa road bike.  Guys, it's SO light.  Since it uses easy release tires, I can easily fit it into my tiny Honda.  And it's pretty.  Marketers love me.  The best part?  They had just released a coupon for 20% off any Trek bike until the end of February.  SCORE.

Since I still had time to use the coupon, I walked away so that I could take a few weeks to save up extra money to make my big purchase.  The weeks dragged until this weekend, when I finally walked my booty into the store and plunked down cold, hard cash.

I was excited. :)

On the Route was so nice too, and super helpful.  I totally recommend them - and they have a store dog!  You can't beat that.

Now, I just have to find a place to store this sucker...

Any cyclists out there with tips for me?

Redman 2010: When Tweets Gets Me Good

Missed Part 1?  Click HERE

OK, so Redman 2010 was held under MUCH better conditions than Redman 2009.  When Tweets competed in Redman 2009, she was dealing with monsoon rains and mudslides, in addition to major stomach issues.  This year, we were relieved to see that the weather was mostly behaving itself.

However, as the day passed, my mother, sister Billie Sue, and I were both concerned and surprised by a number of factors. 

EXHIBIT A (cause for concern): The day was HOT. It had to have been over 90 degrees.  As a runner, I have difficulty racing in degrees over 80, so I was very worried for Tweets.

EXHIBIT B (cause for confusion): Tweets finished her 2.4 swim in two hours.  She finishes swims like this in an hour-ish.  Also, why is she smiling?  Last time I checked, 2.4 swims aren't really THAT fun!

EXHIBIT C (cause for confusion): Tweets was a lollygagger in Transistion.  She took 15 minutes to get up on her bike to head out.  This is a ridiculously long time, and Billie Sue and I even had a private conversation about it.  From Billie Sue: "Does she know she's in an Ironman?  Should she hurry up?"

EXHIBIT D (the nail in the coffin of confusion): Look at Tweets on her bike.  She's smiling.  She's waving.  She looks like she's on a Sunday stroll.  SERIOUSLY!?  At this point, Tweets should be crying at least a little, maybe even a throwup session or two.  Also, Tweets took six hours to bike 88 miles.  Tweets regularly goes out on long bike rides.  She recently banged out a 75 mile bike ride in four hours.  In 100 degree Texas heat.

Are you confused at her behavior yet?  We sure were.  Of course we stayed positive and kept cheering her on like she wasn't competing like a weirdo.  My mother even called my dad (also a triathlete) and asked him if he knew of any recent injuries or problems.  My dad was just as confused as we were.  I believe a direct quote might have been... "What!?  She should have finished her bike ride a long time ago!"

We asked Mr. Tweets what he thought might be going on.  His response "Well, she is NOT pushing herself like she was last year.  We don't want her getting sick like she did last time."

Welllll, ooooook.  I guess that's a good thing, of course.  But still, she should at least be breaking a sweat.

Finally, Tweets' slow pace meant she needed to drop out of the race.  She was NOT going to make the bike cutoff time.  (All races have a cutoff time by which you must have competed a particular race component.  Because Tweets had been going so slow, she knew there was no way she was going to make the cutoff.)

Tweets biked around the bend for the last time and as we cheered for her, she cut us off with a somber "Hey, guys, my race is over.  I'm dropping out."

She had completed 90 miles of the 140.6 mile race course.

We were totally devastated.  Mr Tweets, my mom, Billie Sue and I packed up our gear and waited for Tweets to park her bike and walk out of her Transition area.  We were all trying very hard not to cry so that we could make Tweets feel better for dropping out of the race.  Mr Tweets gave Mrs Tweets a big hug and they walked over to us out of Transition.

This is when Mrs Tweets dropped a huge bomb on us.

"Guys, I know you're really sad, but I need to tell you something.  I had a big reason for dropping out of the race, and it was a good one - it's good news.  You do NOT need to be sad.  I had to go slow today to keep my heart rate under 140... because I'm ten weeks PREGNANT!"

:O

Instantly, all of our sad tears turned into shock and excitement.  Everybody was hugging, and what was an incredibly sad moment turned into a great one!  Now, nobody cared that Tweets had to drop out!  Now, her strange behavior all made sense.  She took the race at a stroll so that she could keep her heart rate at a normal pace.  The heat elevated her heart rate, which is why she was going so ridiculously slowly.  If the weather had been cooler, she might have been able to finish the race on time, without even breaking a sweat.

I believe Mr Tweets response was a big sigh and "I am SO glad I don't have to keep that secret anymore!"

From Billie Sue "This is a GREAT DAY!!!"  There were many hugs and happy tears to be had.

About an hour later, back at our hotel, my brother Paul showed up.  He had been planning to watch Tweets' cross the finish line, but arrived after she had already quit and surprised the bejeezus out of us.  This was Paul's reaction to learning the BIG NEWS...

After our very emotional day, we decided it was time for dinner.  :)  The next morning, I headed back to Chicago, and my family headed back to Dallas.

Suffice to say, I AM SO EXCITED!!!!  The Tweets are going to have a chick of their very own, and we can't wait to meet the kid!

And now, to recover.  I need a Xanax.  And a drink.  Not at the same time.

Redman 2010: My First Tri

A couple weeks ago, I flew down to Oklahoma City to support my sister Tweets as she competed in the Redman Triathlon 2010.  For a refresher.... this is Tweets:

Obviously, that's Mrs. Tweets there in the middle.  Tweets has been competing in endurance sports since 2001, she's married to Mr. Tweets, and they are the proud owners of two adorable rescue dogs, Tiko and Pearly Gates.  That's the short story.

For years, Tweets has been working up to a full distance triathlon competition.  So that you are properly impressed... A full distance triathlon is a 2.4 swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 marathon via foot.  It all has to be completed within 17 hours.  Completing a full-distance triathlon is the pinnacle of a triathlete's career.  Many triathletes even get special tattoos after crossing that finish line.  It's a huge deal, and you compete in smaller trathlons for YEARS before attempting a full-distance triathlon.  I'm tired just thinking about it.  There are Ironman branded full triathlons across the world, as well as private brands like the Redman.

Last year, Tweets took a first stab at the Redman, but had to drop out 6 miles into the marathon because she got violently ill.  The weather conditions were awful - monsoon rains; and Tweets' stomach went crazy.  She was very disappointed, but was determined to conquer this tri distance and try again this year, in 2010.  We were all devasted for her at the way Redman 2009 turned out, but incredibly thankful that she made it out with no hospital visits.

This Redman event was the very first triathlon that I've attended.  I have to say... it was simultaneously completely inspiring and utterly intimidating.  I cried three times before 7:30a because I was kind of overwhelmed by this kind of race.  Most endurance races have a party atmosphere... not Ironman/full competitions.  These races are deadly serious.

These athletes have been training for this competition for YEARS.  Can you imagine swimming in open water for 2.4 miles?  I really can't, so I was impressed.

Watching the swimmers lumber out of the water is pretty cool.

After the 2.4 swim, the athletes run to their transition area, change out of their wetsuit, and get ready to bike 112 miles!

Here's Tweets locomoting out of Transition and onto the bike course.

The Redman bike course was a series of four laps, each lap being 28 miles.  My sister Billie Sue, my mom, Mr Tweets, and I set up shop along the course, so that we could cheer our hearts out every time Mrs Tweets passed us on a bike lap.  No matter how tired she looked, our job was to say "You're doing great!"  We cheered for all the bikers.  If you've ever run a marathon, or competed in a triathlon, you know how important those onlooker cheers can be.  The athletes need it!

Waiting for bikers to come around the course bend...

Full-distance tris are a long day, even for spectators.  We did a lot of hanging out...

Lots of snackin'...

And lots of picture-taking...

Our day at the Redman was incredibly inspiring.  So inspiring, that I think I'm going to start dipping my toes into triathlons myself!  I love running, but I'd like to get into biking and swimming, too!  Of course... I've got to learn HOW to swim first.  I've got a long way to go.  :) 

Want to know whether Tweets picked up her finisher's medal?  Check back tomorrow for my post on Tweets' results, and UM, it ended in a way none of us could have imagined in our wildest dreams. 

I'm still recovering from the shock of Tweets' race report, if that tells you anything!

A New and Necessary Skill

In general, I am a fairly accomplished person.  I am interested in EVERYTHING, and I really love to learn new things.  New friends, new games, new skills, everything!  I love meeting people that are super different from me, and I especially get excited to try things that scare me.  Fear of failure does not usually exist in my life... sometimes to my own detriment.  :)

That being said, I am embarassed to say there is an area in my life in which I am completely helpless.  I can't do this thing AT ALL.  The only way I could be worse at this basic life skill?  Ummm, I don't think I could possibly be worse.  Cannot. Do. It.

I never learned how to swim.

This is not, however, from lack of trying.  My parents enrolled me in YMCA swim classes when I was young.  I was held back at "Minnow" level three times before I was christened a permanant citizen of dry land.  Making "Shark" level?  That was never gonna happen.  I was doomed to sit on the sidelines and watch the sexy, sexy "Barracudas" dive beautifully into the deep end.

Water deeper than 5' was my kryptonite.  I'd walk around in the YMCA pool and stop short right at the 5' line.  No can go farther.  Once in awhile I'd look for an adrenaline rush and jump off the diving board into the 12' water, only to frantically splash my way to the cement wall ASAP, breathless from my near-death experience.  Sometimes, I was pretty sure that I had a genetic resistance to swimming success.  My DNA did NOT evolve out from any fish-like creatures, that's for sure.

I can't even tread water, guys.

SO, I am signing up for a 5-pack of personal swimming lessons at my gym.  I figure, at the age of 32, I might as well not die from drowning, if I can help it. 

Pray for my swimming teachers, they're going to need it.