Swim, Bike, Run

No, I do NOT have any triathlon race on the horizon.

Many of you were asking me if I’m training for any triathlon since I decided to be a triathlete, and witness my whining about the early morning swim and my bike ride adventure because who woke up at 5:30am and be in the pool at 6am if you are not training for a race, right?   Apparently, this girl does.

I purposely do not want to register to any tri race this year, not because I have a second thought of being a triathlete, but because I really am trying to build a good baseline for my swimming, biking and yes, even running, before I commit myself to many weeks of triathlon training program.   Beside, I am still in the middle of Fall Season of Team in Training for several upcoming race and have committed to their training program, plus some other Disney races that I have already registered.    My plan this year is to swim and bike on my active recovery days as a cross training while learning the correct way to swim, bike and run.

Swim

My ability to swim is limited to thread water, float and dog paddle myself across the pool.   I can somewhat sorta do a breast stroke and went from one side of the pool to the other, but that’s pretty much it.   I contacted several swimming coach, and went for an assessment swim lesson.   Coach Kimberly Lorton is fabulous and I did a lesson with her in Seattle pool.   I really like her (and she was TNT coach a couple seasons ago!) but I can’t seems to find a schedule to work for both of us, and she only coach on a handful pools.   After some more search, I contacted another coach that her name seems to be all over beginner triathlete forum.   Coach Theresa Trinka-Hoard is a 5 (FIVE!) times Ironman finisher and a wonderful coach.   I began my lesson to her at Redmond pool and managed to have consistent schedule with her on the club pool that I belong to which is so awesome as I don’t have to go to a different pool for my lesson.    First few lessons – I felt like I a big fat whale.  Actually, worst than whale since at least whale know how to swim.    I realized now that I know nothing about swimming efficiently.   There were many frustration on my part, but she patiently taught me the basics.   I mean, really the basics.   I learned many drills, and more drills.    I have a lot of work to do, but I know that I am improving a little bit.  I didn’t feel like I’m inhaling the whole pool water anymore whenever I did the drill now, and actually understand and can acknowledge when I didn’t do things correctly.     I haven’t even work on the endurance training part of the swim yet (no swim lap) as she wants me to focus on the drill and technique.

Bike

I have a confession to make.   I was 10 years old the last time I rode a bike, before my big fuss about ‘I have decided to be a triathlete’.   Yes.  10 years old.   So, the bike and I haven’t really friends for over 30 years.   Can I ride it?  Sure, I know how to balance, pedal and ride on straight line but can I really ride it?   At that time, I didn’t even own a bike so my first challenge is to find me a bike.   After several, okay, seventh trip to the local bike shop, spent hours of talking to many bike-expert on the shop, test-ride about 6 bikes, I finally purchased a bike that I believed fit my needs.  Meet Ariel, my new best friend.  Her and I are getting to know each other and I like her more and more every time.  A lot of you asked what made me decide to get her, so I’ll let you in my thought process.  Fist of all,  I know that I will mostly ride around my local trail which consist of gravel and compact dirt road, and maybe on asphalt/paved/some back road so I want something that can do that, and also can be use for ride around the town.  I also want to have a  bike that I can use for my first triathlon race, and you know, be decent.  I figured if this whole swim, bike, run business really sink in and I want to do the unimaginable (like.. the half Iron or even (gasp!).. Ironman) years from now, I’ll invest on different bike for that.    Since I brought Ariel home, I have taken her for a few rides and loved it.   The bike that fitted for you, just for you, made a whole world of different on how you feel while riding it

Run

I recently joined Always Running and Coach Tony Williams agreed to coach me and help me run more efficiently.  Yes, I am a three-times marathoner (plus handful of half-marathons) and know how to run, but just like swim and bike, I don’t know how to run efficiently, utilizing my strength and work around my limitation.   I respect Coach Tony greatly (and challenged him constantly) and probably raised his blood pressure and gave him gray hair since he agreed to coach me.    I enjoyed working with him so far and he helped me with my running form, my confidence and gave me many insightful advice on how to make running as a lifestyle, instead of focusing on a race.    I’m still coming for Team In Training practice and run with team as well as following their training schedule, but Coach Tony adapted the schedule for me, for my current ability and help me plan  my run, how should I run it and what’s the goal for each run.

So there.  That’s what’s going on with me lately.   I have decided to be a triathlete and I am making it happen and will continue to push forward towards my goal, which is pretty simple for this year.   I want to be comfortable with the three sports and learn how to do it efficiently.

My workout schedule still follow Team In Training plan, but with slight modification to incorporate swim and bike, so it’s something like this:

Mon:   Rest (My favorite day)
Tue:     Run (Hills/Tempo)
Wed:    Run (Target pace)
Thu:     Swim (Drills)
Fri:       Rest (Another favorite day)
Sat:      Long Run (Slow steady pace)
Sun:     Bike

How do I make the time, you asked, between this schedule, work full time, mama of two kiddos, and a wife?  Ongoing fatigued from life in general AND for me personally, my personal battle with my health?   I’ll be the first one to admit, it’s not unicorn and rainbow.  In fact, it’s full with stormy sky, a gloomy day and many, many tears,  but I made it as a priority and find a way to make it happen.

Make.It.Happen.

 

I have decided to be a Triathlete

Okay.  I am making it really public here as I’m writing it on my blog.   I have said that on my Facebook wall last month, but that’s limited to my Facebook friends, not to the whole world (not like the whole world are reading my blog, but you get what I’m saying).    So here goes:

I HAVE DECIDED TO BE A TRIATHLETE

I’m still figuring things out, about the sport itself, learning how to swim (dog paddling doesn’t go well on the race), getting my (first ever) bike, learning the gear on the bike (switching gear on the middle of the hill to the wrong gear = miserable hill ride), and re-learn how to run efficiently.   No, I don’t have any Triathlon schedule in the near future, as I really just want to build the baseline, but stay tuned for more update as I’m embarking this new crazy adventure.

I’ll post some update on what I’ve been up to, training wise, very soon.   I’ll be needing a continuous support, nudge, kick on the bum to get me out of the door and do my training from all of you, so stay tuned.

Much love.

San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon Recap

I am a three-times marathoner.   Me.  THREE TIMES.  Me.    The one that walked, ran, hobbled, walked some more and finished and beat my personal record by 21 minutes.

I am so humbled.    I dedicated this run for those who can’t run.   For those who are no longer with us, and for those who were robbed by cancer and its treatment for the privilege to be able to run.   There are many of them around, but in this particular run, I dedicated it to Tom Roush (b | t).  Tom is a dear friend of mine and he’s currently facing some major challenge in his health.   His previous challenge prevented him from being able to run and it’s another thing that we take it for granted.    We didn’t realize how lucky we are to be able to go out and just run until that is no longer an option.

Pre-race

We met for a team meeting on Saturday where the coaches and our team leaders gave us last minute tips and tricks as well as the logistic on what’s going to happen on the race day.   I have a great opportunity to speak in front of everyone and thank everybody’s effort on their fundraising.   To really show that they made a difference.   I am a living proof on what that fundraising all about.    It was deeply touch with so many awesome people I know on this team!

Shortly after, we head out to Team in Training inspiration dinner.    This probably the biggest inspiration dinner I ever attended!  There were 1,500 TNT runners and their family in the room and together, we raised 4.5 millions dollar during this race!  That is VERY impressive numbers.   Our chapter alone for the summer seasons raised $153,000!    Wow.   This is what I am talking about.   The cure is around the corner and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is working hard to raised all these funds so they can fund more research for the cures.    YOU, my friends, are part of this awesome thing because many of you supported me, either by donating to my fundraising or encourage me during my training run.   For that, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you!

Race Day

The alarm went off at 3am.   Yes THREE AM.   I was so cranky and really didn’t want to get out of bed.   After half hours just dilly-dally and did nothing, I slowly got up and got myself ready.    We were told to meet at the lobby at 4:15am so we all can boarded the bus at 4:30am.    I told Karen (b | t) that I will meet her by the corral.   Karen is another dear friend of mine and one of my awesome corporate sponsor for this Summer season, the one that actually talked me into running to begin with.   I never forget when she dared me to run Portland Half Marathon on 2011 shortly after my Rainier summit trip.   Few months ago, I dared her to do this marathon with me.

We started with a very slow pace and 2-1 ratio for the first mile, then changed to 5-1 afterwards.  First five miles went by really quick until I had to go to do a quick stop at the porta-potties.   We decided to go to Starbucks instead (yes, the stores opened their restroom for runners).   Initially I was so happy to see that there were no lines.   We waited and waited but the lady inside the restroom spent FOREVER in there.   I swore it took almost 10 minutes before both Karen and I ran back to the course and continue on.

I don’t remember much until the about 13 miles.   We ran through Mission Bay park and it was really nice running path.   Weather was overcast and breeze which was great for me.   Karen and I kept our 5-1 ratio and  managed to still joke around during our walk breaks.   She even live-blogged during the run!    We hit mile 18 and my asthma that been bothering me lately started to acting up more and slow me down a bit.   I took more puff from my inhaler and continue on.   Karen and I kept outrun each other, but we managed to stay together.

Mile 19 came around and it was the beginning of a long, very long gradual hill.   About 2 miles long.   I shorten out my ratio down to 2-1 and grind through it.   Again, Karen live-blogged during that hill and I assured you, even the picture didn’t really show it, it was a very long hill!

Mile 21, both Karen and I decided to sprint, well, ran fast on the downhill.   Yes, we knew that was bad for our knees but we did it anyway mainly because I just wanted to get done.    It felt so great to head down that hill fast that way!

Mile 22 was a mission mile stretch.   It’s a stretch of street that filled with signs with name of the people that we run this race for.   I started to cry to see my name on few of that signs.  It was overwhelming to see it!

The last 3 miles of the race somewhat a blur.   I knew I was so happy we were almost done and the fact that my husband greeted me at mile 25 with his big smile just gave me a boost that I needed.   One of my coach, Erica, who ran with me during some of those hills as well as towards the end also gave me the push that I needed.

Then the finish line.

Karen and I sped up and we both smiled cheek to cheek.    We had hold hand, up in the air, big cheesy smile and cross the finish line together.

For me personally, this is the best marathon ever.   Not because I PR’ed by 21 minutes, but mostly because I did it with my dear friend.   Because I can say that I motivated her to complete her first marathon, and because we started, ran it, and finished together.

Karen, thank you for allowing me to be part of your first marathon.    Thank you for continuously to support me and agreed to do more of the crazy races with me  (yes, stay tuned for that).

Until the next race.