Blue Lightning!

Today was another beautiful day! I'm so glad I saw this coming and planned to ride my bike today. A 50 minute ride was in order for today, and I was so excited to hop back on my bike.

2 weeks ago, Greg hooked my bike up to the stationary trainer in the spare room. It was good to be on it then, but something was missing. I figured out what that was today... wind!

I freed my bike, filled my best water bottle up with cold water, put on my sunglasses, gloves and helmet, then I brought the bike down to the driveway. I reset the bike computer and set out for my first ride on the open road this year.

It felt so good. I actually missed my bike. I couldn't believe it! I missed this thing that I really wasn't excited about last year. I thought after the first mile or 2 that my love affair would fade and the pain would set in.

I was wrong! I hit a hill, and leaned on my handle bars to get up that hill. It was just like RAGBRAI and felt so right. It was like my bike and I had a connection, that didn't fade during the winter months.

The love continued to grow with each mile. I road through town, and along the Cannon River to the next town. I saw the trees beginning to bud. I saw the full river moving swiftly along. I saw local cows next to the town compost site. I saw Dundas, MN. I had a smile that just kept growing.

I love my bike now. I loved it so much, that I decided to name it. People name cars all the time. You name the things you love. Since I now love my bike, I named it Blue Lightning! Ah, the love of a bike.

Tomorrow, it's off to the pool.

Merging the trainining

One of my big challenges is trying to figure out how to merge my sprint triathlon training with my 1/2 marathon training. I figure what ever day has the most activity is what I will do. I will also keep my 1/2 marathon distance days (Fridays).

This weekend I'm doing a 5K with Lael, or rather I'm running a 5K while she runs a 10K. With the 5K coming up, I decided to move up my distance day to today. This week held a 4 miler in my future. The weather finally warmed up and the wind died down, so today was the perfect day for a run.

The first mile was tough. I've realized this week how much I've hurt myself over the past few months. I've really let myself go. I've gained too much weight. I haven't kept up with my workouts. Now, I'm struggling a bit.

Normally, the pain and struggle would make me stop running. Instead, I just think that this is temporary. This is how I will feel during the 1/2 marathon or during the run portion of the triathlon. I'm training for the struggle too. Struggle can be good. Struggle is really going to make me stronger. I need to be happy that this is tough. I need to get a mental workout too.

At 3.75 miles, my side ache that I'd been battling for 1/2 mile caught up with me. Or rather, it caught my breath. I had to stop and walk to catch my breath. I felt defeated at first. Then, I heard Greg tell me that walking isn't a failure. I'm in training. I still got my mileage in. It wasn't what I expected, but it was a success.

Tomorrow, biking outside! I can't wait!!

wii fit plus!

Today I decided to work my wii fit plus routines. Greg and I got our wii from his son for Christmas, and I had no idea how much fun it would be. I went out the next week and bought wii fit. I love it!

First, I started with 30 minutes of yoga/strength training routines. It is amazing that the little balance board can figure out how well you are doing.

Next, I moved onto 40 minutes of various exercises. Wii lets me select which parts of my body or areas I would like to work on. I picked 5 different areas, with 3 different routines for each area. It keeps me moving and keeps me interested.

After I was finished, I was sweating bullets. There are a few routines that I struggle with, but grin and bare it. However, I'm loving boxing, judo, hula hoops, biking, snowball fighting and skate boarding.

I think the Wii Fit is going to be good for me. I can work on other parts of my body I ignore when running or biking. It should be fun. Although, I hate my HUGE Mii character. It takes your weight and adds size to your character. I'm going to shrink that Mii if it kills me :)

Motivation

Motivation came come in all forms. My friend just found it in a total stranger at the gym. I know I need more than that. I need a goal to work towards. I need a BIG goal.

I got it today! Greg, my stepson and I made the lottery for the Grandma's 1/2 marathon in June! From everything I've heard, it's an amazing event! The best thing is, I don't have to fly to a destination for it.

I've felt so unmotivated the past few months. I've eaten horribly, planning to start my Weight Watchers plan the next day. The next day never came. Well, the next day is today!

I ate a good breakfast, drank more water, and hit the road. It was my first outdoor run in Minnesota in 2010. It felt great! What a wonderful 5K + it was! The sun was shinning, the snow melting, and a very light wind.

I hope this motivation sticks. Now the diet begins again...

Wagons

I haven't just fallen off the wagon in the past month or so. I fell off and ran from it. Not good. I've gained between 10-15 pounds. Ugh!

I need to get back on the wagon. I need to buckle down. I need to follow Weight Watchers to the T again.

I started today to eat healthier. I ran for 30 good minutes. And so it begins.

Pray for me as I try to catch that damn wagon!

(this painting is by my great uncle Duane Bryers)

Running Skirts?

A new triathlon store just opened up in my little town! I went to the open house last week, and entered a drawing. The next day, I discovered I was a winner! Yipee! I went and picked up my winning the next day. Much to my surprise, I won a pair of SkirtSport pants (seen on the left).

What the heck? A skirt on running tights? Very odd. Would I like them? They did come in my size, which is handy. I told Lael about them, and she assured me I would like them.

I only have 1 pair of running pants right now. I LOVE my current pants! They are very cozy and warm during the cold Minnesota runs. I knew that if I kept running outdoors this winter I would need another pair of pants. Now, a pair had fallen in my lap!

I had also been wondering what do wear during the 1/2 marathon in 6 days. Again, I LOVE my current pants, but they are warm. In the upper 40s/50s they can be almost too warm. Will they be too warm when my mileage increases? But, will it be too cool for shorts? The temperatures should be in the upper 40s for the start and near 60 at the end. What to do?

So, I decided to try out these new girlie pants today. It was 44 degrees, with a slight breeze. I felt it was a good temperature to test them out at. It was a bit cool for me. I'm so used to my wonderful trusty warm pants, that I prepared to feel cool. It did hold back the wind though, just not the 44 degree temperature.

At the end of my 5K training run, I thought that these might be my perfect solution for the 1/2 marathon. They seem to be a good in between set of pants. Don't get me wrong, I am bringing along my old trusty pants and a set of shorts just in case.

Pants and a skirt... still odd.

Wordle

OK, so I saw this on my friend's blog. It looked so cool I had to try it myself. I did this on http://www.wordle.net/.

It's pretty darn cool to see what words I use the most. I'm surprised good is so big. I'm glad to see Greg is larger than most.

7 Days until the 1/2 marathon. I can't wait!