Monday, March 7, 2011

Just to make sure…

Today I decided I would swim 1.2 miles, or 2,000 yards, just to make sure I could.

A long time ago, August  17, 2008 to be exact, I bought my first road bike, a Trek, one month before my first triathlon. I rode my bike 13 miles just to make sure I could, then I swam a half mile in the pool, just to make sure I could. Then I went on a two and a half week vacation to visit friends and family. I came back from the vacation with about a week and a half until my first tri.  I went in to my first tri with no expectations other than to finish and to have fun…

It was not pretty…1/2 mile swim time-21.31

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T1-7:42…I was not wanting to get on the bike. That is a ridiculous T1 time

12 mile Bike-1:00.59/11.81 pace

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T2-2:36…much better but still not a great transition time

3 mile run-27.24/ 9:08 pace. I felt like I was crawling.

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In the end it was FUN! I loved it! I could not wait to do another! With a finish time of 2:00.12 it was by no means a stellar debut on the tri scene. But I have since done two more and the lessons learned cut valuable minutes off of each race.  And I have yet to actually train before one, until NOW.

Tri #2-Seafair-2009

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My second sprint tri (with a 3.1 run) was completed in 1:36.12. I cut my swim time to 16:56, T1 time 2:06, bike 46:35 (15.46 pace), and 5k run 27:42 (8:56 pace).

Tri #3-Danskin Seattle-2010

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My 3rd sprint tri time was  1:34.43.  My 1/2 mile swim time was a bit slower at 17:24, 12 mile bike 43:13 (16.66 pace), and 5k run 27:27 (8:51 pace).

Looking back at those races I am actually quite impressed since the only training I really did was running and an occasional 1/2 mile swim. Which brings me to my point. Today I decided to swim 1.2 miles just so I could get over that mental block of never having swam that far. I set my timer, jumped in the pool and started swimming until I hit 2,000 yds. I had no idea where I was as far as time but when I hit stop on my timer it was 42:16. I’ll take it! I wasn’t swimming fast, I actually felt heavy and uncoordinated in the water today, it could have the spin class I finished minutes before. Or it could have just been an off swim day.  I was pacing myself since I had no idea how that distance would feel and it felt far but not impossible. Tackling the 1.2 mile swim was a huge boost to my race-esteem (not to be confused with self-esteem).

What have you done lately to boost your race-esteem?

Because I am super cool and have awesome self-esteem I sported this to spin today….it was amazing and I will be wearing one from now on…

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And finally, I was able to snap that pesky cardinals picture!!! Isn’t he just so pretty?

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Oh stop your worrying, this isn’t going to become a bird watching blog…or maybe it will….what kind of blog would you never, ever be caught reading???

Don’t forget to enter my CEP Compression socks giveaway HERE!

25 comments:

  1. In the last couple weeks I started biking. I think it should really help my running times, and then I'm only a few swimming laps away from doing a tri.

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  2. I love looking back at races to remember where I started and how far I have come. Especially on days where my run was just not so hot, or my whole body is just aching. It reminds me that it is COMPLETELY worth it:)

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  3. I love this post! I'm a nervous nelly starting my tri training. I am not a good swimmer and I need to get my butt in the pool and get started. I love my new bike but am scared to clip in. For my first tri I was such a noob that I didn't worry about all this stuff and now I know and have gotten the right gear and feel pressure...but I think it is good pressure.

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  4. I admire triathletes. Swimming and biking are just not on my list of things to do! Good for you!!!

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  5. Is that a blooming dogwood tree already???

    You're so gonna rock that 1/2IM...

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  6. Thanks for posting this. A DM friend of mine is trying to talk me into the Danskin Tri and I am seriously considering it. I am a decent cyclist, so-so runner and I can swim, but never in competition. So there are the unknowns. But I have heard so many people say a tri is fun. And ultimately, that's what matters!

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  7. I think a wristband like that would be incredibly helpful in spin class and I'm going to get one, too!!

    I'll have my MOM start checking out your blog if you're going to become the bird lady ;-)

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  8. I swam 1000 yards last week just to see if I could. And I could :)

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  9. Congrats on your swim! I'm impressed with your triathlon and swimming progress. Keep up the good work!

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  10. LB-AWESOME!!!!! YOU DID IT!!!!!

    Julie---thanks for CRACKING me up! i can't wait to meet your mom!!!! Hilarious!

    Jan- I blew up your blog post!!! loved it!! And do it!!! You can do it!! As long as you set out to finish and have fun! My first one was just with the goal of doing it to do it!!!

    Pam-Thanks!!! And uh...I have NO clue what kind of tree that is but YES it is blooming!!! And so are my tulips!! Awesome!!! Maybe I should peruse some horticulture blogs?

    Kimert--THANKS!

    Carmen- I got to hear about this new bike!! And great job on the Myrtle Beach 1/2!

    Trisha*n---SO worth it!! Keep it up!!

    2 slow 4 Boston---Do it!!! And cycling has improved me all around! I feel stronger (que Britney Spears stronger song...)

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  11. Wow, great swim!! I wish I could do that! I am a miserable swimmer! I need to get out there and practice though.. Thats awesome to see how much you've improved in your tris!

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  12. I can't wait to see how you do on your tri!

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  13. i am so excited for you with your tri! i know you will do fabulous.

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  14. Woohoo! Look at how far you've come! That is so awesome!

    I totally need one of those wrist bands...I sweat so much!

    The picture of the cardinal is so beautiful!

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  15. I gotta do one of these again. Just to see...you know.

    ;)

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  16. wowzer!!! huge improvements! That is awesome!! Can't wait to see what happens this year! :-) My 10k PR is from an Olympic distance Tri i did a few years ago. I suck at the bike and when i get to the run i just take off. Sometimes people yell at me to slow down because they think i'm going out too fast, nope, i'm just THAT bad on the bike that i am so far back so it looks like i'm inexperienced! lol

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  17. Way to rock that wristband! I received one a couple of months ago from Progresso. I haven't worn it yet, but you've inspired me. I think I'll run with it today. Old school. I like it!

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  18. Great job on the swim!! It's nice to get over those mental hurdles!! To boost my race esteem I guess I did a virtual 5k the other day (inside 1.9 miles to make it a full 5 mile tempo run) and did it in the same time as my PR for a 5k which doesn't include another 1.9 miles so I felt really good about that! Nice wristband! I use to wear one at the gym to wipe the sweat but I can't find it. Thanks for reminding me to look for it!! I hope I win the giveaway!!!!

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  19. I can't wait to see what your next tri is going to be...you are working your butt off!

    My confidence builder was when I broke 2 hours for the half! Now I am going to try a duathlon...we'll see!

    Love the pic of the birdie! Looks like Spring is on its way!

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  20. Awesome swim!!! That should give you some good confidence. You are going to kick some tri butt now that you actually train. :)

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  21. That wristband= brilliant for spin, must get one! There is some girl who occasionally takes spin with me who has wristband-like things for the handlebars... jury still's out for me on them. That's a great shot of the cardinal, love the contrast with the white blooms!

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  22. Hey Amanda! Thanks for the half plan...going well so far! I ran 6 miles on Saturday!!

    I have become OBSESSED with getting a pair of the compression socks...and entered your giveaway!

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  23. I love that you do triathlons, that's fantastic. I can't swim for shit, but I admire people who do.

    I'm watching The Spirit of the Marathon right now to get myself pumped for my first full marathon on Sunday!

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  24. DUDE you are a rockstar.

    I need to get one of those wrist things for under my Garmin...Garmin does not do nice things to my skin. I have sweaty wrists? Maybe this should go in Mel's confession post...

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  25. My first triathlon went quite the same - I hadn't swam a yard, I had cycled maybe 8 miles, and I had run 1.5 miles. We seem to work on similar training schedules! haha

    Congrats on finishing the 1.2 mile swim! Now we just have to come out of that and bike and run. Piece of cake, right? :-p

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You're pretty much awesome!!

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