Good News, Bad News

I'll give the good news first. I ran 1.5 miles today! Or, more impressively, 2.41 kilometers! And Noah didn't wake up when I got out of bed, and even slept for an hour after I got out of bed. I think it's hit or miss as to whether he's going to freak out. If he had a restless night where he nurses a lot, his belly is fuller so he's not as aware and wanting to nurse around 6:30ish. If he had a good night and only nursed once or twice, his belly is empty and so he wants me around until he's up around 7:30. So I can't win for losing when it comes the mornings. Either it's a good night, bad morning, or a bad night and good morning.

The bad news: I had my annual physical with my GP yesterday and my fasting blood sugar was pretty high. Not quite in diabetes range, but close enough that I'm freaking out about it. So I think I have to go back to eating primally, i.e. protein, vegetables, fruit and nuts. No sugar, low carbs. Ugh. I have to make this commitment so I stay healthy for all my boys (Craig and N squared). However, sugar is yummy. Really yummy, especially when I'm the baker. But, I want to keep my legs attached to my body and my vision, so I have to eat better. Luckily I've already started the exercise portion of blood sugar normalization.

Tomorrow is either swimming or biking. We'll see!

Swimming!

I woke up again this morning and exercised! I figured out that 54 laps in my tiny pool equals 1/3 mile, the length of the swim portion of the triathlon. So, I did the 54 laps! It was a combination of freestyle and breaststroke, with some pauses in between to reassure Noah that I was still around.

Noah woke up the minute I got out of bed this morning at 6:30am. He cried until Craig brought him outside and sat him on a chair on our patio, so he could watch me swim. He watched me avidly, wanting waves and verbal reassurance that I was close to him. *Sigh* This is what makes exercise so hard to do these days. Noah won't be comforted by anyone, including his daddy. It's me or tears. So I can't do the gym. I was hoping that I would be able to slide out of bed and exercise before he noticed, but that doesn't seem to be working. Craig is just going to comfort him as best he can while I (selfishly?) take time out to exercise so I can be healthy for him and for me.

Next up, running 1.5 miles tomorrow. I'll bike on Thursday.

The secret to exercise? Getting up at 6am.

As the title says, I've decided to start getting up at 6am to get my exercise in. Even then, Noah is having problems if I am gone. Since we sleep in a family bed, he knows when I leave it, and this morning I got back from my run only to hearing heartfelt wailing coming from the bedroom. He won't be soothed by anyone but me, hence I can't go to the gym and leave him in the daycare yet. So I hope I can ease out of bed and get a run, ride or swim in before he wakes up.

I'm now able to run a mile without stopping, which is a victory itself. I realize that I have to run two more miles, plus have bike and swum before it, but I am now confident I can do it.

I am a competitive person, although sometimes I forget that. My friend Stephanie did her first triathlon a couple of weeks ago. That has spurred my competitive nature. Why can't I do one, too? I can! So I will. I am still having problem with my right lower leg. I don't think it's an achilles tendon, it feel more like a middle calf muscle, if that makes sense.

I've also started swimming laps in my pool, although it is so short that I take 5 strokes and I have to turn around again! I can't wait to get up to the cape so I can do open water swimming in the ponds and do a longer distance.

Stupid Achilles Tendon

So I've really started to enjoy running. I never thought that would happen. I think about it a lot. I'm trying a MWF running schedule with TTSS as other exercise days. I've noticed that I'm more toned overall from running. I'm even waking up early to run! I find it easier to run alone, without pushing a stroller and it's definitely cooler.

But, of course, since I got new running shoes (a men's size 10, thank you very much), my running stance has changed. It sure feels like I'm running on a cloud, compared to my almost year old sneakers. However, I haven't been stretching, and so during my Friday run, my right achilles tendon started hurting. I did a little digging on the internet, and of course, the only way to make it better is ice, anti-inflammatories, and rest. How am I going to exercise if I can't use my achilles tendon? Then only thing can think of is swimming, but I'm over at my parents' house, taking care of my grandmother, so I don't have access to my pool. AARGH! I'l keep off of it as much as possible for a few days and see how it goes. (Keeping off my feet is impossible, of course, since I have a toddler, a pre-k boy and my grandmother to take care of.)

I think another reason why I've lost some weight is that I'm subsisting on meat, vegetables and nuts due to thrush issues. You can only eat so much salad until you're either , a) sick of it or b) full. I really want to add some food back into my diet, but thrush is so awful that I really want to kick it out of my system. Noah's eczema is getting better since we went on medicine for the thrush and cut out wheat and refined sugar from his diet. But, it's sure not a "fun diet."

Two more miles!!

I jogged a mile yesterday and a mile and a tenth today. Yay! I think it may be getting easier. My goal is to be up to two miles in two weeks. I'm not going to run everyday, my thighs were protesting at the end of the run today. I think one day on, one day off it a good rhythm. Tomorrow, I'm going to do some stretching and tabatas, probably a plank and some lifting.

I'm still digging my Enell bra. I may have to get a second one!

One mile!

I ran one mile! Or, jogged as fast as I could. Or plodded, rather. 200 pounds is hard to get moving fast.

The hardest part was the first quarter mile, for two reasons. I didn't have the momentum on the first quarter mile that I had the last quarter mile. The second reason? Just as I started running, there were two very fit, good-looking people strolling ahead of me. I kept thinking to myself, great, now they're going to laugh at me, my butt is jiggling all over the place, I bet my face is already beet red, and other undermining thoughts. Then I thought to myself, I'm an adult! Who cares what other people think??? I'm doing this for myself, and I should be commended for exercising, even though I may not be pretty while doing it. So I persevered and they started running, and they never saw my flopping fat. Problem solved in two ways, by reframing my negative thoughts and they left anyone.

So, first mile completed.

2 months to Cape Cod!

I have a more present motivator - only 2 months until we decamp to Cape Cod and beach weather! I ran another half-mile today. It has gotten so hot and humid here - 92 degrees today. Noah actually fell asleep on the run I think I have to start running earlier in the day. Maybe I'll try to wake up earlier and run before the day officially starts. I am going to work on both distance cardio and the HIIT (high intensity interval training), i.e. tabatas. I've read a couple of different sites. Some say to do 4 minutes of 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off, others say 30 seconds on, 90 seconds off for 20 minutes. Thoughts anyone?

Whoa!

I actually ran a half mile today! It may have been the slowest half mile run ever, but at least I did it. The lovely, shaded street across from my neighborhood (complete with horses and goats) is exactly a half mile long, so I ran to the end. I did walk back, but it is the beginning!

I am happy to report that the new sports bra I got by Enell was very supportive. I may have to invest in a second one soon. Next up is a new pair of running shoes. Maybe Lloyd Clark's by friday? There's also running store in Town of Tioga that I may hit up. Any thoughts on either of them?

T-Minus Six Months!!!

Eek! Only 6 months to go! I have had many steps back this week, which is why I haven't posted. I was surprised by AF a week early, then today I had another migraine! Fun! At least I was able to function through it today.

Summer has lent me a jogging stroller (thanks!), but I haven't gotten a chance to break it in yet. I'm hoping to start on Sunday, or maybe tomorrow, if I can get some time to myself. Our pool is at 69 degrees, still pretty cold to actually swim.

I've also given up wheat and sugar again. I'm doing a modified "yeast" diet for at least 10 days. The yeast diet is geared to killing an overgrowth of Candida in the gut. It involves cutting out all sugars, including fruit, white flour and vinegar. I did this back in the 90s, and I felt great. Weight just fell off me. It is really hard, though, to give up all sugar. It calls to me! I figured out a dessert, though, coconut milk, unsweetened cocoa powder and a dash of vanilla. It was really satisfying.

This is becoming real. 6 months to go! I will compete, complete and conquer this triathlon!

Two steps forward...

Into a three mile walk today. It was a lovely breezy day, and I explored the area around my parents' house. Noah fell asleep on the walk, and I figured out how to attach the ergo hood while Noah was on my back. (It involved a lot of contortions and leaning forward). The sugar, however, is a one step back. Why can't I give up this nectar, this ambrosia? Oh, yeah, because it tastes delicious! I'm working on it, though. I'll start running on Monday. Can't wait!

Starting up again

Well, between traveling and illness (both the boys and mine) I haven't exercised or blogged in a week. Both boys got dreadful, chest rattling coughs and poor Noah had an ear infection. Then I got the cough and when we got back to Gainesville the oak pollen had fallen. I just couldn't exercise because I couldn't do deep breathing! Then I ate wheat, because even though it does bad things to my body, it tastes delicious.

So, I decided enough is enough. I'm back to the fun of exercising! I've also given up wheat , most other grains, and sugar. I know I'm going to go through sugar and caffeine withdrawal. The caffeine is from coffee. What's the point of coffee if it isn't full of sugar and cream?

I walked today with Noah strapped to my back, only 1.2 miles, but better than nothing! More exercise tomorrow! Wahoo!

Back home again

We're back home in Gainesville. It was a quick trip home. I didn't get a chance to exercise today between traveling, unpacking and food shopping. I'm also wheezing a little, from a cold the boys gifted me. So I'm wondering if exertion is good if the lungs are full with mucous or if I should law low for a while...

I did the beach walk again yesterday. I saw a pillar of pelicans flying (OK, a flock of pelicans, but pillar sounds more interesting.) The best part of the trip was seeing two dolphins swimming in Biscayne Bay while driving across 125th St. So exciting!

I'll see how I feel tomorrow. Maybe a short walk with the boys, but they're sick too, so I'll have to play it by ear.

Metro Zoo Meandering

We went to the Miami Metro Zoo today. It is HUGE. I'm pretty sure that the path around the zoo is more than 2 miles. A website I found said it was over 3 miles long. I believe it. It really felt like 10 miles since I was wearing Noah and it was hot. Sweating hot. Compounded by the baby heat. Nathan walked most of it. The funny thing is that I ran into a friend from Gainesville at the zoo! Small world.

That was the extent of the exercise today. I'm going to get up early tomorrow morning and get a walk in before we go to Butterfly World.

Beach Walking

We're down in Surfside (just north of Miami Beach) visiting Craig's parents for a few days. I got a chance to go walking this morning by myself. My in-laws live a half-mile from the beach, so it was a no-brainer! I walked to the beach, then a mile on the sand itself, then back to the house. Blue skies, gentle breeze, rotting fish smell... There were thousands of dead jellyfish washed up on shore, so it was a little aromatic in the beginning, but I quickly got used to it. I love hearing the waves breaking on shore and the water was such a vivid teal! Plus sand walking is tough and uses different muscles. I got almost a 2 mile walk today, better than yesterday which was a travel day. The only walking was through Ikea on the way down...

I definitely need new sneaks. Forget last week and the stair walking. I've encountered no stairs in the past couple of days, and a couple of minutes into the walk, my calves started hurting again. I really am going to buy new shoes soon!

And I'm going to end on a rant. Part of me hates coming down to Miami. I am voluptuous, Reubenesque, pleasingly plump, whatever. And I feel so damned self-concious down here. I know it sounds terribly self-centered, but I imagine every passerby laughing at how fat I am. Ugh. I'm almost 39. When will I stop being held hostage by my terrible body image? I don't want to be 70 and still worried that I look fat. I'm glad I don't have any daughters, because how can i teach body love and acceptance when I don't have it for myself? Part of the reason I want to do this triathlon is to lose weight so I can fit into a cute clothes and not feel fat. I wish I could just love my body. I'm very lucky and happy to be married to a wonderful man who loves me and my body. Why can't I do the same?

Back on track!

I did 50 minutes (I just typed minuets - that would be a melodic exercise!) on the elliptical machine, with two sets of 10 one minute on/30 seconds off sprints. Great workout! I got my new bra and my new tri shirt. The shirt fits great, but I need to get the bra tailored. The straps are a little too long, but the cup fits, so I'm keeping it.

I am going to have to start running soon. Yay! I am psyching myself up to learn to enjoy running, rather than seeing it as a chore. Maybe I'll start tomorrow with the new bra, even it if isn't tailored yet.

TMI Thursday

OK, be warned. Private details ahead...

I didn't exercise again today. I had one of the worst menstrual migraines I have ever had. I appear to be one of the lucky ladies who can get migraines during her period. This has just started happening since I go it back after Noah. Thanks, hormones! Ugh. Alleve didn't work. Tylenol plus a lime rubbed across my head and back of my neck seems to have helped a little. I tried to drive with it, but it was so bad I had to have my mom come and drive to pick up Nathan and help me run errands. Suffice it to say, I didn't exercise today. It was all I could do not to throw up. I did some reading and the only conventional treatment is birth control pills. No, thank you. I feel better now, after eating pizza and pasta. Maybe the carbs helped some serotonin uptake or something.

I am really missing my exercise! I don't want to get out the pattern and habit! I sincerely hope I won't have my period on October 23rd, because it would really interfere. Maybe I should go on birth control, because I can time pills to miss it during the triathlon...

If anyone has any experience with this, please let me know...

Day off...?

Today was nominally a day off. I did a whirlwind of cleaning for Noah's one and a half hour nap, never pausing. Back and forth, bending, carrying, vacuuming. I think that has to count for some calorie burn! I cleaned for two sets of relatives who were supposed to visit today and tomorrow. (I don't want them to see how I really live.) Of course, both canceled. It was really nice to come home to a clean house tonight. I may have to do that more often!

Tomorrow, a nice walk to the library and back, and maybe more.

Duh, stairs!

Imagine me smacking my forehead in realization. Now I remember why my calves hurt! We did the Devil's Millhopper on Sunday. No wonder my calves hurt on my walk yesterday. I almost never use stairs, because they are not around me! If I see stairs, I take them instead of the elevator. However, there are so many one story buildings in Gainesville that I don't get a chance to use them. So I'm guess my pain was from that, not my sneakers.

I never made it to buy sneakers today. Instead, Noah took a nice two hour nap. I was able to do 50 minutes on the elliptical machine, doing 2 sets of sprints. The sprints consisted of 1 minute hard, 30 seconds slow for about 12 cycles each time. Great workout!

I bought a new sports bra today, an Enell. I am so excited! Finally, some support!. I also bought a Zoot TRIfit tank. Stage one of gathering together racewear.

My friend Summer is also loaning me her jogging stroller (thanks, Summer!) so I can start building up my endurance, since I currently have zero. So it's starting to start...

Calf woes

Both calf muscles now feel pulled and uncomfortable. I've been doing most of my walking with Noah on my back in my Ergo, although I was solo when I pulled my right calf muscle. I tend to supinate (roll on to the outside of my feet) and my old sneakers aren't helping matters. Noah's extra weight exacerbates the supination. My errand for Tuesday morning is to go to Lloyd Clarke Sports and get a new pair of sneaks. I guess the calf strain is a reminder to take a break, but it's tough because I don't want to lose momentum! I'll do some ellipitcal at home tomorrow, which shouldn't be too strenuous.

On a positive note, I found an iPhone tabata app! Yay! I loaded it tonight, will try it tomorrow.

I walked to the pediatrician this morning for Noah's 15 month visit (he's splendid) for 1.4 miles roundtrip. I also did a wall sit tabata. My thighs feel more solid and less jiggly after only one week of exercise. Noah's doc also said we could try the gym daycare (we've been avoiding it due to Noah's recurrent ear infections). I would love to start lifting again.

Part of my reason to do a blog is to keep a diary of my training and keep me accountable to people who read this. I apologize if my posts aren't scintillating every time!

Devil's Millhopper!

Family walk this morning at the Devils Millhopper. I had Noah on my back again. We did the stairs and the trail. I love this place! I am coming back with Noah to add stair walking to the regimen. We saw pitcher plants and beautiful violets. I also did a wall-sit tabata tonight - my thighs are burning.

I realize that I am in control of my body and my eating. Sounds silly, but sometimes the sugar cravings are so much I just say, what the heck and eat, eat eat. I have to think positively and remind myself that I am not the sum of my food. I don't need to eat sugar. I will eat good food that helps me strengthen my body.

Stretching

I've been remiss in remembering to stretch. That was driven home yesterday when my I pulled a calf muscle on my long walk. For a variety of reasons, I didn't get a walk today or do a tabata. Running from place to place, doing chores, etc. So I decided to focus on stretching tonight. I did some yoga and some hamstring stretches. Much better!

Spring has Sprung!

I love Gainesville in the spring! So many blossoming trees and flowers! I went for a brisk 2.6 mile walk with my dog, Mollie, this afternoon. Noah was home asleep (Craig stayed home today) so I was able to go at a faster pace, 3.5 miles an hour. 25 extra pounds does make a difference! Walking is so peaceful, I don't use my ipod during a walk. Instead, I listen to the bees, birds and breeze. I focused on my breathing for this walk, trying to breathe through my nose. I have a tendency to breathe through my mouth, which I think is inefficient. I am also working on a breathing pace, though I wasn't as successful with that today.

I also did a plank tabata, but only lasted 4 planks of 20 seconds. I literally couldn't lift my body after the fourth. I need to work on my abs!

Tabata is tough

I did my first tabata interval today, using an improvised system: kitchen timer plus my stopwatch on my iPhone. I've realized three important things:

1. I desperately need a good quality sports bra.
2. Four minutes is an eternity when you are out of shape doing your first tabata.
3. I want a gymboss.

I was able to do the tabata right after Noah went down for his nap and I knew he wasn't going to wake up and try to get out of bed. 20 second run. 10 second walk alternating for 4 minutes. Towards the end the run was more of a slow run. My lungs were burning. Ten hours later, I can still feel the effect on my lungs. I will do at least one tabata a day, I have to figure out doing weight training tabata.

I've also come to the conclusion that doing a running tabata outside while neighbors burn leaves and there is an incredibly high pollen count is really dumb. I am still wheezing.

No other exercise today (life interfered), so I am wondering if that is why I am feeling extremely pissy tonight. I think I better go to bed.

Pathtracker worked!

No one called while I walked with Noah today! I was able to track both my distance and my pace. 1.8 miles at 2.8 miles an hour. Since the running section of the triathlon is 2.8 miles, I figure by October I'll definitely be faster than 2.8 miles an hour. Nathan, Noah and I also took our afternoon walk to the playground, and I discovered it was a half mile there! So another mile walked today. And on a side note, I have no idea where Nathan gets his boundless energy. The kid is never tired!! Ever. Even after walking, playing, punching on the punching bag, he keeps going. I need to catch some of that.

I need to figure out a good eating plan. Giving up carbs is great, but I need to eat in a way that stays off sugar cravings. Tips appreciated.

I'm thankful for the exercise. Noah has been waking up at least every 30-45 minutes to nurse the past two nights, so the exercise is keeping me awake. For now. I'm hoping he cuts his teeth soon. I think that's the problem.

Six, er, SEVEN months to go!

So it turns out that I miscounted. There are actually seven months to the triathlon on October 23. I can count this first month training as my banish the couch potato month, before I start a structured training program.

Today Noah and I had a hike in UF's nature area behind the Museum. I used my new Pathtracker app, but there are some bugs with it, so I am disappointed. It will accurately gauge the distance, but only if I don't interrupt it, for example with phone calls. And I can't block my phone calls without turning off the GPS. So I think, but I'm not entirely sure, that I walked around 1.5 miles again. I also did all the stairs available: the set behind the museum, and the three sets in the parking garage, around 200 total. That's 198 stairs more than on a usual day! All this wearing my 25 pound bunny. Plus I got to learn about Florida's pine uplands and visit the butterfly exhibit.

If you haven't done the nature walk, I recommend it. There is a boardwalk and other trails. You can access it to the left of the museum entrance. Did great with food again today. I weighed myself. I will keep the number to myself, but I am disappointed. I am well over the weight for Athena category. I will be stronger and more fit by the time October 23 rolls around. I will!

Monday Madness!

Okay, not really. More like Monday Motivation! I did two workouts today. 30 minutes on the elliptical at home while Noah napped and then a brisk mile plus walk with Noah strapped to my back after he woke up. I also gave up my morning sugary tea, and it wasn't so bad. I like the taste of plain matcha, so not bad. Also, no grains today.

I'm finding that the more attention I pay to exercising, the more attention I pay to other things in my life. I am known as "The Tornado" in my family, as I am unable to have an entirely neat house. I think my messiness is congenital. No matter how hard I try, I just can't be neat. However, I am finding, that even after three or so days I am more mindful of cleaning up.

Craig installed an app on my iPhone called Pathtracker which uses GPS to accurately gauge my walking distance. Yay! Can't wait to try it out tomorrow.

Research time!

I love to research my new passions. I picked up a copy of Triathloning for Ordinary Mortals by Steven Jonas, M.D. from the library, natch. I'm not going to invest in a book unless I think it is worth it! I found this book from a suggestion from my friend Marci. She suggested Running for Ordinary Mortals. Although the library didn't have the latter book, they had the triathlon book, which was even more perfect! I've also found a couple of websites, including one focused on gear especially for the plus sized triathlete. Or, as we are classified, Athena triathletes. (Any women over 150 pounds. The poor plus sized men are Clydesdales.)

I will also be checking out High Intensity Interval Training, suggested by Naomi in the comments for day two. Thanks for the tips! I will incorporate HIIT into my training regimen as I find a good example, most likely in the next week.

As for today's training, we took a family walk to the library, 1.5 miles roundtrip. I wore Noah on my back, adding an extra 23 pounds. I most impressed with Nathan who walked cheerfully the entire way!

The Second Day...

was not as successful training-wise as the first. Life interferes sometimes. Poor Craig had a migraine, so I couldn't take off by myself. So Nathan, Noah and I walked to the CVS down the block. Only about a half-mile roundtrip, so better than nothing. We also strolled the Haile Village Music & Arts Festival this morning (not that great, by the way.) I was able to do some sprints by chasing Nathan around the yard tonight, although I don't recommend sprinting in flip-flops while chasing a four year-old. Man, is he fast!

For the next couple of weeks, I am going to focus on eating better and walking, walking, walking! Now, I think eating better can be more subjective than people think. I've done a lot of reading recently about nutrition contrary to the commonly accepted orthodoxy of low-fat, high fiber. I'm convinced that low grain is the way for me. Low grain does not equal all fat, though. I still love fruits and veggies. I've given up grains a couple of times, and felt so good! I'm determined to give them up again. Why do I fall off the wagon? I love to bake. I've recently started baking my own bread and had to try a piece. Of course, one led to another, then another... And cookies - yum.

So the next big step is going low-carb. No grains, low sugar. I'm kind of relieved to be forced to give up sugary tea. I love hot tea, with tons of milk and sugar, both in the morning and at night. I'll substitute milk at night and matcha green tea in the morning. I'd love some low carb tips! Post away in the comments...

Why a Triathlon?

I used to be quite the athlete. I was a competitive swimmer from ages 5 to 14 and captain of both volleyball and soccer as a senior in high school. (Alright, so our soccer team never won a single game. I never said I was a World Cup caliber athlete.) Then I went to college and gave up team sports. I really miss them, but being a mom to a pre-schooler and a toddler has prevented me from joining a soccer or softball team. Plus, I'm out of shape, big-time.

I've wanted to do a triathlon since law school, more than 10 years ago. But I never found the time to do it. Now, I have to complete one. I turn 39 in November. This is not the big 4-0, but if I give myself a year and six months to train, I'll never do it. The triathlon I want to do is October 23 in Orlando. This gives me a little over 6 months to go from zero to triathlete. I can do it!

Swim training should be easy. We have a pool, so once it warms up I can swim at night when the boys are asleep. Cycling is fine, too. I once rode 63 miles across Cape Cod, from Sandwich to Provincetown in one day (I only walked up the two big hills in Wellfleet.) It's the running that worries me. I am not a runner. I became a soccer goalie so I wouldn't have to run the field. I really hate running. Runners never look happy. Plus, being a plus-sized woman, I have to consider two other things. I'll leave that to the imagination.

So, today, March 19, was my first day of training. I walked a mile and a half pushing my little one in a stroller. That's a mile and a half more than yesterday. I figure I'll take it slow and steady, at least until I can find a jogging stroller.