Baby Steps

     Have you ever seen the movie,"What About Bob?" Bill Murray, plays Bob Wiley, a man with many psychosomatic disorders. Bob goes to see his psychiatrist, but is pawned off on another doctor in the practice named Dr. Leo Marvin (played by Richard Dreyfuss). Dr. Marvin offers his new book called Baby Steps to Bob as a cure for his phobias. The book's main idea is that by taking small steps each day you can improve your life. Bob is agoraphobic, and has trouble leaving places sometimes. Dr. Marvin,"baby steps," him out of his office before leaving for a month long vacation with his family. The story continues with Murray(Bob) following the family while they are on vacation.

     "Baby Steps," is exactly where I am right now with my training. After a tailbone injury, I have started adding land workouts back into my routine, but it's a slow, steady process. I've been doing small increments of  running on pavement and trails to rebuild what I have lost over the last month or so. The good news is that water workouts, like swimming, and running on the underwater treadmill by HydroWorx, have kept my aerobic fitness level where it needs to be. Still, it's different running on land, and my body is taking a while to adjust back to land workouts.
     Fartlek workouts have helped with my land training. These are interval sessions, done at about 60-80% intensity. They can be done anywhere. I have a trail right in my backyard so I run there, but fartlek can be done on a regular treadmill, HydroWorx treadmill, or track. I warm up with a mile to mile and half of easy running. Then I take walking breaks in between my intervals. For example, after my warm up, I run for about 4 minutes at about 60% intensity. Next, I walk for a minute and run another four minute increment at a higher percentage. Each interval is followed by a 30 second to minute rest before I start the next run. You can have fun with these and mix it up anyway you wish, with whatever intensity you wish. Once you reach the allotted mileage or time, be sure to cool down with some easy running or easy walking.
      I am not running for long distances, but rather,"baby stepping," back into running shape on land. After all, I didn't go out and run six miles when I first started running. Conversely, after an injury, I want to protect myself from getting hurt again. Small intervals of running at moderate intensity are a great way to get back into the game.
     Fartlek can really help with speed too. Once I am pain free and able to do a bit higher mileage, the fartlek method can be used by increasing  intensity and decreasing rest periods. One of the great benefits of this method is that it can be adapted to the needs of an individual, and it develops aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels. Many fartlek workouts include hill work which can be especially tough.
     My first race of the season is in April, and to quote part of  Robert Frost's, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," But I have promises to keep , And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep..."

Tri- On,
Kelly

What About Bob.mov You Tube

Farewell But Not Goodbye

   I had a video about triathlon transitions to share this week for my blog but something or someone was pulling me in a different direction to write about a very important transition that I am going through now. It is not the transition from swim to bike or the transition from bike to run, but rather the fact that in one weeks’ time I will be moving my family to North Carolina to live. A little voice inside my head said the video can wait.
     Five short years ago we were faced with a decision to move to Pennsylvania for a promotion for my husband's job. When our kids were born I gave up full time work in sales to stay at home with our boys. My husband was the bread winner so when an opportunity came for him we knew it would be good for his career in the insurance industry. The move to Pennsylvania was inevitable.
     Here we are five years later moving back to the Raleigh area of North Carolina, right back where we started our family after college. As my neighbor said, “Full circle is nice." Full circle is right. I never thought I would feel sad leaving PA since I really did not have ties here but after five years I've finally felt like I was fitting in and that I had built a new life here for my family. My heart is sad in a way, but I know that once again this is the right move for my family. Once again my husband's job takes us back.
     There are many people, places and things I will miss about PA. I was able to plug into triathlon here, which is such a big part of me. I will miss the Catfish Triathlon on City Island that I have done each year since I moved here. I won't, however, miss swimming in the Susquehanna River; sorry folks but can you blame me? One year the river was so shallow triathletes were walking it. I had my first experience in the HydroWorx pool at the Catfish Tri where I got to try out the endless swim jet. I was immediately hooked and little did I know that I would develop a relationship with them.
     I will also miss the triathlon at Pinchot Park. I won't miss the fact that last year when I finished the race my son Nick informed me that they pulled out a very large black snake with fangs when they were fishing during my race. I will miss my runs on the trail and around the grounds at Messiah College. I won't miss all of those killer hills, but I will miss my running friends Susan and Fran and all the things we shared while we ran. I will miss running on the underwater treadmill at HydroWorx.
     I will miss the bike rides around here. I never thought I would say that because there are so many hills. My thick thighs are proof that my cycling has really improved, at least on hills and now I get bored on the flats. The scenery in Central PA is so beautiful and I would savor my rides taking in all the green fields and the miles and miles of farms in the area. The winding roads and the peacefulness of watching a farmer tend to his fields is something I will miss. The hard working farmer will forever be ingrained in my brain.
     I met some really good people here who are farmers that I had the pleasure of working for giving school tours. I will really miss their orchard and the fond memories of working with the schools and sharing information about what an orchard is and what happens there.
     I could name all of the great friends I've made but I think I'd like to explain what type of people they are rather than embarrass them by naming them. There seems to be one common thread in the friends that I’ve made in PA and that are God, family, country. What does that mean?
      My friends here have their priorities straight. They are not concerned with material things but rather helping others. I know of several families here that are involved in missionary work. Recently, one young man in the area travelled to South America on a mission and another family is soon to go to Costa Rica to help others find Christ. One family left the area and moved to Africa to build a new hospital.
      One friend showed up at my door after a trying time with my teenager with an apple crisp and a hug. Just being there for me when she knew I needed a friend; so much for not sharing a story.
      When ABC's Extreme Home Makeover showed up in PA, many of the friends I have here were involved in planning meals and coordinating volunteers to help a very needy family in nearby Etters. The people of our community showed up to do whatever was needed to get a very special home built for a quadriplegic.
     I have a great group of neighbors too. I will really miss hanging out in our back yards and getting together over the holidays. My neighbors would do anything to help my family, especially in the “transition mode," we've been in lately. Offers to cut grass or watch the kids or come over if I'm scared have been endless.
     Transitions are hard in triathlon and in life. I can practice transitioning for triathlon, but I can't practice some of life's transitions. What I can do is remain supportive of my family and the move and look at it as another fun adventure.

Tri- On,
Kelly    
    
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Tri-Father's Day Edition

 
  Father's Day is rapidly approaching and upon reflecting on my relationship with my dad, I thought it would be timely and appropriate to dedicate this week’s blog to my dad. My parents divorced when I was seven and although it was hard in some ways it was better for my brothers and I relationship with our dad. How is that possible? Dad was more focused on us after the divorce. We actually saw him more and spent more quality one-on-one time with him after he left our home. It was hard, but in the end he was there for us, perhaps more than he might have been if he had stayed with our mother.
     Dad is the reason that I am athletic; not the sole reason, but a very big reason that I am the person that I am today. We spent many Saturday afternoons at the park; where my brothers and I learned how to play whiffle ball, basketball, and baseball. I learned soccer well before the sport became popular in the United States, from playing with my dad and brothers at the park.
      We spent many hours taking hikes and enjoying the great outdoors. Dad had a real love for sports and passed that love to myself and my brothers. Dad was a basketball star in high school and I remember him trying to teach us how to do lay-ups at the park. Much to his dismay, none of us were born basketball players, but it didn't take us long to find our niche in sports.
     Dad taught us to swim at an early age. His love of the beach and swimming remains a major part of his life and ours. Dad lives in Florida half of the year where he swims laps in his pool and takes a walk on the beach daily. We were like fish as early as four and five years of age. We were far ahead of many other kids we knew growing up who feared the water. Swimming became a major part of our lives recreationally and later competitively. Most Saturdays in the winter months we swam at my grandfather's indoor pool.
     Most dads show their kids some sport type activities and that doesn't guarantee that the kids enjoy it as much as their dad does. But for me personally, the reason I loved those activities is because it was time spent with my dad where he was engaged and focused on us. He seemed to be really happy during these visits and the happiness transferred to me as a kid. Sports were a way to connect with my dad. We could play and talk and interact with each other in a positive manner. He was an encouraging, “coach," during our play times.
     In the seventies my dad took to the running craze. I remember he wanted to lose some weight and he started to run at the high school track down the street from where I grew up in Northeastern Ohio. I would go to the track sometimes with him and watch him go round and round. The time he spent running seemed to take forever as a spectator. I soon found myself taking a lap or two with him. I did not have an immediate love of running and I often wondered as a kid how and why he ran around that track so many times.
      But as time went by I found myself going to the same track and doing some laps around myself only to find that I did enjoy it. By the time I got to middle school I was regularly running on my own, and went out for the track team in seventh grade. I ran the mile and half mile and loved it. I loved the freedom I felt from running. I didn't care where I was going, but I knew how I felt when it was over. Dad used to say the same thing. That he didn’t, “feel right," if he didn't get in his run. The endorphins released from running obviously affected my dad in a good way, as they did for me as well. When I first started running and told my dad about it he said, “I’ll warn you, running is addictive." Boy was he right.
     One of my fondest memories with my dad is the time I went running with him and his friend George. They loved to run on country roads down in Peninsula, Ohio. We would run out by a farm called Szalay's where we would purchase our summer corn and other treats. At the time I was only about twelve, and thought I could run as far as they could. The reality was that I was only really able to run around two to three miles. My dad and George always did a minimum of five miles, but the day I decided to tag along they were doing six. Piece of cake, right? It was a typical hot and humid summer day in Northeastern Ohio, and I had to take quite a few walk breaks. Dad didn't care. He and George would circle around me and run back behind me so I wouldn't get lost. They never stopped running, but they never let me out of their sight either. I was never so happy to see the car that day, parked on the side of a corn field. I remember sprinting to get to the car. My dad replied with, “She’s like a horse to water." He and George cracked up at this.
     He never got mad at me for not keeping up and at the end he was smiling with pride that I had made it back to the car. "I bet you'll think twice before you want to do that again," he said. But what he didn't know was that I would try again and again.
     Dad developed bone spurs in his back years later. The doctor told him it was a result of pounding the pavement too much. The diagnoses; no more running. He could walk; ride his bike, swim etc. but no more running on concrete. My dad went through a bit of a depression as a result of not being able to run. I wished that back in the early eighties there had been the therapy pools like they have now. I recently told him about the HydroWorx pool with the underwater treadmill and he said he tried one recently at his Suma Health Club in Ohio. Still, I can't help but think that if Dad had access to one of those pools earlier he may still be running today.
     When I started swimming competitively in eighth grade I think my dad was kind of shocked. He knew nothing of the sport except for recreation purposes, and when my younger brothers decided to join the swim team as well, I think my dad was a bit sad that none of us followed in his basketball footsteps. But that did not discourage him from coming to all of our meets and cheering us on. As a mother of two very sports oriented boys, I can now really appreciate all the time our dad spent at our sporting events. Sometimes the last thing you want to do on a Saturday is watch a kids event, but he did it and with enthusiasm.
     Nine years ago when I did my first triathlon my dad was really excited. I think he thought that after one of those events I would be done with it. Last year when I did my first half ironman event he said, “You’re outta your mind kid, better you than me." He'll never really come out and completely give a compliment, that's just not his style, but I know that he has mentioned my stats to his tennis buddies. Dad took up tennis about ten years ago when he retired. He kicks my butt every time we play. He always says," You do triathlon; you don't have time to practice tennis, but if you did you'd be good."
     I'm proud of my dad. He has spent his life staying active and fit and he has passed that lifestyle to his children. He enjoys being outside and spends his days of retirement walking and swimming and biking around town. He has big baskets on the side of his bike so that he can ride to the grocery store as he does most of the shopping now. He says," Every day is a good day." I think that is the best motto anyone could ever hope for. Dad is getting older and he's slowing down a little. He gets cranky if his misses his walk or his tennis with his boys. He is a role model that has helped me love life and triathlon. Thanks Dad!
     By the way he doesn't even know what a blog is. A classic line from Dad when I told him that I blog was, “What the hell is a blog?" Someday maybe he'll see this. Probably not, but I know he knows in his heart how much of an inspiration he is to me.

Tri-On,
Kelly
    

Barefoot Running... But Not Where you Think

     All over the news lately is a new trend called barefoot running. The obvious definition- running in bare feet.  I have been intrigued by this new phenomenon and I do like to follow new trends. I consider myself a trendy chick for a forty something, well sort of. Anyway, I looked at some interesting web-sites and while intrigued, I still was not inspired enough the other morning when I went out on my deck to inspect the great outdoors to discover the outside temperature of 13 degrees Fahrenheit or -10.5 Celsius. I immediately ran back inside, barefoot, right to my computer to learn more.
     I spent the morning surfing and learning about the Vibram Five Fingers shoe especially made for this,"barefoot running," at eighty bucks a pop I wondered why I'd bother with these since the trend is without them. I read more about the folks out there who are purists and really prefer wearing nothing on their feet at all and about a guy whose done one hundred marathons barefoot. Humm. What's a girl to do when she wants to try a new trend? I decided to wait for the spring to attempt running sans shoes outside. I packed my bag and off I went to do some barefoot running of my own; on the HydroWorx treadmill.
     A perfect and safe environment for barefoot running is on the underwater treadmill at HydroWorx. I'm in my swim suit too and barefoot and as carefree as a pregnant woman. Okay so maybe I should save the stand-up for the spring too, but the warmth of the water and safety of the underwater treadmill came through again. I'm still on trend, but I am not going to have to shock my feet into understanding why I am running without shoes. The underwater treadmill leaves me weightless and therefore my feet are not taking the pounding they would barefoot on a road or trail. I am still carefree and running; just safe and pain-free.
    While running barefoot I decided to do intervals. Anyone who runs knows the importance of interval training and while I am an older athlete, my speed is probably not going to improve greatly at this point, it is still something that I incorporate into my workouts rather than doing the same old run at the same old speed. Repeats or intervals are something that I normally do on a track or on the pavement. The last time I did intervals was with my friend Fran, the crazy, mountain- trail racer. I was miserable because we did them running on the road and by the fifth one I could feel my feet hitting the pavement, this was with a very cushioned shoe; imagine without shoes.
     The underwater treadmill was perfect for an interval workout and fun. I warmed up by running at about 6mph for about ten minutes. Then I alternated speeds, and to make things even more fun, I added the resistance jets on the pool, making it feel like you are running uphill. I ran at about 6.5 mph for about one minute fifteen seconds and then keeping the same speed, added the resistance jets at about 75% for about a minute. I did ten of these. After about thirty minutes I switched to straight running at 6.5 mph and then did a cool down at about 6mph for the last ten minutes.
      I was completely distracted during the intervals because I was looking at my watch for time and constantly changing the resistance jets; this made the workout fly by and it made it fun for me because I was changing my routine a bit. Distraction is something that I have become very good at being an endurance athlete. I break my workout into chunks of time rather than thinking of the whole session. That's exactly how I get through a triathlon; I think of each piece of the race and then I move onto the next portion. If I thought of the whole distance I would never make it.
     Because I was barefoot, I could also watch my form. I could see my feet hitting the treadmill underneath me and fix corrections if my feet were not properly aligned. If you are an under or over pronator this would be valuable to you because you can literally see what your feet are doing. Unlike the repeats that I did the week before on the road, my feet did not hurt. In fact my legs were not sore either and usually the day after repeats I want a low impact workout of some type. I went downhill skiing that night after my workout in the HydroWorx pool and felt great. My butt would have been in a hot tub and to bed early if I had been out on the road.
     I think I might buy a pair of those Vibram Five Finger shoes; but I'll save them for my next,"barefoot," session on the HydroWorx underwater treadmill.  For more information on hydrotherapy go to http://www.hydroworx.com/.

Tri-on Friends,
Kelly  

Post Recovery Workout in the HydroWorx Pool

     Much has been written about how much time you need to recover after an endurance event. Whether you are a triathlete, marathoner, 5 or 10k runner, recovery is as important as your training, without a good recovery program you risk injury. I have read articles in Runner's World that said to take a week off after a marathon.After my Half Ironman, I decided to follow this plan, after all I covered 70.3 miles, the equivalent of two marathons.
     After a week off I was ready to get back into my training. I wanted to do two post recovery workouts and compare them to see which felt better. The first workout back was on a regular treadmill at the Y. I did an hour run at moderate speed with no inclines. I felt pretty good until about mile three and the soreness in my quads and IT bands returned from my Half Ironman. I got through it and felt a bit fatigued after, but I expected some soreness because it was my first workout back.
     The very next day, I decided to run again, but on the underwater treadmill in the Hydroworx pool to see if I felt any difference. I did an hour of running on the HydroWorx pool and almost immediately felt a difference.The warmth of the water helped ease my muscle soreness upon entering the pool. I ran for the first half hour without the resistance jets on and felt great; no soreness in my quads or IT bands, like I had the previous day on the regular treadmill. I decided to add the resistance jets for the second half hour.Again, I felt no fatigue on those areas that had bothered me. I did feel a bit tired ,as the resistance jets do make the workout more challenging, but no pain. I alternated speed and the resistance jets for the rest of the session and felt great.
      When I was finished running I turned the resistance jets on the highest setting and let the water blast my quads and instantly felt those muscles loosen. Once again the HydroWorx pool really came through for me. I covered the same distance as I had the day before on the regular treadmill, but without any pain or soreness.
     The power of working out in water is so significant, and as I've said before, the HydroWorx pool will now become a regular part of my training.
     No matter what your time off is after an event, the most important thing to do is listen to your body and start back small with your training. Sleep is key as well. I make sure I get to bed earlier and get at least nine hours each night after an event. Stay hydrated and drink lots of water and recovery drinks. I'm a fan of just some watered down Gatorade. Have some balanced meals that include some protein;the protein will build muscle recovery. Take time to reflect on your accomplishment during recovery time, after all you've earned it!

Tri On Friends,

Kelly

You Don't have to "TRI" to Stay Fit

     It has been a few weeks since my last entry and while I'm still proud of the Half Ironman, reality has set in and it's time to get back to business. Beach2Battleship was my last event for the season ,but that does not mean it is time to hang up my goggles, bike shorts, or running shoes. Au contraire mon frere. The off season is an important part of my training time.
     A common question I have been asked lately is how do you find the time to train? I wanted to share some tips on time management for training. I also want to express in this entry that you don't have to be a triathlete to incorporate some changes in your life that are healthy ones. I was recently inspired to write this blog from a woman that is a student teacher. She asked, "How does someone over a certain weight run?" My response was ,"don't run, walk and add running in one minute increments." I also mentioned that the HydroWorx pool ,with the underwater treadmill, would be a great option for her to try because you are virtually weightless in the water.
     I think it is really hard for people to understand that I just didn't wake up one morning and go out and do a triathlon. It has taken years of building my fitness level.
     Here are some tips to help the average person get started. First of all, if you can, join a gym. I joined the YMCA when my children were small. They have wonderful daycare and I could drop off my kids and get a great  work-out in. But if you can't afford a gym there are other ways to get fit.
      Invest in a jog stroller. I did this when my son Bryce was born and it was a Godsend. I didn't always run, I started out taking walks with him in the jog stroller and started to run a little bit at time during my walks. If I felt like running I did, if I felt like walking I did. I would add a couple of minutes of running with walking and before I knew it I had added ten minutes of running to my half hour walk. It takes an average person around ten minutes to run a mile. This walk-run was good for my son too. We were outside getting some fresh air, experiencing nature. Once my son got older we could use our runs as a learning time as well. I could point to things outside and ask him,"What's that?" I made a game out of our runs.
     During the toddler years, I let my son ride his Big Wheel along the trail I ran on. He couldn't go too far at first, but I was still fitting in some exercise and he was getting worn out and also benefiting from riding his "bike," as I used to call it. If he was cranky I promised a trip to the park when Mommy was finished getting her exercise time in. I used to call it my," play time," and explained to him that Mommy needed time to play too and then it would be,"Bryce's time." He quickly learned that he wasn't the only one who wanted to do things. This was an important lesson for him..
     When my second son was born I invested in a double jog stroller. Some other inexpensive equipment is a jump rope, rollerblades, resistance bands and balance ball, and a bike seat. If you have kids they can jump rope or roller blade with you. The bike seat attached to the back of my bike so I could ride around the neighborhood while my son got to enjoy the great outdoors. I wasn't biking 56 miles, just a few miles around the neighborhood , but it still counts. These small pieces of equipment add up to exercise and eventually you can get your kids doing these activities with you.
     Around seven years ago I developed a stress fracture and I couldn't run but, I was still able to do low impact exercise like swim and the elliptical at the Y, but again if you can't afford a gym, I have another way to stay fit.
      I bought some Pilate's DVDs that were wonderful. You can do the DVDs whenever you want in the privacy of your own home and I did not gain an ounce of weight during the time of my stress fracture. Pilate's is a wonderful toning tool. I like it better than yoga because it combines dance movements with quick repetitions, giving you more of a cardio workout than you get with straight yoga.
     Get a work-out partner. If you are meeting someone early in the morning or late in the evening to exercise it holds you more accountable. You'll feel bad if you don't show up and the other person has made the effort.
     As far as balancing work, family, and exercise, a common excuse is, "I don't have time to exercise." My response is, "Yes you do!".  Incorporate it into your day just like anything else and it can be done. I think of it like eating or sleeping; it is necessity. If you are working and balancing a family the easiest way to fit in exercise is to do it early in the morning. Go to bed an hour earlier and get up an hour earlier. All you need to get started is about thirty minutes. I always say that something is better than nothing. Even twenty minutes of cardio can give you some benefits.
     "My kids have so many activities, I don't have time," is another excuse I hear often. I can relate to this and I have been known to go for a run during my kids soccer practice. They are old enough now that I can leave them for their hour long practice and sneak off for my run. If you are not comfortable leaving then run or walk around the soccer area where you can keep an eye on them. I see many moms sitting in a chair during their kid's practice and I think what is the point in that, you could be utilizing this time to get your own exercise. My kids don't mind if I don't watch all of their practices,so don't feel guilty.
     Finally, ask your significant other to help. My husband knows how important it is for me to release all my stress through some physical activity; mine just happens to be swimming, running, or biking. He is awesome about chipping in and helping with the kids so I may do those activities. He knows that I will support him come hunting season and for his occasional fishing trips. We work together to get what we both want.

       Anyone can get fit. Start small, do what you love, increase whatever activity you do in increments. Get your kids involved.You'll be leaner and your kids will admire you when you can play tag or kick the soccer ball with them.

     The best compliment  I received came after my Half Ironman from my now thirteen year old son. He said, "Mom are you happy that you did your Half Ironman?" I said, "Of course." He said,"I want to do an Ironman someday and dedicate it to you." I cried!    

 Take Care and Happy "Tri-ing,"

  Kelly

  

Hydro-Benefits

     As a forty something age group triathlete my priorities regarding racing have changed. I used to obsess over times and statistics of other racers as compared to my own stats, but now I’m more concerned with staying injury free and healthy so I can continue to participate for many more years in my sport.

     I’m always looking for new and innovative ways to stay low impact with my running portion of triathlon. I’ve found some nice mulch trails near my home and soccer fields that keep me off the pavement. Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to use the HydroWorx therapy pool as part of my low impact workout.

     The HydroWorx pool is unique because it has an underwater treadmill. I can get a run workout in 80% impact free. I was skeptical at first but within one use of the pool I was hooked.

     I’ve tried regular pool running before with a weight belt in the deep end of the pool. I found this way of running very awkward, but the HydroWorx pool wasn’t because it is set up like a regular treadmill where your feet hit the ground; the difference is that you are in water and it doesn’t hurt.

      The workout in the HydroWorx pool is also challenging, which as an endurance athlete I welcome. There are swim jets that create resistance while you are running; it is a one two punch as I’m getting my run done and I’m off the pavement. The jets can also be used to simulate an open water swim which I will touch on in a later blog; but that is another reason why the pool is so versatile.

     I get bored easily with my training and workouts, which is one of the reasons why I love triathlon so much; I get to mix up three sports. Use of the therapy pool helps me keep my workouts fresh; I look forward to going and using the pool and I know I’m getting great results. The pool is fun too because I can watch myself while I’m running. There are underwater cameras that show what my feet look like when they hit the treadmill so I have instant feedback on my gait and I can instantly correct if I’m over or under pronating.

     One of the things I’ve noticed is after my training session in the HydroWorx pool I’m energized. I feel like I could go back for more and I rarely feel that way after pounding the pavement for an hour or more. After my last session in the pool I noticed a significant change in my running the very next day. I was refreshed and not sore and was able to run longer as a result of using the underwater treadmill. I was only scheduled to run five miles that day but ran seven because I felt so good. The realization; I need to incorporate the pool into my weekly routine to maximize my running.

     I can’t imagine life without triathlon; to me it is like eating or sleeping or taking a shower; it is necessity. I have wondered lately how I will keep my body going and now I have an answer; the HydroWorx pool.

Tri- on Friends,

Kelly

Tri-Water

       My love affair with water began at an early age. My father, being a huge beach goer, taught my brother's and I to swim at the age of  five. When I was ten years old my mother sent me to a church camp for a week in Ohio with her cousin's children. We stayed in a cabin, hiked in the woods, played volleyball. There was a concession stand where on Friday we were able to spend some of our own money on candy and treats, which at age ten was a dream come true. My favorite memory about the camp though, was that we got to swim in a lake.The camp had a swimming competition in the lake where I won my first event. So began my love affair with open water swimming; who knew I would still be competing in open water thirty years later?
       One of the many benefits of multi sport is the cross training. I can take a step off the pavement and hit the water.  There are many benefits of training in water. Today, I had the privilege of using one of the HydorWorx pools as part of my training. The 7"6 wide by 14' long pool provides high powered jets to swim against, giving a swim that simulates open water swimming. The pool is also able to provide an incredible run workout.
       The HydroWorx pool offers an underwater treadmill, much like a land treadmill, you can power your speed and run for as long as you like; the difference is with the underwater treadmill you feel like you could run forever. There is virtually no impact. I was able to use the jets in the pool to include resistance to my workout, and at 6-mph, for one hour, I was able to get a run workout in without actually pounding my body. My knees and hips thanked me, and after one hour I was ready for more, but my time slot was over. When I run on the pavement rarely do I feel like doing more.
       While I was running on the HydroWorx treadmill my mind flashed to last week when I was driving over to train at Messiah College. I was trying to fit in a quick run after work. I passed a very large man running down the road near the college. I didn't know him but I wanted to stop and give him a hug. The man looked to weigh somewhere around 300 pounds. There he was trudging down the road, one step at at time. He was not able to go fast, in fact his run looked like a mere step up from walking. His large body was doing the very best it could.
        There were many reasons I wanted to hug him. First to encourage him, second to say I admired what he was doing, but last to comfort him because carrying around 300 pounds had to be painful. I realized at that point that the HydroWorx pool could help many obese people get into shape without the pain. By running on one of the underwater treadmills you are 80% weightless and can burn as many calories as on a traditional treadmill without the impact.
       I wondered how long this very overweight man might keep up with his running. According to an article by Robert Kokoska for Ezine, the very obese have a difficult time going to regular gyms because the equipment is designed for the maximum weight of 250 pounds. The bottom line is that it would be difficult to maintain an exercise regimen if you are very over weight because of the stress added to muscles and joints, but if you were weightless in a pool than the chances would be higher that you'd stay with a program because it wouldn't hurt.
       I love to watch the show The Biggest Loser. While the routines the trainers put the contestants through are very inspiring, it is very unrealistic for an obese person. Putting so much physical stress on an obese person has many risks involved. Have you ever noticed the disclaimers before and after the show? Showing someone exercising in a pool doesn't make for interesting television, but the reality is water could revolutionize weight loss!
       The power of water is amazing; our bodies need it to survive, we need it to grow things, we are made of water, we can use it for energy, we can exercise and rehab our sore muscles in it and we can lose weight by working out in it. Water is one of the reasons I love triathlon; I am able to excel  because of my ability to swim.
       Check out HydroWorx website at http://www.hydroworx.com/ where you can learn more about the different products they offer and who is using their pools and why it just works!

Tri On!
Kelly