If you've been reading you'll know that there is a product out there that I love. It is called an underwater treadmill and I have had the privelege of using it. Mostly these treadmills, by a company called HydroWorx, are found in physical therapy offices and rehab clinics. College and professional sports teams also use the pools and treadmills to train and rehab their athletes. The beauty of the underwater treadmill is that you are not getting the impact that regular treadmill running or outdoor running gives. You are weightless and it really feels like you can run forever on these. I used the product when I was living in PA and I was able to run for an hour or more without any soreness the next day. There is also an attachment that comes with the treadmills that allows you to blast water on sore areas at a rapid rate which helps to prevent soreness or rehab soreness you may already have. I used the hose on a sore knee and the next day that same knee felt better. The hose also rids any build up of lactic acid to the area that it is applied.
How does an underwater treadmill relate to a marathon? HydroWorx is sponoring the first underwater marathon this September 9, 2012. The marathon takes place in Hershey Pennsylvania at the Troegs Brewery to benefit the Eagle Fund. There is a 5k,10k, half or full marathon available. Anyone can run on this treadmill. The treadmills can now be found at a local YMCA in Randolph NJ and the testimonials from the members are outstanding. They've had poeple who could not run anymore, up and running on the treadmills. You get the benefit of running without all the pounding to your joints-it really is amazing.
There is no reason not to run this marathon. Gather up your running buddies and head to PA for a really fun experience. Even if you are a non-runner this event is especially for you.Hershey is a great town that offers plenty of fun things to do after the marathon as well. There is Hershey Park with lots of fun rides and a water park, check out Chocolate World for all of you chocolate lovers, and the Giants Center offers sporting events and concerts. You could make a whole weekend of it and don't forget to enjoy some good beer after the marathon at Troegs.
Spread the word to your running and triathlete community. Mark my words, these treadmills are coming soon to a healthclub near you. You heard it here first on my blog.
See the link below for more info on the HydroWorx Underwater Marathon.
Tri- On Friends,
Kelly
http://www.underwatermarathon.com/event-details
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12nSfVyeFlI
Friday, June 29, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Food and Drink for Tri
My niece and nephew-in-law were in town over Memorial weekend and attended one of my sprint tri's with me. It was great fun to share my passion with some of my relatives other than my immediate family. They asked me what I eat before a competition. There are many nutritional supplements out there and it can be confusing and expensive as far as which products to use. This blog is about what I like to eat and drink the morning of a triathlon and during a race.
I am a purest by nature. I mentioned this in my last blog. So what do I eat before a triathlon? I usually eat a banana and half a bagel with a small amount of butter on it. I usually also drink a cup of coffee. I know that sounds weird, but my body is used to a certain level of caffeine and if I don't have my cup of joe than I get headaches. I used to drink a mixture of Gatorade and water. I know I'll take some heat on that from some nutritionists out there, but I have stomach issues and if I drink pure Gatorade beforehand then diarrhea will set in and you don't want that on race day! Thankfully, I have found a new product on the market that I love called G2 series Gatorade. It is less caloric, but has efficient electrolyte,sodium and carbs to prevent me from cramping and getting dehydrated, best of all I don't need to water it down. Beware of drinking too much regular Gatorade because the high sugar content can also dehydrate you.
Bananas are one of my pre-race and post-race favorites. It is a pure food that gives you the potassium needed to prevent leg cramps. Potassium also stimulates your muscles, nerve cells, and brain cells and prevents strokes. One banana gives you 13% of the daily recommended amount of potassium needed for a healthy diet so even if you aren't racing, peel away and eat one.
Water, water, water is also a pre-race, post-race, and of course during the race must. But how much do you need? The day before a race I always try my best to get 6-8 oz of h20 about eight times or eight glasses. I don't like water that much, but I know the importance of staying hydrated during an event and after. Ever have a bad post-race headache? Take it from me they hurt.
Before a triathlon I try to drink at least 8.5-16.5 oz of water prior to the start. I have taken in too much water and felt miserable on the run so be careful not to over drink. Never try out a new system on race day- that is what training is for. Everyone is a little different in how they handle how much liquid to take in before they start, but a good rule is to sip on water about one to two hours before the event start at about 250-500 ml or 8.5-16.5 oz.
The best time to drink and stay hydrated during a triathlon is on the bike. The longer the distance of the tri, the hotter it is, the windier, the more liquid you'll need to take in. Another good rule is to drink 3-4 good gulps every 30-40 minutes. You don't ever want to feel thirsty because this is a sign of dehydration. If you over drink on your bike than you will feel it swishing around on the run. I have done this plenty of times and it is no fun. It is also good to know your sweat rate. If you weigh yourself before and after a hard training session- say over an hour or more you'll be able to figure out what percentage you lost. Most people are at 1-2% during an intense session so you'll want to replace what you lost in sweat also. Sports drinks are great to keep on your bike during a tri because they provide you with carbs and will give you an energy boost when competing. I like the G2 Gatorade, but I also like water on the bike. The most you will need to drink is about 500ml per hour or around 16.5 oz.
I also love the gel chews during the bike if I am doing a longer distance tri such as an Olympic or Half Ironman. I always keep Power Bar Gel Blast Energy Chews in a pouch on the front of my bike. They contain all the ingredients that the sports drinks have, but I can tolerate them better than liquid.
During the run portion of a triathlon I try to stop at all of the aid stations and grab some water or whatever other sports drink the venue may offer. Even if it is only a small sip of something it helps keep my hydration up. Depending on the event, sometimes the aid stations have mile markers on them and knowing where you are in a race can mentally help. Last fall at Pinehurst they had mile markers at each station so I concentrated on getting to one station at a time, and at each station I knew I had advanced another mile.
Post race make sure you replace what you have lost by around 1.5 times. Sports drinks are great after a triathlon as they will absorb quickly and help your muscles recover. I tend to like a regular Gatorade after my event because my stomach has settled down from pre-race jitters and I can tolerate the extra sugar.
The best advice I can give as far as what to eat before and during a race is to practice fueling before your event. Do some brick workouts, where you bike then immediately run and practice your fueling method during this time. Never try out anything new race day because you don't know how your body is going to react. We are all individuals and what works for one person might not work for another.
Tri-On!
Kelly
Check out this website for more info on fueling for triathlon:
http://www.intelligent-triathlon-training.com/triathlon-hydration-strategy.html
I am a purest by nature. I mentioned this in my last blog. So what do I eat before a triathlon? I usually eat a banana and half a bagel with a small amount of butter on it. I usually also drink a cup of coffee. I know that sounds weird, but my body is used to a certain level of caffeine and if I don't have my cup of joe than I get headaches. I used to drink a mixture of Gatorade and water. I know I'll take some heat on that from some nutritionists out there, but I have stomach issues and if I drink pure Gatorade beforehand then diarrhea will set in and you don't want that on race day! Thankfully, I have found a new product on the market that I love called G2 series Gatorade. It is less caloric, but has efficient electrolyte,sodium and carbs to prevent me from cramping and getting dehydrated, best of all I don't need to water it down. Beware of drinking too much regular Gatorade because the high sugar content can also dehydrate you.
Bananas are one of my pre-race and post-race favorites. It is a pure food that gives you the potassium needed to prevent leg cramps. Potassium also stimulates your muscles, nerve cells, and brain cells and prevents strokes. One banana gives you 13% of the daily recommended amount of potassium needed for a healthy diet so even if you aren't racing, peel away and eat one.
Water, water, water is also a pre-race, post-race, and of course during the race must. But how much do you need? The day before a race I always try my best to get 6-8 oz of h20 about eight times or eight glasses. I don't like water that much, but I know the importance of staying hydrated during an event and after. Ever have a bad post-race headache? Take it from me they hurt.
Before a triathlon I try to drink at least 8.5-16.5 oz of water prior to the start. I have taken in too much water and felt miserable on the run so be careful not to over drink. Never try out a new system on race day- that is what training is for. Everyone is a little different in how they handle how much liquid to take in before they start, but a good rule is to sip on water about one to two hours before the event start at about 250-500 ml or 8.5-16.5 oz.
The best time to drink and stay hydrated during a triathlon is on the bike. The longer the distance of the tri, the hotter it is, the windier, the more liquid you'll need to take in. Another good rule is to drink 3-4 good gulps every 30-40 minutes. You don't ever want to feel thirsty because this is a sign of dehydration. If you over drink on your bike than you will feel it swishing around on the run. I have done this plenty of times and it is no fun. It is also good to know your sweat rate. If you weigh yourself before and after a hard training session- say over an hour or more you'll be able to figure out what percentage you lost. Most people are at 1-2% during an intense session so you'll want to replace what you lost in sweat also. Sports drinks are great to keep on your bike during a tri because they provide you with carbs and will give you an energy boost when competing. I like the G2 Gatorade, but I also like water on the bike. The most you will need to drink is about 500ml per hour or around 16.5 oz.
I also love the gel chews during the bike if I am doing a longer distance tri such as an Olympic or Half Ironman. I always keep Power Bar Gel Blast Energy Chews in a pouch on the front of my bike. They contain all the ingredients that the sports drinks have, but I can tolerate them better than liquid.
During the run portion of a triathlon I try to stop at all of the aid stations and grab some water or whatever other sports drink the venue may offer. Even if it is only a small sip of something it helps keep my hydration up. Depending on the event, sometimes the aid stations have mile markers on them and knowing where you are in a race can mentally help. Last fall at Pinehurst they had mile markers at each station so I concentrated on getting to one station at a time, and at each station I knew I had advanced another mile.
Post race make sure you replace what you have lost by around 1.5 times. Sports drinks are great after a triathlon as they will absorb quickly and help your muscles recover. I tend to like a regular Gatorade after my event because my stomach has settled down from pre-race jitters and I can tolerate the extra sugar.
The best advice I can give as far as what to eat before and during a race is to practice fueling before your event. Do some brick workouts, where you bike then immediately run and practice your fueling method during this time. Never try out anything new race day because you don't know how your body is going to react. We are all individuals and what works for one person might not work for another.
Tri-On!
Kelly
Check out this website for more info on fueling for triathlon:
http://www.intelligent-triathlon-training.com/triathlon-hydration-strategy.html
Monday, May 14, 2012
Without Bells and Whistles
I'm a minimalist when it comes to just about everything. I don't like a lot of decorations in my home, when I dress I tend to choose one piece of jewelry to accent, when cooking I like simple tasty dishes that don't have a lot of ingredients. Triathlon is no different in that when it comes to gadgets or equipment for triathlon, I am a believer that less is more.
When I started racing triathlon, ten plus years ago, I did my first race on an old mountain bike. I didn't want to spend money on a new road bike when I wasn't sure that I would even finish my first triathlon. I learned later that I would want to continue racing, but even then I decided to buy a used road bike, which I had for several years before my husband bought me my current bike for my fortieth birthday. Again, I know people who obsess over fancy wheels and rims and accessories. I love my bike, but it's not the most expensive or cheapest. My LeMond Reno is great, but the bike alone can't make me a great cyclist. Riding and training makes me a better cyclist.
I know a guy who used to work with my husband that spent 5k on a bike. It was supposed to be a really," fast bike," and I think this guy thought that the bike would make him a better, faster athlete. Turns out that it did not give him that fast time he was looking for during a race we did together last summer. A lighter, more technical bike can help take some time off a ride because of the aerodynamics, but it can not take the place of proper training.
I tell people that are new to triathlon not to get bogged down with all the gadgets and gizmo's of the sport. You can spend a lot of money on equipment, but that equipment is not necessarily going to make you faster or better at the sport. I am living proof that you can be successful without a lot of ,"stuff." I had the same cycling shoes for ten years-I put cleats on my old mountain bike shoes. I finally broke down last summer and bought new cycling shoes and I haven't noticed that much of a difference in my race times. Effective training in the seat, on the run, and in the pool will get you results, not the gadgets.
I would advise a beginner to invest in a good pair of tri-shorts, a tri-shirt, some decent running shoes, and goggles that don't leak. Inside Out Sports in Cary and Raleigh(or any other triathlon store) can provide you with all of those items. Try a triathlon first to make sure you like it. If you don't have a road bike use a hybrid or borrow a road bike. You don't need a wetsuit for many tri's, but if you do need one many triathlon shops will rent one. Many times I've found that newcomers to the sport get overwhelmed in deciding what triathlon equipment they truly need. Don't get caught up in that trap.
Recently, I had a woman call me to ask about my swim class. She wanted to know what the prerequisite was for coming to class. I asked her how far she could swim without stopping and she said about 25-50 yards. I encouraged her to come to class and swim so that she could build up her endurance. She was a bit discouraged, but my advice to her was that you have to swim to get better. The Nike slogan," Just Do It,"rings true. Most of the time the more you practice something the better you will become- of course there are always exceptions and that is another blog.
The woman then went on to ask me if I thought she should train in the water with a heart rate monitor. Heart rate monitors are an important tool, and I do use one for cycling and running, but again that is a gadget that I just recently added after being an athlete all of my life. I told her to work on the being able to swim a little further first and worry about the heart monitor later. I felt she was a prime example of someone who was caught up in technology.
My friend Mark D. recently asked me what type of bike I have. He was looking for a new road bike. Mark has been racing for a while and like the rest of us tri-people he is hooked. My advice to him was not that much different than what I would tell someone new to the sport. I told him he could get a great bike for around 1k- not 3k or 5k, but that the most important thing would be to get proper bike fit. This can be done at any bike or triathlon shop. The cyclist can avoid unnecessary injuries by having the bike fit to their body.
A few years ago, I did a road ride in Cary on the fourth of July. It wasn't a race, but a ride for cancer awareness. I had my Colnago road bike that I had just bought used. There was a man riding a Schwinn bike and he maintained a higher cadence than I did- I kid you not. He was doing a fifty mile ride, while I was doing a thirty miler. His bike had no gears on it- it reminded me of a bike I had when I was a kid. The bike had regular, upright handle bars on it and looked heavier than my steel framed bike, yet he was ahead of me and maintained his speed for the ten miles that I saw him. He eventually made a turn that was different from mine because of the different distances we were riding. He was proof positive that you can be fast without the technology.
Ease into investing in gadgets and equipment for the sport of triathlon. Gadgets and equipment can be great tools to aid in your success, but don't forget that proper training/practice is the way to improve. If you don't possess all the fancy," bells and whistles," in your equipment don't let that deter you from signing up for a race.
Tri- On Friends,
Kelly
When I started racing triathlon, ten plus years ago, I did my first race on an old mountain bike. I didn't want to spend money on a new road bike when I wasn't sure that I would even finish my first triathlon. I learned later that I would want to continue racing, but even then I decided to buy a used road bike, which I had for several years before my husband bought me my current bike for my fortieth birthday. Again, I know people who obsess over fancy wheels and rims and accessories. I love my bike, but it's not the most expensive or cheapest. My LeMond Reno is great, but the bike alone can't make me a great cyclist. Riding and training makes me a better cyclist.
I know a guy who used to work with my husband that spent 5k on a bike. It was supposed to be a really," fast bike," and I think this guy thought that the bike would make him a better, faster athlete. Turns out that it did not give him that fast time he was looking for during a race we did together last summer. A lighter, more technical bike can help take some time off a ride because of the aerodynamics, but it can not take the place of proper training.
I tell people that are new to triathlon not to get bogged down with all the gadgets and gizmo's of the sport. You can spend a lot of money on equipment, but that equipment is not necessarily going to make you faster or better at the sport. I am living proof that you can be successful without a lot of ,"stuff." I had the same cycling shoes for ten years-I put cleats on my old mountain bike shoes. I finally broke down last summer and bought new cycling shoes and I haven't noticed that much of a difference in my race times. Effective training in the seat, on the run, and in the pool will get you results, not the gadgets.
I would advise a beginner to invest in a good pair of tri-shorts, a tri-shirt, some decent running shoes, and goggles that don't leak. Inside Out Sports in Cary and Raleigh(or any other triathlon store) can provide you with all of those items. Try a triathlon first to make sure you like it. If you don't have a road bike use a hybrid or borrow a road bike. You don't need a wetsuit for many tri's, but if you do need one many triathlon shops will rent one. Many times I've found that newcomers to the sport get overwhelmed in deciding what triathlon equipment they truly need. Don't get caught up in that trap.
Recently, I had a woman call me to ask about my swim class. She wanted to know what the prerequisite was for coming to class. I asked her how far she could swim without stopping and she said about 25-50 yards. I encouraged her to come to class and swim so that she could build up her endurance. She was a bit discouraged, but my advice to her was that you have to swim to get better. The Nike slogan," Just Do It,"rings true. Most of the time the more you practice something the better you will become- of course there are always exceptions and that is another blog.
The woman then went on to ask me if I thought she should train in the water with a heart rate monitor. Heart rate monitors are an important tool, and I do use one for cycling and running, but again that is a gadget that I just recently added after being an athlete all of my life. I told her to work on the being able to swim a little further first and worry about the heart monitor later. I felt she was a prime example of someone who was caught up in technology.
My friend Mark D. recently asked me what type of bike I have. He was looking for a new road bike. Mark has been racing for a while and like the rest of us tri-people he is hooked. My advice to him was not that much different than what I would tell someone new to the sport. I told him he could get a great bike for around 1k- not 3k or 5k, but that the most important thing would be to get proper bike fit. This can be done at any bike or triathlon shop. The cyclist can avoid unnecessary injuries by having the bike fit to their body.
A few years ago, I did a road ride in Cary on the fourth of July. It wasn't a race, but a ride for cancer awareness. I had my Colnago road bike that I had just bought used. There was a man riding a Schwinn bike and he maintained a higher cadence than I did- I kid you not. He was doing a fifty mile ride, while I was doing a thirty miler. His bike had no gears on it- it reminded me of a bike I had when I was a kid. The bike had regular, upright handle bars on it and looked heavier than my steel framed bike, yet he was ahead of me and maintained his speed for the ten miles that I saw him. He eventually made a turn that was different from mine because of the different distances we were riding. He was proof positive that you can be fast without the technology.
Ease into investing in gadgets and equipment for the sport of triathlon. Gadgets and equipment can be great tools to aid in your success, but don't forget that proper training/practice is the way to improve. If you don't possess all the fancy," bells and whistles," in your equipment don't let that deter you from signing up for a race.
Tri- On Friends,
Kelly
Friday, May 4, 2012
Racing to Revitalize
Life brings so many cycles. Sometimes you cruise along and everything seems to be great and other times you wonder why you should start your day. Sounds dramatic, but there is some truth there. This past year has brought many challenges to my family. Last January my husband left his company of ten years, we moved across country again, I lost two relatives. My brother, who I'm very close with, went through a terrible divorce. Wait a minute isn't this blog supposed to inspire, you ask? Of course it is.
Through all the challenges the one constant for me was triathlon. I could swim, bike, and run away from the,"stresses," of life. But then this past January I was faced with an injury, so my triathloning was limited to swimming until I was able to heal. Thankfully, it was a just a few short months.
One of the things I learned through this setback was that you do the very best you can with what you've got. Many times we have high expectations in our lives, only to be disappointed when things don't turn out how we want them to. I decided to accept the injury and do what I could do, but even deeper than that I realized that perhaps the,"higher," power above was telling me to slow down. Balancing family, work, and triathlon is not an easy task, and after being involved in it for ten years maybe someone was telling me to cool it.
Reflection is a funny thing, and in today's busy environment most of us can't settle down enough at the end of the day to even get a good nights sleep. I would encourage everyone to slow down and reflect upon what the truly important things are in life.
I am reminded of my step-mom, who I saw over Easter, who is suffering from a disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. The disease is in the realm of rheumatoid arthritis. Basically, she is in chronic pain most of the time. She has tried many different medications, but nothing seems to help. One of the things I have learned from her is that you live each day as if it is your last, and you appreciate what you have.
She never complains of her disease, and I know that she physically hurts all the time. She is dignified and happy despite her challenges, and never talks about it. When asked," How are you feeling?" Her response is always,"Great." My dad is the person who explains to all of my family that she is not great, but that she doesn't want to dwell on the negative. That is inspiring and courageous.
I had my first race of the season last weekend at Beaver Dam in Wake Forest, NC. I was instantly revitalized again after racing. I had a great race, but what was even sweeter was the fact that I was out there doing it, despite the challenges and burn out I had faced months prior. I was reminded, while racing, how lucky I truly am. Through the pain of triathlon I realized the gains I had made. Sounds so crazy, but there was another guy doing the race and on the back of his cycle shirt was the phrase," Feel the pain." I could totally relate. I knew the pain I felt during my triathlon was nothing like the pain my step mom, and many others deal with every single day. What's three hours?
Another aspect that revitalized me was the fact that there were nice people participating. There were several kind people in my transition area that helped soothe my nerves before we started. We joked around, gave each other tips, and a guy across from me gave me a piece of tape to better attach my race number to my helmet. Sounds corny, but even though we were all competing against each other, we could still be kind to each other. Once the race started, I was encouraged with words from other athletes like,"You look strong, keep it up," on the run course. If you've ever raced you know how important those words can be when you feel like giving up.
I again was reminded of how lucky I was to be out there participating. It wasn't about the time or winning, but rather enjoying my ability to be there. I would recommend to anyone to sign up for a race. There are all levels and distances of triathlon. You don't have to do an Iron Distance to feel proud. That is one of the many reasons why I love triathlon.
Race- On Friends,
Kelly
Through all the challenges the one constant for me was triathlon. I could swim, bike, and run away from the,"stresses," of life. But then this past January I was faced with an injury, so my triathloning was limited to swimming until I was able to heal. Thankfully, it was a just a few short months.
One of the things I learned through this setback was that you do the very best you can with what you've got. Many times we have high expectations in our lives, only to be disappointed when things don't turn out how we want them to. I decided to accept the injury and do what I could do, but even deeper than that I realized that perhaps the,"higher," power above was telling me to slow down. Balancing family, work, and triathlon is not an easy task, and after being involved in it for ten years maybe someone was telling me to cool it.
Reflection is a funny thing, and in today's busy environment most of us can't settle down enough at the end of the day to even get a good nights sleep. I would encourage everyone to slow down and reflect upon what the truly important things are in life.
I am reminded of my step-mom, who I saw over Easter, who is suffering from a disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. The disease is in the realm of rheumatoid arthritis. Basically, she is in chronic pain most of the time. She has tried many different medications, but nothing seems to help. One of the things I have learned from her is that you live each day as if it is your last, and you appreciate what you have.
She never complains of her disease, and I know that she physically hurts all the time. She is dignified and happy despite her challenges, and never talks about it. When asked," How are you feeling?" Her response is always,"Great." My dad is the person who explains to all of my family that she is not great, but that she doesn't want to dwell on the negative. That is inspiring and courageous.
I had my first race of the season last weekend at Beaver Dam in Wake Forest, NC. I was instantly revitalized again after racing. I had a great race, but what was even sweeter was the fact that I was out there doing it, despite the challenges and burn out I had faced months prior. I was reminded, while racing, how lucky I truly am. Through the pain of triathlon I realized the gains I had made. Sounds so crazy, but there was another guy doing the race and on the back of his cycle shirt was the phrase," Feel the pain." I could totally relate. I knew the pain I felt during my triathlon was nothing like the pain my step mom, and many others deal with every single day. What's three hours?
Another aspect that revitalized me was the fact that there were nice people participating. There were several kind people in my transition area that helped soothe my nerves before we started. We joked around, gave each other tips, and a guy across from me gave me a piece of tape to better attach my race number to my helmet. Sounds corny, but even though we were all competing against each other, we could still be kind to each other. Once the race started, I was encouraged with words from other athletes like,"You look strong, keep it up," on the run course. If you've ever raced you know how important those words can be when you feel like giving up.
I again was reminded of how lucky I was to be out there participating. It wasn't about the time or winning, but rather enjoying my ability to be there. I would recommend to anyone to sign up for a race. There are all levels and distances of triathlon. You don't have to do an Iron Distance to feel proud. That is one of the many reasons why I love triathlon.
Race- On Friends,
Kelly
Friday, April 20, 2012
Share Your Passion
Over Easter break one of my family members asked how my training was going. I replied with an answer that I did not really want to share, but honesty is the best policy. After being out for a month and a half with an injury I am feeling that my training is a bit slower than I would like. I also am suffering from a bit of burn-out with triathlon. My brother's girl friend responded with,"You can't always be into it." True, no matter how much we love something it seems to come in waves or phases. So how do we get back on track and focus on what we really love if we are tired of it?
The positive part of sharing my burn-out is that it opened a door for me to figure out how to not feel that way any longer. One of the ways to get back on track for me has been to talk about and share my passion with other people. Remembering that relationships can grow and develop, as a result of any passion, is what I needed to focus on to bring me back.
I started teaching swim lessons again a few months back, and that is something that has helped me develop that love again for that third of the sport of triathlon. Sharing my gift of being a decent swimmer has brought me so much joy and renewal to the sport. Talking with parents and seeing children brighten when they are able to master a skill has left me feeling that my purpose is a balance between competing and teaching.
The other way that I have been able to share my passion is through another class that I am teaching at Lifetime Fitness in Cary, NC. The class is a masters/triathlon swimming class for adults. Here I am really able to help people that are new to the sport understand all the mechanics of swimming and beyond. Feeling needed is very rewarding and seeing adults improve on something is even more rewarding. Through teaching, I have been inspired to continue with my own training and know that I must practice what I preach if I am going to be a good teacher. Sharing my passion is holding me accountable to my training log.
I have just about a week before my first event. I am feeling stronger and more inspired to go out and do my best. This race isn't about time, but more about the journey it has taken me to get to the starting line.
The best advice has come from our Parish Priest, Father David. He speaks often of how it is not so much about what we do as human beings, but how we do it. Sharing our gifts will take us far and give us more than we thought possible.
Tri-On!
Kelly
The positive part of sharing my burn-out is that it opened a door for me to figure out how to not feel that way any longer. One of the ways to get back on track for me has been to talk about and share my passion with other people. Remembering that relationships can grow and develop, as a result of any passion, is what I needed to focus on to bring me back.
I started teaching swim lessons again a few months back, and that is something that has helped me develop that love again for that third of the sport of triathlon. Sharing my gift of being a decent swimmer has brought me so much joy and renewal to the sport. Talking with parents and seeing children brighten when they are able to master a skill has left me feeling that my purpose is a balance between competing and teaching.
The other way that I have been able to share my passion is through another class that I am teaching at Lifetime Fitness in Cary, NC. The class is a masters/triathlon swimming class for adults. Here I am really able to help people that are new to the sport understand all the mechanics of swimming and beyond. Feeling needed is very rewarding and seeing adults improve on something is even more rewarding. Through teaching, I have been inspired to continue with my own training and know that I must practice what I preach if I am going to be a good teacher. Sharing my passion is holding me accountable to my training log.
I have just about a week before my first event. I am feeling stronger and more inspired to go out and do my best. This race isn't about time, but more about the journey it has taken me to get to the starting line.
The best advice has come from our Parish Priest, Father David. He speaks often of how it is not so much about what we do as human beings, but how we do it. Sharing our gifts will take us far and give us more than we thought possible.
Tri-On!
Kelly
Monday, April 2, 2012
My Quest for the Perfect Goggle
Lately, I've been on a mission to find a pair of swimming goggles that do not leave a mark under my eyes. I love what swimming does for my mind and body, but after an hour or so in the pool I'm left with less than attractive gouges under my eyes. Comments from my kids like, "Mom, you look tired," have left my usual confident self feeling anything but confident. I remember in high school it was a status symbol having goggle marks, it meant you were a member of a very elite group called the swimmers. As a forty something, the last thing I want is another mark under the eye area that could equate to bags or wrinkles. Vanity is the devil's number one sin... still.
I've gotten some advice/comments from a few Face Book friends like, "Don't swim anymore," or, "I have the same problem. Let me know if you find any that don't leave a mark." I visited a website and found some promising info about TYR Swedish type goggles. The goggles were advertised as having a softer gasket around the eye area, and that these type fit smaller faces and don't leak. Sounded like just what I was looking for so I immediately went to Dick's Sporting Goods to purchase some. I tried them out for a few swims only to be disappointed because they left red marks that seemed worse than my original Speedo Hydrospecs, and I had problems with them fogging up and leaking. Back to the drawing board. I took them back to Dick's.
I decided to call in the big boys and go to a specialty triathlon store in town called, Inside Out Sports. They offer one stop shopping for all of your triathlon needs. If they couldn't help me with this problem, no one could. I called before going over and explained my goggle dilemma. The salesman was very nice on the phone and said his wife has the same problem."She swims at lunch time and used to have the marks well into dinner, but has discovered a new type of goggle which they carry in their store," he explained.
I rushed over to the store and the salesman took me to the wall of goggles. He selected a type called the Kayenne by Aqua Sphere. The goggles were a bit over sized for my taste, but promised all the things I was looking for like, anti fogging, stabilizing nose bridge, hydrodynamic microframe made of hypoallergenic Softeril. Sounded great to me. These babies should do the trick I thought to myself, and priced at $24.99 they'd better deliver. I left the store happy as a lark.
I couldn't wait to try these new found goggles out. After teaching lessons, and then swimming my own workout I had spent several hours in the water. I also wear goggles while I am teaching swimming because I wear contact lenses. After a morning in the pool, I had huge triangular marks on my face that lasted all day. Not only were the marks deeper, but they were bigger because of the oversize shape of the goggle.
Frustrated, I returned the Kayenne's to Inside Out Sports. They were very understanding- as long as you have a receipt. So I opted for Aqua Sphere's Kaiman's. The salesperson explained these type offer all the other features of the Kayenne, but these are more designed for women as they are smaller. Okay. These babies were gonna fix me right up! I left a happy customer once again. As I left the salesperson called behind me," You might not want to tighten them so much." Thanks for the advice, as if I hadn't heard that one before.
Same old story. The Kaiman's left under eye marks as well. I did like these a bit more than the Kayenne's though as the marks were smaller. Those type were $18.99 so back I went to get a refund.
Long story short I have a bag full of goggles. I went back to Dick's Sporting Goods and tried some other types of Speedo goggles as these have always been a staple in my gym bag and worked pretty well(except for the marks). The main thing I am looking for are goggles that provide a good seal, don't leak, don't fog, and don't change my peripheral vision- some of the larger, mask type goggles can alter peripheral vision, in my opinion.
I tried Speedo GCG adult goggles and I have to admit on a scale of one to ten these were about a 7. Not bad. They provided all the things I was looking for with one exception, they left a dark red mark under my eyes that lasted a few hours after my swim, I ended up returning these
I also tried Speedo Vanquisher for women goggles and I still have these in my bag. The Vanquisher seems to fog up on me, but the marks left are minimal and seem to go away after a few hours. I hate the fogging, but the mark thing is better with these.
Bottom line here is that all of the goggles I have tried left some type of mark. No surprise, I guess after swimming for over thirty years I already knew that my quest for the perfect goggle was not something that was going to be a reality. Persistence is a quality that can haunt you.
I'm back using my old tried and true. Speedo Hydrospec's Junior. They are actually for kids, but they seem to work best for me, mark and all. I have loosened the strap a bit these days and that seems to help with the gouges under my eyes.
I decided rather than fighting the under eye marks, I would embrace them. If someone asks," Are you tired?" My response will be,"Not at all. I swam over a mile today and I feel great! The darn goggles leave an under eye mark." I figure bragging rights should be allowed after spending all that time in the pool.
Tri-On!
Kelly
I've gotten some advice/comments from a few Face Book friends like, "Don't swim anymore," or, "I have the same problem. Let me know if you find any that don't leave a mark." I visited a website and found some promising info about TYR Swedish type goggles. The goggles were advertised as having a softer gasket around the eye area, and that these type fit smaller faces and don't leak. Sounded like just what I was looking for so I immediately went to Dick's Sporting Goods to purchase some. I tried them out for a few swims only to be disappointed because they left red marks that seemed worse than my original Speedo Hydrospecs, and I had problems with them fogging up and leaking. Back to the drawing board. I took them back to Dick's.
I decided to call in the big boys and go to a specialty triathlon store in town called, Inside Out Sports. They offer one stop shopping for all of your triathlon needs. If they couldn't help me with this problem, no one could. I called before going over and explained my goggle dilemma. The salesman was very nice on the phone and said his wife has the same problem."She swims at lunch time and used to have the marks well into dinner, but has discovered a new type of goggle which they carry in their store," he explained.
I rushed over to the store and the salesman took me to the wall of goggles. He selected a type called the Kayenne by Aqua Sphere. The goggles were a bit over sized for my taste, but promised all the things I was looking for like, anti fogging, stabilizing nose bridge, hydrodynamic microframe made of hypoallergenic Softeril. Sounded great to me. These babies should do the trick I thought to myself, and priced at $24.99 they'd better deliver. I left the store happy as a lark.
I couldn't wait to try these new found goggles out. After teaching lessons, and then swimming my own workout I had spent several hours in the water. I also wear goggles while I am teaching swimming because I wear contact lenses. After a morning in the pool, I had huge triangular marks on my face that lasted all day. Not only were the marks deeper, but they were bigger because of the oversize shape of the goggle.
Frustrated, I returned the Kayenne's to Inside Out Sports. They were very understanding- as long as you have a receipt. So I opted for Aqua Sphere's Kaiman's. The salesperson explained these type offer all the other features of the Kayenne, but these are more designed for women as they are smaller. Okay. These babies were gonna fix me right up! I left a happy customer once again. As I left the salesperson called behind me," You might not want to tighten them so much." Thanks for the advice, as if I hadn't heard that one before.
Same old story. The Kaiman's left under eye marks as well. I did like these a bit more than the Kayenne's though as the marks were smaller. Those type were $18.99 so back I went to get a refund.
Long story short I have a bag full of goggles. I went back to Dick's Sporting Goods and tried some other types of Speedo goggles as these have always been a staple in my gym bag and worked pretty well(except for the marks). The main thing I am looking for are goggles that provide a good seal, don't leak, don't fog, and don't change my peripheral vision- some of the larger, mask type goggles can alter peripheral vision, in my opinion.
I tried Speedo GCG adult goggles and I have to admit on a scale of one to ten these were about a 7. Not bad. They provided all the things I was looking for with one exception, they left a dark red mark under my eyes that lasted a few hours after my swim, I ended up returning these
I also tried Speedo Vanquisher for women goggles and I still have these in my bag. The Vanquisher seems to fog up on me, but the marks left are minimal and seem to go away after a few hours. I hate the fogging, but the mark thing is better with these.
Bottom line here is that all of the goggles I have tried left some type of mark. No surprise, I guess after swimming for over thirty years I already knew that my quest for the perfect goggle was not something that was going to be a reality. Persistence is a quality that can haunt you.
I'm back using my old tried and true. Speedo Hydrospec's Junior. They are actually for kids, but they seem to work best for me, mark and all. I have loosened the strap a bit these days and that seems to help with the gouges under my eyes.
I decided rather than fighting the under eye marks, I would embrace them. If someone asks," Are you tired?" My response will be,"Not at all. I swam over a mile today and I feel great! The darn goggles leave an under eye mark." I figure bragging rights should be allowed after spending all that time in the pool.
Tri-On!
Kelly
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
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
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