April 9th-2008 Hi, My apologies to all for not keeping up with this blog. Since my last entry I have encountered several training issues. On March 8th I was diagnosed with Influenza A which kept me down and out for a good week. I finally started to feel better and no sooner did I pick up some sort of bug that felt like strep throat but wasn't so I just had to ride it out which took the better part of another week. By this time your body feels like it has been put through a meat grinder and you aren't in the mood to much of anything let alone train for a triathlon! However I picked up my butt and hit the pavement and went out walking two days in a row before yes you guessed it I through out my back! How nice! Out for another week. So needless to say my mental attitude has taken a hit as well and trying to get back into the swing of things has been a true challenge. TODAY IS THE DAY! I have carved out a plan with the help of a training schedule from AARP - yes I said AARP! But even though I am only 39 I felt like it was a schedule I could handle as a first timer. Actually it was a bit weak so I have added to it and am looking forward to kicking some butt! My advice right now to all of you out there that are probably much further along them I am is don't over do it. The one day that I through my back out I had walked three miles in half the time that I had ever done it before, hence the reason I through my back out, my body wasn't ready for that. Do what you can, when you can, as your body is ready for it. We have basically 10 weeks to train for this triathlon. Many programs are based around 10 weeks so that is plenty of time. We can do this and we can do this well. Thanks, Katharine
March 3rd – 2008
Hi All – My name is Katharine Laymon – I am 38 – almost 39 (March 23) and I decided to participate in the Rochesterfest Triathlon (Sprint Distance) because I wanted something to help motivate me to keep working out and loose weight, plus I know I can do this and I know I will feel great if I actually do it! Bill and Wendy are great friends of ours and all the stories they share about their race experiences are awesome so after hearing those who wouldn’t want to try one of these deals out.
Well now I am thinking – WHAT THE HECK HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO! I know of course that I could withdraw from the race, but boy oh boy what a wimp would I be then. I have been eating terribly lately, I haven’t been working out, I had surgery on my ear and basically I have turned into a lump.
Today however the tide has turned and I am back at it. I walked 2 miles. I would have gone further but I was short for time, because I spent part of my time looking for the key to our treadmill which I never did find and by that time I didn’t have enough time to go to the gym before I had to work so I walk outside in our neighborhood. It was very cold, but I felt good considering I haven’t walked in well forever. I am back on a healthy diet and I am feeling good. Yes, it is only day 1 but you have to start somewhere right.
Tonight I plan to sit down and come up with a work out plan to include walking, swimming and biking in hopes of being prepared for this race in June.
This is obviously my first Triathlon, in fact it is my first race of any kind short of the 50 yard dash in elementary school but as of today I am really excited about it and I am looking forward to getting myself in shape for this race and for life in general. I will keep you all posted as to how this goes.
Katharine
a.k.a. - Zeta