My first triathlon

I have been envisioning this day since the summer of 2012. It has taken me a long time to increase my fitness level, acquire the equipment, and gain the confidence to get to this day, but it's finally here! June 14, 2015.

I started my morning at 500am to allow adequate 'digesting' time after my breakfast of champions.

A nice little oatmeal and tea delight to fuel this cardio machine. 

We arrived at the lake with plenty of time to spare. The whole place was buzzing with energy. I checked in, got my timing chip, and began setting up my stuff. You need a lot of stuff for a triathlon... More than I had thought. I had my cycling shoes, running shoes, socks, sunglasses, lip stuff, my helmet, my bib number, and my foot towel all laid out nicely, ready to go. 

My total time was 3hrs24mins19secs. This isn't a super spectacular time, but for my first one, I'm happy with it. I plan on doing this race again next year to see how much I can improve :) 

The swim ( 1500m in 32m57s) went great! I made a last minute decision to take off my wetsuit and just swim in my tri suit. I'm so glad I did. The lake was unbelievably warm for mid June, and I don't know how the majority of the wetsuit wearers didn't over heat. 

Transition #1 3m46s

The bike (40km in 1h38m41s) was the longest ride I've ever done. My ass was sore and I earned a decent sunburn but nonetheless it was a lot of fun. I have quite a bit of work to do to improve my time, but I think it's doable. The course was definitely more hilly than I expected which contributed to my slower time. 

Transition #2 2m36s

The run (10 km in 1h6m21s) started off a bit shaky. My legs felt like jello getting off the bike and I was seriously doubting my ability to run 10k! Luckily the path was a beautiful winding trail around the lake which made the time pass quickly. 

Crossing the finish line the announcer said my name and recognized that it was my first tri... I couldn't control my emotions and started crying happy tears... I was overwhelmed with pride, happiness, and exhaustion. 

I had such a positive 'first' triathlon experience and I'm really looking forward to the next one. It'll only get better from here! 

Calgary Marathon - 10km

Why would I pay to run 10km, when I could just as easily run in the park for free?

There is just something about running with 2899 other people at 7am on spectacular Sunday morning that makes the entry fee totally worth it... (and obviously, I do it for the shirt).

I really need to work on my 'running-face'... 

I successfully achieved my goal for this run... finish in under 1:00 hour. My time was 59m42s and I finished 74/201 in my gender/age group.

My next goal... run 10km in under 58 minutes by the end of August 2015. I imagine I'll be quite fatigued by the time it comes for me to run my triathlon... I'm hoping for my tri run to be under 1h10m.

Blew some rubs'

The only thing I needed to do on Saturday was a brick workout. I had prepped for a lovely 2hr bike ride exploring Fish Creek Provincial Park followed by a 30 minute run. 

I started out and it was downright chilly outside! My ears were freezing and I was slightly underdressed. About 10km into my ride I thought I was getting bombed.,.(the only reason this was my first thought was because I had recently finished binge watching homeland). Anyways, once I figured out that I blew a tire, I gracefully dismounted from my clip ins and analyzed the situation. 

Not too shabby of a place to get stuck. 

I didn't have a spare tube or pump on me but luckily I had an iPhone and a sexy pick up man. Pete to the rescue!  

When I got home I figured it was time for me to learn how to change a tire. I consulted with the ever knowledgable YouTube and re-familiarized myself with how levers work.  

Hangin' out

The first time I heard about aerial yoga I thought it was kind of silly and something you only see stick thin, bronzed, bohemian-fit girls do on pinterest. Buuuuuuut then I found out there was a studio in YYC and I couldn't resist gaining the experience. Thank you Fit Republic. 

My good friend Talia joined me on this little 'sunday funday'. We walked into the small studio and I instantly felt out of my comfort zone. There were 7 or 8 other members of the class already hanging monkeys and looking like professionals. Let's call them the professional monkeys. Anyways, the first thing you do when you're at a class like this is size yourself up a stretchy satin hammock. Once you're all ready, the instructor starts directing you through various poses. Some are simple stretch poses, others are more physically demanding, and some are inverted like in our pictures. 

It may look like we're zenning out in this picture, however, not all poses were incredibly comfortable. One pose referred to as 'tweety bird' was particularly uncomfortable for my bunions  (ew...). Other poses intensely 'massaged' hip flexors and shoulder joints. 

I look forward to going back to #fitrepublicyyc. It was a great way to try something new and mix up my regular workout routine. 

Bicycles and sweat

I tried out my new kicks a couple of days ago and I loved em! This was my first time trying out clip ins on the open road and contrary to all the 'advice' I previously received... I didn't fall! There was one close call with a civic, and another time I forgot that my shoes were attached to the bike so there was an awkward wobbly situation. But after an hour exploring the wonderful trails of Calgary, I got it figured out. 

Some advice for new cyclists:

1. If you can, practice clipping in and out of the pedals on a trainer first. 
2. For the sake of your pride and well being, practice in a low traffic area. 
3. Don't make any sudden movements... 
4. Avoid steep hills... I don't know what I'm going to do if I have to dismount on a steep hill. 
5. To dismount on flat ground, you unclip one foot then swing your leg over to the other side and hope like hell your other foot unclips :) easy peasy... 

Peaches

Nothing say spring time like a nice bowl of fresh peaches. I love peaches... I love peaches in pie, in tarts, in smoothies, in cobbler form. I've never had a peach that I don't like. I attribute my love for peaches to Roald Dahl's children book, 'James and the Giant Peach'. His wonderful novel glorified these fuzzy fruits  for me and I've never looked back. 

Friday Real Life Moment: the 'hand up' street crosser

Walking to work this morning I realized a moment in life when my ability to be indecisive reaches an all time high... I was standing on the street corning waiting to cross the road with 4 or 5 other city dwelling workers. Then one bold person decides to start their journey across the road EVEN THOUGH the 'do not walk' hand was still showing. Now, there was no vehicles coming. This defiant 'hero of the crosswalk' was perfectly safe.. aside from the possibility of getting a $500 jay-walking fine. Instantly I'm torn between joining this fast walking fella, or waiting like a sign post with the rest of the 'waiters'.  I wonder if this 'crosser' is smart for doing what he's done, or stupid and a rebel? Maybe he is in such a hurry he couldn't possibly wait the extra 20 seconds for the 'hand' to turn into a 'walking man'. Am I conforming by staying behind with the others? Or would I be conforming if I followed this man, just because that's what he's done? I don't know...

Anyways.. by the time all of these thoughts have run through my head the sign has changed and I shuffle my way across the road.

I wonder what everyone else thinks when that one guy crosses the street without the signs permission...