This weekend was great- the boys came with me for both a bike and swim w/o. Bellevue City pool is really nice. Not sure why we weren't expecting that.
The new bra came in, and it's awesome. It's not only big enough, but it also keeps me from bouncing. It's slightly pathetic how happy that makes me.
Wore my skirtsports.com skort for the bike ride w/ the boys. Like it, but found 2 problems. 1) I need a longer top if I don't want to show off my lower back. 2) It's not tight at the waist, which is nice, but I think it may not stay up for the run. Again, might be solved w/ the right top, but I need to get that figured out.
Got new shoes too, Brooks Outlet is a beautiful thing. Haven't run in them yet, so I'll have to see how they do, but old ones are a couple of years old, so that could explain Saturday shin splints.
To the getting behind part- DH is out of town for work (which is very rare) yesterday through tomorrow. No idea how I'm getting w/o in. Yesterday I just didn't. I'm working while the kid is @ school, and I don't feel right about leaving a 5 year old home alone, even when he's asleep & I'm just doing laps in the neighborhood. So even though tonight is supposed to be a bike w/o again, I may do the "jog around inside the house" thing again. We'll see.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Catching Up
Will keep this short b/c the boys are on their way home & the sunshine beckons.
Swim went well on Wed- I am not a bad swimmer. Evidently I am not a great breather. This is bad when you are trying to stay afloat/alive, but getting better each time I go.
Yesterday I did a ride with my padded bike skort. Butt doesn't hurt today, so I'm much happier. Today is supposed to be a day off, but I'm a little stressed about the 3 days DH is out fo town next week, so I may at least do Pilates tape.
The other exciting note- new sports bra came in the mail. If it actually fits/works, I may start a new fansite just for Linda the Bra Lady, even though she's in NYC & I'm in Seattle.
I'm also going all nuts and going to promote my little bloggie on FB. Considering I'm sharing more of myself in ways I'm not sure I'm ready for, we'll see how that goes. Then again, if I make one person belive they can (because trust me, if I can ANYONE can) do just that little bit more, I'll overshare all over the place!
Swim went well on Wed- I am not a bad swimmer. Evidently I am not a great breather. This is bad when you are trying to stay afloat/alive, but getting better each time I go.
Yesterday I did a ride with my padded bike skort. Butt doesn't hurt today, so I'm much happier. Today is supposed to be a day off, but I'm a little stressed about the 3 days DH is out fo town next week, so I may at least do Pilates tape.
The other exciting note- new sports bra came in the mail. If it actually fits/works, I may start a new fansite just for Linda the Bra Lady, even though she's in NYC & I'm in Seattle.
I'm also going all nuts and going to promote my little bloggie on FB. Considering I'm sharing more of myself in ways I'm not sure I'm ready for, we'll see how that goes. Then again, if I make one person belive they can (because trust me, if I can ANYONE can) do just that little bit more, I'll overshare all over the place!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Making Do
So today DH is still not home, and it's still raining. So knowing that he won't get home until after the gym closes, I did what I could jogging inside the house, and when I was supposed to me in my heart rate Z3, I treated the bottom step as a work out step. Not ideal, but it works.
Next week will be tougher, DH will be taking his team to state in Yakima, so I will have 3 days I can't get away from the house w/out my son. I'm thinking I may try to work from home and take a bike brake or "run" break. Waist is still -1 inch... so I can't give up now.
Only problem could be some extra work at my job... we'll see how it goes. Sports bra isn't here yet. It's kind of sad how much I'm looking forward to that. People always tell me I need an Enell... but they don't come in big CUP SIZES. I could get one that's big enough around, and then I'd go falling out the bottom. Gee, that sounds useful.
My swimsuit for training is GREAT. I got it here: http://www.lindasonline.com/panache-sw0315-sorrento-concealed-tankini-top-black.html
Won't be able to run in it, but it's terrific for training, support and comfort and it FITS. For bottoms I bought some plus size boy style swim shorts at Target. SUPER comfy, and if I don't end up in Tri shorts, I can wear them under a wetsuit (if I find a wetsuit that fits!) and then under my skort if I wear that. It's sad how much I worry about the wardrobe, but I think that it's got a lot of stuff to do w/ the size of my, hell, everything.
The thing I've got to remember that it's just about doing it, no one gives a shit how I look. :)
Next week will be tougher, DH will be taking his team to state in Yakima, so I will have 3 days I can't get away from the house w/out my son. I'm thinking I may try to work from home and take a bike brake or "run" break. Waist is still -1 inch... so I can't give up now.
Only problem could be some extra work at my job... we'll see how it goes. Sports bra isn't here yet. It's kind of sad how much I'm looking forward to that. People always tell me I need an Enell... but they don't come in big CUP SIZES. I could get one that's big enough around, and then I'd go falling out the bottom. Gee, that sounds useful.
My swimsuit for training is GREAT. I got it here: http://www.lindasonline.com/panache-sw0315-sorrento-concealed-tankini-top-black.html
Won't be able to run in it, but it's terrific for training, support and comfort and it FITS. For bottoms I bought some plus size boy style swim shorts at Target. SUPER comfy, and if I don't end up in Tri shorts, I can wear them under a wetsuit (if I find a wetsuit that fits!) and then under my skort if I wear that. It's sad how much I worry about the wardrobe, but I think that it's got a lot of stuff to do w/ the size of my, hell, everything.
The thing I've got to remember that it's just about doing it, no one gives a shit how I look. :)
Monday, May 18, 2009
Guilty
I did what I could of the weight workout today (they ask for a big foam roll- who on earth just has one of those around??) but didn't get my 40 min in on my bike. In my defense my husband got home after dark, but if I left the second he got here, I could have at least ridden the bike at the gym. I just would have had 15 min to leave here & get there. But really, that's an excuse. I should have gone. Tomorrow may be dark & raining that late again, so perhaps I skip the hated run & do bike. Or I do elliptical & REALLY kick my own butt.
Instead I made cookies for the team my husband coaches. They have have a match that may qualify them for state tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.
The brightest athletic part of my day was getting in my new skort from www.skirtsports.com It's an XXL and I think it will work, although I got a bike one, so I wouldn't swim in it. A little tight in the thigh, but that will get better, right? I took new measurements & lost an inch each in my waist & hip (and gained on in my bust- stupid ridiculous boobs!) but I don't buy it. I'll wait until Thursday to measure again to be accurate. :)
Instead I made cookies for the team my husband coaches. They have have a match that may qualify them for state tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.
The brightest athletic part of my day was getting in my new skort from www.skirtsports.com It's an XXL and I think it will work, although I got a bike one, so I wouldn't swim in it. A little tight in the thigh, but that will get better, right? I took new measurements & lost an inch each in my waist & hip (and gained on in my bust- stupid ridiculous boobs!) but I don't buy it. I'll wait until Thursday to measure again to be accurate. :)
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Wonderful (Water) Weekend
This weekend, I rode my bike 5 miles, swam for the first time in I have NO CLUE how long, and walked/jogged 2.5 miles. Oh, and chaparoned a Prom, got a spray tan... and didn't do any laundry.
The bike ride was good, although having a fairly heavy 15 year old mountian bike does make me feel at a disadvantage, but I know what I'm doing.
Swimming started a little scary. I jumped in the deep end, tried to just start swimming, and promptly had a panic attack. Luckily I remembered to tread water and then roll onto my back until I could calm down. I need to spend some of my water time working on breathing, since my lung power evidently sucks (meaning I suck in water) and I can not take as many strokes as I would like before I breathe, and I need to figure out how to not breathe in water, but I feel like I CAN do it. That was my biggest worry, that I'd been out of the water too long, but I spent so much time doing recreational swimming and taking some lessons as a child, it actually came back to me.
So no I know, I WILL be able to so this. Trek Tri here I come!
The bike ride was good, although having a fairly heavy 15 year old mountian bike does make me feel at a disadvantage, but I know what I'm doing.
Swimming started a little scary. I jumped in the deep end, tried to just start swimming, and promptly had a panic attack. Luckily I remembered to tread water and then roll onto my back until I could calm down. I need to spend some of my water time working on breathing, since my lung power evidently sucks (meaning I suck in water) and I can not take as many strokes as I would like before I breathe, and I need to figure out how to not breathe in water, but I feel like I CAN do it. That was my biggest worry, that I'd been out of the water too long, but I spent so much time doing recreational swimming and taking some lessons as a child, it actually came back to me.
So no I know, I WILL be able to so this. Trek Tri here I come!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Rest Day
Fridays are my official rest day. Not that I need it yet, but by the end of next week I will.
I'm very excited that I was able to order a 38K sports bra. Will have to update if it works when it gets here. I also found a swim top that comes in my size, both at LindaTheBraLady.com. They've got some cute bikini tops, but my belly is still in hiding. Can't imagine only one triathlon is going to change that, but with that and my Sunday AM Pilates sessions... a girl can dream, right?
So for rest day, they had out team watch an inspirational thingy with a woman's pics of her 1st tri, and I started to wonder, do people actually run in swim suits? I was thinking that I would just pretend like my sports bra is a bikini top (no one will care about the belly that early in the morning with much hotter women around, right?) and wear my tankini boy cut bottoms. But perhaps I'll need something one piece too? I've spent way too much time worrying about gear for this, but it keeps me from worrying that I will actually be able to do this.
Tomorrow we have bike training, checking the heart rate limits again. Sunday is swimming. I think I will feel a little stronger about all of this once I've been in a pool. I'm not sure how long it has been since I've swum laps... but I don't think 20 years is a major stretch.
It seems like most of the people who sign up for these things have been an althlete of some sort in the past. Me, I quit after playing JV basketball in 7th & 8th grade. Even then I didn't love the exercise, I was there for the fun. But I was not great, and I have a bad streak to my competitive spirit that I don't like to play if I don't think I can win.
If I had a stupid slim-fast instead of my usual coffee & breakfast cookie this AM... Coffee ice cream now is not that big of a deal when I've got to be in Redmond for an 8a workout tomorrow, right?
I'm very excited that I was able to order a 38K sports bra. Will have to update if it works when it gets here. I also found a swim top that comes in my size, both at LindaTheBraLady.com. They've got some cute bikini tops, but my belly is still in hiding. Can't imagine only one triathlon is going to change that, but with that and my Sunday AM Pilates sessions... a girl can dream, right?
So for rest day, they had out team watch an inspirational thingy with a woman's pics of her 1st tri, and I started to wonder, do people actually run in swim suits? I was thinking that I would just pretend like my sports bra is a bikini top (no one will care about the belly that early in the morning with much hotter women around, right?) and wear my tankini boy cut bottoms. But perhaps I'll need something one piece too? I've spent way too much time worrying about gear for this, but it keeps me from worrying that I will actually be able to do this.
Tomorrow we have bike training, checking the heart rate limits again. Sunday is swimming. I think I will feel a little stronger about all of this once I've been in a pool. I'm not sure how long it has been since I've swum laps... but I don't think 20 years is a major stretch.
It seems like most of the people who sign up for these things have been an althlete of some sort in the past. Me, I quit after playing JV basketball in 7th & 8th grade. Even then I didn't love the exercise, I was there for the fun. But I was not great, and I have a bad streak to my competitive spirit that I don't like to play if I don't think I can win.
If I had a stupid slim-fast instead of my usual coffee & breakfast cookie this AM... Coffee ice cream now is not that big of a deal when I've got to be in Redmond for an 8a workout tomorrow, right?
Thursday, May 14, 2009
48-43-53 and 192
So I don't remember what the song was that my friends & I used to sing in HS, but there was a line with the measurements, 38-28-38. At the time, that was me. Since I refuse to weigh my self again, and I think that the world likes to see numbers, there are the measurements I'm working with now. 48-43-53. I'll try those again weekly and see if I get anything new.
When I did the 3 day, I was working a night shift, and was not able to find any friends to sign up to do it with me. This time, I have NO time, and need to make sure that someone can help me be accountable for the training. I have no desire to train, but I DO have a desire to both be prepared and finish. SO for Mother's Day, my hubby gave me a team through: http://www.heartzones.com/coaching/
Yesterday was our first group training. Most of the first few (we will meet on Wed & Sat) and we did some testing to see what our max heart rate is. Mine is 192. Evidently it will stay there, but I will hopefully be able to move my rear end faster while my heart rate doesn't increase as quickly.
Anyhow- it was POURING rain. Yes, I live in Seattle, boo-hoo, but still, who's idea was this again? I didn't have a waterproof jacket (guess how easy it is to find a running performance type jacket that zips over the girls?) so by the time I cooled off from the exertion, I was FREEZING when I got home. But it felt good that I did it. I was last, but I finished.
Today I was supposed to ride my bike and do weights. I think I'm going to use my pilates tape to make up for the weights in general, since I'm not supposed to lift over 40 lbs at all (yes, my son is about 45, yes, I break that daily) and I always feel like a MORON at the gym. Not sure who made the rule that you have to be in shape BEFORE you go to the gym, but you know what I'm talking about.
I've never really liked to have people look at me. Confused the hell out of people that my degree is in broadcast journalism, but there you go. So going a place where I get stared at is never fun. We'll see if having people cheering for me at the end helps me or makes me self-conscious.
When I did the 3 day, I was working a night shift, and was not able to find any friends to sign up to do it with me. This time, I have NO time, and need to make sure that someone can help me be accountable for the training. I have no desire to train, but I DO have a desire to both be prepared and finish. SO for Mother's Day, my hubby gave me a team through: http://www.heartzones.com/coaching/
Yesterday was our first group training. Most of the first few (we will meet on Wed & Sat) and we did some testing to see what our max heart rate is. Mine is 192. Evidently it will stay there, but I will hopefully be able to move my rear end faster while my heart rate doesn't increase as quickly.
Anyhow- it was POURING rain. Yes, I live in Seattle, boo-hoo, but still, who's idea was this again? I didn't have a waterproof jacket (guess how easy it is to find a running performance type jacket that zips over the girls?) so by the time I cooled off from the exertion, I was FREEZING when I got home. But it felt good that I did it. I was last, but I finished.
Today I was supposed to ride my bike and do weights. I think I'm going to use my pilates tape to make up for the weights in general, since I'm not supposed to lift over 40 lbs at all (yes, my son is about 45, yes, I break that daily) and I always feel like a MORON at the gym. Not sure who made the rule that you have to be in shape BEFORE you go to the gym, but you know what I'm talking about.
I've never really liked to have people look at me. Confused the hell out of people that my degree is in broadcast journalism, but there you go. So going a place where I get stared at is never fun. We'll see if having people cheering for me at the end helps me or makes me self-conscious.
Getting Started
I think that the best way for me to kick this off is to explain why I've decided to blog this experience.
I don't really see myself as an inspiration. Yes, I'm heavier than I've ever been in my life, and I've decided to do a triathlon. But that's not about other people right? Despite jobs where I could get a lot of attention (I spent a LONG time in TV news behind the scenes), I've never wanted a spotlight. So why would I write a blog in which I will likely share TMI, and is all about me?
The reason came this week. I've NEVER been a small person. I'm 5'8" and even when I was going thru some fights with eating disorders in HS & college, I was never under 150 once I hit my full height. Add that to my rediculious chest (we'll put it this way, I was a 34 F when I got pregnant, and am a 38 K now) and I have a hard time finding clothes to work out in. So I went to a local running place that was supposed to carry "Skirt Sports" stuff, and was hoping to see how their sizes run, and maybe get a stride check since I need another pair of shoes. I was uncomfortable to start, but I felt like I got a "why are YOU here (looking at work out clothes) vibe" that made me think, you know, enough is enough.
How is someone who is big supposed to get smaller if they can find anything to wear that the don't feel like a moron in? Do you have ANY idea how hard it is for me to find a sports bra? Is there anyone on earth who needs a sports bra more than a woman with big boobs? No. So does that mean they are easy to find? Of course not.
Anyhow, I digress. After this experiance left such a bad taste in my mouth, I had two diferent people tell me that I'm an inspiration, for deciding to just go for it. I took a similar tack when I did the Breast Cancer 3-day BEFORE I had my son. Everyone seemed to think I was crazy and I could never do it. I'm a little stubborn, and had to prove them wrong.
It's not really about the weight for me as much as being healthy. I learned I have a heart condition last year that SHOULDN'T be a big deal but having approx 100 extra pounds of padding to carry around can't help. So now even though I HATE exercise (don't mind lifting weights... the one restriction my cardiologist gave me) I'm doing it because I want to be around to meet my 5 year old son's grandkids. If I do a better job taking care of my self I don't think that's too much to ask.
So who am I? I'll talk a little about myself because it's easier, but I would rather you think that I could be you. I'm the woman who swore she would never be a "fat mom" until one day I looked in the mirror and thought, "Well, shit. I AM a fat mom."
My basics:
I don't really see myself as an inspiration. Yes, I'm heavier than I've ever been in my life, and I've decided to do a triathlon. But that's not about other people right? Despite jobs where I could get a lot of attention (I spent a LONG time in TV news behind the scenes), I've never wanted a spotlight. So why would I write a blog in which I will likely share TMI, and is all about me?
The reason came this week. I've NEVER been a small person. I'm 5'8" and even when I was going thru some fights with eating disorders in HS & college, I was never under 150 once I hit my full height. Add that to my rediculious chest (we'll put it this way, I was a 34 F when I got pregnant, and am a 38 K now) and I have a hard time finding clothes to work out in. So I went to a local running place that was supposed to carry "Skirt Sports" stuff, and was hoping to see how their sizes run, and maybe get a stride check since I need another pair of shoes. I was uncomfortable to start, but I felt like I got a "why are YOU here (looking at work out clothes) vibe" that made me think, you know, enough is enough.
How is someone who is big supposed to get smaller if they can find anything to wear that the don't feel like a moron in? Do you have ANY idea how hard it is for me to find a sports bra? Is there anyone on earth who needs a sports bra more than a woman with big boobs? No. So does that mean they are easy to find? Of course not.
Anyhow, I digress. After this experiance left such a bad taste in my mouth, I had two diferent people tell me that I'm an inspiration, for deciding to just go for it. I took a similar tack when I did the Breast Cancer 3-day BEFORE I had my son. Everyone seemed to think I was crazy and I could never do it. I'm a little stubborn, and had to prove them wrong.
It's not really about the weight for me as much as being healthy. I learned I have a heart condition last year that SHOULDN'T be a big deal but having approx 100 extra pounds of padding to carry around can't help. So now even though I HATE exercise (don't mind lifting weights... the one restriction my cardiologist gave me) I'm doing it because I want to be around to meet my 5 year old son's grandkids. If I do a better job taking care of my self I don't think that's too much to ask.
So who am I? I'll talk a little about myself because it's easier, but I would rather you think that I could be you. I'm the woman who swore she would never be a "fat mom" until one day I looked in the mirror and thought, "Well, shit. I AM a fat mom."
My basics:
- I'm 35, and live near Seattle (I grew up in the area as well)
- Beyond being a full time mom (because it's NOT a part time job) I'm also a full time PR professional
- I've been married for 12 years, and have been with my husband since the first weekend of college, 17 years ago
- I love to bake (MAJOR sweet tooth) and I love to read
- I DO NOT LIKE TO WORK OUT
- I have not been swimming or ridden my bike regularly in at least 10 years
- I am doing the Seattle Trek Women's Triathlon on July 5th, 2009
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