Rusty Wings

I announced earlier today that I would not be participating in the Olympic distance tri for Pittsburgh this August. Originally, it was the last weekend in July but because of a concert it was moved to the first week of August. This race would have been .90 miles swimming, 25miles biking and 6.1 miles running. I have been training since January and one of my last needed items came in the mail last week.

 

Sunday, I got to go out for my first open water swim. I was nervous but I did okay. I went with a friend from CrossFit and she led me through pointers and the most wonderful tips. (Now, I started swimming when I was 3 or 4 and swam on a team until I was 12. When I was in 7th grade I had to chose between swimming and soccer. I chose soccer.) I knew this swim would do one of two things--show me I'm ready for August or show me I'm not ready for August. As we got ready to start swimming, Lynn let me know that the length was .10 of a mile and on my first day out it would be great if I could swim at least a length without stopping. I couldn't. I would get about half way and need to catch my breath. She showed me ways to glide through the water so that I wouldn't tire myself out but I still had to stop. I was fortunate that I was in an area that me feet could touch the bottom and there weren't creatures. 

We talked about me asking to change it to a sprint tri but after thinking about it, I decided that I would at least tri to get my money back or defer it.  If that didn't work than I would try to switch to Saturday and so the sprint. If none of those worked...well, I would have practice, practice, practiced and swam my little heart out. I know I could have finished but not in the time that I wanted. So, Friends of the Riverfront were nice enough to let me defer to next year. I know that doesn't happen often.  I'm not going to lie, I almost cried with sadness when I got the email saying that it was okay to be defered. I had my heart set on this but I have to listen to my body first. 

After thinking about it though, 5 years ago I couldn't run a half mile and less than two months ago I ran over 26 miles. It will take a little more time but next year I'll cross that finish line. 

Swim on friends... 

I Love Lucy. And some other things.

I hope everyone is having a great month! Things have been a little hectic with my new job and training that I haven't made it here lately. I have some great news though...I was asked to blog for another race! I am so excited because it's 20 minutes away from my best friend's home town. I'll be running the Lucy Town Half Marathon in Jamestown,  NY.  It's roughly about 3 hours from Pittsburgh. My best friend, Katrina,  has even offered to run her first half with me! My husband and our other best friend will be running their first 5k.

For how much they have supported me in the past year, I can't wait to stand at the finish line waiting for them.  Not many friends will wake up at 3am to take you to a race that they'll have to stand for over 5 hours at. 

This passed weekend was a big one for me. First, we had a big CrossFit day Saturday with 3 WODS. 

WOD 1: Clean Ladder -This is where you keep going up in weigh until you can't. I made it to 105lbs.

WOD 2: 21-18-15-12-9-6-3 wall balls 14lbs• deadlift 135lbs •Kettle bell swings 35lbs

WOD 3: 7 Minutes of solid burpees

Yesterday, I had my first open water swim.  This was a huge deal for me. I know how to swim, let me clear that up. I'm terrified of fish. Why? I don't know. I just am. I've only been to the beach twice and I never found it necessary to get in the water. I went with a friend from CrossFit and she gave me some awesome pointers. I was so lucky to have someone so paitent and knowledgeable to help me. 

So that was my weekend. I took a much needed break today and I'll be back at doing something tomorrow. 

Have a great week!

New Month, New Goals

I love when a new day, month, or year starts. I love making goals and seeing where everything goes in the month. It's so good to have a new start on things. 

This month's goals are a little more laid back. 

Main Goals:Swim 1 mile and bike 26 miles. 

Smaller goals: Have everything that I need for my first triathlon in August. 

I started a new job last week so this is my first official month of it. I will be focusing on work but since it's only 5 minutes from home, I'll also have time to focus on training. I really need to get back to my 2 workouts a day for the tri. I still do CrossFit 3 days a week and lift when I get the chance. I'm really going to focus on this triathlon. 

I bought some new reads to get me into gear. I can't decide which magazine I like more but I'm leaning towards Runner's World. 

I have a jam packed month ahead with our good friend coming home from SF this week, an Air Show in the next town over from mine, next Saturday we're road tripping to the Fiesta Outlet for their tent sale, my first CrossFit Compition is in 2 weeks a long with my older brother's wedding, and our little cousin's 6th birthday. Out of all that, I have 1 Saturday and Sunday to myself. It's going to be a crazy month. 

My other goals this month are to have more nights like these: 

I love spending time with these two. I can't wait for a summer full of camp fires and cooking on the grill with my little family.  We recently bought a new vehicle so I'm sure we're going to have lots of traveling and adventures in there. 

What are your summer goals? 

What are you looking forward too this month?