Down 2 since this time last week. Still pretty snorky with sinuses. Was much better yesterday, I think due to buying this homeopathic Zicam allergy relief nasal spray gel. Had to try something different. Nothing else was working and have been dealing with this for 6 weeks now. This allergy season has been probably the worst ever for me. Had to quit using other decongestant nose sprays because after several days they can make things worse instead of better.
Was snorky last night and think its due to the fact that I went to get a massage yesterday evening and that can cause stuffy noses. It was a student massage at the school I teach at. It was WONderful! She really worked my calves which have been very overworked lately. And my lower back (or buttocks as Forrest Gump would say). It took me forever to get my first massage and it was a good friend from high school who did it. Last student massage was a male student. Now I don't care who is doing it I will shed down to drawers lol. I definitely need to get them more often!
Couldn't wear apnea mask last night with plugged up head so did not sleep well at all. Kept waking because couldn't breathe or sinuses running or stopped up. Really did not want to go workout this morning but didn't want to cancel on friend. Son wanted big breakfast for this morning so got up and cooked for him and then he didn't feel like eating it when I woke him *sigh* so I ate his boiled eggs and toast. Grudgingly threw on workout clothes and headed to drop off son and to gym. Texted friend I was on way - no reply. Not a good sign. Texted when got to gym - no reply *sigh*! But since was there went ahead and worked out. 30 minutes on arc trainer and light weights. Wasn't feeling it - but I showed and I did it. Am hoping hub will be able to take son to MMA tonight so I can have a nice long soak in tub and crawl in bed early.
School had helf ass party for the former dean who is retiring. Showed out of respect for him but was pissed and embarrassed that cake and drinks in a classroom were the best these new admin people were willing to do for someone who has done so much for this school and for the students. Really burned me up! So some of us are going to throw him a party after graduation which will be very nice and we will be able to invite only those we want to and can exclude all the fake ones. I semi dressed up for it. Had on a really nice blouse and wicked heels but could only find some kind of sad jeans to wear. Am in between sizes - which I shouldn't complain about - nothing fits right. Was kind of feeling nice looking and kind of feeling frumpy dumpy. But then I got several compliments when I arrived so that was nice. Also after my friend called me back to say how pretty I looked and that several people had told her I really looked like I had lost a lot of weight. One of the other new faculty (a former student) had asked my friend about me and said how great I looked and asked what I had been doing. So friend told her. She said she was awed and inspired. then she called friend today to ask her to introduce us. So maybe I will get another workout buddy out of this.
A friend of mine is organizing a women only boot camp coming up soon. She used to be a personal trainer and wants to get back into it again. She will be focusing on overweight, obese, out of shape women and women who would like to try something different. I think I have one recruited so far. Am hoping some of my friends from a group I belong to will go. I belong to a 12 step program about eating disorders of all sorts. It has been invaluable for me but sometimes I get frustrated because people feel so safe there that they dont really work the program and sometimes I feel because there are so many other overweight/obese people there that e1 gets too comfortable and supportive and don't really call people on things like they would in other 12 step programs. So I have found that I need to do what I need to do for myself.
... on bike on River Road (~ 22 miles). But I made it somehow and glad I went after all. Went to sister's place and got a chicken mango habanero wrap (YUMMY!) and half a smoothie and feel better. Took some Endurolytes too. I was never too hip on taking a bunch of supplements but started with these last sumemr and made a huge difference on days when I was working out in the heat. Was the only thing that kept son from collapsing during football practice too.
Back at work now. They are having a retirement party (of sorts) for tha former Dean who is my mentor. They (as in Admin) have really not treated him right and are giving him a half-ass party. So a group of us are getting together next week to plan a whopper of a party. Wish me luck that I can keep a smile on my face and keep my censor chip in my brain and mouth in place with the Admin people!
Managed to make it in to work today. Stayed home yesterday. Have been fighting this allergy/sinus thing for almost 2 months now. We are having a terrible season down here this year for those with allergies. Stayed home yesterday to get some much needed rest. Feel a lil better byt still feel now quite right and have virtually no energy. Know i still need to get a workout in even if I am not 100% otherwise the tiredness will get the best of me and I will start belittling myself for not working out. So am going on my usual Wed bike ride. Even if I am not tearing up the roads today, I will be out there trying and doing. So that will make me fel better. Hope this all sorts itself out soon cause am very tired of being sick and feeling like warmed over dog poo! Better get going have to go change into my lovely bike shorts lol.
Just read FatBeautyQueen's blog. She was asking for rec's for yoga or pilates tapes. This was my comment:
"I wish I could recommend some. I own a bunch of them but of course have not done any of them *sigh* . Now having admitted this I am going to commit to trying out at least one dvd in the next two weeks. "
Y'all have my permission to harrass me, pester me, remind me, or call me out on this! The money I have wasted on videos and dvd's over the years is shameful. I donated about 40 exercise tapes to Goodwill last year. Still have a bunch as well as a bunch of dvd's. So I definitely need to use them to supplement my workouts. Help keep me honest and committed .... please .
The Eunice Zydeco Tri is a sprint tri that is held at LSU's Eunice campus. This was my anniversary tri as this was the first tri I ever did one year ago. I had been so looking forward to doing this race so I could compare times and measure my progress over the last year. The event is a 150m pool swim, 10 mile bike and 2 mile run. Transition times are both included in bike time.
Last year's race April 28, 2007
Swim (150m) 2:52.13, pace 28.40/M, rank 81/123
Bike (10 miles) 55:52.82, pace 10.7 mph, rank 103/123 (on mountain bike)
Run (2 miles) 34:07.86, pace 17:04/M, rank 103/123
Total time 1:32:52.81
This year's race April 26, 2008
Swim (150m) 2:52.00, pace 28.40/M, rank 57/96
Bike (10 miles) 41:25.28, pace 14.5 mph, rank 80/94 (on tri bike)
Run (2 miles) 32:29.88, pace 16:15/M, rank 95/96
Total time 1:16:47.16
Drove to Eunice with friend and her son the night before to stay with friend's parents. Not fun trying to get out of town on a Friday afternoon so was very tired when we arrived. Friend's parents very welcoming and nice. Had stayed with them last year as well. Her mom had cooked baked chicken, crawfish and corn soup and rice salad for supper. It was delicious. Helped her mom slice up some fresh Louisiana strawberries to freeze after supper. Visited with her family for a bit, then showered and went to bed. Surprisingly enough I went to sleep pretty easily. Woke a couple times in night when friend's son woke but luckily her parents got up with him. Got up about 6:15 am to get ready to leave. Ate some oatmeal, got ready and left for race. Arrived at LSU-E campus. Transition area was open with no assigned spots so we unloaded and got set up in T. Picked up race packet which comes in a small crawfish sac lol and race Tshirt this year was a nice dri-fit shirt. This tri is a pretty small one but is a lot of fun and the competitors are super friendly. Friend's parents, son and brother came to cheer us on.
Swim - LSU-E natatorium pool. Race numbers were assigned according to the swim time submitted upon registration. Swimmers start 10 seconds apart. The 2 swimmers ahead of me did not show so I had to wait 30 seconds total. Swim was good and fast. Got passed by the 2 guys behind me. Had almost same swim time as last year - 13 seconds faster this time . Out of pool, out natatorium, around corner and into T area.
T1 - No problems here just forgot to put on tank with race number but was ok because didn't need it until the run but was worried I would forget to put it on for run. First time I raced on bike in just swimsuit and tri shorts but didn't have time to worry about it then lol.
Bike - Bike portion went well. A little windy but not terrible. Road conditions are pretty awful though as it is down a dinky rural highway. Passed up 10 people on bike. Race pace was 14.5 mph but both T times are averaged in too. Bike computer had me averaging 16.1 mph. Cut almost 14.5 minutes off last years bike time .
T2 - Ditched bike and bike gear, remembered to slip tank on, grabbed ball cap and walked to run exit. Thighs were extremely tight.
Run - Got water on run exit and began wogging as soon as finished water. Determined to not stop and walk no matter how slow I am wogging. It was hard to keep wogging. Legs were so tight. Back was achy. Getting passed left and right by runners. Most of them hollering out encouraging words as they passed. On bike on guy passed me and yelled "good job lady" but on run this guy passed me and said "Good job ma'am" ... ma'am!?! Luckily for him I couldn't have possibly caught him and was too breathless to yell at him lol. i wanted to tell him it would be much more encouraging if he had called me hot thing or babe or something ... anything but ma'am LOL! Road on run is also pretty tore up. Nothing much to look at but fields and the huge, fat, dead snake that was on the road UGH! Hit turnaround and volunteers handing out water or Gatorade. Had drank a lot of electrolyes on bike and it always makes me thirstier so asked for water. Teenage boy tells me you need Gatorade, it has electrolytes. Grrrrrrr! I censor my tired ass self and say yes, I know, I'd rather water. *sigh* Kept up wog as drinking water. Read somewhere that to keep from dousing yourself with water while running, you pinch the top of the paper cup together which makes a lil spout and you are able to drink from it easily while moving. Works great! On way back, friend's parents pass by with her son heading back to house to feed son and put down for nap. They passed by hollering way to go Beth you are almost there. Super nice! They make me feel like they are coming to race to cheer me on as much as for their daughter. Could hear the Zydeco music playing as get closer to finish line. Finally made it in. Run was only about 1.5 minutes faster than last year but i will take it!
Overall, managed to shave 16 minutes off last year's time - mostly on the bike. Wahoo!
Now these cajuns know how to throw an after party! Zydeco music and a ton of food. They had boudin, green beans, dirty rice, brisket, crawfish etoufee .... wow. Had a bit of dirty rice and couple bites of brisket.
My friend got 1st in her age group and 3rd overall. And I got 3rd in my age group. My first tri medal .
Headed home a few hours later. Showered and we met a friend for dinner and a movie for her bday. Got home and managed to get a few hours sleep before getting up at crack of early to go with hub to New Orleans to do the Bubba Gump "Run Forrest Run" 5k. Not going to do full race report on it but it was a lot of fun. Started out wogging with hub then he took off ahead of me. Was still wiped from tri day before so after 1 mile I started walking. Lil bit later I caught up with hub who had to slow down as shin splints were killing him. So we decided we would gimp in to finish line together. Was nice day. Started out rainy before race but cleared up for race and was nice and sunny after race. Hung around after race a bit. They had a guy posing as Forrest Gump there. Fed us shrimp pasta. Then hub and I went walking round NO taking pics and shopping. Found another old, small cemetery to walk round and take pics. Was an exhausting but great weekend!
Pic from first tri - last year 2007. Showing off my race number .
Pics from this year's race: 1) My race set up with crawfish sac goody bag. 2) Me and friend with our race prizes.
Doesn't really look it but am almost 40 pounds less than last year's race.
OK - I know I still have 2 reports to do from last week but figured I better do most recent first before I forget everything.
Yesterday I did the Rocketchix sprint all female triathlon. Rocketchix is a series of events geared to women of all ages and fitness levels and is especially geared for beginners. I did one of the events last July. They are very well organized. Great goodies in the goody bags. Lots of volunteers. And just an amazing atmosphere. Everyone is so positive and out to make sure that everyone has a wonderful experience. The last people in are cheered for as much or more so than the first one in.
Last year's results: Rocketchix II July 28, 2007
Swim (350m pool) 8:56
T1 2:31
Bike (12 miles) 53:44 (pace 13.4)
T2 1:27
Run (2 miles) 32:16 (pace 16:08)
Total time = 1:38:53
271/324
This year's times (May 4, 2008)
Swim (350m pool) 8:43 (13 secs better than last year) passed up 2 swimmers (pace 2:30)
T1 2:18 (faster by 13 seconds even with having to fiddle with new bike shoes)
Bike (12 miles) 47:38 (pace 15.1) (faster than last year by 6:06, mph increased by 1.7)
T2 1:22 (faster by 5 secs)
Run (2 miles) 32:41 (pace 16:21) (slower by 25 secs )
Total time = 1:32:40 (better than 2007 by 6:13 )
166/225
As usual slept on and off night before race. Still fighting sinus congestion so used nose spray to clear head before race. Was cool in the morning but warmed up right before race began. Hub came with to be personal bag boy/ chauffer/cheerleader/photographer lol. Met friend Denise there. She was racing. Friend Caroline was volunteering. Had picked up packet 2 days before. It came in a lil black drawstring bag. In it was race number and helmet number. Race tee was a very nicr dri-fit tee in a beautiful rosy red color (my signature color). Also received a rocketchix towel and water bottle. Some pamphlets and free samples too. At end of race you get a finisher's hat. This year's was a nice Headsweat visor in pink with Rocketchix emblem.
Transition racks are marked for this race. So headed into T to set up. It was in a grassy area next to the natatorium (pool house) at LSU. Friend Denise came over and we body marked each other. Still need to remember to put a fat tipped marker in my T-bag! Then we went to get our timing chip.Did the usual 2-3 trips to the bathroom pre-race. One good thing about racing is you can't possibly be constipated lol. Denise and friends call it pre-race mulch making lol. Like you wanted to know that!
Manditory meeting prior to race start. Then e1 headed in to line up by pool. You seed yourself for swim. Denise and I lined up between 8 and 9 minute marks. I try to do a strong, consistent swim but don't totally go all out. This was the strongest I ever felt in the swim. Even though I only beat last year's swim by 13 seconds it was a much more relaxed swim. Last year I breathed every stroke and thought I was still gonna suffocate. Denise was before me. Swim start at 5 second intervals. I caught her after 2nd or 3rd turn. Was trying to pass her without touching her as she sometimes panics in the swim. Unfortunately about 4 of us got piled up together so just pulled through and away. So ended up passing 2 people in the swim (one of them Denise - sorry Neesy). Managed to get out of the pool without incidence. One of my big fears is being so tired (or fat) that I won't be able to pull myself up and out of pool especially with the pools that have the steps built into the wall. But I say a lil prayer before each pool race and so far, so good. So out of pool and heading for T area. Have to run out of natatorium, down ramp, across drive and into grassy area to T.
T1: Definitely need to improve T times! This was the first time I was using my big girl bike shoes. Threw goggles and swim cap down. Slipped on socks. Slipped into new bike shoes making sure to leave straps looser than I think I need them! Slipped sleevelss race shirt with race number attached on and put on glasses and helmet. Running out of T on those bike shoes is a bit like trying to run in wooden clogs. Obviously need practice as I am sure I looked like a constipated duck! Out of T1 to bike mount line.
Bike: Mounted bike ok. Got right foot clipped in easily. Pulled right pedal up so would have something to push off on. Of course I had to make an immediate left turn so had to do a lil bit of scooting along with left foot in order to get momentum to go. Scooted and got seated on bike and got left foot clipped in fairly easily and off I went. Course (not closed to traffic) goes down a straight street making a right hand turn, down another straight street with 1 railroad crossing, to end of street hang a left onto River Road and then down River Road to turn around and back along same route. Was pretty windy going out so was hoping that wouldn't be so bad on way back in. No speedometer/odometer so just kept telling self that I was not going fast enough so just kept pedalling harder. Bike out was good, felt great. Notice am not as fatigued with new bike shoes YEAH! Hit turn around, unclipped left shoe just in case I needed to put it down for the turnaround but didn't need it. Somehow managed a smooth, if slow, turn around and headed back. Holy cow - who pissed off the God of Wind???? The way back was windier than the worst day we have had training on River Road yet! Felt a bit like trying to ride a bike through wet cement with someone slapping you as you go along. But managed it and even managed to pass up (or PacMan) 13 cyclists on bike . Was very glad to hit the last straight-away! Saw hub who hollered something about my big girl shoes lol. Slow down for dismount line and trying not to think myself into crashing. Was very worried about dismounting as this was first race with new shoes and only practiced with them twice. The cleats being new are still very slick, not all chewed up and roughened yet. As I slowed up for dismount, I maneuvered over to the right side as wanted to get out of way of others, especially if I did crash. Got right foot unclipped and prepared to put it down. Got propped up on right leg okay and was trying to unclip left shoe and it was not cooperating. And was starting to get off balance. Neil (volunteer from my tri group) was standing nearby being encouraging telling me to just keep trying, you got it, take your time. Thanks Neil! Saw a road sign immediately to my right so before I totally lost balance I grabbed onto it with right hand to balance. Managed to finally unclip left shoes but instead of unclipping it to outside, I unclipped to inside but whatever works! So finally got both feet back on the ground and got off bike. Running back to T like a constipated duck getting frustrated cause couldn't run so once hit grassy area I kicked off bike shoes and picked them up so that I could actually run in. Into T2.
T2: Racked bike, tossed down bike shoes, put on running shoes, threw of helmet, grabbed ball cap and took off in a wog out run exit.
Run: Friend Caroline was waiting for me at run exit, cheering me along. I knew she wanted to run me in so figured she would cheer for me then go close to finish line to run me in but nope she stuck with me for the entire "run". Thanks Caroline!!! Grabbed some H2O on the exit and as soon as I got that down I took off wogging. Now here is where e1 I passed and then almost e1 passes me *sigh*! Gets to be frustrating but I just kept thinking about the progress I have made and know that as soon as I get off some more weight I will be able to run better and easier. Run course is around LSU campus, down and up curvy streets, up and off curbs, etc. Its mostly shaded so that was nice! Grabbed water at halfway mark and sipped it while wogging. Caroline was talking to me the whole time and I figured if I could respond to her and not get breathless then I wasn't working hard enough and would try to kick it up a bit. She even noticed when we were getting close to the end that I had kicked it up. I call it the "old horse maneuver" as in old horse speeds up when it knows its getting close to the barn lol. One thing that was great on the run was a runner was passing me and she said OMG #124, you really blew by me on the bike. lol I said why tyvm! Wogged in to finish line. At finish line you are immediately handed a bottle of water, someone takes your timing chip off and they pass you a Rocketchix finisher cap.
Walked around a bit talking to hub and friends. High fived e1. Cheered other racers as they finished. Met a friend of Denise's who is about my speed on bike and run so will contact her to try to get together to train. Cheered last 2 runners in - was so great they ran in together and had the biggest grins on their faces! hung around for rewards as Denise got 2nd in her age group and 4th overall.
Headed home with hub, bathed and got dressed and then we went downtown for a local festival called Fest for All. Lots of vendors, artists, good food and great music. All in all a fabulous day!
Just gave one exam. One more to give later today then will be done with students for this semester. Just have to clean up lab, grow some bacteria, and order supplies for summer semester. Yippee!
Down 3 pounds. Almost didn't weigh. Brain starts in with the bad thoughts like you didn't lose ... you probably gained .... why bother weighing.... Good thing I didn't listen this morning!
Have 1 student taking make up exam in a few. Have another who was suppossed to take exam Monday but never showed and just emailed me this morning. Frigging hate that. Cutting him no slack unless he was in the hospital in traction with an IV and a respirator! He is one of those who only showed up like every other class with no excuse and then wants me to waste my time letting him make up experiments. Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm hell no. So we will see what his lame excuse is.
Perhaps I should post this in lab and on office door?
Taking son to his MMA class tonight so will workout with them again. Will be better prepared for the copious amounts of sweat I will produce this time . Plan on swimming tomorrow. Then resting til tri on Sunday. Taking next weekend off - no events next weekend. Trying to figure out something fun to do on Mother's Day. Want to see if sisters want to get together and go picnic or something. What's y'all's plans for Moms Day?
OK - gotta go finish double checking exam for later today. Am off...
No, I didn't post right after but definitely should as the longer you go the less you get excited about writing a race report. Suffice it to say last weekend was awesome and very busy with little time left over for sleeeeeeeeep. So am a bit fatigued this week. Plan on writing race reports tonight or tomorrow tho.
Did the sprint tri Sat morn, then went out with friend for her bday Sat night and went to see movie Deception ... don't waste your money on movie ... not even worth it for the eye candy! But we had a blast! Sunday morning after almost no sleep got up at crack of early to head to NOLA for 5k. It was a blast. Will def sign up for it again next year. Details to come in race report.
Did 2 loops on bike on River Road today (~ 22 miles) with big girl bike shoes (see pic - these are my actual shoes - cute eh? only thing make em cuter is if the were red or yellow!). I didn't crash ... today LOL. Hard to get used to these things. Am used to being able to dismount using both feet but that is virtually impossible with clip in bike shoes (see pic of cleat) unless u wanna crash. Using them for first time in a race this weekend (Sun) so wish me luck! Is hilarious to walk in them because you have this huge cleat under ball of foot and these lil stopper things on toes and heels so you clickety clack when you walk and you kinda have to walk like a duck .... most attractive!!!
Promise to have race reports ready sooooooon!
Oh and NSV's
1. My mother-in-law said every time she sees me she can tell I have lost more weight. She said, and I quote "You are losing weight like a bar of soap ... a little bit each time and all over". Can I tell ya my MIL comes up with some sayins lol.
2. I can wear an XL tee without having to stretch it from here to Japan.
3. I mistakenly packed a small beach towel in my gym bag the other day and actually got it wrapped around me... by several inches up top and it closed with no gap down side at bottom .
Somehow even though I knew the tri is Saturday I woke up surprised that that is tomorrow! LOL Running around packing. Is only a couple hours away but staying with friend's parents who live in same town as tri so we won't have to get up in middle of night to drive in. Still have to get up at crack or early though. So not only have to make sure have regular stuff packed but all gear too. Have tri gear laminated list hooked in tri bag but need to update it. Remembered flip flops this time. Like to wear them in morning as grass is always wet with dew and hate having to put on wet running shoes! Anyone tried the Zoto shoes or any "sockless" running shoes? Please post if you have tried any.
Feel pretty good even though up late trying to finish writing a final exam I am giving 8am Monday. So wanna finish it up so don't have to mess with it over weekend! Better get to work on it as have meeting in an hour too *sigh*. Only good thing about meeting is they called my sis's place to cater it YUMMMMMM!!!
Have a great weekend y'all! And good luck to e1 who has events scheduled!
I swear I must have in a past life! Just got done swimming. Snuck off between classes. Beautiful sunny day here. Was even a tad cool in the water because there was a pretty cool breeze. Had my swimp3 all charged up and off I went. Did 36 laps total = 1800 yds = a hair over a mile. Started out with a 1000 yd slow swim, then did 6 - 50 yd sprints (fastest was 54 secs), then finish up remainder of laps. Always feel so good and stretched out and relaxed after a swim.
Ready for race on Saturday just gonna be very busy between now and then.
. Now having admitted this I am going to commit to trying out at least one dvd in the next two weeks. "
.
. Out of pool, out natatorium, around corner and into T area.
but didn't have time to worry about it then lol.
Luckily for him I couldn't have possibly caught him and was too breathless to yell at him lol. i wanted to tell him it would be much more encouraging if he had called me hot thing or babe or something ... anything but ma'am LOL! Road on run is also pretty tore up. Nothing much to look at but fields and the huge, fat, dead snake that was on the road UGH! Hit turnaround and volunteers handing out water or Gatorade. Had drank a lot of electrolyes on bike and it always makes me thirstier so asked for water. Teenage boy tells me you need Gatorade, it has electrolytes. Grrrrrrr! I censor my tired ass self and say yes, I know, I'd rather water. *sigh* Kept up wog as drinking water. Read somewhere that to keep from dousing yourself with water while running, you pinch the top of the paper cup together which makes a lil spout and you are able to drink from it easily while moving. Works great! On way back, friend's parents pass by with her son heading back to house to feed son and put down for nap. They passed by hollering way to go Beth you are almost there. Super nice! They make me feel like they are coming to race to cheer me on as much as for their daughter. Could hear the Zydeco music playing as get closer to finish line. Finally made it in. Run was only about 1.5 minutes faster than last year but i will take it!
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)
... don't waste your money on movie ... not even worth it for the eye candy! But we had a blast! Sunday morning after almost no sleep got up at crack of early to head to NOLA for 5k. It was a blast. Will def sign up for it again next year. Details to come in race report.
shoes (see pic - these are my actual shoes - cute eh? only thing make em cuter is if the were red or yellow!). I didn't crash ... today LOL. Hard to get used to these things. Am used to being able to dismount using both feet but that is virtually impossible with clip 
in bike shoes (see pic of cleat) unless u wanna crash. Using them for first time in a race this weekend (Sun) so wish me luck! Is hilarious to walk in them because you have this huge cleat under ball of foot and these lil stopper things on toes and heels so you clickety clack when you walk and you kinda have to walk like a duck .... most attractive!!!
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