Spinning

I went to my first spinning practice with Team Z. I thought it would be more trouble to get my trainer and bike set up, but there was plenty of parking on the street and I was set up in no time. I found that I like spinning because there's no one in front, no one behind, just a bunch of people working out at their own pace. I felt like I was on the same page as everyone else. There were beginners and Ironman finishers there, and we all had a great time. Also surprising to me was the intensity of the workout. When I spin alone I'm uncomfortable and bored. We spun for about 50 minutes total last night, and it went by quickly and without discomfort. I got to chat with Kerri Kramer, who I never talk to on rides because she is much faster than me, and Stacy, who is new to biking and the team. Overall it was a great night.

I'm on track with my nutrition, at least in the right direction. I've scaled back my snacking, simply by writing all the facts and figures about the foods I consume. Sometimes I want to eat something but I don't want to write all the information down, so I just don't eat it. Weight loss by laziness! I'm recording the calories (overestimating quantities just in case), fat, total carbs, fiber, protein. When I get my computer back I'm going to put it in a spreadsheet so I can do fast calculations and track my weight against it. My current weight (this morning, naked) is 161.4, down from a high of 166 a few weeks ago (right after the new year).

I'm beginning to put more intensity into my workouts. Last track workout I ran a mile in 8:22, my fastest ever, and that was with two more laps to go. We were doing Zone 4 for 1.5 miles, so I timed my first 4 laps. With more weight loss and more speed work I could be in the 7-8 minute range! Right now my focus is to shed the winter fat layer and eat for performance. I'll do more research on that as my habits allow for more specific tweaking.

Back to blogging

It's been a while since I've been motivated to record any of my efforts. I've been a wimp. I'm stuck in exercising for comfort. I balance my exercise with my eating. The exercise feels good, the food feels good and I'm holding steady at 165 pounds. Safely in the Athena category. My goal is to be a trim 148-152 pounds. I'll be faster and lose my affectionately nicknamed 'doughnut' that sits around my middle (I don't even eat doughnuts...Irony!). I've been sick for a week now and the cold broke this morning. I took nearly a week off from exercising (I won't even call it training; my heart wasn't in it). I spent two days slogging around my parents' house, depressed and eating even though I couldn't taste a thing. I need chicken soup, I thought. I need crackers with my soup, like when I was little. Then my dad came home and offered to make dinner. Sure, I said. Ice cream for dessert? Of course! The calcium will make my bones stronger. There's always a reason to eat more, never a reason to eat less when it's in front of me. I'd like to make it the opposite. Instead of being driven to eat when I'm bored or looking for instant satisfaction, I'd be tuned into studying chemistry, writing blogs, doing crunches. The harder I try to change it the more it stares me in the face as being a problem. Yes, I'm a normal girl with bigger than average muscles. I'm strong, fit and flexible. I have a great life! I'm not upset with any directions I'm going in, except out.

I'm 80% committed to creating new habits. The 20% is so strong and willful that I'm in constant conflict. It's like trying to jump out of a plane to skydive and instead of a free-fall, total commitment to getting to the ground, I'm tethered to the plane with a bungee cord, just in case the chute doesn't open.

As for the triathlon piece of my life...it's benign right now. I have my first marathon in Miami in 16 days, and I feel well enough prepared for it mentally and physically, but my point was to get there slimmer and trimmer, unembarrassed to see my finish line pictures. I REFUSE to get to the finish line of IRONMAN CDA looking like I don't belong there. 148.