Excuse me everyone. Can I have your attention please? I have an announcement to make!
I know, it's not much for some people, but it is for me. And so, I need to start training. I mean REALLY training.
For the past 3 years I've been doing sprint triathlons. While they certainly aren't easy, I have been able to fudge my way through the swim with my wonderful wetsuit, and the 13 mile ride with my hybrid bike. Here's the thing, though:
The Olympic distance is DOUBLE the sprint distance.
Let's break it down, shall we?
FIRST LEG
Sure, I could slide through the swim with my wetsuit, but it would take a very long time. I would prefer to do it with a little oomph in my stroke so I am going to hit the pool and try to build up some strength in my back and shoulders.
SECOND LEG
On my hybrid that would be all quads...and booty. For 26 miles.
Therefore, I need to buy a road bike that is my size. And learn to ride it one-handed so I can drink from my water bottle while biking...without crashing.
As well as scratch. I can barely go 13 miles stifling an itch; I definitely can't go 26.
Finally, I'll have to have enough stamina to run 10k at the end.
It may take me until 2015 to be ready for an Olympic distance triathlon, but I am starting to train for it NOW.
After all, the name of this blog isTri-ing to be Athletic.
If I didn't train for any more triathlons I might have to change my name to the Anxiety-Ridden Athlete. (My mom coined that phrase).
I can't imagine why.
And now, a mini-announcement:
Every once in a while you have heard me talk about FitFluential. Well, they are all about the desire to be healthy. I have learned from this community about blogging, about triathlons, about running, and have made a great number of friends! Consider joining me! It's open to anyone around the world, it's free, and it only takes a second to join! (Blogging is not a requirement.)
Feel free to ask me questions, and click on FitFluential to learn more!
UPCOMING POSTS: SEE JANE RUN 5K, RUNNING IN PARIS, THUMBS UP AWARDS
These "big blogger" moments are feeling awfully good this year.
I have been lusting after these shirts for a while, but I have a hard time spending money on clothes almost anything besides my beloved coffee. And these clothes are definitely at a higher price point than I am used to. However, they look very cool and have really fun patterns based on original tattoo artwork. Perfect for the girl like me who may not be ready to commit to ink forever.
Also, the material they use is supposed to be durable and comfortable. Having form and function in workout clothing is really important to most of us these days so I can't help but be drawn to this company. Here is what their website says about the fabric they use to make their clothes: MadKool technical fabrics enhance the athletic performance of the people who wear it. MadKool efficiently moves sweat away from the body to the outer layer of the fabric, where it dries faster than with other fabrics. In addition, MadKool fabrics regulate your natural body temperature so you will stay warm in cool weather activities, and cool when your heart is pumping.
Once I got the email saying I would get a shirt in the mail, I expected it would be a few weeks until I saw the goods. But no! The next day, there it was!
My precious.
I immediately put it on and hunted TriGuy down.
He did. He's so nice.
I really liked the way it fit; it was stretchy, comfortable, and stylish. The only thing I found strange was a thin mesh piece that went around the neckline. I couldn't figure out if it was an embellishment or functional. Regardless, I still really liked the top as a whole. I wanted to wear it for fashion. Or to bed (so comfy).
But, it's a workout shirt, not a night shirt.
I put it away and saved it for a rainy day indoor workout. Of course I didn't have to wait long because every day is a rainy day. So, I wore the shirt for today's trainer ride. See?
My legs are blurry because they are going so fast! Not really. And after my workout, I made TriGuy take more pictures.
Please excuse the fuzzy hair; it was post-swim and post-ride.
The tank; however, was still delightful! It wicked away sweat really quickly and didn't smell after the workout. As you can see, it hits around mid-waist. It did ride up a little when I was sitting, but it's long enough that I still kept things covered. It's form-fitting but not at all constricting. It is UPF 30+ so I am looking forward to taking it out for runs and bike rides this summer. I'm anxious to see how it holds up after a few workouts and washes to see if the colours and fit really do stay true.
Oh, and the pattern on the back is just as cool as the front.
Here is the link to the shirt they sent me: Infinite Geometry mesh tank. They have the same pattern in a long sleeve, a hoodie, racing shorts, and a wrap skort.
My final thought:
I wouldn't choose to spend this much on a shirt, as much as I do like it. If you're like me (and like these clothes), you might want to put this website on your wish list for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, race completions, for that ice cream eating contest you know, because the clothes are stretchy...
We'll see how this tank holds up over time, but overall, I give it two thumbs up!
Disclaimer: I was given the YMX by Yellowman shirt free of charge in exchange for this product review, through the FitFluential ambassador program. All opinions and images are my own.
UPCOMING POSTS: SWIMMING, RUNNING (SO MUCH RUNNING), AND ANOTHER I'M WORKING ON ANOTHER GUEST POST
I am still working away on the running post I told you about, but I want to let you know about the run I did last night with Ann Marie and Erika.
One of my fellow FitFluential ambassadors, Lisa, put together a virtual race to benefit her friend's 6 year old son Kyle, who is battling cancer. Cancer sucks, and here in the US, health care costs become pretty prohibitive.
A virtual race is something you sign up for, and complete it in your own area (i.e. there is no race location.) Typically there is a time frame in which you have to 'race'; in this case we can do it anytime between February 1st and February 16th. You then submit your time to the race organizer. Sometimes there are cool prizes up for grabs, such as in this race. Personally, I'm gunning for the Starbucks card!!
All the race details can be found at Lisa's site, runwiki.org.
Ann Marie, Erika and I headed out last night to run our 10k along Greenlake. It was beautiful and DARK! Luckily, Ann Marie was wearing 2 flashing lights and Erika had super bright knuckle lights. I had a flashing light with lousy batteries.
Regardless, we had a great time, and averaged 9:30 minute miles. I hope that we can put a smile on Kyle's and his mom's face today! They have some amazing support!
Proof of just how short I really am.
If you want to join, you can check out the website. You have until February 16th to complete your race. If you do it, please leave me a comment below. I would love to know!
If anyone would like to become an ambassador, go over and click on the blogger request! If you are not a blogger, have no fear! You can still be an ambassador in the fitness enthusiast category!
Hey everyone! I apologize in advance for some of the recycled drawings, but this is (hopefully!) for some new readers :D
For my first assignment as a FitFluential ambassador, I have accepted the challenge to write a post!
Oh, but not just any post. A post about why I'm a good fitness influence.
Are those crickets I hear?
Ok, I'm just kidding. I know I've inspired one or two people. They tell me so in the comments. Plus there's Ann Marie (you know, the one I keep blogging about lately). She signed up for two triathlons with me after watching me finish my tri last summer. I was able to motivate her to go to the pool, go to spin class and get a shiny new bike for our training rides!
Forget the fact that she was already totally in shape and an amazing runner :)
Oh! Another person I was able to motivate was TriGuy! He being naturally athletic, he has really enjoyed the competitiveness of training together.
Just (sorta) kidding :)
People sometimes want to know how I got involved in doing triathlons, and if they have known me longer than two years, that question is usually accompanied by this look:
This is likely due to the fact that I was never much of an athlete (i.e. I was always the last picked for teams that I never wanted to be on anyway, geez!) However, my mid-30s seemed like the appropriate time to ignore my complete lack of training and fall prey to peer pressure by signing up for a triathlon! I was out of my mind. I made this movie for my very first blog post to recreate the convincing conversation I had with my coworker. I'm the brown bear.
And now, as required by the FitFluential team, I bring you:
THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS
MY SEVEN HEALTHY TIPS
If anyone is just getting started, or is thinking of getting started, these tips are for you* (but everyone else, I hope you'll keep reading anyway!):
1. Start by getting all the gear. You will be more motivated if you have the proper clothing and equipment. Also, you won't look like a noob.
2. Stretch. Seriously. Yes, it is boring. But it is really important if you want to stay injury-free (take it from someone who has learned the hard way). Join a yoga or Pilates class if that will help you stick with it.
3. If you do get injured,don't ignore it (for the love of Todd). If rest does not make the pain go away, seek professional help.
4. Cross train. This is important for several reasons.
A) You will give your muscles a break by not overexerting them from repetitive motion.
B) You will not burn out on one activity.
C) Each activity will be beneficial for the others. In other words, swimming will help your back for biking, biking will help your legs for running, etc...
5. Hydrate. It just isn't a good idea to burn 5,000 calories in an hour or two with ne'er a drop to drink.
Water is fine, but if you want to drink your electrolytes and sodium, try out different sports drinks until you find the one that works and doesn't hurt your stomach. (Dilute it when you start out and add more gradually.)
Oh, and take small sips.
6. Try an activity that challenges you. That way you will focus on developing the skill rather than on dropping pounds or toning up. You'll find that those changes will be a great side benefit to the confidence of doing something you never could before.
No wait, not that.
There we go.
7. HAVE FUN!! Honestly, there is no excuse for doing a workout you get nothing out of, to wind up looking like this:
when you can look like THIS(!):
RAWR.
Thanks SO MUCH to FitFluential for adding me to the team! I am in awe of all the incredibly talented people who contribute to the group!
*You all know you should seek professional medical advice about exercise, right?
EDIT: I'm linking up with The Blog Entourage this weekend! Come stalk some bloggers with me!
