I bought a new bathing suit this summer- a two piece job with full skirt and flowing yards of fabric meant to cover the bulges and pooches that had grown an altogether too large presence on my body. Well, since I have been in the pool almost daily all summer and at least weekly this fall, the chlorine has taken it toll on ym suit. Once new and tight, the top part's fabric hangs down to my knees. I knotted it up to keep it looking sort of normal. I have also lost about 30 pounds and with every lap I swim, I come dangerouly close to flashing my fellow swimmers.
The bottoms were a no go last week. They kept falling down and then trying to fall off completely. Losing weight is awesome, and I am not complaining here....not at all. So, why you ask me, did I not get a new suit? Well, the answer is twofold. 1) I am cheap. 2) I havent' found one that I like. 3) I was hoping to lose another 30 pounds each week that I put off shopping for a suit, hoping.....
You see, I knew that my next bathing suit purchase would have to be one that is ruffle-less, skirtless, and had only enough fabric to cover the important bits. That meant is had to be form fitting! Ahhhh the horrors. The ruffles and skirths just cause too much drag in the water.
So, while I have lost 30 pounds, I am still about 40 or so from my goal weight. So there is not a smooth polished body to slip into a sleek new suit.
Well, last night, my hubby pointed out a huge tear in the suit while we were sitting in the hot tub. So, on the way out of the gym, the top part of my suit hit the trash can.
That meant tonight before we could swim, we had to go buy a suit. So, one quick trip to Academy, our favorite sporting goods store, and I walked out with a Speedo! I now own a shiny new Lycra competition swimming suit. It feels like rubber and is smooth and beautiful -- on the rack that is.
I left the store grimacing. While the suit fits over all of the important bits and technically did its job, it isn't very flattering. All the way to the gym, I made dear hubby promise not to laugh or think badly of me when I stepped out of the locker room in my form fitting suit. I felt kind of naked. I have been used to yards of fabric covering huge parts of me. And while I know I was deluding myself to think that the old faded unstretchy flasher suit of yesterday was in anyway flattering, it was somehow comforting to me.
Dear hubby redeemed himself and told me it looked great and I didn't look fat. How sweet. I quickly got in the water, and took off swimming if nothing but to get my mind of my exposed Lycra covered self.
My black shiny suit surprised me. It was a bit buoyant in the water, and without the yards of fabric clinging to me causing drag, I sped through the water with such ease and speed. My arms were strong and I was freely swimming like never before. My shiny black suit proved its worth, even though I cover myself with a towel and make my way quickly to and from the locker room.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Race Report: Springtown Spin! My first bike rally
Ok, so I have been riding my fat tire mountain bike for awhile now. The longest ride I logged before today was 10 some miles. In my self-improvement induced stupor, I figured I could muster the other 10 miles out of sheer determination and will power. Ha ha, so I signed up for the 20 mile race. I have been looking forward to my first bicycle event!
In preparation for my race, we pulled my bike out and dear hubby tried to adjust the gears and something broke. So bike in shop- not predicted to be done until after the race. In a panic, I tried out Dear hubby's bike for about 5 minutes, hoping I wouldn't have to use it.
Day before the race. Bike is ready. Whew.
Day of the race. I checked in at the registration desk and picked up the packet. Picking up the packet is so exciting. Usually, you get a goody bag full of stuff. Usually you get a t-shirt. This time we got socks, which were cool. But when I brought them home, Dear Hubby reminded me that when socks in our family go into the washer, little trolls (my children) steal them and I never see them again. So I am a little disappointed that I will probably only wear the socks once. sigh.
About 300 people were registered for the race, but only about 100 or less actually showed up. The start was very casual. The century racers were sent off first with, "Alright, take off." While we were waiting for our start, the race director asked if anyone was a first timer. A couple of us raised our hands, and the director shot us a very strange look- something between sympathy and pity. My stomach fell a bit and I suddenly became a little nervous.
She informed us that last year they told the riders that the course was flat. Several veterans laughed. She told us that the course was a little hilly! Well, I think that will go down as the understatement of the year.
We took off and I was pedaling furiously into strong head winds, just trying to not be last. I ride a Schwinn mountain bike, and as I have mentioned before- This bike is NOT made for speed. I wasn't the only one riding a mountain bike, but the others handlily passed me within the first mile. Well, more like within the first 1/4 mile.
I thought, that surely it can't be my bike if the mountain bikers are passing me. I must be that slow. So, I tried a little experiment. I matched my pedaling cadence with theirs in my lowest gear and realized something! It is my bike. I pedal as fast or faster and they are all passing me. I felt very inadequate on my big purple mountain bike. It was like I was standing still when the road bikes whizzed by making that very cool road bike whir sound.
My GPS app on my new phone talks in my ear and by the time the female voice chimed in to let me know I had traveled a mile, I was at the end of the line. By the time I hit 2 miles, I couldn't even see anyone. Remember the hill thing? Well, I think there was probably less than a mile of flat riding the entire trip. The whole course was going up a hill, to go down a hill, to go up a hill. I was pooped.
To make matters worse, I had eaten at 6 am (Shakeology and a banana) though full of vitamins and tons of good stuff, the shake has only 140 calories which was burned up before we even started at 9am. As we were pulling out, my stomach was growling. Fortunately for me, I packed a couple of protein bars, unfortunately for me, I didn't eat one soon enough.
Every now and then I would look up and see some kind soul on a beautiful speedy bike at the top of a far hill pulled over waiting to catch sight of me. They tried to be subtle, probably so my feelings wouldn't be damaged. It was very thoughtful and kind og them, but what they may not have realized was that I didn't feel bad. I was having a blast. I lived in Springtown years ago and was a first responder, so as I was riding along, I was remembering calls I responded to at houses I was passing and wrecks on the side of the road. In all of that time racing down these roads on a mission to save lives, I never had time to look around. This time, I was going really really slow and looking around. The scenery was beautiful.
At mile 5ish, almost attacked by a dog. Big dog. Very scary. Lots of adrenaline.
Oh, I forgot to mention, the reason so many people didn't show up was because there was a 60% chance for rain. Well, 60% turned into 100% at mile 8. My GPS lady just announced mile 8 in my ear when the downpour commenced. I pulled off the road and took shelter in a stand of trees and quickly put my cell phone (brand new smart phone) in a pouch I purchased on the way to the race. I tucked it under my shirt and prayed it would stay dry. I pulled back on the road and continued in the rain.
The first and only rest stop was at mile 13. I pulled in for a quick snack and drink. I told the ladies under the umbrellas that I suspected I was the last one. They assured I wasn't. But I am pretty sure I was. I was passed by everyone and didn't pass anyone. At that point, the 40 milers were starting to pass me.
I took off up the hill (surprise) and pedaled furiosly some more. A few minutes later a lady on a speedy road bike pulled up beside me from behind and started chatting. Weird, cause she had passed me a while back. She told me she turned off the wrong road and had gotten lost.
We stuck together for the rest of the ride and chatted the whole way back in the pouring freezing rain. Well maybe not freezing, but on a bike with high winds it felt freezing. We talked about bikes and races and how many hills we had conquered.
The last few miles went by much quicker with someone to talk to. I was so grateful that she had slowed down and kept me company. She was grateful too. Oh, and we passed several people on the way in the back stretch. A lot of people also took the truck in and didn't finish. I was quite proud of myself.
We pulled in with a time of 2:49 in the pouring rain. I quickly threw my bike in the back of the truck and headed home soaking wet. Cell phone in tact. Did I mention it was raining?
First bike rally down. I am hooked. Now I have to get a road bike so I can make that cool whizzing sound as I pass slow people on crappy mountain bikes.
In preparation for my race, we pulled my bike out and dear hubby tried to adjust the gears and something broke. So bike in shop- not predicted to be done until after the race. In a panic, I tried out Dear hubby's bike for about 5 minutes, hoping I wouldn't have to use it.
Day before the race. Bike is ready. Whew.
Day of the race. I checked in at the registration desk and picked up the packet. Picking up the packet is so exciting. Usually, you get a goody bag full of stuff. Usually you get a t-shirt. This time we got socks, which were cool. But when I brought them home, Dear Hubby reminded me that when socks in our family go into the washer, little trolls (my children) steal them and I never see them again. So I am a little disappointed that I will probably only wear the socks once. sigh.
About 300 people were registered for the race, but only about 100 or less actually showed up. The start was very casual. The century racers were sent off first with, "Alright, take off." While we were waiting for our start, the race director asked if anyone was a first timer. A couple of us raised our hands, and the director shot us a very strange look- something between sympathy and pity. My stomach fell a bit and I suddenly became a little nervous.
She informed us that last year they told the riders that the course was flat. Several veterans laughed. She told us that the course was a little hilly! Well, I think that will go down as the understatement of the year.
We took off and I was pedaling furiously into strong head winds, just trying to not be last. I ride a Schwinn mountain bike, and as I have mentioned before- This bike is NOT made for speed. I wasn't the only one riding a mountain bike, but the others handlily passed me within the first mile. Well, more like within the first 1/4 mile.
I thought, that surely it can't be my bike if the mountain bikers are passing me. I must be that slow. So, I tried a little experiment. I matched my pedaling cadence with theirs in my lowest gear and realized something! It is my bike. I pedal as fast or faster and they are all passing me. I felt very inadequate on my big purple mountain bike. It was like I was standing still when the road bikes whizzed by making that very cool road bike whir sound.
My GPS app on my new phone talks in my ear and by the time the female voice chimed in to let me know I had traveled a mile, I was at the end of the line. By the time I hit 2 miles, I couldn't even see anyone. Remember the hill thing? Well, I think there was probably less than a mile of flat riding the entire trip. The whole course was going up a hill, to go down a hill, to go up a hill. I was pooped.
To make matters worse, I had eaten at 6 am (Shakeology and a banana) though full of vitamins and tons of good stuff, the shake has only 140 calories which was burned up before we even started at 9am. As we were pulling out, my stomach was growling. Fortunately for me, I packed a couple of protein bars, unfortunately for me, I didn't eat one soon enough.
Every now and then I would look up and see some kind soul on a beautiful speedy bike at the top of a far hill pulled over waiting to catch sight of me. They tried to be subtle, probably so my feelings wouldn't be damaged. It was very thoughtful and kind og them, but what they may not have realized was that I didn't feel bad. I was having a blast. I lived in Springtown years ago and was a first responder, so as I was riding along, I was remembering calls I responded to at houses I was passing and wrecks on the side of the road. In all of that time racing down these roads on a mission to save lives, I never had time to look around. This time, I was going really really slow and looking around. The scenery was beautiful.
At mile 5ish, almost attacked by a dog. Big dog. Very scary. Lots of adrenaline.
Oh, I forgot to mention, the reason so many people didn't show up was because there was a 60% chance for rain. Well, 60% turned into 100% at mile 8. My GPS lady just announced mile 8 in my ear when the downpour commenced. I pulled off the road and took shelter in a stand of trees and quickly put my cell phone (brand new smart phone) in a pouch I purchased on the way to the race. I tucked it under my shirt and prayed it would stay dry. I pulled back on the road and continued in the rain.
The first and only rest stop was at mile 13. I pulled in for a quick snack and drink. I told the ladies under the umbrellas that I suspected I was the last one. They assured I wasn't. But I am pretty sure I was. I was passed by everyone and didn't pass anyone. At that point, the 40 milers were starting to pass me.
I took off up the hill (surprise) and pedaled furiosly some more. A few minutes later a lady on a speedy road bike pulled up beside me from behind and started chatting. Weird, cause she had passed me a while back. She told me she turned off the wrong road and had gotten lost.
We stuck together for the rest of the ride and chatted the whole way back in the pouring freezing rain. Well maybe not freezing, but on a bike with high winds it felt freezing. We talked about bikes and races and how many hills we had conquered.
The last few miles went by much quicker with someone to talk to. I was so grateful that she had slowed down and kept me company. She was grateful too. Oh, and we passed several people on the way in the back stretch. A lot of people also took the truck in and didn't finish. I was quite proud of myself.
We pulled in with a time of 2:49 in the pouring rain. I quickly threw my bike in the back of the truck and headed home soaking wet. Cell phone in tact. Did I mention it was raining?
First bike rally down. I am hooked. Now I have to get a road bike so I can make that cool whizzing sound as I pass slow people on crappy mountain bikes.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Clean Air 2010- Bike Rally
In conjunction with National Alternative Fuel Day (October 15) the City of Fort Worth along with the T, Fort Worth ISD, Atmos and other sponsors hosted a free bike rally in downtown Fort Worth. The rally was an 8.5 mile leisurely ride through downtown and along the Trinity River.
I found out about it on Friday while I was browsing Active.com looking for future races. After an uncomfortable night with some stomach indigestion, I got up at the crack of dawn, loaded my bike up and headed down to Sundance Square. I love downtown Fort Worth and if we were DINKS we would live there in a cool condo...
Anyway, I registered too late for a t-shirt, but got a weird bag that one of my girls will love to have. We started off a 9:00am. There were probably about 200 people including kids, adults and even an obnoxious barking Jack Russell terrier rading a specially made doggie trailer.
We had to follow the Fort Worth Police bike cops, and they had the donut eating cops in the lead, so the pace was very slow about 9 mph. Those of us riding mountain bikes broke rank and hit the dirt along the trail and then got busted by the in-shape cops for going ahead of the donut leading cops. So, back to the pack again.
It was fun and lasted a little over an hour. I enjoyed the ride and hanging out with other bike enthusiasts. It was fun seeing everyone's really cool bike jerseys and colorful outfits.
The whole point of the day was to encouage poeple to ride their bikes instead of driving. Apparently, according to their statistics, 50% of all people live within 5 miles of their work. And apparently that is a commutable bike distance. I work over 30 miles from home, but if I worked closer, I would commute by bike. Last summer when I attended a training in Colleyville, I rode my bike there one day and totally loved it.
Go ride!
I found out about it on Friday while I was browsing Active.com looking for future races. After an uncomfortable night with some stomach indigestion, I got up at the crack of dawn, loaded my bike up and headed down to Sundance Square. I love downtown Fort Worth and if we were DINKS we would live there in a cool condo...
Anyway, I registered too late for a t-shirt, but got a weird bag that one of my girls will love to have. We started off a 9:00am. There were probably about 200 people including kids, adults and even an obnoxious barking Jack Russell terrier rading a specially made doggie trailer.
We had to follow the Fort Worth Police bike cops, and they had the donut eating cops in the lead, so the pace was very slow about 9 mph. Those of us riding mountain bikes broke rank and hit the dirt along the trail and then got busted by the in-shape cops for going ahead of the donut leading cops. So, back to the pack again.
It was fun and lasted a little over an hour. I enjoyed the ride and hanging out with other bike enthusiasts. It was fun seeing everyone's really cool bike jerseys and colorful outfits.
The whole point of the day was to encouage poeple to ride their bikes instead of driving. Apparently, according to their statistics, 50% of all people live within 5 miles of their work. And apparently that is a commutable bike distance. I work over 30 miles from home, but if I worked closer, I would commute by bike. Last summer when I attended a training in Colleyville, I rode my bike there one day and totally loved it.
Go ride!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Race Report: Tyler Rose 5k 10-10-10
This is my second race officially, but the first non-mud run (which, by the way are still the most fun of all). My daughter Daisy decided she wanted to run a marathon about 6 months ago. Since she is only 12, we all discussed it and came to the conclusion that a half-marathon would be a good first timer goal. So we registered her for the Tyler Rose Half Marathon on October 10, 2010.
So we wouldn't have to sit around smelling porta-potties and snoozing while she ran, Dear Hubby and I decided to run the 5k. Since school started back up and I was given extra responsibilities (those that were filled by a full-time person in the past) in addition to my current teaching assignment, I have been so busy and exhuasted that working out has taken a back seat. I know, I know: It would help all things if I worked out too. I am getting back into the swing of things.
After about 6 weeks of very limited exercise, and sporting brand new non-shoes (my Vibram Five fingers) I stood next to dear hubby in the very frigid temperatures in shaded downtown Tyler, Texas. We cheered our daughter on and shivered befor the start of our race.
The announcer stated that there were over 1600 people registered for the day and the half marathon was the biggest draw with 900 participants. Since I was sporting my new very unique shoes, I was keeping an eye to the ground. I could only find 4 fellow Five Fingers in the whole crowd. Two very cool looking college students walked by and my daughter told me later that they pointed to my feet and said, "whew we are not the only ones." Then while I was at the starting line a guy behind me asked me how long I had my VFFs. I told him that I got them yesterday and he gave me that, "Are you insane? You never wear new shoes to a race" look until I reassured him by telling him that I had been running barefoot for a couple of months. He felt better. I think it is silly to be so rigid and formal. It is a 5k, not the Boston Marathon. What is the worst thing that could happen if I wore new shoes and something went awry? Ooooh a blister. Like I haven't dealt with that before.
The race started out chilly and I quickly realized as we took off down the first hill that my shoes were not going to be the problem. They were actually quite comfortable. My big problem was my pants. I was wearing spandex shorts that were about knee length and apparently too big. My pants kept falling down! I would run about 3-5 steps and have to yank my pants up. It was pretty embarrassing. Eventually, my belly swelled or something, cause they stopped falling down.
The run was fun and I really enjoyed most of it. I was greatful to have the VFFs. Running this course would have been torture on the feet. There was a large stretch of road that was paved with large chunks of rock and tar. Ouch.
The course was full of rolling hills and we were either climbing or descending a hill of some sort for most of the course. I only had to stop a couple of times to walk. I wasn't the fastest one out there, as I was being passed by women pushing strollers. I think I finished before the old man in the walker and the lady with the oxygen tank though.
I actually came in 27th in my age group with a time of 38:11! That is a 13ish minute mile. Not so hot, but it gives me something to strive for in the future. All in all it was a great day, finished off by bananas, protein bars and Subway provided by the sponsors. I would do it again, but I really want to do more obstacles and much more mud.
So we wouldn't have to sit around smelling porta-potties and snoozing while she ran, Dear Hubby and I decided to run the 5k. Since school started back up and I was given extra responsibilities (those that were filled by a full-time person in the past) in addition to my current teaching assignment, I have been so busy and exhuasted that working out has taken a back seat. I know, I know: It would help all things if I worked out too. I am getting back into the swing of things.
After about 6 weeks of very limited exercise, and sporting brand new non-shoes (my Vibram Five fingers) I stood next to dear hubby in the very frigid temperatures in shaded downtown Tyler, Texas. We cheered our daughter on and shivered befor the start of our race.
The announcer stated that there were over 1600 people registered for the day and the half marathon was the biggest draw with 900 participants. Since I was sporting my new very unique shoes, I was keeping an eye to the ground. I could only find 4 fellow Five Fingers in the whole crowd. Two very cool looking college students walked by and my daughter told me later that they pointed to my feet and said, "whew we are not the only ones." Then while I was at the starting line a guy behind me asked me how long I had my VFFs. I told him that I got them yesterday and he gave me that, "Are you insane? You never wear new shoes to a race" look until I reassured him by telling him that I had been running barefoot for a couple of months. He felt better. I think it is silly to be so rigid and formal. It is a 5k, not the Boston Marathon. What is the worst thing that could happen if I wore new shoes and something went awry? Ooooh a blister. Like I haven't dealt with that before.
The race started out chilly and I quickly realized as we took off down the first hill that my shoes were not going to be the problem. They were actually quite comfortable. My big problem was my pants. I was wearing spandex shorts that were about knee length and apparently too big. My pants kept falling down! I would run about 3-5 steps and have to yank my pants up. It was pretty embarrassing. Eventually, my belly swelled or something, cause they stopped falling down.
The run was fun and I really enjoyed most of it. I was greatful to have the VFFs. Running this course would have been torture on the feet. There was a large stretch of road that was paved with large chunks of rock and tar. Ouch.
The course was full of rolling hills and we were either climbing or descending a hill of some sort for most of the course. I only had to stop a couple of times to walk. I wasn't the fastest one out there, as I was being passed by women pushing strollers. I think I finished before the old man in the walker and the lady with the oxygen tank though.
I actually came in 27th in my age group with a time of 38:11! That is a 13ish minute mile. Not so hot, but it gives me something to strive for in the future. All in all it was a great day, finished off by bananas, protein bars and Subway provided by the sponsors. I would do it again, but I really want to do more obstacles and much more mud.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Barefoot Running Revolution
I hate running, as you may have noticed from my previous posts. My knees hurt, my back hurts and I am crippled for days after spending even the teensiest bit of time running. So I have read about tight IT bands and inflexible hip flexors and the like. I have been stretching and rolling with no real results.
So then I read about barefoot running and decided to give it a try. The only real problem with running without shoes is that over the past 35 years of NEVER going barefoot anywhere (I even wore socks in my dress shoes) my feet have become, shall we say, sensitive. Blades of grass are enough to slice through the tender skin of my tootsies. So the first few times I gently trod around the block avoiding bits of rock and glass.
I quickly realized that this type of running was pain free! One evening after about a month of barefoot running, I didn't feel like working on toughening my feet that particular night. So, I grabbed my old tennis shoes and headed out the door. After a block my knees hurt so badly, I threw off the shoes and resumed pain free running.
So since my barefoot running experiment was a success, I decided to ask for Vibram Fivefingers for my birthday. Today, I got to pick them out. They have several types of Fivefingers so I got a black pair. That is all I can remember about them;-) This should help me run with more confidence and less pain.
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