Let's Go!

10/27/16

I really need to focus and ‘start’ my triathlon training. The longer I don’t have a plan, the more anxious I get. I want this to be an event I do for fun, for the joy of fitness and being outside and experiencing new ways to exercise. I don’t want it to be somehing that causes me stress (or more than expected). I am going to sign up for a gym today that has a pool. We toured the LA fitness in our neighborhood on Tuesday. Before going in, we had zero expectations. We don’t live in the most glamourous part of FTW and the location of this gym is particularly sketchy. In fact, my sister in law and I call the Kroger that is in the same lot  the ‘scary kroger’ and we don’t go there after dark. You can imagine my surprise when we walk in and it is a beautiful, clean, and uncrowded space, complete with a new hot tub, open lap pool and a special woman’s only exercise room. Apparently it’s the largest LA Fitness in Texas. I asked about their pool, as it’s really the only thing I need. The lady who was helping us said the gyms clientele is more interested in the free weights and the basketball courts, than the pool. She said if it’s really busy, there may be two people in the lap pool at one time. When we toured the place it was close two 6pm- which gave me hope that the space wouldn’t be overly crowded at peak times (which I hate). Call me a gym diva, but I’ve been spoiled. Since I started working out in gyms, I’ve always had the good fortune to be a member of small, personalized gyms. Ones that were never crowded, never had creepy dudes lurking about, and where people knew my name. So it’s very strange to know that I’ll be at a large chain gym. Honestly though, I can’t beat it. My company has a discount with LA fitness, so I have no sign up or cancellation fee, no contract, and my monthly payment is only $29.99. Heeeeey, I can handle it!

I’m going to call them today and sign up via phone so tomorrow morning, bright and early, I can go and see if I actually know how to swim. Raz was digging around for goggles in our supply closet but I dont know if we have them or where they are. From what I’ve read, alot of swimmers do a ‘front crawl’. I have no clue what that means, but I’m sure I’ll find out soon. My basic goals for swimming right now are to be able to swim consistently for 30 minutes (to start) and to work on my form. Or developing a form, I should say. Endurance and efficiency.

As far as biking goes, my tushy is sore! I’ve been using the trainer about 2-3x a week and I certainly do not have padded shorts at this time. I did about 40 minutes on the trainer yesterday morning and finally had to get off because my butt bones (ischial tuberosities) were unhappy. I plan on getting the bike out on the road this weekend.

It’s already hard to mentally plan out the amount of exercise I need to be doing with our current plans. Waking up each morning and thinking “triathlon!” is the way to go right now. I’ve been listening to JillFit’s Action Academy recordings, ( I can never tune in on Tuesday nights for the live version), but I like to listen to the recordings while I drive around for work. Anyway- they are so inspiring. She really says it like it is and one big take away I’ve had from listening is, to paraphrase: 1.Be a creator, not a consumer. Realistically, to be successful, you need to be creating your own path,your own content, your own plans. If you’re so busy reading about other people’s success and plans, how will you make the time to create your own? The other point I love is: Become obsessed with your own story. You shouldn’t really be that interested in what others are doing, unless it’s to confirm or scope out info. You should be consumed with your own success and how you’re going to get there. DISCLAIMER: Balance is key ;) But I think you get the idea.