Getting lapped by Grandma

Well it is official.  If the triathlon was tomorrow I would definately drown in the lake.

On Sunday I met my friend Naomi, who is a swim coach and also does triathlons, for a little swim lesson and training.  She put me through a bunch of drills and taught me the new technique for swimming freestyle.  Apparently they have changed since we were kids.  She encouraged me and told me I was much better than I had led her to believe and she thought I did a good job learning the technique she taught me.  It was a crash course and I was trying to remember everything she said and make my body memorize the new moves as quickly as possible.  I left feeling much more confident that I could swim laps without looking like I had no idea what I was doing.  I also left exhausted.

Naomi confirmed what others had already told me, I need to practice at least 2 times a week, 3 would be better.  So today I decided would be the day.  I woke up immediately dreading it.  Since Jake had late start and John was still home I decided to just get right out of bed and head over early without Isabelle to get it over with.  I felt that I would wimp out if I had to wait until Isabelle was up and organized to go.  I got there and did one lap down and back and almost died.  Tried to do another length of the pool and found myself breaking form and gasping for breath half way down the pool.  Thus began the routine of one length, catch breath for several minutes, length, catch breath, length, catch breath.  To add insult to injury I was sharing a lane with a 70 year old woman who, while much slower than me, never stopped swimming the entire 30 minutes I was there, had been swimming when I arrived and was still swimming when I left.  I told her as I left that she was going to be my inspiration to keep coming back.

I did find that the lengths where I was focused on one of the aspects of form that Naomi had talked about seemed easier than when I was just swimming and trying to think of it all.  And really, I need to relax so my breathing isn't so labored.  Naomi did say I looked like I was gasping for breath the whole time and that is exactly how I feel.  So I know what to work on.

All in all I felt like I have conquered a fear and am looking forward to seeing progress in this new activity.  I suppose it is like when I started running.  The first time I ran I could hardly go 1/2 mile but it was amazing how quickly I was able to improve when starting from zero.  A few years ago Iceman and I were meeting to take turns swimming laps and watching each others children.  I remember that each week I did seem to improve.  I look forward to experiencing that again.

Now could someone tell me how to get this chlorine smell off my skin?

Iceman and others who won't do the tri because of the swim.  Get a coach, take a swim lesson.  When the move is broken down for you by someone knowledgeable and you get to practice each piece suddenly it seems so much more doable.  I'm just saying...

Iceman's 2010 Summer Racing Schedule

I wanted to post the races that I have been thinking about participating in this summer. So here goes:

1. April 24th is the Get In Gear Races over at the Minehaha Pavilion. I'm going to do the 5k and start my racing season slowly. (In more ways than one... )

2. May 2nd is the Bud Break Race at the local Arboretum. It's hilly, but beautiful. This is another 5k. I'm excited to have my kids participate in the Daffodil Dash! A little too cute, huh?

3. July 3rd is the Excelsior Firecracker Run. This will be the 1st 10k for me of the season. But I'm hoping not to even notice the extra mileage because running around Lake Minnetonka is going to be beautiful! (Check the link above for when the open registration. You'll see it under July)

4. July 24th is the Lumber Jack Day Race in Stillwater. I think the family and I are going to make a trip of it. We'll be camping and enjoying Lumber Jack Days. This will be a test for me because it is a 10 MILE course... There is a race for the kids also!

5. August 21st is Maple Lake Days Race. This will probably feel easy after the 10 miles in July! More kids races again. I wonder if my kids like to run?... :)

6. October 3 Medtronic Twin City Marathon. NO I won't be running the marathon. I thought I would go for the do-able 10 miler. Now the participants are chosen by lottery. So we'll see if I get into this race or not...

Now to keep it all real. I haven't actually signed up for any of these races. So if anyone has any better ideas let me know.

Also does anyone want to join me?!?!?! It'll be great fun!!

The Go-To Food

One thing I have noted in reading health/diet books is that the writers really love their health food but seem to have some go-to food as well.  One of the first books I read the woman talked about the first healthy food she fell in love with was this rice and rye combo she would make and mix with veggies or just eat plain.  In another book the writer is in love with oatmeal.  He talks about how he would love to eat it 3 meals a day but realizes he needs more balance in his diet.

I realized last week when I decided it was time to pump up my healthy eating lifestyle that I too have a go-to meal.  Rice and Beans.  When I don't feel well or don't know what to eat but want to eat healthy I pull that out.  I love it.  Almost as much as salads, another of my go-to foods.  My body just feels happy when I eat rice and beans.  And I have discovered that it is good no matter what kind of bean you use.  The usual is a dark red kidney bean but I have experimented with black beans and white beans, still good.

So how to make...

saute some onion in olive oil in a pan or wok until soft, add a bunch of rice and 1-2 cans of rinsed beans.  Add some random spices.  I tend to go with curry and cumin and maybe some garlic powder.  I then add some balsamic vinegar because I love it but you could add any vinegar or no vinegar at all as well as many other little additions that you have cluttering up the fridge like tomatoes or mushrooms or whatever.  And then you are done and you eat.  Yummy!

John loves it too.  And our bodies smile when we eat it.  Keeps us healthy and happy.

So what is your go-to food when you feel unhealthy?