4 weeks down, 7 to go

On June 10^th, I am doing the Austin Danskin Triathlon. It’s a ½ mile swim, 12 mile bike ride and 3.1 mile run. I found an awesome 11-week training schedule online at Tri-Newbies.com. It’s a 93-page document that goes into excruciating detail about exactly what I need to do every day, and what to expect on race day – such a people swimming over me and flaring tempers in the “Transition Area.”

The first week of work outs were pretty easy. 15 minutes of running or 8 laps of swimming, but it’s scaled pretty quickly. I am starting Week 5 tomorrow, and I go to 6 days of week of exercises and start “Bricks”, which is just a fancy way of saying “Pretend this is race day and get off that bike onto your run like you mean it.”

My exercises continue to scale up for the next 5 weeks, and the last 2 they ramp down before the race. In a couple of weeks I will be exceeding the race needs with 20 mile bike rides and 60 minute runs.

So I reckon I’ll be in great shape by mid-June. So far this training process has been awesome for many reasons.

I haven’t missed or skimped on a single work out yet. I’m surprised at how much less stressful it is now to work out. I’m doing all sorts of stuff schedule wise to make the work outs. Swimming after sewing class, bike rides at 8 am, but I am not stressing over whether I “have time” or feeling guilty if I don’t make it. I just do it, like dishes or taking a shower.

I’ve wanted to skip a couple of times. In fact, I hoped to wake up sick one morning.

And every time I go when I don’t want to feels great. I would be so mad if I just decided to skip. I am going to miss a couple of work outs in May due to travel, but I hope it won’t be more than that.

I’ve learned a ton about training, aerobic zones, and nutrition. I have a heart rate monitor that mostly does what it’s supposed to.

Best of all, I’ve realized that I might actually like biking. I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with it. After much prodding by Brian, I rented a (very nice) road bike. Riding it was like a dream. I was so much more comfortable than on my hybrid. But road bikes are expensive so I didn’t want to rush into purchasing one just for this race.

So I’ve been riding more on my hybrid the last few weeks, and I like the bike rides! I get to see new parts of the city. And I kept thinking about that road bike as I busted ass to cross the street, or had an achy neck from my bad posture on that bike.

So last week I unexpectedly opened a sizable refund check from my mortgage company for overpaying my escrow last year. Free money! As my dad said “it’s like god and the mortgage company wanted me to get a new bike.”

So I did! I got a Specialized Dolce Elite. It’s fast, comfortable and pretty. Kent and I did a 10 mile ride today and I can’t wait until I get to do longer rides.

When I signed up for this triathlon, I thought it would be my first and last, but now I am not sure. Maybe there are triathlons in my future. Or some big long bike rides.

We’ll see. Let’s see how I feel after June 10^th. I am most nervous about the swim. I can swim ½ mile pretty easily. But that’s in a pool, with lanes. Let’s see how I do in open water with hordes of people splashing right on top of me.

Unsolicited

I am going to go on about my recent sewing class, but here’s the important thing.

I made this bag below, and it looks awesome! And not just to my friends who have to tell me looks nice. I got 2 unsolicited compliments on it so far! You’d think I won a Pulitzer about how excited I am about my bag.

It's hard to tell in these pictures, but the print is this cool Asian-esque floral scene with a woman on a boat.


Anyway, since I’ve been doing less travel this year, I’ve been using my time in town to take on new interesting projects. Projects like this sewing class.

I’ve always been attracted to the idea of sewing since it’s creative and practical. I remember my mom making curtains and dresses when I was a kid. And hey, I could do with some more curtain options in my still fabulously-new kitchen since everything I find is A) god awful ugly B) nice but obscenely expensive or C) doesn’t fit.

So I’ve been thinking about theoretical curtains for months. Last week, I finished my beginners sewing class. The class was fantastic. I would highly recommend any of Leslie’s classes.

In 3 3.5 hours classes, we became intimate with the sewing machine and learned basic techniques. Ironing is apparently one of those "basics."

I choose fabric for and made a round pillow with a zipper, and the previously mentioned handbag. Leslie really had us focus on the details of cutting, pining and stitching. And it really shows on my bag. It doesn’t look a beginner made it. That is partially because I took care in sewing straight lines, and mostly because Leslie provided a great pattern and the details of how to put it together.

My 10.5 hour taste of sewing has me excited to get a sewing machine at home. Even the boring parts of the sewing (i.e. the ironing) were OK. There is payoff shortly thereafter when everything is put together and looks good. And it’s a different type of experience for me. It requires patience, and using my hands, and that feels really good. I spend a lot of time using my hands to type and that doesn’t have nearly the contentment as creating something from pieces.

I’ve been eyeing all sorts of things around my house that I could maybe make. Like dinner napkins - I never find ones that I really like that don’t cost $10 each. Or more bags! Or a duvet cover of some fantastic luxurious fabric that would cost me $400 to buy at the store. And of course, gifts!

First up is to get a used sewing machine and find just the right fabric for these kitchen curtains. And see how I do without the ever patient and skilled Leslie looking over my shoulder. When I find the right fabric, I’m going to buy some extra… just in case.