The Bucket List

... no not THAT 'bucket list' - things to do before I die - although organizing this transition bucket may well be the death of me!

Started with a beach towel - picked the brightest one in the house in the hopes that everyone else will have a different color or pattern! Thought about it some and added a 13 gallon garbage bag to put on the ground under the towel in case it is wet...

bottom layer - I've 'swum' with the biking knickers on and am trying to convince myself that they help me float!

The more experienced angels have cautioned that it is virtually impossible to wriggle into the bike shorts/knickers after swimming as the spandex doesn't slide well over wet skin. Although we've heard liberal application of PAM cooking spray will help!



add the swim suit, flip flops, swim cap and goggles -it's been suggested that we put on our goggles then our swim caps - this will in theory help keep our googles from being knocked off - sounds like it would work... I'm still grossed out by having to spit in the goggles and smear it around to avoid them fogging up - we can put a man on the moon but can't make swimming goggles that don't fog up? I don't remember seeing Michael Phelps doing this!



after the swim, find the flip flops and land legs then hustle back to the towel, shed the swim suit, sit on the bucket to put on socks and shoes, add the bright biking shirt (drivers do seem to give me a wide berth!), biking gloves and helmet. A helpful hint we got on this is not to hang the helmet from the handlebars with the straps clipped shut because your fingers will be all pruney from swimming and it would be difficult to unclip the straps... I will also have to make sure I have my sunscreen and sunglasses ...


return to the transition area after the bike ride and take off helmet (don't want to walk in that!) and gloves, get my land legs under me (again), add sweat towel and hat, reapply sunscreen, and strap on waist belt with water and MP3 player - transferring cell phone, ID, and health insurance cards from bike bag to waist bag. [bike bag will be loaded before leaving home to be sure - I already do this each time I ride!]



so this is what everything looks like - adding a long sleeve shirt and jersey for different weather conditions - oops - forgot a towel to do a quick dry-off with after exiting pool and probably need another trash bag to put all the wet stuff in after the end of the event ... would start a list of all these extra things but then I'd have to keep track of the list...




Plus another bag with a change of clothes for after the event (if necessary) including dry shoes - and I'm sure we'll learn about many more things that would be helpful! Plus a 'colorful item' to tie to my transition area (I'm thinking oversize shamrock helium balloon since I'm going with the Celtic theme!).

After all this prep work the weather is again conspiring against us - looks like heavy rain and lightening through the night and early morning - I guess we'll just call the Y before we head out to be sure the mini TRY is still a go!

Here's what you missed ...

Have all my TRY treasures spread out over the bed trying to determine the most efficient way to pack my 'bucket' so that setting up and using the transition area when going from swim to bike and then bike to run will not be slowed down by having to dig around for stuff. Good thing I'm not planning to go to bed any time soon!

Also hoping to hear from the Y folks tonight as to back up plan for our mini-TRY scheduled for tomorrow. Weather forecast calls for heavy rain and lighting - if it is raining the swim and bike are out for sure. Can't imagine we'll be granted and 'off' day but don't envy the person(s) who has to decide how to occupy 90+ triathletes who have been gearing up for a run through!

Woolgathering over the activities of the week -

• The angels that were debating the fashion faux pas or evil eye from the Pastor potential for going to a School program at Church (hat hair or not) ultimately addressed the issue by meeting in the Church bathroom, wetting their hair (both have short dos), finger styled it and marched proudly into the assembly - apparently an air of confidence trumps spandex and sweat!
• Wore my bike 'knickers' with my swim ensemble Monday as a trial run and then rinsed them out when we got home. Let them drip the heavy water out overnight but they were still pretty damp in the morning and we had planned to bike in the evening. Clothes dryer not an option, don't have a blow dryer, and it was starting out fairly overcast that day. I had what I felt was a brilliant idea - clip the knickers by the waistband to a skirt hanger, 'hang' it from the front burner of the stove with the oven door open - my theory being the slight but steady heat from the pilot light would dry them out over the course of the day. This plan got nixed by the other half - being taller he was able to hang them in a window with the blinds up and the meager sunbeams from the day had pretty well done the deed by the time we got home. Fortunately we have very understanding neighbors!
• Have figured out the bike computer so my maximum speed doesn't remain at 22 (although that was pretty cool!) and the mileage will accrue each trip (well, as long as I remember to reset it!).
• Had an inaugural ride with 'baskets' on my pedals and didn't fall over (knock on wood!) - and yes, felt the burn of getting power from both pushing down and pulling up with each stroke. As long as I don't have to stop quickly I'll be ok!
• Had my first encounter with a dog while riding - a rather large (probably taller than me) boxer looking creature that bounded out of a side yard and into the street towards me and trailing 2 puppies - her ears weren't back, I think she was trying to 'shep' me back into the yard (possibly for dinner for the kids).
• Got the May workout schedule - Saturdays so far we've had 4 30 minute sessions of various activities. They're switching us over to 3 40 minute sessions - best guess is that since we have more 'stamina' we can do more! OY!
• Have requested permission to put a link to the newspaper on the blog so we can all follow the series of stories being published based on information provided by other ladies in TRY training - really interested to see all the reasons we do this!

What a Rush!

Wednesday our group was scheduled for core (which we no longer consider a rest period even though we're mostly on the mats!) and bike! That added several extra levels of preparation to our routine!

One angel has a pick up with seating for 4, and she arrived with about a zillion tie downs and her bike already locked in - she'd even taken it to work with her that day (about 25 miles away) to be sure the system she had in mind for transporting all 4 bikes would hold up! She's riding a mountain bike at present until she gets a new bike - don't remember the name but it had green accent paint and looks pretty nifty! My bike, the small frame Cannondale Comfort 5 (key word there is 'comfort' - the seat is the heaviest thing on it but I love it!), was second in - it's not too heavy and the 2 of us handled it easily! Bike #3 (a nice Schwinn Avenue - light blue paint job is pretty snazzy!) The TREK was last and we about tossed it over the truck hefting it up because it was so light - especially compared to the others! These 4 ladies all stayed in place just fine during the dash over to Vincennes.

Upon arrival we found out our story had been in the Vincennes paper that day and was creating a 'buzz' among the TRY ladies - which was the intent. We'll each have copies tomorrow for posterity!

We got another surprise when we entered the area for core training as the exercise balls were out along with the mats - this was something new for me particularly! I've had only a passing acquaintance with the balls - I see one and I pass on by - so most of my effort was directed to not rolling off the darn thing while getting into position to do ab crunches - surely my muscles were clenched enough to count as exercise! At first I questioned the wisdom of doing so many 'leg' exercises (we did Superman, bicycling, and one move where we laid on our back, with legs up in the air at a 90 degree angle, then dropped some and held, then dropped some more and held, then dropped and held - that was a treat!) but apparently they helped warm our muscles up for the bike ride! The reminders to keep breathing (vs holding our breath) were invaluable!

Another exercise in cooperation followed in unstrapping the bikes, getting them down off the truck bed, getting our helmets, getting my neon yellow shirt so that the cars would see me, loading up water bottles, putting on sunscreen, adjusting stuff, etc., etc. I'm sure we all provide quite the bit of comic relief to the folks who live across from the Y! I stayed at the end of the line so that no one would have to feel bad about passing me - and it doesn't bother me at all to be passed!

Got a little further up death hill than the first time, but at the point I was pedaling, pedaling, pedaling and going about a foot further I got off and walked her the rest of the way up. I made sure to keep the pace at at least 3 mph (doesn't sound like much but you should see this hill!) and made sure to hop right back on at the top. This time we went to the orchard as before, but then took a right and were to proceed down to Kohl's. Not being from Vincennes and never having been to Kohl's (and yet my life is complete!), it was a little disconcerting to not see any of the others right away, especially as there had been some talk about the horrible series of hills to be mastered on that part of the ride. As it turned out, these were not much more difficult that those I already cover on my local training route - so slowly but surely like the little train that thinks she can I made it to the top.

All the riders I encountered (on their way back) had words of encouragement or waved and this was great too! The way back was uneventful except for the ride down the hill of death when my speed got up to 22 mph - I just let her roll as there was no traffic, the visibility was A+, no sticks in the road, and it felt great! I didn't have to pedal for a loooong time along the straightaway! Total distance was 6.86 miles - I forgot to look at the clock when we left so don't know for sure how long it took - but it's not a race and the rest of the group was willing to wait for me, so elapsed time not a critical issue.

Repeated the loading up process and made our way back home - we must be getting into better shape as we were laughing and cutting up the whole way instead of the usual collapsing into a stupor clutching our water bottles and snacks! Unloading was also pretty efficient and I got home all jazzed up and ready to go for another ride - fortunately the wisdom of doing that was questioned and I had melon and a shower instead, which I am pretty sure I needed!

Weather is NOT cooperating!

Sunday was cold, windy and rainy off and on - absolutely foiling my plan to take a long(er) bike ride and try out the nifty 'cyclometer' - the idea is that it will let me know how far I've gone (miles), how quickly I got there (miles per hour), and how long it's taken me to do it! If I can do at least an average 8.6 mph pace during the event (you'll note we don't refer to it as a race), I'll be an hour in the saddle as they say! However, I had to make do with a quick walk instead as it apparently isn't a great idea to ride in rain / wet streets if it can be avoided!

Monday we did swim, swim, swim, and more swim and then we 'ran' (yes, I do use that term loosely!). We practiced more group swimming - not to be confused with synchronized swimming - by lining up in time order again (still near the back, and that's ok) and taking off at 5 second intervals. This time we swam (yes, I use that term loosely too!) up and back in a lane (with someone in front of and/or behind us and also beside us going the other way, plus traffic in the other lanes), ducked under the lane line to the next lane, and repeated the process until we had done 4 lanes / 200 yards. This is the distance for the fabled Mini TRY this Saturday.

Of course since I had done a 100 yard warm up I was pretty much toast by the time I finished my 200. We had to exit the pool and walk over to the (re)entry point to do a second 200 yard swim but since it looked to me like the more accomplished swimmers were finishing their second round and leaving the pool to change for next session, I just trailed behind and went to change. Lo and behold this wasn't the case - they were just pottying or whatever before coming back for some more activity. I didn't mean to skip out early - I thought everyone else was leaving - really - and yes, I am really going with that story!

We had brought hats, windbreakers and warmer walking clothes (I even had gloves) because it had been really cool in the morning - and overcast when we arrived. However, when we assembled outside for our 'run' the sun was out ever so briefly and we automatically felt warmer! Our group of angels had to leave early as 2 had a Church/School commitment - so we just did the loop around the YMCA (not quite a mile the way I walked it!) and departed about 10 minutes early.

Had just a wee bit of drama in the car on way home over what is or isn't appropriate or acceptable to wear to that night's School program being held at the Church. Is wearing a casual hat to Church better than showing up sans hat but with swimming pool hair that has been mashed under said hat during the 'run'? For the sake of discussion let's say it may have been a bright blue Cubs ballcap with a large bright red 'C' - perhaps with rhinestones in the 'C'.

I thought the real question was if one is showing up to said event in sweaty spandex, will anyone really be looking at the hair? However, I thought better of injecting that observation as it may not have been received in the helpful spirit it was intended (!). When we piled out of the car back in town the question was still under spirited discussion, so it will be something to talk about Wednesday night while we're on the road! Never, ever a dull moment!

I do remain ever so grateful that I'm not TRYing while also keeping up with young children's school, social, and sports activities at the same time - these other ladies have A LOT going on and handle it so well. It's all I can do to keep up with the various tote bags holding my gear!

5 weeks down, 7 weeks to go!

We had a rude awakening once we all made it to the Y (a full 90 minutes earlier than 'normal') - our sequence was weight training, then swim, then bike, then core training - I had really been looking forward to swimming first!

Some new machines / activities had been added to our weight activities - since we're getting 'stronger'!

At the pool, after our warm ups (give me a 100 - 2 full laps up and back), we lined up in swim time order (so I was near the back - mighty fine with me!), and then entered the water one at a time, 5 seconds apart. This means get in and get going lest the next lady land on you! Up and back, switching lanes, until we got out 6 lanes later, and then repeat. Some of the ladies might have managed 3 circuits, but after 2 I realized some of the bikes were locked in the car and the rest of the angels were waiting on me!

Unloaded the bikes, put on our helmets, got our water bottles, and in my case, added the day glow yellow riding shirt! 5 miles later (I'll confess to walking the bike up the steep hill - but at least I was still moving!) I wasn't the last one back, but not sure it really counts that I finished before the two ladies who stopped due to a flat tire. But, finished under my own power and that's the goal. Next time I'll remember to put my shamrock angel bells on my bike and I'm sure I'll make it up the hill without walking!

I should have given one of the quicker riders in our group the car keys - they finished well before me but cheered my arrival! After we loaded up all the bikes and shifted bags we could have skipped out without anyone being the wiser - but no - we went back in for the core training session! Missed the bridges, which several of us favor, and were just in time for reverse abs and planks!

Did remember to weigh before swimming - gained .4 lbs despite eating mostly nuts and berries all week (ok, except for the whole hog bbq Friday night!) - so now I'm .2 lbs higher than starting weight - BUT - have gone down a full dress size so must be getting buff! Plus, they say laughter is good for your health and we're all certainly doing a lot of that!

Big Day Tomorrow!

The Olney Angels have been given a break on the Saturday trainings so far - that ends tomorrow! We have to be pulling out, bikes on board, by 6:00 a.m. (yes!) in order to arrive and be ready to go in Vincennes by 8:00 a.m. their time!

So tonight it's pack the bag - with yet another / extra bag for outdoor riding should weather permit. We're scheduled to swim, weight room, circuit training, then bike - it will be nice to hit the water when we are fresh (and I'll bet it'll be cold - so will wake us right up!) for a change.

Learned of another couple of ladies in town who are in their own personal training routine in preparation for the TRY (50 days to go!). I think word is getting around - was standing in the serving line at a hog roast fundraising event tonight and 8 different people asked me:

• how training was going (great!),
• had I lost any weight (a stick of butter!),
• if I was toning up (stuff is moving around - wore a dress today I hadn't been able to wear the last 2 summers), and,
• if we'll have an event of '0ur own' in Olney (sure hope so!).

Then it turned out one of the ladies doing the serving has 2 daughters who are participating - small world!

Well, it'll be lights out as soon as it gets dark - got to go load up the bike in the ol' minivan lest I run off without her in the morning!

14:45 for the 400!

Rumor had it from the Monday swimmers that we would be 'timed' for the 400 meter swim this week - unlike most rumors, this one turned out to be true! One of the local ladies skipped our first session - the ever popular spin bikes - so as not to be worn out before the timing - but the rest of us had what we thought was the most demanding bike workout yet! So it was with somewhat wobbly legs that we switched to our swim gear!

After our usual 'easy' 100 meter warm up swim (and gracious that water felt good!) our worst fears were confirmed - indeed it was timing time. As the indoor pool is 25 meters (one way), that meant 8 round trips to get to the 400 meter mark. Since we are mostly 2 to a lane, lead swimmer took off and 5 second later second swimmer took out - surprisingly there were no instances of bumping into each other when we passed along the way!

I am not fully convinced that the lady who was in the lane with me (lead swimmer - so she did the counting) got us for 8 lanes - although I'm not disputing it! While I was the last in our swimming group at 14:45, even if we only did 7 round trips instead of 8 that would still give a total time of under 20 minutes.

The reason for the timing at this point in the training is so that we have some idea of how we are doing and so that we can be placed in the appropriate swimming order for the mini-tri that will be in about 10 days - we'll put all the pieces together but with shorter distances than the actual event!

We also got a draft of the story to go in the Vincennes paper to promote the event / encourage other registrants - amazing what a great job the Steering Committee PR person did with the information we had provided!