Tri-ing To Catch Up

Holy cow it's been a long time since I've posted!  Sorry about that.  Since I last posted, I finished Phase 2 of the Pull Up Challenge Workout, got a new job, started my triathlon training, got a new toilet, planted a (small) garden and ran a 5K race.  Plus, I came up with that silly title to this post.  So I've been a little busy.  :)

So, to quickly recap my results with the Pull Up Challenge Workout....When I reach up to the pull up bar, from floor to bar, I am at full extension.  I attempted pull ups from a full hang and from beginning with my toes only touching the floor (not pushing off). My initial score from a full hang was zero, and from my toes was 1/4 of a pull up.  At the end of Phase 2, I improved to 1/2 a pull up from a full hang and 4 pull ups from my toes.

I also tested chin ups and got an initial score of zero at a full hang, and a score of 1 full chin up with just my toes starting on the ground. At the end of Phase 2, I improved to 1/2 a chin up from a full hang and 6 chin ups from my toes.  I'm quite happy with those results.  I felt like my upper body strength improved a lot and I like the way my arms and back shaped up!

After Phase 2, I began triathlon training.  I'm using a beginner training program.  I don't expect to be competitive; I just want to finish!  It's sprint distance, so it's 1/2 mile swim, 14 mile bike ride and then 5K run.  I have about a month to go, and training has been going OK, but I miss strength training.  I've only done a couple strength training workouts since beginning the training.  Today I completed TT for Abs, Workout A and it felt great to be lifting weights again.

Last week I participated in a 5K fun run that I have done for the past 4 years.  It was actually the first 5K run that I ever did.  I looked over my results from previous years and discovered that I really haven't improved all that much, lol.  The run is actually 3.8 miles, not really a 5K (3.1 miles).  The first year, I ran it with a time of 40:59, second year was 38:25, third year was 40:35 and this year was 43:12.

Finally, this weekend my daughter and I planted a small garden.  We planted peas, tomatoes, broccoli, strawberries, basil and one bean plant (that she got from school).  I accidentally broke the bean plant during transplant, so I'm hoping it will still grow.  This is our first time planting a garden so crossing our fingers!

Happy Mothers Day!!


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Busy Times And Smart Kids

Whew! It's been a busy couple of weeks; I will spare you all of the details. :)

I've nearly finished Phase 2 of the Pull Up Challenge Workout. I didn't look too far ahead and so I didn't realize that Phase 2 has 16 workouts, instead of 12 like Phase 1. I'm not sure if I was supposed to do all 16 workouts in 4 weeks, but I decided to keep my same schedule and did Phase 2 in about 5 weeks. I was going to finish this past weekend; however, I still have 1 workout left and then the final pull up test. So far, my best score is 3.5 pull ups from my toes.

After I finish Phase 2, I am going to take about a week off and then I'll be starting my triathlon training. There is a Phase 3 as well, but I think I'm going to have to wait until the fall to complete it.

Instead of my final workout yesterday morning, my daughter and I went to the store and bought her a new bike. Then when we got home, she had to try and ride it right away. :)

After that, I started making lunch. My daughter has decided that she wants a "healthy lunch" on Sundays, so we have been making lunch instead of going out to eat. I think she is just tired of "chicken and french fries", which is the only thing she will eat when we go out. I've tried explaining to her that she can choose a healthier option, but she insists that we should "eat healthy" at home. Who am I to argue with that?? PS. She was reading this over my shoulder as I was typing and corrected 2 typos. Smarty pants. Not that I am a proud mom or anything like that, but I think I found an editor. :)

So after lunch, I spent the afternoon cleaning the house because I knew that the plumber would be stopping by this week. Our house is experiencing multiple system failure. First, the dishwasher was acting funny, then the water softener went kaplooey, and now the dryer isn't heating properly.

In addition, my kids have started swimming lessons and a cooking class (which is pretty cool), so life has gotten pretty busy. :)

Have a great day!


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Weeks 1 And 3 Complete Including The Maiden Voyage

This week I finished Week 1 of the weight loss challenge where I work, and I finished Week 3 of the Pull Up Challenge Workout. I only lost about a pound, but I'm OK with that. :)

On Tuesday morning, I got to the gym a little later then I had hoped, and then realized I had forgotten my tennis shoes at home. Since I couldn't workout in my boots, I went home. I realized I didn't have enough time to drive back to the gym, so I completed the workout at home. Although I did skip the deadlifts. I was running short on time and I couldn't think of a good substitute, so I just skipped it.

Yesterday I finally got my new swimsuit into the pool and completed its Maiden Voyage! The sprint triathlon I am thinking about doing has a 1/2 mile swim, which is about 16.5 laps in the pool. I swam 16 laps in about 20 minutes and I was pretty happy with that considering I haven't swam that far in quite some time.

Today I did another Pull Up Test and improved from last week. From a full hang, I did 1/2 of a pull up, but starting with my toes touching, I got 1 full pull up! For chin ups, I got 1/2 from a full hang, and 3 when I started from my toes (I made sure this week!) I don't think I will make my goal of 5 pull ups from a full hang after the first 4 weeks, but I do feel like I am getting better. Next week I am going to try pull ups from a jumping start. Before I started this program, I could do 2 and I am curious to see if I have improved using that method.

Have a great day!

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Crazy Idea of the Year

Whew! Today I woke up pretty sore. I'm still sore from Sunday's workout! Workout 4 was exhausting and really worked my upper body. Workout 5 this morning wasn't as tiring. :)

So last year I ran a marathon. This year's crazy idea is....[drum roll, please]...sprint distance triathlon!

A friend at work asked me if I would be interested in trying one later this year. After thinking about it for a while, I bought a new swimsuit. Because nothing says getting ready to swim serious laps like a new racerback swimsuit. :) Later this week I plan to take said swimsuit on its maiden voyage and see if I can still stay afloat for any length of time. I haven't swam competitively since high school. I am hoping it's like riding a bike. I'll let you know how it goes!!

In other crazy ideas, I'm going to try and knit my daughter a pair of leg warmers. The most difficult thing I have ever knit is a scarf. If the leg warmers don't work out, I'm knitting her a blanket for her dolls. :)

Have a great day!