I Walked

Last night (Friday,) I walked and walk and walked. I walked for a Cure. I walked for my Aunties. I walked for my Uncles. I walked for my hula sister. I walked for my Grandma and Grandpa. I walked for I walked for exercise. I walked because I was inspired (or challenged) all at Relay for Life.
About 2 weeks ago, I saw (through FB) that one of my old hula sisters had completed a half-marathon. I was very impressed and challenged at the same time. I thought that if she could do a half-marathon, I for sure could do one. So I decided that at Relay, I would walk a half-marathon, all in one time. I have in the past walked the 13.1 miles, but this year I was going to do it all at once.
So at 7:03, I started off on my challenge. I text my old hula sister to tell her what I was doing as well as Riles. I walked and walked and it really wasn't hard. I walked with different people from my halau, found new friends to walk with, lapped some and found it really hard to lap others. At about half way through I started to feel blisters forming between my toes and my calves tightening up. I didn't know if I would make it, but I took a banana, bathroom, and musubi break and I was good to go again.
Right about 10, Relay usually shuts down and there is a luminaria presentation. You are asked to stop, but I kept walking, such a naughty girl, I know. I was hoping to finish before 11 or really closer to 10, but I was slowed down a bit in getting my beads and some of the laps (mile 7-9) I really struggled to keep going. Lucky for me, a hula sister stepped up to walk with me right around that time and helped me to keep going as well as my other hula family members who were cheering for me each time I walked passed the tent. It was great inspiration to keep going.
I finished at 11:19, meaning my official time was 4:19:00...not bad for sure! I'm so glad that I did it. I don't know if I will ever do an official one, but I now can say I've done a 5k (in Bellingham), a 12K (Bloomsday), a half-marathon (Relay for Life), and a Sprint Triathlon (Coure d' Alene)! Pretty amazing, huh!?!?! But now the real question is now what?

A Look Back on My Triathlon

Finally got the pictures from my mom for my Triathlon....so for all of those who couldn't be there, here are more pictures of the day.

In this picture, I'm the person in first.

Official Results

My two goals in doing this triathlon was to finish before they started opening the course and to not be the last one. I made both of those goals and then some. Officially I finished the whole triathlon at 1:57:51.

Yes!!

I was #1 finisher from Kent and #20 in the Athena Open group.
It was a 19:16 min. swim (1/2 mile), a 2:20 min. transition time to the bike, a 46:48 min. bike ride (10 miles), a 46 sec. transition time into the run, and a 48:39 min. run (5k).
Not too bad, espeically when I completed Bloomsday (12K run) at 1:56:12.
It also means that I can do better with all races next year!!!

I AM A TRIATHLETE!

I did it!! I'm so happy and feel such an accomplishment. I even thought about getting a tattoo to commemorate this wonderful event! (fyi: long post! not many pictures)
In the weeks leading up to it I got more and more nervous, even though my training was going well. I was working out daily and eating the right amounts of food to keep me going. But I was totally psyching myself out. I was also a bit crabby and just a wee bit on edge.
The day before the race after a great breakfast at my sister's house, we were off to Coeur d'Alene to check into the race and attend some of the forums to better acquaint myself with the race and the surroundings. We, Riles and I, got into the car and he, who never listens to country music, turned on some sappy country music and was be-bopin along to it. My eyes instantly filled with tears and I told him he had to turn it off. He asked why and I told him that it was making me more nervous! Now, come on really?!?! How does country music make one nervous? I don't know, but all I know is that sh*t had to get turned off. It got turned off and then I got a stern talking to about self talk and how I had to toughen up and even though I was nervous I had to pretend not to be and when people asked if I was ready, I had to tell them, "Yes I am!"
We got out there and had to stand in line for an hour to get my number and swim cap and a few other goodies. Then we went to the forums, which were really good as they really answered a lot of my questions that I had and the guy who ran them helped me figure out how to make my swim cap fit!
I was still pretty nervous, but I wasn't going to let my nerves get the best of me. That night we walked around Coeur d'Alene and then went back to the hotel to eat and go to bed to be ready for the next day.
The following morning I awoke on time and immediately put my iPod on to psych myself up for the race. I did my hair as I was instructed to the night before, ate a little breakfast, checked my bag for the umpteenth time and then we were off. We got down to the race area, I set up my transition area and set my slippers out at the end of the swim.
In a triathlon it's customary to have your number written on your arm, but the number that goes on your leg (which I always assumed was the same number on your arm) is actually your age. It's so you can see how old the people you are passing may be, as well as so you can see how old the people that are passing you are. So my numbers were written on me, there was a short meeting and then Riles and I headed out to swim start. ...I had an hour to wait as I was in the last group to start.

I AM STILL A TRIATHLETE!

While I waited for the swim to start, I watched all the other people start and I got over my nerves and was just ready to go. I wanted to get it over with, so I could enjoy the rest of my vacation and eat and relax and not have to worry. But it was also a little surreal as I saw people running around with cameras and I kept thinking that is what I am supposed to be doing. I take the pictures and everyone else competes, but this time it was me competing and not taking the pictures.

Finally my time came up and I walked down the hill and into the water. As I was walking down the hill, I made some new friends (by commenting on her toenail polish) that encouraged me that everything was going to be okay. The gun went off for the last time and we were swimming. There were lots of bodies and lots of waves and I ended up drinking some water, but I kept swimming and never stopped. I knew if I stopped I would never start again. I swam and swam and swam. Then over on the shore I heard some screaming...GO KILI! KEEP GOING! SWIM HARD! My family had arrived and were rooting me on. I swam to towers and go out. Slipped on my slippers and drank the water handed to me. All I really wanted to know what my time was in the water so I could decide what to do on the bike (bike fast or slow)

I made it in no time to the transition, slipped on my shirt, socks, shoes, helmet and sunglasses and I was off again to ride. My cheering team had re-positioned themselves to a new spot and were cheering me on again. They seemed to be the loudest people there! Off I rode to my three laps. There were some slight hills, but not too many thank goodness, which I rode my hardest on and then coasted down them. I did do some passing of people and one time I even thought it was a good idea to pass a girl on a hill, Seriously! What was I thinking?!?!?! One thing that kind of sucked, was that we had let some of the air out of my tires so the ride wouldn't be so "bumpy", but I think we let too much out, so I had to work a little harder. Oh well, better looking muscles right? As I was riding, I found that there was a clock on one of the reader boards that gave me new life. It was showing me that I was riding my bike at 8:50, which I didn't think was going to be possible. I then decided that instead of being done closer to 11. I was going to be done closer to 10!!! A whole hour earlier.

After finishing the bike, I hung it up, took off my helmet, and was off to the run, which I ended up walking fast..super fast. I ended up catching up to people I had set my eyes on and even ran a bit. On the run everyone was super encouraging and cheering each other on. Toward the last mile, I ran into my fans again and my sister even did some walking with me. I walked out around the pond and then came back to the finish line, where my Godparents passed a lei and a high five on to me, trying to pass my last triathlete friend. I decided I was going to pass her and run the last part and with a little help from my sister (BEAT HER!) I took off and passed her and thought everything was good until I heard that she was catching up to me and as we passed the finish line, she passed me! Boo! But it didn't matter, cause I was done. I had finished my first triathlon in 2 hours!!! I was so happy. I gave everyone hugs and was DONE!!!

Triathlon Training

I just completed my last workout before my big race. I'm a little nervous and have been super worried about injuring myself this week, although so far so good. This week's workouts were a little bit easier in time, but still kicked my butt just a bit as I did everything all out!

Monday: 14 min. swim
28 min. bike
Tuesday: 14 min. run
Wednesday: 19 min swim
Thursday: 37 min. bike
19 min. run
Friday: Off
Saturday: Off
Sunday: RACE!!!

Tomorrow I leave to my sister's and then Saturday I'm off to Coeur d' Alene to get my number, check out the course, and ultimately check out my competition for Sunday. Ultimately my goals are to not come in last and to finish before they start opening the course back up! Hopefully that means I'm finishing right around 3 hours, which who knows if that is even a good time for a tri!

Triathlon Training

With this being the second to last week of training , I thought I would flip the script a little bit. I did the two h2o like normal, but that was about it. My swimming was all straight crawl stroke rather than two crawl and one back. My biking was 2 trainings inside and 1 outside and I'm actually going to ride again tomorrow. I need to get used to the new bike, make sure I can get in and out of the strap and cage, and that my toe and knees don't hurt and especially my crotch. So I'm pretty sure I will be biking and swimming again tomorrow, when I normally take the day off. I even might ride Sunday.
I also just mapped my first ride it was 5 miles. Not bad, not bad!

After reading many blogs and talking to many people I've decided to get a tri-suit. I thought I would be going with a two piece, but when I realized that on sale the 2 pieces were still more than the 1 piece at regular price. I decided that the tri-suit was for me. Now mind you it isn't super cute, but it will work. I'm not entering a fashion show here, peeps! Now although I'm sure you would like to see me in it, you will have to go to the race to see that, here is a pic from online of what it looks like.

Double Yeah and Single Boo!

The first YEAH goes out to T. Lange who lent me her bike. Although I can't ride it yet, I'm hoping it will be just fine in less than two weeks, cause then it's either make it or break it.


The second YEAH goes out to Goodwill. They had so many great book selections. I had to stop after three shelves and there were at least 6 more to go. I came home with these and although I thought I would start with the skinniest one, I couldn't get the Wally Lamb snipet out of my head, so I switched books! It's about a couple who worked at Columbine High when the shooting occurred...but that is as far as I've gotten.


And the BOOO goes to the Mariners for loosing and making many lame-o plays. My aunt, who was there for her birthday, WAS NOT impressed!

Bike Training

With the triathlon coming up right around the corner, I thought it might be time to get my bike up and running so I would have something to ride.
So this morning after I did H20, I took it down to Angle Lake Cyclery. I asked them to check it out and see what I needed to do to the bike. They added air to to the tires and tired to fix my brakes, but in trying to fix the brakes they figured out that my frame was bent. Meaning it's ride able, but not necessarily for 13 miles. Booo! He suggested I find a bike from my friends...anyone? Anyone?
On a side note: I did get a helmet for $15 and it fits perfect.
And another note: My friend is taking a class to make sure she can change a tire or fix a tire...should I have been taking this class too? What happens if I blow a tire? Man!!! I didn't think of this!

Triathlon Training

This past week was rough. I felt like I hadn't been working out at all. And it finally set in that my triathlon was just around the corner. It made me super nervous and it made me eat all kinds of crap. It also didn't help that my family was in town, so I was eating more than normal, because of all the wonderful food.

Monday: h20
Tuesday: 23 min swim
46 min. bike
Wednesday: h20
53 min. bike
Thursday: 31 min. swim
62 min. bike
Friday: 39 min. swim
77 min. bike

I also found out this week, that my triathlon partner will not be competing with me. She isn't where she wanted to be with her training. It makes me sooo sad! But now I will just have to work as hard and be my own cheerleader!! Well unless you want to be my cheerleader here is the info you need. Race the River (official site) Fb Page

Triathlon Training

The days are passing faster and faster and my workouts are getting just a bit boring. I'm ready for the triathlon to be here all ready.

Monday: h20 60 min.
run 21 min.
Tuesday: 21 min. swim
42 min. bike
Wednesday: run 28 min.
Thursday: bike 56 min.
swim 28 min.
Friday: bike 70 min.
swim 35 min.

Triathlon Update

Today marks a month until my Triathlon! Insanity!!!
So I'm down to the wire in working out. My weight is the same as I started and my measurements are the same,but I have some pretty kickin muscles! Thank goodness something looks different! Cause all the work better pay off!!! Or maybe it will just pay off in race!

This week:
Monday: 21 min. run
Tuesday: 23 min. swim
42 min. bike
Wednesday: 23 min. run
h20
Thursday: 23 min. swim
46 min. bike
Friday: 21 min. walk/run
Saturday: 30 min. walk/run

Triathlon Training

My triathlon is just around the corner and I'm going to finally take my trianing outdoors. I know wild! and crazy! and really I should have done it along time ago, but this coming week is going to be the week!

Monday: 21 min. run
h20
Tuesday: 23 min. swim
42 min. bike
Wednesday: 23 min. run
h20
Thursday: 23 min. swim
46 min. bike
Friday:23 min. swim
46 min. bike

Triathlon Training

This week was hard and I really don't know why! I was sore all week and everything seemed to take forever. Plus it didn't seem like I was giving it my best effort, so then it took even longer. Maybe I'm getting bored with my workouts. Maybe it's time to switch it up and get outside. My triathlon is only a month and a week away. I also need to start looking at what I'm going to be wearing, what I'm going to be riding, and what cutie pair of sunglasses I will be sporting.
This week:
Monday: 23 min. run
h20 aerobics
Tuesday: 23 min. swim
46 min. bike
Wednesday: 31 min. run
h20 aerobics
Thursday: 31 min. swim
62 min. bike
Friday: 39 min. swim
77 min. bike

Triathlon Training

This week was short, with me missing Monday cause it was Memorial Day, so I packed a lot in in a short amount of time. No h20 this week because of school commitments and someone forgetting her suit. We also decided to switch to Monday and Wednesday and see how that works, so my workouts will look a little different for the the next two weeks.

Tuesday: 23 min. swim
46 min. bike
Wednesday: 31 min. swim
62 min. bike (18 miles)
Thursday: 54 min. elliptical
Friday: 39 min. swim
77 min. bike (22 miles)

UPDATE: I was a little insane too this week as I did my normal Friday workout and then went to Relay and walked 6 miles and the zoo Saturday!

Triathlon Training

Decided to start month 4 again, so it will give me another month of hard workouts so I"m better prepared for the triathlon. Now if I could just get over this cold, life would be soo much easier!

Monday: 21 min. swim
42 min. bike
Tuesday: 21 min. treadmill
Wednesday: 28 min. swim
56 min. bike
h20 60 min.
Thursday: 28 min. treadmill
Friday: 35 min. swim
70 min. bike

Triathlon Training

This week I finished my fourth month of training and only have one more month of training to go. The problem is that I still have 2 months until my race. So my question is do I repeat month 4 or do I do month 5 twice? I don't know!
Here is what this week looked like:

Monday: 23 min. swim
42 min. bike
Tuesday: 21 min. treadmill
Wednesday: 23 min. swim
46 min. bike
Thursday: 42 min. elliptical
Friday: 23 min. swim
46 min. bike

Traithlon Training

This week seemed easy, which either meant my working out was paying off and it really was getting easier or I was not working out as hard as I should have been. Hopefully I will be able to tell which one come my measurements or in my weight.

Monday: 23 min. swim
46 min. bike
Tuesday: 23 min. treadmill
h20 aerobics
Wednesday: 31 min. swim
62 min. bike
Thursday: 31 min. elliptical
h20 aerobics
Friday: 39 min. swim
77 min. bike

"Big" Purchase

Today I made a "big" purchase that I've been wanting to make for a very long time. I've needed this for a very long time and my feet and body are going to thank me over and over again for the purchase I made today.
I went to a store in the Kent Station and took the plunge at Road Runner Sports. There I meet Drew, who took the 12 min. test. He sized my foot, had me walk/run on the treadmill, and then had me step on this super comfy padding so he could mold the insoles to my good. Of course, my foot is almost perfect. I have awesome arches even though my right arch is a little higher than the other and when I walk my feet don't roll in even though my feet are totally pointed to the side when I walk!
So today I purchased custom fit insoles


a pair of Nike Vomeros,




some non-cotton socks, and I became a VIP, they even rang a cow bell for me. I raised my hands in the air and fist pumped, just like I'm going to do at the end of the triathlon.

Triathlon Training

This week my training kicked it up a notch. It was interesting to see the minutes I was supposed to workout, because if I would have seen them in January, I would have cried and not believed I could have done that much, but now with 4 months of this routine under my belt...I laughed in the face of the minutes that were ahead of me on the bike, treadmill and pool.
I can tell that I've increased my endurance and have toned my legs and arms, which area all good things. Now if I could just increase my speed, I will be doing even better!

Monday: 23 min. swim
46 min. bike
Tuesday: 23 min. treadmill
h20 aerobics
Wednesday: 31 min. swim
62 min. bike (18 miles)
Thursday: 31 min. elliptical
h20 aerobics
Friday: 39 min. swim
77 min. bike (22 miles)