My First Brick

I feel like Superwoman again. And it's great! I've been wallowing in self-doubt and poor eating and exercise habits for the past couple months. I was very stuck in having to be able to do things just the way I was used to them, and with moving to Texas and learning and finding everything anew, starting a new job and so on, that's just not possible. I eventually gave up and realized that I had it real good in EDH as far as workout setup goes, but that was then and this is now. So I recently had just given myself the virtual kick in the butt and started up again with diet monitoring and regular exercise. I've been so focused on losing weight for some time now, but ultimately my goal was to be more fit and be able to do the things I want when I want, like run for example. And although I haven't lost much weight save a few pounds over the last couple months, I can't let that distract me. After all, I've got a triathlon to prepare for.

So after cruising through a few key sections of Slow Fat Triathlete this morning in bed while the thunder and lightning roared, I thought, "Self, this morning is the perfect morning to do your first brick." And so it was. For those who do not know, a brick is a practice workout for an upcoming triathlon wherein you perform 2 of the 3 disciplines (swim+bike or bike+run) at the distances you'll be completing in the actual race. So, I biked 16 miles and then ran 3 miles. I tried to pretend I was actually in the race, not just tucked away in a corner of the gym sweating it out. I pedaled and ran with a sense of urgency, I simulated hills and straightaways, kept my heart rate under control by slowing it down and then speeding back up and at the end, I put in a strong finish and pretended I was either transitioning or crossing the finish line. I can't lie; I got a little emotional when I was done. I had biked 16 miles and then ran 3 miles immediately after. It's something I've never done and frankly a year ago wouldn't have thought I could do. I am just so proud of myself and I'm looking forward to the actual race when I can put it all together.

I'd like to keep track of my brick times for tracking purposes. Also, my run today was better than the last time I tracked a 3mile run for myself... Just goes to prove that I haven't totally lost it. :o) So the bike was 16 miles completed in 59:42 and the run was 3 miles completed in 39:43.

As for weight, I know I got down to 205, but I haven't kept to a regular weighing schedule. I'll try to get back on that and do it next Saturday morning, before I go do a brick.