Ahhhh this is the life....

What a fantastic trip! We had such a great time in Mexico and I did much training for a different kind of tri...this one included drinking, eating and smoking...yea all those things a good triathlete should not be doing. :) But what fun!

One thing I know is that triathlon training has given me a lot more confidence in myself and what I can do. Years ago I don't think there is a chance I would have tried to do the zip line. And I admit to getting a little nervous when I learned that the highest one was over 600' above the ground, but it was the most fantastic experience! I would love to do this again.

Now it's time to get down to business. I need to get rid of the extra pounds (around 15!) I've packed on in the last few months and get ready for the 1/2 marathon in May as well as the triathlon training. I've swam twice since I've been back. The first was a complete disaster, the 2nd, this morning, I think I had a few light bulb moments. I really feel that I'm getting somewhere. I can feel some improvement in my form and the rest will come.

Swimming

Wow! Can't believe I haven't been in here to update! Had my swim assessment which placed me at lower intermediate. Basically I'm slow and couldn't swim 200 yards of straight freestyle. :) Also had my first swim practice in which we did drills. I really enjoyed it, although it was pretty tough. I can see that without a doubt my swimming will improve by leaps and bounds! Which I find very exciting. It's pretty funny too I find I'm becoming a dirty old lady... we swim at CU and oh my all those cute young college guys running around! Makes it easier to go and exercise! :) Plan to swim tomorrow and hopefully on Sunday too. Busy getting ready for vacation too! I can't wait!

Tryptophan anyone?

Ok so I was reading this article in this magazine from the Sunflower market called "Can't stop eating?" it is very interesting and talks about some supplemental support that will help in aiding you with addictive eating. (which I so think is me!) One of them it talks about is tryptophan. I recognized the name as being in a diet drug that had some problems. But the research I'm doing looks like it is really very safe and not only that but addresses all of the issues I've been having. It is suppose to improve sleep, relieve depression, and obsessing over food. I read in one of the articles that it is being used in the treatment of SAD.

Clinical research has shown mixed results with respect to tryptophan's effectiveness as a sleep aid, especially in normal patients[20][21][22] and for a growing variety of other conditions typically associated with low serotonin levels or activity in the brain[23] such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder [24] and seasonal affective disorder.[25][26] In particular, tryptophan has been showing considerable promise as an antidepressant alone,[27] and as an "augmenter" of antidepressant drugs.[27][28] However, the reliability of these clinical trials has been questioned.[29][30]

Here are a couple of links that I found interesting. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tnam ... t&dbid=103 http://www.healthandnutrition.co.uk/articles/depression.htm Anyone have any experience or knowledge of this? It list a few other supplements that are suppose to help also, but this one hits everything. One of the others is fish oil which is suppose to help fight depression also. I used to take it and then stopped. Maybe I'll go back to that too. And last but not least...exercise of course should help...something I've been sorely lacking of late....gee do you think I've been doing anything good for myself? Something is going to change...it's got to!

Stuff

Food has been out of control. I need to get myself on track and start losing some weight. I guess it will not happen before my trip to Mexico in a couple of weeks. But I will need to get serious when I get back. An increase in exercise would certainly help! My running has been between slim and non existed. Have a swim assessment this week. Not that I need to much assessment to know that I need some real help! I plan to be able to swim with my face in the water this year! :) So I'm really looking forward to this swim training. The kick off for CWW was this past weekend. One of my friends went ahead and joined with me. I'm really excited to get started! I think this is going to be so much fun. My 1/2 marathon training is starting this week too. Although I'm doing a fairly easy schedule since my mileage has been pretty low I don't want to risk injury. I need to figure out a race schedule for the coming year. I'm certain that my goal is to do an Olympic distance. (although I truly can't imagine the swim at this point!) I just have to chose one. The boulder one is in July and the Aurora on in September. I have a fear of trying to do on in July already. And for some reason I'm guessing that Boulder is more hilly on the bike ride. Decisions, decisions! Must come up with a game plan!

It's Official!

I now belong to Team CWW!

Let the training begin!

Lafayette Oatmeal Festival 5K

Not a bad race and the weather was a little chilly but not to bad. I would guess the temperature was around 25-30ish the sun was shining and there looked to be quite a few people. My Garmin came showed a time of 36:06 but I will have to wait for the official time. Not sure what the clock time was but I think it was under 37. I do think it will be a PR although I really want to improve on it. Considering I've been pretty short on miles the last few months as well as carrying about 10-15 extra pounds. I really need to learn how to push myself a little more too. Although I did sometimes I'm sure that I could push it more. I went to have the oatmeal breakfast after the race but the line was pretty long and since I was on my own I just headed out and ate my banana and granola bar from my bag. I do enjoy the races but it would be fun to have someone running with me.

Edited to add results:

Official results for the race. Certainly room for improvement but I'm ok with it.

Official time 36:31

102 of 186 women in the 40-49

354 of 703 women

705 out of 1185 total people

Well Crap!

I just signed up for a 1/2 marathon in May....and a 5k this weekend....for which I have done no training...I guess I just want to get an idea how slow I am so I can use the time for training...for that OMG 1/2 marathon!!! What was I thinking!