.5

Thank goodness for Wendy's scale. Otherwise, my .5 loss would've been lost in the decimal void. Disappointed that from yesterday to today, I was up 1 lb.
Last week was Thai food, BuiltBurgers, Crest popcorn (with butter!), Besalu and Honore. Hmm . . maybe this week a little less eating out and a lot more exercising.
Woke up this morning with the crud that's been making the rounds. I wonder if it comes with appetite suppressant.

Week Five

The scale tells me I'm up .5 this morning.  Lots of restaurants and a cold are the news of last week.  Hearing that we've switched our group cooking night to a Sunday, I think I will have to bring a calculator and a food scale with me, as I find that kind of open eating very difficult to manage.  I'll have to count the calories as always.  In terms of body fat, I am starting to be able to see my stomach muscles as the fat thins!  And, for your viewing pleasure, I've included a url to the routine Laura and I had to learn on Saturday at HipHop - I guess you will have to copy it into your browser, because I don't know how to make the link "active" on the blog.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL0ZCTFvU44

1

I managed to lose the pound I had gained the week before, but that's about it. I might need to knock off nibbling while cooking and clearing dishes afterward. Those chips and guac. and fries and little snacking are adding up, even though I'm not counting them. Almost halfway to our goal date, it's time to renew my resolve and focus on continuing to drop weight before it's time to start training. Let's do this!

more swim swim swim

I love swimming.

Here are some of the places I've been swimming lately.

Angle Lake on Wed nights.  We have had 9-11 people each week which is amazing becouse it has been so cold (cold enough that I don't really want to get in the lake - but having friends to swim with makes it fun)  Here I am w/ Scot, Seppo and Andrew, the four of us went for a second or third lap together, by the end my hand had turned into a claw from the cold.

I've also had the chance to swim at Steel lake w/ FWM - cold, cold, cold (and they are fast fast fast)

For Mother's day Rod and I went to Tampa AND I got to swim in a warm outdoor pool w/ SUNSHINE.  I was so excited (we landed, got picked up at the airport by Larry, dropped our luggage off and then had Rod drop me off at the Y).  I made Rod and the lifeguard take pics of me.  Proof that sunshine and swimming do exist together.   

It was just me, the lifeguard and a water aerobics class in a huge pool.  I swam two workouts back to back w/ a pace clock that worked - I was in heaven.

I also got to swim at a different Y in Tampa the next day - there I had to share the pool w/ other lap swimmers but it was still heavenly.  Seeing blue skies and puffy clouds when you take a breath is so refreshing.  Tons of trees and bushes are blooming in Florida in early May; smelling sweet floral scents (other than the water aerobics class' perfume) was wonderful.   

at the Ramada Inn in Penticton (not really swimming - more walking around the cold pool in between soaking in the hot tub 

at the Summerland community pool in BC (recovery swim after ride on the IM Canada bike course)!

Most weeks I swim at the Seatac Y which is very convenient and generally a very clean pool (its less than a year old) - but it isn't exciting so I don't have any pictures.  I like swimming there and have gotten used to the pace clock that doesn't keep track of minutes accurately (seconds are ok). 

Before training for IMC, I swam 1-2 times a week w/ the Federal Way Masters at the Weyerhauser Aquatics center (which is a world class pool).  I miss swim workouts w/ a coach and teammates but I'm having fun learning to pace myself and swimming in different places.

swim swim swim - Open Water Swims

Wed night swims at Angle Lake are back!
Starting 5/20 (yes this is a Thursday night) and then every Wed throughout the summer
Come join me - arrive by 6:15 -swim starts at 6:30
Let me know if you need more info


Also - Join me for Friday Night Swim Races at Lake Meridian (I did two last year and had fun - it's great open water race practice)

Sign up before 6/1 and save $
Also sign up for all three races and save even more $

http://fridaynightswimraces.com/

Raise The Bar's

2010 Friday Night Swim Races
½ mile, 1.2 miles, or 2.4 miles

June 11 (I'm doing the 1.2 miles)
July 9 (I'm doing the 2.4 miles - first time to race this distance)
August 13 (I'm in for the 2.4 miles again)

Wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions
What better way for swimmer to spend a Friday night than at an open water race and BBQ! Raise the Bar offers these ½ mile, 1.2, and 2.4 mile races for masters swimmers or triathletes looking to brush up their open water technique. Fresh bakes pies, cookies, and cinnamon rolls are awarded to the top 3 men and women in each distance in the wetsuit or non-wetsuit divisions.

Where:
City of Kents Lake Meridian Park. 14800 SE 272nd St., Kent, WA 98042

When:
6:15PM - 2.4 mile Swim begins
6:20PM - ½ Mile Swim Begins
6:25PM - 1.2 mile Swim Begins
7:00PM - Hot eats and cool treats begin!

How much:
Single races are $30 until 10 days before each race, then it’s $35 until race day. On race day it’s $40. There is a $75 Early Bird Special for signing up for all three swim races before 6/1

These events will be sanctioned by USA Triathlon. An annual USAT membership will save you a $10 one-day membership fee. If signing up for multiple swim races, the $10 one-day membership fee will be collected one time only.

Bainbridge Island - the pictures

7:55 Ferry trip over to Bainbridge - (l to r) Kate, Andrew, Scot (my brother), Jeff & Jacob

cloudy & spitting - looks like the weather might improve

Rainy and dark (I had to lighten the photo a ton) but still a beautiful place to ride!

Kate providing commentary, Rod holding my new bike (trying not to say "I told you to be careful!"), and Scot amused

Jeff, Jacob and Andrew waiting patiently for me to get myself together

Wet corner = slow down

Jeff enjoying the yummy food at Real Food market & cafe (looking good - sporting his IM Cozomel kit :)

This is a great place to stop for refueling (and they were very nice to provide me ice for my hip).  Kate and I amused ourselves looking at some of the fun stuff in the store.  Too bad the paperdoll kit w/ classic dancing movie characters (i.e. JT from sat night fever, JG & PS from dirty dancing, & JB from flash dance) were not perforated - who has time to cut out paper dolls?

Wet waiting for ferry home - no one was really interested in a second loop.

The best part of a group ride - laughing w/ training partners!

makes a "bad" ride much better

wet helmet, wet shoes, wet seat

Reminder to self

• slow down on wet pavement
• slow down on sharp corners
• new bike is more responsive & handles differently
• use more caution

Bainbridge Island Ride - Sat April 17

Saturday Morning
Catch the 7:55 AM Ferry to Bainbridge
Ride two (or three if you are really ambitious!) loops of the chilly hilly route
We can break into groups based on speed
Meet for lunch while waiting for ferry  - head back early afternoon

Based on the email - Tony, Scot (my brother), Rod, Jeff W, Lauren, Kate and Jacob were interested
post a comment if you plan on joining me

I changed the comments setting - anyone should be able to comment now.

7:55 am ferry (bikes load first  - it suggest you be there 20 min before sailing time or last if you are late)
Cost at Seattle dock - $7.90/bike rider  (no cost for return trip)

After ride and lunch - ferry's back to seattle at 1:10, 2:05 & 2:55  (35 min sailing time)

See  you on the ferry!