I'm Tri'ing

I have been keeping track of both my exercise walking and my general walking (i.e. errands, housekeeping, packing, shopping, etc) and I was pretty shocked. For the week of 7/23/2012-7/29/2012 Exercise Walking - 6 sessions / 19.84 miles Exercise Swimming - 1 session / 15 min General Walking - 7 days / 22.79 miles I'm disappointed I didn't get to the pool for the planned 3 sessions but life sometimes interrupts things.  So that doesn't say much for my attempt to become BFF's with the pool but it's always a work in progress. My speed during exercise walks comes and goes largely dependent on how I feel, how far I'm walking and how humid it is outside.  But has improved from the week before, I'm averaging a 17.5 minute mile.  My first goal is to get that under 17 minute mile. No planned swims for me this week, since it's a short weekend at home but hoping the hotel has a pool that I can use a couple of times. Also forgot to weigh in today, so I...

After this post, I'm going to stick to my old schedule of my training weeks going from Monday to Sunday but for this week I'll just do it from last Saturday to this Saturday and then my next week will start with Monday the 23rd.  If you aren't reading my other blog, http://pinkygiraffe.blogspot.com/ , then you might not know my good news that the Dr has cleared me to drive and start resuming normal activities next week. However, normal does not include running but I can swim.  Biking - yea, not so much that either.  The Dr preferred that I stick to walking and swimming until my next appointment (4 weeks).  OK no problem, my arch enemy "the swimming pool" will become BFF's.  So starting on Monday I have planned on swimming at least 3 times a week.  I have no idea how it will impact my back so I'm going to go for 10-15 minute sessions and see how that goes.  If all goes well then I'll build up from there.  I'll also plan on my daily walks.  U...

I think I have to give full credit to my hubby for getting me to 4.62 miles today, over 1 mile longer than yesterday.  It does help when you have someone that moves at a faster pace and someone to chat with.  I was hoping for 4 miles today so I'm very happy about 4.62. Since I'm moving around a lot better than I expected then  Monday I will get back to wearing my fitbit 100% of the time, start tracking what I eat again and start tracking my weight loss. I think I can comfortable "prepare"food rather than rely on prepared food or what others have so generously brought me this past week. Yet another step in my new direction of the next chapter of my life!

The old Nicol would be embarrassed to say and would never consider writing that I walked 3.56 miles today in 68 min (less than a 20 min mile...woohoo).  But the new Nicol knows....it is what it is. Definitely loosing up my left shoe (the foot that is numb) was a huge help.  I can walk faster and my foot doesn't feel numb from the first step which is helping me walk longer. My triathlon / marathon training spreadsheet is crazy sad to look at but that is ok.  For now I can walk and that is what I will continue to do.  I'm really hoping, can't believe I'm saying this, that next week when I visit the Dr I get the ok to drive and start swimming because then I can walk and swim. Driving allows me the freedom to swim either at our community pool or go to the YMCA or go to my girlfriends house, who has offered up their pool to help me recover.  Love that about friends, they are willing to help you get back on your feet! Happy Friday the 13th, I hope everyon...

This morning I did a slow 2 mile walk around the neighborhood.  Right now I feel recovery is going to be a long time.  The walk seemed to take so long.  I'm going to start tracking time and not just distance so I know if my pace is increasing.  My legs get pretty sore, mainly my left leg and foo that has the numbness but hopefully that will start to get better. Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to do to 2.5 miles!!

The Dr. said "I want you to walk as much as possible."  So I'm taking that to heart, to recover as quickly as possible but no worries I am being cautious and listening to my body. Rob joined me on a slow 1.5 mile walk around the neighborhood this morning.  It's so hard to believe that only a few weeks ago I was running 5 miles.  I have so much sympathy for anyone trying to get back on track.  I'm not frustrated but would like to be.  I know that this will take time.  As soon as I can take the bandage off and the stitches are healed up, I'm heading to pool (his second suggestion).  Funny, when I asked about physical therapy and he said the best things for you are walking and swimming.  He said "can you swim, do you have access to swim, that is going to be great for you back, it will be no pressure and will help you a lot."  So one of worst activities is what I need to focus on. I'm hoping to be up for another walk this afternoon, bu...

The last time I checked in I was having some good runs....well so much for that.  Within the past week, I have had some back issues which is resulting in surgery tomorrow afternoon.  So with that said triathlon season is definitely not going to happen and more than likely my attempt for a 1/2 marathon is also probably not going to happen. Going forward I'm going to be using this blog to keep everyone up to date on getting back on track with my fitness.  I will attempt to do a weekly post on how that is going.  The Doctor has told me that I won't need formal physical therapy but wants me to start walking as soon as possible and swim.  Swim.....really...my nemesis.  Ok no problem doc.  I'll walk as much as I can and will swim as much as I can in order to get my fitness life back together. So the rest of 2012 will be about getting healthy, fit and at racing weight and figuring out which races I will tackle in Texas for 2013!