Unreal workout

I had a killer workout yesterday. 

Recently, Lifetime Fitness added a 90-minute performance spin class to the Sunday schedule.  I've completed it three times and have really enjoyed the workout!  For sure it's challenging but quite doable.  

A new goal of mine this year is to run (if only for a short distance) after a bike workout.  I've read a little about this strategy and they say that your legs become better conditioned and are able to to transition from biking to running more effectively and efficiently.  I've managed to run after many of my spin classes and with this new 90-minute class the following run is challenging but doable.

For the last few weeks I'd wondered about doing back to back spin classes...the 90-minute class is followed by a 60-minute class with a nice half hour break between them.  So yesterday, my schedule called for a 2-hour bike segment. I did the 90-minute class followed by a 1-mile run and then did the 60-minute class!  I was toast afterwards.  I took a sauna & stretched and then went home and stretched again.  I was moving a little slow around the house for most of the day.  Fortunately, it snowed and I needed to shovel and snowblow the 2-3 inches we received which forced me to get outside and move around a little!    

Creating a plan

It's a little cliche but it's unreal what you can accomplish when you make a plan. 

A little less than a week ago, I went to the pool for a swim workout and discovered the masters class in session.  I looked at their workout as written on the chalk board and feeling strong, attempted to swim the distance as outlined.  As background, for the last couple of months, my swim practice distance has been around 1,000-1,250 yards which included my warm up.  

The masters plan was some 3,900 yards (I did not know this until I added it up later) and while I did not complete the entire distance I did complete around 3,100 yards, and did so feeling strong.  After finishing the session I had the coach on deck write down the swim workout and thought; I'll swim this program again. 

Today I did just that.  And, while I did not feel quite as strong as last Saturday, I finished 2,400 yards!  I'm blown away that I could nearly double my distance and beyond by simply by having a preset workout!  
Hope this finds you all well...and avoiding the flu.
Lee     

Feeling fit but feeling fat

It's time to shed the excess weight!
Often, I feel frustrated that I'm carrying 10 pounds more than I would like right now.  My workout routine is barely able to keep me from gaining weight.  I weigh 168.  Emotionally and physically I feel fit at 158 so in in the next 30 days I hope to drop 10.  It's odd how weight effects my sense of well-being.  Physically, my strength and aerobic and fitness level is good and gaining momentum; I feel strong.  But my emotional state does not match my perceived fitness level thus I don't "feel" fit and battle internally with a sense of guilt and self-doubt.

I read a lot on nutrition and healthy eating and believe that we eat quite healthy.  The quantity of what I eat is what gets me into trouble.  I've recently become aware of a cleansing program offered by Veleo Health & Wellness, the wellness-care chiropractor I see regularly.  Sounds intriguing...I've also met with the nutritionist at LifeTime Fitness and have discussed a program of focused nutrition.

It's time to align my emotional and physical perception in order to fully benefit my training! More on this soon...      

Training is about to begin

I'll provide a brief recap of the last 6 months that will kind of bring you up to speed on this adventure that I'm about to begin...

As my first post points out, I've kind of become absorbed by the sport called triathlon which includes swimming, biking and running.  2013 will mark my 5th race season.  During the first 4 seasons, I participated in numerous short and medium distance races until late last August when I finished my longest race to date; a half iron distance triathlon.  A 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike course followed by a 13.1 half marathon.  I'd trained for this event along with several other races since January 2012. 

In September I signed up as a bike course Marshall and a run aid station volunteer at Ironman Wisconsin.  Due to the fact that this race typically fills it's registration spots in mere hours, all volunteers were given a priority position to sign up to participate in the 2013 Ironman if they chose.  The primary reason I volunteered was to sign up in 2013...so at 5:00 in the morning on September 9th I was in line to do just that!

As many of you know, the majority of my time in the fall is spent hunting...Due to this travel, hearty meals of hunt-camp life and the holidays, I typically put on 10 lbs. from the time of my last race and the beginning of training in January.  This year was no exception despite my best intentions to avoid weight gain.  In November however, I returned to Lifetime Fitness and started what I called my "training to train" program.  My informal exercise included weekly spinning classes, a bit of running, swimming, strength and core work. 

About 6 weeks ago I met with my triathlon coach (Derek Lindstrom of Beyond Performance)and discussed the plan for the upcoming training season that would culminate with the Ironman Wisconsin triathlon in September. This will be twice as long as any of the races I've completed to date...a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike course follow by a 26.2 mile marathon run!
Anticipating January 20th as the official start of my training program, I have really upped my exercise effort during the 6 weeks since I met with Derek.  I feel strong and ready to begin the journey!
        

More Than A Race

Dear Family & Friends,

Many of you know that over the last few years I have embraced the triathlon lifestyle. It has proven to be a great way to stay in shape, and I enjoy the discipline of training and preparation for racing.

In September I volunteered at the Ironman Wisconsin race. My experiences during the three-day event inspired me to sign up for the 2013 Ironman that includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike course, and marathon run of 26.2 miles.

During the intense training process of the next nine months, my individual race performance will be secondary. Instead, I want to focus my efforts on behalf of the Kenya Children’s Fund, a group dear to our family. Kenya Children’s Fund (www.kenyachildrensfund.org) is a mission dedicated to curbing acute poverty in Kinyago-Dandora, one of the poorest slums in Nairobi, Kenya.

Please join me in this mission by pledging your sponsorship. The funds from each sponsored mile of the 140.6 mile race will provide food, clothing, and education for a KCF student. This also serves to honor my late mother, Lois Hetherington, whose generous and sacrificial giving taught me the joy that comes from loving people in need.

Along the way, I will provide periodic updates on my training progress and support received toward the goal of sponsoring each  of the 140.6 miles.  What a blessing it would be if, together, we could present KCF a ($5,062) check that is enough to sponsor 12 children for an entire year!

 

Triathletes often create mantras that they use to motivate themselves throughout the grueling race process. With each mile marker, nothing could motivate me more than knowing we are supporting human life!

Thank you for your consideration and your generosity.

Blessings to all…

Lee Hetherington