I am Officially an Unoffical Sprint Triathlete!

Yes! Today was the informal indoor sprint triathlon with my dear, dear friend from Virginia: Rebecca!!!!

'What is an informal indoor sprint triathlon?' you ask. Well, it is when there is no real race or competition, just two (or more or less, so long as the number is greater than zero) people who get together to perform the activities involved in a sprint triathlon, but they do it indoors. Our game plan was:

1/2 mile swim (in a lap pool)
20K bike ride (on a spinning cycle)
5K run (on a treadmill)

We allowed for a lot of time and a lot of breaks, since it was informal--we could do whatever we wanted! We had massages scheduled for 3pm, so we arrived at 10am to allow ample time. ABD modified my food plan for Saturday and today to fuel me properly. (Hilariously sad side note: Devon told me with some excitement, as though I'd be thrilled, that I get more carbs on Saturday to fuel me for Sunday. Do you know what 'more carbs' means to Devon? 1/2 cup of whole grain pasta. Really, Devon?!?! Awesome.) So, we arrived and went right to business in the pool!

Here is the rundown of the day, complete with exact times (Yes, mom, exact times...What was it you called me? A geek???):

Swimming--total time: 28:57
Breakdown:
Lap 1: BS, 1:30
Lap 2: BS, 1:45
Lap 3: BS, 1:49
Lap 4: BS, 1:47
Lap 5: BS, 1:48
Lap 6: BS, 1:47
Lap 7: BS, 1:51
Lap 8: BS, 1:55
Lap 9: EB, 2:03
Lap 10: EB, 2:03
Lap 11: BS, 1:37
Lap 12: BS, 1:47
Lap 13: BS, 1:49
Lap 14: BS, 1:56
Lap 15: 1/2 FS, 1/2 EB, 1:47
Lap 16: BS, 1:37

Break (shower, drink fastfuel): 23:39

Biking--12.4 miles (20K): 32:53

Break (wait for workout buddy to finish, fastfuel): 16:56

Running--3.1 miles (5K): 37:37

Total Triathlon Time (including breaks): 2:20:04
Total Triathlon Time (workouts only): 1:39:27

I am *very* happy with the results and am very proud of myself and Rebecca! Rebecca has not been going to the gym since April of last year (like some of us) and she totally held her own. Fierce... Since my friend (and #1 fan) Lynn likes it when I list goals I reach or things I've done for future encouragement, here are some things:

1) Last time (the only other time) I swam 1/2 mile I did it in 30:25. I shaved 1:28 off my time. New PR!
2) Last time (the only other time) I used the bike was this past Tuesday. I went 10.1 miles in 30 minutes. This time at the 30 minute mark I had gone 11.2 miles.
3) I ran the entire 5K! I am somewhat confused by the slow time because I usually run/walk intervals and have done that in 37:23. Today was 37:37, running the whole way. My strategy: do like I did on last Wednesday's cardio on the elliptical, 7 minutes zone 3, 3 minutes zone 4, repeat. I didn't have my HR monitor, but went by feeling. I did:
7:00, 4.5 mph, incline 2.0
3:00, 5.0 mph, incline 2.0
7:00, 4.5 mph, incline 2.0
3:00, 5.0 mph, incline 2.0
5:00, 4.5 mph, incline 1.0
5:00, 5.0 mph, incline 1.0
At this point, I kept the speed at 5.0 mph and dropped the incline to 0.0. When I got to 2.5 miles, I bumped the speed up to 6.0 mph and at 3.0 miles, I bumped the speed up to 7.0 mph. Finish strong!!!! This is why I am perplexed by the slow finish time...but whatever! I am thrilled!!!!

We finished much earlier than we thought, so we went to Dick's Sporting Goods and Old Navy where I spent *waaaaaaaay* to much money but got some good workout clothes (and regular clothes). Sort of a big deal for me: I bought a couple pairs of running shorts. And I feel comfortable wearing them! Win!!!

We then went back to Lifetime for our massages but ate our lunch first in the LifeCafe. Since I bring my own food *everywhere* I needed a microwave. Luckily, Devon was in the LifeCafe!!! I think he loves that I keep 'bumping into him' there. ;) I asked if he'd go microwave our food in the staff break room. He did. Aww, what a nice trainer... I offered to bring him a treat on Tuesday. He asked for a silent Erin that shows up ready to work. Oooo...steep, ABD. But I am going to try. And, thanks to Rebecca's ingenious creativity, I am making another t-shirt... ;)

Next workout: sole sister run with my girls tomorrow! Then maybe Latin Fusion tomorrow night!!!

Off Day Offerings: Choices

Today's rest day post is more of a reflection on a conversation I had this week:

There was a big feast at work on Thursday to say goodbye to people who are leaving. I did not eat one bite of it. I ate my pre-packed healthy lunch. I was very proud of myself. Alas, some of my co-workers were not as proud...You see there was a chili cook-off between Phil and Keith. In the past they had a wing cook-off and I was "off the diet" and participated. Phil was very upset that I would not try the chili. He made a very lengthy point that it was not "cheating on my diet" or "a slippery slope" for me to do this. I disagreed. I am on a very strict diet. I also know how I operate and know that if I am 100% on I can sustain it for longer, if I am nibbling here and there, I will inevitably cheat. I know myself.

Phil made the comment that I do not make my own choices. I whole-heartedly agreed and I am ok with that. As I told him, my choices made me 74 pounds heavier than I am now. I think that while I am losing weight, I need to be strict. Once in maintenance mode I can have a bite or two of chili...

A Friday Evening with Many Men...

Today was apparently gym party day. Some co-workers decided to join me for my horrifically boring cardio (assignment: Treadmill, 50 minutes, all zone 1). Keith, Phil and Eric came to the gym and Keith brought his adorable son. After the cardio, Keith and his son had to leave, but the rest of us went to the hot tub and pool for a little bit. It was nice and relaxing!

On my way out the door, I went to the LifeCafe to get a smoothie or something to refuel after working out and ABD was there! He was eating his dinner, which *clearly* meant he wanted me to sit down and join him and talk about our training for the better part of an hour!!! Clearly. He opened strong by looking me up and down (I was back into my work outfit, which I maintain is cute, but my hair was all a mess from working out and going to the pool) and told me I looked "raggedy". Nice, ABD. NICE. The conversation went EVERYWHERE including: my altered food plan for the next two days (due to the informal triathlon on Sunday), his overall strategy for me, what the internet says about skin elasticity, the gay fitness website I love to search for instructions on how to do exercises ABD assigns but has never shown me how to do, random side tangents about other trainers, my history of weight loss yo-yoing, my Coach purse, and many many more places. One of my favorite exchanges had to be when I told him that we needed to have a long talk about our communication. (Seriously, I discussed this with Amanda E. and she agreed). His face was priceless and then he asked: "Are we dating?" Love it. :) Nope, Devon, you aren't so lucky...

All in all I think the talk was good for me. It really bothers me that I don't know if he likes me. Unsure why. I even told him that I needed to be his favorite client and he asked why it mattered. I cannot tell you why...but it does. He told me why he chose to take me on even though apparently many other trainers told him not to (BURN!). First, Zak trapped him. He kind of did. I was there. It was well done. Second, he went into some long explanation about how trainers grow by taking on...different...clients--clients that may (hypothetically, of course) annoy you, are different than anyone you've worked with before, etc... So I am pretty sure that is NOT a compliment, but I choose to take it as one. :)

I had decided after our fight on Tuesday (which ABD remains to state was one-sided, I disagree) that ABD no longer deserved my fun. So he would get ABE (All Business Erin). But let's be honest, I am just not capable of that, so Plan B: ABE (All Bitter Erin). More fun for me, hopefully less fun for him. I told him about this and when I explained that I was going to withhold fun from him he got almost giddy and with a *huge* grin said, "You mean, you'll come to the session and *work* and then leave???!!?!" Backfire. Although, no matter what I threaten to do to him he always seems not to care. Your pokerface is strong, ABD. But I'll break you. It may take some time...but I will...

Tomorrow is a rest day! Next workout on Sunday with Rebecca: indoor sprint triathlon!!!!

"I Think You're an EXCELLENT Trainer...I Just Don't Like You as a Person."

Hello! Today was a pathetically easy lifting day. As I told Anthony (previously referred to as "Jerkface Anthony"--I cannot hold a grudge), my lifting routine today was so easy, I was embarrassed to do it in front of all the men in Man-Land. While I was talking to Anthony, Devon came over to the personal training desk. I informed ABD that today, Anthony was my favorite. Devon didn't seem to care (shocker). I did tell Devon though that I think he is an excellent personal trainer, I just don't like him as a person. As you might have guessed, he took this as a compliment. Whatever makes you happy, ABD. (BTW, I really do like the guy, but I am not gonna tell him that...).

Another interesting exchange happened at the personal training desk. Amanda F. was finishing her session with Hard Core Liz and she mentioned that she spoke to Body-Builder David about me today. (Recall that BBD is the jerkface who I got into a verbal altercation with last month. Wow, reading this makes me feel like a Lifetime Fitness Personal Trainer Groupie...I kind of am...). Amanda said that he said he wanted to train me so he could "break me". Well, BBD was there and he claimed adamantly he never said that. Really?!? Why would Amanda make that up? Anyways, he explained what he claims he *did* say. I don't remember his exact wording but it was something to the effect of: I have shown incredible hard work and made significant progress and he thinks that I am one of the rarer clients at the gym who actually is serious about what I am doing and shows potential to reach my goals. He would be interested in training me to take me this last distance because he thinks I need someone to get me to slow down for 5 seconds (whatever that means...I think that means that I cut him off all the time while talking). He thinks of all the trainers he'd be the most likely to be able to do that. I said I thought Devon could do that and he agreed that Devon could probably also do it. When David left, Amanda confirmed that that is what he said only with many swear words interjected and he *did* use the phrase, "I want to break her."

I am deeply flattered. David seems to know his stuff and it made my day to hear that he sees me that way. I have worked hard and it is always nice when people notice! Also, as I told him AND Devon, who was within earshot: I don't break. But go ahead and try... ;)

The pansy lifting routine:

Walking Lunges x 2s x 20r
Step-Ups x 2s x 20r
Seated Row x 2s x 20r @ 30lbs
Seated Chest Press - Freemotion x 2s x 20r @ 25lbs
Cable Upright Rows x 2s x 20r @ 17.5lbs
Seated Shoulder Press x 2s x 20r @ 20lbs

I did ask ABD: why so pansy? My speculation was correct. He is winding my workouts down to let my body get ready for the indoor sprint triathlon I am doing on Sunday. I asked him if I would still lose weight this week. He said, Probably not! I said, DEVON! He rolled his eyes and pulled out the schpeel from Tuesday about my conflicting goals, blah blah blah. Whatever, the scale will show him on Tuesday...I hope...

Next workout (if you can call it that): tomorrow, Treadmill for 50 minutes all zone 1.

"Do It."

ABD gave me my workout assignments for today, tomorrow and Friday. Frankly, I don't understand him. He gives me a crazy one for today and then a short, simple-ish lifting routine for Thursday and a pathetically easy cardio session for Friday. I am sure he has some good explanation for doing this and I kind of want to email him and ask, but I am mad at him and therefore don't want to email him. ::sigh:: It's so hard being me...

The assignments (directly copied from his email...note his hostility in Wednesday's assignment...so hurtful...):

Wednesday: Elliptical 40 min (Z3 7min, Z4 3 min). Do it. 20 min cool-down Z1.

Thursday: Resistance Training: Walking Lunges x 2s x 20r
Step-Ups x 2s x 20r
Seated Row x 2s x 20r @ 30lbs
Seated Chest Press - Freemotion x 2s x 20r @ 25lbs
Cable Upright Rows x 2s x 20r @ 17.5lbs
Seated Shoulder Press x 2s x 20r @ 20lbs

Friday: Treadmill 50 min (Z1)

So, I "did it" today. And by "it" I mean the 40 minutes of zone 3 and 4 misery on the elliptical. It actually wasn't as bad as I feared it would be. But I am not telling ABD that...no sirree.

My Stats:

Calories Burned: 667 (Elliptical)/585 (HR Monitor)
Total Miles: 4.47
Total Time: 60:00
Ending Heart Rate: 135

Next workout: lifting tomorrow!

Oh! And...

I lost 3 more pounds! Total = 74!

"You Are *NOT* a Lady!"

ABD and I are quarreling. Recall he threw down in email form by implying I was not capable of pushing myself with cardio without his direction, telling me I was sassy and telling me not to "poke the bear, push the little red button or annoy the trainer."

My response was in t-shirt form, naturally...

Front (the photo quality is terrible--those are pink, glitter letters people):

Back:



Needless to say, I am very proud of this shirt. The craftsmanship is my best yet. The hilarity factor is not my best, but up there. However, I digress. I wore this to my session today in a not-so-subtle attempt to let him know that my official response to his mean email is: GAME. ON.

He saw the t-shirt. Made a classic ABD smirk and pretended like he didn't care at all. This was the expected response (side note: I did get a chuckle out of Liz...). He then proceeded to KICK MY BUTT IN A HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE WAY. When I asked him if he was being extra hard on me in retaliation to my t-shirt, he flashed a quick, subtle grin and claimed he *always* works me hard. Sure, Devon, I am sure it is just *coincidence* that today you admittedly gave me less than 25 second rest periods and decide to institute a brand-new no sitting policy. I'm sure...MY mistake.

I will interrupt the Erin/ABD drama with some funny conversations (note how my maturity level starts low and only gets lower as the session goes on):

ABD: (while having me do squats) Stick out your butt more.
Me: Maybe I am not good at these because my mother raised me to be a lady.
ABD: *scoffing* You are *not* a lady!
Me: *disgust* Yes I am! What are you talking about?!?!?
ABD: You may be of the female persuasion, but you are not a lady.
Me: This is so going in my blog. And my mom reads it. She's gonna be so mad at you...
ABD: I have no doubt that your mother taught you to be a lady. What I question is whether or not you learned anything...
Me: *stunned silence*

Me: So. Devon. I *annoy* you.
ABD: What are you talking about?
Me: In your email, you said I annoyed you. Really?!?! You find me *annoying*???
ABD: Right now, yes.
Me: *stunned silence*

Me: Am I not your favorite client anymore?
ABD: You remain in the same standing you started in.
Me: *disgust* If I am such a terrible client, maybe I should get a new trainer.
ABD: Good luck finding someone here who would take you.
Me: *stunned silence*

Me: Since we are in a fight--
ABD: We aren't in a fight. YOU may be.
Me: Devon, it takes two to fight. We are fighting, and since we are fighting I will tell you that you are an awful trainer and I will count the ways.
ABD: *eye roll*
Me: I told you I was doing an indoor sprint triathlon Sunday and you have not assigned me one cardio session on the bike or in the pool.
ABD: So get on a bike!
Me: Um, I do *exactly* what you tell me to do. And you FAILED me.
ABD: *Blah blah blah, some schpeel about my weight loss goal and that conflicting with it, some crud about anaerobic training, yada yada yada, something about me wanting the equivalent of being tall and short at the same time.*
Me: Whatever, I'm bored with this. You *also* never got back to me about the half marathon training program my friend sent me.
ABD: I did too, after you sent me the clean version, it was a jumbled mess.
Me: (walking away from him, into the women's locker room) YOU'RE A JUMBLED MESS!
ABD: Wanna come back and say that to my face???
Me: (already in the locker room, but still within earshot) I WILL!

I then, in typical Erin form, flipped my switch and got all needy. I was all: Our pre-scheduled sessions run up Mar 9. Maybe I *should* find another trainer. I mean, *I* love working with you. But apparently I annoy you and am not your favorite client. So...whatever. *pathetic sigh*

I honestly don't remember what he said, but I think he secretly loves working with me. I mean, after our mature session today, how could he not? :)

Oh! Here is the lifting routine (they were pairings--do both, then rest):

BB Front Squats: 55 lbs, 12 reps; 65 lbs, 12 reps; 70 lbs, 12 reps
Weighted Frontal Lunges: 35 lbs, 12 reps each leg, 3 sets

Flat BB Bench Press: 65 lbs, 12 reps, 3 sets
Push-ups w/ Hip Extension: BW, 12 reps, 3 sets

Reverse Grip Pulldowns: 32.5 lbs each side, 12 reps; 35 lbs each side, 12 reps, 2 sets
One-Arm DB Rows: 30 lbs, 12 reps, 3 sets

AA Standing DB Press: 22.5 lbs, 12 reps, 3 sets
Rear Delt DB Flyes: 15 lbs, 12 reps, 3 sets

I then rode the spinning bike for 30 minutes. I went 10.1 miles and burned 204 calories. All in zone 2.

Next workout: some sort of cardio tomorrow.