Looks like Amanda's moving in for a comeback, with Carrie put off by running on chilly December mornings and Elisa down for the count (almost) due to hospital visits and a trip to the ER.
Has the tide turned in favor of the swimmer? Only time — and next week's Flux Capacitor Challenge — will tell. "What's a Physical Challenge," you ask? Check out Contest Rules in the sidebar to the right for details.
AMANDA: 9 points (83 Cumulative)
5 points = Weekly Swims
3 points = This Week's Peace Love Blog Challenge (Meditation)
1 point = Copycat Challenge (Running)
CARRIE: 4 points (88 Cumulative)
3 points = This Week's Peace Love Blog Challenge (Meditation)
1 point = Touch Your Toes Challenge
ELISA: 3 points (83 Cumulative)
3 points = This Week's Peace Love Blog Challenge (Fasting, Detox & Meditation)
1 point = Touch Your Toes Challenge
Monday, December 8, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
My So-Called Life: Why I Started Triathablogging
Today, at the grocery store, I saw a former college professor of mine. She asked what I was doing now, and she was shocked when I told her. I work in promotions for a company that sells housewares — primarily, I write a catalog and brochures.
In college, I won the award for most promising Journalism student. I edited the school's literary journal for longer than any other student had. I dressed differently than the other students (I didn't wear pearls, for one thing) and I didn't care. And I hated advertising, and marketing, and promotions.
I have a very good job, and I know I'm lucky to have it, but it's a failure to me in a lot of ways. I'm a very giving and loving person, and family is the most important thing to me, but I haven't even had a boyfriend in ten years. I still live in a crappy little apartment in a building that's about to be condemned. And on top of all that, I can't seem to lose weight, even though I'm running every day.
I've always been a "good girl," a rule follower, a bookworm, a teacher's pet. As it turns out, playing by the rules doesn't have much of an effect on the outcome of the game. I am profoundly confused about how my life seems to be turning out. I have no idea what direction to go.
So I move in a lot of directions at once. I'm doing Triathablog, and I wrote a complete draft of a novel last month. I'm starting a new diet tomorrow, and this week I have a meeting about collaborating with another writer on a new book. It's exhausting, but I don't know how else to do it. I'm afraid of what will happen if I slow down, or if I stop.
I really, really hate to write about all this. But a good friend told me I should get more personal here, so I'm taking her seriously, at least for today.
In college, I won the award for most promising Journalism student. I edited the school's literary journal for longer than any other student had. I dressed differently than the other students (I didn't wear pearls, for one thing) and I didn't care. And I hated advertising, and marketing, and promotions.
I have a very good job, and I know I'm lucky to have it, but it's a failure to me in a lot of ways. I'm a very giving and loving person, and family is the most important thing to me, but I haven't even had a boyfriend in ten years. I still live in a crappy little apartment in a building that's about to be condemned. And on top of all that, I can't seem to lose weight, even though I'm running every day.
I've always been a "good girl," a rule follower, a bookworm, a teacher's pet. As it turns out, playing by the rules doesn't have much of an effect on the outcome of the game. I am profoundly confused about how my life seems to be turning out. I have no idea what direction to go.
So I move in a lot of directions at once. I'm doing Triathablog, and I wrote a complete draft of a novel last month. I'm starting a new diet tomorrow, and this week I have a meeting about collaborating with another writer on a new book. It's exhausting, but I don't know how else to do it. I'm afraid of what will happen if I slow down, or if I stop.
I really, really hate to write about all this. But a good friend told me I should get more personal here, so I'm taking her seriously, at least for today.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
enough with all of this negative talk!
Surprisingly, I am on schedule with my swims this week. After last week’s embarrassing defeat I feel somewhat motivated to get to the pool, which has been an unexpected glimmer of hope in this busy season. I actually went last night at nine o’clock, only thirty minutes prior to my desired bedtime, and then came home to make soup for a party I’m attending tonight (which I will also swim before this afternoon). If that’s not dedication, I don’t know what is. As for this week’s physical challenge, there will be plenty of time for me to meditate in my lonely hotel room in Charlotte this weekend, as I travel alone to visit a culinary school. I may even utilize the hotel fitness room to kick some ass with extra points … watch out, ladies.
Another thing that has gotten me more motivated this week is seeing some progress in my technique. I have been reading more about correct form and how you should feel like you are “gliding” through the water when performing the strokes correctly. This has been a much desired, though somewhat unattainable, goal until this week when I finally felt some gliding action (bad choice of words?) with the freestyle. Hooray! Correct form is so important with swimming because without it, strokes are inefficient and unnecessary energy is wasted. And does it ever take energy! Unlike with some other sports (ahem), endurance can’t be achieved solely by pushing yourself further. With swimming that will only result in fatigue, not greater distances or longer workouts. It is nice to finally feel like I am getting somewhere, and I am thankful that it has come at a time when I needed a kick in the pants.
Another thing that has gotten me more motivated this week is seeing some progress in my technique. I have been reading more about correct form and how you should feel like you are “gliding” through the water when performing the strokes correctly. This has been a much desired, though somewhat unattainable, goal until this week when I finally felt some gliding action (bad choice of words?) with the freestyle. Hooray! Correct form is so important with swimming because without it, strokes are inefficient and unnecessary energy is wasted. And does it ever take energy! Unlike with some other sports (ahem), endurance can’t be achieved solely by pushing yourself further. With swimming that will only result in fatigue, not greater distances or longer workouts. It is nice to finally feel like I am getting somewhere, and I am thankful that it has come at a time when I needed a kick in the pants.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Special Report: A light history lesson about Women and Bicycles
“Let me tell you what I think of bicycling…I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world”
-Susan B Anthony 1896
Chicks on bikes has always been a controversial issue. When bicycles were first introduced women were seen as frail, weak things with no tolerance for strenuous physical activity.
This was due in part (big part) to the corset. Ever heard the term “loose woman” or straight-laced”? These were directly related to the corset. A loose woman was one who wore her corset well, loosely, and therefore was less proper and even obscene. Someone straight laced was so proper and ladylike that her corset laces ran a straight line up her back. Corsets inhibited both movement and breathing, rendering women weak and unable to do much besides sit uncomfortably and generally just look pretty. Not exactly the best clothing for riding a bicycle.
Another dress issue were the long skirts that women wore, with no exception. These were dangerous for riding, so women started wearing what was known as ‘rational dress’, which turned into a movement against any clothing that "deforms the figure, impedes the movement of the body, or in any way tends to injure the health. It protests against the wearing of tightly fitted corsets, of high-heeled or narrow toed boots and shoes; of heavily weighted skirts, as rendering healthy exercise almost impossible.... "
This did not go over well.
Bicycles also gave women mobility and independence (gasp!). No longer were they at the mercy of horse drawn carriages (which many women had trouble driving because of the restrictive corsets). Women could go places when they wanted to, and were not forced to stay close to home. This clearly meant that they were going to go to bars and start stripping, right? That was the consensus. That women would get into physical and moral danger once they could go off on their own, innocent little things now at the mercy of the big, bad world.
As noted by Clare S. Simpson noted, "The independent mobility of cyclists raised genuine alarm for their physical, if not moral, safety; simply put, the bicycle could easily take women to unsavoury places where they might be endangered physically ... or morally. Drawing on previous knowledge of the kinds of women who deliberately made themselves conspicuous in public, that is, prostitutes, there would be a strong tendency to conclude that cycling women were far from respectable: not exactly prostitutes, perhaps, but possibly women of loose morals or with an undeveloped sense of propriety."
Women pedaled on. They were scorned as ‘harlots’ for the sexually provocative straddling of the seat and warned against the hidden dangers of the nervous troubles that concentrating on the road would bring to them. Their religious beliefs were questioned, as often they chose to take a ride on Sundays, seen as a direct assault on the Sabbath.
Women on bicycles have never completely shaken the stigma. Women who ride today are seen as tough, tomboyish types. Bikes ‘made for women’ are often just shortened versions of men’s bikes with larger seats (!).
However, things are changing. There is a fascination recently with fashionable women on bikes. Skirts and heels, although rare in the USA, are becoming more accepted on the saddles. And women on bicycles are starting to finally be seen as…women.
A welcome change indeed.
-Susan B Anthony 1896
Chicks on bikes has always been a controversial issue. When bicycles were first introduced women were seen as frail, weak things with no tolerance for strenuous physical activity.
This was due in part (big part) to the corset. Ever heard the term “loose woman” or straight-laced”? These were directly related to the corset. A loose woman was one who wore her corset well, loosely, and therefore was less proper and even obscene. Someone straight laced was so proper and ladylike that her corset laces ran a straight line up her back. Corsets inhibited both movement and breathing, rendering women weak and unable to do much besides sit uncomfortably and generally just look pretty. Not exactly the best clothing for riding a bicycle.
Another dress issue were the long skirts that women wore, with no exception. These were dangerous for riding, so women started wearing what was known as ‘rational dress’, which turned into a movement against any clothing that "deforms the figure, impedes the movement of the body, or in any way tends to injure the health. It protests against the wearing of tightly fitted corsets, of high-heeled or narrow toed boots and shoes; of heavily weighted skirts, as rendering healthy exercise almost impossible.... "
This did not go over well.
Bicycles also gave women mobility and independence (gasp!). No longer were they at the mercy of horse drawn carriages (which many women had trouble driving because of the restrictive corsets). Women could go places when they wanted to, and were not forced to stay close to home. This clearly meant that they were going to go to bars and start stripping, right? That was the consensus. That women would get into physical and moral danger once they could go off on their own, innocent little things now at the mercy of the big, bad world.
As noted by Clare S. Simpson noted, "The independent mobility of cyclists raised genuine alarm for their physical, if not moral, safety; simply put, the bicycle could easily take women to unsavoury places where they might be endangered physically ... or morally. Drawing on previous knowledge of the kinds of women who deliberately made themselves conspicuous in public, that is, prostitutes, there would be a strong tendency to conclude that cycling women were far from respectable: not exactly prostitutes, perhaps, but possibly women of loose morals or with an undeveloped sense of propriety."
Women pedaled on. They were scorned as ‘harlots’ for the sexually provocative straddling of the seat and warned against the hidden dangers of the nervous troubles that concentrating on the road would bring to them. Their religious beliefs were questioned, as often they chose to take a ride on Sundays, seen as a direct assault on the Sabbath.
Women on bicycles have never completely shaken the stigma. Women who ride today are seen as tough, tomboyish types. Bikes ‘made for women’ are often just shortened versions of men’s bikes with larger seats (!).
However, things are changing. There is a fascination recently with fashionable women on bikes. Skirts and heels, although rare in the USA, are becoming more accepted on the saddles. And women on bicycles are starting to finally be seen as…women.
A welcome change indeed.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
TriathaBLAH: Is the Honeymoon Over?
It seems we Triathabloggers have collectively hit a wall. Two weeks ago, if you'd asked any of us about the project, you would have gotten an enthusiastic progress report, combined with a little all-in-good-fun trash talk.
Ask us about it now, and you'll probably meet a glazed over look of exhaustion. I, for one, would much rather talk about napping, or hot guys in the new Twilight movie, or napping. (I know, I said it twice.)
Wikipedia defines "hitting a wall" as the "condition when an athlete suddenly loses energy and becomes fatigued." Uh, yeah. I think we're there.
How do we get past this? Wiki recommends Carbo Loading (check — Ranch Fries), consuming food or drinks (check — Americanos), and lowering the intensity of the exercise.
Ah, there's the rub. If we're going to finish with dignity (okay, let's be honest, bragging rights), we can't take it easy.
I want new motivation. I want renewed discipline. I want it to be exciting again.
But maybe that's not the point. Maybe the point is to keep going, even when I'm slow, or feeling sick, or stressed at work, or hung over from holiday parties — whatever. Maybe, in the end, that's how you make fitness a part of your life, and not just a phase.
Either way, I always welcome an excuse to Carbo Load.
Ask us about it now, and you'll probably meet a glazed over look of exhaustion. I, for one, would much rather talk about napping, or hot guys in the new Twilight movie, or napping. (I know, I said it twice.)
Wikipedia defines "hitting a wall" as the "condition when an athlete suddenly loses energy and becomes fatigued." Uh, yeah. I think we're there.
How do we get past this? Wiki recommends Carbo Loading (check — Ranch Fries), consuming food or drinks (check — Americanos), and lowering the intensity of the exercise.
Ah, there's the rub. If we're going to finish with dignity (okay, let's be honest, bragging rights), we can't take it easy.
I want new motivation. I want renewed discipline. I want it to be exciting again.
But maybe that's not the point. Maybe the point is to keep going, even when I'm slow, or feeling sick, or stressed at work, or hung over from holiday parties — whatever. Maybe, in the end, that's how you make fitness a part of your life, and not just a phase.
Either way, I always welcome an excuse to Carbo Load.
Monday, December 1, 2008
if only we weren't so darn popular
Today marks the beginning of the end. Triathablog has entered into it's third and final month, and as much as we love our sports, we are all more than a little happy to see this chilly month arrive. With Thanksgiving barely trailing behind, all three of us have been presented with the ultimate challenge of fitting exercise into our hectic holiday schedules, and all of us, most of all myself with a whopping zero points this week, have fallen somewhat short of our goals. I rediscovered how much I love sleep over the holiday, and succumbed to the comforts of sofas, blankets, and naps, sometimes sleeping up to eleven hours at a time. I feel bad about none of these things and am thankful for an opportunity to get some much-needed rest, but also regret that I am now significantly behind my competitors.
Now to add to the craziness, Christmas has descended upon us with it's parties, gatherings, and soirees. This weekend I will be missing FIVE parties. Five! And it is only the first weekend of the month. With the weekend trip ahead (Charlotte!) and a packed social calendar through the rest of December as well, I will have to make an extra effort to get my weekly swims in and somehow find ways to make up some pointage. All this makes me wonder how fit moms do it. Well, the ones who don't have nannies, at least. If it is this hard to juggle only one schedule, how hard must it be to deal with those of a husband, his family, and children as well? Props to all you moms out there pushing jog strollers. You are better women than I.
If you're out there, please cheer for the swimmer! I'm going to need some motivation to get out of the blankets and into the cold water this week.
Now to add to the craziness, Christmas has descended upon us with it's parties, gatherings, and soirees. This weekend I will be missing FIVE parties. Five! And it is only the first weekend of the month. With the weekend trip ahead (Charlotte!) and a packed social calendar through the rest of December as well, I will have to make an extra effort to get my weekly swims in and somehow find ways to make up some pointage. All this makes me wonder how fit moms do it. Well, the ones who don't have nannies, at least. If it is this hard to juggle only one schedule, how hard must it be to deal with those of a husband, his family, and children as well? Props to all you moms out there pushing jog strollers. You are better women than I.
If you're out there, please cheer for the swimmer! I'm going to need some motivation to get out of the blankets and into the cold water this week.
Weekly Totals = Amanda 74, Carrie 84, Elisa 80
Looks like the holiday spirit got the best of our girls — for the first time in the history of Triathablog, no one took the Physical Challenge! As Christmas approaches and visions of sugarplums dance in their heads, the girls gear up for the final leg of Triathablog. Just 31 days left and it's still anybody's game.
Will Amanda get the gift of a rebound? Will Elisa be able to commute when the weather outside is frightful? Will Carrie feel the spirit of the season and ease up on the ass kicking?
This week's Peace, Love, Blog Challenge might be just the thing to help our team regroup. "What's a Physical Challenge," you ask? Check out Contest Rules in the sidebar to the right for details.
AMANDA: 74 Cumulative
CARRIE: 6 points (84 Cumulative)
5 points = Weekly Runs
1 point = Bookworm Challenge
ELISA: 5 points (80 Cumulative)
5 points = Weekly Rides
Will Amanda get the gift of a rebound? Will Elisa be able to commute when the weather outside is frightful? Will Carrie feel the spirit of the season and ease up on the ass kicking?
This week's Peace, Love, Blog Challenge might be just the thing to help our team regroup. "What's a Physical Challenge," you ask? Check out Contest Rules in the sidebar to the right for details.
AMANDA: 74 Cumulative
CARRIE: 6 points (84 Cumulative)
5 points = Weekly Runs
1 point = Bookworm Challenge
ELISA: 5 points (80 Cumulative)
5 points = Weekly Rides
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