Corporate Challenge Indoor Triathlon

This looks CRAZY FUN!

Great Weather for an Indoor Triathlon

The Portland YMCA will hold a Corporate Challenge Indoor Triathlon on February 28 where Corporate teams of three will be using the Y’s heated pool, treadmills and stationery bicycles to compete in a sprint type triathlon. One member of each team has to either swim, run or bicycle for 15 minutes. The distance covered by each team member will be combined for the total distance covered.

The Corporate Challenge Indoor Triathlon is a co-ed event with each team having to have at least one female competitor. Entries will be limited to 15 teams in this inaugural year. Deadline for entries is February 18.

All participants in the Corporate Challenge Indoor Triathlon will receive an event t-shirt.  Winners will take home a trophy, plus the chance to win tickets to The Longest Dinner, the CCY’s major fundraising event to be held in June 2009.

The Indoor Triathlon will raise awareness of the YMCA’s commitment to providing programs and services to all, regardless of their ability to pay. Each year the Cumberland County YMCA awards just under $600,000 to children and families who would not otherwise be able to afford Y facilities and services.

Here is the Registration Form. For more information, please call Debbie Reed, wellness director, at 874 – 1111.

An indoor triathlon! What could be more fun for a great cause?? And “easy” too! 15 minutes – I can do that!

Rather serendipitous the way this information presented itself to me.

I’m trying to coordinate a team through my office. I’ll let you know if I’m successful!

It’s Coming Back

I think I took too much time off the bike. I feel like I’ve lost a lot of fitness – but I really needed the time off.

My fitness is coming back, slowly, but it’s coming back. Surprisingly after Sunday’s spin I wasn’t wiped out. I managed to make it through the remainder of the day without the aid of a nap.

Tonight my run was actually enjoyable. It was still hard and I put in a good effort, but it felt good, or as good as it can.

Spring is a mere 8 weeks away. Though sometimes it takes a bit longer to arrive here in Maine. I’ll be back on the road soon (hopefully in March) and it’s time for some significant fitness building in preparation.

The Days are Growing Longer

It’s not dark when I leave work these days. That’s a reminder that spring is fast approaching, though it’s hard to believe that with the 13+ inches of snow we received Sunday. With the arrival of spring brings the arrival of cycling season. So it’s time to step up the workouts so I’m properly prepared.

I’ve been taking it easy with low-key workouts. Now it’s time to bump up the intensity a bit to work on my fitness. The treadmill is going to help. This morning I managed a nice tempo ride on the bike (while trying to be quiet so as to not wake my sleeping husband) and tonight I hit the treadmill for a while. It was tempting to blow it off but I made myself. Once I found my rhythm it felt great!

Now, if I could just shed a few pounds in the process.

Enjoy the increasing light. We are up to almost 30 minutes increase in light! We’ll be back on the bike for real soon!

No More Excuses

I have no more excuses for not doing a little cross training. For me this comes in the form of running.

My husband decided he wanted a treadmill. It was understood that if we had a treadmill I would also use it a lot. So when it came time to buy one, we decided to buy a nice one. The lesser expensive models are good for walkers, but not runners.

After all the research, we decided on the Sole F63.  It was just delivered Friday so I spent most of the afternoon Saturday rearranging the room to accommodate it. I think this is going to work with both the bike and trainer facing the TV, and near the stereo.

I really like the cockpit of this machine.

I’m not sure how well the fans will work but they are a good extra. I really like the MP3 and head phone jacks. There are incline and speed adjustments on the bars next to you for easy adjustment – very user friendly.

We have officially turned our spare room into a home gym. It’s much more appealing to workout there than in the basement and that’s why we’ve put the treadmill there. I didn’t want to put it in the basement and then it not be used because it’s not a good area. No excuses!

Since writing this post I have gone for a run on the treadmill. It’s really nice and I’m pleased with it. I especially like the speakers for the MP3 player, though I don’t think my husband was happy when I subjected him to my workout music.

The DOMS

Sunday a group of friends were organizing a ride. I didn’t feel like joining them. However, I did feel like going for a run. So I did.

I ran 4 miles around the Baxter Boulevard, only stopping to grab a quick drink at each of the three water fountains. That’s not half bad for someone that hasn’t done any running since before cycling season.

This is the time of year I wind down with cycling and explore other workout options such as walking or running. Last November I even ran my first 5K. I’m considering another race this fall. Although just running a bit on my own is just as good.

I jokingly told a friend that the following day I probably wouldn’t be able to walk. I hate it when I’m right.

I had a really bad case of the DOMS Monday. I hobbled around the office all day. Not only did my quads, hamstrings, and glutes hurt, but my abs also hurt from the situps I did after the run.

I am a stupid enthusiastic fool!

I managed a walk Monday evening. I started out very slow but picked it up after a while because my legs were finally stretching out. I think it worked because today I was much less sore.

I’ll run again as soon as I can. It’s good strength training, my ultimate goal for next year. I might even manage to lose a few pounds in the process.