Saturday is my first half marathon, the Marine Corps half marathon in Jacksonville Florida. Last weekend was my first 10k, the weekend before that was my first triathlon, so all kinds of first lately. I feel ready for it. I had my last long training run this morning. I wanted to practice the pace I want to keep for the half marathon, so I ran 10 miles at a 10 minute pace. A few of my miles came out to 9:30 and 9:45, but still close to the pace I will try to keep. The problem I have is I get caught up in the race excitement. Saturday I had planned on keeping a 9:30 pace for the 10k, all that went out the window when the horn went off. My first mile was 8:35 and I just kept going, the adrenaline of the race kept me going, my slowest mile was my 4th mile at 9:02, my fastest was my 6th mile at 8:18. I was shocked at my time, as I mentioned on my last blog post, and especially shocked at placing 2nd in my age group. I hope I can mentally stick to the plan on Saturday and keep my pace, and not get caught up in the excitement.
We just found out that shortly after Joel gets home from Iraq, he is getting sent to a school in Virginia for 2 months, I feel like I can't catch a break. Its going to be so hard on the girls, they are both daddy's girls and they miss him so much, having to say goodbye again a few weeks after he gets home is going to be heartbreaking. We are going to try to make a few weekend visits, but its not easy with 2 toddlers and 2 dachshunds on a 10 hour road trip.
I try to stay positive all the time, but lately its just been hard. All the good things coming in the future seem to be shadowed by something not so good.
I'm Jillian,this is my journey from a morbidly obese woman to endurance athlete
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
First 10k and First Hardware
This morning I did my first ever 10k. The distance is 6.2 miles. I do this distance and longer in my runs twice a week, but this was the longest running only race I done to date. Running in a race is always so much different than running in training. When I run 6.2 in training, my time is usually around 57:40 give or take a few seconds. The excitement of being in a race, the other runners racing around you, and all that adrenaline makes you go so much faster than you do in training. My time this morning was 53:10. I was so proud of my time, I earned that time, when I was coming into the finish line I was tired and my legs hurt, but I wanted to cross that finish line knowing I gave it my all, and I did. The results were posted on a bulletin board near the awards stage, I went to go see how close I was to whoever won my division, I found my name and to my complete shock I got second place in the female 25-29 division, I couldn't believe it. So, instead of leaving at that moment we hung around for the awards ceremony so I could get my trophy.
Its a metal and plastic trophy you could get at any trophy store, but I earned it. I was so proud to be holding that thing. I came home and put it up on the shelf next to the pint glass I got last weekend from doing the triathlon. I had fun doing this 10k, it will be fun to do more. Next weekend I have my first half marathon in Jacksonville. Here is a picture Loraine took after I was awarded my second place trophy
Its a metal and plastic trophy you could get at any trophy store, but I earned it. I was so proud to be holding that thing. I came home and put it up on the shelf next to the pint glass I got last weekend from doing the triathlon. I had fun doing this 10k, it will be fun to do more. Next weekend I have my first half marathon in Jacksonville. Here is a picture Loraine took after I was awarded my second place trophy
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Race Report- Rock of the Marne Triathlon
Ok gang, here is my race report from my first every triathlon this morning! This was a sprint triathlon. 500 yard swim, 13 mile bike, and a 3.1 mile run.
Last night me and Loraine dropped off Laci, my 4 year old off at a friend's house, she was going to stay the night. The plan was to drop off my 1 year old, Miley in the morning on our way to the race site. I packed my transition bag and checked it 3 times, with a checklist. I took some Tylenol PM around 8 pm and waited for it to kick in. I set my alarm for 3 am and tried to get some sleep. Even with the Tylenol PM I was still tossing and turning from pre race jitter, and fell asleep around 11 pm. Woke up at 3 am, had some coffee and a piece of toast with some peanut butter. Checked my bag one last time, filled up all my bottles with water and G2, and loaded up the Durango with my bag, bike, and bike pump. Loraine grabbed Miley and her bag and we were ready to head out.
Dropped off Miley at our friend's house, and headed out for the hour long drive to the race site. I drank a bottle of G2 on the drive up. Body marking started a 5:30am, which is when we arrived. I got marked, Loraine carried my bag for me and I pushed my bike to the transition area, it was a half mile walk from the body marking area to the transition area with all my gear so I counted this as a warm up. Was given my race chip, and headed into the transition area to set up. I was the first to arrive on my assigned rack so I set up on the end of the rack. Got everything just the way I wanted it, grabbed my goggles and swim cap, and left transition. Had about 45 minutes until the race started so I just went pee a few times and hung out with Loraine. 30 minutes before the swim started I ate a pack of sport beans. After a quick safety brief and the national anthem it was finally time to line up in my swim wave and start my race.
It was a triangular 500 yard swim in a river. All the age group men went first, after they took off it was my wave's (age group women) time to jump in the river. We jumped into deep water and had a minute to tread water until our horn went off. I was nervous up to this point since I had limited swim training and absolutely no open water experience. Once that horn went off and we all started swimming I was fine. I just had a slow, steady freestyle swim. My legs kept getting really tired so my freestyle was mostly my upper body working. Finally I made it around all the buoys and I was running up the ramp to exit the swim and head into T1, taking off my goggles and swim cap in the process. My swim time was 11:15.
Into transition the race volunteers were telling us to put on our helmet first, so I did that. Then I put on my sunglasses and they fogged up, not wanting to waste time wiping them down I decided to leave them in transition. I wiped off my feet and put my bike shoes on. I took a few swigs of G2, grabbed my bike and headed out on the bike out. T1 time was 1:14.
I got on my bike at the bike mount line, clipped in, and took off. I started in a low gear at a high cadence. I don't have a bike computer so I had no idea how far I had gone or how far I had to go, I just kept glancing at my watch to get an idea of what mile I might be at. It was a giant 13 mile loop. Throughout the bike I passed about 20 people or so. Had I had a bike computer, I probably could have pushed a little harder on the bike, but since I didn't I was playing it safe. My bike time was 43:49.
I dismounted my bike and headed into T2, racked my bike and took my helmet off. I put my running hat on, took off my bike shoes, put on socks and running shoes, put my race belt on, grabbed my running bottle full of G2, and headed out on the run out. T2 time was 1:51.
The run, my strongest sport. It was an out and back, nice and flat. I kept a good pace, kept taking sips of G2, and overall just felt good. I had a huge smile on my face the whole time, knowing that in a few minutes I was officially going to be a triathlete. I saw the finish line and increased my pace, I was so happy and excited. My run time was 24:23.
After I crossed the finish line a volunteer took off my timing chip. I then found Loraine, who had been cheering for me at the finish line, and she gave me a big hug. At this point I almost started crying, it hit me that just 10 months ago, I was an almost 300 pound woman who had a problem with large parking lots and stairs, and today, at this moment, I was a triathlete.
My husband Joel is still in Iraq, I told him all about my race and he is so proud of me and wishes so bad he could have been there. He is so supportive and so happy for me, and can't wait to be at all my triathlons next year cheering me on.
My times:
Swim: 11:15
T1: 1:14
Bike: 43:49
T2: 1:51
Run: 24:23
Total 1:22:34
6/16 in my division
77/140 overall
Last night me and Loraine dropped off Laci, my 4 year old off at a friend's house, she was going to stay the night. The plan was to drop off my 1 year old, Miley in the morning on our way to the race site. I packed my transition bag and checked it 3 times, with a checklist. I took some Tylenol PM around 8 pm and waited for it to kick in. I set my alarm for 3 am and tried to get some sleep. Even with the Tylenol PM I was still tossing and turning from pre race jitter, and fell asleep around 11 pm. Woke up at 3 am, had some coffee and a piece of toast with some peanut butter. Checked my bag one last time, filled up all my bottles with water and G2, and loaded up the Durango with my bag, bike, and bike pump. Loraine grabbed Miley and her bag and we were ready to head out.
Dropped off Miley at our friend's house, and headed out for the hour long drive to the race site. I drank a bottle of G2 on the drive up. Body marking started a 5:30am, which is when we arrived. I got marked, Loraine carried my bag for me and I pushed my bike to the transition area, it was a half mile walk from the body marking area to the transition area with all my gear so I counted this as a warm up. Was given my race chip, and headed into the transition area to set up. I was the first to arrive on my assigned rack so I set up on the end of the rack. Got everything just the way I wanted it, grabbed my goggles and swim cap, and left transition. Had about 45 minutes until the race started so I just went pee a few times and hung out with Loraine. 30 minutes before the swim started I ate a pack of sport beans. After a quick safety brief and the national anthem it was finally time to line up in my swim wave and start my race.
It was a triangular 500 yard swim in a river. All the age group men went first, after they took off it was my wave's (age group women) time to jump in the river. We jumped into deep water and had a minute to tread water until our horn went off. I was nervous up to this point since I had limited swim training and absolutely no open water experience. Once that horn went off and we all started swimming I was fine. I just had a slow, steady freestyle swim. My legs kept getting really tired so my freestyle was mostly my upper body working. Finally I made it around all the buoys and I was running up the ramp to exit the swim and head into T1, taking off my goggles and swim cap in the process. My swim time was 11:15.
Into transition the race volunteers were telling us to put on our helmet first, so I did that. Then I put on my sunglasses and they fogged up, not wanting to waste time wiping them down I decided to leave them in transition. I wiped off my feet and put my bike shoes on. I took a few swigs of G2, grabbed my bike and headed out on the bike out. T1 time was 1:14.
I got on my bike at the bike mount line, clipped in, and took off. I started in a low gear at a high cadence. I don't have a bike computer so I had no idea how far I had gone or how far I had to go, I just kept glancing at my watch to get an idea of what mile I might be at. It was a giant 13 mile loop. Throughout the bike I passed about 20 people or so. Had I had a bike computer, I probably could have pushed a little harder on the bike, but since I didn't I was playing it safe. My bike time was 43:49.
I dismounted my bike and headed into T2, racked my bike and took my helmet off. I put my running hat on, took off my bike shoes, put on socks and running shoes, put my race belt on, grabbed my running bottle full of G2, and headed out on the run out. T2 time was 1:51.
The run, my strongest sport. It was an out and back, nice and flat. I kept a good pace, kept taking sips of G2, and overall just felt good. I had a huge smile on my face the whole time, knowing that in a few minutes I was officially going to be a triathlete. I saw the finish line and increased my pace, I was so happy and excited. My run time was 24:23.
After I crossed the finish line a volunteer took off my timing chip. I then found Loraine, who had been cheering for me at the finish line, and she gave me a big hug. At this point I almost started crying, it hit me that just 10 months ago, I was an almost 300 pound woman who had a problem with large parking lots and stairs, and today, at this moment, I was a triathlete.
My husband Joel is still in Iraq, I told him all about my race and he is so proud of me and wishes so bad he could have been there. He is so supportive and so happy for me, and can't wait to be at all my triathlons next year cheering me on.
My times:
Swim: 11:15
T1: 1:14
Bike: 43:49
T2: 1:51
Run: 24:23
Total 1:22:34
6/16 in my division
77/140 overall
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
5k PR and 3 Days Until My 1st Tri
Saturday the 5k went well. A new 5k PR for me (personal record), 24:50. I was only 50 seconds away from the girl who won my division, so close! Over the winter I will work on some speed work on my second run day in the week. In the winter I'd like to do 2-2-2. 2 days swimming, 2 days on the bike, and 2 days running. I'm following this plan in preparation for 2 half ironmans next year. As of right now, the first one will be the one in Maryland on June 12th, my parents live 2 hours from the race site so my mom can watch the girls, so Joel and Loraine and hopefully my dad can be there to cheer me on. The second one will be the one in Augusta, GA. Its only a 2 hour drive for us, so I just have to do it. Also I will be running my first Marathon November 2011.
My hunger has been driving me crazy lately. I need to consume something every 2 hours. I'm guessing its from the increased activity. I am trying to build a strong base so when I start the 16 week half ironman training plan next year I will be good to go. I ran 10 miles this morning, Sunday I rode my bike 40 miles. When I have these long training days I feel hungry for the rest of the day, and I don't think its head hunger.
Only 3 more days until my first triathlon. I am so nervous and excited. I will be practicing my transitions in my living room on Saturday night, I know, sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday night, but I'm just lame like that.
My hunger has been driving me crazy lately. I need to consume something every 2 hours. I'm guessing its from the increased activity. I am trying to build a strong base so when I start the 16 week half ironman training plan next year I will be good to go. I ran 10 miles this morning, Sunday I rode my bike 40 miles. When I have these long training days I feel hungry for the rest of the day, and I don't think its head hunger.
Only 3 more days until my first triathlon. I am so nervous and excited. I will be practicing my transitions in my living room on Saturday night, I know, sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday night, but I'm just lame like that.
Monday, September 6, 2010
New Distance Record On Bike
Yesterday I rode my bike 40 miles. I am still shocked I had this ability. The bike course of a half ironman triathlon is 56 miles, so 16 more miles I would have been at this distance. I could not have done the extra 16 miles yesterday, the 40 practically did me in. I always stop at the one hour point to take a salt tab and some nutrition, and this always gives me the second wind to get the next hour done. My total time yesterday was 2 hours 29 minutes. If I knew I was going to ride that far I would have brought another salt tab and more nutrition, because at the 2 hour mark I was getting tired and dizzy again. I didn't set out to ride that far, it just kinda happened while I was riding, halfway through my ride I got that goal distance in my head. I think I will start carrying extra nutrition on me for now on just in case.
I wanted to get one last long ride in yesterday because I won't be able to get another long ride in until after the 25th, so I wanted to make it count. I will be able to go on several 1-hour rides, but not long 2 hour or longer rides. I want to be ready for my first sprint triathlon on the 19th, and I need more time on the bike.
I am doing another 5k this Saturday, I had planned on not doing anymore 5ks, but this one goes to a charity that really means a lot to me. The proceeds from this race go to the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) on Fort Stewart. The WTU takes care of our soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, while soldiers are in the WTU their only job is to go to their medical appointments and heal from their injuries. I worked as a Department of Defense Civilian at the WTU in Fort Riley. It was a rewarding job, and hearing the incredible stories of perseverance and survival were always inspiring. I never take for granted how lucky I am that I came home from Iraq twice unharmed.
My swimming still needs a lot of work. I'm getting better, but still swim like a log with arms. I really don't like the pool I am using for practice. I am thinking about going the Y since they have awesome pool hours and swim programs. They are having a special this month where they will waive the registration fee if you come in with a current member. Too bad I don't know any members, but I have all month to find one.
I wanted to get one last long ride in yesterday because I won't be able to get another long ride in until after the 25th, so I wanted to make it count. I will be able to go on several 1-hour rides, but not long 2 hour or longer rides. I want to be ready for my first sprint triathlon on the 19th, and I need more time on the bike.
I am doing another 5k this Saturday, I had planned on not doing anymore 5ks, but this one goes to a charity that really means a lot to me. The proceeds from this race go to the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) on Fort Stewart. The WTU takes care of our soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, while soldiers are in the WTU their only job is to go to their medical appointments and heal from their injuries. I worked as a Department of Defense Civilian at the WTU in Fort Riley. It was a rewarding job, and hearing the incredible stories of perseverance and survival were always inspiring. I never take for granted how lucky I am that I came home from Iraq twice unharmed.
My swimming still needs a lot of work. I'm getting better, but still swim like a log with arms. I really don't like the pool I am using for practice. I am thinking about going the Y since they have awesome pool hours and swim programs. They are having a special this month where they will waive the registration fee if you come in with a current member. Too bad I don't know any members, but I have all month to find one.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
This shouldn't make me angry,but it just does
Moving right along with my life. I have been in maintenance for 2 months now, had my weekly weigh in yesterday and was 150. My goal weight was 150, and I now fluctuate between 150 and 153. I switched to using Melatonin as a sleep aid, so far its working well, only takes about an hour to work. I was using Tylenol sleepy time and it was taking 2 hours or longer to work so I had to find something else. I have always had problems with insomnia, it just gets much worse when my husband is deployed. Last deployment I used to chug NyQuil when I was desperate to get some sleep.
I have discovered that if I eat too much candy I go into a "carb coma" and have to lay down. I will take a carb coma over dumping. I have dumped on bacon twice and it is the worse feeling ever. Both times I was on the ground doubled over in pain just yelling in agony.
Now to what makes me angry. When I am out and about, shopping or running errands, I find that I get helped right away. One year ago I was morbidly obese, almost 300 pounds, and I remember waiting 40 minutes at Best Buy for someone to help me. Employees kept walking by and seeing me waiting for help, but nobody did anything. Now,any store I go to I don't wait longer than a minute. You would think this would make me happy, but instead it just makes me angry. Why are the obese invisible? The obese are still people, and in the business world they are paying customers, so I just don't understand this. Also, people are generally more friendly to me, I get many more smile from strangers than I ever have, and strangers will strike up random conversations with me now. Before, when I was a morbidly obese woman, I would just get bland looks, and talking to people who weren't my friends or family, well, they would quickly try to end the conversation so they could get away from me.
No business or employer is allowed to discriminate based on sex, race, ethnicity, etc, but fat discrimination is still acceptable in our society. The general idea that most people have is that the obese all got that way because they are sloppy, lazy, and gross, so they deserve to be treated poorly since they "did this to themselves". I have met so many people in the WLS community, and there are so many different reasons people became morbidly obese. Illnesses, injury, metal disorders, childbirth(why I became morbidly obese after being a soldier and athlete for many years), stress, working 2-3 jobs because their spouse abandoned them. The reasons are endless, but in my experience, about 85% of the people who ended up having WLS, didn't become morbidly obese because they were "sloppy and lazy".
14 days until my first triathlon. My friend Sadie is going to watch the girls, so Loraine can get good pictures and video. Joel can't be there in person, so I hope we can get some decent video so he can get a feel for it. I hope I'm ready, I have been training like crazy, I will just have to trust in my training, like I had to do when I was in the Army. At least this time its just for fun and not to save my life.
I have discovered that if I eat too much candy I go into a "carb coma" and have to lay down. I will take a carb coma over dumping. I have dumped on bacon twice and it is the worse feeling ever. Both times I was on the ground doubled over in pain just yelling in agony.
Now to what makes me angry. When I am out and about, shopping or running errands, I find that I get helped right away. One year ago I was morbidly obese, almost 300 pounds, and I remember waiting 40 minutes at Best Buy for someone to help me. Employees kept walking by and seeing me waiting for help, but nobody did anything. Now,any store I go to I don't wait longer than a minute. You would think this would make me happy, but instead it just makes me angry. Why are the obese invisible? The obese are still people, and in the business world they are paying customers, so I just don't understand this. Also, people are generally more friendly to me, I get many more smile from strangers than I ever have, and strangers will strike up random conversations with me now. Before, when I was a morbidly obese woman, I would just get bland looks, and talking to people who weren't my friends or family, well, they would quickly try to end the conversation so they could get away from me.
No business or employer is allowed to discriminate based on sex, race, ethnicity, etc, but fat discrimination is still acceptable in our society. The general idea that most people have is that the obese all got that way because they are sloppy, lazy, and gross, so they deserve to be treated poorly since they "did this to themselves". I have met so many people in the WLS community, and there are so many different reasons people became morbidly obese. Illnesses, injury, metal disorders, childbirth(why I became morbidly obese after being a soldier and athlete for many years), stress, working 2-3 jobs because their spouse abandoned them. The reasons are endless, but in my experience, about 85% of the people who ended up having WLS, didn't become morbidly obese because they were "sloppy and lazy".
14 days until my first triathlon. My friend Sadie is going to watch the girls, so Loraine can get good pictures and video. Joel can't be there in person, so I hope we can get some decent video so he can get a feel for it. I hope I'm ready, I have been training like crazy, I will just have to trust in my training, like I had to do when I was in the Army. At least this time its just for fun and not to save my life.
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