Trying for a Tri

Loved hearing your thoughts on the racing and charity thing! Seems like most of us like the idea of racing for a good cause, but also don’t think it should be mandatory for every race. Faith Ann also brought up a good point:

I think it’s wonderful that some events are in support of causes but since it is a sport, I don’t think that all have to be. Is every hockey game or basketball game in support of a charity? That’s my take!

Good point! I never thought of it that way!

As I mentioned, I interviewed a couple fundraiser organizers last weekend. Both said besides raising money, the best thing about the races is that they bring people together for a cause. It’s a great opportunity for those affected by whatever the charity stands for to get together.

I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on what happens to the Montreal bike race. And will likely cover a dozen more races this summer because they’re always held on the weekend mornings I work. I always wish I was one of the people racing!

Today was another swim day. I finally made it to a lesson after missing two weeks. I started with a “light” breakfast.

Two Nature Valley maple cinnamon waffles. One with almond hazelnut butter and the other with yogurt and strawberries. Tasty!

My swim instructor had nothing but good things to say to me today! She said my stroke has improved a lot and I’m faster too! She had me working hard. I’m going to try to remember what I did…

*1 lap = one 18.5m length of the pool

Warm-up:
4 laps front crawl

Build-up:
4 laps kick with flutterboard
4 laps pull with buoy
2 laps  12/12 drill
2 laps catch-up drill

Main set (x2):
5 x 4 laps (descending)

Cool-down:
4 laps backstroke
4 laps front crawl

For the descending sets, my longest 4 laps (74m) was I think 2:03, and my shortest was 1:32. I’m happy with that! I was given ‘er on those last 4 laps each time. Also, I haven’t done the backstroke since I was a kid, it was so fun to do as a cool-down! I’m happy my instructor suggested it Oh, and this took me maybe 35-40 minutes? It was just under 1200m. My instructor also suggested I increase my sets from 100m to 200m during my own workouts to further prep me for the tri distance. Definitely a good call!

Since this is quickly turning into a swimming blog, I thought I’d share one of my favourite products for after I get out of the pool.

I was suckered into buying this shampoo by a hairdresser after telling her how often I swim. It’s supposed to get rid of chlorine build-up in your hair. She said I could use it once a week, but I find it’s just easier to keep in my pool bag and use in the shower afterwards. It’s made a HUGE difference in how chlorine affects my hair. I’ve been cursed  blessed with thick and frizzy Scottish hair, which dries out really easily. My hair has not dried out once after swimming since I started using this stuff!

I was hungry by the time I got home. Even though it was almost 11am, I had lunch anyways. I hate staving off hunger with a snack only to still feel hungry after. Sometimes you just need a meal, no matter the time!

A chicken pita with laughing cow, tomato, onion, sweet peppers and spinach. Paired with my fav, carrot sticks. Just what my tummy wanted!

After all was digested I attempted another one of Wiggs’ crazy ab workouts. Took me about ten minutes and my abs (and back!) were wiped. Then I foam rolled for-ever. My calves are killing me today. Maybe it’s from all the kicking in the pool?

I tried another “green” smoothie this afternoon.

• 1 cup unsweetened original Almond Breeze
• 1/2 a large frozen banana
• frozen blueberries (maybe 1/3 cup?)
• 2 huge handfuls of baby spinach
• 1 tbsp soy protein powder
• 1 tbsp vanilla whey powder

I added the vanilla protein powder as a last addition to sweeten it up just a tad. This was delicious! I’m happy I’ve found a way to do these! Hopefully I’ll be able to add less extra stuff as my palate gets used to drinking greens. I may have to move to a spinach farm to keep these up though, I went through a huge (expensive) container of spinach pretty fast!

Dinner featured the rest of my fiddleheads. After reading about them in Japanese cuisine, I thought some teriyaki fiddleheads were in order.

I stir-fried:

• 1/2 block extra-firm tofu
• 250g steamed fiddleheads
• 1/4 red pepper
• 1/4 green pepper
• 3 scallions
• 6 mushrooms
• 2 tbsp Diana’s teriyaki sauce

I had to eat this at 4:30pm because I had to be at work for 5. It was the perfect early supper. I was reporting on another council meeting tonight, so I brought a snack to keep me going through the long meeting.

An Atkins peanut butter granola bar. Delicious and 17g of protein! Unfortunately delicious does not = filling. So far the Luna bar is still the most filling for me.

I just finished up my last snack of the day. I had to share because it was so good!

Two pieces of wasa fibre rye crackers, a touch of earth balance and cinnamon and turbinado sugar. I then microwaved them until they were piping hot. Reminded me of cinnamon toast! Or maybe even a pop tart minus the sketchy gooey stuff in the middle…

Well I’m off to bed. I’ve got a long day in court tomorrow. No doubt with lots of tummy grumbles. Think I should risk snacking in front of half a dozen court sheriffs, a judge and a jury? Yeah, sounds a little risky

Have a great hump day!