Slappin' Da Bass... Not Really, just building the base to prepare for a tri.

I can't contain my excitement about the progress that I've been making over the last few weeks.

My first triathlon since surgery is in early September, so I have 5 months to prepare. Which is more than plenty.

Right now, my focus is to re-learn how to run and to build base.

Running

I am running in 90 sec intervals right now with 30 sec breaks. I have two more weeks of that until I learn to run non-stop. I'm sure it'll be 5 mins at first, then 10, then more, all the way until I can run 30 mins or so non-stop. I don't need any more now. I'm a short distance girl now :)

Building Base

I had to battle several colds over the last few months. So, I got really serious about reducing stress in my life, enjoying the little things and having more fun, taking vitamins, and eating very, very well. It certainly is paying off. I feel happy and healthy - no other way to describe it. In addition, I finally have the strength and energy to work out first thing in the morning.

So, this is what I'm up to as I build my base (this is on a per week basis):

- Rwalking (i.e., run/walking) 3 times/week (it comes to about 10-15 mins of running a pop, so I'm really not over-doing it)
- One spin class
- One weight class
- One yoga class
- One masters swim session

These are my must-do's. Then I add or take away biking at home, working out at the gym, and other stuff as I wish, depending on how I feel. No two days are alike, and it's all about having fun. My goal is to get to the triathlon start line fit and well, so I'm listening to my body daily and do as it commands.

THE RANKLE

A few words about the culprit of this... hmmm... hiatus from sports? The Rankle (aka, the right ankle for those who I knew to my word butchering). It is amazing to me that I am training for anything at this point. It's been 7.5 months since surgery. Things have been going well, and I'm grateful for that. I saw swelling when I was in Paris (poor me, I know), but it went away after I got used to walking a lot. Right now I'm seeing swelling because I'm trying to workout in the mornings, and, as you know, you have to deal with stiffer joints at the start of the day. But I am taking it easy. Even when I'm in the spin class, I'm half-assing it compared to other folks in the room, to be honest. But my goal is to just do it. To just make it happen. I know one day I'll be riding hard, swimming hard, and running until I'm out of breath. I know one day I'll be truly racing. But for now, I'm just doing the work.

PARIS

Okay, I realize how lame of me it was to write about a trip to Paris, and not post any photos. Here's what I'm planning to do. I want to write about Boston for Monday, and then I'll post some Paris photos. Have a good day, everyone!