Running In Chico

Deciding On A Training Program

runninginchico — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:24:48 +0000

Today I decided upon a training program for the May 10th triathlon I want to take part in. It is an 8 week program and I’m going to have to change it up a little, as I don’t have access to a pool right now and I’m going camping next week. I can run and bike a bit during camping, but I know from previous experience that I will want to be sitting and visiting more than anything. I plan to get in the pool in April, but it’s going to be very cold where in live in Northern California. I am contemplating a short-term gym membership so that I am able to use a heated pool.

The program can be found here http://www.team-magic.com/8_Week_Sprint_Intermediate_Tri_Plan.pdf and you should already have a pretty good fitness base before starting it. That means you should already be running 3-4 times a week.

If you are not a runner, then you can follow a walk-to-run program to increase your fitness. When I started, I did a pretty loose system of walking for one minute, running for one minute, walking for one minute, running for one minute and on and on. I would increase the length of the intervals as I felt comfortable and in very little time I was able to run for 30 minutes at a time. It was pretty exciting, as I had always thought of myself as a non-runner. If you would like a more structured program, you can find one easily on the web, or you could use the one they recommend at Health.com. It can be found here http://www.health.com/health/article/0,23414,1174528,00.html

Biking fitness is also important. If you are already comfortable riding for 20 minutes at a time, you should be ready to tackle this training program. As with any change in the length or intensity of your workouts, you should get a doctor’s permission to be on the safe side.

Training Troubles

runninginchico — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:00:26 +0000

Tuesday I decided that enough was enough and it was time to get moving again. I want to involve my girls as much as possible, so I invited Sarah (9) for a bike ride and then Bay (15) for a run.

Sarah and I got 10 minutes into our ride and then we had to pull over because she was certain that she was going to barf. We turned around and headed back, completing about 2 miles.

Then, it was Bay’s turn and we jumped in the van and headed down to the park for a short 2.5 mile run. Bay passed me quickly, as she usually does, but then she started to walk. I passed her. I passed a group of ladies in front of her and I kept going. Every once in awhile I’d look back and check on her, but she didn’t wave or motion to me, so I kept going. I got to the bridge where we start the loop back and I decided to run back in her direction. When I reached her, she was in the middle of an asthma attack. She had her inhaler with her – she has exercise-induced asthma – but it wasn’t helping. We started walking slowly back to the car.

We didn’t get very far when we heard a lady yelling at a dog. It was dusk, but I could see that a dog was trying to get her. “He tried to bite me!” she yelled to us. Crap. Okay, we started back the other direction.

At one point Bay asked me to run ahead to the car and drive back for her. I started out, but decided that it would be crazy to leave my daughter in the increasing darkness. We walked it back together. Slowly.

Along the way we heard noises in the bushes that we did not acknowledge until we were safely in our minivan. Did you hear?! Scary.

We did enjoy some beautiful scenery on the walk back. We live in the Sacramento valley part of California and our park is full of these huge dramatic Valley Oaks. Looking up through the canopy of trees to the purple sky – wow. Bay and I discussed purchasing a new camera that has removable lenses so that we could use filters and take some pictures of the view here. Bay has such an incredible eye. I like to take pictures, but they suck until I crop them the way that I like them. Bay is a natural.

Now I know that I need some sort of running kit. I need a light and possibly something in case a dog comes at me. A whistle? I’ll look into it.

Free Stuff

runninginchico — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:31:42 +0000

While scouring the web, I found a wide variety of free triathlon training plans and advice. I’m a fan of free. If you are as well, this list may prove helpful to you.

Hulaman.com’s tips and frequently asked FAQs are located at http://www.hulaman.com

The 2008 Philadephia Women’s Triathlon/Duathlon offers a free training plan on their website at http://www.cgievents.com/cgiracing/pwt/index.html

Beginner Triathlete.com has a place to log both training and nutrition at http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/

Rocketchix Triathlons offers training at http://www.rocketchix.com/trainingplans.html

Tri Zones Training offers a free weekly newsletter through the Spring training season at http://www.trizones.com/

Introduction

runninginchico — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 09:23:12 +0000

My name is Michelle and I’m a 41-year-old hobby runner living in northern California.

I intend to participate in a few events this year – the biggest being a sprint triathlon in May. I’m looking forward to the training process, probably because I’m sitting here (safely) sidelined with lower back pain. At this point, thoughts of any kind of moving without pain have reached a sort of dream-like quality. Every day brings me closer to that May tri event date, though, so it’s about time to woman up and slip into my Asics once again.

I applied for a job that requires knowledge of wordpress. I figure I better learn it pretty quickly. With the exception of the word “code” located just above the box I am currently typing in, it appears that this will operate much like any other blog. I’m a learn-by-do-er, this just may work. My plan is to share a variety of thoughts and/or training tips I run across, as I figure out how this wordpress works.