TUESDAY, 03.24.09 We had 5 teammates at swim training this morning. This allowed Coach Andres to demonstrate techniques and watch us swim more closely. I was actually very comfortable having my legs and feet tied together in the pool. This exercise helps us engage our core and forces our upper body to rotate and drill horizontally in the water. I liked it but I need to remember never to cross my hands during strokes. Crossing your arms on your strokes causes left/right movements you don't want. The most efficient way to swim is straight like an arrow and streamlined (including your arms). I also enjoy swimming on my side with one shoulder above water. Not often can I be on my side and not feel my arms go numb. In the afternoon I ran to Equinox and bumped into Becky (my teammate) who was increasing her personal training session to twice a week. She looking great! I can't afford a personal trainer. Today I upgraded myself to shoulder pressing 15lbs per arm (is that called Military press?). I did at least 5 sets of 10 reps. I am so awesome! I have to keep building on my shoulders. I'm working very hard to get rid of that thick layer of fat that's been hanging there for years. =X. I upgraded and “swam” in the air with 5 lbs weights on each arm through a song that lasted 3 minutes. I used to do 2lbs weights. Its very challenging but I know it builds endurance. I did massive single arm pull downs (like 10 sets of 12 reps) with 10 lbs weights to work my back (the muscles right under my arm pits, think they're my lats) - just as Coach Jenn suggested. I also upgraded to 15lbs bicept curls per arm (4 sets of 10 reps). Woo hoo! I can feel the soreness that's going to hit me tomorrow already. I did tricept pull downs with my palms facing up. I learned that last week. It works the muscle much more efficiently than doing the tricpt pull downs with your palms facing down. Try it! The trainers with the blue shirts on the floor can help people with advice and stretches - so I asked Danny (the boxer) for one! Oh man...I really needed that neck and shoulder stretch. He did a swell job. He told me the best way to train for a triathlon is to train in your element. I thought he meant to keep training on the leg that you excel at (which for me would probably be biking). But he really meant to train in the closest environment as the actual race - or make your training even more difficult than the actual race. For example, train in open water - not just a pool because there aren't any currents in the pool. Also train in higher resistance on a bike, on a higher incline on a treadmill - so that when it comes race day, it's easier because you're body has been through worse. I understand - so the goal this week is to push it! Heavier on the weights, longer on the swim, higher on the treadmill, faster on the bike...
WEDNESDAY, 03.25.09 I melted 5 lbs in 6 weeks. According to KC I should expect to drop even more in the next couple of weeks. Is this even possible? My butt shrank significantly. I feel like a stick - but a strong stick. I can fit into my little sisters clothes! She's actually starting to lend them to me now after seeing how much mass I've shed. I'm in for cycling class this afternoon - so I'm gonna turn up the resistance. And I'll be swimming in flushing tonight and the goal is to swim continously non-stop and see how far I can go!
THURSDAY, 03.26.09. WOOT WOOT! Our team had a private event at Lululemon! We practiced yoga together at the E66th Street shop. Kay Kay Clivio led us through our series that evening and she was very much enthused to be there. We were offered 15% off our purchase and of course I didn't hesitate to treat myself for all my hard work! Since the first week of training, I've been running around like a mad woman trying to catch 2-3 work outs a day. Since then, my bf and I have hardly spent time together. So today, I took the day off from work. I surprised him at West End Toga Bike Shop where he had an appointment to get fitted on his new bike. Coach Will warned me when he was about to walk in the shop, so I quickly ran to a triathlon bike I liked and acted like a normal customer. I heard him open and walk through the door. Not even a minute passed I already saw a body walk towards my direction! "Oh hey! What are you doing here?" I asked with my eyebrows raised and all my teeth showing. =D I won't forget the smile he had and the dimples that dented his cheeks as he bent down and took a steady second glance at my face. I quickly jumped towards him and gave him a squeeeeeze and a half. I was so happy to see him! Coach Will taught us many things on the bike as he made measurements and adjustments to KC's Specialized Allez. We're both so grateful to have Coach Will be our mentor through our baby steps to become a biker. To recap last night...I signed up to be a member of the NYC Recreational Center the other week and went to check out the flushing pool for the first time yesterday. It was a 25 meter length pool that was at least 7 feet deep throughout. I had no expectations that night besides mentally wanting to push myself as far as I can. Afterall that was my intention for this week. When I started swimming I told myself I would be happy if I swam 10 straight laps non-stop. 8 laps went by and I didn't feel a thing so I reset my goals to 15 laps. After 16 laps, I felt confident and knew I could do more - I kept going. I didn't know the time but really wanted to make 20 laps. So I did, but still I felt no sign of exhaustion. My breath was still in sync. I think the trick was to breathe after every stroke. I wanted to switch breathing after every 3 strokes or maybe 5, but I thought to myself...why change up something that works? I continued swimming and caught a cramp on my foot at lap 24 but I remained calm because I anticipated this cramp. As a result I swam with a flexed right foot for 1.5 laps until the cramp went away. I continued non-stop and didn't understand how I was able to feel like I can do this forever. What did I eat? Was it all mental? Could it be the pool? How did I get all this energy and composure? Was it from the ginseng capsules - which promoted stamina for athletes? I lifted heavy weights just the day before and was supposed to be exhausted and sore. I'm still quite baffled. All said and done, I ended up swimming 30 laps non-stop (back and forth representing one lap). I'm truly amazed at the realization that only two weeks ago I struggled to finish 6 laps and now I'm able to do 30. I have to give myslef credit. At the end of the day, I talked the talk. I walked the walk. I executed as planned. Though I still have a ton to improve on, I have to take a second to say "Good job, Joy Sy!!! Keep up the good work!"
FRIDAY, 03.27.09 More shopping!!! Okay - let's not go over board. There's still such thing as a budget. Tonight I'll be going to SBR Shop (Swim Bike Run) and meeting up with my cousin Ray and Marianela. Too bad they didn't have much selection for us to try on. It's supposed to be at least an hour and a half ordeal to try on these wet suits. They make you sign a waver saying if you rip it, you pay it - and it's several hundred dollars. No more coffee for Joy Sy at 3 p.m. I'm still wired! I shouldn't waste this build up of energy. I should really go do 40 laps or something. For the weaksauces out there in apartment 1908...stop watching Top Chef and get on your bikes!!! =P JK.
SATURDAY, 03.28.09 Shame on me. I pushed it...over the limit. Spending has become my outlet when I am upset. I'm upset that I have to travel to Texas on a last minute call. I frustrated myself finding my flight arrangements, rescheduling my doctor appointments and figuring out my workouts. As such, I've convinced myself I deserve $800 worth of jackets and fancy clothing I don't need. At Lululemon, I spent a few hundred dollars on hoodies and at SBR I bought a neon orange Campagnolo jacket (at retail) and a red Assos with leather trimming jacket (need I say more?). Whew! They're both so hot! The neon orange jacket was going to be our matching outfits for this Sunday's race. This mornings outdoor ride was cancelled due to wet weather. I was still going to central park becuase I had plans to meet up with my old manager who used to race seriously. I hadn't seen Brice in at least 3 years. He looked just as I remembered - calves just as huge (though not as lean as they used to be). He pushed me from behind while riding and I flew for a couple of feet and slowed down. We rode with our handlebars bumping. We chatted about my coaches who he seemed to have known. The triathlon world is small and everyone seems to know everyone. Maggie and Emily were also there. It was nice to see some girls in bright oranges rolling around. Maggie and Emily both spotted me from afar and thought my new jacket looked *bad ass*. I ended up doing 5 loops around the park that morning before I took the train downtown to Cadence. Don't ever take the B/D train there - took forever and I was late. I am annoyed at the computrainers there - but before I say that I should really understand the reason that's causing the computer to go crazy. The resistence on my wheels keep changing and I remember last time the numbers on the screen became whacked! Lawrence said it could be the pressure that's lacking on my wheels. Generally when it's humid and wet outside, the tires tend to deflate - which consequently allows for less chance for damaging / puncturing your tire. However lacking air pressure is not good for computrainers. Anyway, I was annoyed the majority of the time and only rode 10 miles indoors. I probably rode about 40 miles total that morning. Had myself some dim sum with Marianela afterwards. Chicken feet anyone? =P
SUNDAY, 03.29.09 I didn't do jack. I had to pack for Texas. I had a bridal shower. I had a flight to book, reschedule, rearrange, track and catch. C'mon!!! Gimme a break!!!
MONDAY, 03.30.09 At San Antonio, Texas. After flight cancellations and a several hours of delay, my flight finally arrived at 5 a.m. I had the urge to swim. Luckily I didn't and had my 2 hours nap instead. I'm surprised I functioned well all day. I lifted some weights and did upper body workout. I had a pinched nerve on my lower right back. =( The gym in the hotel was nice but after the last person left, the room dimmed, and my iPod died, the place felt creepy all of a sudden. I couldn't stay there myself and had to leave. So I jumped into the jaccuzzi and pushed my diet off the table. =( Throughout the day, I had ice cream, chocolate syrup, chocolate mousse, chocolate covered strawberries, and coffee chocolate cake. It's a tease to be an elite member of the Marriot because they offer you all this free food I cannot seem to turn down. I'm disappointed at my lack of self control. Boo hoo...
