PT Diaries

PT Girl has asked me to post here before. I think she blames me in part for her somewhat fanatic approach to fitness and she wanted me to share my experiences as well.

I’ve known her for several years now and I remember talking to her when she was training for her first Sun Run (10k run).  I warned her at the time that it was a slippery slope – training becomes addictive and soon your friends all think you’re nuts and you go to bed every night by 9. But here she is, signed up to do IronMan Canada; and I might share part of the responsibility for that as well!

I’ve done IronMan Canada three times now and a big part of the fun that I get from it is being in better shape than my buddies. Not surprising given that I have trained A LOT and generally get pretty good at swim/bike/run. I’ve also done a lot of trail running and a fair amount of trail riding (no trail swimming but a fair amount in open water!). So when we head out somewhere and I’m leading the way, no one is really surprised.

However, last weekend I went out  with my buddy Dr. Jones for a quick ride to Horseshoe Bay and then up Cypress. It’s about a 70k ride with over 1,000 meters of elevation, most of which is in the 9 steep clicks on Cypress. No big deal I right?  I did this ride 4 times in 7 days along with lots of running and swimming last year while training, so I figured I’d be fine doing it just once. Dr. Jones had a new bike, which means he won’t be as far behind as he usually is; or so I thought.

Well, I was properly humbled. After we got started on the main part of the ride, Dr. Jones took off! He stopped at one point to let me catch up and then again was faster than me getting to Cypress and much faster going up!

Well, for me this was a big wake-up call. Not because I’ve never been beaten, because I’m not world class. Lots of people are faster than me. Not even because it was Dr. Jones that beat me; I actually like being evenly matched, I like a  good competition. What stung was that he beat me by so much and seemed to not be trying very hard, while I was busting a gut the whole time.

Granted, the good doctor has a very swish new “superbike” from Campione with super fast components and with a very styling custom paint job. A custom fiber frame from Cramerotti. Above that he’s been training pretty hard including lots of riding. Me on the other hand, I’ve barely been training; lately my schedule includes lots of drinking and not the kind that is hydrating.

But it was still very humbling.

So, time to get on the program! Eating good food, proper amounts of training, cutting waaaay down on the alcohol and plenty of sleep. Generally taking better care of myself.

I’m doing IronMan Canada with PT Girl and deWolf in August of 2011, so I have some pretty serious work to do.

Iron Mike

With only 32 days before my race I decided to up my training for the next few weeks. On Monday I followed-up my spin class with a five kilometer run on the treadmill. On Tuesday I was pumped and ready to add a five kilometer run after my personal training session with deWolf. I thought this was pretty ambitious. But I was quickly told differently.  Seemingly I should be putting in a ten kilometer run rather than a measly five. I quote, straight from the “Fitness Lord’s” mouth “Lazy! God forbid if you actually put real effort into your training, imagine what you could accomplish.” I laughed because I knew he was somewhat teasing. This is our rapport, this is how we communicate; we banter back and forth, we mock each other and we argue about everything! Amused I said “Oh pleeeze… stop poking the bear already?!” to which he replied “Haha a bear? You’re no bear! You’re as threatening as a kitten!” Alight, I was ready to rumble; in five minutes he’d called me lazy and unintimidating.

As the training session went on he continued the abuse me, poor PT Girl, calling me untrustworthy with no substantial reasoning. Is the “Personal Training Domain” not a place where the client can share stories, concerns and woes?  This is definitely the case on the Biggest Loser. Where is my compassionate Bob? I know Personal Trainers don’t actual take a PT-Client oath but I assumed it went without saying.  What am I supposed to talk about? The character development of the TV series Lost? Movies reviews? Or the weather perhaps? BORING!!

The session wrapped up and during a stretch deWolf started to snicker. “What?” I asked. “Nothing.” he said. I looked up at him unconvinced and he followed with “PT Girl, it’s not all about you, you know!”Absolutely perplexed I said “WHAT?? …It’s not?” Can someone please tell me what this man is talking about?

I changed into my outdoor running shoes and got ready for my run. Listening to Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance my mind drifted and I started replaying the events of today’s session in my head “lazy…kitten… can’t keep a secret… lazy, kitten …it’s not all about you…” As the words ran through my mind I started to laugh and my legs went faster and faster. “Ahhaha, another great workout!” I giggled. I’m looking forward to getting ribbed some more at my next session… Meow!

PT Girl xo

New fitness enthusiasts fill the gyms every January but their excitement tends to fizzle out by this time of year.  I know many of you vowed to start running…but have your new shinny sneakers seen the pavement yet?  What are you waiting for?

Running has many benefits; it minimizes stress, enhances your mood as well as improves your cardiovascular and bone health. Running is one of the most effective calorie burning workouts which is it great for weight loss.  It doesn’t require a partner, a gym membership or any fancy equipment.  All you need is a pair of sneakers and a little patience.  Newcomers should try to follow these tips.

Set a realistic goal: as a new runner signing up for a local 5 km or 10 km race is a great way to stay focused. Most races are during the spring so this is the perfect time to start training.

Google it: search for a suitable training program that works with your lifestyle and stick with it! Depending on your level you may want to start with a run/walk program.

Schedule it:  at the beginning of every week enter your workouts/runs in your blackberry or jot them on your calendar. This will help keep you accountable.

Support system: find a partner. Join a local running group or online chat forum.  There will be bad days, I promise you. The support and reassurance that everyone has hard times will make it that much easier to stick with it and push forward.

Invest in a proper shoe:  a good running shoe should last you at least 400 miles.

Pace yourself: Run slower than you think you should. But run more often than you think you should.

Posture: relax your shoulders, unclench your fists and stand tall.

Hydrate: Hydrate! Hydrate!

“Everyone is an athlete. But some of us are training, and some of us are not.” –Dr. George Sheehan

PT Girl xo