Team ACS Up and Running

Thanks to the coordinators of the Pigman, I've been able to join the American Cancer Society's Team ACS and start my fund raising. Some of you may have noticed the link posted in the right hand corner of the home page. Though it continues to be a work in progress, I've finally gotten around to personalizing it. Now it's time to get the word out. Help me exceed my $1000 goal for cancer research. I ask that you pass out the link to anyone who has been touched by cancer, who may want to help me make a difference. Together we may be able to defeat it one day.

Resurfacing

Okay, okay, so you may all be thinking, “What was all of this hype about? You were all gung ho about this whole triathlon thing a month or so ago. Where the heck have you been?”

Yes, it’s true. I was all gung ho about this triathlon thing. I have just been too consumed by a stupid book series to post updates to my blog. I’ve gone through the series twice now. Hopefully it’s out of my system and my life can return to normal.

Let me just start by saying, I have not given up my training. I have done everything in my power to cling to my schedule throughout the busy holiday week. Seven family members made the 1,000 mile round trip to visit for Thanksgiving. Despite that, I was up at 5:15 to jump into the pool and then hit the elliptical machine.

Walls were broken down in the past couple of weeks.

I have learned that I absolutely adore swimming. Once upon a time, I was a graceful gymnast. That seems like a bazillion lifetimes ago. Somewhere in from the time that I quit gymnastics to now, I became extremely clumsy. I trip while walking for no good reason. Embarrassing? Yes. True, though. Swimming is giving me that graceful feeling back. The fluid motion is exhilarating and soothing at the same time.

Or maybe I love it because I don’t really sweat while swimming.

Okay, now that whole sweat thing is another issue.

Two weeks ago I started layering my work outs: swimming and then the elliptical machine for about an hour and 15 minutes between the two. It’s a bear, but this whole experience is about endurance right? So now I have two questions:

First, what music do you listen to when you work out? I’m afraid that I’m going to get bored with my iPod selection. I need a heavy rhythm to get me through minutes 4-8 of my elliptical work out, when the machine cranks the tension and incline and my legs start to cry out for mercy. Right now I’m switching between the Faint’s “Symptom Finger” and Jakalope’s “Go Away.” Between the rhythm of the music and my lying to my muscles (“90 seconds more and then you can quit.” “It’s an easy interval, why quit now?” “Hey, this is a really good song. You can quit when it’s over.”), I’ve been able to make it all the way through the cool down. Post your suggestions in the comments and maybe I’ll add them to my play list.

The second question I have is, “Why does dripping sweat feel powerful?” Is it just me and my caffeine deprived mind or are there others out there who feel the same as well? Yes, I still find sweating gross, but empowering at the same time. I guess those are just two feelings that will reconcile themselves with time.