Marathon Season Independence Weight Loss Challenge

Do you have some pounds you would like to shed before getting to the starting line this marathon season?? How about a friendly virtual one (1) month challenge with your fellow bloggers? This will all be based on an honor system, and if you cheat you are only cheating yourself right?! I know I still have plenty o' pounds to lose, but I need to refocus. I have let my eating get out of control during tri season and well Aramco Houston 1/2 & Surf City is only a few months away. So, it is time to get myself back to poundage losing focus. If you are at an ideal weight, share this with your readers. I wouldn't say something like, your fat you should do this challenge. I would go with something along the lines of, check out this blog it’s a groovy way to lose a few pounds.

I am working with on rounding up some sponsors for prizes that runners, and endurance athletes will enjoy. The economy is tough people, so are the prizes. I have a few locked in and in addition some of them will be giving discounts during the duration of the challenge. The more that join the merrier. The longer the list the more you can boast, I lost more weight than all those people. Anyhow, being a loser in this challenge still makes you a looser in the positive sense. Below are some guidelines of how it will go down. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me. My e-mail is in the contact section to the left margin. Even, if you have never exchanged e-mails or comments with me before go ahead, I usually don't bite unless I'm hungry.

• The challenge will be based on weight percentage lost so it is fair to all participants

• The challenge will begin Thursday, October 9 2008 ~ your challenge host birthday ;-)
• If you think this challenge is for you e-mail me your starting weight on Thursday October 9, but not later than Sunday October 12

• I will never ever post your weight for the World Wide Web to see. It's our secret, and trust me I am sure I weigh more than you or did at some point this past year

• If you are still uncomfortable sharing your weight with me, we can kick it old school and do a "I'll show you mine if you show me yours"

• Every Sunday beginning on October 19 during the challenge e-mail me your weigh in

• I must have your weigh in weekly on Sunday's or Monday's by 11AM CST at the latest to be kept in the running for challenge prizes

• I will post your percentage loss weekly with updates on the challenge

• The challenge will end Sunday November 9 I MUST have your final weight by Monday November 10 at 11AM CST to keep you in the running for the prizes

• Click here for the Marathon Season Independence Weight Loss Challenge lounge at the Runners Lounge

I Knew I Had A Lot of Heart, but.....

The recovering is going ehhh at best. I can not get my RHR below 60. Which is fine for some people, but my usual is in the low 50's. Some people have asked, how am I getting my RHR. I wear my Polar F4 to bed and before I even move an inch in bed I look at the reading and write it down. I also look at my AVG HR during sleep which usually about the same as that 1st reading. I hit a max HR of 100 in my sleep last night. I wonder what I was dreaming about?!

I have been on REST since Monday. Meaning no training, NONE. I took it a step further on Monday by lounging around with the legs up. Tuesday I did a few regular errands. I still took time to sit and chill by reading blogs, and contacting sponsors for the weight loss challenge, but more on that later. Wednesday, Coach K gave me clearance for an EASY 15-30 minute ride, and yes she said EASY in caps just like that. LOL! That is what I did. I kept an AVG HR of 128 with and AVG speed (if you can call that speed) of 14.6mph. It felt good and EASY. I must say(makes me think of Ed Grimley) I am loving my new pedal system, Speedplay. That floating factor makes such a difference compared to the SPD's. I have not been on a long ride with them, but can tell it will alleviate a lot of the pressure issues on the ball of my foot. If I make it to race day Sunday I will give them a true review.

So, here I am on Thursday. Coach K said rest today. With the RHR still elevated it would be in my best interest to rest. I will give you her quote, "if you do train, you might not be even able to race on race day". I really want to race, so rest assured no argument from me. I know this may not turn out to be my so called "A" race, and I am OK with it. I just really would like to participate alongside, (well not really alongside, more like same course and hopefully same day, HAHAHA!) with such amazing athletes like, Greg Bennett, Becky Lavelle, and Andy Potts all that is missing is Kim Hager :-)

If anything it will be a great weekend! Friday evening the Strive Team is doing a pre race pasta dinner party since the majority of the group is going off to race Longhorn 70.3 .Good luck Team Strive, especially my tri sis!!

Then my bestest friend, Rita and her husband are joining Shane, and I for the road trip out to Dallas for the Toyota US Open Triathlon.

I am thinking positive, staying relaxed about the whole thing and above all else enjoying the ride of being a triathlete!! (well becoming a triathlete. You know I don't see myself as a true triathlete, yet...)

What Happens When I Rest.....

I think of things that need to get done!

Do I look this when I get on the scale?? Hell to the NO

More like this....

Surf City.....

Do I want to run in Cali looking like this

It's California people where a size 12 is as good as a 22

So, I would like to be closer to the pic below. Well, and Lance I would just like to be closer to period!

All kidding aside another Viv Weight Loss Challenge is being born. To make the pun even more consistent it will begin on my birthday October 9. I need the challenge to get my ass in gear, and if you all are doing it with me I can't let you show me out. I am thinking a 30 day challenge to get us a head start and focused during the holidays.

What do you think? Are you in or are you out?
(details to follow)

Overtraining Rehab

There needs to be a rehab center where athletes who are suffering from over training/under rest can go check in to. I mean there is a rehab for everything in this country. They tried to make me go to rehab and I said, no, no, no. LOL! I just thought of that. I guess I am the plus size Amy Whinehouse of my Strive Team. Now, you know I use the term athlete and training lightly. For some reason it is still difficult for me to see myself as an athlete and even less so an athlete in training which is probably why I am at this point now. I didn't respect my training or my body seriously enough.

So you may ask what is your dealio, Viv?? You are turning into Debbie Downer. OK here are some things that have been going on since last week.

1. Elevated at rest heart rate. My average RHR taken in June for one week in the morning before getting out of bed for a week was 56. This past week I had a 3 day RHR average of 68.
2. I feel thirsty all the time. My water intake has gone from 3 liters to 5 liters.
3. No food seems appetizing, yet my stomach is constantly growling demanding food.
4. My average HR during easy efforts sky rocket.
5. During running my HR elevates to defibrillator required mode.
5. I don't sleep well. I wake up every hour or so.
6. I mentioned in the last post all my times in all 3 disciplines are way off.

How did I not take my training or body serious???

1. I kept adding more SPIN classes even aqua classes on top of scheduled training.
2. I would sometimes skip my scheduled off day to teach a SPIN class.
3. I had too many races close together, which tri sis & Coach frowned upon.
4. I never sit and chill at home. I feel guilty to sit. I feel lazy so I am up finding something that needs to get done.

Now my downfall has come and right before my "A" and last race of the tri season. Coach has me on mandatory two days rest. Checking my RHR in the mornings and playing every day by what my body says. I pray that I can recover by race day. Truthfully, after just resting today I am starting to feel like me again. Still, not jumping the gun and serving my 2nd mandatory rest day tomorrow. Shane, is being awesome picking up the slack around here with dinner, dishes, and taking off work early to take Lil Buster to football practice.

What I am doing now??
I subbed out all my SPIN classes this week.
I have a massage scheduled for tomorrow.
I took a cat nap today.
Caught up with my DVR.
Stretching.
Had a great nights sleep last night.
(There might have been some Ambien involved but I have used it in the past and it works)

Recovery seduciton scene with Enigma playing in the background...

Random Thought of The Day:

I thought I was the "bad" one in my marriage.

Shane:(walks into my recovery seduciton scene) Whoa, what's going on?

Me: This is all about me.

Shane: Can I watch?

I laughed so hard I almost made more bubbles.

Pondering Recovery

As I sit here at Starbucks waiting for the rest of my tri team mates finishing their last longish run before Longhorn IM70.3 next weekend I ponder recovery....

recovery; a return to a normal condition

What is a normal condition for me?
Normal to me is to push the body and have it respond. It isn't for me right now. From swimming, cycling to running they are all lethargic. The paces are off from chunks of seconds to minutes. The heart rate is very high and even my usual 'easy' effort feels like a struggle. I don't feel sore at all and really never did. Just can't get my body to perform.

Why is my body not recovering from this OLY distance?
Yes! I trained for it and yes, I over did myself by teaching 6-7 SPIN classes a week while training.

Will my body be ready in 8 days to do it all again and yet improve?
I truly don't know...my mind is right now. I am over being the last finisher. I have moved on from being negative. TX Man was a learning stepping stone. It was a race that I am not happy about or proud of but content that it showed me what an OLY distance is about. It is about a race that is 3 times the swim of a sprint. It is about a race that is 2 times the bike and 2 times the run. That is a distance I have to respect. I have learned that I have to respect my body more when tackling distances longer than a sprint. I am asking much of my body and while yes I am continuously amazed of the transformation it has made in a year, I am now asking for more, a lot more. I have to nourish it properly, not junkily. I have rest it accordingly, not think I am invisible and do it all. I have to push it when called for and stick to 'easy' when told to. I have learned...forgive me body and let me have my 'A' race next weekend, which I am aware it is 3 weeks earlier then my original planned 'A' race of this season....

I promise to treat the body like a temple for New Orleans IM70.3 training in return.

--Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T--

TX Man Olympic Triathlon Race Report

It has taken me a couple days to gather my thoughts on this race. Mostly trying to rid some of the negativity that is brutally obvious in this report. I will try to at least point out one positive in each leg of the race to not be a complete pessimist.

Swim: 1500 yards/0.85 miles
37:20 (2:43/100m or 2:29/100y)
I was very nervous going in to the swim. It was not the open water just the distance in the open water that started messing with my mind. I texted my sister and my tri sis just to calm the nerves. While waiting for the swim start I met Kristen, another athlete. She was really sweet and talked me down to calmness. It always makes me smile when I think of the people we speak to at events and how we bond out there. I hope that one day I will be the calmness to another athlete. Shane was trying to calm my nerves, but unless you do this kind of thing I really think you don't know how intimidating it can sometimes be or what to say really. I mean I do this and still lack the right words to others. He kept saying, all the way to the orange buoy and around the other one. That is really far. The zoom on the camera does not even get it....umm, yea thanks Sweet.

The first 500 yards or so was rough. I just could not get into a zone. Truthfully, I am pretty sure I doggie paddled at some point, thinking forward progress is progress. I think the picture below of the graveyard racks visualizes it for you how the swim went.

POSITIVE: Being the last swimmer in the water gets you an entourage of kayaks.

Kayaker 1: Are you OK ma'am?

Me:Yes, I am OK, thanks.

Kayaker 2: Would you like to rest up against the kayak?

Me: No, I am fine, thanks.

Kayaker 3: Straight ahead ma'am you are right on course.

Me:Great!

T1: 3:39
It was a 1/4 mile hike from the sand up to transition. I usually do my woggle thing, not this time. Transitions is where I take pride. It is my only natural talent at these things. Let's face it, I was not born with an athletic bone in my body, but hell I can change shoes and hats on one foot. I was so disappointed when I got out of the water I just let the negativity build from there.

POSITIVE: Why in the world was I so upset?? I looked at my trusty Timex. I was right on target for me. In fact beating my pool swim times. Why did I let being the last swimmer out get to me? I learned I need to focus on me and my performance.

Bike: 23 miles 1:43:45 (13.3mph)
It was a challenging course for me. Not really a flat to be seen and hills are something I struggle with. This is where the race took a serious turn for the worst. There was tears, and I do not mean like one teardrop rolling down the cheek. No, no I was balling! I would look at my legs, they looked like they were not even pedaling. There wasn't another cyclist in sight then the wailing would start. I would have to talk myself out of quiting. A DNF was the only way I thought I could make the pain stop. Then again the pain of not finishing would just be atrocious!

POSITIVE: In being the lone cyclist on the course you get 4 police escorts for the last 8 miles. They will also call out, car back on their loud speaker.

*The video below shows the police escort in addition to the standing ovation*

T2: 1:20
It was in my range. It was slowed down a bit by the stunning effect I got from all of the sprint side of transition standing by their bikes with gear in hand waiting for the last bike to come in....yeas that would be me.

POSITIVE: You get a standing ovation being the last cyclist in.
Probably cause they are so happy to go home.

Run: 6.2 miles/10K (waiting on results for this split)
The run included bouts of walking. I would say about 6-8 minutes of walking total. My legs felt OK not overly fatigued just had huge blisters develop on the last 3 miles. I don't know if it was my cycling shoes or running shoes sockless. I have done 3-4 miles without socks but not longer. So, totally my fault for being stupid. I would walk thinking it would be soothing to the blister, but same pain so back to running. There was tough mental times on the run when I was the lone runner after mile 3. Then the crying would commence like a huge wuss(you know what word I really want to say but will keep it PG-13)! I really don't know what was up with all the crying?? People close to me will tell you they can not remember the last time they saw me shed a tear. It was getting bad like stutter breaths then I couldn't breathe then walking would start.

My mind was really working a number on me. I was wearing my Hager Racing visor, and I didn't even feel worthy enough to wear my tri team visor. I did not feel like I was out there racing, more like surviving. I thought of my family, friends, tri team, Coach, tri sis, blogging buds. How would I tell them I quit? Not because I was hurt or sick just flat out quit. I couldn't quit...not now. All, I could think the last mile besides finishing, was I hope they don't say the last finisher is crossing the line y'all cheer for her Vivian from Spring, TX the last OLY finisher. Oh my!

POSITIVE: Car loads of athletes driving home will cheer, honk, hoot, and holler for you on the run while driving home. I finished and found out I was the only Athena under 39 racing the OLY distance. I got the hardware because I finished, is how I look at it. If I would have quit they would have nobody to give it to.

Total Time: (waiting on official results for total time)
Trusty Timex Time: 3:45.32

POSTIVE: Coach encouraged me to hit up another OLY before the end of this season since Hi-Fi Oly will probably not happen in Galveston in late October. She also said sumfin' about doing it with a smile. Will the one below work???

I know what to expect from this distance now. I know I can do better. I have to get the mind right.

SO....On October 5th I will do it all again, Toyota US Open in Dallas. Which by the way looks to be a bad ass event!

A pic of me nervous before swim start. I think I have the same face today, still.

With friends like mine it is easy to start smiling again.....

TX MAN OLY Tomorrow.....

• Shane & I made the 5 hour drive to north Texas
• We got a sweet room at the Hilton

• Great dinner, staying hydrated alternating water & electrolytes
• I am showered and pajama'd out
• Am I nervous about the challenging hilly course and a 1500 meter swim???

• HELL YES!!!

Deep Thoughts by Viv Edition II

The first edition of Deep Thoughts by Viv was light hearted. This time I am going to dig deeper, but first let's have a light one.

It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.
by Jack Handy

Thank you for your comments, emails, calls, texts.
They meant so much to me knowing you were thinking of me.

This past weekend was a tough one for southeast Texas. We suffered a hard blow from Hurricane Ike. I am luckily 22 miles north of downtown Houston. My parents and my sister's homes were both under mandatory evacuations. They evacuated to my home which became the makeshift bunker. I purchased supplies to carry us over 48-72 hours without power and such. Shane, boarded up the window in our most interior room. We stayed up late Friday evening watching the news in the living room and around 12AM we started having effects including power failure. It was our cue to make our way to the bunker to brace ourselves. We said a prayer, some slept while others slept lightly awaking every 30 minutes or so.

It was about 11 AM Saturday before we ventured out of the bunker into the rest of the house. We had a leak in the roof, but it was still a little rough to head outside and see exterior damage. About, 3PM we went outside to see a sea of shingles, trees and an odd fishy scent. That is all, we were safe. We did not have power till early Sunday evening. That is when I got my first visuals of what had happened in our city and surrounding area. It was breathtaking.

There is still over 1 million people in Houston and surrounding areas with no power. I heard it took a while to get FEMA efforts organized to begin supplying living necessities to those who needed it. By yesterday our home was back into full action, cable, internet, and even milk. I feel terrible for those that have suffered and continue to suffer. I would like to donate my time, but with Lil' Buster out of school the entire week there is not much I can do as far as offering my time. I have sent out texts to friends that I know are without power offering my home for anything they may need from a hot meal, to just even washing clothes.

Galveston area has suffered a severe amount of damage. The island is unlivable. When I first moved to Texas, the island was usually the butt of my terrible beach jokes. I came from the emerald seas of the Atlantic in South Florida. I was spoiled for 14 years living by a beautiful beach. As my years pass in Texas I began to find the beauty in Galveston. It was my beach. The beach I have here in my home of Texas. My Aunt and Grandmother had their ashes sprinkled over the Atlantic. The beach has since become a sacred place to me. My connection to them, where when I visit the ocean any ocean they are always thought of with warm memories.

Galveston has always been my escape to fun, sun, sand and laughs. The place I go breathe the salty air I love. I hope and pray that time will heal this area. Even though the water will always be brown, it is my beach.....

Bike stroll along the Galveston Seawall FEB 08
My Dad, Shane, Lil' Buster,

Me Swimming in Galveston Bay preparing for a tri MAR 08
Me in the blue swim cap

Port of Galveston leaving on a cruise MAR07
Lil' Buster & my Mom

My Parents at Galveston Bay in San Leon MAY 05
My finger in the picture

Renting a convertible bug to spend the day in Galveston MAR 07
Rita & Me

Lil' Buster at the Galveston Train Museum MAR 07

My Mom's birthday at Kemah boardwalk overlooking the bay FEB 06
My Mom & Lil' Buster

Riding the train around the bay at Kemah Boardwalk MAY 05
Lil' Buster & Shane

5K Race in Galveston OCT 07
Lil' Buster & Me

Galveston Bay in San Leon MAY 05
My Dad & Lil' Buster
gotta build that alcohol tolerance early, totally kidding people

--Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T--

Ike, You Messed With My Tina...Now Leave Us In Peace

The path has been forecasted for us here in the Houston area to get that dirty side. Not in the sense of, Oh Ike, I'm sorry I don't do that anymore kind of deal either.

We have prepared and bought the important supplies, flashlights, batteries, excessive amounts of wine, beer, double stuff Oreos....

TX Man Triathlon in the Dallas area has been rescheduled for next weekend due to the storms continued path north.

My Texas buddies stay safe, the rest of y'all have a great weekend!

Stephanie Johnson Triathlon Race Report

First of, I have been so busy guys. Like, I feel terrible that I have not been able to catch up with most of you. I have been thinking of you all. I know there were some first time triathlete blogging buds, tons of race reports to catch up on, and even my surf sistahs (surf city crew)…. I am about to just put on the Bluetooth and start calling people while on the bike and run and be like waaasssuppp??? My down time & computer time has been so limited and I apologize.

It was a great event! I knew lots of people that were racing, my sister, her boyfriend Greg, 3 strive team mates, and a bunch of ladies from one of the gyms I work at. If there would have been an award for most socializing, I would have won top overall female. No doubt! Of course the founding members of Team Viv, Shane and Lil’ Buster were there. A few tri team mates made the early wake up call to cheer on Team Strive. The support was everywhere; I only get this much support from my latest lime green Enell.

My sister Mel, her boyfriend Greg, and me heading to transition

Gym pals

Gym gang

Tri Sis & me in jail AKA the pool

Some of Team Strive

Shane said, this lady in brown was in every picture he tried to take.

Her facial expression is classic, LMAO!!

Lady in brown strikes again...

Lady in brown is about to break her neck trying to look at us.

It was very sad before they sound the horn. This tri-for-life, is an event to raise money to fight cancer by Stephanie Johnson and her family. Stephanie lost her battle to cancer last month. The prior year she was #1 and the first athlete in the pool. This year her husband, the race director retired the #1 and no longer will be in the event. There was a moment of silence then her sons followed in the pool as #2 and #3. There was not one dry eye on deck….

I was a big girl and decided to forgo the Garmin, that without I usually have no clue on how I am pacing on the bike and run. I just did the Timex Ironman watch since this was supposed to be a balls to the wall effort being a super short course.

I will just post my times and pics since there is not much to say except my numbers are starting to come around slowly since Ironbabe Super Sprint in May (race report) , pun intended! Still, it always sucks to see the people you pass on the bike pass you on the run :-(

I am already a nervous sack of shit for my first OLY distance triathlon,

TX Man this weekend in Denton.

Swim: 200 4:39.8 15/22

A rarity...Me passing a swimmer in my Princess Swimmer swim cap, hehehe!

T1: 1:13.5 1/22

Bike: 6 Miles 19:36.4 (18.4mph) 8/22

T2: 1:05.2 11/22

Run: 2 Miles 21:22.4 (10:41) 17/22

I must really love you guys to post a video of me running, and in my 'baby tri top tee' that shows and even adds flaws. HAHAHA!

Total Time: 47:57.5

Lil'Buster 1K Tot Trot

Lil' Buster loving his medal

Heading home for a shower and to recover

How did Viv recover.....

Seeing Enrique Iglesias &

Marc Anthony in concert

Dancing way too much

Drinking way too much & taking fabulous eye ball pics

Recovery method, not so smart with a big tri next weekend.

Workouts on Monday were totally bagged.

Lesson Learned.....

Viv's Corner Edition II

So sorry, I have been really busy....

I plan to catch up with you guys by tomorrow.

The first edition of Viv's Corner went well; Viv's Corner is just bits of, hmmmm if I may be so bold to call them news worthy information in my world. I enjoyed getting comments from you guys on what you opine on certain topics. So, bringing it back to stick around randomly. Phelps Phever is striking the nation, and I really can't seem to get enough of low rise Speedo pictures. People who have never swam/swimmed/swum (I never know how to correctly conjugate that verb) before are venturing out to local pool lanes decked out in shiny new Speedos and giving the swimming thing a shot. It is usually the people who are in the lane next to me who stayed up late one night of the Olympics. They watched Phelps swim once thinking, "Oh swimming, shit I can do that. Nothing to it really." Last week, I am in the middle of 2x500 main set and there is 3 teeny bopper Phelper's in the lane next to me. They would take turns on every few of my 25 yard lengths and one of them would swim with all their might trying to beat the fat girl. They never succeeded even though I am slow as hell!! It was funny when I finished the set. They were talking to each other saying, "well how much did she beat me by, man?" to which his friend replied, "you almost had her bro".
If you need more Phelps to cure your Phelps Phever, click on the pic over here ladies and you can get your fair share ;-) Seriously though, he will be presenting at The Video Music Awards on MTV September 7 (yes, I still watch that crap. Who is the teeny bopper now?!?) Phelps and other members of the US Olympic Team will appear on Oprah September 8. Phelps will also host Saturday Night Live on NBC September 13. So, let's just see if Phelps is Phunny.

Remember guyliner Josh from Bravo's Million Dollar Listing? He has been arrested, accused of stealing high price art from his clients homes. Like the one he is posing in front of in his home for his Facebook page. HAHAHAHA! Great Facebook pic, Josh you look all mysterious or guilty....

Movie Review

I know you have been wondering when I was going to post my famous (only famous in my mind) movie review for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"that I promised a while back. Well wonder no longer, aqui esta Senores y Senoras....

"Vicky Cristina Barcelona" 3.75 out of 4 stars

Shane and I both really enjoyed this film. It made me want to jump on a plane to Spain right away. It was sexy, smart, and that ever so quirky Woody Allen funny. It was refreshing to see Javier Bordem more "normal" and sexy after his scary role in "No, Country For Old Men".

After the show Shane and I discussed the film over lattes at an outdoor patio Cafe', cause I'm classy like that. I made the comment that my Mom might not find the film delightful due to the 3rd person limited omniscient narration.

To which Shane replied, "What in the world?!

Did Jess write that in her blog or something?"

Random Thought of The Day:

This lady from a store I ordered something from just left me a voice mail. She actually said, "This is Jeannie, like from "I Dream of Jeannie" ." Is she for real? I never say this is Vivan, like from "Pretty Woman"

when Julia Roberts played a hooker.

Please note: words or phrases highlighted are words or phrases I am bringing back just like Justin brought sexy back.