Just Keep Swimming!
Ryan is my new swim instructor. 
Ryan offered to help me learn how to swim properly so I’m better trained for my upcoming triathlon. I jumped at the chance to learn from a pro – I really feel like I have no idea what I’m doing in the water!
But first, I completed the Intro to Iron Pumping Challenge:
Day 2: Legs
- Warm Up: 5 minutes of cardio
- Lunge and Lift: 3 x 12 (novice system) for each leg
- Stability Ball Hamstring Curl: 3 x 12
- Leg Presses (What I thought were extensions were actually presses): 3 x 12 with 75 lbs
- Stability Ball Calf Raises: Skipped due to foot
- Step Ups: 3 x 12 with two 15 lbs weights for each leg
- Straight leg pullover crunch: 22 with 5 lb weight
Chicken scratch:
If you’re not sure what any of these moves are, check out Gina’s workout page or simply Google the moves.
It was a HARD strength training workout! My legs were quivering at the end. Afterwards, I did 20 minutes on the stationary bicycle.
And then Ryan arrived and we hit the pool! We swam for 1 hour, but that includes lessons, instructions, critiquing, and gossiping… so it wasn’t a straight hour of swimming at all. But, Ryan helped me understand why I find freestyle to be so challenging (my form was terrible) and taught me some ways to improve.
I’ve heard there’s a DVD program called Total Immersion that is also really helpful for new swimmers, and the Total Immersion team has agreed to send me two copies of the program – one for me, and one for a reader – so keep your eyes peeled for that giveaway in a few weeks!
After our swim, we hot tubbed it for 15 minutes. And then I showered and got ready in the locker room, which gave me flashbacks to 2006, when I went to the gym almost every weekday before work. Rocking the No Meat Athlete t-shirt!
I grabbed a fruit cup for the drive:
I stopped at Sports Authority to buy a “real” swimsuit. If I’m going to get serious about swimming (and I am), then I need a one piece.
I think I’m also going to have to get a wetsuit because a lake is going to be FREEZING!! The triathlon is in March.
Lunch was fast food. Chipotle called my name, and I answered.
I tried to keep it healthy-ish by nixing the burrito and cheese. I can’t say no to sour cream, though!
The Blogging Pants
There were so many awesome nominations for the Blogging Pants that it was really hard to choose a winner.
Clearly, each blogger who was nominate has touched someone on a personal level, and that’s awesome. Because I think everyone who was nominated deserves to be acknowledged, here’s a list of all the nominees:
- Roni from Roni’s Weigh
- Jenna from Eat, Live, Run
- Susan from The Great Balancing Act
- Angela from Oh She Glows
- Bobbi from N Her Shoes
- Jenn from This Winding Road
- Tricia from Endurance Isn’t Only Physical
- Megan from MegaNerdRuns
- Freya at Food, Fitness, and Freya
- Kath from Kath Eats
- Meghann from Graduate Meghann
- Amy from Amy’s Quest to Skinny
- Allie from Live Laugh Eat
- Shelley from Finding Happiness and Health
- Tina from Carrots N Cake
- Gina from The Fitnessita
- Melissa from Trying to Heal
- Honey Nut Lo
- Beth T from Pretty By The Bay
- Heather from Heather Bakes
- Kailey from The SnackFace
- Heather from Then Heather Said
- Diane from Fit to the Finish
- Erinn from Erinn Cooks
- Elina from Healthy and Sane
- Holly from The Healthy Everythingtarian
- Brandi from Bran Appetit
- Allison from Green Dog Wine
- Lindsay from Goodies Galore
- Allie from Pimp My Protein Shake
- Marisa from Loser for Life
- Nicci from Nicci’s Nifty Eats
- Nathalie from Nathalie Bearden
- Kat from A to Pink
- Krissie from Questions for Dessert
- Theodora from Losing Weight in the City
- Ali from Food Fitness Fashion
- Stephanie from The Epicurious Runner
- Mama Pea at Peas and Thank You
- Caroline from The Broccoli Hut
- Heather from Heather Eats Almond Butter
- Ashley from Fashionably Fit
- Allison from Eat Clean Live Green
- Maria from Real Fit Mama
- Courtney from Adventures in Tri-ing
- Kristen from Iowa Girl Eats
- Sarah from Skinny Runner
- Amanda from Manderz Journey to a New Life
- Rose from On A Lobster Placemat
- Anne from FAnneTastic Food
- Deva from Voracious Vorilee
- Kelsey from Kelsey Toney
- Stephanie from Life Shiny Side Up
- Sarah from See Sarah Eat
- Jen from Prior Fat Girl
- Kim from Ilax Studio
- Lindsay from Sound Eats
- Alex from Happy Go Lucky
- Ashley from Healthy Ashley
- Kristen from Kristen’s Raw
- JAG from JAG’s Fitness Blog
- Maura from Maura Me to Love
- Jolene from Everyday Foodie
- Jen from Healthy Laps
- Erin from Big Girl Eats
- Cynthia from It All Changes
- The Peanut Butter Boy
- Shannon from The Daily Balance
The next owner of the Blogging Pants is…. Kat from A to Pink!
Why? Read the nominations:
- Heather wrote, “Check out Kat. She recently just went public on her blog about living with cystic fibrosis since she was diagnosed at 16. She remains upbeat and encouraging even through struggles of hearing not so good news from doctors, or feeling defeated in her CF. She has taught me (and is still teaching me) about CF and her candid, honest look into her life has touched me. I will be participating in my first benefit race for CF in her honor- she would be a GREAT fit for the bloggin’ pants!”
- Melissa wrote, “Kat’s story is amazing and I am really hoping she succeeds in running her first 5K.”
- Renee wrote, “Caitlin, I’d like to nominate Kat. Granted, I am a little biased; I’ve been close friends with Katharine for 2+ years, but I feel that makes me very qualified, because I’ve seen on a day-to-day basis how she struggles to managed a “normal” life while coping with cystic fibrosis. Katharine waffled for a long time about “coming out” on her blog, and I’m so glad that she did. It’s been an amazing support system already, and she would be an excellent choice to pass on the blogging pants.”
Congrats, Kat! I hope you enjoy the blogging pants and pass them onto another blogger who deserves them, just like you do!
Posted by: Caitlin 70 comments
Posted in: All Posts
on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Congrats to Kat!! Thanks for introducing me to her blog as well, can’t wait to check it out.
Courtney
adventures in tri-ing
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Congrats to Kat! Just found her blog as well and it is wonderful.
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Congrat’s to Kat!! I’m going to check out her blog!
And I wanted to tell you that there is a company that RENTS wetsuits for Triathlons… they have many brands/sizes and will have them sent directly to you, I think you keep it a week and send it back. I’m sorry I don’t remember the company but I’m sure Google could help… it might be worth looking into as they can be expensive…
xoxo
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Congrats Kat!!! Her blog looks great!!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Congrats, Kat!
Sounds like an intense workout! You’re really pushing it!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Awesome choice, Caitlin!! Thank you for introducing me to a new, amazing blog! PS. Good call on the Chipotle…and you can never go wrong with a a big ole scoop of SOUR CREAM!!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
“Just keep swimming!” is a good running mantra
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
What a great workout!
Congrats to Kat!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
This was a great way to find a few new blogs, thanks!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
That’s such a fancy locker room!! Goodness I’d be down the gym all the time if that’s what the locker rooms looked like over here!
Good call on picking Kat – she seems a very worthy winner
Have a good day
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Way to go with swimming! Oh, summer… *jealous*. And cool idea with the pants. I can only hope that one day I will be honored to even be on the list, haha.
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Congratulations to Kat! Can’t wait to stop by her blog and read her story. She sounds like an incredible person.
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Congrats to Kat- excellent choice!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
congratulations kat! you must be doing something great, and i can’t wait to read your blog!
good luck with the suit shopping caitlin!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Congrats on you 1st swimming lesson! Now, I want to use the pool at my gym……=O
I just officially finished my “Caitlin’s Iron Pumping Challenge” post, in which I tell everyone on my blog that I have signed on to do it with you starting Tuesday, 1/19/10 (my next visit to my gym, just a long run this weekend) and I can’t wait!!! =)
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Caitlin Reply:
January 15th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
What gym do you belong to?
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Hooray for Kat!!!
I am so honored to have been nominated, but also even MORE excited that the beautiful, brilliant, and kind woman I nominated was selected!! She is a great person to been the next blogging pants blogger
. Hooray for you, Kat!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Yay Kat! I’m going to g visit your blog now!
PS — you have the most awesome gym locker room!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
So glad that Kat was chosen to receive the pants.
It will be interesting to see how your body changes from weights/swimming vs. all of your running to train for the marathon.
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Great job on all your workouts today! I am inspired by your iron pumping
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
What a fantastic choice! Thanks for introducing us to Kat!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Caitlin, I am thinking of buying knee sleeves like yours. I measure right about my knee cap and it measure 14.5. Should i go with the Small (13″-14 1/2″)or Medium (14 1/2″-16″)???please help!!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
oops, i meant to say above my knee cap.
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Caitlint, I am about to purchase knee sleeves like yours and I am debaiting between Item 6000 Small (13″-14 1/2″)
Item 6001 Medium (14 1/2″-16″). I measured above my knee cap and it was exactly 14.5…what should I get??
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Caitlin Reply:
January 15th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
get the smalls… they stretch out as they get older.
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adriana Reply:
January 15th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
thank you so much!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
That’s quite the fancy locker room. Swimming is great. I swam competitively for 6 years – such a great workout for your entire body!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Congrats to Kat!! That is so great…she truly deserves the award!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
I’ve never heard of that blog, but now I’m definitely checking it out! Good for her!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Good luck with the swimming!
Congrats to Kat, just about to head over to check out her blog.
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Thanks for posting all the nominees Caitlin… its a great way to discover some new blogs!
Congrats to Kat!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Congrats to Kat – it sounds like she really deserves it. And wow – more bloggies to check out now!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Swimming is such an amazing workout, you are going to love it!
If you need a good pair of goggles I highly recommend these: http://www.swim2000.com/product/original-swedish-goggles/
They take some getting used to, but never, ever leak!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
I can’t wait to hear more about your swimming! I’m hoping it will help me too
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
check out xterra wetsuits..theyrun a sale every month or so for their wetsuits for 99 bucks, which is a great deal!!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Congrats to Kat…awesome!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Great post and congrats to Kat! She seems like a wonderful gal
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Congrats Kay! I’m gonna check out her blog
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
caitlin, i’m about to buy a no-meat athlete shirt. wondering what size you’re wearing in that picture to get an idea of the sizes.
thanks!
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Caitlin Reply:
January 15th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
thats a small, but if you’re going to buy the tech t-shirt, i recommend you get the medium (if you are my size) because my small tech shirt is WAY too tight.
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Let me know how you like the Total Immersion dvd – a friend of mine recommended it to me but I haven’t broken down and got one yet!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Great choice for the Blogging Pants–she’ll rock them well!
Any swimwear reviews coming up? I’d love to hear about any brands or suits that you like so I can check them out online. I swim quite a bit but can’t get good swimwear here in Trinidad so I have to do the mail-order thing….
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Caitlin Reply:
January 15th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
I’ll try to do some reviews!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Love the Nemo reference — great movie.
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Caitlin, you seriously amaze me with your fitness goals! If I just finished a marathon I’d probably be laying on the couch every day for a week….but you’re already moving on to something new! Very, very inspiring you are
(<— haha, Yoda much?)
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
So excited you’ve started swimming! I began swimming recently (3 months ago) and have gotten better, but still have some issues with form and such. Do you think you could post some of Ryan’s tips?
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Caitlin Reply:
January 15th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
maybe when i feel a little more comfortable explaining them – oh or maybe i’ll ask ryan to do a guest post!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
3 things….
1. I am 27 years old and I CAN NOT SWIM. Sad, I know.
2. Your gym locker-room is amazing.
3. Kat looks like an incredible person. Good choice.
<—–#40
Yoda!! LOL
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
You will love Total Immersion! Like I’ve said before, the hubby and I own two copies, and they have helped us so much with our form and therefore efficiency!! Good luck!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Congrats to Kat! So happy for her!
I love that you are swimming – I need to do that more often!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Great choice on the pants!!!
I’m so glad you are taking swimming lessons. Pea Daddy wants to go surfing in Hawaii, but I’ve insisted he take swim lessons first. He and Gigi can take them together!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
I used to swim a lot when I was younger and now I don’t think I’ve swam in years! i really should get back in to it!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Aw congrats Kat!!
I was wondering how good of a workout the bike gives you? I’ve recently joined a gym but I’ve never really used a stationary bike before.
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Caitlin Reply:
January 15th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
I would say it is equal to walking at a brisk pace. A real bike is much, much harder.
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
I think it’s awesome that you’re trying something new/learning a new skill. I’ve always had “learn to swim. well.” on my fitness bucket to-do list. And Congrats to Kat!! Love the nominations (and I had no idea I was on the list until I read this. So cool!!) Bloggers are the best.
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Congratulations Kat! She is going to wear those pants perfectly!!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
I recently discovered her blog and I’m very glad she’s getting the pants!
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Awesome! Congrats to Kat, I can’t wait to check out her blog
And I think one of the best parts about swimming is being able to get in the hot tub afterwards.
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Congrats to Kat! She deserves it
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on Jan 15th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
[...] of hearts, thank you to those of you who nominated me for the blogging pants! I’ve admittedly completely ignored my Google Reader these past couple days, so I was confused as [...]
on Jan 15th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
[...] Caitlin, of Healthy Tipping Point (and Operation Beautiful), chose me, of the boatload of amazing bloggers, to be next in line for the Blogging Pants. And I [...]
on Jan 15th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
For a swimsuit, try Ross! I got a great plain brown Speedo one piece for $15!
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on Jan 16th, 2010 at 12:59 am
yay swimming! How awesome that you’re friend can help you! I joined a Master’s team here on Okinawa. It’s the first “serious” swimming I’ve done in 20 years (man I’m old) and I love it! I can’t wait for the giveaway – I’ve been looking at Total Immersion for a couple months now. Have fun!
Also, for anyone with a few curves Dolphin brand swimsuits are great!
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on Jan 16th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Hey, if you haven’t bought a suit already, try swimoutlet.com. I got a great “real” suit there for a great deal!
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on Jan 16th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Omg, I cannot believe that I was nominated for the pants. Bloggies are SO sweet. Yay for Kat!! She 100% totally deserves the pants, I can’t wait to see where they go to next!
As for the wetsuit, you should double check with the race organizer first. I know Triathlon Canada has regulations on what water temperatures you’re allowed to wear wetsuits in for the race. I did my triathlon in a warm lake that’s notorious for being too warm for the suits.
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on Jan 16th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
If you haven’t done so yet, I highly recommend http://www.swimsmooth.com.
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on Jan 16th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Awesome!! She seems so amazing, thanks for choosing her!
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on Feb 23rd, 2010 at 9:38 am
[...] have a LOT to do in the coming weeks. First and foremost will be the Blogging Pants – woohoo! (A big thanks again to Caitlin, and those that nominated me, for passing them onto [...]
on Feb 23rd, 2010 at 9:26 pm
[...] on February 23, 2010 by fromatopink It’s that time, as promised. I’m passing on the Blogging Pants! Care of Caitlin, who is a fantastic blogging role model and motivating woman – especially [...]
on Aug 5th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
[...] So she sent her these pants. Caitlin believes Happiness is a Choice. Caitlin found Kat inspiring. So she sent her these pants. Kat believes you should live in the present and keep HOPE [...]