5K For COTA!

I am really considering participating in a 5K Charity race. It is for COTA. ..they are a non profit group that helps raise money for Kids and CFer's who need transplants! So It's definitely something I would like to help and participate in! Plus it would be a good starter race for me~ Being that I need to get my butt back to running regularly! :) It's at the end of April. So plenty of time to run 3 miles~

Confession

I feel like I need to confess my slacking off to anyone who may be following this blog. I don't want to make excuses. . .so I will just make a justification (totally different) :) I admit I have been preoccupied with the holiday, family in town and Bryan's schedule has had many changes that has thrown me off~ I promise that I will again start posting my workout, and reporting my improvement more frequently. I also promise that I will not eat huge quantities of Christmas goodies that will set me back in my workout goals, and I promise that I will be ready for competitions by spring of 2010. . . .those things I promise to you and myself!!

Peace Out~ Jamie

I am still working forward!

I haven't posted in a while. I haven't got much running in lately :( I have been working inside my apartment more lately. I have been working on my bike along with my muscle strengthening and toning video. . . which still kicks my butt. It's hard to stay focused right now with the holidays and so much other stuff going on. I have goals to reach, so I need to kick it into high gear again. Our pool is heated and I want to go swimming. . .if it would just stop raining here! We have had pretty much record lows for this time of year~ maybe next week I can get a few days of swimming in. Bryan started a job, so hopefully I can afford a pass at a training center or something! :) Oooh, I will hire a personal trainer! That would force me to reach my goal! I can do it, I know I can. . I survived a freaking double lung transplant, I can do ANYTHING!

Transplant Games: Team Arizona

Jamie:

To start, I worked out tonight, getting back to my running and I can really feel that I took too much time off!! Slowly I will get to my goals! I didn't do too bad, I managed to do my mile, just more walking, less running :) Lesson learned!


Also, I have joined team Arizona in my journey to get and compete at the transplant games 2010. They are going to be in Madison, Wisconsin July 30-Aug 4th~ I want to compete in swimming and possibly some track events. . . I do need to raise about $1,300-$1,500 somewhere in there is what they guesstimate it will cost per athlete. I am going to try to raise as money as I can for myself and the team will also help with some of our costs.

So to raise money. . . I will be giving my "save a life, be someone's hero" butterfly vinyl decal to anyone who donates over $10. I can make them in other colors if you don't like pink and aqua! Lime green and pink are cute, yellow and green, blue and green, red and white, gold and white. . . so on. You can contact me via email if you would like to donate, or you can go to my jamiebug blog and you will see where you can donate through my paypal~ If you have any questions please email me also or leave them as a comment here.

email: jamiebug77@hotmail.com
other blog: jamiebug.blogspot.com

Team Arizona is set up as a 501c tax deductible charity, so if you want to be a sponsor to the team or make a bigger donation you can ask me how. The money the team raises will assist me along with up to 40 others which include transplant athletes, and donor family members who wish to attend.

Bengal Sprint Triathlon Date!!

Jamie:

I emailed the contact from last years race and I was told : It will either be April 9-10 or April 16-17... (the swim is on Friday night... bike/run on Saturday). I am really glad that it is not going to conflict with my Transplant Games at the end of July-Aug. :) Although I have less time than I thought to get into shape for the sprint tri!!!!! I guess I will have to seriously kick it into HIGH GEAR! 1/2 mile swim. . . .13 mile bike. . . 3.1 mile run. . . .

WooHoo! I am pumped!

Elliptical machine. . .

Jamie:

Last night all the treadmills where taken and the only one available was broken :( So I jumped on the elliptical machine. . . . I stayed at a nice quick pace for about 15 minutes. My thighs and butt definitely felt it!! I wasn't sure I would be able to walk today or not, but I must be in pretty good shape cuz I don't really feel it much. I guess I should do it longer next time. I was just exhausted when I quit last night. Well I jogged to the gym and then cooled down by walking home. It was nice.

Vacation is OVER

Jamie:

Getting back in the swing of things. . .Vacation is officially over! I am going to set up my bike and do some riding tonight. Tomorrow do some running. AND, I guess I will have to brave the cold water and start swimming again as well. I really need to work on my swimming so I can get to a competitive swim time for the Transplant Olympics in July 2010. . . . I need a good kick in the butt to get me off it!!! Any volunteers?

Just checking in. . .

Sorry for such an absence of posts. .. . although I am not sure many even follow this blog~ it's mostly for myself to answer to me :) I want to start with confessing. .. . .I have not ran, biked or swam the last almost 3 weeks, Please Forgive me? I have however been getting quite a full body work out riding my 2 year old Palomino ~ Pixydust. We were even featured in a story on the local news in Eastern Idaho :) I have been home in Idaho for about 17 days now and I have rode my horse 13-14 of those days. It is a tough workout believe me! Here is the link to my news story: I believe I can change the world by inspiring one person at a time to become an organ donor. My Donor has given me back more life than I had before, more ability to do the things I love, to be able to challenge myself and to look towards a future. Through me, she lives on!

Watch my news story

Taken a Break.. .

Jamie:

I have been in Idaho for the last week visiting family. Don't worry though I am still getting plenty of exercise, just of a different kind. I have been riding my horse every day for about 2-3 hours and believe me every muscle in my body is sore! I use muscles I didn't even know I had let alone get sore :) I am hoping within a few more days of riding my body will be in good enough shape I will have the energy and stamina to add a little jogging at night on the treadmill. Now don't go and get too jealous :)

Ahhhh. .. the difference new shoes can make

Jamie:

Bryan felt bad for me cause my legs were hurting so much when I ran that he forced me to buy a new pair of running shoes. Mine were so old I couldn't remember if I got them 8 or 9 years. . either way it was way to long ago. I wore them tonight for the first time. They need broke in! Besides getting a little rub/blister on my right heal, they were a ton better! My legs still hurt a little but not more than what is expected. I am going to feel that until I have built up my endurance and strength in my legs & calves. I doubled my running time meaning I ran more and walked less. I completed at least a mile in less than 14 minutes. I lost track a little. Well, tomorrow I will bike with Bryan and run again on Friday. I hope I start to see some improvement soon. . . push through the pain!

Biking. . .

Hey, I am so excited. Bryan got his bike all fixed up and said he would start riding with me. He also said he would go to the gym with me too . . . we have yet to make it there together yet. But today we biked about 2 miles or so. It's hard with all the traffic. Tomorrow I will do some running/walking and lift some weights. I have noticed several improvements in myself since I began working out regularly. First is of course my physical shape. . I have muscle tone again! Second, is my blood sugar levels. I was starting to get really high blood sugar and was concerned I would be put on insulin shots daily (which I have never had to do). However, within the last month or so they have been dramatically lower. I am almost within normal range. They will probably always be a little high due to my medication. I am just excited to have that help me with staying motivated. . . no insulin shot~

Where did Jennifer go??

Where did Jennifer's posts go? I am missing her! She needs to keep up with me :) Hopefully we hear from her again soon.

New Week. . .. .more progress!

Jamie

It's Monday! I already went down to the pool today and did some light swimming. . . .I am going to hit the treadmill tonight. I am trying to remember to get Bryan to take a "before" picture for me to have to compare to in a few months from now. It's funny though, I have improved muscle tone already in just a month or so! Hooray!

*Went to the gym. . . ran 1 minute (6mph) walked 2 minutes. . . . couldn't do quite 10 times, but close. My calves were going to explode! I will build up to it might take me a couple days :) I did about a 13 minute mile~ so not too bad. I jogged back to my apartment and realized it was easier jogging on the pavement then when I am on a treadmill. . . wonder why? Didn't hurt my calves as much. . .

Wednesday. . . I'll get the reps done 10 times!

Ya! A bike trainer!!!!

Thanks to Jennifer's sister~ She has a bike trainer that she said I could borrow so I can train and prepare for the race! Woot woot~ I will bring it home with me when I return from Idaho. So until then I am going to focus on my running & swimming as planned. But in November I will be able to fit in my biking ON MY BIKE in the comfort of my own home. I am very excited and grateful for that!

Slacked off. . . .

Jamie:

I had some unexpected family things happen this weekend and it made it impossible to fit in much exercise this weekend. But no harm done. Monday is a new week and I can jump right back in where I left off. No excuses. . . I just need to get right back into my routine! So just checking in and reminding myself of the extra work I have to do to play catch up :)

WEEK ONE RUNNING SCHEDULE

Jamie:


WEEK ONE ~ RUNNING

MON: Run 1 min, walk 2 min ~ repeat 10x
TUES: Walk, walk easy 30 minutes
WED: Run 1 min, walk 2 min ~ repeat 10x
THURS: Walk, walk easy 30 minutes
FRI: Run 1 min, walk 2 min ~ repeat 10x
SAT: Run 1 min, walk 2 min ~ repeat 10x
SUN: OFF!!!

*THIS WORKOUT SCHEDULE (IF YOU FOLLOW IT FAITHFULLY) SAYS YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO RUN 30 MINUTES CONTINUOUS IN 8 WEEKS!

Tonight I completed about 200yds swimming total (one lap butterfly stroke) along with doing over 1 mile including my cool down! I did a 15 minute mile, so I cut off 3 minutes :) Then I added a few weights working my upper shoulder and triceps. Pretty wore out tonight. . . and hungry!

Running. . . .

I think I am going to focus on my running a little harder than biking/swimming. I will still incorporate swimming and do some biking, but until Spring 2010 I think I will focus mainly on building up my running endurance.

I have a couple reasons for this:
#1 I feel Running is my weakest aspect
#2 I want to challenge myself. . . try to do a race in Jan/Feb :)

There are several opportunities here in the Phoenix area to participate in many races/runs/marathons. . . .I also think I will get into great shape inside and out if I build up my running. I actually have always enjoyed running, it's tough, but it is so rewarding after you have pushed yourself and accomplished more than you thought you could!

I found a good beginner running schedule so I will also post it in case anyone might want to use it. Like the triathlon workout, I will post the upcoming weeks workout the Sunday before. So watch for it coming soon!

Week 2 Workout Schedule:

Well this was a crazy weekend. I got a little bit of my workout in, but not as much as I would have liked. My shoulders and arms are still kinda tender, which means I need to work them more. I think my workout increases this week. . . I guess I should post it, so this weeks workout is below:

WEEK 2 Workout
Monday

• Warm Up
• 100yds Freestyle
• 50yds Cool Down
• Walk 20 Minutes
  

Tuesday:

• Bike 2 Miles

Wednesday:

• Warm Up
• Freestyle 100yds
• Cool Down 50yds
• Walk 20 Minutes

Thursday:

• OFF

Friday:

• Warm Up
• Freestyle 100yds
• Cool Down 50yds
• Bike 2 Miles

Saturday:

• Walk 25 Minutes

Sunday:

• Bike 2 Miles

YOU'RE WELCOME!!

Had to Improvise. .

Jamie:

Last night I walked to the gym to ride the bike there cuz I can actually calculate how far I have ridden. . . after getting there, I realized that the other gym is the one that has the bike! Frustrating. So I decided to switch Fridays and Saturdays workout. I did want to work my upper body since I wasn't going to swim. I did the shoulder/chest/upper arms workout machine thing. . . with I'm not sure how much weight, all I know is I am SORE today. But it's good to feel the burn right? Push through the pain baby. . . .oh yeah!

Day OFF IS OVER

Jamie:

Well it's Friday. . . . swimming and walking day! I'll let ya know when I get it completed :)

I feel jello-ie

Jamie:

I wanted so badly to be all lazy tonight. .. . I biked yesterday and so today was a swim and walk day. I knew if I slacked off today, then it would be easy to continue to slack off and one day would turn into my demise! So I got my tank top and shorts on and biked to the community gym to hit the treadmill. I walked a little over a mile in 20 minutes. I am slowly picking up my pace :) Before I know it I will be a jogging queen.

Then I had to force myself to put on my swimsuit and do my 100yds swimming~ DID IT TOO!
Needless to say my legs and arms are a little fatigued. . A good sign, a welcome sign!

I DID IT!

Jamie:

I just got back from my "Monday" workout from my week one schedule. As the workout specified!
I went to the pool this evening and I swam freestyle 50yds (or maybe a little more) then did 50yds cool down with some resting strokes ie: breast stroke, side stroke, back stroke. . . it was nice and I was pleasently suprised how easy it was. My endourance isn't completely terrible.

Afterwards I changed into my tank top and shorts and rode my bike down to the gym and walked on the treadmill. I walked about 3.8 mph speed for a little over 20 minutes. My legs were feeling it! I had to ride my bike back to my apartment ~ thank goodness it's not very far!

I wonder how sore I'll be tomorrow :)

BACK TO WORK!!

Well for the last week I have been dealing with the Safe Place booth at the fair. Now that it is finally over I can get back to work! Boy am I glad that week is over with! I think that was more exhausting than actually working out!

Tomorrow I will go to weight class and then I will go back a second time to do some running. I checked out prices on swimming, UGH, so I will start doing that once it cools down outside. Now I just need to find a bike to ride!! I talked to my dad and he thinks he can hook me up with one to train on! Woohoo!

I am so excited to continue training! I have never done anything like this! Who knows, maybe this will be an annual thing for Jamie and I! Hey, maybe one year we will win! Ha ha!!

Workout for week one:

On Friday night I went out for a nice night swim. . .it was B. E. A. UTIFUL! Serious, it's absolutely amazing to go out at 8:30pm and have the stars out, and the warm breeze. I swam for about 20 minutes. I am even getting a little more endurance with the butterfly stroke.

What I REALLY, REALLY wish I could get is a bike trainer. . . it converts your bike into an indoor training bike. SO you can bike anytime at home (out of the heat and danger). It pretty much attaches to the back tire and allows you to ride normally. They cost around $150-$200-ish, so I doubt I get one anytime soon. It's definitely on my WISH LIST. . among many other things :)



Okay so here is this weeks Workout Schedule:

Monday 9-14:
Swim *Warm up *Freestyle 50yds *Cool Down 50yds
Bike OFF
Run Walk for 20 min

Tuesday 9-15:
Swim OFF
Bike 2 Miles
Run OFF

Wednesday 9-15:
Swim *Warm Up *Freestyle 50yds*Cool Down 50yds
Bike OFF
Run Walk for 20 Min

Thurs 9-17: OFF!!

Friday 9-18:
Swim *Warm Up*Freestyle 50 yds*Cool Down 50yds
Bike 2 Miles
Run OFF

Saturday 9-19:
Swim OFF
Bike OFF
Run Walk for 25 Min

Sunday 9-20:
Swim OFF
Bike 2 Miles
Run OFF

*If anyone wants to follow my workout with me, I will post the weeks schedule every Sunday Night for the next week! GO ahead. . . . We'll be ready in 22 weeks! Then we just have to maintain till July and August :)

Can't wait till I have some endurance!

Jamie:

I decided to see what it was like using the bike machine at our gym. . . it seemed a lot harder than riding my real bike. My thighs got a workout for sure. I put it on a level 3 workout. Stayed in 1, 2 and sometimes 3rd gear. I did some light jogging and walking and about 50 or so crunches. Slowly but surely I will get more endurance. . . I hope!

I think I will go jump in the pool to cool off!

Sore Butt!

Jamie:

I think I need some padded bike shorts for sure! My butt is slightly sore. My legs are feeling much better today though. My arms and shoulders are still a little fatigued. We went out I rode my bike while Bryan was rollerblading. Well anyway~ I just want to point out again that Jennifer has not posted in SEVERAL days!!!! I would really like to get my hands on a bike trainer. . . it is a stand for your bike that converts it into a stationary bike, so you can train in your house at anytime. They are over $150 used, so I doubt I get one anytime soon. Unless you happen to know someone who just wants to get rid of one :)

Until Tomorrow!

Have to get used to my bike

Jamie:

It's weird to be back on a bicycle again. It's been YEARS!! I was noticing I am a bit awkward on my bike. I had to laugh at myself because as a child I LIVED on my bike. As kids we spend soooo much time riding our bikes everywhere we go that we practically become 'one with the bike'~ Not Anymore :) Baby steps. . . I just did maybe 2 miles around our block and apartment complex. My thighs were burning. I have a LONG way to 16 miles or whatever the sprint is. Next week I am going to start the workout schedule I found online. My triceps are still a little sore, my calves are a slightly better and my abs still hurt to sit up. Ahhhh what great feelings :)

*I would also like to point out that Jennifer hasn't posted her workout in at least a day or so :) I do want to point out that the workout schedule does say to take 2 days off every week and take the last week of the month easy. Good thing too, I won't feel guilty when I don't work out those two days!

Got my swimmin in today! Hooray!

I just got back from a good swim. I swam for 1/2 hour with little to no breaks in between. I stop when my arms get too heavy to lift out of the water. I worked just my legs a little too. I have a long way to go, but I was just thinking how amazing it is that I can swim for so long without a single cough. I could not tolerate swimming about 2 years or so before my transplant. . . so it's been over 4 years. I am just happy I remember how to :)

Found a website that had some great tips on training for triathlons and running. So I have linked in at the top right hand of the blog! Check it out, it should help. It says you will be ready for a sprint triathlon in like 6 months! SO I guess we'll see.

Sadly. . . no working out today :(

Jamie:

I am sadly reporting that I did not work out today. . . . I feel lazy. I am not going to make excuses, I just didn't. I really need to start getting up earlier in the morning so I can fit it in BEFORE Bryan gets up and we make plans for the day. Ugh, Sorry. . . I will make sure to fit it on tomorrow. One day off is okay right? Oh wait I take Sunday off. . . never again! (never again will I miss a day other than Sunday, just clarifying) :)

Ugh.......

Jennifer:

Well I think today I over did it. I jogged for 1.6 miles and then did a brisk walk for .4 for a total of 2 miles. I was going to do 3 miles but then I thought I might not make it through weight class! Towards the end of my jog my knee started to ache, so when I was done I did some really good stretching. I went to weight class and we did triceps, biceps and shoulders and my knee did not hurt then. But now it is really sore again! I think I will have to take a day off tomorrow so I don't kill it so bad that I can't do anything! I will be back to the gym on Friday for weight class where we will be doing all legs! Yikes! I think I will start swimming when it gets cooler. I don't really feel like being in a heated pool when it is so hot outside!!

Oh Baby. . . Am I going to be sore tomorrow

Jamie:

I just got done kicking the crap out of myself. I swam today. . .for about 15 minutes. THEN, after Bryan left for school, I decided to go to our gym here at the apartments and try out their treadmills. I ran (jogged) for .33 mile then walked to .36 mile then jogged to about .47 mile then cooled down and ended at about a .75 mile. It took me a little under 14 minutes. Not too terribly bad for my first time back on the ol' treadmill in YEARS :) Baby steps. . . .

Bargain!

So, I am a little short on running/working out attire. I went to the local Goodwill just to kill some time. I don't usually buy stuff only because I hate sifting through so much junk in hopes of finding something good. But. . . today I was feeling patient and it paid off. I found some REALLY cute white and pink Abercrombie 70's style shorts. They look brand new! They rang up only $1.99! I'm pretty sure they are Girls large, but they fit. Anyway. . .so I guess now I don't have a reason to NOT START RUNNING :)

Still Runnin!!

Jennifer:

So last night after I posted I thought I would look up to see what I actually got myself into. So looks like we will be running 3.1 miles, biking 12.4 miles and swimming for 500 yards (10 laps). I thought to myself, geez 3.1 miles is a BREEZ! I can do that now with no problem. So after my boy got out of Kindergarten the next day we went to the gym and I started on my 3.1 mile jog, I know I can't run it yet, well it was A LOT harder than I thought it was going to be! So I settled for a 1 mile jog and then a half mile brisk walk and then a 1 mile jog and then another half mile brisk walk and then I cooled down for about 5 minutes. I am hoping tomorrow I can jog for 1.5 miles and then do a half mile brisk walk and then another 1.5 mile jog. I have put off the swimming. I know I need to get started. That is going to be the hardest part for me. I think the hardest part of swimming, besides the swimming of course, is that there will be people watching! I HATE it when people watch me! Guess I will have to get over that one!

Off and Running!!!

First of all, Jamie already has a leg up on me! Way to go! Here I thought I would be hounding you! Second of all I would like to thank Jamie for including me in her endeavors! I am truly blessed to have a friend like her! I thank the Lord everyday for bringing us back together as friends.

Ok on with my progress!

Well, I finally got up off my butt and got to work! Today I ran, well jogged for a mile and then did a mile on the elliptical and then lifted weights for 45 minutes. I am not too concerned about the running and biking, but the swimming scares me to death! I am an OK swimmer, meaning I know how to swim. I never swim and HATE HATE HATE getting into a bathing suit! Maybe after all is said and done I won't mind looking at myself in the mirror with a swim suit on! Tomorrow I plan to see how far I can jog without killing myself! I also plan to call the local pool to see what time lap swim is. Cross your fingers that I do not drown! LOL!!!

Swimming is fun to do!

Jamie:

I have been trying to get out and do my swimming almost daily. Today I bought a pink nose plug to match my pink goggles! I am hoping to get a nice pink speedo one piece to match :) Anyway so I swam the breast stroke (my fav), the sidestroke, freestyle and one length of the butterfly stroke. My legs are a little fatigued, a good sign! I contacted a local swim team and hopefully I will be able to get involved with them so I will have a coach to push me :) Until tomorrow. . . .

Camelback. . . . or should be called Mountain of HELL :)

Jamie:

Okay~ so today was my first "hard" workout! My cousin and I got up at the butt crack of dawn (5:45am) and drove to Camelback Mountain or whatever. My cousin Leah did great. . . .I did. . . not too bad, I must say. We hiked about a mile up the mountain I think it was 1/2 way. I was sooo proud of myself and completely exhausted. I wanted a victory picture to prove my hard work. I pulled out my camera from my pack and tried to take a photo of the beautiful view of the valley, but apparently I had forgotten to put my memory card back in the camera!!! UGH~ so I guess you will have to take my word that I hiked it. It was some pretty difficult terrain. I am sure I won't be able to move my body tomorrow morning :) Next time I will make sure to take some pictures!

I was encouraged when there were many people who were as exhausted or even more so. . . and they (probably) didn't have a lung transplant!! I kept up with the "NORMIES"

I found some pictures online of some of the mountain trail. . . .This is the very beginning of the trail. . . This is very steep ~ hence the hand rail so you don't fall down and kill yourself!

Got the bike running. . . .

Jamie:

Bryan worked on my bike~ We bought it from a police re-po sale here. It was only like $25.00 but needed some TLC. Bryan is amazing in many ways and one is with Bicycle repair so he got me all fixed up so I can start training~ Once I am closer to my goal I will probably upgrade to a road/racing style bike. For now this will work and the costs are under $100.00 Not too shabby :)