So it's been awhile. Too long. I guess I just curled up and decided I was no longer an athlete. With a diagnosis of a stress fracture and severe shin splints I couldn't to anything without pain. Not even walk the dog.
I'm now in PT and will be for another two weeks. Then I'm on my own. I know the routine. I can do it in my sleep. I can not run for another month. By then the fracture should be healed. I then have to deal with the shin splints. Last time I had them it took a year to heal. A YEAR! Makes me want to just give up and call it a day, month, year, lifetime.
But then there's the athlete in me. I may be out of shape now, at least for me, but in the back of my mind I see me crossing another 70.3 race. Yup that's the goal for next year. Looks as though my training buddy (aka my Dad) will be following another schedule next year. He's looking to get his second 70.3 medal in April. I'm looking to get my third in June. I need more time. Time to regroup. Time to enjoy what I'm training for. I need time to remember that yes I can.
Yes I will.................June 24th 2012.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
What it's all about
Since I'm sort of off the radar right now while I heal, I came across this today from TriFuel
Fact: you will not become efficient at swimming, biking or running over night. Sorry to burst your bubble. This is NOT an easy sport.
Check your ego at the door because chances are someone fifty pounds heavier than you will lap you in the pool. Not to mention she will be ten or fifteen years older than you.
You will be passed on the bike many times and you will never be the fastest runner in your town.
You will have early morning workouts. Really early.
You will plan your weekends around your swim, bike and run.
You are up while others are sleeping.
You are training while others are sitting.
You will discover others who also follow this blood, sweat and tears cult.
You will eventually get a flat tire... and have to change it all by yourself.
No matter what you hear, triathlon is NOT an inexpensive sport.
Warning, it is extremely addictive, hence the impulse spending on wetsuits, bikes, running shoes, aero bars, aero helmets, speed suits, power meters, GPS heart-rate monitors and many other ‘gotta have items.’
You will hate swimming more times than you like it for the first year.
You will suffer through road trips with whiny fellow triathletes.
You will suffer set backs.
You may experience an injury.
You will develop a love/hate relationship with a foam roller and ice baths.
You will at some point realize you need a coach.
You will hate swimming for the first year.
You will wear tight clothing.
You will not like how this tight clothing fits or looks.
Your age will take on a whole new meaning.
You will discover a whole new meaning for tan lines.
Food will become an extremely important part of your life.
You will learn new words such as GU, cadence and brick.
You will hate swimming for the first year.
You will spend more time on your bike than on your couch.
You may lose a friend or two because you spend too much time swimming, biking and running, and they could careless about your heart rate training, foam rolling pain or 20 mile bike ride.
You will learn patience.
You will be humbled.
You will start to realize you are paying money to put yourself through pain and suffering, but for some odd reason, you LOVE it.
This sport called Triathlon, becomes a part of you. You start to plan your entire year around sprint, international, half-iron or full-iron distance races. Your vacations become racing, and you start to realize that this sport called triathlon could become a life-long adventure.
Many people settle for things in life. They settle for a crappy job, marriage, friends, food, place to live and overall fitness and health.
Those who desire more or those who want more out of life than a drive-thru window and boring sitcom, will choose triathlon or an activity that makes them happy. An activity that will change their life. Triathlon will change your outlook on life, your career, your marriage, your goals, your friends and many other things you thought you had figured out. It’s not just crossing a finish line or a boring finisher medal. It’s the countless hours that got you to that point. A moment in time that you will NEVER forget. A moment that you will discuss with your family and friends for hours if not days after the event. These discussions will most likely be about how you could have done better. At what point could you have swam faster, biked harder or ran more efficient? This is what will go through your head everyday until you get the opportunity to suffer again.
So you wanna be a Triathlete? Enjoy the ride and train hard!
Nick Clark, Clark Endurance Training
For now my triathlete training is done. I head back to the gym on Monday with a plan. Swimming, biking, elliptical, weights, physical therapy and core exercises. Not as exciting as training for a 1/2 iron man, but not as tiring either!
Fact: you will not become efficient at swimming, biking or running over night. Sorry to burst your bubble. This is NOT an easy sport.
Check your ego at the door because chances are someone fifty pounds heavier than you will lap you in the pool. Not to mention she will be ten or fifteen years older than you.
You will be passed on the bike many times and you will never be the fastest runner in your town.
You will have early morning workouts. Really early.
You will plan your weekends around your swim, bike and run.
You are up while others are sleeping.
You are training while others are sitting.
You will discover others who also follow this blood, sweat and tears cult.
You will eventually get a flat tire... and have to change it all by yourself.
No matter what you hear, triathlon is NOT an inexpensive sport.
Warning, it is extremely addictive, hence the impulse spending on wetsuits, bikes, running shoes, aero bars, aero helmets, speed suits, power meters, GPS heart-rate monitors and many other ‘gotta have items.’
You will hate swimming more times than you like it for the first year.
You will suffer through road trips with whiny fellow triathletes.
You will suffer set backs.
You may experience an injury.
You will develop a love/hate relationship with a foam roller and ice baths.
You will at some point realize you need a coach.
You will hate swimming for the first year.
You will wear tight clothing.
You will not like how this tight clothing fits or looks.
Your age will take on a whole new meaning.
You will discover a whole new meaning for tan lines.
Food will become an extremely important part of your life.
You will learn new words such as GU, cadence and brick.
You will hate swimming for the first year.
You will spend more time on your bike than on your couch.
You may lose a friend or two because you spend too much time swimming, biking and running, and they could careless about your heart rate training, foam rolling pain or 20 mile bike ride.
You will learn patience.
You will be humbled.
You will start to realize you are paying money to put yourself through pain and suffering, but for some odd reason, you LOVE it.
This sport called Triathlon, becomes a part of you. You start to plan your entire year around sprint, international, half-iron or full-iron distance races. Your vacations become racing, and you start to realize that this sport called triathlon could become a life-long adventure.
Many people settle for things in life. They settle for a crappy job, marriage, friends, food, place to live and overall fitness and health.
Those who desire more or those who want more out of life than a drive-thru window and boring sitcom, will choose triathlon or an activity that makes them happy. An activity that will change their life. Triathlon will change your outlook on life, your career, your marriage, your goals, your friends and many other things you thought you had figured out. It’s not just crossing a finish line or a boring finisher medal. It’s the countless hours that got you to that point. A moment in time that you will NEVER forget. A moment that you will discuss with your family and friends for hours if not days after the event. These discussions will most likely be about how you could have done better. At what point could you have swam faster, biked harder or ran more efficient? This is what will go through your head everyday until you get the opportunity to suffer again.
So you wanna be a Triathlete? Enjoy the ride and train hard!
Nick Clark, Clark Endurance Training
For now my triathlete training is done. I head back to the gym on Monday with a plan. Swimming, biking, elliptical, weights, physical therapy and core exercises. Not as exciting as training for a 1/2 iron man, but not as tiring either!
Monday, August 22, 2011
August
August brings me happiness.
The kids go back to school. Is that wrong? To feel excited that they have to go back? Over all summer went by really fast. But the last two weeks or so I can tell the kids are ready. Ready for something different. They are getting bored. There's only so much xbox to be played. This week my oldest starts High School. Hope he likes it more than I did! Next week my other son starts 7th grade. No longer the shortest in the school. I'm sure there's got to be a few 6th graders that will be shorter!
August means that I get to go back to being Joelle during the hours of 7-2:45 Monday-Friday. It means that I can get back on track. Back to a schedule at the gym. Back to buying less junk in the house. Back to figuring out what the heck to do with that time.
I'm still healing. I fear it's going to be awhile. Just last night my leg was swollen. All I did was some shopping and some extra cooking. I was on my feet most of the day. Just that irritated the leg. I go back to the Dr's. on Wed. Should be an interesting conversation. I'm so done with being injured.
So I have no training plans or goals right now. This makes it hard for me to exercise on a regular basis. Plus I can't run. Swimming hurts. One can only sit on a saddle for so long. I am going to give the elliptical a try tomorrow. See if that bothers the leg. I feel myself getting heavier every day. Losing fitness. I feel like a blob. I hope I don't look like one.
Well kids, it's been fun but get your butts back to school soon please. Joelle is waiting.
The kids go back to school. Is that wrong? To feel excited that they have to go back? Over all summer went by really fast. But the last two weeks or so I can tell the kids are ready. Ready for something different. They are getting bored. There's only so much xbox to be played. This week my oldest starts High School. Hope he likes it more than I did! Next week my other son starts 7th grade. No longer the shortest in the school. I'm sure there's got to be a few 6th graders that will be shorter!
August means that I get to go back to being Joelle during the hours of 7-2:45 Monday-Friday. It means that I can get back on track. Back to a schedule at the gym. Back to buying less junk in the house. Back to figuring out what the heck to do with that time.
I'm still healing. I fear it's going to be awhile. Just last night my leg was swollen. All I did was some shopping and some extra cooking. I was on my feet most of the day. Just that irritated the leg. I go back to the Dr's. on Wed. Should be an interesting conversation. I'm so done with being injured.
So I have no training plans or goals right now. This makes it hard for me to exercise on a regular basis. Plus I can't run. Swimming hurts. One can only sit on a saddle for so long. I am going to give the elliptical a try tomorrow. See if that bothers the leg. I feel myself getting heavier every day. Losing fitness. I feel like a blob. I hope I don't look like one.
Well kids, it's been fun but get your butts back to school soon please. Joelle is waiting.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
OK
Let me start with the bad news.......like I haven't had enough since I turned 40.
My race year is over. I will not be doing the Chicago Tri, Chicago 1/2 marathon or the Chicago Marathon.
It was a given that the Marathon was out with a stress fracture and all. I was hoping to hobble through the 1/2 and seeing that the Tri only had a 6 mile run I thought I would be able to do it even with the bad pain.
Then I lost my grandfather.
Everything changed.
Preferably you are physically ready to race when you hit the start line. For me I seem to be more injured than not. But it's never stopped me. What's more important is that you are mentally ready to train and race. I am no where near mentally ready to think about training again. The loss of my Grandfather took that focus right out of me. Right now I just feel like if I get through the day and do what I need to get done, without crying for the umpteenth time then I'm doing good. Each day is getting better. I just need more time.
I plan on hitting the gym on Monday to start up again. I haven't worked out since July 17th. I have gained 8 pounds. Yup 8. The clothes are getting tight. I eat like I am training. Last week I went to the fair and had Ice cream and funnel cake for dinner. I've done a lot of emotional eating lately. Whether it be because my leg throbs or my heart throbs I run to the carbs.
So the good news? I'm OK. I'm OK with not racing anymore this year. I'm OK with gaining some weight, just as long as I put an end to it soon. I'm OK with grieving and losing it here and there. I'm OK with waiting for this leg to heal correctly so that I can bang out some miles by late Oct. I'm OK with just swimming and biking for awhile. I'm OK knowing that my grandfather lived a long life. Longer than most. He was well taken care of and he just closed his eyes and died. Heart just stopped. It could of been much much worse.
I'm going to be okay.
My race year is over. I will not be doing the Chicago Tri, Chicago 1/2 marathon or the Chicago Marathon.
It was a given that the Marathon was out with a stress fracture and all. I was hoping to hobble through the 1/2 and seeing that the Tri only had a 6 mile run I thought I would be able to do it even with the bad pain.
Then I lost my grandfather.
Everything changed.
Preferably you are physically ready to race when you hit the start line. For me I seem to be more injured than not. But it's never stopped me. What's more important is that you are mentally ready to train and race. I am no where near mentally ready to think about training again. The loss of my Grandfather took that focus right out of me. Right now I just feel like if I get through the day and do what I need to get done, without crying for the umpteenth time then I'm doing good. Each day is getting better. I just need more time.
I plan on hitting the gym on Monday to start up again. I haven't worked out since July 17th. I have gained 8 pounds. Yup 8. The clothes are getting tight. I eat like I am training. Last week I went to the fair and had Ice cream and funnel cake for dinner. I've done a lot of emotional eating lately. Whether it be because my leg throbs or my heart throbs I run to the carbs.
So the good news? I'm OK. I'm OK with not racing anymore this year. I'm OK with gaining some weight, just as long as I put an end to it soon. I'm OK with grieving and losing it here and there. I'm OK with waiting for this leg to heal correctly so that I can bang out some miles by late Oct. I'm OK with just swimming and biking for awhile. I'm OK knowing that my grandfather lived a long life. Longer than most. He was well taken care of and he just closed his eyes and died. Heart just stopped. It could of been much much worse.
I'm going to be okay.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Wish I Knew
I'm trying to keep things normal for the kids.
I find myself not sleeping the past few nights.
I go to bed crying. I wake up crying.
I knew this was coming. I just didn't expect it to be now. No one did.
Thursday I got to sit and talk with my grandfather. Friday morning after breakfast he was gone. Had I known I would of never left his side.
I have been very fortunate not to have had many deaths in my family. This is still new to me. The sadness, sorrow and feeling of great loss.
My grandfather and I had a very special bond. I was his best buddy. I was his only grandchild.
Tomorrow is the burial. It will be a first for my kids. How can you keep it normal? You can't. It will be one of the hardest days of my life.
I find myself not sleeping the past few nights.
I go to bed crying. I wake up crying.
I knew this was coming. I just didn't expect it to be now. No one did.
Thursday I got to sit and talk with my grandfather. Friday morning after breakfast he was gone. Had I known I would of never left his side.
I have been very fortunate not to have had many deaths in my family. This is still new to me. The sadness, sorrow and feeling of great loss.
My grandfather and I had a very special bond. I was his best buddy. I was his only grandchild.
Tomorrow is the burial. It will be a first for my kids. How can you keep it normal? You can't. It will be one of the hardest days of my life.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Thank you
Thank you for being the first one to teach me how to steer a car at the ripe old age of 8.
Thank you for teaching me how to fish.
Thank you for putting the worm on the hook and taking the fish off.
Thank you for pointing out all the "scooters" (groundhogs) as they ran across the street.
Thank you for stopping and watching the mama bear cross the road with her babies.
Thank you for telling me to step right behind you as we tromped through the woods. I never did see a snake in all those years.
Thank you for telling everyone you saw even if you didn't know them that I was your granddaughter and your best buddy.
Thank you for understanding that I was not going hunting and I would not be shooting a gun.
Thank you for teaching me the importance of taking care of a car.
Thank you for explaining how to grow a garden and sharing the biggest tomatoes I have still ever seen.
Thank you for teaching me how to play poker.
Thank you for teaching me how to play marbles.
Thank you for playing "I won it, I two it" and always being the one who "8 it"
Thank you for watching me as I played at the park. Keeping a close eye on me.
Thank you for the giant Easter basket each year and explaining the difference between cheap chocolate and the good stuff.
Thank you for tucking me in every night and sneaking up the stairs hoping I wouldn't see you.
Thank you for being you. I will always cherish those memories. I miss you already.
Thank you for teaching me how to fish.
Thank you for putting the worm on the hook and taking the fish off.
Thank you for pointing out all the "scooters" (groundhogs) as they ran across the street.
Thank you for stopping and watching the mama bear cross the road with her babies.
Thank you for telling me to step right behind you as we tromped through the woods. I never did see a snake in all those years.
Thank you for telling everyone you saw even if you didn't know them that I was your granddaughter and your best buddy.
Thank you for understanding that I was not going hunting and I would not be shooting a gun.
Thank you for teaching me the importance of taking care of a car.
Thank you for explaining how to grow a garden and sharing the biggest tomatoes I have still ever seen.
Thank you for teaching me how to play poker.
Thank you for teaching me how to play marbles.
Thank you for playing "I won it, I two it" and always being the one who "8 it"
Thank you for watching me as I played at the park. Keeping a close eye on me.
Thank you for the giant Easter basket each year and explaining the difference between cheap chocolate and the good stuff.
Thank you for tucking me in every night and sneaking up the stairs hoping I wouldn't see you.
Thank you for being you. I will always cherish those memories. I miss you already.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Getting the Call
I walked into my Mom's house excited to spend the day at the fair. For some reason I was more excited than past years. Not sure why other than my kids were excited and my husband wasn't with us. He doesn't care to go. It was a day to add to the memories that I had as a child.
We walked in and she was on the phone. She looked a bit concerned but I didn't think much of it. She spent another 5 mins or so talking. Her voice starting to crack. You could hear the sadness in her voice from the other room. She finished by saying I'll be there in 20 mins.
I whispered to the kids, sounds like someone granny knows is sick or got hurt. I thought to myself must be important as I know she wouldn't change her fair plans unless necessary. Little did I know.
She walked down the hall and around the corner. Stood there and stared at me. "He's gone". I looked at her not understanding. Who's gone? After I said those words I realized what happened. "Pap?". She responded, Yes he died this morning.
I got up and hugged her as we cried.
We walked in and she was on the phone. She looked a bit concerned but I didn't think much of it. She spent another 5 mins or so talking. Her voice starting to crack. You could hear the sadness in her voice from the other room. She finished by saying I'll be there in 20 mins.
I whispered to the kids, sounds like someone granny knows is sick or got hurt. I thought to myself must be important as I know she wouldn't change her fair plans unless necessary. Little did I know.
She walked down the hall and around the corner. Stood there and stared at me. "He's gone". I looked at her not understanding. Who's gone? After I said those words I realized what happened. "Pap?". She responded, Yes he died this morning.
I got up and hugged her as we cried.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Memories
So I sit here thinking about past memories and future memories that we will make while in PA.
We are on a mini getaway. Can't say it's going to be relaxing. Visiting my Mom is never relaxing. I'm always afraid of what I might do wrong, yes even at 40. Throw my kids into the equation and the anxiety is high. She's never been a kid person. I would know. I know she enjoys seeing us, just as long as she is not the one making the 10 hour trip. But I always feel that when I go she says, "Wow, that was a bit much. Good thing they don't come often". Now whether she truly feels this way I don't know. I sure hope not. But I still can't seem to shake the feeling.
Along with my Mom I get to see my Grandfather. Pap, as I call him. This man has meant the world to me. My most cherished memories as a child has been with him. I always felt loved, cared for and special. Both my grandmother and grandfather were wonderful to me. I only got to see them a few times a year but they were always the best weeks of my year. My grandmother has already passed away and soon my grandfather will too. He has been very sick the last few months. In and out of the hospital, too many times to count. He is 95, deaf, blind and in the midst of heart failure, demetia and pneumonia. He is no longer the Pap I remember. I lost that man many years ago. He's a mean old man who swears, yells, and hates everyone and everything. He can tear you down with just a sentence. He can get my blood boiling as I sit and listen to him tear my mother apart. Mind you she has been the one taking care of him for years, yet to him she is nothing but a pain in the ass and someone who wants to steal his money. I don't like this man.
I haven't seen him for a year. My kids two years. I went too long. Shame on me for not making a better effort to go in the spring. Now we are near the end of his life and I will get to spend a bit of time with him the next few days. What memories will I take from this. I'm afraid they won't be good. I worry what the kids will think. Hard for them to believe that who they see now is not my grandfather. If it was, my kids would not even spend a minute with him. I hope he will be kind with them. We'll see.
Memories. The good and the bad. They make us who we are.
We are on a mini getaway. Can't say it's going to be relaxing. Visiting my Mom is never relaxing. I'm always afraid of what I might do wrong, yes even at 40. Throw my kids into the equation and the anxiety is high. She's never been a kid person. I would know. I know she enjoys seeing us, just as long as she is not the one making the 10 hour trip. But I always feel that when I go she says, "Wow, that was a bit much. Good thing they don't come often". Now whether she truly feels this way I don't know. I sure hope not. But I still can't seem to shake the feeling.
Along with my Mom I get to see my Grandfather. Pap, as I call him. This man has meant the world to me. My most cherished memories as a child has been with him. I always felt loved, cared for and special. Both my grandmother and grandfather were wonderful to me. I only got to see them a few times a year but they were always the best weeks of my year. My grandmother has already passed away and soon my grandfather will too. He has been very sick the last few months. In and out of the hospital, too many times to count. He is 95, deaf, blind and in the midst of heart failure, demetia and pneumonia. He is no longer the Pap I remember. I lost that man many years ago. He's a mean old man who swears, yells, and hates everyone and everything. He can tear you down with just a sentence. He can get my blood boiling as I sit and listen to him tear my mother apart. Mind you she has been the one taking care of him for years, yet to him she is nothing but a pain in the ass and someone who wants to steal his money. I don't like this man.
I haven't seen him for a year. My kids two years. I went too long. Shame on me for not making a better effort to go in the spring. Now we are near the end of his life and I will get to spend a bit of time with him the next few days. What memories will I take from this. I'm afraid they won't be good. I worry what the kids will think. Hard for them to believe that who they see now is not my grandfather. If it was, my kids would not even spend a minute with him. I hope he will be kind with them. We'll see.
Memories. The good and the bad. They make us who we are.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Random
Let me apologize now for the language in this blog entry. I don't swear often. Rarely ever.........but today I'm just plain pissed off. So whatever flows from these fingers of mine.... Don't take it personally. And more importantly don't judge. This blog is for me. I know others read it, but really it's for me to look back on to and laugh at. To show my kids some day. To see where I started and where I decided to end all these races.
I hurt my leg back on June 17th. I remember the run vividly. I hit 3 miles and thought great my shin hurts. Not again. By mile 9 I was starting to run funny. Not quite a limp but close. By mile 12 my leg from ankle to hip was on fire. Shooting pains. This was only the beginning.
I now sit here over a month later with my leg wrapped in ice because it's throbbing. I have a f$#%ing stress fracture. Two days ago it was feeling better. Last night and today a different story. I drove for about 3.5 hours yesterday. I think that's what set it off. Just great I have to drive 10 hrs on Wed and again on Sunday. It's going to be a very long long drive. Then I'll limp through the pain for 3 days only to drive again. But the trip is too important not to go. It may be the last time I see my grandfather alive. Cryptic I know but true. He's has had double pneumonia for weeks. Spending many a nights in the hospital. He holds a very special place in my heart. A place that no one will ever take over. It's all his. I look forward to seeing him. Even if it's to hear him complain and tell me I do everything wrong. He's 96 and has dementia. Give him a break.
Once I get back from my trip I have a decision to make. I'll have 20 days to prepare myself for the Chicago Triathlon. An Olympic triathlon. First time I will have ever done that distance. Second, it's the largest triathlon in the World. Yes the world.. So I have a 1500m swim, a 25 mile bike and a 6 mile run. How can I not tri hard to finish? Even with not working out for 3 weeks I should be able to complete it. So Monday the 7th. I have to get back to swimming and biking. Running is off limits. It's going to be a rough week.
Until then I sit and try and decide what to do with the next year of my life. Yup I'm already planning the next year. I hope to be able to run the Chicago 1/2 in Sept. Then I'm done for the year. What's up for next year? Well I have a plan. I'm pretty sure my BIG race of the year for 2012 will be in Sept. I'll leave it at that.
Well I barely even swore......my mother would be proud.....
I hurt my leg back on June 17th. I remember the run vividly. I hit 3 miles and thought great my shin hurts. Not again. By mile 9 I was starting to run funny. Not quite a limp but close. By mile 12 my leg from ankle to hip was on fire. Shooting pains. This was only the beginning.
I now sit here over a month later with my leg wrapped in ice because it's throbbing. I have a f$#%ing stress fracture. Two days ago it was feeling better. Last night and today a different story. I drove for about 3.5 hours yesterday. I think that's what set it off. Just great I have to drive 10 hrs on Wed and again on Sunday. It's going to be a very long long drive. Then I'll limp through the pain for 3 days only to drive again. But the trip is too important not to go. It may be the last time I see my grandfather alive. Cryptic I know but true. He's has had double pneumonia for weeks. Spending many a nights in the hospital. He holds a very special place in my heart. A place that no one will ever take over. It's all his. I look forward to seeing him. Even if it's to hear him complain and tell me I do everything wrong. He's 96 and has dementia. Give him a break.
Once I get back from my trip I have a decision to make. I'll have 20 days to prepare myself for the Chicago Triathlon. An Olympic triathlon. First time I will have ever done that distance. Second, it's the largest triathlon in the World. Yes the world.. So I have a 1500m swim, a 25 mile bike and a 6 mile run. How can I not tri hard to finish? Even with not working out for 3 weeks I should be able to complete it. So Monday the 7th. I have to get back to swimming and biking. Running is off limits. It's going to be a rough week.
Until then I sit and try and decide what to do with the next year of my life. Yup I'm already planning the next year. I hope to be able to run the Chicago 1/2 in Sept. Then I'm done for the year. What's up for next year? Well I have a plan. I'm pretty sure my BIG race of the year for 2012 will be in Sept. I'll leave it at that.
Well I barely even swore......my mother would be proud.....
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Now What?
I got my results yesterday.
A stress fracture.
A BIG BAD stress fracture.
Great.
6-8 weeks of healing.
No running or any more walking than necessary
Though I can swim and bike.
But I don't feel like swimming and biking.
I lost my mojo yet again.
This always happens to me after a big race and when injured.
X-rays again on the 24th to decide if I can complete the Chicago Triathlon.
Possibly the 1/2 marathon in Sept.
Chicago Marathon is out. I would have 1 week to train for it after it heals.
I think I need a break from training again.
Looks like I'll be winging it for awhile.
I thought being 40 would be better than 39.
I was wrong.
A stress fracture.
A BIG BAD stress fracture.
Great.
6-8 weeks of healing.
No running or any more walking than necessary
Though I can swim and bike.
But I don't feel like swimming and biking.
I lost my mojo yet again.
This always happens to me after a big race and when injured.
X-rays again on the 24th to decide if I can complete the Chicago Triathlon.
Possibly the 1/2 marathon in Sept.
Chicago Marathon is out. I would have 1 week to train for it after it heals.
I think I need a break from training again.
Looks like I'll be winging it for awhile.
I thought being 40 would be better than 39.
I was wrong.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Ironman Racine Part 2
This bike course was listed as a flat ride with a few rolling hills. I disagree. It was all rolling hills with a few inclines. At one point I turned a corner and saw what was ahead of me and yelled "Flat my ass" to the girl next to me.
I've ridden much harder courses. So I just kept that in mind. We head straight through the town of Racine for the first few miles. Let me just say their roads are horrible. Patched everywhere and cracks in the pavement about every 15 feet. So for the first 5 miles I had to hold on for dear life. Not allow my water bottle that was so nicely fitted between my areobars to go flying out and smack someone. Went something like this. Boom Boom...............Boom Boom............Bang........Thud...........Boom Boom..........Boom Boom. It was a long 5 miles. Made some turns and got onto a smoother road yet you still had to watch for potholes and debris. My heart rate was still a touch high from the adrenaline and I realized I was holding a pretty good pace of 17 mph. So I played with the gears a bit going back to the small ring which slowed me down a bit but got my heart rate back to the 140's which is where I wanted it to stay for most of the ride. As my body got comfortable in areo position I just kept knocking off the miles. Little demoralizing when you hit 10 miles and then realize only 46 more to go. So I played the fraction game. Just get to 14 and I'm 1/4 done. Hit 28 and it's all down hill from here, (well not literally). By the 1/2 mark my stomach was getting a bit gurgley. Made me a bit nervous. But I was able to keep that feeling at bay. I followed my nutrition plan and was eating on the bike about every 40-45 mins. Drinking whenever I felt like it as it was so hot out.
I saw hundreds of people pass me. Some of the swim waves behind me were Men in there 20's. Let me tell you with their $7000 bikes and $2000 race wheels they just fly by. It's amazing to me how smooth they look. Like they are out for a Sunday drive. They are able to hold a pace of at least 22mph with out much thought. I passed a few myself and was able to chick a few guys. That's always nice. But other than that it was quite uneventful. Part of the route was an out and back. So I made sure to look for my Dad, but I never saw him. I figured he was on the part that I didn't double back on. We decided that by the time I was done with the bike I would be about 1.5 hours ahead of him. This includes the 30 mins that he started after me. But I was able to cut off 18 mins off my bike time. Hold an avg pace of 17.92mph. My goal was 17 and would be trilled with 18. Pretty darn close!
Flew down the last tiny hill and slammed the brakes. Hopped off and wobbled to transition. Trying to walk or run right after biking that many miles still feels weird to me. Dropped off the bike goods. Sprayed sunscreen, sprayed pain relief in a can on both my legs. Change into sneakers, decided to leave bike socks on. Hat, water bottle and off I go. Reset the garmin for running and GO.
Okay it wasn't a GO. It was more like a shuffle with an annoying limp. I was walking like those who have a prosthesis. Where you lift the leg off the ground and not bend it and pull it forward. This way I would land on my full foot and not the ball or heel which is more painful at the moment. I wasn't sure what to expect and told myself it was ok to walk the whole thing. There is a hill or two right at the beginning so I walk the first two miles. Let me tell you...........it took forever! I avg a 15:30 pace. I was hoping for a 15 min pace avg. So it was obvious to me that I would have to shuffle a bit to get that time down. So let's give it a try. Shuffle shuffle shuffle. I last about half a mile and the pain goes around the ankle up the shin and to the knee. I know enough to stop before it hits the hip. That's when I really have trouble keeping any movement forward. I walk some more and down what was probably the 6 Advil and 4th Tylenol.
This course is a double loop, out and back. So about 3.2 miles out and back 4 times. Knowing that I had gained a bit more time coming off the bike I probably had closer to a 2 hr lead on Dad. So I spent a good time trying to figure out when I would see him on the run course. I was hoping that when I started the second loop I could run into him. Then I realized that no that would be too soon. Meanwhile I met a guy who had a hamstring pull and couldn't do much running either. So we enjoyed each other's company. He was a 300 pound man a few years ago. Still a big guy but now he has done everything from a 5k to a full iornman. I was so impressed with his story. It's people like that who keep me going. We walked, talked, shuffled and at times played cat and mouse. Eventually I got ahead of him and stayed there. I did see him finish about 3/4 of a mile behind me. Nice job "Super Grover" That was on his bike jersey. I met another man 62 who lived in Cary like my Dad. Maybe they are neighbors! He was on his first loop when I started my second. I have to say the athletes and all the volunteers were wonderful. The the heat as bad as it was, everyone just tried to make the best of it.
The beginning of my second loop I saw Dave. Cheering me on telling me how awesome I was. At that point in time I was shuffling. I managed to bring down my pace to 14:30 by then. This gave me a bit of room in case a slowed even more on the second loop. After I passed him I realized that no one else was with him. Where was the rest of the family? Maybe Dad wasn't off the bike yet. That was a good possibility. So I shuffled along another 3.2 miles, took advantage of the all water, Gatorade, coke, sponges and ice. Lots of residents had hoses out spraying us down. By the time I hit 9 miles I knew that yes indeed I would finish. My leg on fire. I had developed the worst blisters I have ever had on both heels because I was walking and running funny. I looked at the garim and I am now closer to a 14 min mile avg. Well well, maybe I can push it to under 14. Now that became the goal. I ran until I couldn't run and hobbled until I could shuffle again. Another 3 Advil and 2 Tylenol with get me through. I was certain I would see my father on this last part of the course going the other way. Then I had the feeling that he never did make it to the run course. I should of seen him somewhere by now.
When I was about 1 mile away I didn't want it to end. I didn't want to be in pain, but besides that it's a feeling that I had been waiting for since my first marathon. You challenge yourself. Push your limits. Some days your invincible. Some days your miserable. You have to trust your training. Trust that come race day your body knows what to do. Trust that even with being injured, pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever. I spent 6 months training for this race. Had I not been injured I would have had a stellar performance. I felt great, my nutrition plan was perfect, it was hot but I never thought that the heat was limiting me. An injury slowed me down, but I still won.
I crossed the line and I'm proud to say that the ironman announcer even got my full name right! Thank you! My family cheered me on, screaming my name. My Dad right there with them supporting me even while he was unable to finish. I got my medal, a new hat and water. Had some pictures taken and found my husband who had tears of joy. I did it. My first Ironman sanctioned event.
I found out that my Dad got heat exhaustion around mile 35 on the bike. He stopped to get water and staggered a bit. He knew he was going down hill quickly. He made the smart decision to go the the medical tent and they covered him with ice to cool him down quickly. Heat exhaustion at it's best. At 115 heat index on the course he wasn't the only one with that issue. He made the right choice. It's one thing to be injured and push through. Another thing if your body is shutting down.
It wasn't long for us to pack up our stuff and head back to the car. I was tired, SORE but proud. The ride home was ugly. About 2 hours of being hot then cold as I still had all my tri gear on. I was gross. My blisters pounding, leg aching. Finally we get home. I go to get out of the car slowly and realize that there is no way to put pressure on my leg. I can no longer walk on it.
Got myself cleaned up slowly. Spent the rest of the day with ice on the leg. The next day called the doctor. Had xrays, shows no stress fracture. Had a MRI yesterday and will get the results on Mon. For now I take it easy.
It's was a day I'll never forget. So do I get the tattoo?
I've ridden much harder courses. So I just kept that in mind. We head straight through the town of Racine for the first few miles. Let me just say their roads are horrible. Patched everywhere and cracks in the pavement about every 15 feet. So for the first 5 miles I had to hold on for dear life. Not allow my water bottle that was so nicely fitted between my areobars to go flying out and smack someone. Went something like this. Boom Boom...............Boom Boom............Bang........Thud...........Boom Boom..........Boom Boom. It was a long 5 miles. Made some turns and got onto a smoother road yet you still had to watch for potholes and debris. My heart rate was still a touch high from the adrenaline and I realized I was holding a pretty good pace of 17 mph. So I played with the gears a bit going back to the small ring which slowed me down a bit but got my heart rate back to the 140's which is where I wanted it to stay for most of the ride. As my body got comfortable in areo position I just kept knocking off the miles. Little demoralizing when you hit 10 miles and then realize only 46 more to go. So I played the fraction game. Just get to 14 and I'm 1/4 done. Hit 28 and it's all down hill from here, (well not literally). By the 1/2 mark my stomach was getting a bit gurgley. Made me a bit nervous. But I was able to keep that feeling at bay. I followed my nutrition plan and was eating on the bike about every 40-45 mins. Drinking whenever I felt like it as it was so hot out.
I saw hundreds of people pass me. Some of the swim waves behind me were Men in there 20's. Let me tell you with their $7000 bikes and $2000 race wheels they just fly by. It's amazing to me how smooth they look. Like they are out for a Sunday drive. They are able to hold a pace of at least 22mph with out much thought. I passed a few myself and was able to chick a few guys. That's always nice. But other than that it was quite uneventful. Part of the route was an out and back. So I made sure to look for my Dad, but I never saw him. I figured he was on the part that I didn't double back on. We decided that by the time I was done with the bike I would be about 1.5 hours ahead of him. This includes the 30 mins that he started after me. But I was able to cut off 18 mins off my bike time. Hold an avg pace of 17.92mph. My goal was 17 and would be trilled with 18. Pretty darn close!
Flew down the last tiny hill and slammed the brakes. Hopped off and wobbled to transition. Trying to walk or run right after biking that many miles still feels weird to me. Dropped off the bike goods. Sprayed sunscreen, sprayed pain relief in a can on both my legs. Change into sneakers, decided to leave bike socks on. Hat, water bottle and off I go. Reset the garmin for running and GO.
Okay it wasn't a GO. It was more like a shuffle with an annoying limp. I was walking like those who have a prosthesis. Where you lift the leg off the ground and not bend it and pull it forward. This way I would land on my full foot and not the ball or heel which is more painful at the moment. I wasn't sure what to expect and told myself it was ok to walk the whole thing. There is a hill or two right at the beginning so I walk the first two miles. Let me tell you...........it took forever! I avg a 15:30 pace. I was hoping for a 15 min pace avg. So it was obvious to me that I would have to shuffle a bit to get that time down. So let's give it a try. Shuffle shuffle shuffle. I last about half a mile and the pain goes around the ankle up the shin and to the knee. I know enough to stop before it hits the hip. That's when I really have trouble keeping any movement forward. I walk some more and down what was probably the 6 Advil and 4th Tylenol.
This course is a double loop, out and back. So about 3.2 miles out and back 4 times. Knowing that I had gained a bit more time coming off the bike I probably had closer to a 2 hr lead on Dad. So I spent a good time trying to figure out when I would see him on the run course. I was hoping that when I started the second loop I could run into him. Then I realized that no that would be too soon. Meanwhile I met a guy who had a hamstring pull and couldn't do much running either. So we enjoyed each other's company. He was a 300 pound man a few years ago. Still a big guy but now he has done everything from a 5k to a full iornman. I was so impressed with his story. It's people like that who keep me going. We walked, talked, shuffled and at times played cat and mouse. Eventually I got ahead of him and stayed there. I did see him finish about 3/4 of a mile behind me. Nice job "Super Grover" That was on his bike jersey. I met another man 62 who lived in Cary like my Dad. Maybe they are neighbors! He was on his first loop when I started my second. I have to say the athletes and all the volunteers were wonderful. The the heat as bad as it was, everyone just tried to make the best of it.
The beginning of my second loop I saw Dave. Cheering me on telling me how awesome I was. At that point in time I was shuffling. I managed to bring down my pace to 14:30 by then. This gave me a bit of room in case a slowed even more on the second loop. After I passed him I realized that no one else was with him. Where was the rest of the family? Maybe Dad wasn't off the bike yet. That was a good possibility. So I shuffled along another 3.2 miles, took advantage of the all water, Gatorade, coke, sponges and ice. Lots of residents had hoses out spraying us down. By the time I hit 9 miles I knew that yes indeed I would finish. My leg on fire. I had developed the worst blisters I have ever had on both heels because I was walking and running funny. I looked at the garim and I am now closer to a 14 min mile avg. Well well, maybe I can push it to under 14. Now that became the goal. I ran until I couldn't run and hobbled until I could shuffle again. Another 3 Advil and 2 Tylenol with get me through. I was certain I would see my father on this last part of the course going the other way. Then I had the feeling that he never did make it to the run course. I should of seen him somewhere by now.
When I was about 1 mile away I didn't want it to end. I didn't want to be in pain, but besides that it's a feeling that I had been waiting for since my first marathon. You challenge yourself. Push your limits. Some days your invincible. Some days your miserable. You have to trust your training. Trust that come race day your body knows what to do. Trust that even with being injured, pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever. I spent 6 months training for this race. Had I not been injured I would have had a stellar performance. I felt great, my nutrition plan was perfect, it was hot but I never thought that the heat was limiting me. An injury slowed me down, but I still won.
I crossed the line and I'm proud to say that the ironman announcer even got my full name right! Thank you! My family cheered me on, screaming my name. My Dad right there with them supporting me even while he was unable to finish. I got my medal, a new hat and water. Had some pictures taken and found my husband who had tears of joy. I did it. My first Ironman sanctioned event.
I found out that my Dad got heat exhaustion around mile 35 on the bike. He stopped to get water and staggered a bit. He knew he was going down hill quickly. He made the smart decision to go the the medical tent and they covered him with ice to cool him down quickly. Heat exhaustion at it's best. At 115 heat index on the course he wasn't the only one with that issue. He made the right choice. It's one thing to be injured and push through. Another thing if your body is shutting down.
It wasn't long for us to pack up our stuff and head back to the car. I was tired, SORE but proud. The ride home was ugly. About 2 hours of being hot then cold as I still had all my tri gear on. I was gross. My blisters pounding, leg aching. Finally we get home. I go to get out of the car slowly and realize that there is no way to put pressure on my leg. I can no longer walk on it.
Got myself cleaned up slowly. Spent the rest of the day with ice on the leg. The next day called the doctor. Had xrays, shows no stress fracture. Had a MRI yesterday and will get the results on Mon. For now I take it easy.
It's was a day I'll never forget. So do I get the tattoo?
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Ironman Racine Part 1
I went into this race wondering if I'd be able to do it. Not the best way to show up at the starting line!
Got to Racine Sat afternoon and headed to packet pickup. Took a bit of time but after I signed my life away on the waiver forms I was off to the merchandise section. I was leery at buying anything since I knew there was a good chance I would be unable to finish. However after wandering around I really didn't see much that I wanted in the first place. That actually surprised me. So I picked up a water bottle, sweatshirt and hat.
Next up was bike drop off. Rules state that it is mandatory to drop off the bike the night before in the transition area. This was a great idea. Not having to lug your bike in and out of the hotel. The rack space was so tight that it would of been a nightmare in the morning with everyone showing up at the same time with bikes.
Checked into the hotel then off to dinner. Back to hotel by 8. Time to organize. I had everything ready to go by 9. Now I wait. And wait.....and wait. The night was rough. I didn't really sleep at all. I did have a 30 min dream about waking up at 7:37 and my Dad didn't wake me up at 5:15 when we were supposed to meet. My swim wave started at 7:30. I woke up with my heart literally pounding out of my chest. After that no sleep. Finally I turned off the alarm at 4:20 and started getting ready.
My leg was very stiff and sore. As I was limping around trying to get dressed and apply the 4 different lotions and ointment for the day I just looked at myself and thought what am i doing? I'm not ready and I am truly injured. A type of injury that could last a lifetime. Is this the right thing to do? I shed some tears and was shaking a bit with what I knew was a verge of a panic attack emerging. Right then I took a couple of deep breaths and knew I worked so damn hard for many years to get to this day. Yes I have already done the distance but not a true Ironman sanctioned event. This could be my only chance. I have to try. I have to TRI HARD. Injured or not this was my day.
Made it to transition with about 45 mins to play around getting all my gear ready. So little space so much stuff. Try putting everything you need to bike and then run in about a 1.5x2 foot section. Bike shoes, running shoes, water, towel, sunscreen, hat, transition bag, socks on and on.
This swim was a point to point swim. Nice, but now I had to walk a mile to get to the start line. Just what my leg needs walking in the soft sand barefoot for a mile. Painful? Yup. After arriving to the start area my Dad and I found Lori and shortly there after Dave and the kids showed up. I'm always so proud of my kids that they not only show up, (well really we don't give then much of a choice) but they understand that I'm focused, nervous, not my usual self and they know not take it personally. They just are quiet and watch. Got the wetsuit on and joined my wave group. I stood there looking at the other 145 women I was against knowing that I maybe the one of few who don't finish. What I realized was that because I knew I couldn't run I was more confident that I could swim and I knew I could push it on the bike. So I was almost calm right before the gun went off. No turning back now. I was off at exactly 7:30. It was about 66 degrees in the water and I was so hot from standing in my wetsuit that it felt good to get in.
There wasn't too much punching and kicking going on. Everyone was pretty respectful of space. You had to adjust somewhat the first 100 meters or so before turing right at the first buoy. The water was smooth. I had the sun on my left, buoys on my right. Perfect as I am a right side breather. It's a straight shot down the lake for about 1800 meters. I never caught up to the wave ahead of us and only about 5 men swam over me from the wave behind us. So I held my own. Making the right turn again and swam as smooth as I could never getting the heart rate above zone 2. Could I have swam faster? Oh yes a lot, but I knew I still had about 69 miles left to go that day and no time goal so why bother. Hit the bottom with my hands and stood up. It's natural to get woozy and lightheaded when you stand. Takes a minute to get your bearings. Started stripping off the wet suit and knew I had at least a 1/4 mile jog through sand, rocks and pavement before I got to the transition mat. With a time of just under 45 mins. The swim itself was probably 41-42 mins.
Took my time in transition. Wanted to make sure my leg was sprayed with medication for pain. Dry feet for socks and bike shoes, sunscreen on face, (can't do it before swim as your goggles won't stick), race belt, bike gloves, helmet, sunglasses and I'm off.
So this was my chance to make up some time.
Got to Racine Sat afternoon and headed to packet pickup. Took a bit of time but after I signed my life away on the waiver forms I was off to the merchandise section. I was leery at buying anything since I knew there was a good chance I would be unable to finish. However after wandering around I really didn't see much that I wanted in the first place. That actually surprised me. So I picked up a water bottle, sweatshirt and hat.
Next up was bike drop off. Rules state that it is mandatory to drop off the bike the night before in the transition area. This was a great idea. Not having to lug your bike in and out of the hotel. The rack space was so tight that it would of been a nightmare in the morning with everyone showing up at the same time with bikes.
Checked into the hotel then off to dinner. Back to hotel by 8. Time to organize. I had everything ready to go by 9. Now I wait. And wait.....and wait. The night was rough. I didn't really sleep at all. I did have a 30 min dream about waking up at 7:37 and my Dad didn't wake me up at 5:15 when we were supposed to meet. My swim wave started at 7:30. I woke up with my heart literally pounding out of my chest. After that no sleep. Finally I turned off the alarm at 4:20 and started getting ready.
My leg was very stiff and sore. As I was limping around trying to get dressed and apply the 4 different lotions and ointment for the day I just looked at myself and thought what am i doing? I'm not ready and I am truly injured. A type of injury that could last a lifetime. Is this the right thing to do? I shed some tears and was shaking a bit with what I knew was a verge of a panic attack emerging. Right then I took a couple of deep breaths and knew I worked so damn hard for many years to get to this day. Yes I have already done the distance but not a true Ironman sanctioned event. This could be my only chance. I have to try. I have to TRI HARD. Injured or not this was my day.
Made it to transition with about 45 mins to play around getting all my gear ready. So little space so much stuff. Try putting everything you need to bike and then run in about a 1.5x2 foot section. Bike shoes, running shoes, water, towel, sunscreen, hat, transition bag, socks on and on.
This swim was a point to point swim. Nice, but now I had to walk a mile to get to the start line. Just what my leg needs walking in the soft sand barefoot for a mile. Painful? Yup. After arriving to the start area my Dad and I found Lori and shortly there after Dave and the kids showed up. I'm always so proud of my kids that they not only show up, (well really we don't give then much of a choice) but they understand that I'm focused, nervous, not my usual self and they know not take it personally. They just are quiet and watch. Got the wetsuit on and joined my wave group. I stood there looking at the other 145 women I was against knowing that I maybe the one of few who don't finish. What I realized was that because I knew I couldn't run I was more confident that I could swim and I knew I could push it on the bike. So I was almost calm right before the gun went off. No turning back now. I was off at exactly 7:30. It was about 66 degrees in the water and I was so hot from standing in my wetsuit that it felt good to get in.
There wasn't too much punching and kicking going on. Everyone was pretty respectful of space. You had to adjust somewhat the first 100 meters or so before turing right at the first buoy. The water was smooth. I had the sun on my left, buoys on my right. Perfect as I am a right side breather. It's a straight shot down the lake for about 1800 meters. I never caught up to the wave ahead of us and only about 5 men swam over me from the wave behind us. So I held my own. Making the right turn again and swam as smooth as I could never getting the heart rate above zone 2. Could I have swam faster? Oh yes a lot, but I knew I still had about 69 miles left to go that day and no time goal so why bother. Hit the bottom with my hands and stood up. It's natural to get woozy and lightheaded when you stand. Takes a minute to get your bearings. Started stripping off the wet suit and knew I had at least a 1/4 mile jog through sand, rocks and pavement before I got to the transition mat. With a time of just under 45 mins. The swim itself was probably 41-42 mins.
Took my time in transition. Wanted to make sure my leg was sprayed with medication for pain. Dry feet for socks and bike shoes, sunscreen on face, (can't do it before swim as your goggles won't stick), race belt, bike gloves, helmet, sunglasses and I'm off.
So this was my chance to make up some time.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Something To Say
So it's been awhile. Why have I not blogged? Not really sure. I could come up with excuses, but really I just didn't have much to say.
Right now I sit and wait. 4 days. Ironman Racine.
I trained so hard for this race. That is until mid June. Then something happened. I got injured yet again. I was running 12 miles. By mile three I felt my shin pain kicking in. I had noticed twinges for about a week before that. By mile 9 I had horrible pain. For the next three miles I hobbled back to the vacation house in Hilton Head with the most pain I have ever had. Shooting pain that went around my ankle up my shin to my hip. Since that day I ran once. Last week for a whopping 1.6 miles. I hobbled, cried and winced in pain. This is not good. I would bet money that I have a severe stress fracture. Do I know for sure? Nope haven't gone to the doctors. Why? Because I know what he's going to say and I don't want to hear it.
I have been able to swim and bike with the pain. I can feel it, it aches but I can deal with that. It's my foot hitting the pavement whether it be walking or god forbid running that puts me over the edge. So training this last month got adjusted. Dropped the running and did about 85% of the swimming and biking. I'm hoping that will be enough to get me to the finish line.
Ironman rules say I can't crawl. No one can help me through the run course unless it's another athlete. No rules against walking on my hands! Wouldn't that be funny. Is it possible that I may do more damage? Absolutely. But as any athlete can tell you it's hard to throw in the towel after 100's of hours of training. Had this been any other race or if I couldn't swim or bike without shooting pain then yes I would wave my white flag.
But this is my race. The one I've thought about for years. An Ironman sanctioned event. This is the biggie. Nothing will top this for me except for the minuet possibility that someday I do a full Ironman. But with my running history and the fact that my legs just aren't what they used to be I don't think I could pull off the full version. So now is the time. This is my chance. Failing is a big possibility. But I will do everything humanly possible within the rules to get to the finish line within 9.5 hours.
My plan is adjusted. I will swim within my limits. After getting through the first few hundred adrenaline, panic stricken meters I will fall into my groove. Swim comfortably, not worrying about all the other 40 something women in my wave. There's no way I will beat any of them with this leg. After the swim bike my heart out. This is where most people make mistakes. They bike to hard and have nothing left for the run. Well I'll use this to my advantage. I might as well give it all I have as I know the run will be merely a walk. I will leave all that I have on the bike course and pray that something inside me will take over and I will finish the run.
I have an ankle brace, keniso tape, duck tape but it won't help much. The tape probably won't stick with the sweat and humidity.
Ah yes the weather. We all know when I race there's bound to be a weather issue. Right now it's a nice comfortable day in the 70's. By Sunday 86. I suppose it could be worse. No rain in the forecast. Rain would be nice on the run portion.
So here I sit icing my leg, waiting for Sunday. I'll be sitting nonstop the next 4 days. The more I keep off this leg the better chance I have at finally bring home the Ironman Metal.
Yes it's still about the medals.
(and a possible tattoo)
Right now I sit and wait. 4 days. Ironman Racine.
I trained so hard for this race. That is until mid June. Then something happened. I got injured yet again. I was running 12 miles. By mile three I felt my shin pain kicking in. I had noticed twinges for about a week before that. By mile 9 I had horrible pain. For the next three miles I hobbled back to the vacation house in Hilton Head with the most pain I have ever had. Shooting pain that went around my ankle up my shin to my hip. Since that day I ran once. Last week for a whopping 1.6 miles. I hobbled, cried and winced in pain. This is not good. I would bet money that I have a severe stress fracture. Do I know for sure? Nope haven't gone to the doctors. Why? Because I know what he's going to say and I don't want to hear it.
I have been able to swim and bike with the pain. I can feel it, it aches but I can deal with that. It's my foot hitting the pavement whether it be walking or god forbid running that puts me over the edge. So training this last month got adjusted. Dropped the running and did about 85% of the swimming and biking. I'm hoping that will be enough to get me to the finish line.
Ironman rules say I can't crawl. No one can help me through the run course unless it's another athlete. No rules against walking on my hands! Wouldn't that be funny. Is it possible that I may do more damage? Absolutely. But as any athlete can tell you it's hard to throw in the towel after 100's of hours of training. Had this been any other race or if I couldn't swim or bike without shooting pain then yes I would wave my white flag.
But this is my race. The one I've thought about for years. An Ironman sanctioned event. This is the biggie. Nothing will top this for me except for the minuet possibility that someday I do a full Ironman. But with my running history and the fact that my legs just aren't what they used to be I don't think I could pull off the full version. So now is the time. This is my chance. Failing is a big possibility. But I will do everything humanly possible within the rules to get to the finish line within 9.5 hours.
My plan is adjusted. I will swim within my limits. After getting through the first few hundred adrenaline, panic stricken meters I will fall into my groove. Swim comfortably, not worrying about all the other 40 something women in my wave. There's no way I will beat any of them with this leg. After the swim bike my heart out. This is where most people make mistakes. They bike to hard and have nothing left for the run. Well I'll use this to my advantage. I might as well give it all I have as I know the run will be merely a walk. I will leave all that I have on the bike course and pray that something inside me will take over and I will finish the run.
I have an ankle brace, keniso tape, duck tape but it won't help much. The tape probably won't stick with the sweat and humidity.
Ah yes the weather. We all know when I race there's bound to be a weather issue. Right now it's a nice comfortable day in the 70's. By Sunday 86. I suppose it could be worse. No rain in the forecast. Rain would be nice on the run portion.
So here I sit icing my leg, waiting for Sunday. I'll be sitting nonstop the next 4 days. The more I keep off this leg the better chance I have at finally bring home the Ironman Metal.
Yes it's still about the medals.
(and a possible tattoo)
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Chicago Spring 1/2 Marathon Report
It was 1:00 am and I was in bed chuckling. This would be how the entire day went. Chuckling.
I woke again at 2 and listened to the wind howl and the rain hit the windows. Really? Come on. Why does the weather always have to be crappy when I have a race? Fell asleep and hoped that when I awoke the weather would be moving out and by 7am we would be in good shape. Alarm went off at 4 and still the wind whipped and the rain fell. Temp out was 41. OMG, now what? Do I really want to run in this awful weather? Well I knew there was probably no stopping my father so I got up and got dressed. My phone went off with a text......."Are you ready for this?" Ummmm......NO. Called his cell and we discussed our options. Well not really. We were just waiting for one of us to say lets bag it. There was no way I would of said that unless I was sick. I knew better. I would hear for years....."Remember that race we DIDN'T run? The one with the horrible weather. You wimped out. I would of run if you could of handled it." I was not going to deal with Dad picking on me about it. So we decided we were both up. He was already in the car and why not just drive down and decide then.
The ride to the city was quick. The drive to the race site, not so much. Took us about 20 minutes to drive in circles to figure out where the heck the starting line was. No matter what road we took we couldn't find it. Chuckle. What we could find was groups of runners heading somewhere. Park the car. We'll follow them.
So we follow the crowd. A few blocks straight a slight turn, through a fountain area. Upstairs, downstairs. Finally we come to the park, hidden between buildings. Like a courtyard of sorts. But no start line. Stopped to use the porta potties. It's cold, very cold, raining, windy. Yes we are going to run. We put on our lovely fashion statement of black garbage bags and I instantly feel much warmer. It's mid May and I'm wearing lined tights, sports bra, short sleeve shirt, long sleeve shirt, arm warmers, rain jacket, hat, ear band, gloves and a garbage bag. Chuckling. Happy racing.
We followed the crowd some more. There was quite a few runners. I think about 2200 runners showed up. Again through the buildings, behind buildings and now under some bridge. There was little waiting. Maybe 5 mins and we were off. Within 2 minutes we were running on the Lake shore Path. Along the water where all the boats are docked. The wind brutal. I realized it was a slight crosswind but more so coming from behind. This is not good, chuckling. It's an out and back course. Coming back would be a head wind........
We run along the path trying to avoid the huge puddles and people. The path just isn't big enough for the large crowd. This definitely is not a race to run for time even in the best condition. Too many people in your way. I was just running at what ever pace my Dad could maintain. And I have to say he did great. We held on to a 10:20 pace on the way out. Stopped to use the bathroom so that made it 10:29 pace at the turnaround point. But before we hit that mark we were pelted with freezing rain, almost blown over a few times and hit by a wave. Yes a wave. Ok, maybe wave mist. As we ran along the small trail along the aquarium it sits out in the water up high. The waves were smashing into the cement wall and flying up about 20 feet. With the wind it would spray over the trail. Like I'm not wet enough.
When I turn around at the 6.5 mile point I am shocked at how bad the head wind is. I start leaning forward pushing hard. Trying not to get blown over. The rain is now hitting you in the face and it's cold! This will be the longest 6.5 miles I have ever run. But what I realize is that really I'm doing just fine. Yes the weather is crap. But my body is doing what it should and not complaining too much. I was never breathing hard and just kept shuffling along keeping tabs on my father. By the 8 miles mark I was ready to get out of the cold. My father was slowing down, his garmin beeping that annoying beep every 30 secs telling him his heart rate was in zone 4 slow down. Dad, you have got to fix that thing so it doesn't go off all the time! I might have hit a HR in zone 3 at some points but my readings were off I think with the wacky weather. At one point my garmin said 208. Ha, I would be collapsed puking on the ground with that number. Most of the run was in zone 2 for me. Our average pace started to slow. We went from a 10:29 pace to a 10:45 pace. With 40 mph headwinds not too bad. Just finish. These medals better be good. Chuckling.
Finally we finish together. Wet, tired, cold, hungry. We get our medals and they are huge. Actually bigger than all my marathon ones. Heavy and very nice. There was hot food being served. Really nice set up with lots of free drinks. But just too cold to stand there in the rain and eat. Pleased with ourselves we head back to the car. Upstairs, downstairs, through the courtyard, pass the fountain. Down the road. We got a few blocks and turned right. Start walking and realize, nope this isn't right. We passed a self park earlier, but I knew it was the wrong one. So we decided we turned to soon, lets walk another block. We turn right again and nope that's not the street either. But wait I see hotel Monaco. We parked near that hotel. We walk around the entire block. No self park. Great now what. Where the hell is the car? We decided to check the parking garage we saw first. I knew it wasn't it, but there wasn't another one to check. Once in the garage it's confirmed, wrong one. We head back out but first wait in the corridor to warm up. I eat a protein bar as I'm getting woozy. I tell my Dad we really need to get our heads on straight and figure this out. He says yeah it would be embarrassing to call home and say we can't find the car. Ya think? We head back out into the cold and into a 7-11 we passed at least 3 times. I remembered telling a guy when we parked the car the name of the parking garage. He put it in his phone. I figured Dad put it in his head. I was wrong. I couldn't remember for sure what I said. I think it was Randolph and Wabash. So we ask the 7-11 cashier where we can find those cross roads. Still not knowing if we were heading in the right direction. We walk back out into the street and literally if you look diagonally along a cross street you see the green self park sign. There it is. We turned right off the main road and should of turned left. 30 minutes of searching for the car we find it.
Shedding the top layer and turning on the seat heaters it felt like a moist heating pad on my back. We drove most of the way home with the car set at 90 degrees. Nothing could make us over heated.
Was the race worth it? Yes it was. The medal is great. The experience I had with my Dad unforgettable. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Even with the weather I enjoyed myself. I learned something. Throwing away wanted PR's took off all the pressure. Supporting my Dad as he earned 2nd place in his age group is far more rewarding than being miserable trying to get my own age group medal. Which after looking at the times I never had a chance.
There is no race in June. Just lots of heavy training in the summer heat and humidity, here and in Hilton Head. Hope it prepares me for the Ironman in July. Sorry Dad you're on your own for that one.
I woke again at 2 and listened to the wind howl and the rain hit the windows. Really? Come on. Why does the weather always have to be crappy when I have a race? Fell asleep and hoped that when I awoke the weather would be moving out and by 7am we would be in good shape. Alarm went off at 4 and still the wind whipped and the rain fell. Temp out was 41. OMG, now what? Do I really want to run in this awful weather? Well I knew there was probably no stopping my father so I got up and got dressed. My phone went off with a text......."Are you ready for this?" Ummmm......NO. Called his cell and we discussed our options. Well not really. We were just waiting for one of us to say lets bag it. There was no way I would of said that unless I was sick. I knew better. I would hear for years....."Remember that race we DIDN'T run? The one with the horrible weather. You wimped out. I would of run if you could of handled it." I was not going to deal with Dad picking on me about it. So we decided we were both up. He was already in the car and why not just drive down and decide then.
The ride to the city was quick. The drive to the race site, not so much. Took us about 20 minutes to drive in circles to figure out where the heck the starting line was. No matter what road we took we couldn't find it. Chuckle. What we could find was groups of runners heading somewhere. Park the car. We'll follow them.
So we follow the crowd. A few blocks straight a slight turn, through a fountain area. Upstairs, downstairs. Finally we come to the park, hidden between buildings. Like a courtyard of sorts. But no start line. Stopped to use the porta potties. It's cold, very cold, raining, windy. Yes we are going to run. We put on our lovely fashion statement of black garbage bags and I instantly feel much warmer. It's mid May and I'm wearing lined tights, sports bra, short sleeve shirt, long sleeve shirt, arm warmers, rain jacket, hat, ear band, gloves and a garbage bag. Chuckling. Happy racing.
We followed the crowd some more. There was quite a few runners. I think about 2200 runners showed up. Again through the buildings, behind buildings and now under some bridge. There was little waiting. Maybe 5 mins and we were off. Within 2 minutes we were running on the Lake shore Path. Along the water where all the boats are docked. The wind brutal. I realized it was a slight crosswind but more so coming from behind. This is not good, chuckling. It's an out and back course. Coming back would be a head wind........
We run along the path trying to avoid the huge puddles and people. The path just isn't big enough for the large crowd. This definitely is not a race to run for time even in the best condition. Too many people in your way. I was just running at what ever pace my Dad could maintain. And I have to say he did great. We held on to a 10:20 pace on the way out. Stopped to use the bathroom so that made it 10:29 pace at the turnaround point. But before we hit that mark we were pelted with freezing rain, almost blown over a few times and hit by a wave. Yes a wave. Ok, maybe wave mist. As we ran along the small trail along the aquarium it sits out in the water up high. The waves were smashing into the cement wall and flying up about 20 feet. With the wind it would spray over the trail. Like I'm not wet enough.
When I turn around at the 6.5 mile point I am shocked at how bad the head wind is. I start leaning forward pushing hard. Trying not to get blown over. The rain is now hitting you in the face and it's cold! This will be the longest 6.5 miles I have ever run. But what I realize is that really I'm doing just fine. Yes the weather is crap. But my body is doing what it should and not complaining too much. I was never breathing hard and just kept shuffling along keeping tabs on my father. By the 8 miles mark I was ready to get out of the cold. My father was slowing down, his garmin beeping that annoying beep every 30 secs telling him his heart rate was in zone 4 slow down. Dad, you have got to fix that thing so it doesn't go off all the time! I might have hit a HR in zone 3 at some points but my readings were off I think with the wacky weather. At one point my garmin said 208. Ha, I would be collapsed puking on the ground with that number. Most of the run was in zone 2 for me. Our average pace started to slow. We went from a 10:29 pace to a 10:45 pace. With 40 mph headwinds not too bad. Just finish. These medals better be good. Chuckling.
Finally we finish together. Wet, tired, cold, hungry. We get our medals and they are huge. Actually bigger than all my marathon ones. Heavy and very nice. There was hot food being served. Really nice set up with lots of free drinks. But just too cold to stand there in the rain and eat. Pleased with ourselves we head back to the car. Upstairs, downstairs, through the courtyard, pass the fountain. Down the road. We got a few blocks and turned right. Start walking and realize, nope this isn't right. We passed a self park earlier, but I knew it was the wrong one. So we decided we turned to soon, lets walk another block. We turn right again and nope that's not the street either. But wait I see hotel Monaco. We parked near that hotel. We walk around the entire block. No self park. Great now what. Where the hell is the car? We decided to check the parking garage we saw first. I knew it wasn't it, but there wasn't another one to check. Once in the garage it's confirmed, wrong one. We head back out but first wait in the corridor to warm up. I eat a protein bar as I'm getting woozy. I tell my Dad we really need to get our heads on straight and figure this out. He says yeah it would be embarrassing to call home and say we can't find the car. Ya think? We head back out into the cold and into a 7-11 we passed at least 3 times. I remembered telling a guy when we parked the car the name of the parking garage. He put it in his phone. I figured Dad put it in his head. I was wrong. I couldn't remember for sure what I said. I think it was Randolph and Wabash. So we ask the 7-11 cashier where we can find those cross roads. Still not knowing if we were heading in the right direction. We walk back out into the street and literally if you look diagonally along a cross street you see the green self park sign. There it is. We turned right off the main road and should of turned left. 30 minutes of searching for the car we find it.
Shedding the top layer and turning on the seat heaters it felt like a moist heating pad on my back. We drove most of the way home with the car set at 90 degrees. Nothing could make us over heated.
Was the race worth it? Yes it was. The medal is great. The experience I had with my Dad unforgettable. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Even with the weather I enjoyed myself. I learned something. Throwing away wanted PR's took off all the pressure. Supporting my Dad as he earned 2nd place in his age group is far more rewarding than being miserable trying to get my own age group medal. Which after looking at the times I never had a chance.
There is no race in June. Just lots of heavy training in the summer heat and humidity, here and in Hilton Head. Hope it prepares me for the Ironman in July. Sorry Dad you're on your own for that one.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Degree of Talent
I have a talent.
Can't say it's a good one.
If you participate in any races with me, I am truly sorry.
Not because I may beat you, but because the weather is always crappy when I race.
I have run 4 marathons. Only the first one had perfect weather conditions.
I should of called it quits at 1. The second one? The coldest on record in Myrtle Beach.
The third? The hottest on record in Chicago.
The fourth? Second hottest in Chicago.
What will the 5th one bring?
I have run 5k's in the heat, wind and rain.
I have raced tri's that rained the whole way through.
I have raced a 1/2 marathon while being beat down by the outskirts of a hurricane. Torrential rains with cold temps. Lovely.
Why do I bring this up now? Well I'm racing on Sunday. I take that back not racing but running a 1/2 marathon with my Dad along the beautiful Lake shore path in downtown Chicago. Two days ago it hit 90 here. Yesterday not so bad in the 80's. Today the 70's. Perfect running weather. Sat it will get cooler and Sun? Drum roll please a high of 46. Chance of rain 60% Winds 21mph. At race time it will be about 40. Maybe that's perfect for some. But if it's raining and windy it's going to be freezing. I thought about calling him today and saying let's head into the city and run it today. Problem with that.... no finish line to cross, which equals no medal.
So I wait until Sunday as the weather gets worse and worse. Monday it starts to improve again and continues improving. Why am I not surprised?
Can't say it's a good one.
If you participate in any races with me, I am truly sorry.
Not because I may beat you, but because the weather is always crappy when I race.
I have run 4 marathons. Only the first one had perfect weather conditions.
I should of called it quits at 1. The second one? The coldest on record in Myrtle Beach.
The third? The hottest on record in Chicago.
The fourth? Second hottest in Chicago.
What will the 5th one bring?
I have run 5k's in the heat, wind and rain.
I have raced tri's that rained the whole way through.
I have raced a 1/2 marathon while being beat down by the outskirts of a hurricane. Torrential rains with cold temps. Lovely.
Why do I bring this up now? Well I'm racing on Sunday. I take that back not racing but running a 1/2 marathon with my Dad along the beautiful Lake shore path in downtown Chicago. Two days ago it hit 90 here. Yesterday not so bad in the 80's. Today the 70's. Perfect running weather. Sat it will get cooler and Sun? Drum roll please a high of 46. Chance of rain 60% Winds 21mph. At race time it will be about 40. Maybe that's perfect for some. But if it's raining and windy it's going to be freezing. I thought about calling him today and saying let's head into the city and run it today. Problem with that.... no finish line to cross, which equals no medal.
So I wait until Sunday as the weather gets worse and worse. Monday it starts to improve again and continues improving. Why am I not surprised?
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Ups and Downs
My changes in attitude are in full effect.
This past weekend my thoughts changed yet again.
Training is not that important. Of course it's important if you want to do well in any given race. It's important to follow a training program for the most part. But in real life situations training sometimes has to take a back seat. Mine is doing just that this week.
I decided to throw swimming out the window this week. There just isn't the time, strength or want to fit that in the schedule. I will also be missing a long run. But I will have worked out 2.5 hours a day for 3 of the 7 days. So enough to maintain my fitness.
My week started out rough and I never made it to the gym Monday. Instead I chose to spend my 2.5 hours sitting outside on a blanket with my parents dog, Oreo. She had what we think was a stroke over the weekend. It caused her to loose the function of her back legs and even holding her head up was a chore as it was drooping to the right. I sat and chatted with the family. Petted her head. Watched her struggle and sleep. Fed her Jimmy John's, duck treats, really, whatever she wanted. Those 2.5 hours were worth more sitting there saying goodbye to her than to be swimming and spinning at the gym. After I left it was only a few hours later she was put down. She was 14 1/2 and a great dog. Well loved and well taken care of. We will all miss her.
Along with Oreo getting sick my grandfather is failing. The man is 96 and I'm not sure how he's made it this far. Just like Oreo he is deaf and blind. He is starting to get delusional and rageful. Hitting people and seeing people that just aren't there. Right now we are told it could be a blockage in his neck causing a lack of oxygen to the brain. Or chances are with his vision disease delusions go along with it. I say it's because he's 96 and his mind just can't keep up with his heart. He has a heart of a 70 year old. It's that 70 year old heart that keeps him alive. As much as I don't want him to leave this earth I can't imagine him being happy or in any condition to enjoy life. It's very sad.
I'm hoping that this weekend will inject some happiness into the family. I know there will be tears but they will be tears of joy. Proud parents, proud sister. My sisters are graduating this weekend from college. I can't tell you how excited I am to have them come home. To get to see them whenever and not be counting down the days until they leave again. Now I know they don't feel the same. They would stay in college forever if they could. Leaving their friends and life they have known for 4 years will be very hard on them. But everyone has to do it at some point and I know they will come to terms with it and be happy that school is over! Reality is about to smack them in the face. But I know they will do as well in life as they have in school. I look forward to sharing that life with them.
So training............nope not that important this week in the scheme of things. It's all about family this week.
This past weekend my thoughts changed yet again.
Training is not that important. Of course it's important if you want to do well in any given race. It's important to follow a training program for the most part. But in real life situations training sometimes has to take a back seat. Mine is doing just that this week.
I decided to throw swimming out the window this week. There just isn't the time, strength or want to fit that in the schedule. I will also be missing a long run. But I will have worked out 2.5 hours a day for 3 of the 7 days. So enough to maintain my fitness.
My week started out rough and I never made it to the gym Monday. Instead I chose to spend my 2.5 hours sitting outside on a blanket with my parents dog, Oreo. She had what we think was a stroke over the weekend. It caused her to loose the function of her back legs and even holding her head up was a chore as it was drooping to the right. I sat and chatted with the family. Petted her head. Watched her struggle and sleep. Fed her Jimmy John's, duck treats, really, whatever she wanted. Those 2.5 hours were worth more sitting there saying goodbye to her than to be swimming and spinning at the gym. After I left it was only a few hours later she was put down. She was 14 1/2 and a great dog. Well loved and well taken care of. We will all miss her.
Along with Oreo getting sick my grandfather is failing. The man is 96 and I'm not sure how he's made it this far. Just like Oreo he is deaf and blind. He is starting to get delusional and rageful. Hitting people and seeing people that just aren't there. Right now we are told it could be a blockage in his neck causing a lack of oxygen to the brain. Or chances are with his vision disease delusions go along with it. I say it's because he's 96 and his mind just can't keep up with his heart. He has a heart of a 70 year old. It's that 70 year old heart that keeps him alive. As much as I don't want him to leave this earth I can't imagine him being happy or in any condition to enjoy life. It's very sad.
I'm hoping that this weekend will inject some happiness into the family. I know there will be tears but they will be tears of joy. Proud parents, proud sister. My sisters are graduating this weekend from college. I can't tell you how excited I am to have them come home. To get to see them whenever and not be counting down the days until they leave again. Now I know they don't feel the same. They would stay in college forever if they could. Leaving their friends and life they have known for 4 years will be very hard on them. But everyone has to do it at some point and I know they will come to terms with it and be happy that school is over! Reality is about to smack them in the face. But I know they will do as well in life as they have in school. I look forward to sharing that life with them.
So training............nope not that important this week in the scheme of things. It's all about family this week.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Week 9
Changes in my racing attitude have been made.
I will not be racing except for twice this year. Once in July for the Ironman 70.3 and once in October for the Chicago Marathon.
This doesn't mean I still won't be doing a race every month until December. It just means those will be totally for fun and I will not be pushing any pace on the hunt for a PR. I determined at my last sprint tri that in fact something needed to change otherwise I'd quit racing all together after this year. True racing is pushing your body to it's limit. It's a total physical and mental challenge. It takes total control and focus. Not just during the race but before it as well. It causes me to have a lot of race day anxiety and I just don't need any more of that in my life right now.
So my next race is May 15. The Chicago Spring 1/2 marathon. The weather has got to be better by then right? Anyway, I made the announcement to everyone that I will not be racing. I will be running with my Dad. When I told this to my father he looked puzzled. Why would you do that? Because I want to Dad. He proceeded to tell me his pace and that it would be slow. Yea, I know Dad that's ok with me. Running with him in Disney was fun and I decided I need more fun.
My mantra:
It's all about the medals.
It's not about time.
I will not be racing except for twice this year. Once in July for the Ironman 70.3 and once in October for the Chicago Marathon.
This doesn't mean I still won't be doing a race every month until December. It just means those will be totally for fun and I will not be pushing any pace on the hunt for a PR. I determined at my last sprint tri that in fact something needed to change otherwise I'd quit racing all together after this year. True racing is pushing your body to it's limit. It's a total physical and mental challenge. It takes total control and focus. Not just during the race but before it as well. It causes me to have a lot of race day anxiety and I just don't need any more of that in my life right now.
So my next race is May 15. The Chicago Spring 1/2 marathon. The weather has got to be better by then right? Anyway, I made the announcement to everyone that I will not be racing. I will be running with my Dad. When I told this to my father he looked puzzled. Why would you do that? Because I want to Dad. He proceeded to tell me his pace and that it would be slow. Yea, I know Dad that's ok with me. Running with him in Disney was fun and I decided I need more fun.
My mantra:
It's all about the medals.
It's not about time.
Monday, April 18, 2011
The Last Miami University Triathlon
This year marked year number 4 for this race and it is to be the last year. With my sisters ending their college education there is no way I would drive 6 hours to race a sprint tri. But of course it was much more about spending time with friends and family. Enjoying college life even at age 39 with a sprint tri thrown in for fun.
Ha, did I say fun? This was not fun, at all. I realized the other day that I don't find racing fun anymore. That is not a good thing. How to get the fun back is back on the top of my list. What's the point in doing these races if your miserable? I need to relax, calm down and breathe. I need to not worry about what might happen and just enjoy what does happen.
I get terrible race day anxiety and Sat morning was no different. You would think after 3 years of doing the same race at a distance that should be easy for me would not cause such stress. I couldn't eat, I paced, I waited for the car to get packed and headed the whole 1 mile to the recreation center where the pool swim is located. Picked up my chip and headed to transition. The weather, did I mention the weather? Crap is what it was. As I set up my stuff in transition I had to make the decision to bag most items to keep them dry or to risk leaving them out and hope the rain would hold off. I decided better safe than sorry. It added time to transition but at least when I got back to transition everything would be dry.
With a temp of about 50 you would think perfect. Wrong. It was 50 but with 20-25 mph winds, rain, hail.
After what seemed like an eternity we were called out to the pool. With my Dad behind me off we went. I took my sweet time for the first 100m just to make sure my breathing stayed under control. I passed a few people and by the time I hit 150m there was no one in my way so I sped up slightly. With a swim time of 8:48 plus running around the transition area before hitting the mat the time was 9:22.
It was now raining. Socks, bike shoes, shirt, jacket, sunglasses, helmet, bike. Off I went. This course was new this year. Hoping it could never be worse than years past, I would be wrong. This by far is an extremely challenging course of 12.8 miles. There was really no flat parts. I would say 2/3 were uphill and the other third a combo of flat and very steep downhills. With the roads being very wet and rain pelting you and the wind knocking you around there would be not much time in areo position. It was a matter of just getting through it. With a time of 50:52 I was not very competitive on the bike.
My husband told me prior to the race that he wanted to run with me. The run portion is a basically flat 5k through campus. However it seems to be one of the hardest 5k I've done. It seems to take forever to get to the 1/2 way mark. This year was no different. I had to slow my husband down at the beginning as I still had my bike legs attached to me. The first 1/2 mile, torture. I wanted to walk so bad. What's funny is you have no concept of how fast your running after you get off the bike. It felt like 11 minute miles at first then to 10 then to 9:30. Then at the end I figured I hit about a 9:15 pace. In the beginning of the run my husband pulled me through by the end I was pulling him. We both were ready to stop! My run time was 28:37 a pace of 9:12.
I ended up with a total time of 1:32:02. 53 seconds faster than last year. It's not much but since the weather was horrible and the bike course harder any improvement is great. I was hoping to hit under 1:30 but it wasn't meant to be. Had the weather been right I would of hit my goal.
Some of you may know I that had another very specific goal that day. To beat a particular guy whom shall remain nameless. Last year I had the same goal and he beat me by 53 seconds. I was determined that wouldn't happen again. However I was told the night before the race that he was not registered and wouldn't be there. Smart man. Had he shown up I think not only would I of practically killed myself to beat him but others were in line to give him a piece of their minds too. So with my 53 second faster time this year. We tied. Really??? Tied?? Guess I'll never have the chance to chick that 22 year old guy.
Typically I am wiped after a race. Stomach in knots, can't eat, drink and am miserable. Again no fun. This time I tried something different. I ate IMMEDIATELY after the race. I ate a doughnut and had a big glass of OJ. My stomach flipped and it was opposing the food but I forced it down quickly. After a few hours and lunch I was back to normal. YES!!!! I could actually enjoy the BBQ my sisters had with friends and family that afternoon, yes even in the rain. Played some games, ate lots of food, had some beer.............good times.
Kudos go out to the family who stood outside in the rain probably colder than I was since they weren't racing. To my sisters and friends for being involved with the triathlon organization. To my oldest who volunteered his time for a total of about 9 hours in the crappy weather to help out the racers. To my husband who kindly ran with me. I think I may want him to do that again. How about the 13 miles in the 1/2 ironman? To my Dad who keeps me doing these races.
Special mention to Kristy my sister.............she was the one who made sure every racer had a medal this year. So after 4 years I now have included a Miami University Student Foundation Triathlon medal to my rack.
This year it's all about the medals.
Ha, did I say fun? This was not fun, at all. I realized the other day that I don't find racing fun anymore. That is not a good thing. How to get the fun back is back on the top of my list. What's the point in doing these races if your miserable? I need to relax, calm down and breathe. I need to not worry about what might happen and just enjoy what does happen.
I get terrible race day anxiety and Sat morning was no different. You would think after 3 years of doing the same race at a distance that should be easy for me would not cause such stress. I couldn't eat, I paced, I waited for the car to get packed and headed the whole 1 mile to the recreation center where the pool swim is located. Picked up my chip and headed to transition. The weather, did I mention the weather? Crap is what it was. As I set up my stuff in transition I had to make the decision to bag most items to keep them dry or to risk leaving them out and hope the rain would hold off. I decided better safe than sorry. It added time to transition but at least when I got back to transition everything would be dry.
With a temp of about 50 you would think perfect. Wrong. It was 50 but with 20-25 mph winds, rain, hail.
After what seemed like an eternity we were called out to the pool. With my Dad behind me off we went. I took my sweet time for the first 100m just to make sure my breathing stayed under control. I passed a few people and by the time I hit 150m there was no one in my way so I sped up slightly. With a swim time of 8:48 plus running around the transition area before hitting the mat the time was 9:22.
It was now raining. Socks, bike shoes, shirt, jacket, sunglasses, helmet, bike. Off I went. This course was new this year. Hoping it could never be worse than years past, I would be wrong. This by far is an extremely challenging course of 12.8 miles. There was really no flat parts. I would say 2/3 were uphill and the other third a combo of flat and very steep downhills. With the roads being very wet and rain pelting you and the wind knocking you around there would be not much time in areo position. It was a matter of just getting through it. With a time of 50:52 I was not very competitive on the bike.
My husband told me prior to the race that he wanted to run with me. The run portion is a basically flat 5k through campus. However it seems to be one of the hardest 5k I've done. It seems to take forever to get to the 1/2 way mark. This year was no different. I had to slow my husband down at the beginning as I still had my bike legs attached to me. The first 1/2 mile, torture. I wanted to walk so bad. What's funny is you have no concept of how fast your running after you get off the bike. It felt like 11 minute miles at first then to 10 then to 9:30. Then at the end I figured I hit about a 9:15 pace. In the beginning of the run my husband pulled me through by the end I was pulling him. We both were ready to stop! My run time was 28:37 a pace of 9:12.
I ended up with a total time of 1:32:02. 53 seconds faster than last year. It's not much but since the weather was horrible and the bike course harder any improvement is great. I was hoping to hit under 1:30 but it wasn't meant to be. Had the weather been right I would of hit my goal.
Some of you may know I that had another very specific goal that day. To beat a particular guy whom shall remain nameless. Last year I had the same goal and he beat me by 53 seconds. I was determined that wouldn't happen again. However I was told the night before the race that he was not registered and wouldn't be there. Smart man. Had he shown up I think not only would I of practically killed myself to beat him but others were in line to give him a piece of their minds too. So with my 53 second faster time this year. We tied. Really??? Tied?? Guess I'll never have the chance to chick that 22 year old guy.
Typically I am wiped after a race. Stomach in knots, can't eat, drink and am miserable. Again no fun. This time I tried something different. I ate IMMEDIATELY after the race. I ate a doughnut and had a big glass of OJ. My stomach flipped and it was opposing the food but I forced it down quickly. After a few hours and lunch I was back to normal. YES!!!! I could actually enjoy the BBQ my sisters had with friends and family that afternoon, yes even in the rain. Played some games, ate lots of food, had some beer.............good times.
Kudos go out to the family who stood outside in the rain probably colder than I was since they weren't racing. To my sisters and friends for being involved with the triathlon organization. To my oldest who volunteered his time for a total of about 9 hours in the crappy weather to help out the racers. To my husband who kindly ran with me. I think I may want him to do that again. How about the 13 miles in the 1/2 ironman? To my Dad who keeps me doing these races.
Special mention to Kristy my sister.............she was the one who made sure every racer had a medal this year. So after 4 years I now have included a Miami University Student Foundation Triathlon medal to my rack.
This year it's all about the medals.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
It's Here
I'm 3 days away from my first Triathlon of the year.
This will be my 4th attempt at this race.
Hoping to break the 1:30 mark. With the predicted weather, I'm not so sure that is going to happen.
There are medals this year, YEA!!
So what am I doing to prepare for this race? Nothing. The only thing I have done so far is change up the schedule for the week. Yet in the next two days I have to figure out how to fit in a 40 mile bike, 4.6 mile run and a 9.3 mile run. That isn't much of a taper. So I think I may scale that down. How about a 20 mile bike today followed up with a 4 mile run if I feel like it and tomorrow a 7 mile run?
I hesitate to do any workout as I'm more sore this week than I have been since training started. We are in week 3 of base training and the volume is getting high. With that I have done yard work and two days of painting in the last week. This makes for a very sore all over body experience. Even my Recovery e21 tablets aren't doing the trick. I think I'll take a little more of them today. Lucky for me next week is a recovery week. Can't wait.
Did you know Easter is almost upon us? What have I done to prepare for this? Nothing. I see a pattern here. Sounds like I do a lot of nothing. Yet I seem to be constantly on the go right now. Between training, home improvements, appointments, chores, track, baseball and the school play I always have something to do or a place to be. Mix this with poor sleeping and anxiety and you have a very sore and tired Mom.
Maybe instead of that 7 mile run tomorrow a massage would do the body better. Yeah, right, like I would do that. The whole time I would be thinking about what run I'm missing.
We hit the road on Friday to spend the weekend at Miami University. One of the last times I'll be visiting. My sisters graduate in a few weeks. It's been a fast and fun 4 years watching them enjoy those college years. Reality is right around the corner for them. But for this weekend it's all about racing, family and fun.
This will be my 4th attempt at this race.
Hoping to break the 1:30 mark. With the predicted weather, I'm not so sure that is going to happen.
There are medals this year, YEA!!
So what am I doing to prepare for this race? Nothing. The only thing I have done so far is change up the schedule for the week. Yet in the next two days I have to figure out how to fit in a 40 mile bike, 4.6 mile run and a 9.3 mile run. That isn't much of a taper. So I think I may scale that down. How about a 20 mile bike today followed up with a 4 mile run if I feel like it and tomorrow a 7 mile run?
I hesitate to do any workout as I'm more sore this week than I have been since training started. We are in week 3 of base training and the volume is getting high. With that I have done yard work and two days of painting in the last week. This makes for a very sore all over body experience. Even my Recovery e21 tablets aren't doing the trick. I think I'll take a little more of them today. Lucky for me next week is a recovery week. Can't wait.
Did you know Easter is almost upon us? What have I done to prepare for this? Nothing. I see a pattern here. Sounds like I do a lot of nothing. Yet I seem to be constantly on the go right now. Between training, home improvements, appointments, chores, track, baseball and the school play I always have something to do or a place to be. Mix this with poor sleeping and anxiety and you have a very sore and tired Mom.
Maybe instead of that 7 mile run tomorrow a massage would do the body better. Yeah, right, like I would do that. The whole time I would be thinking about what run I'm missing.
We hit the road on Friday to spend the weekend at Miami University. One of the last times I'll be visiting. My sisters graduate in a few weeks. It's been a fast and fun 4 years watching them enjoy those college years. Reality is right around the corner for them. But for this weekend it's all about racing, family and fun.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Questions
I think I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. What did I get myself into? In two weeks I have my first triathlon of the season. It's after that race that I'm worried. I have a race every month with the exception of June for basically the rest of the year. I have some very difficult training and racing ahead of me.
Today I barely gutted out a 5.5 mile run. I mean barely. I stopped to many times to count. Ate two, yes two packs of beans and nothing would help me feel smooth. I got two side stitches. My heart rate was a tad high but still in zone 2 yet I felt like I just couldn't do it. I slowed down. Shuffling along felt just as difficult if not more so until I picked it up again and realized nope 10:40 minute miles would have to do for the rest of the run. Three tenths of a mile after that I stopped. I quit.
Now for the past hour I have thought about what I did. Did I quit and give up? Or did I listen to by body and give it the rest it needs? Did I just make next weeks 8.4 mile run that much harder? Maybe I should change my long run day? After having 10 workouts in 5 days then having to run long on Sat maybe isn't smart. But is it? Running on tired legs and body is exactly what you have to learn to do for racing. I haven't slept well or at all for 4 nights this week. Did that have something to do with it? Dinner last night was fish fry. YUCK. Nothing healthy, all fried. I came home last night feeling like I had a brick in my stomach. I'm on this new medication. Is it affecting me enough that I should stop taking it? So many questions.
I have been struggling with the running lately. It now has become the hardest of the three sports for me right now. Funny as that is how I started this athlete life of mine. Each run no matter how long or short seems harder than it should be. I can't tell you the last time I had a truly easy run. This worries me as I might have bit off more than I can chew. Two 1/2 marathons, a marathon, and a 1/2 ironman demands a relentless number of miles on foot during training.
That anxiety is stirring inside as I sit here. I feel it. The tightening of the chest. The strong breathing. How on earth if I can't even go out to dinner with out feeling like I'm about to explode can I get through all these races? Maybe it's just a bad day. Maybe a bad week.
Maybe I can just pretend today's run never happened. Tomorrow is a rest day. I need to truly make it a rest day. Not only for my body but my mind. I need to not think, to not get anxious. Is that even possible?
Today I barely gutted out a 5.5 mile run. I mean barely. I stopped to many times to count. Ate two, yes two packs of beans and nothing would help me feel smooth. I got two side stitches. My heart rate was a tad high but still in zone 2 yet I felt like I just couldn't do it. I slowed down. Shuffling along felt just as difficult if not more so until I picked it up again and realized nope 10:40 minute miles would have to do for the rest of the run. Three tenths of a mile after that I stopped. I quit.
Now for the past hour I have thought about what I did. Did I quit and give up? Or did I listen to by body and give it the rest it needs? Did I just make next weeks 8.4 mile run that much harder? Maybe I should change my long run day? After having 10 workouts in 5 days then having to run long on Sat maybe isn't smart. But is it? Running on tired legs and body is exactly what you have to learn to do for racing. I haven't slept well or at all for 4 nights this week. Did that have something to do with it? Dinner last night was fish fry. YUCK. Nothing healthy, all fried. I came home last night feeling like I had a brick in my stomach. I'm on this new medication. Is it affecting me enough that I should stop taking it? So many questions.
I have been struggling with the running lately. It now has become the hardest of the three sports for me right now. Funny as that is how I started this athlete life of mine. Each run no matter how long or short seems harder than it should be. I can't tell you the last time I had a truly easy run. This worries me as I might have bit off more than I can chew. Two 1/2 marathons, a marathon, and a 1/2 ironman demands a relentless number of miles on foot during training.
That anxiety is stirring inside as I sit here. I feel it. The tightening of the chest. The strong breathing. How on earth if I can't even go out to dinner with out feeling like I'm about to explode can I get through all these races? Maybe it's just a bad day. Maybe a bad week.
Maybe I can just pretend today's run never happened. Tomorrow is a rest day. I need to truly make it a rest day. Not only for my body but my mind. I need to not think, to not get anxious. Is that even possible?
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Caught Speeding
I went from basically being sedated on a drug for two days to being on speed for 3.
Once again my Dr is trying another medication for the anxiety. This time we are solely concentrating on the anxiety, not the urgency to run to the bathroom. As it's the anxiety that makes my body feel as if I need to go and I need to go immediately!
Drugs and I do not get along well. I have always been very sensitive to anything I take. Tylenol PM? Why I might as well run a marathon after I take it. NyQuil? Took that once when I was about 18 and thought I would have to go to the hospital because my heart was beating so fast and I couldn't breathe. Antibiotics of any sort keep me up all night long. I cringe when I have to try a new drug, as I know there are going to be serious side affects.
So for 3 days I have been on Sertraline. Side effects? INSOMNIA. Now I'm the first to admit that I am not a good sleeper to begin with. But taking this medication...........Holy Crap my mind just won't stop. Last night I thought about everything from which tape I'll use when I start doing more house painting? Frog tape or Blue tape? To what would it feel like if Chole got hurt and we had to put her down. Would they allow me to be with her as her eyes closed? I lay there thinking this is ridiculous. I should just get up and go to the gym. The pool should be pretty quiet at 3 am.
Now there are pro's to this. I am wide awake at 10 pm. I used to struggle with staying awake till 9. No problem now. I have been getting a lot done. Lot's of painting, training, chores, errands, decorating......the list goes on. I just don't stop. I was at about 6 stores yesterday and 2 today with the kids. While I had the anxiety both times I was able to calm down and get through it without freaking out and panicking. I actually had some moments that I forgot that I had a problem. Peace. It was nice.
What's is a bit of a surprise is that today training was hard. It was a long swim day and I was tired after doing 2350m of various drills and speeds. I then headed to the treadmill for a 4 mile run. Was supposed to be in zone 1 and 2. Well I couldn't keep it out of zone 3. That is not good. My heart rate was 10 beats higher for the same speed than usual. Now is it the medicine or lack of sleep? I'm going to have to keep my eye on that as it could become a bigger issue.
I promised myself I would stick with the drug for a week and hopefully gut out 2 weeks. How long my body can last with basically no sleep is yet to be determined. I will have to weigh those pro's and con's when the time comes. I think after week one I will cut the pill in half and try that. It will be difficult as the pill is about the size of a sprinkle!
Another side affect, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Well all right, I'll take that. I have already noticed that I'm not scavenging for food all afternoon. I suppose the scale will start showing that soon. Who needs sleep? When I can get more done and lose weight?
Once again my Dr is trying another medication for the anxiety. This time we are solely concentrating on the anxiety, not the urgency to run to the bathroom. As it's the anxiety that makes my body feel as if I need to go and I need to go immediately!
Drugs and I do not get along well. I have always been very sensitive to anything I take. Tylenol PM? Why I might as well run a marathon after I take it. NyQuil? Took that once when I was about 18 and thought I would have to go to the hospital because my heart was beating so fast and I couldn't breathe. Antibiotics of any sort keep me up all night long. I cringe when I have to try a new drug, as I know there are going to be serious side affects.
So for 3 days I have been on Sertraline. Side effects? INSOMNIA. Now I'm the first to admit that I am not a good sleeper to begin with. But taking this medication...........Holy Crap my mind just won't stop. Last night I thought about everything from which tape I'll use when I start doing more house painting? Frog tape or Blue tape? To what would it feel like if Chole got hurt and we had to put her down. Would they allow me to be with her as her eyes closed? I lay there thinking this is ridiculous. I should just get up and go to the gym. The pool should be pretty quiet at 3 am.
Now there are pro's to this. I am wide awake at 10 pm. I used to struggle with staying awake till 9. No problem now. I have been getting a lot done. Lot's of painting, training, chores, errands, decorating......the list goes on. I just don't stop. I was at about 6 stores yesterday and 2 today with the kids. While I had the anxiety both times I was able to calm down and get through it without freaking out and panicking. I actually had some moments that I forgot that I had a problem. Peace. It was nice.
What's is a bit of a surprise is that today training was hard. It was a long swim day and I was tired after doing 2350m of various drills and speeds. I then headed to the treadmill for a 4 mile run. Was supposed to be in zone 1 and 2. Well I couldn't keep it out of zone 3. That is not good. My heart rate was 10 beats higher for the same speed than usual. Now is it the medicine or lack of sleep? I'm going to have to keep my eye on that as it could become a bigger issue.
I promised myself I would stick with the drug for a week and hopefully gut out 2 weeks. How long my body can last with basically no sleep is yet to be determined. I will have to weigh those pro's and con's when the time comes. I think after week one I will cut the pill in half and try that. It will be difficult as the pill is about the size of a sprinkle!
Another side affect, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Well all right, I'll take that. I have already noticed that I'm not scavenging for food all afternoon. I suppose the scale will start showing that soon. Who needs sleep? When I can get more done and lose weight?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Three Days of Thoughts
I believe it may be true bad news comes in threes. Maybe fours and fives for some.
Over a week ago my husband's Uncle had a massive heart attack. I have always been a fan of Uncle Chuck. He went out of his way to make me feel comfortable back when I was just the girlfriend meeting the family for the first few times. My husband has a huge family. Very overwhelming for me at the time. But Uncle Chuck made it seem like all would be good and that I would make a great fit. Sure enough he was right. This man has made remarkable progress in a week. From being shocked 11 times to sitting in a chair chatting with the family. He's still has a long way to go but it's a miracle that he is doing as well as he is. A very special man indeed.
Along with that news, we found out that a friend of my sister in law had passed away. She was obviously in pain with the loss of her own child two years ago and just couldn't go on. Very sad news to hear even though I had only met her a few times.
Another family member on my husband's side went into rehab. I guess you could say this is a good thing. But still sad to hear that it came to that in the first place. Unfortunately drugs and alcohol abuse run in both sides of our family.
This morning as I was swimming I wondered where my father was. For some reason my thoughts went straight to Oreo, his dog. I wondered if she was ok. I finished my swim and was just opening my locker when my phone started ringing. It was my step-mom telling me Oreo wasn't doing well. She is 14 and lost a lot of blood during the night. Probably cancer as they found a growth. Still waiting to hear the results of other tests she is having done this afternoon. As she told me the news while sobbing, I started to cry. This dog was born when my oldest was born. I took care of her as a puppy while taking care of a newborn. My sisters probably don't remember not ever having her around as they were 6 I think when Oreo came home that first night. She was so small and adorable. Now big and slow, she has had a great life. I hope she is lucky enough to enjoy it for a bit longer.
As for my immediate family.......well our troubles aren't so grand. My youngest is still sick with a chest cold after a week. My other son has a slight head cold. I have the chest and head cold though not enough to knock me out. I tried the new medication that I asked for for the anxiety. Worst stuff I have ever taken. I was a zombie for two days. I couldn't do a thing. I drifted off at least 20 times a day. There is no way I could continue taking it and get anything done. So back to square one. I have a call into the doctor hoping that there is something else I can try.
Well here it is Wednesday. I started this entry on Monday. Time got away from me. Not much has changed these two days. I did get my butt back to the gym after missing three workouts last week due to my chest cold. Running is still difficult, tightness in the chest. But I feel it getting better.
Everyday seems to bring on new challenges. Whether it be with me personally or the family or like today for a friend. I listened to her for about 20 minutes explaining all that was going on. I am one of the few that may be able to help. Her daughter is dealing with some anxiety issues that seem to be slowing consuming her. She is only in 7th grade. I offered to talk to her but I'm sure there is no way she would sit and talk with me about this. I'm hoping she will as maybe I can explain things better to her than all the doctors she has seen. I keep telling people this but I had no idea what it was like for people with anxiety issues on a daily basis. I could venture a guess and read and watch people but until I had it myself I truly didn't know a thing. It has been by far the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. Emotionally, physically.......the damage it does to me and the family. The hurt, the pain, the sadness, the frustration. Unless you have been there you have no idea. For me it is slowly getting better after 6 months of torture. I'm not convinced it will ever go completely away. Maybe I'm just getting better at dealing with it. I really didn't have a choice. Life goes on and I had to figure out a way to go on to. To be in 7th grade and have to go through this. How awful.
So it's all around us. People struggling. For my immediate family, if all we have right now is a husband with stress with a new job and kids that are sick with colds and me who received the cold and a disorder well that's not all that bad, compared to most. I am thankful that we have each other to lean on and to be there for. I am thankful that we all love each other even though my kids will say I don't love my brother. I know they do and I know we would do anything for each other to get through the rough times. We are lucky.
Over a week ago my husband's Uncle had a massive heart attack. I have always been a fan of Uncle Chuck. He went out of his way to make me feel comfortable back when I was just the girlfriend meeting the family for the first few times. My husband has a huge family. Very overwhelming for me at the time. But Uncle Chuck made it seem like all would be good and that I would make a great fit. Sure enough he was right. This man has made remarkable progress in a week. From being shocked 11 times to sitting in a chair chatting with the family. He's still has a long way to go but it's a miracle that he is doing as well as he is. A very special man indeed.
Along with that news, we found out that a friend of my sister in law had passed away. She was obviously in pain with the loss of her own child two years ago and just couldn't go on. Very sad news to hear even though I had only met her a few times.
Another family member on my husband's side went into rehab. I guess you could say this is a good thing. But still sad to hear that it came to that in the first place. Unfortunately drugs and alcohol abuse run in both sides of our family.
This morning as I was swimming I wondered where my father was. For some reason my thoughts went straight to Oreo, his dog. I wondered if she was ok. I finished my swim and was just opening my locker when my phone started ringing. It was my step-mom telling me Oreo wasn't doing well. She is 14 and lost a lot of blood during the night. Probably cancer as they found a growth. Still waiting to hear the results of other tests she is having done this afternoon. As she told me the news while sobbing, I started to cry. This dog was born when my oldest was born. I took care of her as a puppy while taking care of a newborn. My sisters probably don't remember not ever having her around as they were 6 I think when Oreo came home that first night. She was so small and adorable. Now big and slow, she has had a great life. I hope she is lucky enough to enjoy it for a bit longer.
As for my immediate family.......well our troubles aren't so grand. My youngest is still sick with a chest cold after a week. My other son has a slight head cold. I have the chest and head cold though not enough to knock me out. I tried the new medication that I asked for for the anxiety. Worst stuff I have ever taken. I was a zombie for two days. I couldn't do a thing. I drifted off at least 20 times a day. There is no way I could continue taking it and get anything done. So back to square one. I have a call into the doctor hoping that there is something else I can try.
Well here it is Wednesday. I started this entry on Monday. Time got away from me. Not much has changed these two days. I did get my butt back to the gym after missing three workouts last week due to my chest cold. Running is still difficult, tightness in the chest. But I feel it getting better.
Everyday seems to bring on new challenges. Whether it be with me personally or the family or like today for a friend. I listened to her for about 20 minutes explaining all that was going on. I am one of the few that may be able to help. Her daughter is dealing with some anxiety issues that seem to be slowing consuming her. She is only in 7th grade. I offered to talk to her but I'm sure there is no way she would sit and talk with me about this. I'm hoping she will as maybe I can explain things better to her than all the doctors she has seen. I keep telling people this but I had no idea what it was like for people with anxiety issues on a daily basis. I could venture a guess and read and watch people but until I had it myself I truly didn't know a thing. It has been by far the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. Emotionally, physically.......the damage it does to me and the family. The hurt, the pain, the sadness, the frustration. Unless you have been there you have no idea. For me it is slowly getting better after 6 months of torture. I'm not convinced it will ever go completely away. Maybe I'm just getting better at dealing with it. I really didn't have a choice. Life goes on and I had to figure out a way to go on to. To be in 7th grade and have to go through this. How awful.
So it's all around us. People struggling. For my immediate family, if all we have right now is a husband with stress with a new job and kids that are sick with colds and me who received the cold and a disorder well that's not all that bad, compared to most. I am thankful that we have each other to lean on and to be there for. I am thankful that we all love each other even though my kids will say I don't love my brother. I know they do and I know we would do anything for each other to get through the rough times. We are lucky.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
I'm Feeling the Cold
Here we are in week 3 of Iron man training and I am drained. Can't remember the last time I truly felt rested. It was probably when I took the last vacation that didn't include a race.
When I get this tired I eat poorly. The scale creeping up rather than down. It was bothering me for a few days then I decided, ya know what, who cares. I'm healthier and fitter than most out there. If my body is craving sugar then I'm going to have it. After exercising on average 1200 calories per day, I'm going to eat that cookie. Ok, let's be honest, 3 or 4 cookies.
Along with the fluctuating scale I am dealing with a bit of uneasiness with my whole anxiety/ bladder issue. To make a long story short....Dr wants a cystoscopy done. I do not. I do however want to try a new medication that I found after researching for hours. I went to the Dr today ready to fight and demand to be put on this medication. Lucky for me he knows me well enough to give it to me. Not because he's a push over but after explaining my hours behind the computer and what I found I basically diagnosed myself with IC. So I will start this Tofranil tomorrow and test it out for a few weeks. Then I will decided whether or not to have the scope done. I honestly don't think they will find anything. With the possibility of making the IC worse by having the cystoscopy done, I just don't know if it's worse the risk.
I have managed to duck out on the colds that have run through the family over the winter months. However, today I'm starting to get one. Sore throat, clogged ears. Pressure in head. Yup it's coming. Ain't gonna be pretty in a few days. Probably another reason I'm just so freakin tired!
I'm just about 1 month away from my first triathlon of the season. It will be bitter sweet. My sisters are now seniors in college where the triathlon takes place. The true reason we drive 6 hours for a sprint tri. We make a weekend out of it. Getting to spend time with them and their friends always makes for a fun weekend. I have a goal in mind for this race. I'm already visualizing each sport, knowing where I can improve from years past. It will be my 4th time racing this event and most likely my last. I will have a PR this year. Along with a PR I will prove a point. This almost 40 year old can keep up with those 20 something college students. Remember my true body age is 18, per my loving scale. I plan on beating quite a few of them. One in particular.
When I get this tired I eat poorly. The scale creeping up rather than down. It was bothering me for a few days then I decided, ya know what, who cares. I'm healthier and fitter than most out there. If my body is craving sugar then I'm going to have it. After exercising on average 1200 calories per day, I'm going to eat that cookie. Ok, let's be honest, 3 or 4 cookies.
Along with the fluctuating scale I am dealing with a bit of uneasiness with my whole anxiety/ bladder issue. To make a long story short....Dr wants a cystoscopy done. I do not. I do however want to try a new medication that I found after researching for hours. I went to the Dr today ready to fight and demand to be put on this medication. Lucky for me he knows me well enough to give it to me. Not because he's a push over but after explaining my hours behind the computer and what I found I basically diagnosed myself with IC. So I will start this Tofranil tomorrow and test it out for a few weeks. Then I will decided whether or not to have the scope done. I honestly don't think they will find anything. With the possibility of making the IC worse by having the cystoscopy done, I just don't know if it's worse the risk.
I have managed to duck out on the colds that have run through the family over the winter months. However, today I'm starting to get one. Sore throat, clogged ears. Pressure in head. Yup it's coming. Ain't gonna be pretty in a few days. Probably another reason I'm just so freakin tired!
I'm just about 1 month away from my first triathlon of the season. It will be bitter sweet. My sisters are now seniors in college where the triathlon takes place. The true reason we drive 6 hours for a sprint tri. We make a weekend out of it. Getting to spend time with them and their friends always makes for a fun weekend. I have a goal in mind for this race. I'm already visualizing each sport, knowing where I can improve from years past. It will be my 4th time racing this event and most likely my last. I will have a PR this year. Along with a PR I will prove a point. This almost 40 year old can keep up with those 20 something college students. Remember my true body age is 18, per my loving scale. I plan on beating quite a few of them. One in particular.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
New Friend
I've been working hard at trying to eat better. I still eat a lot but mostly healthy foods. The weekends.....well they aren't quiet as healthy as the rest of the week. Beer and pizza doesn't constitute healthy eating. But that's ok. We all deserve to have the things we like. I work very hard at being an endurance athlete. I can afford to have a day or two when I eat and drink what I want not what I should have.
I got a new scale. I think it likes me. We seem to have a nice relationship emerging. It tells me all sorts of data. I get to find out not only my weight but my hydration level, bone density, BMI, how many calories I can consume to weight the same thing the following day, How much vesicular fat I have. The best feature is the fact that it takes all that info into account and tells me how old my body is.
I turn 40 in about 3 months. My scale says I'm 18. Yup, 18. My husband tried it and I think he got an age of 33. Still rather impressive since he's 45, but 18 ha beat that.
The pounds are slowly starting to drop. I have lost 7 pounds since Dec. Slow and steady. The body is starting to change. I see muscles starting to erupt. My legs as powerful or more so than most men's is where my fat likes to hibernate. But the quads are starting to show.... the hamstrings starting to bulk up. My legs will continue to get larger. More muscle, less fat. I have to give kudos to Donna, my trainer, for this loss of fat. I have been spending an awful lot of boring time in zone 2. Right now at the beginning of Ironman training it's about 80% base training. Which is in zone 2. Perfect fat burning zone. The more time I spend in this zone the more fat I will lose.
As of right now I am only 2 lbs. heavier than when I did my last 1/2 ironman. Since I have 4 months until I do it again I'm shooting for losing another 6-8 pounds. If it doesn't happen than that's ok. When I trained last time all I did was eat and during the 20 week program I lost 10 pounds. So 6-8 should be doable. My scale and I will work together getting me to that goal. Maybe by race day I'll be 11 years old. I pick 11 because I have one of those and man is he fast!
I got a new scale. I think it likes me. We seem to have a nice relationship emerging. It tells me all sorts of data. I get to find out not only my weight but my hydration level, bone density, BMI, how many calories I can consume to weight the same thing the following day, How much vesicular fat I have. The best feature is the fact that it takes all that info into account and tells me how old my body is.
I turn 40 in about 3 months. My scale says I'm 18. Yup, 18. My husband tried it and I think he got an age of 33. Still rather impressive since he's 45, but 18 ha beat that.
The pounds are slowly starting to drop. I have lost 7 pounds since Dec. Slow and steady. The body is starting to change. I see muscles starting to erupt. My legs as powerful or more so than most men's is where my fat likes to hibernate. But the quads are starting to show.... the hamstrings starting to bulk up. My legs will continue to get larger. More muscle, less fat. I have to give kudos to Donna, my trainer, for this loss of fat. I have been spending an awful lot of boring time in zone 2. Right now at the beginning of Ironman training it's about 80% base training. Which is in zone 2. Perfect fat burning zone. The more time I spend in this zone the more fat I will lose.
As of right now I am only 2 lbs. heavier than when I did my last 1/2 ironman. Since I have 4 months until I do it again I'm shooting for losing another 6-8 pounds. If it doesn't happen than that's ok. When I trained last time all I did was eat and during the 20 week program I lost 10 pounds. So 6-8 should be doable. My scale and I will work together getting me to that goal. Maybe by race day I'll be 11 years old. I pick 11 because I have one of those and man is he fast!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Dealing with the Ache
I spent the night trying to figure out why I'm so sore. My legs, especially my knees are not happy with me. Fortunately I know I don't have an injury as it's just a dull ache no sharp pain. They throbbed all night. Maybe I'm getting too old for all this training. 40 is just around the corner.
Week one. What I'm hoping is that my body is just getting used to working hard again. It's not that I haven't been swimming, biking or running before training started but now I have to do it with a goal in mind. Hitting speeds, heart rates and paces that didn't matter before. Every work out has a purpose. Today I have only 1 workout. Yes! Tomorrow 3.
I got a new pair of sneakers that could be making things worse. My feet feel great, but the shoes are heavy and this knee thing...... I'll go back to my old ones that hurt my feet and see if the knee issues go away. I've been running on a consistent basis for about 7 years. I still have yet to find a shoe that works. Having one wide foot, one normal, one an 8.5 one a 9 and the highest arches I have ever seen on someone could be the cause. I have actually thought about having custom shoes made. They are about $400. I would have done it by now if they didn't wear out. Having to replace those would be more painful than how my feet feel in an $129 shoe.
So I hobble around a bit today. It's only the beginning.
Week one. What I'm hoping is that my body is just getting used to working hard again. It's not that I haven't been swimming, biking or running before training started but now I have to do it with a goal in mind. Hitting speeds, heart rates and paces that didn't matter before. Every work out has a purpose. Today I have only 1 workout. Yes! Tomorrow 3.
I got a new pair of sneakers that could be making things worse. My feet feel great, but the shoes are heavy and this knee thing...... I'll go back to my old ones that hurt my feet and see if the knee issues go away. I've been running on a consistent basis for about 7 years. I still have yet to find a shoe that works. Having one wide foot, one normal, one an 8.5 one a 9 and the highest arches I have ever seen on someone could be the cause. I have actually thought about having custom shoes made. They are about $400. I would have done it by now if they didn't wear out. Having to replace those would be more painful than how my feet feel in an $129 shoe.
So I hobble around a bit today. It's only the beginning.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
What's Changing?
Well it's official, I'm back in 1/2 ironman training. Day 2 and I'm doing well, lol. Ask me in 6 weeks and hopefully I will have the same answer. My goal for this training is to just take it one day at a time. Don't worry what I have to do tomorrow or how many miles I have to go. Take each day one by one and don't get overwhelmed.
Now that I have this anxiety disorder I can get overwhelmed pretty quickly. I'm making progress but it certainly is slow going. I'm into month 6 of the new me. 6 very long months. I'm hoping that since I see a bit of improvement that it will continue and in another 6 months I'll be back to normal. I have to think positive.
I've been adding races to my 2011 calender and I think I'm just about maxed out. A race for every month with the exception of June. With the first triathlon kicking off in April I hope to be in great condition and ready to tackle what lays ahead. Which is a lot of tough training.
A lot of random thoughts have been going through my head. I want to make a lot of changes this year. Everything from updating the house to spending more quality time with the husband. Change. There's going to be a lot of it this year. I turn 40. My sister's graduate college and start new lives. One's I hope I get to spend more time in. I have a feeling I'll be wearing glasses by July. My son goes to high school in the fall. My husband starts a new job within the company. I will have my second 1/2 ironman under my belt and my 5th marathon. Yup, Dad I did it. I registered for Chicago. I want that 5th one pretty badly. It seems like a good number to stop at. So I figured I might as well do it on a course and city I know well with a chance of PRing. Plus I couldn't let you do it alone.
Changes..........I'm ready.
Now that I have this anxiety disorder I can get overwhelmed pretty quickly. I'm making progress but it certainly is slow going. I'm into month 6 of the new me. 6 very long months. I'm hoping that since I see a bit of improvement that it will continue and in another 6 months I'll be back to normal. I have to think positive.
I've been adding races to my 2011 calender and I think I'm just about maxed out. A race for every month with the exception of June. With the first triathlon kicking off in April I hope to be in great condition and ready to tackle what lays ahead. Which is a lot of tough training.
A lot of random thoughts have been going through my head. I want to make a lot of changes this year. Everything from updating the house to spending more quality time with the husband. Change. There's going to be a lot of it this year. I turn 40. My sister's graduate college and start new lives. One's I hope I get to spend more time in. I have a feeling I'll be wearing glasses by July. My son goes to high school in the fall. My husband starts a new job within the company. I will have my second 1/2 ironman under my belt and my 5th marathon. Yup, Dad I did it. I registered for Chicago. I want that 5th one pretty badly. It seems like a good number to stop at. So I figured I might as well do it on a course and city I know well with a chance of PRing. Plus I couldn't let you do it alone.
Changes..........I'm ready.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Yesterday
Yesterday....not such a good day.
I did nothing.
I am an athlete, yet yesterday I acted like I was a morbidly obese person.
Everything I ate yesterday was some shade of brown. I ate all carbs non stop for hours.
I sat most of the day in front of the computer or TV.
I felt awful, stressed, tired, anxious and just plain miserable. Call it depression if you will.
When this happens it usually takes a few days to get out of the funk.
This morning I feel pretty much the same. And guess what I ate? Brown cereal. Though it was Fiber One.
I have a lot on my mind. If only I could declare a victory over the weekend....... NOW and not on Monday.
I'm headed to the gym this morning for a class. Just one class that's it no double workouts.
One day at a time, one hour at a time and today one minute at a time.
I did nothing.
I am an athlete, yet yesterday I acted like I was a morbidly obese person.
Everything I ate yesterday was some shade of brown. I ate all carbs non stop for hours.
I sat most of the day in front of the computer or TV.
I felt awful, stressed, tired, anxious and just plain miserable. Call it depression if you will.
When this happens it usually takes a few days to get out of the funk.
This morning I feel pretty much the same. And guess what I ate? Brown cereal. Though it was Fiber One.
I have a lot on my mind. If only I could declare a victory over the weekend....... NOW and not on Monday.
I'm headed to the gym this morning for a class. Just one class that's it no double workouts.
One day at a time, one hour at a time and today one minute at a time.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Back Where I Started
After hours and hours of researching, analyzing and confusing myself I finally picked a training program for this years 1/2 Iron man. For some reason this was a hard thing to do. Why, I'm not sure. I have never had a problem deciding how to train for a race before, so why now? I just couldn't make a decision to save my life. I've never been like that. I used to make decisions pretty easily. I'm thinking this new personality of mine, you know the one with the ongoing anxiety disorder has trouble committing to anything. When I do, the heart rate climbs and the chest tightens. My god, I went living room chair shopping yesterday and for the first 30 mins I thought I may have to run out of the store. I'll never be able to commit to a chair!
So the plan I went with was the first one I considered. Figures, had I made the quick decision I could of saved myself a lot of time. I'm back with these guys. But this time they have something new to offer. I don't consider myself a beginner triathlete but the site is not only for beginners. They have training programs for every length of race from beginner to advanced. Though I may not consider myself a newbie I do consider myself as slow. With this in mind I need to improve on my times if I ever want to challenge myself to the Iron man distance. My father told me the other day to judge if you can handle the Iron man in the time allotted, which is 17 hours you have to double your 1/2 iron man time and add 90 mins. If I take last years results in consideration then I would finish an Iron man in 15 hrs and 15 mins. But I don't think a 90 min buffer is enough. Worst case scenario is that you walk the entire 26.2 miles. That would give me a time of about 17 hours. Picking the right training program will help me decide if yes I can handle an Iron man in 2013. Yes Dad, 2013.
By using the beginner triathlete website I was able to customize my own training program. With a little information about myself, my past paces, my time available to train and whether I wanted to maintain my times or improve on them the computer is able to spit out a 20 week program built just for me. Perfect. Brilliant if you ask me. With very detailed descriptions for each workout I should become stronger and faster with each passing week. Starting Monday I will have a new part time job for the next 4 months. Training for 70.3 Racine.
So what do I do until Monday? I try and get rid of this crappy feeling I have. Hormones raging this week. Fighting a cold and I think I'm winning. Resting. Possibly skipping my run today. Fighting the anxiety for the weekend I have planned. Trying not to eat everything I can find in the house. It's one of those days. It's cold and snowing outside. I have no errands that have to be done today. I could just curl up on the couch and watch Judge Judy all day. Soon that won't be an option.
So the plan I went with was the first one I considered. Figures, had I made the quick decision I could of saved myself a lot of time. I'm back with these guys. But this time they have something new to offer. I don't consider myself a beginner triathlete but the site is not only for beginners. They have training programs for every length of race from beginner to advanced. Though I may not consider myself a newbie I do consider myself as slow. With this in mind I need to improve on my times if I ever want to challenge myself to the Iron man distance. My father told me the other day to judge if you can handle the Iron man in the time allotted, which is 17 hours you have to double your 1/2 iron man time and add 90 mins. If I take last years results in consideration then I would finish an Iron man in 15 hrs and 15 mins. But I don't think a 90 min buffer is enough. Worst case scenario is that you walk the entire 26.2 miles. That would give me a time of about 17 hours. Picking the right training program will help me decide if yes I can handle an Iron man in 2013. Yes Dad, 2013.
By using the beginner triathlete website I was able to customize my own training program. With a little information about myself, my past paces, my time available to train and whether I wanted to maintain my times or improve on them the computer is able to spit out a 20 week program built just for me. Perfect. Brilliant if you ask me. With very detailed descriptions for each workout I should become stronger and faster with each passing week. Starting Monday I will have a new part time job for the next 4 months. Training for 70.3 Racine.
So what do I do until Monday? I try and get rid of this crappy feeling I have. Hormones raging this week. Fighting a cold and I think I'm winning. Resting. Possibly skipping my run today. Fighting the anxiety for the weekend I have planned. Trying not to eat everything I can find in the house. It's one of those days. It's cold and snowing outside. I have no errands that have to be done today. I could just curl up on the couch and watch Judge Judy all day. Soon that won't be an option.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Time to Find
I've spent some time thinking. Not sure it's done any good. I don't feel like I've made any progress with my thoughts. I'm still in limbo. Waiting for what I don't know. I have spent the past 6 weeks NOT training. That doesn't mean I don't work out. As a matter of fact I spend at least 5 days a week working out and usually 3 of those 5 have double workouts. What NOT training does mean is that I have not followed any program. I do not have a piece of paper telling me what I need to do that day. I just wing it. I have a mental schedule of sorts. Gym on Mon, Wed, Fri. Run at home Tues, Thurs and the weekend. Bike trainer once or twice a week. But I do what I feel like doing. This is what normal healthy fit individuals do. They get their workouts in and go about their day. They don't check a schedule. They don't look ahead to see how long will the long run be on Sat. They don't count down the days until a recovery week. Seems like less stress. Then why do I feel like it's a waste of time. I'd rather not be working out. I'd rather spend the time trying to get this anxiety under control. I'd rather sit my butt on the couch and watch TV. My trainer told me that I'm addicted to over training. I just looked her in the eye and laughed out loud. She has got me so wrong. The reason I work out is so I can maintain a healthy body while still eating all the crap I want. Truly that is what it is. So I figure if I'm going to work out there should be a reward besides 50 peanut butter pretzels at about 1:30. Boy they were yummy.
So the reward I choose along with 1/2 bag of potato chips is racing. If I'm going to workout I might as well race. I might as well get some bling. In order to race you need to train. Hence the training program. It is time to find a program. It's time to get to racing. The 6 weeks "off" were needed but now I'm not focused. I've lost my mojo. Kinda just going through the motions. I'm tired of that. I need that piece of paper, or better yet computer screen to tell me what's on the schedule today? What is going to make me stronger and faster? I've given myself this week to figure out what training program to use. It will be geared to my 1/2 iron man in July. Most programs are 20 weeks. Which means training starts on Feb 27.
Picking a program can take time, a lot of time. I don't have a coach. That will come when I choose to do a full iron man. For now I do it on my own, with my training buddy in the next lane, on the next bike or on occasion running next to me. But you see 20 years separates us. So what works for dear old Dad may not work for me. So I need to pick the program that works for me. Finding that program is a workout in itself.
So the reward I choose along with 1/2 bag of potato chips is racing. If I'm going to workout I might as well race. I might as well get some bling. In order to race you need to train. Hence the training program. It is time to find a program. It's time to get to racing. The 6 weeks "off" were needed but now I'm not focused. I've lost my mojo. Kinda just going through the motions. I'm tired of that. I need that piece of paper, or better yet computer screen to tell me what's on the schedule today? What is going to make me stronger and faster? I've given myself this week to figure out what training program to use. It will be geared to my 1/2 iron man in July. Most programs are 20 weeks. Which means training starts on Feb 27.
Picking a program can take time, a lot of time. I don't have a coach. That will come when I choose to do a full iron man. For now I do it on my own, with my training buddy in the next lane, on the next bike or on occasion running next to me. But you see 20 years separates us. So what works for dear old Dad may not work for me. So I need to pick the program that works for me. Finding that program is a workout in itself.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Designated Rest Day....aka Hooky
I'm playing hooky today. I should be showing up to spin about now and have already done a 1200m swim. Instead I sit here still in my PJ's deciding if I'll clean the house or maybe just plop down on the couch and watch movies all day.
We all have those days that we just want to do nothing. I have a lot of those days since I can't seem to figure out the secret to a good night's sleep. But for the most part I get to the gym or I hit the treadmill and get something done. After that I'm more focused and get even more done throughout the day. But today I think not.
Sleeping has again been a huge topic at my house. It was so bad on Sat morning that I was nauseous every time I moved. This tends to happen when I'm up all night long. Last night I felt guilty for leaving Chloe for about 5 hours while we went to a party. So, when we got home I placed her bed on top of ours at the foot of the bed. Perfect I thought until about 1:30 in the morning a heard a big thump. She slid right off her bed and hit the floor. Surprised her as much as me. I picked her up and she quickly snuggled right near my head and chest still shaken from her fall. So I let her stay there. Great for her, not so great for me. I was on the edge of the bed with dog leg, butt, face or whatever position she decided to be in, in my face. And of course she too snores just like my husband. I love my husband and dog, however it doesn't come across that way when the Mother of the house is getting NO SLEEP! She tends to be lethargic, irritable, slow, sore, itchy, antsy, unattractive, snippy and on occasion silent. The silence comes when I have had enough and if I were to dare start talking about it I would hurt feelings, get other's pissed off or just explode in anger. Been there done that, I know when to bite my tongue.
So I am playing hooky and of course feeling guilty about it. I'm not training for anything right now so really there's no reason I can't have today off. I worked out hard yesterday and will again on Tues, Wed, Thurs and Friday plus either Sat or Sun. Writing this blog entry I thought would help me feel less guilty. Make it sound more like I wasn't making excuses. It's not working.
I admit it. I am making the excuse that I'm just too tired to bother today. I'll rest today and work that much harder tomorrow. Just call mewimpy smart.
We all have those days that we just want to do nothing. I have a lot of those days since I can't seem to figure out the secret to a good night's sleep. But for the most part I get to the gym or I hit the treadmill and get something done. After that I'm more focused and get even more done throughout the day. But today I think not.
Sleeping has again been a huge topic at my house. It was so bad on Sat morning that I was nauseous every time I moved. This tends to happen when I'm up all night long. Last night I felt guilty for leaving Chloe for about 5 hours while we went to a party. So, when we got home I placed her bed on top of ours at the foot of the bed. Perfect I thought until about 1:30 in the morning a heard a big thump. She slid right off her bed and hit the floor. Surprised her as much as me. I picked her up and she quickly snuggled right near my head and chest still shaken from her fall. So I let her stay there. Great for her, not so great for me. I was on the edge of the bed with dog leg, butt, face or whatever position she decided to be in, in my face. And of course she too snores just like my husband. I love my husband and dog, however it doesn't come across that way when the Mother of the house is getting NO SLEEP! She tends to be lethargic, irritable, slow, sore, itchy, antsy, unattractive, snippy and on occasion silent. The silence comes when I have had enough and if I were to dare start talking about it I would hurt feelings, get other's pissed off or just explode in anger. Been there done that, I know when to bite my tongue.
So I am playing hooky and of course feeling guilty about it. I'm not training for anything right now so really there's no reason I can't have today off. I worked out hard yesterday and will again on Tues, Wed, Thurs and Friday plus either Sat or Sun. Writing this blog entry I thought would help me feel less guilty. Make it sound more like I wasn't making excuses. It's not working.
I admit it. I am making the excuse that I'm just too tired to bother today. I'll rest today and work that much harder tomorrow. Just call me
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
It's Decision Time
February 1st.
Decisions, decisions.
This means two things.
1. My baby is 11 1/2
2. Registration opens for the 2011 Chicago Marathon.
Decisions to be made?
1. Which cookie cake do I pick for the 1/2 birthday?
2. Do I want to make 2011 Chicago my 5th and very likely last marathon?
Decisions, decisions.Monday, January 31, 2011
Testing 1.2.3. Before and After Review.
I am starving.
It's not even 7 and I can't eat until about 8:30. The only thing I will eat until 10:30 will be a LUNA bar.
I head to the gym this morning for an 8:00 appt on the treadmill. With a mask strapped to my face causing myself to panic for sure I'll be testing for zone training. I'll go from a warm up to my anaerobic threshold and back down to cool off. Can't eat or have any caffeine for the test. So I sit here and suffer as my stomach growls.
So I'm going to put out there what I think and have thought my zones are. We'll see how far off I am and if the test was worth it.
Zone 1 100-122
Zone 2 123-142
Zone 3 143-155
Zone 4 156-162
Zone 5 162-171
The information I get from the test will help me tweak my training for the upcoming races this year.
It's now almost 1:30 and I still have had only a LUNA bar and a protein shake. Can't wait to eat lunch. But I wanted to check out the results of my test.
Zone 1 129-139 (about 20 beats off than what I thought.)
Zone 2 139-149 (not bad, I was still off. I spend most of my long runs in this zone.)
Zone 3 149-160 (this was a bit higher than I expected)
Zone 4 160-170 (again higher than I expected)
Zone 5 170-185 (ha, I'll never get above 171 without passing out)
In zone 1 59% of what I burn is fat calories. My goal is to get that to 70%
In zone 2 39% is fat calories. Goal is to reach 50%
In zone 3 23% is fat calories. Goal is to reach 30%
In order to increase the percentage of fat calories burned means I need to spend more time in these zones, with special emphasis on zone 1 and 2. This means I will be going slower. Not necessarily what I want to do. However, if I concentrate on doing this my body will change. My body fat % will drop tremendously. Which will make me lighter, which in turn makes me faster. I can still hit those high zones with a few workouts a week just as long as I also fit in the slower ones. I already have 3 workouts to incorporate in my schedule. They will be difficult to follow. Slow and tedious.
Now I spend probably 80% of my training in zone 3. Thinking my AT was at about 156 may not have been a bad thing. This would explain why I was always surprised when I could hold a much higher pace during a race than I thought I could. My body is capable of much more. I just don't use it often. Sneaking in a few workouts making sure to hit and stay in zone 4 for a few minutes will also help me become faster. Running in zone 4 is down right painful.
My VO2 is 45.3 This puts me above the 90% for my age. Can't get much better with that. Lungs and Heart are in perfect harmony. Taking in so much oxygen allows me to be the energizer bunny and keep going and going and going. Yes I am definitely an endurance athlete. Just call me Lance.
My recovery Heart rate is more than perfect. Typically a very fit individual will drop up to 29 beats in the first minute after exercise stops. Mine dropped 32. Second minute same thing they look for 29 beats. Mine was 43. No issues there. I have taught my body well on how to recover.
So what did I learn?
I learned that I have to spend way more time in zones 1 & 2. There is going to be allot of interval training in my future. I look forward to trying this new way of exercising and seeing if it does make the changes I want. I took this test now because I have no races until April on the schedule and that one I could do now without much trouble. So everything I do until then will hopefully improve my performance and get me ready for the big races to come later in the year!
It's not even 7 and I can't eat until about 8:30. The only thing I will eat until 10:30 will be a LUNA bar.
I head to the gym this morning for an 8:00 appt on the treadmill. With a mask strapped to my face causing myself to panic for sure I'll be testing for zone training. I'll go from a warm up to my anaerobic threshold and back down to cool off. Can't eat or have any caffeine for the test. So I sit here and suffer as my stomach growls.
So I'm going to put out there what I think and have thought my zones are. We'll see how far off I am and if the test was worth it.
Zone 1 100-122
Zone 2 123-142
Zone 3 143-155
Zone 4 156-162
Zone 5 162-171
The information I get from the test will help me tweak my training for the upcoming races this year.
It's now almost 1:30 and I still have had only a LUNA bar and a protein shake. Can't wait to eat lunch. But I wanted to check out the results of my test.
Zone 1 129-139 (about 20 beats off than what I thought.)
Zone 2 139-149 (not bad, I was still off. I spend most of my long runs in this zone.)
Zone 3 149-160 (this was a bit higher than I expected)
Zone 4 160-170 (again higher than I expected)
Zone 5 170-185 (ha, I'll never get above 171 without passing out)
In zone 1 59% of what I burn is fat calories. My goal is to get that to 70%
In zone 2 39% is fat calories. Goal is to reach 50%
In zone 3 23% is fat calories. Goal is to reach 30%
In order to increase the percentage of fat calories burned means I need to spend more time in these zones, with special emphasis on zone 1 and 2. This means I will be going slower. Not necessarily what I want to do. However, if I concentrate on doing this my body will change. My body fat % will drop tremendously. Which will make me lighter, which in turn makes me faster. I can still hit those high zones with a few workouts a week just as long as I also fit in the slower ones. I already have 3 workouts to incorporate in my schedule. They will be difficult to follow. Slow and tedious.
Now I spend probably 80% of my training in zone 3. Thinking my AT was at about 156 may not have been a bad thing. This would explain why I was always surprised when I could hold a much higher pace during a race than I thought I could. My body is capable of much more. I just don't use it often. Sneaking in a few workouts making sure to hit and stay in zone 4 for a few minutes will also help me become faster. Running in zone 4 is down right painful.
My VO2 is 45.3 This puts me above the 90% for my age. Can't get much better with that. Lungs and Heart are in perfect harmony. Taking in so much oxygen allows me to be the energizer bunny and keep going and going and going. Yes I am definitely an endurance athlete. Just call me Lance.
My recovery Heart rate is more than perfect. Typically a very fit individual will drop up to 29 beats in the first minute after exercise stops. Mine dropped 32. Second minute same thing they look for 29 beats. Mine was 43. No issues there. I have taught my body well on how to recover.
So what did I learn?
I learned that I have to spend way more time in zones 1 & 2. There is going to be allot of interval training in my future. I look forward to trying this new way of exercising and seeing if it does make the changes I want. I took this test now because I have no races until April on the schedule and that one I could do now without much trouble. So everything I do until then will hopefully improve my performance and get me ready for the big races to come later in the year!
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