Weeks 18 & 19 - I'm making a comeback!

Been busy! Work, training, family... you know life! I

This Week's Accomplishments (7/9)
Mon: Swim (70 mins)
Tues: Bike (75 min) & Run (40 min)
Wed: Swim (70 mins)
Thur: Peter's Canyon Trail run (70 min)
Fri: off
Sat: Run (12 miles)
Sun: Bike (75 miles) & Run (45 mins) & Multisport Party!

I felt pretty good that week. Had a blast at the Peter's Canyon Trail Run, and enjoyed the week by going to the Multisport party. I was gearing up for Vineman the next weekend...

This week's Accomplishments (7/16):
Mon: Swim (70 mins)
Tues: off
Wed: Ran long with Patrick (masters had hard time getting pool) 7.5 miles
Thur: Core Class and packed for Vineman
Fri: off-traveled to Vineman
Sat: Easy swim to see start (20 mins) & drove course
Sun: Race Day! Swim 1.2, Bike 56, Run 13.1 = 5:41:27! (new PR!)

I had a blast in Vineman! What a way to bring back my morale! The swim was great! We swam in the Russian River and I just "drafted" off people. Then onto the bike which was totally my type of course: rolling hills and hot! I was excited because technically it was a "short" ride (remember I've been training much further). Then onto the run... it was a death march! I felt pretty good and finished that in under 2 hours. I had a blast joking with volunteers and playing with the crowd - anything to keep my mind off the hard work and have fun! It was awesome to have a friend, Adrian, come up and act as coach. Although he disapproved of my wine tasting the day before, he was great on keeping me on track.

Nutrition for the race:
2 packets of organic, plain oatmeal w/ organic raisins
coffee with cream
water, water, water
1 salt tablet
Out of Swim: Hammer Gel Gu-rasberry flavor & water
every 10 mins water
every 30-40 perpetuem (endurance strength!)
every hour, 1 salt tablet
Onto the run: hammer gel gu: apple cinnamon
water, water, water, and a gu (plain)
After race: Recoverite, Reliv, and LOTS of wine!

This week's Accomplishments (7/23)
Mon: Travel day from race
Tues: Travel day for work - chicago
Wed: Ran lake side- 6 miles super easy for recovery
Thur: Core Class
Fri: off
Sat: Easy run (6.5) with group
Sun: Stil tired from race... but, Biked 5 1/2 hours (68 miles) & Ran (2.5 miles) & Core Class

I struggled with this week... I think I was recovering and trying to baby myself to make sure I didn't blow my training on Vineman. Although it was a great day, I started to doubt if I was smart going all out like I did. Net, net, though I felt confident for Ironman and laughed at how in shape I felt.

Week 17 - Do as I say, not as I do!

In much better spirits! Althought I did hurt my hamstring! YIKES! So the goals from not this week, but last were to see a nutritionist, be better about my workouts and work on my attitude. I did see a nutritionist on the Thursday. She has me doing the basics, and I'm still concerned I'm going to put on weight because we didn't discuss amount of calories I should consume but what types of foods I should eat and how often in the day. Some things that surprised me were no diet coke and if I were to have regular coke or diet, pick regular. HM! Who knew!? I do feel like I have more energy and it has curbed the afternoon "overhaul" of eating but, am I eating too many calories in the day?

I got most of my workouts in but couldn't do all because of straining my hamstring at the 4th of July 5ks. Yup, do as I say and not as I do... had track work on Tues night, then turned around and sprinted the 5k in the morning... it resulted in a limping girl finishing the first race and unable to participate in the second race... or run her long run on Saturday! Anyway, an emergency massage with Marisol, compression, icing and rest have made me feel a lot better.

My attitude has been better. I think because I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We only have about 2 more BIG, BIG rides left and then we taper. Now, I'm more scared than anything... did I train enough, how is my hamstring going to hold up, is that a tug I'm feeling on my Achilles, should I be doing the 1/2 Vineman, will I finish, will it be a worst time than last time... you know the drill. Now all I can do is have faith that the program will set me up for success and the weather/nutrition/all aspects I can't necessarily control come together just right on 9/9.

This Week's Accomplishments:
Mon: Swim (70 mins)... plus a massage
Tues: Run (40-60 mins)
Wed: 4th of July 5k in Huntington Beach!
Thur: off
Fri: off
Sat: off
Sun: Bike (120-180 mins) & Run (15-20 mins)

Next Week's Goals:
Mon: Swim (70 mins)
Tues: Bike (75 min) & Run (40 min)
Wed: Swim (70 mins)
Thur: Peter's Canyon Trail run (70-90 min)
Fri: Optional 30 run
Sat: Run (105-120 min)
Sun: Bike (270-330 mins) & Run (40-50 mins) & Multisport Party!

Keep it up on the nutrition! (can't believe I gave up some of my wine!) And try to remain positive!

Week 16 - a little better

Last week was a melt down for me. After another week of missed workouts, I started to turn my attitude around. I mean, everyone goes through a period in their training that tests you mentally. Friends have convinced me to find some "fun" in training again whether that means skipping a whole week and doing nothing over 30 mins of training, to skipping a weekend session to focus on a short, fun race or activity that doesn't involve swim, bike, run. If I meant to, or not, I apted for no workouts during the week. Other than swimming, I didn't get much in and I must admit, my attitude feels a little better.

I've researched about 4 nutritionist, and picked the brains of all my friends. With Adrian's help (and a lot of wine) I learned a little more on how much I might be calorie deprived. So, this week's goal is setting up an appointment with a nutritionist and getting these last 8 weeks on track.

Thanks to Mo's encouraging note, and a few inspirational words from my runners, I'm feeling better!

This week's accomplishments:
Mon: Swim (70 min)
Tues: nothing
Wed: Swim (70 mins)
Thur: nothing was in San Diego for a work offsite
Fri: nothing again due to offsite, but did get a fabulous massage!
Sat: Run 150 mins (I accidentally overdid this workout because I was only supposed to do 80-100 mins)
Sun: Bike (270 mins) and run (40 mins)
Feeling better as of Sunday and contacted a few nutritionists.

Next Week's Goals:
Mon: Swim (70 mins) & Yoga... plus a massage
Tues: Run (40-60 mins) & strength (30 mins)
Wed: 4th of July 5ks in Huntington Beach! Maybe ocean swim with Patrick
Thur: Bike (75 mins) & Run (15-20 mins)
Fri: Run (30 mins) & Ocean Swim with Adrian
Sat: Run (60-80 mins) & Bike (60 mins easy) & Yoga
Sun: Bike (120-180 mins) & Run (15-20 mins)
Nutrition: Schedule and see a nutritionist
Attitude: Think positive and be positive, this is a huge accomplishment!

Thanks again Mo! I sure wish you were doing the race with me!! Hope your training is going well too!