Friday, August 31, 2007

Week 24 - I guess that means I have to finish!

Work made an announcement that I was doing the Ironman in a few days... now it's out there. No flying under the radar. People expect me to finish, otherwise I have to come home and face everyone. Ah, the pressure!

I'm really starting to get nervous. I'm a bit emotional, and extremely TIRED. According to the articles I've read, this is normal. My body is in a rebuilding cycle, and the energy is being spent to rebuild my muscles... only to be broken down on 9/9.

The goal these next few days (9 to be exact!) is to avoid getting sick, stay healthy, be fit, and catch up on sleep. I just wish I could wrap myself up in bubblewrap and protect myself from any potential danger. (I always hear about people stubbing/breaking their toe a few weeks before and technically, not supposed to run - but of course, do)

I saw my nutritionist on Tuesday. She wants me to cut back on the alcohol and adjust my nutrition a tad for the taper. More Fish Oil, a slight increase on Carbs ("just round up"), and stick to everything else the same.

To be honest, I'm "checked out". I feel the end right around the corner and I'm anxious to get there. I just hop I don't bypass the race trying to get there. As the cliche goes... it's the journey to get there that makes it worth it.

Strategy for the race:
Be mellow
Don't get caught up too much in the excitement
Absorb it all! The crowds, the scuba divers, the swim, the city, the fields, the people, the other competitors, the finish, the metal and the joy!
One discipline at a time! Focus on the swim, when I'm in the swim, focus on the bike, when I'm on the bike, focus on each mile I run during the run
Thank every volunteer
HAVE A GOOD TIME!

This week's accomplishments:
Mon: swim with wetsuit
Tues: nothing
Wed: SO tired I slept in
Thurs: Shipped off bike, wetsuit and most of my gear
Fri: I'm typing this... does it count?
Sat: One last run with my runners & maybe a swim
Sun: Don't know or maybe a swim
Mon: Watch the Disney 1/2
Tues: Last day of work
Wed: Fly out to Wisconsin (dear god, please make sure we can meet our connecting flight!)

Out there... I expect we will have plenty to do to get us ready for the race.

Until then!

Friday, August 24, 2007

Week 22 & 23 - Dear God, please don't say I peaked!

This week was good. No real complaints. To be honest, I haven't been as disciplined with my workouts, but then again, I've been at it for 5 1/2 months (or longer).

This Week's Accomplishments:
Mon: Massage with Marisol & Swim (70 mins)
Tues: Run (60 mins)
Wed: Swim (70 mins)
Thur: Nothing
Fri: Off
Sat: Run (3:04 hours) 20 miles
Sun: Bike (2:24) & run (30 min)

Holly Shit! I did my last LONG workout! Saturday's run was awesome (dear God, please don't say I just peaked in my training!), and I was surprised at how well I did. I set out on the run with my runners for their (also) last long run of 12 miles. My Dad 'manned' the aid station - which we all loved - and we all hit the HOT trail. I came back with the first group, slapped high fives with them, then turned around and headed out for (what I thought would only be) 6 more miles. It was hot, my body was tired, and yes, I considered turning in early. Yet, I stuck it out and finish the 18 miles... BUT not my three hours! Shit! I had to go back out! I must admit that I was proud, that I could dig deep within and go back out for 2 more miles. And actually, I felt pretty good!

The Next Week's Accompishments:
Mon: Swim (70 mins)
Tues: Track (60 mins)
Wed: Swim (70 mins)
Thur: Nothing
Fri: Off
Sat: Run (60 mins)
Sun: Bike (3:34)

You read in articles how taper is actually as "relaxing" as you thought. You feel crappy: tired, achy, non motivated (is that a term??). I was tired at Monday's swim, and just hung at the back of the lane. Hey, I'm still recovering from that 3 hours, right?? Then I took it easy at track practice. I started out with the fast, girl pack, then due to heartrate (loves to keep me honest) I backed off... a LOT! I am really starting to like this group, some great runners that push me, and very friendly. Back to swim Wednesday for a tough set. Then, "off" Thursday and Friday. Saturday was a breezy run and Sunday was a tough battle to get Patrick to agree to only do 3:45 hours on the bike. I do NOT have motivation right now!!

Next week I continue on the taper... I lose my bike Thursday as it make the trip to Madison via truck. Gosh! Only 2 more weeks...

Next Week's Goals:
Mon: Swim (70 mins) with wetsuit
Tues: Track (60 mins)
Wed: Swim (70 mins) with wetsuit
Thur: Spin class & 15-20 min run
Fri: Off
Sat: Run (50-60 mins)
Sun: Bike (120-150 min) & run (15-20 min)
(Monday, my runners compete in their race: Disney 1/2 Marathon!)

Ok, GEEZ, I hope it all comes together on 9/9. I pray that I won't get a flat, or have bike problems (for that matter), I pray I don't get a migraine during the race (like I did for my first Triathlon), I pray the weather holds up, I pray my nutrition works, I pray it all "clicks" on race day! Out of my hands now... I've done all I can, and what I didn't do... well, I can't do anything about it now!

Monday, August 13, 2007

Week 20 & 21- Are we there yet??

It's been a long 5 months and I'm ready to get on with the race! These past few weeks, I admit, I've not been very good. I don't know if it was because of the race and I'm recovering, or my Birthday that I celebrated, or that I'm worn down and getting "sick". I just took it easy and slept in when necessary. In my mind, there was no reason to push it if I didn't need to.

This week's accomplishments 7/30:
Mon: Swim 70 mins
Tues: Track work, 5 miles (just over an hour)
Wed: Swim 70 mins
Thur: Core Class (no bike)
Fri: off
Sat: Run 10 miles (my birthday - a good day running with some alumni runners)
Sun: Off - NO way I was going to bike with that hang over!

I really made sure to enjoy my birthday. I'd worked so hard, sacrificed a few nights out with friends and families in the past few months, that I deserved a night to enjoy! I had friends in town and lots of good wine (and a lovely cop!).

This week's accomplishments (8/6):
Mon: nothing
Tues: nothing
Wed: nothing
Thurs: Peter's Canyon trail Run 5 miles
Fri: off
Sat: 14 mile long run
Sun: Last LONG, LONG ride (7 hours=100 miles!) & 45 min run

I think I was just worn down this week. I couldn't get out of bed, I had an infection, I was just tired! But, I did make the last long ride. It was brutal. Patrick, Kevin (new to the group) & I went out for the first of three loops in Santiago Canyon. Not more than 5 miles in, Patrick decides to cut me off and I end up in the dirt island with my bike above my head. I thought it was the end of the ride (and actually was disappointed I wouldn't get 7 hours in). However, my back derailer was slightly bent, but operable. We set off to do the first loop (plus, Modjeska Canyon- I hate that hill, but easier this time). Then back to refill the bottles at our car, and Patrick and I set off for our second loop (this time, with Live Oak - I hate this hill more!). Back to the cars one more time, only to head out for 1/2 way to our third loop. We turned around at Glenn Ranch (of course, at the top) and headed back, since we were pushing going over our training time. To the cars, one more time to "tranition" for the run. Out for 45 mins in the heat... Back to the cars (or should I say the tree that provided us a brief opportunity to nap), shower up and off to SuperMex for some much needed celebration. Adam met us for drinks, but Patrick was not doing well. Must have been the combo heat and lack of calories, but he ended up in the car passed out and not feeling well. My "iron" stomach handled two ice cold beers nicely and some Mexican food.

Now, I've just got one LONG, LONG run (3 hours) and I'm headed toward Taper Land! Woo Hoo!

Next Week's Goals:
Mon: Massage with Marisol & Swim (70 mins)
Tues: Bike (75 mins) & Run (30-40 min)
Wed: Swim (70 mins)
Thur: Run (70-90 mins) & core class
Fri: Off
Sat: Run (3 hours)
Sun: Bike (240-300 mins) & run (40-50 min) & core class