The 1st week of "preseason" has closed. I managed 2 swims, 1 bike, and 2 runs. Boy, I love to run. I actually went 6 miles today! That would be my 5th run since July, I think? And I did 6 miles. I am trying to watch my heartrate. At least just to see what kind of numbers I have so that when I start to train seriously, I can follow the zone guidelines. It seems that most of what I read says zone 2 or 3. Well, my run today was just into zone 4. I did not feel as though I was zone 4. Perhaps I am younger than I think? It felt good and I never looked at my watch until we got done. I think the dog was happy to get some exercise and I enjoyed my time chatting with friends.
My bike was really kinda hard. I did a 35 minute spinerval workout on the trainer. I went into zone 5 as a max. That was the intent of the workout. They were 7 intervals of hard gears for 90 seconds. My average was solid in zone 3. My cadence was about 85 rpm's. Rob put aerobars on my bike. A few weeks ago I did a 40 mile ride outdoors. Felt good. The trainer - not so good. I had really bad pain in my left shoulder and neck for a few days. I think it was from the trainer. I'll have to have my mechanic/coach fiddle with my fit a bit.
My swims - good as usual. I just love to swim. If you don't know that about me already - you'll learn. My husband doesn't see the need for me to swim much - I need to swim. It is just relaxing for me. Working on speed work a little to hopefully bring my time/hundred down a little. I want to feel like it is easy, but I don't want to get stuck in the chaos of the post 1 hour swim finish. I think I could do a 65 minute swim - might be nice to be a little faster. I really don't want the contact of the masses!
I didn't do any weights or yoga this week. I hope to change that this week. I also had a bad food week too. I cheated on my "1 latte a week" - 4 times over! I also had 2 scones, a culver's concrete mixer, puppy chow, and a piece of cake. So much for cutting the crap out. Hopefully I will do better this week. Maybe I will reward myself on the weekend if I hit my workouts this week. Busy week though. I will try to at least check in weekly. Rob says I babble too much. Perhaps a weekly post will help.
Have a delightful week everyone!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
It's Over. And a New Beginning.
I'm sorry about this. It's been a long relationship. BUT - the last 7 years have been rough. I'm always looking, but faithfully return to you. You let me down every year. I still go back. Today - I'm ending it. I am reserving the right to change my mind. After all, we have had some good times. Literally! You won't be completely thrown to the curb; I always need a back-up. It's just that I am replacing you with not 1 but 2 new options. Well actually, 1 new option. The other is the one I dream about. I have always wanted it back. I think it's going to work this time. Don't worry - there are plenty of fish in the sea - or......feet on the pavement. Someone new will love you like I tried to.
Yes, I bought new running shoes today. I even tried them out! I bought Asics Gel-Kayano's. I also ordered a pair of Brooks Dyads. I am running some runs in orthotics with cushioned shoes, and other runs in stabile, motion control shoes. I am a SEVERE over-pronator. I get injured every year. I can run fast - just not for long. I even ran under 7 minute miles at times for a pace. My 5 mile time this July was sub-40. That was at the Freedom Run in Sheboygan. That is quite fast for me. Last year I did the 2 mile in 14:20 or so. I remember my 1st race when I had just started running. The Brat Trot in Sheboygan - when it was from the YMCA - same start/finish as my July Freedom Run race. I think my time was 15:14, and it hurt. I was probably 22 or so. I ran in asics back then. My feet felt like they were in heaven. A few years later, my foot issues began. I went to get new shoes and they changed my size - which did help some. In 2002, I found Movin' Shoes. I love that place. They fit me with running shoes appropriate for my stride/gait/foot, etc. So began my relationship with New Balance. I have been to Fleet Feet and Endurance House. I have learned things from them, certainly. I just love the service and their policies, and their discounts at Movin' Shoes. I was there for well over 90 minutes today trying shoes. They always bring out Nike - I just don't like those shoes. Surprisingly, they did not bring out Saucony. Just 4 brands. I really liked the Brooks Dyad's - they were so comfortable. Better than my current New Balance model that is supposed to be equal on the cushion scale. They just didn't have the wide width that I needed. They were close, but a bit too pinchy in the toe box - so we had to order them. Then came the stable shoe. I was torn. The New Balance model was the one I wore a year ago for my marathon. I got injured in those shoes, but I wore my orthotics in them. I think I was over-corrected. They were comfortable, but when he asked me which shoe felt best in the arch - it was the Asics. The toe box isn't quite as deep so he grabbed a 9. It felt better. It felt ... the best. I am getting back together with the shoe it all began with. Hopefully we have a lasting relationship. One that is problem free. I also decided to buy some compression socks. They are CEP size III. They weren't as tight as I thought they would be, but felt good. Rob thinks they are dorky. I don't care. He doesn't have foot/leg issues. I do. I did run 2 miles tonight. Felt good. Besides the few times my ankle was tweaking. I blame that on P90x. Hopefully that will get better the more I run.
Speaking of P90x, I'm officially done. The last 2 weeks were spotty. I have to weigh myself and do the final measurements yet. I won't tell you what it says except whether I improved or not. I can tell you that I feel stronger in the upper body. I didn't think the legs workout was that bad. I plan on starting my pre-season this week. I will continue lifting with the P90x workouts - just not doing the cardio workouts. I am going to bust out the trainer this week and start doing my spinnervals workouts. I also am going to try to run a couple of times a week. I will probably start swimming 3 times/week now too as the girls swim team is done practicing in the mornings. The boys team has less kids, so we can go back to our M, W, F schedule. Except I will probably skip W and swim either T or Th.
The handy shoe dude is a 5 time Ironman, so he was giving me some pointers. I had a plan developed based on Rob's advice and my own thoughts. Rob followed "be Ironfit". I think I may put a run back into the mix after talking to the shoe dude. (I wish I would have gotten his name - just because he was helpful). I had taken a run and made it a brick, but I think I better run a little longer than what I had written. My thoughts were to do 3 swims, 2 bikes, 2 runs, and 2 bricks per week. Plus lifting 2 times and doing a yoga workout. And a day off. Seems insane. I would probably drop the lifting and yoga later in the season, but I think it will help me in the beginning. I don't know where to put another run. Anyone else follow a dedicated plan? My actual training starts on Feb. 14th. I am just going to build a slow base to February. I really want to work on my bike fitness and dropping some time in swimming. There isn't a whole lot I can drop there. I think I am strong time-wise already. I will concentrate on going long later. I could do the swim tomorrow - I just don't want to get burned out on continuous long swimming yet. I like intervals. Some fast and short - some long -- and fast. I also love doing different strokes. I may swim some master's meets. A nice change from the triathlon season. I may give the garmin a break. I am pretty competitive. OKAAAAY - REALLY competitive. I think I need to go with heartrate training and lose the pace on the garmin. Maybe Rob can loan me his watch and heartrate strap. Perhaps I will even wear it to the pool for a test! Now I am treading the high end of the dork scale if I show up at the pool with that!
Oh - and after a great 3 week hiatus from sugar, caffeine, and alcohol - the last 2 weeks have been a bloodbath in those 3 areas. SOOOOO - tomorrow begins another strict plan. The other night - I evened out the pan of brownies - because I didn't like that it was uneven. AND = I was simply going to be putting them from the pan into a tupperware container. That was sad. I indulged in a Large Latte and a Large bowl of ice cream tonight. Tomorrow - it's back to caffeine-free tea in the mornings, and carrots for a nighttime snack. Hopefully I can stick with it. I will allow for 1 decaf latte a week. No sweets except special occasions. I have to remind myself what really tastes good and whether it is worth it. Hopefully these last 2 weeks will not show unkindly on the scale tomorrow....
Yes, I bought new running shoes today. I even tried them out! I bought Asics Gel-Kayano's. I also ordered a pair of Brooks Dyads. I am running some runs in orthotics with cushioned shoes, and other runs in stabile, motion control shoes. I am a SEVERE over-pronator. I get injured every year. I can run fast - just not for long. I even ran under 7 minute miles at times for a pace. My 5 mile time this July was sub-40. That was at the Freedom Run in Sheboygan. That is quite fast for me. Last year I did the 2 mile in 14:20 or so. I remember my 1st race when I had just started running. The Brat Trot in Sheboygan - when it was from the YMCA - same start/finish as my July Freedom Run race. I think my time was 15:14, and it hurt. I was probably 22 or so. I ran in asics back then. My feet felt like they were in heaven. A few years later, my foot issues began. I went to get new shoes and they changed my size - which did help some. In 2002, I found Movin' Shoes. I love that place. They fit me with running shoes appropriate for my stride/gait/foot, etc. So began my relationship with New Balance. I have been to Fleet Feet and Endurance House. I have learned things from them, certainly. I just love the service and their policies, and their discounts at Movin' Shoes. I was there for well over 90 minutes today trying shoes. They always bring out Nike - I just don't like those shoes. Surprisingly, they did not bring out Saucony. Just 4 brands. I really liked the Brooks Dyad's - they were so comfortable. Better than my current New Balance model that is supposed to be equal on the cushion scale. They just didn't have the wide width that I needed. They were close, but a bit too pinchy in the toe box - so we had to order them. Then came the stable shoe. I was torn. The New Balance model was the one I wore a year ago for my marathon. I got injured in those shoes, but I wore my orthotics in them. I think I was over-corrected. They were comfortable, but when he asked me which shoe felt best in the arch - it was the Asics. The toe box isn't quite as deep so he grabbed a 9. It felt better. It felt ... the best. I am getting back together with the shoe it all began with. Hopefully we have a lasting relationship. One that is problem free. I also decided to buy some compression socks. They are CEP size III. They weren't as tight as I thought they would be, but felt good. Rob thinks they are dorky. I don't care. He doesn't have foot/leg issues. I do. I did run 2 miles tonight. Felt good. Besides the few times my ankle was tweaking. I blame that on P90x. Hopefully that will get better the more I run.
Speaking of P90x, I'm officially done. The last 2 weeks were spotty. I have to weigh myself and do the final measurements yet. I won't tell you what it says except whether I improved or not. I can tell you that I feel stronger in the upper body. I didn't think the legs workout was that bad. I plan on starting my pre-season this week. I will continue lifting with the P90x workouts - just not doing the cardio workouts. I am going to bust out the trainer this week and start doing my spinnervals workouts. I also am going to try to run a couple of times a week. I will probably start swimming 3 times/week now too as the girls swim team is done practicing in the mornings. The boys team has less kids, so we can go back to our M, W, F schedule. Except I will probably skip W and swim either T or Th.
The handy shoe dude is a 5 time Ironman, so he was giving me some pointers. I had a plan developed based on Rob's advice and my own thoughts. Rob followed "be Ironfit". I think I may put a run back into the mix after talking to the shoe dude. (I wish I would have gotten his name - just because he was helpful). I had taken a run and made it a brick, but I think I better run a little longer than what I had written. My thoughts were to do 3 swims, 2 bikes, 2 runs, and 2 bricks per week. Plus lifting 2 times and doing a yoga workout. And a day off. Seems insane. I would probably drop the lifting and yoga later in the season, but I think it will help me in the beginning. I don't know where to put another run. Anyone else follow a dedicated plan? My actual training starts on Feb. 14th. I am just going to build a slow base to February. I really want to work on my bike fitness and dropping some time in swimming. There isn't a whole lot I can drop there. I think I am strong time-wise already. I will concentrate on going long later. I could do the swim tomorrow - I just don't want to get burned out on continuous long swimming yet. I like intervals. Some fast and short - some long -- and fast. I also love doing different strokes. I may swim some master's meets. A nice change from the triathlon season. I may give the garmin a break. I am pretty competitive. OKAAAAY - REALLY competitive. I think I need to go with heartrate training and lose the pace on the garmin. Maybe Rob can loan me his watch and heartrate strap. Perhaps I will even wear it to the pool for a test! Now I am treading the high end of the dork scale if I show up at the pool with that!
Oh - and after a great 3 week hiatus from sugar, caffeine, and alcohol - the last 2 weeks have been a bloodbath in those 3 areas. SOOOOO - tomorrow begins another strict plan. The other night - I evened out the pan of brownies - because I didn't like that it was uneven. AND = I was simply going to be putting them from the pan into a tupperware container. That was sad. I indulged in a Large Latte and a Large bowl of ice cream tonight. Tomorrow - it's back to caffeine-free tea in the mornings, and carrots for a nighttime snack. Hopefully I can stick with it. I will allow for 1 decaf latte a week. No sweets except special occasions. I have to remind myself what really tastes good and whether it is worth it. Hopefully these last 2 weeks will not show unkindly on the scale tomorrow....
Saturday, October 2, 2010
A Plan - sorta..
So, I am still obsessing about this race and what I need to do to get ready for training. I've been laying off of the biking and running since the Door County Half Ironman in July. I got the part for my trainer, just need to change it.. I would like to do a lot of spinervals workouts to increase my bike fitness. I also will just do long spins with high rpm's. I am going to start training with a heart rate monitor. I think that should help my running as I am always focused on how fast my pace is. I have to get used to looking at a different number. Swimming - my half swim time was 32 minutes and change. That puts me just in the chaotic 1:05 to 1:10 range for the ironman swim. From all accounts that I have read - this is the brutal area. I think if I drop a few pounds, it might just be enough to get me just ahead of this group. My plan now is to start in the front, wide right. I REALLY worry about the contact and I have learned that seeding myself too far back is usually my downfall. I think I may sign up for the elite swim wave at the Door county Half this next summer to help me in a crowd. I'm usually one of the fastest in my wave and often catch waves in front of me. I realize that Ironman is a whole different animal. 2500 participants this year! UGH! I realize several of you are wondering if I need to lose weight - trust me -- there are 5 or 10 pounds that I won't miss. I know this can impact my swim fitness - it's happened before. A significant difference. Like 1 minute per 500. SO - I am going to start my self-imposed detox next week. Why not now?? My dad is getting married this weekend, so I will reserve the right to have the cake. And a drink (maybe 2 or 3). Maybe even a latte. But the plan is to avoid sugar, alcohol, and caffeine. I don't know if I will do the whole no gluten no animal products also. Rob does a fair share of the cooking and I hate to restrict him. Actually, he refused to cook the last time I did the extreme diet. I won't likely stay off of gluten and meat, so why give them up completely. I hope to avoid sweets and caffeine for the long-term. I'm going to make my sister do it too. Then I know that if I pick it up, I will remember that she is sacrificing too. I hope to start running before the snow flies, so I am having my orthotics adjusted next week and finally getting new shoes. I miss running. I think the dog does too. He hasn't said as much, but the crazy laps in the living room where he vaults over the couch might be a sign. I actually did run this morning as we are at my mother-in-law's house and Ozzie needed to get some energy out. I don't think their 8 year old black lab especially cares for not quite 2 yr old Ozzie. I don't care for him either today! He is a big pain in the butt sometimes. Feet and knee are sore. Could be the heels I've been wearing. Anyways, thought I would finish the post I started on Thursday. Trying to get all of the obsessive thoughts all out so I don't completely freak out! Happy Weekend!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Trying to achieve Calmness
So - how are things 1 week later? I'm still obsessive. I'm not freaking out as much. I had several occurences last week of an extreme desire to drop out when I admitted to someone that I did indeed sign up for the great race. Monday, I received my email from Ironman to complete the registration process. I'm done. I couldn't back out anyway but now I am officially signed up. I have 6 weeks left to go on my P90x. I've been swimming twice a week. No running and no biking. Life gets in the way, and frankly, my feet hurt. I am thinking I may give them a rest for a couple of months as I know that training will bring back my issues. Oh - and Rob put aerobars on my bike. Perhaps I should try them out so that if I dump it and break something, I can heal up in plenty of time!
I'm not really doing very good on the cutting out the crap part of my plan. I have reduced my latte consumption to a couple a week instead of daily. I do often give in when there is a dessert nearby. I DID grab 3 hershey kisses last night and after eating one - put the other 2 back. It's progress. I did do a cleanse last winter, and felt GREAT afterwards. I kept up the no sugar part of it for a long time. Perhaps I need to revisit this strategy.
I think I have a 2010 race plan also. I think I will do the aquathon series in Madison again, although it will likely mean I miss some of Patrick's baseball games (sad to think about summer schedules already). I will likely register for the Horrible Hilly Hundred bike race in Blue Mounds. A bunch of us are planning on going up to Door County for the 1/2 Ironman in July already. I will do the Madison Open Water Swim - it usually is the same weekend as the training plan's peak mileage, so I will do it with the intent of doing the IM bike afterwards. I will probably do the J-Hawk Earlybird sprint in Whitewater in April. Perhaps the Capitol View Olympic in June. I debate whether to do Syttende Mai, but I am not sure doing something so long so early in the season makes sense. (I just have a new goal to beat as Rob beat my time in May.) I think I need to practice doing some shorter runs with a heartrate monitor so I can learn how to dial it back a bit. I tend to go balls to the wall when I run and have not learned a thing about pacing. Maybe this strategy isn't too bad for Ironman though either. After all, I will eventually hit a wall, might as well have as much under my belt as possible. Or do I hit the wall quicker? Things to ponder...
I'm not really doing very good on the cutting out the crap part of my plan. I have reduced my latte consumption to a couple a week instead of daily. I do often give in when there is a dessert nearby. I DID grab 3 hershey kisses last night and after eating one - put the other 2 back. It's progress. I did do a cleanse last winter, and felt GREAT afterwards. I kept up the no sugar part of it for a long time. Perhaps I need to revisit this strategy.
I think I have a 2010 race plan also. I think I will do the aquathon series in Madison again, although it will likely mean I miss some of Patrick's baseball games (sad to think about summer schedules already). I will likely register for the Horrible Hilly Hundred bike race in Blue Mounds. A bunch of us are planning on going up to Door County for the 1/2 Ironman in July already. I will do the Madison Open Water Swim - it usually is the same weekend as the training plan's peak mileage, so I will do it with the intent of doing the IM bike afterwards. I will probably do the J-Hawk Earlybird sprint in Whitewater in April. Perhaps the Capitol View Olympic in June. I debate whether to do Syttende Mai, but I am not sure doing something so long so early in the season makes sense. (I just have a new goal to beat as Rob beat my time in May.) I think I need to practice doing some shorter runs with a heartrate monitor so I can learn how to dial it back a bit. I tend to go balls to the wall when I run and have not learned a thing about pacing. Maybe this strategy isn't too bad for Ironman though either. After all, I will eventually hit a wall, might as well have as much under my belt as possible. Or do I hit the wall quicker? Things to ponder...
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
What the HELL have I DONE?????
So. It's one day since I signed up for Ironman. What was I thinking? I obsess about it already. I picture the race - what I will do for pace, etc. I haven't really biked or ran since my 1/2 Ironman in July! What makes me think I can do this race? I decided to blog because it will really help me sort my thoughts - get advice from others (since I don't listen to what my husband says - according to him), and it is nice to read about Rob's journey still, even though it's been over a year. I wanted to do something permanent. Something more that just logging my workouts on beginner triathlete or writing in my notebook. I also am held accountable to someone - hopefully - if anyone reads this. I won't pretend to be a writer. I'm also told I am not as funny as my husband. I also babble. So, I apologize in advance.
I thought I'd introduce you to my history. I have always been pretty active. I swam in high school and one year in college. I hated running for swim team. I definitely skimped on weights. Once I graduated college, I had to wait a semester to start my master's degree program. I had no life, so I started working out at the Y. It was there that I decided to run a little on the treadmill. I soon began running a 3 mile loop every week. I took a little time off once I was in grad school as it was tough to balance it all. Once I had a job/career, I joined a gym again. Since that time (1996), I have been running - with the exception of injury or pregnancy. When I was pregnant with my son I ran. With my daughter, I couldn't. I desperately wanted to be active. I did modified pilates. I tried walking with a group. It was there I met my friend Jennifer who was also pregnant with child #2. We were sad souls on that walk. WAY behind. Right after this walk, she called me to see if I would want to go for a swim with her at our newly debuted high school pool here in Stoughton. So we swam the last couple of months of our pregnancies. And that renewed my love affair with swimming. Pretty much since then I have been running and swimming. I used to bike around the lake when we had an apartment in Monona, but not really since 2000. For some reason, Rob always teased me that because he was a strong biker, he was SURE he could beat me in a triathlon. This was a running joke between us for many years. It was REALLY a joke to me because he didn't run or swim. And actually, he didn't bike anymore either. He really didn't strike me as wanting to. We saw a program on ESPN in September of 2006 where a drug addict turned his life around and does Ironman competitions. Helps others kick their habits too. Rob thought that if drug addicts could do Ironman - so could he. I laughed. I didn't NOT believe in him. He just doesn't do things he doesn't really want to do. I thought he'd run a little, swim a little and decide they suck and maybe start biking more. I told him then that if he did an Ironman, I would do one. Well, it seems the joke is on me. He originally decided to get in shape for 2 years and train for IMWI '10. I said that I would then do it in '11. At some point he changed his mind to do it in '09. He signed me up for the Big Foot Olympic Distance in June '08. Claiming we would see who could beat who. Our "joke" challenge was going to become a reality. I have to thank him for doing this. I have really enjoyed triathlon. We did 3 triathlons together that year (I think). He beat me in 1. It was my 1st open water swim. I freaked out a little. I did NOT like the contact! It was a fun year.
For 2009, I let Rob do his training. I didn't do much biking at all. We did the Aquathon Series in Madison, which was a lot of fun. I did a marathon when IMWI was over. Rob did great, and I am proud of him. Because of my long history of being active, and my competitiveness, I just can't let it sit that he did it and I haven't. The kids think I can't do it. Dad is an Ironman, not mom. I did my 1st 1/2 Ironman this summer and I find myself saying "Well, it was JUST a 1/2". I had a great race and I was THRILLED with my time. It was mentally hard - not so much physically (besides the stupid bluff on the run!). Who puts a bluff at 9.5 miles of a 1/2 Ironman? Apparently, Door county.... Anyways, I thought that was it. I would drift back to shorter races. But, I started looking at different Ironman races. I really didn't want to lose my summer to training. I like doing things with the kids. I didn't want to sacrifice that. After all, I was a Ironman widow last year. I know what is in store for my family. I decided to not do it last week. Rob talked me back into it. He claims on BT that someone commented on my hair and I changed my mind (he apparently thinks that I only listen to what others tell me and I am chronically indecisive). He really thinks that if I don't do it, I will regret it. I'm not sure my bad feet are up for another marathon, but they have been bad for a few years now, they aren't going to get better. So, I had it all set up that I COULD sign up. I volunteered. I took the morning off. I went to Monona Terrace and got in line. I chatted with 3 people for the 2 1/2 hours that I was there. I still wasn't 100% sure I would go through with it when I got up there. Had I not chatted with those 3 other "1st timers", I don't know if I would have. BUT - the excitement caught up with me and here I am.
Besides general training, these are my concerns:
1. I need to get over the mass swim start. That freaks me out. I am a swimmer 1st. I like my side of the lane with the line on the bottom. I don't mind a little bump here and there - I do not like full on body blows and being dunked.
2. I need to get stronger on the bike. Significantly so. Which means I need to make sure my trainer is working before winter. I should probably actually start biking again outdoors while I still can. I plan on riding the course as much as I can next year during training.
3. Running - I'm good. I just need to follow a plan and keep in tune with my feet. I have plantar fasciitis. I have done many different shoes and orthotic combinations. I tend to start feeling it over 12 miles. We'll see if I can fix it somewhat before spring.
4. Nutrition. When I just did running races, my nutrition was HORRIBLE! I felt good in my marathon last year. The 1/2 Iron was okay. Stomach a little upset with clif bloks on the run, but I stopped immediately and switched to gatorade/water. No solids on the bike. I need to figure that out that whole solids vs. liquids.
5. I am currently trying to cut crap out of my diet - because I want to anyways. I am also doing P90X. I wanted something extreme to help my strength and flexibility. It is HARD! But, hopefully it helps. I don't know that strength training while Ironman training makes sense, but that is another thing I need to figure out.
So, I think that is all for now. I'm sure when I go to preview this post, it will be the longest ever written. I'll try to keep it shorter in the future. Thanks for reading - and welcome to my journey....
I thought I'd introduce you to my history. I have always been pretty active. I swam in high school and one year in college. I hated running for swim team. I definitely skimped on weights. Once I graduated college, I had to wait a semester to start my master's degree program. I had no life, so I started working out at the Y. It was there that I decided to run a little on the treadmill. I soon began running a 3 mile loop every week. I took a little time off once I was in grad school as it was tough to balance it all. Once I had a job/career, I joined a gym again. Since that time (1996), I have been running - with the exception of injury or pregnancy. When I was pregnant with my son I ran. With my daughter, I couldn't. I desperately wanted to be active. I did modified pilates. I tried walking with a group. It was there I met my friend Jennifer who was also pregnant with child #2. We were sad souls on that walk. WAY behind. Right after this walk, she called me to see if I would want to go for a swim with her at our newly debuted high school pool here in Stoughton. So we swam the last couple of months of our pregnancies. And that renewed my love affair with swimming. Pretty much since then I have been running and swimming. I used to bike around the lake when we had an apartment in Monona, but not really since 2000. For some reason, Rob always teased me that because he was a strong biker, he was SURE he could beat me in a triathlon. This was a running joke between us for many years. It was REALLY a joke to me because he didn't run or swim. And actually, he didn't bike anymore either. He really didn't strike me as wanting to. We saw a program on ESPN in September of 2006 where a drug addict turned his life around and does Ironman competitions. Helps others kick their habits too. Rob thought that if drug addicts could do Ironman - so could he. I laughed. I didn't NOT believe in him. He just doesn't do things he doesn't really want to do. I thought he'd run a little, swim a little and decide they suck and maybe start biking more. I told him then that if he did an Ironman, I would do one. Well, it seems the joke is on me. He originally decided to get in shape for 2 years and train for IMWI '10. I said that I would then do it in '11. At some point he changed his mind to do it in '09. He signed me up for the Big Foot Olympic Distance in June '08. Claiming we would see who could beat who. Our "joke" challenge was going to become a reality. I have to thank him for doing this. I have really enjoyed triathlon. We did 3 triathlons together that year (I think). He beat me in 1. It was my 1st open water swim. I freaked out a little. I did NOT like the contact! It was a fun year.
For 2009, I let Rob do his training. I didn't do much biking at all. We did the Aquathon Series in Madison, which was a lot of fun. I did a marathon when IMWI was over. Rob did great, and I am proud of him. Because of my long history of being active, and my competitiveness, I just can't let it sit that he did it and I haven't. The kids think I can't do it. Dad is an Ironman, not mom. I did my 1st 1/2 Ironman this summer and I find myself saying "Well, it was JUST a 1/2". I had a great race and I was THRILLED with my time. It was mentally hard - not so much physically (besides the stupid bluff on the run!). Who puts a bluff at 9.5 miles of a 1/2 Ironman? Apparently, Door county.... Anyways, I thought that was it. I would drift back to shorter races. But, I started looking at different Ironman races. I really didn't want to lose my summer to training. I like doing things with the kids. I didn't want to sacrifice that. After all, I was a Ironman widow last year. I know what is in store for my family. I decided to not do it last week. Rob talked me back into it. He claims on BT that someone commented on my hair and I changed my mind (he apparently thinks that I only listen to what others tell me and I am chronically indecisive). He really thinks that if I don't do it, I will regret it. I'm not sure my bad feet are up for another marathon, but they have been bad for a few years now, they aren't going to get better. So, I had it all set up that I COULD sign up. I volunteered. I took the morning off. I went to Monona Terrace and got in line. I chatted with 3 people for the 2 1/2 hours that I was there. I still wasn't 100% sure I would go through with it when I got up there. Had I not chatted with those 3 other "1st timers", I don't know if I would have. BUT - the excitement caught up with me and here I am.
Besides general training, these are my concerns:
1. I need to get over the mass swim start. That freaks me out. I am a swimmer 1st. I like my side of the lane with the line on the bottom. I don't mind a little bump here and there - I do not like full on body blows and being dunked.
2. I need to get stronger on the bike. Significantly so. Which means I need to make sure my trainer is working before winter. I should probably actually start biking again outdoors while I still can. I plan on riding the course as much as I can next year during training.
3. Running - I'm good. I just need to follow a plan and keep in tune with my feet. I have plantar fasciitis. I have done many different shoes and orthotic combinations. I tend to start feeling it over 12 miles. We'll see if I can fix it somewhat before spring.
4. Nutrition. When I just did running races, my nutrition was HORRIBLE! I felt good in my marathon last year. The 1/2 Iron was okay. Stomach a little upset with clif bloks on the run, but I stopped immediately and switched to gatorade/water. No solids on the bike. I need to figure that out that whole solids vs. liquids.
5. I am currently trying to cut crap out of my diet - because I want to anyways. I am also doing P90X. I wanted something extreme to help my strength and flexibility. It is HARD! But, hopefully it helps. I don't know that strength training while Ironman training makes sense, but that is another thing I need to figure out.
So, I think that is all for now. I'm sure when I go to preview this post, it will be the longest ever written. I'll try to keep it shorter in the future. Thanks for reading - and welcome to my journey....
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