So - I guess it's for real. I have a bib # - they didn't leave me off the list. Made me a little nervous at first, but I've calmed down. I am still not completely firm on what I am wearing for the run, which has me a little nervous. I just feel like I need an extra pocket. I know that I should expect the unexpected, so I am wanting to carry a little bit of extras in case I can't eat off of the course. I don't want to have to wait until a 1/2 marathon is over before I get to my special needs bag. I want to have my own little carry along special needs.
I slept great last night and I am hoping for a good last long run this afternoon after work. I am going to run on the course. I know it but it will be nice to re-familiarize myself before race day. I think I am going to just to my planned ride for Saturday rather than go longer. I'm just not sure my body needs it. This past weekend was pretty epic in its own right, so I am going to leave well enough alone.
I scheduled my pre-race massage for 4 days prior. I scheduled my hair appointments for 3 days after. Ordered my race fuel. I have to get another replacement tube and some CO2 cartridges. And then I just have to finalize the outfits and finish up these last 2 weeks. I am to the point that I would like the race here so I can stop obsessing about it.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Final BIG Workout Day - sort of....
Well, if nothing else, this weekend taught me to expect the unexpected. I had planned to swim the Madison Open Water Swim and then do the full Ironman bike ride. It's a perfect way to end the big training and enter taper. In theory.
Saturday morning, I woke up and had a 1/2 pb&j sandwich and a banana. Ominous looking clouds out on the western horizon. I was pretty much ready to go, so off I went. Parked at the Monona Terrace at about 6:45. Race was to start at 8:30 - my wave at 8:40. Went to get my packet and head back to the car as it was windy, cold, and raining. I ran into Jen and Jon and I stuck with them. We then ran into Laura and Chris. Stood on the helix for awhile protected from the rain. Decided to get the wetsuit 1/2 on for warmth. They then came up and announced that they were going to delay the start until 9:45 or so. The wind blew the buoys completely off course. The weather cleared like they predicted, they reset the buoys (although it was long) and we got our pre-race speech. The national championship wave went off 1st. They let us in the water right after and we got to tread water for 10 minutes. There were 271 wetsuited athletes doing the full 2.4 mile swim on the exact Ironman course. The non-wetsuited athletes started with us, although they were let in after us. I started in the front. I intended to start wide right, but I kept moving to get a little clearer area and ended up closer to the ski jump than I had planned. I could see the clock, so I knew when we were down to 10 seconds, so I kinda went horizontal until the airhorn and off I went.
I never really got clobbered. It was certainly crowded. My goggles fogged up nicely and I couldn't see much. I had to sorta tread/breastroke a couple of times to re-adjust my position. I tried to stay mindful of the people around me. I didn't want to hurt anyone. I did try to get off to the right because I really needed to fix the foggy goggle situation. I did so when I felt I had some clear water. I was pretty wide right at this point. If possible, I got even wider on the back 1/2! It was pretty choppy on the back stretch, so I stopped sighting as much. BIG mistake!! I would breathe left a few times to see if there were people near me on that side and I noticed red buoys in the distance. I popped up and saw just how far away I was. I swear I added at least 5 minutes to that swim! My 2nd loop was MUCH better! I did get hit in the goggles once, but it wasn't that bad. Definitely had some arm and leg collisions, but nothing serious. My calves were cramping somewhat, so I did do this without kicking too much. I did start kicking on the last leg in to the shore. Overall time was 1:10 -- not bad. I had hoped to be faster, but I will take it. Considering I finished 29th overall in my division, I think it cemented my feelings of starting in front on race day.
The delay meant starting the bike near noon. I am very thankful that Jen waited for me. She did the 1.2 mile swim and finished before me. I feel bad that she also had a crappy day, and I hope I didn't contribute to that. We started out slow, which was good for my legs. BUT - I did not start eating the way I needed to. I think I need to have a bottle of liquid nutrition to occasionally sip also in addition to water. I KNOW I need water + solid food, but I obviously am not getting enough calories in. I had 5 mini lara bars on Saturday. I had some Raw Rev bars yesterday and I almost think they are easier to eat. I might have to go search them out for race day. Not as grainy/dense. Rob met us near Mt. Horeb to join us for a loop. It was supposed to be our 2nd loop, but at least we had some other company. I felt really pretty strong on the "3 bitches". I'm not the fastest climber, but that doesn't matter to me. I want to come off feeling like I did not trash my legs and that I am able to run. When we got back to Verona for the 2nd loop, Jen stopped at Fireman's Park to re-assess her situation with her husband and sent Rob and I onward. Not long after this, Rob was mentioning that he didn't want to climb hills anymore. He then says "I have a flat tire". I chuckled. I thought his comment meant he FELT like he had a flat tire as we were climbing a hill at the time. He had to say again "I have a flat tire". FOR REAL! So, he changes it - rather quickly actually. We push onward. 10 minutes later - "I have another flat tire". UGH! It was in no way his fault - and actually was a good lesson for me - even though it wasn't my bike. BUT - I was already dealing with worrying about the time, hungry and wanting my "special needs" sandwich that was in his truck. We didn't have another tube with an extended stem. Just as I was realizing that I was going to have to get the truck and pick him up, someone pulled up that had one and gave it to us. Problem solved - onward we went. We had run into Whizzzz at this point and played leap-frog with her and her friend Trudy.
Once to Mt. Horeb, we stopped at the truck. As I was trying to eat my sandwich I was watching Laura and Trudy "whiz" by and thinking that I should hurry and catch up to them. It looked like rain was coming and I didn't want to be on my own. It was 5:30 or maybe a little later. Rob had to get the babysitter home. He was already late. He then suggests that perhaps I consider packing it in. After some discussion - I agreed. Hopped in the truck and off we went. We showered grabbed the kids and had a lovely dinner at Brocach on the square as I had to go back to the Terrace to get my car.
PLAN B - I got up early Sunday - got on the bike again and rode out to Verona for a loop. Mentally, I was already deciding where Rob would rescue me. All the way to Mt. Horeb. I love the section after that, so I was okay into Cross Plains, but feeling fatigued. I stopped at the BP to get more water, some gatorade, and I decided to try some coke. Thought the caffeine kick might help. I also bought a cup of watermelon. WOW! The coke did wonders for me. I felt good for the rest of the ride. I was not sure about going home from Verona as it gets hilly going to Stoughton. Going back to the Terrace is MUCH flatter. BUT - I stuck it out. Rob was a BIG help and did all of the party prep - including baking the cake. We celebrated Patrick's birthday 1 month late with our family. I made it there before our sister's did! Yay me!
Taper is supposed to begin today. I am proceeding except I am going to ride the whole course on Saturday. I need to make sure my nutrition is spot on for race day. I have yet to do a century, and I think I would feel better if I did. Granted - I rode 150 miles in a 24 hour period this weekend, I still think it would do me good mentally.
Long post I am sure, but needed to sort it out.
Saturday morning, I woke up and had a 1/2 pb&j sandwich and a banana. Ominous looking clouds out on the western horizon. I was pretty much ready to go, so off I went. Parked at the Monona Terrace at about 6:45. Race was to start at 8:30 - my wave at 8:40. Went to get my packet and head back to the car as it was windy, cold, and raining. I ran into Jen and Jon and I stuck with them. We then ran into Laura and Chris. Stood on the helix for awhile protected from the rain. Decided to get the wetsuit 1/2 on for warmth. They then came up and announced that they were going to delay the start until 9:45 or so. The wind blew the buoys completely off course. The weather cleared like they predicted, they reset the buoys (although it was long) and we got our pre-race speech. The national championship wave went off 1st. They let us in the water right after and we got to tread water for 10 minutes. There were 271 wetsuited athletes doing the full 2.4 mile swim on the exact Ironman course. The non-wetsuited athletes started with us, although they were let in after us. I started in the front. I intended to start wide right, but I kept moving to get a little clearer area and ended up closer to the ski jump than I had planned. I could see the clock, so I knew when we were down to 10 seconds, so I kinda went horizontal until the airhorn and off I went.
I never really got clobbered. It was certainly crowded. My goggles fogged up nicely and I couldn't see much. I had to sorta tread/breastroke a couple of times to re-adjust my position. I tried to stay mindful of the people around me. I didn't want to hurt anyone. I did try to get off to the right because I really needed to fix the foggy goggle situation. I did so when I felt I had some clear water. I was pretty wide right at this point. If possible, I got even wider on the back 1/2! It was pretty choppy on the back stretch, so I stopped sighting as much. BIG mistake!! I would breathe left a few times to see if there were people near me on that side and I noticed red buoys in the distance. I popped up and saw just how far away I was. I swear I added at least 5 minutes to that swim! My 2nd loop was MUCH better! I did get hit in the goggles once, but it wasn't that bad. Definitely had some arm and leg collisions, but nothing serious. My calves were cramping somewhat, so I did do this without kicking too much. I did start kicking on the last leg in to the shore. Overall time was 1:10 -- not bad. I had hoped to be faster, but I will take it. Considering I finished 29th overall in my division, I think it cemented my feelings of starting in front on race day.
The delay meant starting the bike near noon. I am very thankful that Jen waited for me. She did the 1.2 mile swim and finished before me. I feel bad that she also had a crappy day, and I hope I didn't contribute to that. We started out slow, which was good for my legs. BUT - I did not start eating the way I needed to. I think I need to have a bottle of liquid nutrition to occasionally sip also in addition to water. I KNOW I need water + solid food, but I obviously am not getting enough calories in. I had 5 mini lara bars on Saturday. I had some Raw Rev bars yesterday and I almost think they are easier to eat. I might have to go search them out for race day. Not as grainy/dense. Rob met us near Mt. Horeb to join us for a loop. It was supposed to be our 2nd loop, but at least we had some other company. I felt really pretty strong on the "3 bitches". I'm not the fastest climber, but that doesn't matter to me. I want to come off feeling like I did not trash my legs and that I am able to run. When we got back to Verona for the 2nd loop, Jen stopped at Fireman's Park to re-assess her situation with her husband and sent Rob and I onward. Not long after this, Rob was mentioning that he didn't want to climb hills anymore. He then says "I have a flat tire". I chuckled. I thought his comment meant he FELT like he had a flat tire as we were climbing a hill at the time. He had to say again "I have a flat tire". FOR REAL! So, he changes it - rather quickly actually. We push onward. 10 minutes later - "I have another flat tire". UGH! It was in no way his fault - and actually was a good lesson for me - even though it wasn't my bike. BUT - I was already dealing with worrying about the time, hungry and wanting my "special needs" sandwich that was in his truck. We didn't have another tube with an extended stem. Just as I was realizing that I was going to have to get the truck and pick him up, someone pulled up that had one and gave it to us. Problem solved - onward we went. We had run into Whizzzz at this point and played leap-frog with her and her friend Trudy.
Once to Mt. Horeb, we stopped at the truck. As I was trying to eat my sandwich I was watching Laura and Trudy "whiz" by and thinking that I should hurry and catch up to them. It looked like rain was coming and I didn't want to be on my own. It was 5:30 or maybe a little later. Rob had to get the babysitter home. He was already late. He then suggests that perhaps I consider packing it in. After some discussion - I agreed. Hopped in the truck and off we went. We showered grabbed the kids and had a lovely dinner at Brocach on the square as I had to go back to the Terrace to get my car.
PLAN B - I got up early Sunday - got on the bike again and rode out to Verona for a loop. Mentally, I was already deciding where Rob would rescue me. All the way to Mt. Horeb. I love the section after that, so I was okay into Cross Plains, but feeling fatigued. I stopped at the BP to get more water, some gatorade, and I decided to try some coke. Thought the caffeine kick might help. I also bought a cup of watermelon. WOW! The coke did wonders for me. I felt good for the rest of the ride. I was not sure about going home from Verona as it gets hilly going to Stoughton. Going back to the Terrace is MUCH flatter. BUT - I stuck it out. Rob was a BIG help and did all of the party prep - including baking the cake. We celebrated Patrick's birthday 1 month late with our family. I made it there before our sister's did! Yay me!
Taper is supposed to begin today. I am proceeding except I am going to ride the whole course on Saturday. I need to make sure my nutrition is spot on for race day. I have yet to do a century, and I think I would feel better if I did. Granted - I rode 150 miles in a 24 hour period this weekend, I still think it would do me good mentally.
Long post I am sure, but needed to sort it out.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
40....
Hmm. Feels like just another day. I remember when my mom turned 40. She got a bunch of stuff regarding being over the hill - a coffee mug and balloons. I remembering think "Wow. That is old". Typically people see this as middle-age. Your life is half over. Funny - my mom's life was more than 1/2 over. I guess 30 was mid-life for her. I was 7, Jen was 5 and Nick was a newborn at her 1/2 way point. We never know what is around the corner. I always wonder if my mom would have done anything different had she known her life was going to end at almost 60. Would she have quit smoking - would it have mattered? We make conscious choices all of the time. I was brought up with a lot of bad choices around me. How did I choose an athletic lifestyle? I'd like to think that my kids are seeing us choose athletic endeavors even at "middle-age" and that they will get bitten by the healthy bug. I'm not a gestapo when it comes to their diets. They play video games and watch stupid cartoons that I swear will make you a little less smart. But yesterday, they also rode their bikes with me as I ran an hour. Mel did complain about her butt hurting, but they did it. They both enjoyed the kids triathlon they did last month. We try to involve them in this lifestyle and I think that they enjoy it. I'm enjoying my training, but I am looking forward to being a little less rigid. I swear also that some days my legs are 80 not 40. I am so blessed to have the things that I have. To be able to train for this event. To have the body to be able to do this. I have many blessings. My husband, my kids, my family, my friends. All of this is a gift. Thank you everyone of you for supporting me in this journey of seeing what my body can do. At 40. Here's to 40 more...maybe :)
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