An Iron Journey

One Minute at a Time

2012-01-27T14:38:00.000-06:00

I owe everyone an update don’t I. Wow, I can’t believe it is already January 27th. Time really does fly by which is why I have decided to make some changes.

Determination…...balance…..peace….happiness. These are some of my key words for the year. Last year I committed to racing an ironman triathlon. For various reasons I ended up racing a half ironman distance triathlon. Huge! I am proud of my accomplishment. Do I want to do another one? You bet ya, but I don’t think I want to this year. This year I need to recommit to myself. And my first priority is losing the weight I have seemed to put back on.

I’m not new to the weight loss journey. The first time I lost weight was back in 1995. I fell in love with lifting heavy weights. I dabbled in power lifting and even competed in a body building contest. No matter what is going on in my life, I always fall back to fitness of some sort. Fast forward 12 years two babies, life in general and I found myself over the 200 pound mark. In 2007, I decided enough was enough. Joined the Biggest Loser website, met a wonderful group of ladies and within a year lost 50 pounds, pre-first baby weight. Then I screwed up. Something that I won’t talk about on here but it was life altering. Yep, we make mistakes but this one spiraled me into a battle that I have been fighting for the past four years. I have gained almost all of my weight back. I’m 15 pounds shy of where I started in April of 2007. I have been lost. It is very frustrating to be back there again when I swore I would never be. So frustrating that I don't even know where to start at times. Overwhelmed is an understatement.

So instead of training for the next big race, aka: Ironman, I’m training for me. I’m training on several levels both spiritually, physically and emotionally. Because let’s face it one doesn’t exist without the other. They all belong together because you are you or I am me. I’ve been having some aha moments; most are coming slowing….but they are coming. One huge decision I have made is that I’m going to lose my weight that I have gained back plus some. I know we hear this all too often from people that gain and lose. I’m not going to say “no really this time I mean it”. No, I don’t know if I will do that at the moment and that is the truth. I can’t say I won’t eat this or that because I at this moment I can’t. No, I’m taking it one minute at a time at the moment. Even a day seems overwhelming at times.

We don’t typically see triathletes or any athlete confess a huge weight gain. No we wouldn’t see them again until they were back to their prior racing form. But I feel I had to get out in the open that Yes, I’ve gained weight. Yes it sucks! Yes I will fight this once again.

Another decision I have made is that I’m not going to do Redman this year, well at least not the full or half ironman distance. This year I’m volunteering at it and will do the Olympic distance instead that will be held on Sunday. That will be my “A” race for the year. But towards the end of the year I hope to run a full marathon for my friend battling Ovarian Cancer. We shall see…..

Anyways, things have been going well. I’m back in the gym lifting consistently for about a month or two now. What pushed me over the edge to get back to it, various reasons but mainly my BFF! She texted me one day out of the blue and asked if I would work out with her if she joined the Y. I had been “playing” back in the gym for a few weeks but having a scheduled time on my calendar has helped tremendously. Now if I can just get my “cardio” (running/biking/swimming) back in the groove I would be in there. And of course if I could reign in my eating that would be even better. But one minute at a time……….

Sitting on the edge of the fence......

2011-12-27T16:59:00.001-06:00

Wow, I’m a total slacker! No not really, I mean I am a slacker in a lot of ways but who isn’t? Anyways, things have been going well. I’m back in the gym lifting consistently for about a month now. What pushed me over the edge to get back to it, various reason but mainly my BFF! She texted me one day out of the blue and asked if I would work out with her if she joined the Y. I had been “playing” back in the gym for a few weeks but having a scheduled time on my calendar has helped tremendously. And today, hold your britches, I went swimming. Yes that is right boys and gals; I actually got back in the pool for the first time since Redman. It wasn’t pretty, I have a lot of “ketchup” to do but it wasn’t bad. And don’t tell hubby this; I’m actually glad he pushed me out of bed this morning (literally).

So I’ve got the weight training down, it doesn’t take me long to get back into the groove. I just know need to figure out the rest of the mumbo jumbo, like training and what races to do. As some of you know may or may not know, I’m committing myself to 18 races next year. My friend who has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer has 18 weeks of chemo. She is doing well and hopefully she will be able to join us towards the end of the year or as she feels up to it. Her daughter is going to be right along side of me, running anything from 5K to half marathons and we are ending it with a full marathon. So the question comes do I du/tri or not? Luckily our Tri club does relays so why not? I’ve never done any of our events as a team, she is game to do the running portion, I on my trusty stead, so now we have to find a swimmer, and it will be fun. Redman……. this next year Redman is a Half Max Championship so no teams. Do I do Redman (half) or do the international distance the next day? Or skip it? This of course opens a whole other can of worms regarding the family and training for Redman once again.

So as you can see a lot of decisions need to be made. Do some need to be made now? No, I have nine months until Redman, 7 months until registration prices go up (not making that mistake again) and about 4 months until I would truly need to decide in order to start proper training. I have goals in my mind that have to do with my level of fitness, health, weight etc…..Plus I’m just not sure about the time. I’m on the fence.

It is funny how I don’t even blink an eye any more to sprint/olympic distance training or even to a half marathon. Must be something about all those hours I put in this year……

A tale of two square pants - repost

2011-11-22T15:16:00.000-06:00

I came across this post that I did last year on another site.....I thought it is a good reminder to me.....

It is funny how a particular square can make you feel. How it can set the mood you are going to be in for the day. How it is one of the first things you see in the morning when you go into the bathroom. It sits propped up in the corner or on the wall waiting, lurking like sponge waiting to absorb every ounce of spirit, of inspiration or encouragement from you. It is Mr. Scale Square Pants. I stepped on Mr. SSP today only to find that he wanted to suck every ounce of “I can conquer the world” attitude from me. But I didn’t let him, I screamed back, “You’ve got to be freakin’ kidding me, really? I ran 6 miles yesterday. I worked out 5 of the last seven days Mr. SSP you should be grateful to me! Really?”

I’ve gone about my morning trying to not let Mr. SSP weigh me down (LOL!) saying you are tracking your food, you are in a forward momentum again, blah, blah, blah. Then as I was re-vamping my training schedule for the next month in preparations of my first ½ marathon in November, I thought to myself, well how many miles did you put in for September? Instead of an aha moment, I had a duh moment. I get it, Mr. SSP, you are in cohorts with Mr. Tracker that only shows me putting in 887 minutes for September. You highlighted some good days, are you ready for this, 20 miles of running, 50 miles biking, 2 spin class, 1 boot camp class, several yoga days, 3-4 ST days and a few walking periods. Duh, duh, duh! Yeah, I greatly appreciate you two drilling your point home even further. I bet you two are texting each other right now, getting your jollys, at least you aren’t posting it to U-Tube.

So let me tell ya’ll something Mr. SSP and Mr. Tracker, I’m not going to let ya’ll win. I’m not going to let ya’ll ruin my day or my week. I’m not going to let ya’ll throw me into some bottomless pit to wallow in my misery, to completely throw me on a downward spiral of devastation. Oh, no! You better bet your square little bottoms that I’m fighting back with a vengeance! I’ll show you both what I’m made of! I’ll teach ya’ll to mess with me!

Finding Focus

2011-11-15T13:55:00.000-06:00

We get these Character First magazines at work monthly. I actually take the time to read them when they come in because it always seems like the month’s topics seem to hit home. Coincidence? This month was no different, Contentment. Yep, be thankful for what we have not what we don’t regime. I mean this coincides with November and how everyone does the 30 days of thankfulness. Really? Shouldn’t we be thankful all the time? Probably. And like many, I struggle with all things that deal with contentment.

I have felt lost since I stopped training for Redman. In fact I don’t even have a plan of working out and I think that is why I’m not motivated at all to watch what I eat or workout. But I digress….. I’ve been soul searching or at least my mind has been on a path of randomness. I feel like I cannot concentrate on anything at work, in fact I can’t. It seems like I’m always searching for something.

Right now I feel so out of whack. Things seem to be out of whack and I can’t put my finger on it. Doesn’t matter what it is or where everything seems to be out of whack, even at work. Enter this question….”Check your desires....ask yourself why it’s hard to be grateful.” Well duh, because then we would have to realize that we have more than most, that we have it better than most. Or maybe it is that we just need to redefine what is better, what is enough, what is more.

Anyways, this morning in my infamous wake up and be awake for two hours time…..I realized that I’m not sure if I want to “train” for anything this next year. As I posted a few posts ago, I have a friend that is battling Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. So for every week of chemotherapy she has I will complete an event, rather it is a 5K, 10K, ½ Marathon, full marathon, duathlon or triathlon. Several of her family/friends are joining me including her daughter. J and I ran together, Sunday and I decided right then and there that my triathlons/duathlons would be a relay team. Fitting I think. So back to early morning today and it all just kind of clicked. I don’t want to train. I want to have fun. I want to get remember why I do all of this. Not to get a certain place or do a certain race. I do this because I can, to get “in shape” and to have fun.

So I’m taking a step to regain what I have lost. Focus. And in the process, to have a little fun on the way. Now anybody want to swim for our relay teams?

November Goals

2011-11-01T16:53:00.001-05:00

So inspired by several friends and of course having my own ambitious plans, I’ve decided to lay out 5 goals for November.

1.I want to hit 100 miles this month. I have a lot of running goals next year and I need to bump it up a notch I think and try to hit 100 miles this month.

2.Strength train at least 5 days a week. I have always loved lifting, my first fitness love really. I want to lean out and get cut. I’m looking for new things and ways to do this rather sticking with the old standard workouts.

3.Of course no goal list is complete without a weight loss goal. So I’m setting my sights on 10 pounds. Very ambitious for me. I know it is going to take a lot of clean eating and cutting out some foods that “I lose control over” but I have a big goal next year…..

4.Juice every day and add in more fruits/veggies

5.Tracking everything…journaling!

Finally a sense of direction......

2011-10-27T16:29:00.000-05:00

So what have I been up to since Redman? Nothing exciting……I have dabbled in going back to the gym to strength train….I have ran a few miles……I have ate a few calories…..I have gained a few pounds. I have felt miserable. No sense of direction but not really wanting to find one, lost. It really wasn’t until my friend went into surgery last week and her diagnosis was confirmed at Stage 3 Ovarian cancer did my senses come back to life.

I learned that she had ovarian cancer right after Redman. She is not only my friend but was also my daughter’s TaeKwon Do instructor and I’m also friends with her daughter and her daughter’s son is friends with my son. So you can see we are all friends. She got into running because of me (in a way) and when she was first starting out I used to pace her and get her through races. In fact, my first long run after Redman was with her right by my side or maybe I was by her side because I let her set the pace and work out her anger from the diagnosis. Ironically, my coach had given me a bracelet the morning of Redman that said, “Fight like a girl”. See his wife passed away from Ovarian Cancer, so after learning of my friend’s diagnosis, I passed the bracelet onto her, and told her to “FIGHT LIKE A GIRL”.

Anyway, it has hit me hard. I wasn’t able to visit her after surgery because we were leaving for a camping trip but I was still able to get updates via facebook while we were gone (yes I stayed connected, somewhat) and while we were on our way back I came up with the idea of running for her. She will have to do anywhere from 18 to 22 weeks of chemo. My plan? To run or complete an event in 2012 for every week she has chemo . That will mean a lot of 5Ks, some 10Ks, one ½ marathon, a few triathlons/duathlons and I will end it with a full out marathon. Ambitious, crazy, exciting!

I haven’t worked all the details out. I have a million ideas running through my head about the whole thing. Everything from fund raising for ovarian cancer awareness, to getting sponsors to the T-Shirts I want made and will wear at every race. But I feel strong about this. I haven’t shared this with her or her family, I was hoping to get some details down before hand and she just went home from the hospital yesterday but I hope to share the news soon.

So if you have any ideas let me know……..

Redman Half Ironman Race Report and an update

2011-10-11T10:11:00.000-05:00

My first half ironman distance triathlon was a great experience but I’ve been experiencing the “Christmas” let down as of late. Not really having a path forward, trying to get back into the swing of things etc.

I’m not going to do a huge race report…..but I will give you a run down. I took the day off before race day to do a practice swim and get everything into place. It was a somewhat calm day. Not a lot of excitement like I was thinking it might be. Went to bed fairly early and really had a good night’s sleep. When the alarm went off Saturday morning I wasn’t jumping out of bed with excitement. I was like “meh, I’ve got to get up”. Ate some oatmeal like I usually do before a race gathered my gear and hubby left pretty early, stopped to get some coffee, water, Gatorade and we made it to race site around 5:00. We had to walk about a quarter of a mile into race site but it wasn’t a biggie. Set up transition brought more stuff than I usually do but I felt like I needed to be overly prepared. It was a little chilly so I brought another shirt to change into after the swim because I didn’t want to get cold on the bike and I had arm warmers too but in the end I didn’t use them. Ran into some friends chit chatted….and waited. Finally swim waves started, I was in wave four….muddy walk down to the water….cold….I didn’t have a wet suit which usually doesn’t bother me but I was beginning to second guess my decision.

Gun went off….I’m not sure what went wrong with the swim. There was sighting issues, the buoys floated off course a little but you could see the main ones. I didn’t think I got off course; I just didn’t swim if that makes any sense. I rounded the first buoy full distance athletes were passing me which I expected and by the time on my watch I knew it was going to be a long swim. I cramped in both legs on the way back in but worked them out while still maintaining my swim. But I still made it out of the water 10 minutes slower than I wanted and should have made it out. I was frustrated to say the least. Changed my top put the rest of the gear on and ran my bike out of transition. (Swim time was 1:00:47 but that includes about a 2 minute run from the water to the timing mat too.)

Bike was probably the best or at least the first half of it was. I quickly got my legs going started passing several people and concentrated on taking my nutrition and fluids in. At the turn around I was right where I wanted to be for my bike time and it gave me the extra boost of confidence. But that was short lived. My stomach started cramping and thoughts of having to quit entered my mind. But I pushed through it, continued with my nutrition/fluids until about the last 30 minutes when I just couldn’t. I slowed down but not too bad, had to ride out of aero more than I wanted to though. I didn’t push too hard on the bike but faster than I thought I would. (Bike time 3:23:02)

I racked my bike changed shoes, grabbed my fuel belt and walked out of transition to the run. I slathered some body glide at the first aid station because my top rubbed me wrong under my arm. Saw my hubby who was volunteering too, and started running. I was surprised how well my legs felt. I really felt okay except my stomach. It just kept cramping. And even though I felt okay I just felt like if the opportunity to quit came along I might jump on it. Like I said, my mind wasn’t fully into this race the entire time. So I kept running, passed some people, cheered for those around me. I think what helped is I saw friends at various places along the course cheering me on. It helps tremendously. The water/aid stations were awesome so much support even from complete strangers. I walked a little but really the first half of my run was good. Finally at the end of the first loop (two loop course) my coach asked how my stomach was doing and I told him it was uncomfortable. I tried to continue taking nutrition in and fluids alternating between water and Gatorade. He suggested to take some electrolytes at the next aid station and after I did my stomach felt a little better. At three miles to go one of the guys from the running club that was manning an aid station asked what I needed and I said I wasn’t sure so he told me to eat both slices of an orange. That seemed to do the trick. I started running faster.

During several parts of the run I just gave up, mentally, thought I was tired but looking back I don’t think I really was. I could have pushed harder. Coming down the finish chute I started tearing up and the full fledge tears and sobbing came. I crossed the finish line a first time half ironman at 7:18:15. I fell into my hubby’s arms, sobbing. He was able to put my finisher medal around my neck. All my friends where there crying right along with me. I couldn’t control my tears. I worked so hard, my family sacrificed so much and I did it. Glad I did! So happy it was my hubby who was there to hang my medal and hold me. Volunteering sometimes pays off in more ways than one! (Final run time 2:47)

Looking back, I still don’t know what went wrong with the swim. With the lack of rain up until a few days prior to the race the water was less than stellar in the water quality department. Several athletes got sick during the race and after. I think that was my problem with my stomach although I never got sick but you just felt off. The bike was good although I was shooting for a flat three hour ride. The run well, I know I didn’t push it was like I almost gave up. I had a lot going on personally prior to this race and I think it all caught up to me that day. But I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything. I’m proud of that 7:18, and know I will be out there again.

As much as I love triathlons and as much as I had a plan all laid out for next year…..I might have to step back from that plan a little and use that time to regroup, reorganize and re-evaluate. I’m not going to stop all together, no I enjoy the sport too much for that plus I like the working out part. Pushing my body to the limit etc…No I will continue may be just not sign up for so many races or at least the big ones. I had planned on 2-3 70.3 next year but now I think I will stick with Sprint/Olympic and duathlons in the local area. May be run more again in local 5K-10K even a ½ Marathon or a full. But we shall see….

Tuesday Tidbits

2011-08-30T13:54:00.001-05:00

Well it has been awhile hasn’t it? Sorry…. a lot has happened in the last few weeks, geez almost a month. Here are some tidbits……

1.First of all, we lost my grandfather on August 11th….it is bittersweet because he is no longer in pain or suffering but oh how he is missed! I took the following week after that off to attend the funeral and then get the kids ready for school. The week flew by….wished I could have taken more time off.

2.Kids started school without any problems. I was expecting melt downs with monkey boy but he has taken the school schedule change and everything in stride! A big time Kindergartener. And Emily? Well of course she eased back into the school routine with no problems.

3.Emily is also playing soccer this fall. UGH! Lacrosse is one thing….I actually enjoy it. What I don’t enjoy are hard core parents that live through their children in becoming soccer stars. Plus the crowd she is playing with would consider themselves better than you if you catch my drift. UGH! She is taking it with stride and doing really well in practices. Time will tell though….

4.Lacrosse starts on September 11th. So not only will Emily be playing soccer on Saturdays she will then turnaround and play Lacrosse Sunday afternoons. UGH! Did I mention the soccer team is a traveling team too? UGHx2!

5.I’ve had some good rides and run as of late. However last week I just didn’t put a lot into my training. I don’t know why. Probably because I was letting other things get in the way or more like it….using it as an excuse.

6.My friend qualified for Kona in Louisville this weekend! So happy for her!

7.I’ve already started planning next year’s schedule. I’m thinking a couple of half ironman races then may be attempting a full in 2013. I’m also thinking of a full marathon next year???? Possibly get the hubs to join….

8.I’m looking forward to the fall….actually more like after the race. I have several house projects I want to work on……

9.Did I mention Redman is in 25 days?

10.Do you actually ever stop “training” for the next thing….?

11.I have a lot of “I want to do’s….” I must start writing them down.

There must be more but I can’t think of anything more right now. That is how my life is going right now…..kind of all over the place.

Let's Flip a Coin

2011-08-02T17:02:00.000-05:00

Well it is still hotter than hell here in Oklahoma. In fact officially the temperature right now is 111 degrees, to quote my 5 year old “what the heck in the world?” Fiddlesticks. It is pushing even those that love the heat into the shade…….

Last week’s training went well even with the heat. I did skip one of my workouts but it was because of the trip to the hospital with my grandmother…..otherwise I got in a great 12 mile run on Friday night and a long bike ride (about 55 miles) on Sunday morning. Plus all the other normal training days.... This week however things haven’t started off well. I totally skipped my run yesterday even though I told myself I could jump on the treadmill because of my emotions getting in the way. I got bad news so there went the training. I don’t know why I do that to myself….

Tonight though I’m heading out to do an open water swim then while I’m soaking wet I might try and get a few miles in then (if not before) I will come home and jump on the treadmill to finish out my run. Tomorrow, which is supposed be the hottest day of the year probably, 113+, I’m supposed to do a brick, that all might be done on the trainer and treadmill. I just can’t see myself riding/running in that heat especially since it is still 100 after 8:00pm.

Thursday I might meet my friends at a restaurant. These are a group of girlfriends that I train with, some every week some when we can. But they are a great group of women.

Friday Emily has her swim meet in the evening so no training unless she gets done at a decent time but even then I need to do my long run so I might just hold off until Saturday morning…..13 miles……will have to get up at the crack-o-dawn for that one.
Then probably another long bike ride Sunday morning……same ole same ole.

Last thing….I’m on the fence about a half or full distance come September. Seven weeks to go and I can’t believe I’m contemplating this……part of me says go for it…..part of me says stick with the half wait for another day for the full……..maybe I should flip a coin?

Various ramblings on my life at this moment

2011-07-27T13:45:00.001-05:00

Death isn’t pretty. I guess it isn’t supposed to be. My grandfather is dying of liver cancer, diagnosed in April and now on hospice. Cancer is an ugly disease and unforgiving in his case. He continues to decline weekly, daily. He isn’t my Pop that he used to be. And while I watch death take him little by little I hold on to my beautiful memories I have had with him. Our birthdays are 3 days apart, he taught me how to water ski, filled my gas tank when I was a teenager, let me sneak treats off his Frito Lay truck. That is what I will always remember…… I pray that he goes now, fast and peacefully. I don’t want him to suffer any longer…..

What I’m also astonished at during this time, is the strength of my daughter. She turns 12 in a few weeks. This is her first experience with death and a family member. She remembers when my great-grandmother (her great-great grandmother) died about 5 years ago but she really didn’t see the process. Last night when we were over at our grandparents house (this is her great-grandparents) she lay on the bed next to Pop (kids call him GPop) held his hand, talked to him, comforted him. She went and got his water when he asked for it. He mumbles when he talks now but I could see a smile when he saw us. I asked her later on if she was okay seeing GPop like this. That I didn’t want her remembering him like this but to remember the times at the lake, getting M&Ms from him, etc. She responded, I’m okay, it doesn’t bother me. Death doesn’t bother her. Wow. I’m so proud of the compassion my daughter has when so many her age don’t. She is truly amazing to me. She has so much strength already. She will become an amazing woman some day.

I’m tired. I don’t know what it is. My race is 8 weeks out or 59 days…. So I don’t know if it just that mental/body tiredness everyone talks about or if something else is going on. I can list many…..I’m not staying hydrated enough and it is hot as hell here (100+ degree days)…..my diet hasn’t been stellar…..I’m probably not getting enough sleep or staying asleep even when I do get to bed at a decent time……..I’m tired. Thinking about revamping my diet again, leaning more towards a vegetarian/vegan diet. I’ve done this several times. I don’t know why I revert back except for laziness, time, convenience etc…..I just don’t feel like I have time for anything……even training sometimes……

Went on a good bike ride Sunday morning with a couple of friends, my longest time in the saddle to date, 72 miles, however, I just didn’t have it in me. I knew within the first 5 miles that it wasn’t going to be a great ride. We did it though. While on the ride one of my friends kept telling me that I should go ahead and do the full ironman distance in September. I kept saying to her that my trainer says my running miles are up there and that I haven’t spent a lot of time in the saddle. But she totally showed me everything I have been doing, that I’m running further than she is and that my bike is totally strong enough. I mean I’m not going out to break any records, I just want to finish. I toy with the idea daily. Mentioned it to my hubby……don’t know……today I’m sticking with the half, tomorrow might be a different story.

I’ve been increasing my runs lately. Had a good 6 mile run yesterday, well actually it was last night. I want to do another 56 mile bike 13.1 run sometime within the next few weeks. Or should I say my trainer wants me to. But I would also like to again just for the mental part of it.

I haven’t done much swimming lately. Not sure why……but today I just feel like getting in the water but I don’t know how to fit everything in that I need to do…..

64.3 at 105

2011-07-19T16:53:00.000-05:00

Well let’s just say I’m glad I didn’t pay any money (other than my food/drinks) to participate in this “race”. Let me explain. Towards the beginning of this year my “trainer/coach/friend” suggested that I compete at Buffalo Springs 70.3 to get “a feel” of what that distance is like. This was back when I was still doing the full ironman distance in September. After a few weeks to help save some money and in the end arguments within the family, he suggested that he would set up a course (70.3) for me. Of course since he raced at Buffalo Springs we had to wait until afterwards. As time went on I invited some of my girlfriends, all who are doing various distances at Redman, and in the end there was about 6 of us on Saturday.

Now let me set everything up for you……as you may or may not know, I am here in central Oklahoma, specifically Edmond and we have been having about 20+ days of temperatures above 100+. Saturday was no exception. Also, you would think we are typically flat. Uh, no, we have rolling hills (depending on your definition of hills). The further west you go the flatter we are, the further east you go, you will run into the Ouachita Mountains which is part of the Ozark Mountain range…anyway, I digressed. I train in the area; I knew the entire course well. My 5 other partners in crime do/did not know the course nor do they typically train hills. Okay, so we decided to meet at 5:30 in the morning, and start as soon as we could see. Now to add to all of this the lake had been closed the previous week because of high levels of E. Coli. Nice right? I personally think it was skewed (I do work for the city that is in charge of the lake) and only took the necessary precautions by closing the lake but I’m digressing again…..So because of the lake readings some of the girls were on the edge of rather they were going to swim or not. I decided was going to be the over achiever and do the whole thing. By morning all but one was going to swim and she was going to be late any way…..so by 6:00 we could see and off we go. Now even though everyone was swimming not everyone did the whole 1.2 miles (estimated that is). I did…..my time was about 53 minutes which was my guesstimate that it was going to be…..

I think coach wanted us all to “race” but not everyone was in the mood……So we got our biking gear on and waited for a few minutes for the late arrival but after about 15 minutes of waiting we started. Again the girls wanted to ride together, coach yelled for me to leave them behind once we got on the main course area……(mean isn’t he). But for the first 10 miles or so we stayed pretty well together. Sometimes riding two abreast sometimes me in front, then I just started going and stopped slowing down for others to catch back up. Before I knew it I was at the turn around….coach, a mutual friend and my hubby were all there with refills, cold towels and encouragement. Not too long after I stopped three of the other girls came in too. We had lost one…..she had ended up cutting her ride short because of a headache….I didn’t wait long, after getting what I needed, I gave hubby and a kiss and off I went again. I never looked back….but by mile 40 I started feeling the heat. Did I mention that even though it was 90 degrees with the heat index it felt like 97? I stopped at about mile 45 to get some more water from hubby then I just hammered on. At one point hubby was in front and coach was behind me. I felt like a pro! You know when they escort the leader at races!!!! Anyway, finally got back to the park at just under 4 hours, not bad for 56 miles of hills…..

I was shaking, I was hot and I didn’t know if I could continue. Two of the girls that had cut the ride were run/walking at that point but they ended up calling it after 3 miles. One of my friends had to be helped off the bike and she ended up calling it at that point. So that left three. By this point it was 100 degrees with the heat index of about 105. Yuk! Off the three of us went. Of course one of the girls is a marathon runner and she takes off. My other friend and I trudged along…I ended up having to run/walk the first loop. Pitiful, it took me an hour to do 4 miles. At this point it was just me and one other friend. As I was cooling off between laps deciding if I was going to continue, she made it back (two had cut the run course) and had decided to call it at 4.25 miles. By this time I had been encouraged (yelled at) to continue. His reasoning….because I had never had a training day this long before. I had never been at this point before. Now if I wasn’t dehydrated and going into heat shock (which I wasn’t) then I needed to basically suck it up buttercup. So I soaked my hat in ice water, refilled my hand held bottle and continued. He ran with me while hubby followed in the car to refill my water. We ended up running another 2 miles to hit the halfway point and I called it. I had gone the furthest, 64.3 miles.

Now I could have probably continued after another cool off period. But my head was getting the start of a dehydration headache, it was late and it was above 100. All was good. We cooled off in the lake (that felt more like bathwater than coolness) and then headed home. After a shower and some lunch I felt really good. Even the next day I didn’t have any soreness, I was a little tired and I was still hot (even though I wore sunscreen I still got burned in some places). At first I was disappointed I didn’t finish the whole thing but now I’m okay with it. I know I can complete the distance but I also know there are things I need to work on. One huge part is my bike to run. I can get my legs under me rather quickly but to run 13.1 miles after biking 56.3 miles……..well let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty. I’ve got to get my running mileage up. But I know a major factor is this heat. I ran a few miles last night with no problem and I got up early this morning and cranked out 6 miles with negative splits. I just need to put it together. Also I’ve got to learn not to hammer on the bike to leave some left for the run. I tend to hammer on the bike because it is my strong point, I’m good at it and I love it……but it probably had a little to do with Saturday’s woes too.

So I’ve got about 8 weeks until Redman. I want to do a 30ish mile bike 13.1 mile run at some point. And I would like to get my run mileage up too…. and hopefully this heat will go away......

It isn't "Just 70.3"

2011-07-11T11:13:00.000-05:00

Most of us that try a Tri yearn to hear those words, “Christy you are an Ironman…..” There are the selected few that have actually heard this. Lucky and inspirational. I will get there one day but today I’m training for a 70.3 and that is a big deal too.

Yesterday I got a great opportunity to ride with three of my friends who are also racing Redman this year, two of us doing the half and two of us doing the full. All repeaters to either distance accept me. I’m the newbie….Anyway, since Oklahoma has been experiencing 100+ degree days for the last 18 days we left around 6:30am hoping to beat the heat and we did to some degree. We were going to ride to Okarche then ride back into town taking the route for the Redman, around a 70 mile trip. The morning actually was cloudy and cooler, beautiful sunrise, great conversation, good riding conditions all the way to Okarche. Then the sun came out. Hot, but light winds, but HOT. I did well on my hydration and nutritional source. In fact I thought several times that I felt wonderful. I rode in the front the majority of the time would switch who I rode next to, but I was the one the sprinted to get in front of the line when we had cars….I felt strong. I know I could have probably maintain a faster pace but we ended up averaging around 14-15mph, with some 20+mph. I was okay with it.

At the 54 mile mark it was probably close to 100° and I was out of water (I wasn’t the only one) so we stopped to refill again. It was at this point that one of my friends decided to just ride home from there because she was 2 miles from home. The remaining of us decided to cut the ride short. We ended up with 60 miles. I felt I could have gone one but I’m glad we called it. I was proud of myself that I stayed hydrated and fueled well enough that I didn’t feel like passing out for a nap like I have in the past. Don’t get me wrong, if I could have napped I would have but I had kid duty. We went to my parent’s pool instead. The cool water felt great!

My point is that this was one of the best long rides I have had. My training and conditioning is paying off. I powered up the hills, I encouraged my friends the entire time, I stayed consistent in speed, and I stayed hydrated and fueled. Riding with friends is totally different than riding by yourself but I don’t contribute all of that to my successful day. No, like I said, my training, conditioning and determination has paid off. Even though I might not be completing 140.6 in September, 70.3 is still a big deal and I need to remember that. Be proud that I have the opportunity to do it. I’m blessed that I have the ability to do it. But know that I am destined to be an Iron, not to lose the dream and that I will have my chance.

Suck it up Buttercup

2011-07-08T14:43:00.002-05:00

You ever have those days where you just don’t care about training? Don’t want to get in the water…don’t want to ride the bike….or run in 105°…..etc. That is how I’ve felt the last week or so. It all began when I had to comprise with the family to drop down to a 70.3 distance. I’ve lost the mojo. I’m making excuses not to go out and do a long run, of course it doesn’t help that we have had 19 days of 100+ degree temps either, but there is always the treadmill. The excuses all aren’t that bad, I mean most of them revolve around the family. Like yesterday, hubby wanted to take our daughter to the archery range so I stayed with the boy. I could have gone out on the treadmill. I could have gone to the Y and ran. I could have ran when they got home from swim practice. But, I didn’t. It probably didn’t help that my stomach wasn’t 100% either but I’ve felt worse and ran. And today, I’m supposed to go out for my long run…..yep, not feeling it……especially since I really need to wait until about 7:00 or later to start with the heat being the way it is. My plan is to go swim at the Y (our lake is currently contaminated with E. Coli, nice huh?) then grab a snack before hitting the pavement. I’m only running 8 tonight, not too bad. We will see. Then on Sunday morning I’m meeting a group to ride, that should be fun. We shall see.

I’m not sure what to do about my attitude. Sometimes I wish I didn’t have an all or none attitude. I typically don’t on most things. I don’t know why this is affecting me. I mean 70.3 is still a great distance and an awesome accomplishment. I should be ecstatic that I’m even capable of doing it, but I’m not. It is a total let down for some reason. I almost feel, eh, let’s move on to something else. UGH!

And in addition to this my eating has been HORRIBLE! I’m pretty certain that is why my stomach has been not feeling quite right lately, at least I’m hoping it has nothing to do with the E. Coli outbreak at the lake….so this weekend I’m doing a detox of some sort. Get my eating back on track. Since I tend to train at night, I have to have something quick or most of the time I drink my recovery drink and hit the sack. Not exactly the best thing to do right? Anyway, I’ve got to figure out the best thing to do with my food. It is always a struggle with me.

I started this post earlier in the day and since then I’m feeling a sense of refreshness (is that a word?). I’ve read some athletes blogs and have gotten inspiration to suck it up buttercup…..next week I’m doing a mock 70.3 with some girlfriends, some of whom are doing the full Redman, but it will give a great mental (and physical) of what September will be like, except hopefully it will be a little cooler in September. Anyway, I’m going to attack the remaining 78+ days left until Redman with everything I got. Each training session I will give my all. No excuses!

Thanks for listening to me whine my morning away……..

Finding Grace.....

2011-06-29T09:31:00.002-05:00

Much has happened since the last I was on. Last week my training came to a halt. Not because of an injury or a bike crash. No nothing like that. I stopped because I heard my family was tired of me training. Now I could have continued but it just through me for a loop. I thought we had covered how much of a time commitment this was. I thought everyone was on board, apparently not. However, what I’ve found out over the last few days is that there was a more underlying problem(s). It just wasn’t about my training.

I’m not going to lay out my dirty laundry here on this site. My marriage has had issues for several years and we have been in a continuous circle of ups and downs. I guess everything came to ahead again this past week but this time something snapped inside me to honestly take a look at what steps I have been taking to help our relationship. Not much, not what I could have been doing. I had to ask myself it was worth pushing my marriage past a point of no return and losing everything. Nope nothing is worth that, my hubby and both my kids mean the world to me.

In addition to problems in my marriage, my daughter made the statement that it wasn’t about the training during the week but my long rides on Sundays. My baby girl is almost 12 and even though we butt heads like most pre-teens and parents she still wants her Mamma around. On top of this I have been skipping church in order to get my ride in. My thinking was that if I rode early Sunday morning, I could avoid some of the heat as well as be home for the afternoon. But this meant missing church as a family and even though my daughter wouldn’t admit it this meant a lot to her. Plus I have had the feeling of disconnect as well. Sundays are our only day that we are all home. My hubby works on Saturdays so Sunday should be our family day.

Even after all the arguments and conversations over the past few days, I was still fighting tooth and nail to be able to continue on my journey of completing an ironman distance in September. I was pouting like a 2 year old, I was making everyone miserable. Very mature right? My hubby being tired of the fighting as well just told me to do it. I wasn’t going to be happy unless I finished what I started, etc. But yesterday (after a night of arguing) I came to realization that I needed to compromise. He never said I needed to quit. He said he was proud of my accomplishments and what I had been doing (distance wise) was fine. He had said in our conversations the night before that right now just wasn’t a good time to do this that in the future there would be a time. It was like something clicked in me. I decided to drop down to a half ironman in September.

I spent yesterday making a new training schedule. I no longer do long rides on Sunday but Friday nights. Our daughter usually spends the night with my parents and sometimes so does our son so I won’t be missing out with anything. Sunday mornings (early) will be my long runs. I will be back before the kids get up and in time for waffles and church. No Saturday training no Sunday afternoon training. I’m already training well above what this plan would call for so I think it will be quite doable. So in September I will be doing the Redman but entering for the half not the full. In time I know I will become an ironman.

Now I just have to find the grace to accept it.

Rt 66 Olympic Triathlon Part 2 - Race Report

2011-06-17T15:05:00.001-05:00

So after my race on Saturday I really just lounged around the house. The kids ended up going over to my parent’s house to spend the night which meant my hubby could “relax” more at the race on Sunday not having to worry about kiddos. We went to bed early so overall it was pretty uneventful.

Sunday morning woke up at the usual time to get ready. Almost felt like déjà vu with race prep. Really there wasn’t much race prep other than some extra Gu, water and Gatorade. My mood was mellow. I wasn’t really nervous, I wasn’t really anxious; I was just there, like another day out on the course. I pretty much kept this peaceful feeling all day. We made our morning pit stop, I decided to grab a small coffee even though I ended up not drinking too much of it and we arrived at the race site right as they opened transition.

Set up my transition area, chit chatted with a friend about hydration and I vacated the area as it began to get busy. Grabbed my chip and walked down to the swim area to check out the course. Today’s swim was going to be similar set up. Triangle shaped course, keep buoys on our right. The course was 750m instead of 500m which meant we would be doing two loops with a beach run. My last experience with two loop beach run course SUCKED so I was trying not to worry. I got in the water to do a quick warm up again. Got out ate my pre-race stuff and waited. Finally it was time to start and to top it off they were putting the men and women together for swim start (there were two other waves behind us – aquabike and first timers) so I lined up in the back. I told my hubby that if I came out with a certain time in the swim that the rest of the race didn’t matter.

Swim: Gun went off the water was pretty shallow so you ran a little but I didn’t go real hard, finally started swimming, got in a rhythm real quick and sighted really well. It seemed like no time and I was making the turn to come back towards shore, kept sighting really well came to the last buoy, stood up and looked at my watch and almost started doing a victory dance (19:23) jogged slightly down the beach rounded the buoy to enter back in and again half jogged back into the water. Finally started swimming again, I felt a lot slower this time but I knew I was moving, I had people around me, sighting was good, rounded the far buoy and decided I was going to deep dip and kick it in overdrive. Got back in swam a little further this time, stood up and the clock said 38:04!!! Right on! Now to some of you fast swimmers this would seem really slow but my last Olympic distance race my swim time was 1:02 so to knock off 22 minutes gave me a huge boost! I raised my arms in victory, jogged up the stairs onto the red carpet into transition, jumped into the kiddie pool to wash my feet off. At that moment I didn’t care what the rest of the day brought. I had a victory!

Swim time: 39:46 (2010: 1:02:18) Goal: 40:00 Grade A++++++++++++++++

T1: Went smoothly like the day before. Gear on, bike un-racked and jogged a short distance to the mount line (remember I had a front rack) in and out in 1:18

Bike: Aaaaaahhhh, the bike. Okay same course as Saturday’s race except the turnaround was a mile shorter and it was two loop course. I felt pretty confident that I would have a great bike portion and as soon as I got on my bike I knew it would be a fast one. My legs came around quickly I never felt over taxed and stayed in my big gears most of the ride. I passed people and only got passed by a hand full of the fast bikers that had already been out. Came back in for the turnaround and my hubby was there waiting to take pictures. I made the turnaround, took a hand up of water (never have done that) refilled my aero and then threw my bottle at my hubby to pick up! Thing whole thing was funny and he managed to get it on video too! Anyway, kept cranking away took my nutrition, water, Gatorade, electrolytes everything was working like clockwork. I kept playing leap frog with a guy, he would pass me on the flats and I passed him on the hills. He finally said, you must like hills and” I said I train on hills”. And he goes “I avoid them” we both chuckled. Came back into transition, took my feet out of my shoes effortlessly again….

Bike: 1:26:23 (2010: 1:43:14) Goal: 1:30:00 Grade: A+++++

T2: 1:26 Went smoothly again, got my shoes on, grabbed everything else and out I went.

The run…..well it is what it is. I felt great coming out of transition. By this time it was around 9:30 and it was hot. The run course was an out back loop that had to be done twice and it was in the full sun. Like I said I felt good, encouraged those runners that were finishing and coming in on their first loop. I was even giving a guy I knew that wasn’t racing a hard time for not racing and he comment on how I sounded good and I DID until the turn around. Then the heat started hitting me. I was taking sips out of my bottle a lot took water at the turn around and start hating it. By the time I got to the second turn around to start my second loop I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty. I decided to do a run/walk. I figured I could give myself something to look forward to with each interval. Passed my hubby and he told me to straighten my shoulders and breath deep (I have a tendency to lean forward a lot when I’m tired and slump my shoulders). Anyway, I continued on my intervals stuck with them made it to the second turn around and I knew I could make it. I mean you can do anything for 15 minutes right? I knew I was still going to have a good run time just slower than I was expecting. Finally rounded the corner and saw the finish line. I came across happy!

Run: 1:14:20 Goal: 1:06 Grade: B
Overall 3:23:13 – (2010: 4:27:45) Overall Grade: A

This was an awesome race! I felt great the entire time except at the end of my run. I was able to strategize and change my run plan mid-stream in order to finish strong! I was on high all day and every time someone mentions it I just beam. I was able to shave over an hour off my total time from the last Olympic Distance Triathlon I did. Plus I had a amazing swim for me! It gave me the confidence that my training is paying off!
So next up is a 70.3 that my trainer is setting up for me and a few of my friends!

I know I owe you a race report.....

2011-06-13T18:28:00.002-05:00

Sorry I have been MIA after posting last week. Work has been extremely busy as well as other aspects of my life! Plus I got a virus on my work computer so I've been laying low on the internet......

Anyways I'm hoping to have something for you soon!

Life is good. Training is going well although I can do without the heat/humidity but then again I complained about the cold weather too. If the wind would just go away that would be excellent!!!!

See ya in a few.....

Route 66 Sprint Triathlon Race Report - Part 1

2011-06-06T16:18:00.000-05:00

Part 1: this was a two race weekend for me. Saturday was just supposed to be training because I wanted redemption on Sunday!

This was a fantastic weekend! First though I have to give huge thanks to my hubby! He was out there all weekend cheering me on being my support for everything I needed. And to top it off he arranged for a massage on Sunday afternoon! Can’t beat that!

So I tried to prep as much stuff as I could Friday night so that the early wakeup call of 4:30 wouldn’t hamper gathering stuff. Up and at them at 4:30 got dressed, rest of gear prepped and loaded into the car, both kids up and dressed and out the door by 5:15. Hubby had gotten up while I got dressed and made my oatmeal which I ate on the way to the race (we had about a 40 minute drive, race start 7:30, transition opened at 6:00). Arrived around 6:00ish (we stopped for hubby’s coffee, water and Gatorade) and set up transition without any issues. I left transition pretty quickly, just didn’t want to hear everyone’s pre-race jitters. I had a pretty sweet spot (they were assigned) for transition, literally right out bike in/out. Those of us that were doing both races were grouped towards the front as sort of a thank you I guess. Anyway, walked around talked to some friends, gave a pep talked to a few, and ate my banana at 7:00. Got in the water for a warm up swim (which I have never done before) then at 7:15 the pre-race meeting happened, ate my Gu. I can’t explain the feeling I had, I wasn’t really nervous, but I wasn’t calm either, I wasn’t worried, I just was there. Almost let’s get this over with….weird.

This was a three wave swim start…men, women and then 1st timers. It was a triangular one loop course, with in water start and beach out, up a few stairs, kiddie pools to wash feet off and up to transition. I got towards the back of the women and three minutes after the men we were off….I felt good the entire time, sighted okay until the way back in. You would think a huge water tower would be easy to see out there, it was, I just wasn’t looking up enough. For the last 100yds I swam right next to a friend of mine’s daughter, she is 17. We exited the same time. I forgot to start my watch before entering the water so I had no idea what my time was and I guess I didn’t see the clocks when I entered transition. Anyway, this swim was good because (1) I didn’t panic – therefore I didn’t have to stop to regroup or swim on my back (2) I actually finished with a group of people!!!

Swim time: 500 m - 13:21
Grade: B+ - even though I had huge gains from previous years (2010: 16:32; 2009: 17:20), my sighting was off a little and I wasted time coming out of the water to transition.

T1: 1:17 – no problems here came in threw my shoes on while I slipped my Garmin on, sunglasses, helmet, un-racked bike and off we went.

I like this bike course, it was an out and back. It travels on the newer portion of Route 66 and the old Route 66 (farm country). I quickly found my legs on the bike and was quite surprised when I saw I was maintaining about 18mph, I thought about cutting back a little but my legs felt good so I just went with how I was feeling. Passed several people, which I usually do because the bike is my favorite! Anyway, we had a small crosswind, rolling hills and I made the turn around with no problems. I felt really good the entire time. Took a Gu at the half way point, drank all my water in my new aero bottle and even sipped on some of the Gatorade I had in the cage. As I was about ½ mile in one of the volunteers was cheering saying “go to your happy place” because there is a hill right before turning for transition, right on and we hit the wind head on as well, oh baby! I found my happy place cruised up no problem, topped the hill, started un-doing my shoes and effortlessly came out of them before I dismounted. Yippee! Success! Prior to this I would run in my shoes but I got scolded for it so I’ve been practicing!

Bike time: 44:38 (2010: 46:06; 2009: 44:07)
Grade: B+ it was a good bike time for me but it just didn’t feel all that good. Not sure what I did may be I slowed just a little bit but my legs felt good afterwards so I knew I was okay.

T2: 1:20 – again no problems. Put socks and shoes on (yes I run with socks), grabbed my visor, water bottle and race belt. Put my race belt on as I ran out of transition.

Run went well. I felt good the entire time. I guess I needed to read my Garmin manual just a little more because I didn’t know in order to read your pace you had to scroll through the Multi-sport event set up, now I know. So during the whole run, I had no idea how fast I was going. But like I said I felt good even though the turnaround seemed like it was way out in BFE. Passed a few people that were run/walking it and decided that this race was going to be what it was going to be. I didn’t have to walk at all so that was a plus.

Run time: 5K – 33:51 (2010: 34:21; 2009: 34:31)
Grade: B+ - I think I could have pushed it a little more. I was feeling good and just stayed comfortable. But my I got my legs quickly and they still felt strong the entire time.

Overall Race: 1:34:15 – 1st place Athena 40+ (2010: 1:39:35; 2009: 1:38:18)
Grade: B+ - I had huge improvements, huge firsts but I think had I not been racing the next day I probably could have pushed the bike and run just a little harder. May be I should have anyway, I don’t know.

I felt good about this race. Wasn’t sore or tired afterwards like I usually am, so I think I’m doing something right with hydration and nutrition and oh yeah my training too! I recovered with something new to me as well, Recoverite by Hammer. I tried the Strawberry on Saturday with water, it was okay. My stomach starting feeling a little weird afterwards but I ate a hot dog too before the Recoverite so I blame it on that really. I stayed hydrated the remainder of the day. Just kind of lazed around for the remainder of the day and prepped for what would be one of the best races I’ve had!

To be continued……..

And the Excitement is building.........

2011-06-02T11:13:00.002-05:00

So it has been a great couple of days. And the excitement is only building more and more…………..…….

Tuesday was a sanctioned Splash-n-Dash that my tri-club hosted, 500m swim and 2 mile run. Fun right? I totally had nerves about this. I didn’t know what to expect even though I had participated in our fun not for time splash-n-dashes in the past. I brought the whole family along like I usually do for races but I knew the kids would enjoy getting in the water and plus they had free food for everyone afterwards, extra bonus right? The event took place in El Reno which also hosts the two races I’m doing this weekend. I’ve raced here the last two years and this year they have revamp the swim beach area. Much nicer! Instead of stickers and a drop off into the lake, we have sand a nice set of stairs and then an actual beach front before you get in the water.

Anyway, set up the un-official transition area along the carpet that leads up to the timing mat, got my chip and body marked with Number 1. They had set up two kiddies pools to wash our feet off prior to the swim out timing mat that was a bonus too! After pre-race meeting I eased my way into the water. It was a little chilly at first but once in and going it was no problem. I did a quick warm up but I’m thinking this weekend I’m going to need to do a little more of a warm up. It was a triangle clock-wise course; water was flat with just a little breeze. There were about 50 of us and I lined up in the back like I usually do just because I didn’t want the egg beating. Gun went off and believe it or not we had to kind of run through the water for a while because it was that shallow at the start. Finally I got to swimming. I felt good the entire time, no panics, no stops to re-group. I just decided to swim and see what the outcome came out. I had a person next to me that we kept playing bumper bodies for a while but I finally got free from them. It was nice looking up to spot and actually see people swimming in front of me. I made the turn to come back into shore and I was totally in rhythm. I picked my speed up a little pushing through, got off a little but was able to correct it quickly. As I got past the last buoy I took a breath and saw a friend standing up that was watching so I knew I could stand so I did looked at the clock at it said 11:04!!!!! Yippppppeeeeee! My hubby and kids where in the water off to the side and I gave him a big thumbs up!!!! This is about 5:28 off last year’s 500m and 6:16 off my very first open water swim two years ago!!!! Yes, all the hard work in the pool this winter/spring has paid off. Now it evidently took me 40 seconds to get up the stairs and across the timing mat after dancing in the kiddie pool because my official time was 11:43 but I will even take that too! Changed shoes and off I went running. It took a little bit to get my breathing regulated but I was still feeling pretty good. It was an out and back loop and my time was 20:12 for the run. Overall time was 32:54, good enough for 2nd place in my age group! And good enough to boost my ego/confidence a little!!!

Yesterday I headed out to the lake that is literally 6 miles from my house. A friend of mine that I’ve been training with has a transition rack so we set that up between our cars and basically did three series of mini bricks. We biked the inner loops of the lake area that totals about 4 miles and then ran for about 0.5 mile or so. I can’t say how I did speed wise on the run because I goofed up my Garmin so it basically tracked my bike/run times together. Oh well. My legs felt really good coming off the bike and I know come this weekend they may feel heavier because it will be more than 4 miles but I’m pretty confident I can get my legs under me fairly quickly. I was going to swim too but my family came out to join me so I ended up sitting with them eating dinner while we watched a group swim. Tonight we are meeting back out there for a swim and run. Nothing heavy, really just mental checks I think. He had me practice taking my shoes off prior to the mount/dismount line instead of running in my bike shoes like I typically do (yes I know both unsafe and is bad on my cleats). It took me three tries but I finally figured it out. I might practice it again tonight. Not sure if I’m going to do it this weekend though.

So that is my two day wrap up. Tonight I’m leaving work a little early to get my race packet downtown. I’m thinking about stopping at one of the bike shops to pick up an aero bottle and a couple of other things but I’m not sure. I also have to get out to the lake to swim/run too. I’m contemplating rather to do a quick swim tomorrow or totally take it off. Trying to get a game plan for the weekend, to see rather if I’m going to “race” or just take it as it goes……..we shall see…….

Nervous Nellie.......

2011-05-31T14:03:00.001-05:00

So yesterday I ventured out to the lake for an open water swim, my first of the year to be exact. I’ve been doing all my swim training indoors since it is much, much warmer inside than outside. Anyway, I met with about 5 other fellow friends who are training for various distances. Of course typical Oklahoma weather, we had winds gusting up to 30 mph at times so needless to say the water was choppy. We swim in a cove area but some were venturing out to the farthest buoy. The wetsuit I was going to borrow, ended up not working out (1) couldn’t get it over my calves (2) I ripped it. I felt very bad but it was her spare suit, she told me not to worry about it. I ended up watching everyone for their first lap standing in the water by the shore seeing if I could handle it without the suit. Finally I decided to venture in. Now a lot of you may not know that open water is the thorn in my side so I always have this self build anxiety which cost me big time last year but that is another story. Anyway, I started swimming felt pretty good until a “wave” hit me in the face and the same time I went to take a breath. Total shocker! It wasn’t the fact that I swallowed water but more the water splashed in my face. All the sudden I felt my throat closing, I felt panicky, couldn’t touch the bottom, what am I going to do, I can’t do this feeling over took me. Then I got my act together and swam to the other side. First half done and I was okay; started back and again waves started hitting me couldn’t get my rhythm had to kind of dog paddle/swim until I rounded the first buoy then I finally found the rhythm again. I had to go back to breathing on one side only but I got into a rhythm quick and managed pretty well. Got back to the starting point, some of my friends were getting out and a couple of others were going for it again. So I decided I needed to try it again. This time, I was expecting the waves. Had a really good rhythm there and back, I didn’t have to stop and regroup at all and felt really great when I got done. I noticed that I didn’t feel like my heart rate was high, that I couldn’t breathe, I just concentrated on that rhythm and I actually found a little bit of confidence that my hard work in the pool this winter/spring has paid off. But the true test is to come……

Nerves, I’ve never been a nervous Nellie although I do worry too much sometimes, but today I feel nervous. Not sure why. Tonight I’m participating in a splash and dash, which is cool because the swim portion is the same distance for the Sprint triathlon that I’m doing Saturday which is part of the same swim course of Sunday’s Olympic. This weekend I’m doing what they call the RT 66 Festivus, a sprint on Saturday and Olympic on Sunday. I’ve done the sprint distance the last two years and it has been fun. This year since I have about that distance on schedule to do in training I figured heck why not just “race” them. So you can see why my nerves are starting.

I’m only supposed to do these not race them. But I know me. (1) I will want to beat my sprint time from last year (2) I feel like I have something to prove at the Olympic distance to myself. You see I had a disastrous first Olympic distance triathlon last year. Yes I finish, yes I placed in the Athena’s but the race sucked. And for some reason I’m hanging onto it. I figured by doing this one I might be able to overcome that? I know stupid right? So tonight I have to get my nerves in check…..

It also probably doesn’t help that the last two weeks of training have been less than stellar. Yes I’ve gotten time in on the bike and I even got a long run in this week. But between weather, my allergies and just plan scheduling, I’ve had two weeks of training that would have been at the beginning not 16 weeks out. I know, I know….September is still a few months off and I know what I do from here on out is what counts. I think the disappointment in training is more related to this weekend’s races more than the big one in September. Sigh. I just really need to let go of this time thing in my head!

On last thing before I get going…..I can’t say enough of how supportive my hubby is with all of this. Not that he hasn’t always supported me because he has, but instead of feeling guilty when he tells me that his plans revolve around my training or when he comes home early so I can get my training done, or when he comes half way through my run to refill my water bottles for me, I feel the support, I appreciate the support. I don’t know if that makes sense to any of you but it means the world to me. Before I might have not gone and trained, making excuses why other than just because I feel guilty. Oh I still feel guilty taking time away from the family but it just feels like it is okay. Like I said it might not make sense to you…..

Living in a fart cloud......

2011-05-17T14:06:00.000-05:00

Like the majority of society, I fall into the all powerful notion that “We want what we can’t have”. Now let me preface this by saying I’m not talking about all materialistic things. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have enough money so that I didn’t have to work. I could be a stay-at-home Mom to my two beautiful children and have enough time in the day to not only train (see alternative motive) as well as take care of my home and family. You know be the daunting Mrs. Cleaver standing at the door waiting for my loving hubby to come home to a sparkling clean home, dinner ready, my best pearls on. Note: If this actually happened I think my hubby would wander if I was abducted by aliens and return after some torturous experiment. But I digress…. No, what I’m talking about is the ability to have the little things. Like an 8 min/mile or being able to ride 30 miles in 1:30 etc. You know, speed. Or a wetsuit but that is a different subject.

I’ve told myself on this journey this year that it doesn’t matter how fast I am crossing that line in September. Nope, it just matters that I cross it (under cut off). But my competiveness side that I’ve tried to squelch as I get older just rears its ugly little head and I start beating myself up over my training. I start doing the comparison game. You know, “In this corner Ms. Fast Pants, that swim, bikes and runs a sprint distance in an hour,” and “In this corner, Ms. Slower than Molasses on a Scorching Hot Day, who might cross the finish line before transition tear down”. Words and thoughts all too familiar to me, you know you do it too. You know as your setting up your gear in transition you start looking body markings, sizing your competition up. You know you do it. I digressed again……

Like we all do with races, we set a time limit on ourselves even if we should be just going out to just do the race. But again, I’ve tried to tell myself with this first ironman distance that I should just concentrate on finishing and finishing upright. Um, okay. So you want to know my time I have in my head? 15 hours. Okay there I said it. Some of you that are reading this are probably saying, “Wow I could do that in my sleep”, while some others might say “That might be pushing it”. Now that time isn’t my like “living in a fart cloud dream time”, no that would be 14 hours…..but I don’t live in that cloud all that often, too stinky. 15 hours. I’ve been doing some calculation based on training times and yes I know it is still yearly but I think if I truly want that 15 hours or even 14 then I need to know what I need to improve on. I’m not going to project times for each area right now, got a long way to go. But I thought I would get this out so that instead of worrying about times that I just train right now.

Swimming is a thorn in my side but I’ve improved. I probably will never be a torpedo in the water but if I can hold my own then I will be quite pleased. Biking is my strength or at least I like to think it is. I want to be fast on the bike. I have already seen improvements on the bike but then I second guess myself wondering if it is really improvements or just me wishing they were. This is where I want to improve more, probably where I can the most. Running, now running in I have a hate/love relationship. Right now I’m not running (going to change that this week) in hopes to heal my heel which I have come to the conclusion that heel pain is something I may have to live with and/or I better get really good at stretching! Anyway, I have never run anything further than a ½ Marathon that because I was with a friend I ended up run/walking it. A full marathon doesn’t seem to daunting to me but then again I’ve never done one. Again I think I will be able to hold my own in running. I might not run it at an 8 min/mile but I will get the job done.

Now about that wet suit…….

Review and Long Rides

2011-05-16T10:57:00.000-05:00

Last week was a great week! And this week looks to be chaotic but really that is how most weeks go in our world, or at least in my world. At least Emily’s Lacrosse season is over with for now. Although I hate to see it end in a sick/twisted way. She enjoys it and it is fun watching the girls play. She hasn’t decided what she is going to do next. Usually she swims competitively in the summer but I haven’t seen anything come along in my email regarding that. I’m hoping she gets back into TaeKwon Do, she was close to testing for her black strip but stopped going because of Lacrosse practice. Now that she is free I would really like to see her complete it. Then again not having her involved with any extra activities will make it not so hectic in the household.

Training went well. I hit the 9 hour mark even without any running. This no running thing is killing me! I feel like such a slug. And yes my heel hasn’t hurt but it never hurt while running it was always afterwards. It still hurts occasionally in the morning, depending on what shoes I’ve worn the day before or if I have remembered to stretch (I'm a very bad stretcher). I’m really tempted this week to start running again (low miles) and just stretch like crazy. I’m not sure if taping my foot like I did when I had plantar real bad in my right foot will work with this or not. I know giving it time to “heal” will be beneficial in the long run since I have a lot of miles to go between now and September but I’m not sure if it really will or if this is something I’m just going to have to put up with. I know I have tight calves and have to stretch more than most, but again I'm a poor stretcher. I have the first set of races coming up in about three weeks. Yes these aren’t my “A” races (I only have one) but I would like to give it what I got. I don't want to injure myself more but I'm afraid of losing what I had built up in the running part.

In other great news, I had my first long bike ride yesterday. The longest I’ve ever ridden on my bike is about 30 miles. Which is really okay if you are only doing Sprint/Olympic distance triathlons. This year I’m trying to train smarter and really you have to be “prepared” when it comes to an Ironman distance race right? So this was first of many that will come. Hubby suggested the route, to Okarche and back, because part of it was on a road that has nice wide shoulders so traffic shouldn’t have been too much of a problem. He worries about me a lot when I’m out riding, rather it is solo or not. So he came home from work yesterday and took me to the drop off point since trying to get over to the road I was taking would have been very treacherous. And off I went. It was a cool day, I probably should have worn a long sleeve short (because I ended up getting sun burned) but I’m glad I didn’t because on the way back into town I actually got hot. I rode the first 19 miles into or against a head/cross wind coming out of the NNW. Not fun but I still maintained a good average. Made a pit stop at the only convenience/gas station open on Sunday (small towns roll up the sidewalks on Sunday). Bought a Gatorade and took a Gu. Texted hubby that I was east bound now and took Waterloo Rd/County Line back into Edmond (this is where I did the majority of the miles). At first I thought I had picked the wrong road because it was just a small narrow country road but I realized that I was on the right road. Since I had never been out this far west on this road, it was nice seeing the country side. Most of the homes out this way are original homesteads, which being a country girl at heart, I absolutely adore. The prairie grasses and wheat were moving to the rhythm of the wind and it was very pretty watching the wheat rows dance. Cows were out grazing too and I saw lots of baby MooMoos! Got to the turn that I would take to head south back to my house but I decided to stop and grab another Gatorade since I had gone through the remaining of my water and Gatorade. I had decided earlier not to take my other Gu because I didn’t think Chocolate and Lemon/Lime would mix well so by this time I was getting pretty hungry. But a few swigs of Gatorade and I was good to go for the remainder of the trip. Seven miles later I was home with a wonderful since of accomplishment. 54 miles! Awesome!

I’m thinking I’m going to add a double water bottle rack behind my seat. Or mount my aero bottle back now that I have my aero bars on my bike. Of course hubby thinks I need a camel back (which I would love one) but I’m not sure how I would like that one my long rides. I’m also going to get a bento box for my top bar for fuel. I’m not sure how many Gel/Gu I’m going to be able to take in during races. Figs/Dates work well for me as well as Fig Newtons but I haven’t tried anything sold like that on the bike. Which is what long rides are all about right?

So here is to another fabulous chaotic week ending with another long ride!!! Bring it on!

A Few Good Things - Thanks Martha Stewart

2011-05-13T13:37:00.003-05:00

This is a re-post of the post that Blogger has seemed to misplace!

I’m not always a Debby Downer. I do have my good days and for the most part most are good. So I thought I would type some good things that are happening right now…

• Elliott had a great day yesterday! Four stickers! Yippee!

• Emily unloaded the dishwasher this morning before school WITHOUT being asked! And yesterday she asked if there was something she could do to help!

• I have a wonderful supportive hubby that does get neglected from time to time. I must work on that. Without him I wouldn’t be able to do half of what I’m doing. He is my number one fan!

• Swimming isn’t such a chore anymore although I still can’t wrap my head around 2.4 miles of swimming just yet.

• On my bike ride Tuesday night it was threatening to rain but I went anyway knowing that with the temperatures being quite warm it wouldn’t be a big deal. It sprinkled off and on throughout the whole ride. It was an awesome ride, my speed is increasing and I’m able to maintain it too. But the best part was riding down into a valley area, smelling the honeysuckle as I rode by. A sense of peace came over me like the gentle cool breeze that was blowing. I was at peace. So when it did start pouring on me shortly thereafter, I didn’t mind so much.

• The sun is shining today and I’m riding some type of intervals with my friend after work. Should be fun. He says he thinks I can last about 75 minutes. Um, yeah, ok.

• My family is well; we have a roof over our heads and food in our bellies!

I’ve got many other “good” things (better be careful not to steal Martha Stewart’s saying). I need to start compiling them so I can recite them when I’m running that 26.2 miles later in the year. I’ve also thought about praying for 26 different people or things during that time too but I’m afraid I would forget someone. I’ve done that before during a run where I try and give thanks for all the blessings I have. It really does take your mind off your pain for a while. Anyway, that’s about it for today. I hope all is going well with each and every one of you!

Life is a roller coaster

2011-05-09T16:31:00.002-05:00

Maxed out! That is how I’m feeling today and really it could be worse, it can always be worse. And wouldn’t life be boring if everything worked like clockwork, perfectly without stress? Does that life exist? I like to describe our life as a roller coaster. Most times we are nervously climbing our way to the top not sure what to expect just knowing that we are glad to be going somewhere. But today I feel like I am whooshing down through the loop to loops screaming my head off, or at least wanting to scream my head off.

Elliott is off the charts right now, so much that I recognize my own frustrations and they are radiating onto him. As an observer to his behavior, I can see everything that happens when he is like this. And because we are frustrated, since the modifications we are trying to use aren’t working it makes me second guess if we should medicate him. We are maxed out right now.

My grandfather, the man who taught me to water ski, who kept gas in my car, who let me steal chips from his Frito Lay truck, has been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. He is only 80 years old. A full life yes but selfishly I want him around some more. This will be the first time for me to experience someone close go through this. I was in Arizona when my grandmother passed away within a month of her diagnoses so I wasn’t around when my parents took care of her. I helped with my Great-Grandmother but her deterioration was caused more by old age (she died at 100) than by a disease that is relentless. And on top of that, I have children that will witness parts of this as well, especially our oldest that goes over to their house after school. On the flip side not many children get to experience great-grandparents or great-great grandparents like she has been able to. Elliott doesn’t remember Grandma Baker, but he knows GPop. I’m not sure how much he will understand but we will cross that bridge as we get there.

Life is just frustrating. It seems when you get major events going on in your life, every hick up or speed bump feels like a twist and turn in a roller coaster, jolting you from one side to another. Everything gets magnified tremendously even something frivolous as in who didn’t do the dishes. Which is probably why I’m not feeling like my training is on track.

Some of you might say that I shouldn’t even be worrying about my training right now with everything going on. But I know life must go on no matter what the stressors may be. I haven’t been running still. I tried running 4 on Friday and it went well but I still experienced minor heel pain Saturday morning so I’m still holding off this week which makes me feel like a total bum. Bike rides have been great. I had an awesome hill workout Thursday and a very nice ride Sunday. Swimming has been right on track too. So what is my problem? Don’t know. Don’t think I’m putting enough time in, probably because I’m not running. And I have my first triathlons of the season coming up in a little less than a month. I don’t want to lose any fitness but since these are not my ‘A’ races I should be looking more down the road I guess. So I guess I will put more time in on the bike and in the water for another week. Keep my strength training up too and of course keep stretching to my max!

Still have a few months to go......

2011-05-03T10:56:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven’t updated in a little while. I’ve just been a little without words, which for those that know me would think, “She must be deathly ill”. Ha! I just haven’t been feeling it. And I have been busy too. Aren’t we all? But with the exception of my last two hour ride on Sunday because of torrential downpours and lightening, I got all my training in last week! My first week of 8.5 hours of training! To some of you that is no biggy to me, all I can say is WOW!

Sunday I ran the first leg of the OKC Memorial Marathon (a 10K). This marathon is to remember the 168 people that died because of someone’s selfish act. I feel honored every year I can get out there and run for those that can’t especially the little ones that didn’t even get the chance to. This is my 4th year of participating in the relay. Usually I run the middle 12K leg but because my daughter was getting confirmed at church also on Sunday, I ran the first leg. It was a cold, wet miserable weather day; the start was delayed 30 minutes and I didn’t pay close attention to the weather radar so I was a little cold. And to add to it hubby and I had been fighting the night before so I was working on a not so solid 5 hours of sleep. So good thing I had changed my plans of running the half in conjunction with the first leg. I decided to just go with the flow. It was my fastest 10K to date (1:02 with negative splits) but more importantly I just ran. I ran with how my body felt, I ran with the flow of the crowd and even though mentally I was struggling with a lot of demons at the time my body carried me. And afterwards I didn’t feel tired. I probably would have been okay to continue with the half but in a way I knew I gave what I could and I was fine with that. I’m sad that I didn’t get to finish participate with the rest of my group but I think they understood.

As for this week, I’m not running. I’ve been having heel pain (plantar) in my left foot. It doesn’t hurt when I’m running only afterwards because I’ve got really, really tight calves and no I’m not good about stretching. So this week I’m stretching like crazy, taking a break with running in hopes that I don’t have this pain all season. Like a friend of mine said, don’t run now you’ve got too many miles to put in between now and September! Amen brother! So instead I’m going to bike and swim more. I’m going to test the foot after a bike ride at the end of the week and if the next day I’m good I might go ahead and do my long run this weekend. We shall see…..

Speaking of training, I’m really proud of myself putting in the time the last few months. Each week my training has increased. Each week I (for the most part) get more time in each discipline. Each week I get my swims in and I think my swimming is improving. Right now my 500 is about 4 minutes faster than last year (of course that is in the pool versus open water) but the real test will come at the beginning of June with the first triathlons of the season. Just the fact that I’ve swam more in the last few months than any other complete season is saying something. I know I still have a long road ahead with a little over four months until the big race but I’m hoping this trend continues. Although after reading some blogs I don’t know if I’m doing enough. May be I’m just freaking out a little. Like I said, I still have a few months to go…..

Sometimes you feel like a nut......sometimes you don't

2011-04-22T09:38:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you feel like a nut...... sometimes you don't..... because Almond Joy got nuts Mounds don't......(remember the commercials?)

Trying to find the joy in things….hard when you feel like your life is out of control which it really isn’t I just feel loopy. Not loopy like you do when you finish a great workout, or you drank too much (not that I’ve ever done that), or when you have a head cold and you are high on medication. No this loopy is having so much on my mind that I cannot concentrate on one single thing. Even my swim workout on Wednesday felt like I was flaying miserably in the water. And at work instead of doing my JOB I’m finding every excuse to do something else. Of course that might have to do with the task at hand rather than my being loopy (avoidance of the task at hand).

It doesn’t help that my hubby and I aren’t in a good phase right now, kind of going through the motions. We have phases like this quite often. My marriage is like a roller coaster, sometimes I can enjoy the ups and downs and sometimes it just makes me nauseous. It also doesn’t help that today is payday and I have no money left. Nice job! I have an idea though to help with this but it might not go over well with the hubs. It doesn’t help that my lip feels like it is swollen out past my face with fever blisters. I get them often especially when I’m stressed and sick (which I was sick Sunday/Monday). And really I didn’t feel stressed not in the sense that would warrant my lip looking bigger than my head. But when I stop to think about what all is going on I guess you could say I’m a little stressed. It doesn’t help me that I’m not getting all my workouts in and I’m concerned about it. Am I doing enough? Is it too early to be concerned? Can I do it?

But I don’t want to dwell on it. I’m a fix it person. I try to find ways of fixing it and I don’t want to give up, I’ve done that before or take the easy way out. I’m not sure what to do about hubby and I. Not to go into detail but he has to be willing to want to change too. Like I said I have an idea on the money situation I just have to make my case with hubby. And really everything else that is going on will work out. As far as my workouts, I am getting things done. I’m trying to be considerate to my family, making adjustments when needed. And some of it is sacrifice (not eating lunch out with parents in order to swim). It has been a weird two weeks and next week is going to be a little weird too. After next weekend, things should return to “normal” and training should get done.

So my joy is my family. My hubby who without his support I wouldn’t even begin to accomplish half of what I have thus far. My two wonderful kids who bring a smile to my face just thinking about them no matter how crazy they make me. My parents help us out in more ways than can be mentioned. I have wonderful friends that are there when I need then and there when I think I don’t. We have jobs, a roof over our heads and food in the cupboard. Who wouldn’t have joy with all of that!

Rest Day's

2011-04-19T14:52:00.000-05:00

Happy Tuesday all! I feel like I’m behind already. Why? Probably because I was gone from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon in Texas; my parents accompanied the kids and I down to watch Emily play in a Lacrosse Tournament. Upon returning I had all intensions of running and even went on a little jog while the family was on their bikes but then my stomach starting acting funny and within a few hours I was sick! UGH! I even left work early yesterday because I felt horrible. But today I’m back to normal (whatever that is), must have been a 24 hour thing.

I love traveling but I hate coming home. Not because I don’t like to see my hubby but more that I feel like I have to “catch up”. I mean he had done the grocery shopping for us and had the laundry done (not folded but hey it was half done). The house was about the shape I left it in on Friday. I think this time was worse because I got sick not to long after I got home. Oh well, I will just do what I can this week to get things back in order.

Speaking of this week, I have scheduled 9:55 in training. Last week I almost got in all my workouts. Had it not been for traveling I would have got all my runs in but alas I didn’t and I only got about 5 hours of training. Not bad really. It is still early in the season. It ended up just being a weird week. But this week I’m raring to go! This brings me to another thought, rest days.

Right now I’ve got my rest days scheduled as Mondays. And my hubby is really holding me to these too. Primarily I think it is because it seems to be the only day that all of us are together without something “scheduled”. Anyway, the plan that I’m following calls for a Friday rest days and on Monday’s calls for a short swim and run. Then in a few weeks calls for no rest days. On what would be a rest day it calls for a swim, anywhere from 30 minutes up to an hour some weeks. Basically it takes one of the double workout days away on the weekend. You still do a 3x during the week just less double workouts. I’m all for letting the body recover. Is it worth it? Should I try it out and see what happens? I might for a few weeks just to see if I can handle it but it would definitely be a day I would cut out if I start noticing more fatigue. Otherwise I might just have to stick with double workout days because I can’t lose any swim days.

Additionally, I don’t know how I feel about a short run after torturing myself on the weekend with a long run and bike. I guess if I keep my runs to Saturday’s and my bike to Sunday’s then a small 30 minute run on Monday would be okay. But maybe I will take that run time and spread it out through the week to still keep my run time for the week but give me a full day of rest. I kind of like having Monday’s off.
Point is I have to confident with my training plan and it has worked for others and since this is my first time training for an Ironman distance I’m not sure what works for me really. It is early enough in the season to tweak it so I guess I’m good with that.

Confessions of a slacker

2011-04-14T15:34:00.002-05:00

Confession time. I totally blew off yesterday’s workouts. I was supposed to run at lunch and then swim at the swim clinic. I made the excuse not to run at lunch because it was my Mother’s birthday (good excuse) so I went to lunch with her and my father. I told myself I would run in the evening either on the treadmill or after hubby got done with his workout or I would go to the Y early run then swim. Didn’t happen. And since I already made the excuse not to run I decided to make an even bigger excuse by not going to the swim clinic. I really have no excuse. None, nada, nothing….

I’ve spent the last few days going over training plans, putting together spreadsheets to know what I have to do. I know what I have to do. Yet I failed miserably last night. But I’m not going to beat myself up any more about other than this. YOU IDIOT! HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO RACE A FULL IRONMAN DISTANCE IF YOU CAN’T STICK WITH THE PLAN? Okay I feel better…… I’m going to shoot to get all my training in this week and remind myself that I did it to myself.

Speaking of the training front….I think I found a nice doable plan. It gradually increases each week sometimes by an hour sometimes by two but then every few weeks you do a recovery week which will be nice. Gives me something to look forward to every few weeks. This plan is also based on time but I think I need to have some kind of mileage in my head too. Runs are easy, I know for any given time just about how many miles I can put in. Some days I know I will be able to push harder and get it in and other days I will get what I get done in that time. Now on the weekends….I’m going to be having a love affair with my bike and my running shoes. Funky tan lines to boot too.

Week in Review - April 4-10

2011-04-12T08:16:00.001-05:00

As I wrapped up training Sunday, I felt successful. Not only did I get my three swim workouts in but I only missed one “scheduled” workout and really I worked out I just lifted with hubby instead of riding my bike. I had a wonderful long bike ride yesterday with a friend, even if I did fall over on my bike. Yes boys and girls I have my first road rash. My fear of not being able un-clip from my bike and fall over has come and gone now. We were coming up to a water fountain yesterday and my friend was going to refill her bottle. So as I came up behind her, my mind saying you need to un-clip but somewhere between and my right foot it wasn’t computing. So over I went. Tried catching myself with my hands more (I know dumb move) but still manage to skin my right knee, scrap my left arm and bruised both palms (no, I don’t wear cycling gloves). I felt stupid! I somehow managed to un-clip both shoes then get myself and my bike upright. What an idiot! So today I’m nursing an area of road rash and a few bruises. At least it wasn’t in front of a bunch of people during a race!

But back to last week results. Much to my surprised after logging our ride, my total for the week looked something like this:

Swim: 1:50
Bike: 3:25
Ride: 2:31
Total: 7:46

Wow, this is almost a two hour jump and really, I didn’t notice the increase. Plus I got two strength training workouts in too. Now mind you a couple of my runs were horrible. Not sure why other than it was humid one day (humidity and I don’t mix well) and both days my nutrition was off.

So this week is going to be interesting because I’m going to Dallas on Friday and won’t be back until Sunday morning. My daughter has a Lacrosse tournament on Saturday and my parents are going with us. I’m hoping the hotel room has a treadmill so I might be able to get a 30 minute run in but I’m not holding my breath. So what I was going to try and do is get as much as I can done between now and Friday when we leave then take Saturday as an extra rest day. On Sunday after we get back I’m hoping to get a small ride in and a small run. But I need to run this by hubby since he isn’t going with us and will probably want to see me actually when I get back. Also I’m toying with upping training again. My goal is to average about 8 hours a week. I almost met that this past week so upping it again should be attainable. Of course one plan I’m thinking of following is over 9 hours! UGH! But I'm looking at a plan that is similar just not as intense. My over all goal in September is to finish under cut off. So I'm not trying to break any speed goals just finish upright. Doable!

An almost crash but recovered nicely

2011-04-07T15:54:00.002-05:00

Don't you hate it when you answer the phone and the nurse is on the other end "um, yes this is so n so from doctor x's office, we need you to come in for a follow up on your mammogram last week." "yes, we found a suspicious lump on your films and the doctor wants a second mammogram and ultrasound done". Um, yeah this was my yesterday afternoon. Then on top of the we meet with our son's pediatrician regarding medication for him you can see this new blog that I started regarding that http://ourmonkeyboy.blogspot.com

So last night I so didn't want to wait until 8:45 to go to this swim clinic I signed up for. Why so late, because that is the only open time they have for this. Uh, yea. I went anyway and once I got in the water I was glad I went. Swimming is becoming not a chore anymore, if that makes any sense. I've swam more in the last two months than I have swam over the course of any season since I started doing triathlons. Uh, yea.

This morning I went to said second mammogram, alone, because I thought I could handle it and I did but there was a few times I felt so scared. The ladies were very nice, somewhat nice atmosphere, although I found it amusing that no eye contact or conversation from other patients there. After what seemed like an eternity and the ultrasound technician going, "hmmmm" I got the all clear. Crisis diverted to runway "not this time". "The Breast tissue squished out" is what was told to me. "Squished out" is that a technical term? Relief. Then more relief after talking to the pediatrician again. Then again more anxiety, confusion (check out other blog).

Anyway, I'm proud that I'm sticking with my training plan. Of course plans sometimes get changed or "tweaked". Like tonight, I'm supposed to go on a ride, have all my gear with me in fact, including my bike but instead, I think I will head to the gym with hubby lift a little, hit the spin bike for about 20 min of HIIT then take the monkey boy to the park. Our girl will be at Lacrosse practice and has transportation back and forth. It is a pretty day and I'm going to take advantage of being with my boys. Um, yea.

Monday Ramblings......

2011-04-04T14:59:00.002-05:00

I work full time although my dream is to be a stay at home mommy. I work for the city, as a GIS Analyst (I make maps, among other things) so my work isn’t stressful. I mean everyone once in a while I get stressed but it stays at work when I walk out the door at 5:00. I tell you this so you can understand I have a lot of leeway at my job, one of the perks of leaving the corporate world over a year ago (another one is I use my lunch hour to train some). Anyway, today isn’t any different with my mind rambling all over the place. Not wanting to do quality control on imagery we got in hence the blog…..

So last night my trainer/friend stopped by to tell me his terrific idea. Instead of traveling to Lubbock and spending almost $1000 to do the Buffalo Springs 70.3 IM, he would lay out a cross locally for me to do the following weekend. No mind you it was his original idea for me to go to Lubbock in the first place so this took me back a little. It came to him while he was running yesterday at the lake. He knows I have a lot going on right now with family issues and he wants me to experience the distance at that particular time in my training but he doesn’t want to add any stress. I like the idea but I’m a little let down because it was exciting to go do an event like that but on the flip side not having to spend that money right now would be awesome! He said I can even put the word out to see if my friends want to join in which would be fun. I don’t know…I’ve got mixed feelings. Does he think I can’t handle Buffalo (he said this takes some stress off me)? He said he would make me race it (the one he will lay out). He even has a transition rack; we would set up aid stations (via family support), etc. Again, it is a great idea just a little bit of a letdown.

Trying to figure out my training. How much time do I need to put in right now? Am I putting enough hours in? It is all rather crazy really. I don’t want to be putting too much time in now because I still have a long ways to go until September and I don’t want to get burned out. But I want to be building…..Crazy. I want to increase anyway because I want to get ample time on everything but again I don’t want to burn out too quick. I want this to be fun and I want to see myself get stronger.

Nutrition….doing okay with this. I could give myself a B- right now. I still eat stuff I “shouldn’t” (just saying that I like Almond Joys) but I’ve cleaned up way more than I was eating. I know I can improve in this area tremendously. I do really well in the morning. I have my shake on the way of dropping kiddos off and to the office then about mid-morning I have oatmeal or cream of wheat with some type of fruit. After lunch I eat which I have been trying to salads with some type of protein and some raw carrots. But here is where I could clean up. I will go grab a bag of chex mix stuff because I think I need the crunch. Then later I will grab ahem, an almond joy. Then usually I’m working out not too long after getting off work. What I’m getting at is that I’m not fueling properly in the afternoon for my evening training sessions. My lunch time workouts are fueled pretty well although I need to make sure I drink enough water in the morning… So I’m going to start tracking what I’m eating again to make sure I’m fueling properly. I like that I was dropping a pound or two through the later part of February and through March. I got cocky though that I could handle what I’m eating without tracking and now I think I’m eating either too much or the wrong stuff or both. So tracking should take care of that…..

Probably have more rambling through my head but that is it for the moment…….

Starting another great month!

2011-04-01T17:01:00.001-05:00

Wow, in regards to my training, March was marvelous. I’m not sure why my training has been successful the past few months other than because I have a couple of loft goals in mind this year. I feel I have more determination that I have ever before. I’m not sure why though. May be it’s because I feel this is a “if you are going to do it, do it right” adventure or if it is a “if you are going to do this you better make it worthwhile because you might not get the chance again”, may be a combination of both. I just know I’ve been more focused the last few months than I have with training in over the 4 years I’ve been doing multi-sporting events. I like it. I like seeing my pie charts and graphs on my workout log. I’m kind of a geek that way. And now that my hubby bought me a Garmin 305, I like seeing my results from a run or bike ride now. Cool!

So for March I logged 9,500 yards of swimming, 48 miles of running and 75 miles of biking. Not bad just about 23 hours of training on average 5 hours a week, consistent for me, especially in the swimming realm. Now, I need to kick it up a notch. I’ve got a little less than 90 days until my half ironman debut, 86 days to be exact. April and May need to be kick ass months! But they need to be conscious, practical months too because after Lubbock, I will have a little over two months left until my Ironman distance debut. Wow!

My goal is to up my swimming to at least 4 times a week, increase my bike and run mileage. I still want to strength train a couple of times a week but because I’m upping my swimming, I’m going to have to do that at home in the morning before work. We have a weight set so it isn’t like it will be a problem. I might have to modify some of the exercises because I don’t have a leg press machine but I think that is the only exercise that would have to be modified. I think I would like to increase my hours of training per week to 8 hours. I think if I slowing make this adjustment come this summer when I’m really hammer out the miles and time it won’t seem as bad.

My workout schedule would probably look something like this:
Monday OFF/YOGA
Tuesday L: ST BIKE 60:00
Wednesday SWIM 60:00 RUN 40:00
Thursday L: ST BIKE 60:00 RUN 15:00
Friday SWIM 45:00 RUN 40:00
Saturday BIKE 90:00
Sunday SWIM 60:00 RUN 60:00

There will probably be adjustments but this is what I am aiming for, might add a swim time to either Tuesday or Saturday. So I will let you know how this goes next week. I’ve got some adjusting to do and some moving schedule around. Really I need to figure out what my miles should be rather than time. Lots of planning to do!

March in Okarche Duathlon Race Report

2011-03-28T17:05:00.000-05:00

So the weather did not cooperate at all this year either. But on the bright side it wasn’t raining…..

The day started off well. I slept in a little, went and got Emily from a friend’s house and stopped to pick up a bagel from Panera. Got my gear together loaded up the car, said good-bye to the family since Emily had a Lacrosse game and took off towards Okarche. I left way earlier than I needed to but I didn’t want to sit around the house plus I figured if they needed help with set up I could be of assistance.

Stopped threw some gas in the car, grabbed water and a Gatorade and got to Okarche (about 30-45 minutes) with no problem. Everything was set up already so I just hung around some racing buddies including my friend who is “training” me. It was cold! I kept trying to jump around warm up, sat in a friend’s car for a while, ate my banana then eventually a Gu. Set up transition, which didn’t take long at all, got my timing chip. And soon they were doing the pre-race meeting then it was time. Family still hadn’t made it up there but I knew at some point they would. Lined up with a friend and the gun went off.

The first 5K went by faster than expected. It helped that I was running with someone although I told her she was faster than me but she swore she wasn’t. We cheered at the fast people, especially all the tough chicks we know that were running 7-9 minute miles!!! Anyway, her family made it at the turn around so that was fun and as we approached transition there was my crew. Gave some high fives and came around to the clock to see that I had a 30:35 time (almost 3 minutes faster than last year), not bad at all! Quickly got my bike shoes on, unracked my bike and proceeded out of transition. Jumped on the bike and rode out hard!!!

The bike portion was uneventful yet somewhat difficult. I was shooting for a particular time so I knew where (time wise) I needed to be at the turn around. The winds were out of the NNW at around 15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Again, not as bad as last year but still enough. Rolling hills nothing major. I talked to myself the entire time really concentrating on keeping my speed consistent and the same. Used my gears like I should and even came up out of my seat more than I have ever before. I was faster than last year but I could have been better. Of course I haven’t been out on my bike much this year so I’m really happy with my performance. And I passed people, so it isn’t like I was not giving my all! Time back was faster which I expected because the winds were more at our backs on the return trip. Bike time 1:15:05 (almost 10 minutes faster)

Second 5K was a little slower. Coming off my bike I realized my feet were somewhat numb. Not good. My legs were bright red because I decided to leave my bike shorts on and not put my longer pants on over them (thinking that since I rode in them last year when it was raining, I could handle the wind). Anyway, I mentioned to my friend that my feet were numb and he said they will warm up don’t worry. Went out of transition in a slow shuffle knowing that if I just kept moving I would warm up. It was good, I felt good, friends and family cheering my name and all! I got my legs under me fairly quick and pretty soon my feet came back to life. I kept pushing to pick up the pace a little but I just couldn’t get my legs to turn over any quicker than they were. But I stayed consistent, increasing my pace ever so slightly and finally I was to the flat road back to the finish line. I knew I wasn’t going to make that time I had in my head but I knew it was an improvement over last year. Second 5K 33:33 (4 minutes faster). Overall time 2:21:52 (a 15 minute improvement over last year) and 1st place Athena 40+!!!!

I was pleased with the overall race but here are some of my observations:

1: Need more brick workouts. I know the cold placed some resistance on this but I’ve got to get my legs under me quicker and I need to get a faster turn over in my legs….

2: I need Aerobars. I was crouched as low as I could get on my bike. Had I had them I could have been in the aero position which would have helped a lot.

3: I’ve got to put some time in on my bike. I’ve lost some speed/strength on my bike but I know with a few weeks of hard riding I can get that back. Consistency!!!

4: Need to work on my nutrition some. I experimented in taking more than usual in Gu packets but they mess with my stomach a little. So I’m going to have to experiment taking real food on the bike and possibly during the run.

5: Transition: Although both transitions were just about the same, I need to get shorten my bike to run transition time a little I think…..

So up next is the first triathlon of the season which will take place the first weekend of June. There is a sprint distance on Saturday and an Olympic on Sunday. I’m thinking of doing both races….we will see……..then on to my first half Ironman….

My little secret.......

2011-03-25T15:32:00.001-05:00

Ah, tomorrow officially kicks off the duathlon/triathlon season for me. March in Okarche is a 5K/30K/5K duathlon that was the very first race I did back in 2008 when I started this crazy hobby of mine. It is a good race, nice hoodie, swag, etc. although sometimes the weather cooperates and sometimes you race in drizzle, 30° temps and 30+ mph crosswinds. I’m just saying. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the “mild” winds will hold true.

Anyway, I’ve been reflecting on this race season. It is going to be my biggest one yet. BIG! It is funny whenever I run into people from the triathlon club that I belong too. One of their first questions is “What races are you doing this year”? I even catch myself asking that. It is almost like we are sizing ourselves up to see if we are able to even be talking with one another. I politely tell them, well I will do all the club races of course and I’m possibly thinking of doing Redman.

[Now Redman, for those that haven’t been following me, is an Ironman Distance triathlon here in Oklahoma City. Even though it isn’t an “official” Ironman (M dot as it is lovingly called) it is an Ironman distance. I choose it for several reasons primarily because of the cost (it is cheaper) and its local (family/friend support).]

So when people hear I’m doing the Redman, excitement occurs, talk and rambling about “oh you can do it” blah, blah, blah. I am selective on who I tell because I don’t want to be judged. There are those people out there that think you shouldn’t attempt this distance until you have been racing forever, you are serious about your training, blah, blah, blah. Some also know that I have difficulties on the swim and would think that I wouldn’t even want to attempt 2.5 miles of swimming. I say, SCREW IT, I’m doing it. I turn 40 two days before. This is my birthday present to me!

I’m working with an individual too, a trainer parse. He has suggested that I do a 70.3 in June. I haven’t told anyone that I am working with him or about the race in June. And I’m not going to. Why? One because it is none of their business and two judgment, believe me people will. I get a lot of “sizing up” when I mention I do triathlons. I can almost read their minds, “She doesn’t look like a triathlete”….. Really do you know what one looks like? So I’m keeping this my little secret……..

So like I said, this racing season is going to be big. As of tomorrow I am three months out from my first half ironman and 6 months away from my first full ironman distance triathlon!! Whoohoo!

Go the Distance.....

2011-03-22T16:33:00.000-05:00

Change is good and most of the time it is for the better. But I’m not saying we have to like the change or even what it produces, if that makes sense. For the past several years I’ve participated in a weight loss website that on all accounts have supported thousands of people in the weight loss journey. I just don’t think I get that support. As of late it reminds me of the clicks that you had in high school. If you aren’t part of a running group or this group or that then you aren’t something. You get the trophy for this and that, which works for some as rewards, and yes I like getting my trophies, but I just think it isn’t the best website for me. I haven’t deleted it from my favorites, I still utilize some of the tools and that will continue until I find something that I like more. No change is good and I’ve got a lot of changes happening and on the horizon too.

For those of you that don’t know, I’m a triathlete. Not an elite triathlete, more like an amateur one but none the less I get out there and compete in races. I’m starting my fourth racing season this year. I started out small, learning a lot along the way; gaining confidence in all three events yet still remaining somewhat of a “newbie” (I don’t know when I get to graduate from that title, after 30 years?). Anyway, this year I also turn 40. So I set a goal last year of completing an ironman distance triathlon in September 2011. At first I was only going to do the half but I have this voice that has told me “GO THE DISTANCE”. So that is what I’m doing. In September (two after my birthday) I will finish a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike and a marathon. None of this seems outrageous to me besides the swim. The swim makes me nervous….but I capable, I’m strong and I’m willing to put forth the effort is going to take to train.

By the way, Kevin Costner is one of my favorite actors and "Field of Dreams" is one of my favorite movies!!!

I'm Back....starting a new journey

2011-03-15T13:12:00.000-05:00

I've decided to utilize this blog again and record my journey on finishing one of the toughest distances when it comes to triathlons. I'm hoping that this is entertaining and helpful to those that decide to read it. I can't say I won't mixed in some family issues (not that we have any issues in our life) and other everyday life junk. Hey it is my journel right?

So sit back relax and enjoy the story of how crazy my life is about to become.

A new hill to conquer!

2009-07-01T14:57:00.001-05:00

So after reading several things on hormones and how they can affect (or is it effect?) so many things, I made it to a clinic that specializes in testing and then compounding your own formula of supplements, hormones, etc. After going over my symptoms that I have been struggling with for almost a year the nurse practitioner thinks I might have adrenal fatigue. Fatigue, I know I’m tired but there is an actual disease? They took a lot of blood and I have to do a saliva test, which I can’t do for a couple of weeks because of timing (if you know what I mean). Once all that comes back then they will discuss my results and set up a regiment. I have to wait until August 11th. UGH!

So after coming home I started my research. It makes perfect sense! But I’m not getting totally set on it. I’m trying to wait for the “official” results. Because even though it makes perfect since it could just be several things. Okay, I see that diet, exercise, stress relievers plus supplements/vitamins can help you regain yourself again. It isn’t totally incapacitating, so may be I have a mild case or I’ve “caught” it in time. So what I think I’m going to do is take this long weekend to revamp my diet plan as well as even my exercise plan. It wouldn’t hurt to change some of the foods that I eat; it could be a good thing one way or another. And I’m loosing my motivation with the current workout plan so now is a good time for a change.

As far as my exercise plan. I think I need to back away from trying to do so many races! I mean don’t get me wrong I still want to do them and I still have a long term goal of completing at least a full marathon and ½ Ironman, but it is becoming stressful preparing for these races as well there is an expense to every race. I will keep some on my radar because I think they are good goals and things to work for. Plus they are fun! I just think trying to do the list I currently have might be adding to the fatigue just a little.

With my body not knowing what is going on my tendency to loose weight has stopped and I think it is in survival mode, holding onto every ounce it possibly can. So I’m going to continue running, riding and swimming. Adding in rowing (which I found I like), elliptical and may be even a Zumba class occasionally. I am also going to incorporate Yoga in too. I’m going back to my 2-3 day strength training. Probably super sets or total body circuits. I haven’t really fully laid my plan out but that is what I’m going to plan on this week.

I’m also thinking of removing some other stressors, I wish I could remove work but that just isn’t an option right now. But there are some things I can just say no too! So overall this might be a good thing even if it is a struggle to get the energy to even wake up in the morning.

Stress or Motivation - Stealers

2009-06-15T15:27:00.000-05:00

As I try and think what is causing stresses in my life, I’m sure I could list several but I wonder if they are really stresses or excuses. Such as, the plantar fasciitis in my foot, could I do other things, or am I so hung up on not being able to run that I’ve made that my excuse not to exercise at all. There are several things I can do for exercise that doesn’t pertain to my normal training routine but I get so caught up in that “must do” item on my list that I block out everything else. And variety is good, not all exercise needs to revolve around running, biking or swimming! Just move! Duh!

Then there is food. I think I can eat on the high end of my calorie range everyday, choose bad foods and think that I will loose weight. Not the case as I have proven in this journey time and time again. I know I shouldn’t eat certain foods but do I pick them because they are yummy and easy or is it really a stress indicator? Sometimes I would have to say yes because my comfort food is Mexican or Pasta and that is what I tend to crave when I’m stressed. But would I say my turning to certain foods is really a stress indicator overall, no not really.

I know what I need to do; I’m not new to this weight loss/exercise journey. I need to better manager of my food schedule. In essence I need to schedule my food like I’ve done with my training. On lighter days I need to eat on the lighter end of the food scale and on heavy training days I can eat on the higher end. I also need to be better about eating every few hours rather than putting such a time span between eating. Especially on my heavy training days because I tend to be starving by the time I get home from the gym. So how do I accomplish this? All with a calendar and time, oh and a little bit of patience with oneself. When I’m at work I can set my Microsoft Outlook to go off every so often, scheduling my snacks and lunch much like I do my conference calls or other meetings. I am hoping with this regiment that my weekends will follow suit. Otherwise I might have to get a traveling alarm clock to set and carry with me. LOL! Wouldn’t that be a sight to have an alarm clock with me at all times, I will have to make sure it is an annoying one for sure!

Another thing that I would like to accomplish is to stay up when Jim gets up to go to work. I get up to make his lunch and then go back to bed, resulting in being more tired than I would be if I would just stay up. This would also provide me a few hours to get in some yoga, meditation or time on the elliptical or even just me time. Plus I could eat breakfast at home instead of at work which would be better for the schedule. Occasionally, I could even get the kids up earlier to go run or bike before we head out the door especially since it will be getting really hot soon.

So I know the steps I need to do to accomplish my goals that I have set, but what is my motivator? Me. Only I can make those changes and I should do them for me and for the most part I do them for me, but I also want to look good for my husband! I want to be a good role model not only for my children but for anyone else that struggles with their own journey. I have come to realize in this multisport world that I venture in that it is the everyday folk that motivate one to think that you too can get out there and swim, bike or run. You can get out there and run a 5K or even a marathon. It is the strength within yourself that one relies on when they feel they can’t run another mile or accomplish three different events at race. You are the motivator for oneself, and only you!

So off I go on yet another path of this journey, searching for the right combination. May be just may be this will keep me on track.

Just a Pain!

2009-06-10T10:22:00.000-05:00

So I thought I would write about my frustrations with my journey right now. During the Memorial Marathon back in April, while I was running my relay leg, my foot starting hurting, by that afternoon my whole leg hurt! Of course a few days later the leg was okay but the foot still hurt. Went to the Marathon Doc, Dr. Tom, and found out I have Plantar Fasciitis. UGH! He hooked me up with taping it, told me to get some inserts and stretch. All is good. Foot starts feeling better, I go run. One mile into my run it starts hurting, next day hurt really badly. Long story short, this has been going on for over a month and a half. I went to Elite Feet (by the way the owner makes orthotics) told him my problem. He set me up with new shoes, inserts and told me to rest my foot and stretch, stretch, stretch. Now how can you tell a runner to rest? Right! In fact I told him, “but I have a race in two days” (RT 66 Triathlon), I’ll rest afterwards. He kind of smirked and said “What part of rest do you not understand?” I knew he was right but I was so mad!

So I told myself I would rest a full two weeks after the race. So I am on day 11 of my 14 day rest. I should probably give it another two weeks but again I have a race on July 11th that I need to start preparing for. I’m doing a whole weekend of racing, two duathlons, one that is on-road and one that is off-road. I plan on taking it slow when I give myself the go ahead. But it is so hard to just walk. Walking doesn’t bother it. So may be I should do a walk/run again. But I know me, I will want to run! Plus I keep thinking I’m slacking, not working out hard enough, I feel fat and sluggish! Oh to run again! On top of that my husband and I need to start training for our half-marathon in October! UGH!

Second complaint is on my weight. I can’t seem to break out of the 180s. It keeps fluctuating around the lower 180s (180-183) but I just can’t seem to make the hump. UGH! And don’t even mention the inches, they aren’t moving either! What gives, what is going on? Should I change my diet, join weight watchers, I don’t know. I’m so frustrated! I just don’t know what to do. Should I give up on trying to lose weight and train the way I do? Should I cut my calories and run the risk of not being fueled properly. UGH!

So I apologize for the whining. I should be thankful that I can still ride, swim and participate in other activities. I should be thankful that I haven’t gained any weight that I am just maintaining. But I want to throw my fit! UUUUUUGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!

Get your kicks on Route 66!

2009-05-31T17:18:00.000-05:00

My first open water swim! Woke up early (4:15am) after a late night and not so restful night but I felt good. El Reno is about 45 minutes away so we left around 5:00am because transition opened at 6:00 and I wanted to get in the water to warm up. Ate some oatmeal and toast, packed up the car and off we go. I was already getting nervous because I was babbling but not making much sense of course Jim commented on this a few times. We got to the race site just as they opened up transition. I got body marked with my race number and age. Yes that is right you advertise your age on the back of your leg! I had a pretty good position 10 racks from swim in, which was also run out and 4 racks from bike in/out plus since I was there first I got the end of the rack which makes it really nice. Got transition all set up and walked the pre-race count so I would be able to find it coming out of the water. So after that I went and got my timing chip strapped that on and really walked around for what seemed like an eternity. I kept asking people if you can get in but no one seemed to know. Looked to see where the buoys were. Traded my green swim cap for a red one that would identify me for the 3^rd wave, which was the special attention wave. Ate my banana kept drinking water and visiting the port-a-potties. Pre-race meeting was shortly after 7:00 which is when I decided to wiggle and squirm into my wetsuit. Sun was out by now and it was starting to warm up with a light breeze.

Ate some Gu. Decided I was going to go ahead and get in the water when they yelled for everyone to get out of the water! UGH! White swim caps only (the men). By this time I can really feel the nerves and I’m fighting back the tears. I don’t feel like I’m ready for this at all. Jim did his best to console me as well as encourage me. I don’t know if I would have gone had he not been there. Gun went off; green caps go in after 5 minutes, by the way the lead male swimmer finished in 7 minutes! Gun went off and finally I was able to get into the water. A little chilly but I really think it was because of the light breeze not the water temp. What seemed like an eternity was only 5 minutes and then we were off. Started out towards the back of the pack in a nice slow rhythm not very far into the race I started feeling feet and bodies. All those that were in front of me and had started to quickly were quickly faded. I’m not exactly sure what started me but something did and I found that I had to flip onto my back. My heart rate shot up and before long I was out of breath. I kept trying to flip back over to freestyle swim but didn’t make it far. I treaded water, swam without my face in the water (which is harder than you think) and flipped on my back. At one point on my back as I was trying to control my breathing, I felt tears coming on and I was actually bawling! Yes that’s right boys and girls I had a break down in the water!! Finally I pulled myself together (after some not so nice words) and managed to get to the buoy. As I was going around I heard one of the swimmers yell, half way there! I looked up spotted the other buoy and said to myself “you can do this”. I don’t know what cliqued but I was swimming, slow but with a good steady rhythm. I would look up every once in a while and was on course. That last buoy was getting closer and closer, I could see everyone standing there waiting, helping the swimmers out. Before I knew it I was at the last buoy, then shortly after that I was up on my feet running up the ramp. Jim was there cheering me one, someone grabbed my zipper and as I ran up the ramp I pulled my suit down. Off to the strippers were I was told to “sit on my butt feet in the air” with one swoop my suit was off and I was off and running towards my bike. Boy was I glad that was over but I was very proud of myself! Swim time 17:20 (goal was 15:00).

Bike went off without a glitch. By the time I got on the bike the wind had picked up a little but it wasn’t bad at all. Some of the ride was on the original road of Route 66. It was neat as I was riding past several cow pastures, that thousands of people have traveled this road to get to the west. Amazing! As usual I passed several people picked them off one by one. There were a lot of people on the bike so I really had to make a fast pass when going by others (regulations require you to pass within 30 seconds and keep 3 bike lengths at all times). Saw the lead man come in about mile 4 of my bike ride, by the way he finished in 58 minutes. Took some Gu at the bike turnaround, refilled my water bottle (I have a bottle that fits between my aero bars so it is right in my face). Needless to say you have to be multitasked when riding a bike. Loved the ride all the way through and was super fast on the way back, felt strong. Bike time 44:07 (13 miles), a little slower than I was hoping but not bad (goal was 40 minutes).

Re-racked my bike, grabbed my race number and sun visor and I was off for a little jog. Tried to get my legs under me quickly, but it took me a little bit. I didn’t push the run because I was afraid of my foot hurting so I kept a real slow pace. About a mile in I was feeling pretty tired but before long I saw the turn around and WATER! Walked through the turn around and drank a couple of cups of water then off again. This time I felt better legs felt strong so I picked the pace up. But at about 2.5 miles I could feel my foot so I backed off a little. I knew I wasn’t going to break my goal but I was trying to save my foot. As I came to the last 100 yards I saw my parents (first race to watch me) my kids and of course my supportive hubby! I kicked it up a little and crossed the line, run time was 34:31 (goal was 30:00). Overall time was 1:38:18 (my goal was 1:30).Overall I felt good about the race even if I didn’t place in my age group. I was 6 out of 9 for my age group and 53 out of 84 women.

Things to work on:

1. Do more open water practices and get faster!

2. Do more bricks (help with getting my feet back under me)

3. Warm up before the race!!!!!!!

Where did my mojo go?

2009-05-24T15:42:00.001-05:00

Oh where oh where did my mojo go? Have you seen it? I haven't, well at least the mojo I usually have at least. I did go swim today but a little reluctantly. I swam 1200 m, the longest I have ever swam and I felt good afterwards. May be my mojo is gone because I'm discouraged about no weight loss again. I still have that last 15 to loose that I gained back plus the additional 10 I want to loose. I feel like I have been doing this forever, but that scale won't budge. I'm tired of not having anything to wear. I'm tired of my body. May be my mojo is decreased because I'm battling plantar fascists (PF). So I sit here and stretch it out, praying that it will be okay for next week's race. UGH!

It is probably a little of both but instead of focusing again making those lifestyle changes, mental changes etc., I reach for a bowl of Fruit Loops. Loopy? Yes, but they were good. So it isn't any wonder why my mojo isn't around in full force....I'm sabotaging it myself. No one else is, no one is making me eat those fruit loops, or drink that Dr. Pepper. No one but the old me. So I think I'm going to hire a hit man.... a hit man to take that old self out and then a private investigator to find that mojo I once had. If you see that mojo of mine, send back to me please.

Mental Power

2009-05-08T16:11:00.000-05:00

So while I was waiting on the doctor today I was reading. I have been reading this book by Pam Reed who is an ultramarathon runner. She runs 100+ mile races in places you wouldn't even dream of walking through. I think this is partially crazy but wow, wouldn't that be an accomplishment. Of course my family would probably commit me right away if I even suggested the notion.

Anyway, you might know that doing long distance running is a big mental game. And I got to thinking that really loosing weight and working out can be a big mental game as well. I came across this that she wrote and thought I would share:

"But once you've broken a record, it is very hard to go on and smash it. Doing that takes tremendous mental power"

Think about it. Once you have reached your goal weight, and you know it, you fall back to the comforts, to what is easy. And before you know it you gained 20 pounds again. This is totally what I did. I told myself, oh okay, you reached your goal. Now what. I let life get in the way, I stopped letting myself be priority. And 20 pounds later, I'm back, struggling to loose the weight. You could look at the positive and say, well at least you didn't gain all of it back but duh, I still didn't learn anything! I'm still back to almost square one.

This make so much sense. I found I can push myself through a hard workout. Secretly call myself names to get up that hill or push through the last mile. But why is it I can't push myself through a permanent weight loss. Even now, I would pick a donut over an apple knowing fully well that it is wrong, it is high in calories and absolutely has no fuel. Okay may be a little fuel but not much. Anyway, you get my drift. Why is one mental game easier than another? It shouldn't be.........

Motivation

2009-05-05T11:05:00.001-05:00

Everyone on their journey of weight loss has to jump hurdles. Some might be as small as a speed bump and some might be as tall as the highest mountain (or seem to be). But what we do to get over those hurdles or after could make or break you. Making changes to your lifestyle is never easy and has to remain in the forefront of you mind forever. That is what a lifestyle change is. FOREVER! We can't just take this transformation lightly. We do have to take it day by day, learn from our mistakes. Babies don't instantly crawl, walk and talk as soon as they are born. We as lifestyle changers don't instantaneously remember everything we do, what works, what doesn't, what we should eat, how long we should work out for. None of this is known automatically it is a learning curve and continuous educational process.

Now what does this have to do with motivation? Well, often times our hurdles require motivation to get over them or pick ourselves up from the injury we sustained while climbing on our own. I think first and foremost a great support group is a must. An accountability group that holds you to your journey is there to listen to your frustrations and cheer you across your mini finish lines. Don’t compare yourself to others, every journey is different, every journey has their own hurdles to jump. I think another great thing to do is set those weight loss as well as non-weight loss goals. Everyone has something that they have always wanted to do but wouldn’t try it for whatever reason. Make that your goal, whether it is shopping in the trendiest store or running your first marathon. It doesn’t have to be big and nothing is so silly that it wouldn’t be worth the try. Make a list; check them off as you accomplish them. Sometimes, the smallest accomplishments are the greatest motivators.

Over the course of my journey I have set non-weight goals, like running a sub-thirty minute 5K or participating in my first triathlon. I find if I don’t concentrate on the weight and on another goal that the weight comes off. Now of course I have to set my goal bar even higher but it is motivating me to keep on my journey. Who knows may be a race (running or triathlon related) in every state is an obtainable goal! Just remember to find what motivates you and keep in sight everyday. It will make those hurdles seem like potholes instead. You can walk over or around potholes!

9th Annual Oklahoma Memorial Marathon

2009-05-03T20:39:00.000-05:00

This is my second time to participate in the Memorial Relay. I did the third leg of the relay this time (12K). Well, first I ran two miles with a friend that was running the first leg. This was her first official run of any kind and her longest so I ran with her for support. Had to slow her down because she started off way too fast but we got in a rhythm pretty quick. I had my family pick me up at 4th/Lincoln and went to the first relay exchange to cheer her in. By the time my leg started the wind had picked up quite a bit but I knew only the later 2-3 miles would be into the wind. I should have known it wouldn't be the best run for me when my number came off my belt shortly after I started but I managed to get it back on and continue. At about mile 14 (which was 5 miles for me) my foot started cramping in the arch. Did I stop, oh no not me! So I continued. I should have walked but I was determined to beat "the clock" that I had mentally set. I did but managed to strain the outside of my knee a little since I was compensating for my foot hurting. My leg felt so heavy after the run but I kept stretching and rubbing. My knee doesn't hurt now but my foot still does. Anyway, everyone else on my team did great including my husband who hasn't ran further than 3 miles and he ran the last leg without walking or needing a paramedic or oxygen (he jokingly said he would). We ran in with him down Broadway and that was pretty cool! I felt for everyone that was still out there running against that wind because it did suck!

My hubby wants to train for a 1/2 marathon, so we are signing up the the Spirit of Survival in October. It will be fun having a training partner.....then again he might slow me down!

Wetsuit Dilemma

2009-04-22T11:21:00.000-05:00

So, my first open water swim is coming up in less than two weeks. I'm not a fast swimmer so this is a huge step for me but one I know I need to overcome. Now the dilemma is what about a wetsuit. I mean it hasn't been that warm in Oklahoma to swim without one just yet, so off I go to find a wetsuit. The first one that was loaned to me, didn't work at all. Picture trying to stuff a turkey into a glove. I have other analogies but I will keep this rated G! Anyway, it didn't fit too good. Now I know that a wetsuit will be tight, it won't be attractive and will be know fun putting on. A chore in itself. So needless to say, the first one didn't make it past my knees. I almost didn't think I would get it back off but I did. (It was also torn and I didn't want to tear it any more since it wasn't mine).

At this time I'm really discouraged that I won't be able to do this next triathlon so I posted a mayday call out to my fellow Tri-OKC Club members and two offers popped up. I went and picked one up yesterday and right now it is starring in my face to try on. I will have to bite the bullet and try this one on so if it doesn't work then I have one last option. I so hope it works and of course will keep you posted. If it does I plan to try the water this weekend just so I know what to expect a little.

Trying to find the right gear is hard, sometimes even overwhelming. I don't have the money to buy the latest and it is hard not to be envious of that fellow tri member who has everything. Which brings me to another blog topic. Competitive or for fun? Ah, for another day.

The lives we change!

2009-04-14T10:29:00.000-05:00

The girls that I joined over two years ago on the Bigges Loser are back together for another fun filled challenge. Some have gained back, some are maintaining and some are new. How exciting! How exciting to realize that you need support no matter where you are on your journey. No matter where you are on your journey it is hard! Life gets in the way all to often. We put ourselves on the back burner instead of realizing that putting ourselves first makes everything else fall in place. Now, don't get me wrong I do feel guilty at times but I have a great support system at home. Luckily my hubby works out too and our daughter does sports as well. I can already see the impact that it is making on our three year old and predict in the future that he will be running and biking along side of me! So no matter where you are on the journey know that you are important, that your are deserving of a healthy life and then get out there and make a difference in your life. You may never know who's life you will change in the process.

March in Okarche 2009

2009-03-30T18:36:00.000-05:00

What a race! Can you say cross wind? The race was actually moved a day because of the possibility of Oklahoma getting snow. Yeah, right. We did and I'm very thankful it got moved. Sunday turned out to be a beautiful sunny day even with a mild wind.....until race time.

Off we go with the start of the gun. I almost started off too fast and I realized it quickly and scaled back a little. I felt really good and was excited about starting the season off again. As I rounded the corner into transition, I saw the time 29:50! A record for me!!! My fastest 5K! Yahoo! Well short celebration while I un-racked my bike and headed for the mount line. Off I went flying on my bike.

Well......everything seemed to be going well but as I got going on the course I noticed the wind. Now mind you this was a primarily West-East bike course but the wind started coming from the WSW. Yes the evil Oklahoma cross wind! UGH! I thought I was keeping a pretty good pace. We turned south towards the turn around and then.......HEAD WIND. To a crawl I went, or at least it seemed. Then finally I turned back to the east. For some reason it didn't seem to get any better. I struggled on the second leg of the bike course even though I passed a few people. I knew when I looked at my watch that I wasn't going to break my time from last year. I started to get defeated.

Turned once again into the head wind but not too long and I hit the dismount line. Off the bike I came into transition and a slow jog out. Grabbed some water and off to a meager run. I knew by the time on the clock that I probably was going to be slower than last year so defeat settled onto my shoulders. I got my "running" legs not to far into the run. Cheered for people as the pasted towards the finish line. My second run was average for me. Yes I could have ran faster but I was dragging the defeat behind me. UGH!

Overall I finished in 2:19:50. Five minutes slower than last year. But I don't have the flu this year!

Joy and Frustrations

2009-03-18T10:55:00.000-05:00

Jeez, I'm really behind on my blogging. Anyway, since the Frigid Five, I have completed three additional runs as part of the Triple Crown Series. Now you may ask, what did I get out of this nothing, except a personal goal and a T-Shirt.

Beacon Run 5K - February 28th - This was the coldest run ever! Not only was it only 27 degrees outside but the wind was coming from the north at about 30+ mph plus it was along Lake Hefner. The first half of the run was straight into the wind and I managed to keep going. I loved the turn around because the wind was blowing so hard it made it feel like it was actually pushing you back towards the finish. Even with the hard winds I still managed to finish at 32:19; 12/21 for my age group. Not bad!

Deer Creek Classic 5K - March 7th - Awesome day to run. Temperature was just right and there was a mild wind. This was a somewhat hilly (small bumps) course from the school through Deer Creek Farms. Nice run and I finished this one in 30:17; 5/18 in my age group. Definitely the fastest I have ever ran a 5K. I felt good afterwards but I would like a little more kick at the end. Hmmmm something to work on.

St. Paddy's Day Great Race of the Great Plains 8K - March 14th - Another cold day but at least we had no wind. Again this race was out by the lake. I set out to do this run thinking that I would like to beat my Frigid Five time or come in around 50:00 but to my surprise I ran this in 48:53! This is my fastest race as well as my fastest pace per mile! I felt so strong after this, that I could accomplish any distance.

So that is what I've been up to lately. March 28th is March in Okarchee. The first duathlon of the year. I'm looking forward to this race. It was my first official race as a multisporter so to go back and bet the time I set last year is definitely a goal. My time was 2:14:57 last year. I'm looking for around a 2 hour finish this year and I think it is doable!

I still haven't seen the scale move much lately. Only four pounds in 11 weeks. I've been looking at different programs and articles and everything I have found says I'm not eating enough compared to the intensity of my workouts. Go figure! I'm scared to each the amount they say (around 2000 calories) although I already had the feeling that my body thinks it is starving itself. I'm almost at the point of just keeping my workouts the way they are and eating what I need to to stay fueled and either the weight and inches will come off or they won't. UGH! I have clothes from last spring that I can't quite fit into and I don't really want to go buy any more......UGH!

Well, here is to your journey. I hope you aren't as frustrated as I am........

Frigid Five 2009

2009-02-16T20:22:00.000-06:00

Well it lived up to its name. It was a balmy 32 degrees Saturday morning when approximately 1000 people started running at the sound of the gun. It was a little crowded for the first 1 to 1 1/2 but it was manageable. I had a slow first mile pace, a little over 11 minutes but I started kicking it in gear and with even the rolling hills I managed an average pace of 10:25! That is almost at my goal of having a sub 30 minute 5K! I proved to myself that I can push myself a little harder and not just hang. Overall, I finished 39/68 for my age group and 234/400 overall women.

Next race is February 28th. I'm running the triple crown. The Triple Crown is three races one weekend after the other. Two of them are 5K and one is an 8K. Then I have a weekend off and then it will be time for my first duathlon, March in Okarche!

On another good note, I lost 2 more pounds. That is a total of 3 pounds in 5 weeks and I've lost 6 inches. I know, some would say really is that all? But I feel good about it. It might not be as fast as I would like but I know I'm working out very hard!

Hope to see you all out on the running trail! Someday I hope to say "Eat my dust"!
Christy

Steady as she goes

2009-02-10T18:25:00.000-06:00

Well scale isn't moving only 1 pound in 4 weeks. I have lost inches though so I should be thankful for that. I feel healthier and I feel skinnier if that makes any sense. Second day without working out though and I start to stress a little. I also tend to go towards food but I think the one thing that is helping today is that I have a cold. So I don't feel like eating a lot. I'm eating just to get by. I have the first race of the season Saturday. It is the Frigid Five (5 miles) that I ran for the first time last year. Actually it was my first race all together. I'm hoping this cold clears up a little by then or I will be pushing myself through it, which is okay. The weather is looking like it will be mild. It should be a good day to run. My official duathlon isn't until March but between now and then I plan on doing about three other runs! I'm excited to get the season started and seeing what I can do. But I need to get a new pair of shoes!!!!!

I'm also proud of my friend at work. She is starting a workout program and is setting a goal of doing a 5K! I'll be there cheering her on. I know she can do it!

Well best get to dinner. Biggest loser is on tonight. I might treat myself to an early bedtime and just relax and watch BL!

Struggling

2009-01-26T17:47:00.000-06:00

Week four of being back on track and I haven't lost a single pound or a single inch! I'm so frustrated. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Of course the intensity of my workouts have increased again or should I say went from occasionally during the week to at least 5 days a week. And they are not 30 minute workouts they are any where from 45-2 hour workouts. I increased my calories thinking that might help. Nada. I added more weight training. Nada. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong.

On top of that I'm reading blogs from my circle of friends. These women are losing weight! UGH! I'm trying to encourage them with a smile. But that smile is sometimes followed with a big huge frown!

So I continue on......

A new start

2009-01-18T17:03:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow starts another round of competing with a group of women that I have known for almost two years. We found each other on the Biggest Loser site and although we aren't on that site any more we have moved over to SparkPeople. Some of come and some of gone but most are still hanging in there. We give each other inspiration or a big chewing out when we need it. Overall we are there for support.

I'm supposed to make a collage of what I want to be or get out of this competition. I need to get busy on that. When I get it done I will post it on here.

Training is going well. I haven't been able to get in the water as much as I want to, but I'm working out the kinks. I haven't dropped any in weight and that is a little discouraging but I think with the increase in intensity of my workouts my body is hanging onto everything, or at least that is what I'm telling myself. Hopefully within this week or next it will start dropping.

So here is to all us Ultimate Girls in starting this competition! Let's rock this joint!!

Christy

If you are talking you are not working hard enough!

2009-01-10T13:20:00.001-06:00

As you can tell by the title I had a run in today during spin. Now mind you I take my training somewhat seriously, I have very little time and I put a lot of effort into what I do to make it count. Quality versus Quantity thing! So there I was this morning in a packed class which the only reason it was packed was because of all the New Year Resolutions, and I"m not knocking people for making good choices or habits, good for them! What annoys me, and did when I taught aerobics class, is talking during class! There was a group of women today that chit chatted through the entire class! UGH! Plus barbie (the girl that teaches the class whom I'm sure is a very nice girl) always ends the class early. UGH! So I throw on my ipod and crank out some more! Geeez! I apologize now if I have offended anyone but talking through class is one of my pet peeves! If you are carrying on a conversation then you aren't working hard enough!

Have a great day!
Christy

Example Week Workout

2009-01-04T19:58:00.000-06:00

Thanks to my wonderful friends I have an awesome training schedule that I know will keep on a great path towards completing my first Olympic distance race.

It comprises of a six day workout: 2 swim, 2 run and 2 bike. So far the bike and run times remain about the same. Both generally are 30-40 minutes at a moderate pace. The swims are what I need the most work on so to even start out with week one swimming 950 metes took my breath away but I got through it with no problem (to my surprise). Now week two I have jumped up to 1050 meters. No problem! Well we will see....

I'm really excited about training again and I'm looking forward to the events. I will keep you posted on how it goes!!

DRINK YOUR WATER! DRINK YOUR WATER! DRINK YOUR WATER! DRINK YOUR WATER!

Christy

2009 Schedule

2008-12-30T15:18:00.000-06:00

With 2009 just around the corner, I have jumped back into training again. A good friend of mine has been so gracious to set up a training schedule that I got today. It so sparked the fire back in me! I'm ready to Rock n Roll! So I thought I would lay out my schedule that I'm thinking of doing or at least thinking of attempting.

February 15th - Frigid 5 (did this last year 2008)

March 29th - MIO (Duathlon 5K/30K/5K) Did this last year!

April 5th - RedBud Classic - last year I did the 5K this year I might do the 10K

April 19th - Spring Fever Tri - Claremore (Did this last year) - this was a horrible race for me last year so I have to go back and set the record straight!

April 26th - OKC Memorial Marathon - Last year I did a relay team this year I'm shooting for a 1/2 Marathon (13.1 miles)

May 24th - Captial of Texas Triathlon - This is will be my first open water swim as well as my first olypmic distance tri (1.5K/40K/10K) - This will also be a Team in Training event (more to come on that)

June 6-7 - Rt 66 Triathlon - depending on how I recover from the Austin triathlon is whether I do the sprint distance or olympic distance

June - OCCC Super Sprint (Did this one last year)

July 12th - Du Draper (Duathlon 5K/24K/5K) - hurt my ankle prior to the race so I volunteered instead

August 16th - Hillapalooza Triathlon (1.5K/40k/10k)

September 20th - Redman Championship Sprint or International Distance Triathlon

October 17th - Fall Classic Du (2K/14K/2K) (Did this one too)

As you can see it is a busy schedule but so doable and they are fun! Hopefully Jim will be able to do some of them too! If that is the case we will just need to find a baby sitter!

So jump on the crazy train with me........
Christy

Starting Over

2008-12-19T20:15:00.000-06:00

I guess it is confessional time. I have gained 20 pounds of the 50 I lost. It took me about a year to loose those pounds and about 5 months to put those 20 back on. I've had a bad attitude towards myself lately but I'm slowly coming to the realization that I need to snap out of it! Stop being dumpy! Stop being frumpy and start taking care of myself. Of course it is never easy around the holidays to start any kind of program but crazy me, I am. I ran yesterday and immediately got a dehydration headache, but was able to get rid of it rather quickly. I'm trying to watch what I eat but not beating myself up if I indulge.

So yes I will join the millions of Americans that every year make a New Year's Eve Resolution, however, I'm starting mine December 26th. I'm hoping a friend of mine will help me with a new training plan so that I can compete in the races I have planned. And his wife and I are going to start holding each other accountable. We are going to meet weekly to discuss what has happened over the week and possibly get a workout in. My goal is to be 20 pounds lighter by our anniversary in April and 10-15 pounds lighter after that by my birthday. Totally doable!

I was talking to my husband the other day about getting a trainer. It is expensive so I'm not too keen on the idea. He said why get a trainer? You know just as much if not more than they do. At the same time he said that a little voice said, "You should get certified". So I'm adding that to my New Year's Resolution List!

I'm also going to implement a clean eating plan. I think the kids will benefit from this as well. I'm going to add a list of goals and hopefully strike them off one by one! To all those that will join in the New Year's Resolution, bring it on!!

Christy

A time for Editing!

2008-11-18T19:55:00.000-06:00

I'm sitting here watching BL and I want to hit Vicki right in the mouth! Oh well what comes around goes around and she caused this on herself. As far as how things are going on my side. I went to Women in Faith this weekend and one of the speakers said that instead of dieting she is editing and I thought that was great. You know just hit the backspace button on the parts you want to edit! Wish it was that easy!

In addition, I got the new race schedule for next year and there is a race about every month starting in February. And they are longer distances. On top of that I'm thinking about joining the team in training and do the Capital of Texas Triathlon that is in May in Austin (of course). It would be my first open water plus my first Olympic distance (1500 meter swim/24 mile bike/6 mile run. Not only is it for a good cause (leukemia/Lymphoma) but I get free training!!! I'm nervous about the swim distance. Not exactly my strongest part but I know with a little work I will do just fine. I just need to remember to relax before I start.

So I'm ready to start my editing! Right now until training starts in January I'm going to work on swimming and running. I want to build my endurance back up in the water plus get my 5K time down. And who knows with getting back into Training Mode I might shed a few more pounds!

Here is to editing......

Frustration

2008-07-09T12:36:00.000-05:00

So I decided to write this down because it has been bothering me quite a bit and has me doubting whether I should even be attempting what I do. I have a new found love of multisport events. We all know this. I started training last year with just a 5K in mind but it rapidly turned into training for my first duathlon and kept going from there. I go to these races watch people come with the expensive gear and then I look at those that are on mountain bikes are just having fun. I guess I fall into the middle.

My frustration lies with being able to juggle everything in life. I have two kids, a full time job that is pretty demanding, church and a marriage. I train when I can, pretty routinely but there are others that seem to drop everything no matter what and train. Or at least that is the way it seems. I'm sure I'm not alone out there but when everyone around you gets in an extra long ride or run and you can't because you have family time or your daughter has a swim meet, it feels like it.

To top it off I can't afford new gear or every race that pops up, but it doesn't mean I don't want to or don't continue to train like I have a huge event coming up. I guess I'm just venting that every situation is different and I should keep reminding myself that I'm doing what I can and having fun. I'm sure there is some fellow multisport athlete in the same boat as I am and would appreciate an email or phone call when they need a partner.....may be some day we will cross paths.

OCCC Super Sprint Triathlon

2008-06-16T14:05:00.000-05:00

OCCC was a great improvement from Claremore. No I didn't get #302, I got #172, but I did that on purpose. I was right were I needed to be for the swim part. Of course when I walked in Friday afternoon my stomach did a flip flop! Anxiety set in again...but I told myself you can do this, your a triathlete (or at least a wanna be). Anyway, my husband was great support Friday night and Saturday morning. With his encouragement we got there right at 6:00am and I'm glad we did. I was able to get a good transition spot walk through in my head my routine and even warm up. I'm glad I jumped in the pool just to get the butterflies out of the way. It wasn't too long after the start that I got in (about 30 mins) and this time I had properly fueled/hydrated myself. Took it nice and easy on the swim, and to my amazement, I felt really good in the water. My husband told me I could have probably gone faster though. What does he know, but I think he was right! When I train I don't push myself on the swim part.

Out of the water off to T1 and surprisingly I felt great! Off I go on the bike...I was cruising. I don't have a cadence monitor on my bike but I know I was cruising pretty fast. I bought a Aerodrink bottle and I'm glad I did because I stayed very well hydrated on the bike course. I usually forget to drink but with it staring me in my face how could I not remember but to drink.

Came back in T2 and off I went on the run. For the first time my legs didn't feel tired (just tight) and I was able to set a pretty good pace (for me at least) after I let them stretch a little. I pushed myself at the end because I was hoping to be under 1:30, but I finished faster than at Claremore. Overall I'm very proud at my finish time. I know where I need to improve but I had fun and that is all that counts!

Such a slacker!

2008-05-29T11:18:00.000-05:00

Okay I decided not to do the El Reno race because the swim terrifies me. I know at least that I could hang onto the side of the pool if I needed to and I'm not quite sure if I could rest enough treading the water. So instead I'm volunteering on the bike course so I can cheer my girl Brit on and those other fellow club members. I'm totally jealous though and very down on myself. I know life does get in the way and that there are other races but it still sucks that I'm on the sidelines!

Next tri is the OCCC Sprint Tri with a 500m pool swim. I know I might not get a lot of pool time in on this one either but at least I'm in the pool. Then there is a du and then the Lighthouse Tri which is another 500m pool swim. Hopefully by then I can hook up with a coach to help me on my stroke and I will feel more confident.

Getting back into the groove of training has been difficult. I have gained a few pounds but I'm trying not to let that get me down. I just need to remind myself that this is my first year in the multisport world and with two races down I'm doing pretty good.

The troubles with travel

2008-05-22T12:00:00.000-05:00

Greetings from California!

This is my third trip in a month, yes a month! At first I kept up with my training pretty well. I ran while I was in Charlotte, during the week I was home and then......I became a slug! What is up with that? Of course there is a lot going on in my life, personal issues that I won't bore you to tears on. I was also frustrated that I didn't do the F1 Tornado Alley race here in Edmond. My friend Britney did and she did awesome (as usual!). I should have been there. Now there is another race at the end of the month that has a OWS (open water swim) and since my Claremore race was not real good with a pool swim, I'm just not sure I should do it. I'm not concerned with the bike or run, but that swim. AAAGGGHHH!!! I know being a new triathlete that I should expect to do every race but I feel like such a slacker.

I'm headed home tomorrow. I'll be home for a week and then another trip but I'm not going to slack any more. Even if I don't do this race at the end of the month there are others that I"m going to shoot for!

Spring Fever Triathlon

2008-04-21T15:04:00.000-05:00

My first tri too, although I thought doing MIO last month would prepare me for any pre-race anxiety and what not BUT HELL NO! Arrived the night before, checked out where the race once and saw the famous "hill" everyone was talking about. I felt good, no problem right?!

Race morning came, got there went to check in and because I put myself in turtle slow category for swimming there was no packet made up for me. At this point my heart skipped and anxiety started creeping itself into my head. They gave me #302; little did I know that I was literally at the back of the pack. So I got to watch many of my fellow Tri-OKC member’s swim and I cheered them on, meanwhile about 1 1/2 later I finally got in the pool. By this time there were very few spectators and I felt like a big fat loser! So of course my anxiety went through the roof.

For only being in the pool "training" about 4-5 times, 15 minutes was not bad?? Coming out of the pool I checked my HR and it was 225, and I felt it. I will have to admit that I was almost in tears (you all probably think I'm some type of emotional dork) because I realized that almost everyone was done and would be way done before I even got to the run. But I tried to remind myself that I was racing the clock not anybody else. Got through T1 a little slow but I was trying to catch my breath finally off on the bike, wind didn't seem so bad and then I saw the hill.

Up the hill I go, those that know me know I have an older bike that doesn't give me the best gearing options, but I made it up and off I went. HR was still above 200 never could get it to come down even though I tried deep breathing and all. Came to the turn around and about the pace I wanted to be and then I hit the WIND! Yes when you don't start until two hours after everyone else you hit the wind. So let's just say my bike ride SUCKED for me! Slower than I wanted but it was a fun ride back down the hill.

T2 was better, off I go steady pace. Legs a little tired but not bad. And then stars starting appearing before my eyes. Yes I almost passed out, so I walked a little to regroup. Never could get my HR to come down. Started running again being pushed by my little cheering squad (Thanks Chap and Stephanie). Finally came to the last bend and I kicked it a little wanting to look good even though I felt bad and I crossed! I can finally call myself a triathlete! I always think it is cool to watch the people cross the finish line with tears in their eyes, I actually find myself tearing up with them (I know I'm an emotional wreak) and I felt tears coming on but suppressed them because I wanted to look strong! Couldn't be a complete dork!

All in all it was a great experience. I know now that I did not refuel properly throughout the race. The fact that I waited so long to swim did not help with the nutrition part, my anxiety or anything else. But I will do it again next year and I'm definitely hooked on the sport! Now I just need to decide if I want to do Tornado Alley and the El Reno Sprint or just El Reno.

Red Bud 5K 2008

2008-04-07T16:52:00.001-05:00

We leave for the race about an hour and 1/2 ahead of start because this is a popular event and we wanted to find parking towards the finish line. We get there, dd is already whining because she as done something to her foot and it is hurting. Darling husband's blood pressure escalates I'm sighing going I wish I came by myself. The shuttle bus from the finish to the start is full, by this time we have about 40 minutes till start, so like a lot of people we start walking (mind you it is about a mile to the start line). All the way daughter is complaining.....my darling husband tells me to go on ahead but I figured I was going to start towards the back anyway so we are good. We get up to the start, I have to pee like a race horse (sorry for the visual), I take care of that (by the way if you ever do these races there is always a line at the porta potties).

Let me set the day, it is a beautiful sunny 70 degree Sunday afternoon. The announcer is announcing the rules (no headphones, slower runners to the right, etc...). We have to split off at this moment, I go to the right to line up, while the rest of the family goes to the left because they start after us. I'm taking my time trying to get towards the back when BANG!!! the guns goes off everyone starts running. I just wait to the side until I can find a hole and I start running. I cross over the start line (after a good 2 minutes) and my timing chip beeps. I'm off at a good pace, we round the corner and over the 4 lane road there are tons of people. I mean curb to curb people...it was awesome....a sea of white shirts....Up the hill we go, I'm already passing people because of course some are walking, some are slower pace and some have already expended their energy. Up, up we go.....finally we level off for a while feeling real good but wishing I had wore a tank top instead of my shirt. Oh well....down the hill we go passing people, elbowing people, apologizing...we turn towards the left and start running through the neighborhood which will be the majority of our race. I'm still feeling good I check my HR I'm in the 80% thershhold, right were I want (I"m trying to get faster). First water stop, 1/2 way....I grab a water, avoid the water hose that someone is spraying (I didn't want to be too wet) I'm drinking on the run, drop the cup and pick up my pace again. Pass a father and dad team talk with them for a little bit.....keep going. Round the corner start heading back towards the finish line......feeling good and there it is 1K to go. This women comes up besides me and says we can do it. And that is when it hits me.....I'm almost done the second wind kicks and I pick my pace again. Check the HR doing good round a couple of corners pass some more walkers and then the final corner. I look up and the finish line is at top of the hill. I look over to my right and tell the lady that was running with me, let's GO! We are almost there!!! Off we go straight sprint up the hill. I end up pulling away from her. I hear the announcer I kick it up more, push, push, push. It flatens out and I see the line, I cross as my timing chip beeps and I run into the guy that decided to stop right there!

All good though. I check my watch and I"m under 30 minutes!!!! I'm waiting for the official time but I'm pretty sure I'm probably around 29 minutes! Grab my medal head to water spot and then wait for my family to cross with the stroller/walkers. All in all I felt good!

Update

2008-04-04T15:06:00.000-05:00

I wanted to start a journal about my experiences training and in this new sport I found. For those that don't know I completed my first duathlon (5K run/30K bike/5K run) on the 9th of March. Completed in 2hours 14 minutes, not bad, my goal was 2 hour completion. And now I'm gearing up for my first triathlon in Claremore (400 yd swim/12 mile bike/2 mile run). I'm addicted already to this multisport!!!

Let me just give you some background. A year ago this month I was 50 pounds overweight, worked too long, ate too much etc. I started blogging with a group of women off of the Biggest Loser Club website and through challenges with them have managed to not only lose all that weight but I'm healthier, toner and more fit. About 7 months ago I started running with the goal of running a 5K. I never did run that 5K, chickened out but what I found was new love of running. With my new fit body I ventured into a spin class at the YMCA and guess what I fell in love with that too. Mind you prior to have two babies I used to lift weights, mountain bike etc so it wasn't like this was new to me. I started talking to Becky (the instructor) and she gave me the idea of signing up for a race. I have always loved the thought of completing a triathlon. So I changed my routine and started training for the race in March.

Now I get bummed if I can't train. I'm reading all I can about the sports, talking with people, dreaming about a new bike, etc.....I plan on posting how training is going and how the races go. Plus how I"m fitting it all in with my family. Luckily my family has been supportive of me so far.....

Next race is Sunday. Husband suggested I go run the 5K while he took the kiddos in the 2mile Fun Walk. After that it will be heads down until the Spring Tri on the 20th. So far training on the bike and run part is going good. Just bought a new pair of running shoes....swimming on the other hand needs some work.....I'll keep you posted!