Disclaimer: This
blog is a documentation of my now second Ironman Journey for AZ Ironman
2013. Format will be random, i.e. quick journal format, random thoughts,
motivational quotes, pictures of random moments and memories along my journey.
For the most part, it’s documentation for me and may not be to exciting for
anyone else to read, but for those of you brave enough to ever wonder…could I
do an Ironman or even just a triathlon? I then offer you a firsthand
account of what goes on in the mind of an Ironman age group triathlete
including all the highs, lows, emotions, fears, rants, etc, etc. Please forgive any spelling mistakes as I’m sure I am just happy
to get everything written down, just chalk it up to fatigue from lots of
training!
Also, please note, pictures
will be posted at a later date. I’m
currently not able to download at this time. And the entries will most likely
be short and sweet as I’m in the moving stages at the beginning of this time
moving to Montana, and the end I’m sure,
moving back to AZ. Whew!!! Crazy
Month!!!
Current Stats Overall:
SWIM: ~134,112
Yds
BIKE: ~ 810.49
Miles
RUN: ~ 270.95 Miles
Strength: ~ 23:55 hr/min
Other ~
10:51 hr/min ( PT, Stretch, etc. )
Total Training Hours: 210:21
hours/minutes
Week One – July 8th-14th
, 2013
So, It Begins. I’m 19 weeks out from AZ Ironman
2013. I begin my first week of training
with Team FC. I think the hardest
challenge of this first week was switching from “timed” training, to “distance”
training. When I normally used to
swimming for an hour in the pool .Now it’s switched up and I only swim 2000
yds. And here I was all proud of my
first ever 4000 yd swim. And I swim ONLY 2000 yds.? It takes like :45 minutes.
I’m not even in the pool an hour? That
was a tough transition for me so far. It has been hard for me to “ stop” at that distance. Focus though is changing to intensity, and not necessarily volume. I need to trust the process, I'm looking for something different to make my time better this year. Doing the same program won't do much, so it's time to mix it up!
My run is
nonexistent, I really haven’t been able
to even test out my shiny “bright” blue shoes yet. They just sit there and
taunt me. “Put me on Kristie…let’s go for a run Kristie” . So I broke down and
ran for 30 minutes “easy” in them on the weekend. AFTER I did my PT exercises,
getting some rather unique stares I’m sure from the Y crowd as I blew into my
balloon lying on the yoga mat in the corner. But I don’t care, if I need to do
them before I run, then so be it. I’m going to do exactly what I need to do to
get better. No time for looking
silly, if it works, I’m not knocking it.
My bike is the one thing
that seemed good this week. On Tuesday I did my Time Trial. I had to do it on
the trainer in the end, so it may not be 100% accurate, but it’s the best I
could do. My average HR was 155 for a 20
minute test. Which then gave me my heart
rate Zones for my training for Endurance, Tempo, Threshold, Aerobic Power, and
Anaerobic Capacity. The challenge that I
seem to have, is if I’m not on a trainer, it’s really hard to control my heart
rate. I always seem to ride in my Threshold levels…due to having a really hilly
course I ride. And I can’t seem to keep it low in the endurance zone, unless
I’m on a trainer. I’m going to have to
work on that.
What I do like about
this new training plan is that the main focus is on my bike, then run, then
swim. But even with me not being able to do much with the run. I know that my
bike helps carry over on the run. So that should help when I finally am able to
get back into running.
I also am in my final
stages of packing. As of Week Two , my first two days are going to be spent
driving to Montana.
Week Two July 15-21st, 2013
Yep, Driving to Montana.
1200 miles from AZ to Billings MT with two dogs, and lots of rain. I made it my
first night to Salt Lake City. My first
two days were my day off day, and one of my running days, that I can’t do
anyway with my leg. I pulled in late on Tuesday night and got settle in to my
new “home away from home”. I headed into work on Wed. got all my orientation stuff
completed, my keys, my id badge, orientation to the paper work, and was ready
to go.
I got out at regular
time, and headed over to the YMCA and got my “pass” as a “away visitor” to swim
at the Y. It’s kinda like swimming in a tomb, but it’s free, so I don’t care. I
got in my short and sweet workout. But I was tired.
Which I think “jetlag” if you will set in for me on Thursday. I got out of work
with the intention of running over to the bike shop for directions for some
good safe rides in town, then head back to home and rest for the night. I ended
up getting home late, chatting with Teri for a bit and not getting much rest as
I had hoped for. The time change keeps me all out of whack lately.
In fun news. I have
OFFICALLY signed up for IRONMAN Boulder! The first Ironman Race in Boulder. I
debated on doing that or CDA. But the timing makes it better for an August
race. And this gives me 8 months from AZ Ironman to train with recovery mixed
in til at least March/April if necessary. I’m happy with my choice. A bit
freaking out with the hills and 3000 plus elevation change. But I guess if you’re
going to face your fear, you might as well go big right? I also will have my WA crew to hang with and
cheer with.
Friday, I finished my
work and once again, had every intention of heading over to the Y to get my
swim in. I came home, I changed, I sat down up stairs, and fell asleep on the
floor in the back room. After I woke up around 9:00 PM, I had dinner, watched a
movie. And went to bed.
Saturday I still felt
pretty tired, I woke up late. Due to no sun in my basement room, but I know
it’s temporary. I got my butt out of bed, and got all my bike gear packed and
in the Escape. I headed over to the start of my ride. A 40 mile loop out into
Montana “country”. I was a bit nervous as it was a new ride. I decided just to get in the 40 miles, my
training plan was already crap for the week, so it wasn't necessary to kill
myself. What a beautiful ride. All
rolling hills, except for that 12 % grade. That was killer. And in the
humidity! I didn't think Montana was so humid? Or hot? High 90s? with the
humidity? I forgot how that drains you. A lot!
I made it back to the Escape, with just barely enough water to
spare. Only had one possible wipeout,
when I was “looking at the scenery” and rolled off the bike path onto the dirt, but I saved it!! One thing that I was
impressed with is all the “trails” setup
for bikes, there are over 32 miles of bike/hike/walking trails in this city.
Very cool!!! I was happy to ride on that
for awhile to start my bike ride. And even when I went off it and on the road.
All the cars were respectful to the cyclists, and walkers. Imagine that
concept. That alone, makes me happy to be here.
But the REALLY awesome part, was when I got done with my bike ride. I
was thinking I needed food. And as I was scanning the parking lot. I was
greeted with a CUPCAKE shop!!!
How
fricking cool!!! So of course, once all
packed up…I headed over and proceeded to select three yummy cupcakes. Don’t Judge!
I burned 1800 calories. And I have not been doing good with my nutrition
here as of yet. I’ve been severely under in calories, which I think explains some
of my fatigue. I also am not drinking enough water. So, Vanilla Raspberry, Wedding Cake, and
Salted Carmel were my choices. I thought
they were all butter cream. Much to my dismay, the Vanilla Raspberry was
Whipped. Oh well, it was still pretty darn good. I’m happy to say that I still
have one left. A day later J . the rest of my day I ran a few more errands,
got dog food, etc. and headed home to shower, relax, and then headed out to
explore a bit of Billings. I ended up
heading over to Lake Elmo State Park, found a dog park.
Talked to the
people putting on the Big Sky State Games Triathlon the next day. (I tried to
sign up, but it was closed ) So Then I
headed home and drove up on the Rims for a scenic over view of Billings at
sunset. Got a few pics. Plan to come
back and run on this amazing trail up on the Rims. Really ? How cool is that I tell you? So cool. Mtn biking should be fun too!!! Headed home, and relaxed on the couch for a
bit. Watched another movie. The most I've done in Months I might add.
On Sunday, I could tell
I was pretty sore from the ride yesterday. And as usual knowing I wasn't making
my training plan. I slept in. once I got up and around, I headed over to Two
Moons State Park and did a little hike to a place called Weeping Walls.
Which
was and 80 foot wall with weeping water running down it. That unfortunely
wasn’t that exciting; the trail was unique with the different vegetation, as
was the Point ending at Yellowstone River.
Now, the five foot snake on the other hand. I was NOT happy with. I
literally was inches away from stepping onto the middle part of this snake. I
really don’t know how I missed it. And I’m happy that it didn't react and kept
just moseying on across the trail like I wasn't there. Whew!! Mini heart attack
I tell ya!! By this time, I’m regretting
that I didn't buy bug spray yet. As I forgot how spoiled we are in AZ with no
bugs. I was sweating nicely from the 90
degree heat, and the humidity. And maybe the snake. But back at the Escape, I headed over to fill
up with gas, and headed out 60 ish miles to Little Bighorn Battlefield.
My first visit to a National Park on this
trip. I even bought a National Park Pass, as I plan to hit up several more
along the way. Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, etc. So I’m sure I’ll have it
paid for before I even get home. Then it will be helpful when we head to
Yosemite in September as well.
NICE!!! I got home after 6 pm,
took a hot shower, and got ready to begin week Two at my “job”. I’m so grateful for this experience. I know
that my priority is Work, then training, then exploring. Let’s see how the next two weeks of training
goes as I just got them emailed to me. Lot’s of bike and run. Just a few swims. I’ll have to rearrange so I
can focus on weekends to explore the area.
J here’s to a better Week
Three. PT in 2x a day. Get in all I can, minus the run times, grrr. Got my
recovery drink coming in the mail tomorrow as well as my r loop for PT exercises.
Week Three July 22-28th 2013
Well, with determined
resolve to get myself back on track this week with training. I was on the bike once I got home on Monday.
I have been choosing to do the shorter intervals on the bike, as I can really
focus better on my heart rate zones, etc. I setup in my room and went for it.
I got in 16 miles on the bike. But stayed in my heart rate zones. I felt good, but by the time I finished it
was too late to get to the Y for my swim. So I only got in my ride tonight. Tuesday I decided to jump on the treadmill at
the house (bless Teri!) and get in my run. Again, I have not been doing
anything related to the heart rate zones training, but I was just happy to be
able to run for an hour, with 2 min walking, and 5 minutes jog at a 12 mile /hr
pace. Not great, but better than nothing, so I’ll take it! I did my PT
exercises just before I ran so it didn't hurt as much, but I know I still have
to be careful. I iced the crap out of my leg/hip when I was done. Wednesday I swam at the Y after work. I got
in my 2400 yd workout. I at least had some company this time, I wasn't the lone
soul in the lap pool for an hour. It was nice to know other people swim. I was
also attacked by the cleaning hose!! LOL apparently it was cleaning time, and
although I was told it was okay to swim, They (the people cleaning the pool)
kept getting in my lane, and I kept swimming into the hose while they cleaned.
At least they were nice about it. Thursday I got back on my bike for a 17 mile
ride with the training. I have to say, I really like doing these sessions with
the Threshold levels, vs endurance. I can feel that I’m getting stronger on the
bike, that or it’s just the elevation keeping me from feeling like a wimp.
Friday, I was back on the trainer for a hour run. PT exercises before of
course, but just getting time in. I had to force myself to not push it til 1:20
to get in the time. Better to stop now and cont to heal, then push and cause
any setbacks. 4.5 miles.
Saturday, I choose to
make this my off day, as I make a “quick” trip down to the Beartooth Highway,
over the Pass, into Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons, then back home via Cody, WY.
Whew. The Pass was amazingly beautiful! And it was HIGH!!!
I have to admit, I’m not afraid of heights,
but some of those hairpin turns, where you can’t see, but KNOW it’s a several
1000 foot drop less than 5 feet from you separated only by a wimpy metal guard
rail, well, it tends to get the heart pumping.
I did manage to brave a few pics along the way, but I was almost at a
dead stop as I took them so I could concentrate on the road. Then before I knew it I was up on top of the
Pass, cruising over the Montana-Wyoming State line and cruising down and around more fun curves and right up to a stop
light. Where I sat for 30 min in the middle of all this beauty while I watched
construction on the “road” for awhile. I chatted it up a bit with some bikers
behind me headed back to Sturgis. Finally, we were on our way, and continued
heading out to Yellowstone. I stopped off in Cooke City to find out traffic info
as I heard the Pass was closed from there out from a sign. But I was assured it
was all open. So I headed on into the North East end of Yellowstone. I handed
them me Annual Pass (yeah, half paid for J) and headed out for the Grand Loop. While
driving I got to see Buffalo on the range, and cross in front of me as well. I
then got on the Grand Loop and headed up to Mammoth Hot Springs. And De Ja Vu was hitting me as I watched a
school bus in front of me, then a truck with a trailer behind it. Imagine my
surprise when I saw MI plates!!! I was trying to convince myself that I knew
the Jack town Packers were done. Then I saw the school bus…Hudsonville School
District. Man, how weird! I tried to find some of the people while I was there
to ask them about their trip, but I didn’t see them anywhere for the short time
I visited.
Next I headed on down
the road to head down toward Grand Prismatic Spring, and then Old Faithful. I
have to remember that mountain driving is way different then AZ driving. I pretty
much had to double my drive time with what I’m used too. I got to Midway Geyser Basin, and hiked up to
see the Grand Prismatic Spring. It was over 300 feet wide, Beautiful colors of
Orange/Red, Yellow, and Blue. I was completely in love with the colors and
textures of this area. I only wish the sun was out to get a better view of it.
But I guess that just makes it more fun for the next trip right? I then headed another long drive to Old
Faithful. And got passport stamp #2 of the trip!! Checked out Old Faithful, the history of
Yellowstone, and then headed out for Grand Tetons. It was already 5pm. I was a
bit concerned about time, so when I got to the South Entrance and saw I was not
that far away, I was content to head out for it. I when about 30 miles into
Grand Tetons, passing beautiful Jackson Lake with the Tetons in the back
ground. I got some great shots in the clouds, but I can only imagine how
amazing they would be in the sun. I got down to the Visitor’s Center by 6:30
pm. I had 30 min to spare for getting my passport book stamped with not only
Grand Tetons..but the Rockefeller Memorial Highway. So I got two!!! Three
stamps for today! Nice!!! I then got a
few trinkets for myself and for the nieces and nephews. And spoke with the guy
at the center for the quickest way back home to Billings. After I got a look
(like wow, your crazy), he told me I should drive back up to Yellowstone, head
out the East Entrance to Cody WY, and head up from there. Well, I headed out
and picked up a few essentials from the grocery story there. Lots of Moose
stuff and I thought of my good friend who likes moose. Then I headed out about
7:30 PM. I made it to Cody Wyoming by
10:30 ish. It was about 130 miles from
where I was. Yep, I should never estimate travel time, when I’m not used to
driving through mountains. Needless to say, I made it back home just before 1
AM in the morning. What a long trip, but so much fun! I’ll need to head on down
through the Tetons again on my way home so I can at least get a full run
through the Tetons. Sunday I woke up to
a sunny morning. I promptly let the dogs out, and laid back down for a
“recovery nap” from the long day yesterday. I woke later… and headed down town
to check it out, only to learn most shops are closed, so I wondered a bit and
got some photos of downtown, I’ll come back when most shops are open so I can
browse. Came home, washed laundry, cleaned,
called home. Then went over to the coffee shop and relaxed for a bit and got
connected to the WiFi for free, had some yummy coffee, downloaded pictures to jump
drive and posted some photos of my fun weekend. My bike ride for today didn’t
happen, I was a total slacker. Total Slacker….But when do I have the chance to
just hang out and relax. This really is my one and only day. As next weekend I
work, and Sunday I hike Mystic Lake with some coworkers. (I have the Bear
Spray!) and then before I know it, I’m going to be packing up and heading home.
I needed this day to savor and relax.
Enough said!
Week Four July 29th -Aug
4th, 2013
This week started off better. I was
on my bike and got in a good workout on my trainer. I seem to do better on my
trainer when I need to focus on heart rate zones. I did 5 x 5 min in THRESHOLD
which was a hopping good pace, 16 to 17mph in “Threshold” on the trainer. Then ENDURANCE the rest of the time. I then managed to get the dogs walked for a
good 20 minutes, and headed over to swim at the Y for 1650 yd (43 min) for Short
and Fast 1500 yds. It felt easier today, I’m not sure why. For the first time
this last two weeks, I’m finally starting to feel like I’m getting settled into
a routine. Which is nice because I was feeling off and like I wasn’t getting in
the stuff I needed to in order to feel like I was training well. Thank Goodness
I can feel that way. Recovery drink also on board. Relaxed with a movie to end
the night with dogs next to me.
Tuesday rolled around and I was on
the treadmill again, slow and steady was the game plan. Frustrated that I still
have to go at a slow ass pace. A two minute walk and a five minute run. But I
was able to stick to my 12 min pace on the run, and actually got up to 11 for
maybe a minute or two. But I was good and toned it down the minute it started
to hurt.
Wednesday was tough to get myself to the
Y to swim. I just wanted to curl up and sleep, but I got over there, and got in
my 2400 yds. Two good things happened. I made it through, even though I felt
tired. One, it was my fastest time yet
for 2400 yds. And two, when I went to do my PT exercises, I didn’t feel sore at
the start or end of them. I actually
felt normal. Let’s see how it feels on my treadmill run tomorrow.
Thursday was a bust…I took it as an
off day. I was just plain tired. Friday I was on the trainer for two hours, got
in my workout, but my heart wasn’t in it. Got dogs walked at least. Saturday I worked. I had some awesome evals
that I’m not used to. So that was kinda cool.
Sunday I skipped my workout for a
cross training workout for a 12. 5 mile hike to Mystic Lake with 1200 feet of
elevation gain. That was pretty darn cool. I loved the entire hike, I was doing
my best to soak in every ounce of beauty and the smells, the sights, the
sounds. It was so peaceful, and just peaceful. My hip did start hurting once we
got to Island Lake, but thankfully, I got a good ice bath for a good 15
minutes. Then we headed back. Got to pick wild huckleberries, caught in a rain
storm. Just the ultimate perfect day. It’s been a while since I’ve felt at
peace. The mtns and water does that for me. That should be a sign. Don’t you
think?
