Disclaimer: This
blog is a documentation of my now second Ironman Journey for AZ Ironman 2013.
I’m doing this race for a former patient, Sunny, who recently passed away this
summer from a brain tumor. I hope that I can honor her well as I take her on my
journey. 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!
Current Stats Overall:
SWIM: ~171,412
Yds
BIKE: ~ 1305.56
Miles
RUN: ~
380.61 Miles
Strength: ~ 24:55
hr/min
Other
~ 11:06 hr/min (PT, Stretch, etc. )
Total Training Hours:
285:19 hours/minutes
Monday’s training was a swim and a
bike. I was out of work late due to a busy schedule and got to the Y just around 5pm. I felt better with my swim
which I attribute to getting a snack in about 1 ½ hour before swimming. I swam 1800 yds. I ran a quick errand on the way
home, and was on my bike trainer by 7:30 ish.
Whew…new zones were kicking my butt on the trainer. I had to really work
at it for the Threshold Levels. I finished around 9 pm. Mondays are by far my hardest day. Between
work and training, I’m so tired. I ate dinner by 9:30 PM and was ready for bed.
Tuesday I did my first run with my
new heart rate zones. It was nice to run 7 miles with ½ repeats and still feel
I had more in the tank. I had to actually hold myself back because I was going
to fast. A true test of my training as my coach informed me later. So I must be
doing something right. It was also nice to run with that fresh fall air. Except
it was light when I started and it got dark to fast. So I finished in the dark
with no safety gear. I solved that
problem as I ordered a Slaplit from NiteIze.
It’s pretty cool, I wish we had these for Ragnar when we did it a few
years ago. Of course I wish there was another color, since I'm not a fan of red. I may have to take this with me for Ironman
as they want you to be “reflective” after dark. Guessing my braces won’t be
enough reflection this time.
Wednesday I was so tired at work that I had to not let
myself sit down for fear of falling asleep. I
did my snack again before swimming. I felt better, but not great. I got
in my 3300 yds with a good pace, but had to once again, add the pull buoy for
the 7 x200 for every other one. I struggled to get it all done. But focused on
form and made it. I picked up some food and headed home. Went to sleep very early tonight.
Thursday the plan was for a long 2
hour run at Marathon/Easy pace. I brought all my stuff with me to work and headed out to Iron King Trail after I was done ,
and it was just past 4 pm. Nutrition, I’m
trying out some different nutrition called Osmo. So far I like it. I had to layer up, and add a headlamp due to
the previous Tuesday run. Did I mention the winds were about 25 mph.
That was going to be a test. I actually
felt decent, If the winds weren't so strong, I probably would of going in more
miles. But since they were so strong, there wasn't many people on the trail. (2
on bikes) so when I got deep in the Dells,
my mind was freaking out a bit about Mountain lions and remembering the
story of my one friend who ran into one there by himself. I was suddenly
wishing I had a small gun strapped to my side. At least it would of made me
feel safe. I turned around at the 5 mile mark and headed home. I finished at
2:00 with 10 miles. My longest run to date since my injury. It wasn't pretty,
but I finished. My hip was hurting a bit though. And so were my shins. I was however rewarded with a beautiful sunset!!!
I ran to
the store, got groceries, and headed home to make stuffed bell peppers. It’s
really not an addiction when its healthy…right?
Of course it goes well with a Sam Adams Octoberfest Beer. YUMMMMMMM.
Friday I woke late for work, but made
it barely. I was bone tired. I was
hoping to get in a workout that night after work, but I had to pick up stuff for
my good friends Baby shower I was hosting tomorrow. So after I picked up the balloons, and the
beautiful cake, I headed over to the house and we got stuff ready for the next
day, decorated, food prep, etc. By the time I got home. I was so tired, I took
my shower and was asleep. So much for getting in my workout, it became a rest
day.
Saturday I must of still been feeling
the effects of the very long week. I was planning to get up and get to the pool
for my swim workout by 7 AM. I never made it. As a matter of fact, The CEO of my hospital called for the address when
I woke up at 10 AM. I got
ready and ran to get more balloons, and get to the house to finish any things
by noon. The shower was great, My friend looked so beautiful.The best moment of
the day was when her hubby and her were opening up gifts, and he pulled out a
mini Adidas workout fit in blue with the white stripes. This is when he lost
it. It was so sweet. They are going to make amazing parents, I’m so happy for
them. While it may not be in the cards for me to ever have kids. I’m going to
relish having lots of nieces and nephews
to spoil. As the party wrapped up, we
got everything cleaned up and I was home by 7 and on my trainer for a 2 hour
ride. I finished around 9 ish, ate dinner, and was in bed pretty quick.
Sunday I had a plan for being up and
on the road by 7 am. Well once again, I kept sleeping; my Rise and Shine
Motivational video/speech didn’t work. I was just so tired. But it worked out
for the best, because I should be on the road later in the day for simulation
of race day.
The bike workout was Intervals. Once
warmed up, I had to do 10 min in Endurance, 15 min in Tempo, 5 min in
Threshold, and 5 easy spin. Repeat 4 times. Finish in Endurance with 90 +
cadence. Well, I was for some reason thinking this would be a piece of cake.
Whew. That was a major feat. I think all the week caught up with me, and I was
dying by the second repeat. I had to get on more nutrition, and fluids. And was
wishing I had a Coke. I did power thru and thankfully the winds were only 7
mph. I made it home right on time but it was a struggle to keep it at 90
cadence and in Endurance for the ride home. I then headed out on my 6 mile run. It started
out fine, I had to slow down my pace. I
ran up the hill to my water tower by my subdivision, and then around my neighborhood.
I was fine til I hit mile 3, I began to bonk. I took a Power Gel, and started
to feel a bit better, but I was almost out of water, so I made a quick run into
the clubhouse to refill before heading home. I did have to slow the pace down,
but I sure felt like I was going slow. SO it must still be a good testament to
my training and it’s going right. I got
in my recovery drink very quick. Hot shower and compression recovery socks. Man
I wish I could afford the full leggings because I feel so good even with just the
lower legs. One day…
This week was rough, I knew it going to be, so I was able to keep my cool for the most part. But I still really need to
work more on nutrition. I can’t seem to get a good grasp on it. I was pretty
emotional this week too. But happy to report, no redline moments. That is a good thing
for me. Now to keep it that way.
The only person who is
Truly holding you back is
You. No more excuses. It’s
Time to change. It’s time to
Live life at a new Level.
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