Last day's of sanity

This is so true... ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!

After missed training rides, falls, a DNS, I was worried I would get a DNF here.  The course was brutal for my standards (which are pretty low).

Leading up to the race day we had some time to review the bike course. It rained the whole ride but we had some idea of how it was going to be... TOUGH!! The roads were open and at times desolate. There were some climbs and a u-turn (oh great). One section looks pretty smooth, little did I know it was a FALSE FLATS. Just around mile 100 there was a nice down hill only to be met by a sharp left turn to tackle the Three Sisters, that by that time of the race I knew why they were called the Three Bitches.

We spent time at Ironman Village checking out the booths and found the FREE massages and Active Release booth.  I took advantage of getting some extra AR in my neck and that helped to relax me and get me ready.

Of coarse we also shopped. Bought several Boulder IM gear, but nothing that said finisher, as that doesn't go on sale until AFTER the race. So for now, just buying what looks good and what I'll be willing to wear even if I don't finish (yes that thought still lingers in my head but you never know).

The boys eventually arrived and we went on road trips to the Rocky Mountains and The Stanley (AKA The Shining House). We had a good time, and it helped relax me, for that moment.

My emotions were in such a roller-coaster. I would sit laugh and have fun, then be alone and start to cry over nothing. I was so worried that the fall would come back to haunt me. How can I actually do this. I started to do the math to see what were my cut-off and how I had to do this to make it to the finish by 17 hours.  I knew midnight was the final time, but I was hoping to start early in the swim, which although it gave me added time to get to the finish by midnight, it didn't give me extra time from the 17 hour cut off.

Is anyone sleeping.. I know I'm not...

Is anyone eating... I know I'm not...

Does everyone else feel like this? or is it just me?

Will I be rested enough to get thru this race? I don't think so.

Can I really do this? I sure hope so

What if I can't make the ride? The bike scares me sooo much!!!

Oh damn... 1 more day!!! 1 more day!!! 1 more day!!!

Road to Boulder... Here at last

WOW I can't believe it.


Boulder is next weekend.

I've put in the hours and the miles and here I go.

Roxy has been on her way with my bike/swim gear.

I've packed and repacked my gear. Checked my flight information. Contacted the house. Everything seems to be in order.

Last few visits with Dr. Kelly and a few more sessions of dry needling and massage and I should be as ready as I should be.

Looking forward to have Christin with me on the flight from Chicago to Denver.  Then we'll get Stephanie and head to the house.  The boys will be getting there later in the week, so this should give us some time to get settled in, check out Ironman Village and wait for our bikes to arrive.

I'm so nervous I can't sleep, I can't eat. I want to run but I must taper.  This is most important for this race.

I've put in the hours and the miles... I'm ready to go!!!

DNS is a hard pill to swallow

After a week of feeling like I was a failure.

After a week of feeling like I couldn't go on.

After a week of realizing that I may never fulfill dreams I never once thought possible.

After a week, I finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

People who I didn't expect to be there for me where there. People who I thought would have reached out to me to comfort me didn't. I now knew who I can count on and how was just there.  I had so much support from past Ironmen. So much good advice and options on what to do next so I couldn't miss out on Boulder.

The hardest pill to swallow was that I would not be able to compete at Muncie 70.3.  Taking Nick's advice, I used this weekend to get in my long bike ride.  I adjust a few other training sessions and he said that should put me back on track.  In the end it was a smart move, as the girls decided to head up to Lake Andrea for an OWS and when I tried to put on my bathing cap I almost doubled over in pain. Then I just had the fear that someone was going to kick me in the face and I would split open my stitches.  So in the end it was a smart move, but still a DNS :(

On Friday, as we had the day off already for Muncie, Stephanie and I went out in search of our 100 miler.  I just asked that we stay off the road I fell on, but I wanted the hills and the challenge.  So we headed out and we did it. It was a tough ride but I got it done and now I felt like I can really do this.  I will hear those words in less than a month!! I will be an IRONMAN!!!

OMG!!!!

This could be the worst thing that could EVER happen to me.

I still can't believe it!

Stephanie and I went out for out 100 mile bike ride. I know I can do this, I did it at ACC last year plus we did 85 2 weeks ago, only cut short cuz I fell at the trail head because I couldn't clip out, but I didn't think this could ever happen to me.

Testing out my new slick tires and feeling good, we hit the halfway point and went to turn to head back. 50 down, 50 to go... or so I thought.  The area I did my U-Turn had some fresh gravel, I thought I had a wide enough turn, but the new tires didn't grip well on it and the next thing I knew I was going down. The back tire started to slip and I couldn't clip out. I was going down and I couldn't stop it. I went down hard and if it wasn't for my helmet I don't know what I would've done.  Since I couldn't clip out, my bike slid as I went down and my helmet slid up only to cause my head to hit the ground. I screamed so loud that the next thing I remember is hearing the clicking of Stephanie's shoes as she ran to my side. She didn't want to move worried it may be something bad. She tries to call Rich and no answer. I shaken up bleeding like crazy but want to sit up so i do so slowly. I somehow clipped out and we just tried to find the source of the blood. We used what we could to stop the bleeding.  We finally get a hold of Rich and he heads over to get us.  We were lucky the neighbor on the corner saw me and came out with ice water and papertowels. Her husband pulls up, a biker himself which explains why she was so helpful, and asked if we needed a ride. We said we'll just sit here, in the road.

I couldn't believe all the blood from such a small cut.

Rich got me home and I relaxed for a bit, only to have the cut keep bleeding. We opted for urgent care where I got stitched up and some meds for the pain.

Now what!!! I need this 100 miler for Boulder. And what about Muncie next weekend. The doc wants me to rest, but I can't. I have a schedule I have a plan I have an agenda. I can't rest. 

OMG is it possible that I won't be able to make this!!! 

Is it possible that one fall will take me out of the competition!!!

I can't let this stop me.  I need to push harder and get it done!!!

Grand Rapid's Half - Not a pretty picture

Back on the road for another race.  This time we have a big group going out for the Half, Sprint or Olympic, most of us going for the Half in order to be ready for whatever IM we have on our agenda this year.  I know I was ready, I trained hard and was prepared, or so I thought.

The swim was a little scary. It wasn't like IM events with the markers spread out, for easier siting.  NOOO this time we had one at the start then had to pass the next one which was the sprint turn, the past the olympic turn and finally got to our turn. So we had 3 out and 3 back, which SUCKED. The water was so mucky it made it hard to not freak on what could be under us. Then as we make the final turn and head back the next group of Olympic I think take off and they start to turn into us as we get to their final marker.  Luckily when I got out, there were strippers so I took total advantage of it.

The bike was not as easy as I hoped.. Then again Michigan has hills so I had to figure out how to handle it.  I did pretty good. Only scary part was after the turn, a girl hit a hole or something and went flying.. I totally freaked out. Didn't know if I should stop or what, she stood up waved she was ok, but her bike was gone. I had to refocus and try to keep going. The ride back was tough, it started to get hotter out. There was no sun but the rain from the night before sure made it hard to breath and I could feel it. I sucked down all my water before I got back to transition.

I changed and started on the run. It was a 2 loop run and it was TOUGH.  I was still feeling it from the bike. I couldn't stop drinking. At about mile 3 I had to stop at the bathroom, which may have been a mistake. As I went to pull my shorts up, I felt a pain in my back, it started to spasim and I was hurting. I couldn't stand up straight.  I managed to get out and started to walk.  Just then Rita see's me (she's on the 2nd loop) and asks how I'm doing and I tell her, she's worried and tells me to take it easy and walk it off. I do, only to have Dave come up from behind to tell me to keep running and keep to my intervals, and thru the tears I yell back I'M IN PAIN!!! That was the last I saw him.  Stephanie and I finally caught up to each other and we encouraged each other. At the final stretch I wanted to finish strong so I pulled away to cross with a good run and smiling. It was announce who we were and that we were training for Boulder together. That was really nice.

Well after crossing the finish, I just needed something to drink. I grabbed a muscle milk and downed it... Only to puke it back up. Not a good thing being so close to Medical. I was taken in and iced own. This was definitely not what I wanted on my Half, but it happens.  I wasn't prepared for the humidity and I pushed it too hard on the bike to realize I has dehydrated. I didn't notice that I wasn't sweating during the run, I just wanted to be done.

Lesson LEARNED!!!

New Adventure - Blackhawk Country Roads Invitational

I realize that I need help on my bike.. BIG TIME, and luckily Rich is more than willing to help me out any way he can.  So for my birthday weekend, we took Lou's advice and signed up for the Blackhawk Country Roads Invitation, in Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin.  2 days or riding, you pick the distance.  It was thru some nice ROLLING hills and wow some climbs.

The first day we did the 65 miles together. It was a big challenge.  Boy where there some rolling hills and the climb up from Brodhead, granted hitting 33mph going down that hill was AWESOME!!!  We took extra time at the SAG stops to see what was ahead of us. Rich helped me a lot getting over those hills, but it was kind of nice as we rode up from Brodhead and that steep hill was so daunting, that I didn't want to give up. So as Rich pulled over to the side to catch his breath, I just slithered past him saying, I can't stop must keep moving, see you at the top. And I DID IT!!!

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/507162939

The next day, Rich decided to go with a short local route while I went out for a continuous 30ish mile ride.  As I was out there, thinking I was on my own, I felt a shadow come over me.  Someone was behind me. I just kept thinking, come on dude go around me, I'm not gonna race you. But no he didn't. I just got annoyed and picked up the pace, I didn't want anyone behind me like that. But they stuck with me.  Dude was drafting me, WTF. Here I am busting my butt and he's enjoying it.  Little to my surprise it was Rich.. OMG I wanted to scream. He was loving it, letting me do the work. HAHA.. NOT.  Anyways, he turned back and I kept on going.  I hit the first SAG stop and I just kept on going. I wasn't going to stop, because at Boulder I won't have a chance to stop until special needs, so I had to keep moving. As I passed the SAG group they just cheered me on, felt so good.

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/507162956

TrainerRoad - 8 Days of California

Ok, so on top of my regular IM training, I decided to complete yet another challenge. This challenge would put my legs to the test on the bike. TrainerRoad opened a series 8DC for a select group of riders to compete in. It was tough as you had to complete a given ride in 8 days (in which each day lasted 50 hours). So there really wasn't any way to say it couldn't be done, it was just harder to do when I had to keep up with my regular training.

8DC started on Sunday, May 11th and went until Sunday May 18th. Little did I know, that this race was actually going on at the same time, in real life, in California. It wasn't until Stage 7 that I realied the rides were occuring, so when it came to my last stage, I chose the right time to do my ride as the ride was being broadcasted. It was pretty kewl and helped to keep me motivated.

Overall, I completed every stage, as hard as some where, I didn't drop out and tried my hardest to keep the Kickr at 100%. It wasn't until the last 2 stages that I had to adjust the Kickr and drop to below 100%, mainly because my legs were logs and I just couldn't push thru it.

Stage 1: 1:15 - 28.83 miles
Stage 2: 0:59 - 14.59 miles
Stage 3: 1:35 - 22.96 miles
Stage 4: 1:10 - 30.66 miles
Stage 5: 0:56 - 8.6 miles
Stage 6: 1:28 - 13.43 miles
Stage 7: 1:10 - 24.07 miles
Stage 8: 1:21 - 18.66 miles

In 8 days I completed 161.8 miles in god knows how many hours. This on top of my regular training of running (only ran once though), swimming and biking.

Stage 5 was the killer, as you can see with my miles completed. I need to go back and see what that really had and why I went so slow, but I'm sure I was dead from something else that I just couldn't get my speed up.

I'm just happy to say that I finished, plus I won a t-shirt, from a random drawing, for completing Stage 6 :)

Now it's back to my regular training program ... fun fun.

Where has the time gone!!!!

So hard to believe that I've finished 24 weeks of my training so far. With only 12 weeks left to go, I'm scared that I may not be ready. I haven't run more than 16 miles, I did my first century ride this weekend, but it was on a trainer, and well, my swim is no concern really. Can I really do this? Do I really have it in me to spend this long racing? Why am I starting to freak out now?

With all the training I've been doing, it was nice to have a race weekend last weekend. Even thou Stephanie I, and I took it as a training day, keeping to our program, it was nice to be out there with others racing and being supported. Flying Pigs Marathon/Half Marathon was a great race, well supported and the turnout was amazing. Reminded me of Marine Corp and Baltimore. I love big races, when they are supported and the course is fun.

It was a great weekend with the Stephanies, and it did help burn off some of the pent up energy I had, but just intensified my fears for the coming races.

I'm stil terrified about my bike and whether or not I can keep the pace I want to. My goal is sustain a 15mph or better, which I did on the kickr, but there are no elements to deal with so that doesn't really make for a good comparison. Rich has been great with trying to get me out there and ride. But with my work/train schedule I seem to be stuck to the kickr more than I want to. He has already taken me on the York/Spring/31st loop and really pushed me to do 3 loops, first time this year. The first loop was hard, I went thru all my gears. The second one got easier, and the last one I kicked it. Mainly because a creepy dude showed up out of now were in front of me on his bike and I just wanted to race up to get to Rich. Funny takes one creepy dude to either run or bike faster :)

In 2 weeks we have the Country Roads Invitations in Rockton, IL. Just the way I want to spend my birthday, on a 2 day ride thru Illinois and Wisconsin. No really. Not being sarcastic at all. I really can't wait. But then again check back with me on Monday and see if I still feel the same way.

Saturday, we'll be hitting the hills on a 65 mile bike ride:

65 Mile Ride Shift into high gear for this 65-mile trek through the rolling hills of Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. You'll pass sprouting farmland, visit charming villages and cruise along the scenic Sugar River.

Then on Sunday, it will be an easy recovery ride, if you think 30 miles is easy or recover:

30 Mile RideRolling countryside, quaint towns, and unspoiled views along the Sugar River sets the stage for this tour. The Duck Pond rest stop is a favorite on this route.

I'm just hoping that the weekend riding will help me in preparing for Boulder.

Well ... 12 more weeks to go. Pushing out all the stops and hitting it hard!!!

Week 23... OMG Really!!!

While searching for songs to run with, I found this video... WOW can I really do this???




I'm now entering week 23 of our training program, that means it's only 13 more weeks until race day. And now it seems like my fears and doubts are really starting to intensify.

As the training increases, I'm finding myself more and more scared and wondering if I will be able to finish, wondering what I got myself into. Aches and pains are increasing, and not due to the training, but I'm scared to think it may be the onset of my RA.  The only way I'm not in pain is when I'm training, but I can't train 24x7 (or can I). I've been crying myself to sleep, waking in the middle of the night in pain and just not very happy lately. I've been watching my diet, adding supplements and busy being poked and probed and stretched by doctors and physical therapists.  After 6 weeks of PT, the neck pain is still there, so it's off to an MRI and now waiting to see what is the next course of action.  Pain and anti-inflammatories are not good options, as I'm scared with my increase in training it could cause bouts with my ulcer. So for now I suffer thru the pains and cry when no one can see me, and pray that I'm better the next day. 

My training is progressing, but I'm wondering if I'm really on track. I'm going over everything I have to do and wondering what I can change to make sure I succeed. My swim has gotten stronger and I'm more and more consistent with my pace. My run is getting better, but I need to remember to stay within my limits and not push it too hard.  My bike, now that's where I fall apart.  Will I be able to keep the pace I want to keep (15mph). Should I do any upgrades on my bike, what about the crazy aero-helmet? What about nutrition...OMG NUTRITION, that isn't as scary as the bike, but it does scare me a little. But I keep playing with food and hope that none of it has an adverse affect on me during the bike.

All this keeps me up at night or wakes me in a panic.
Will I be able to finish under 17 hours? 
Am I pushing myself or can I give a little more?
What more can I or should I change?

OMG What have I gotten myself into????

Half way point...

OMG can it really be? Have I really been doing this for this long? And I still have so much more to do!!!


And now reality hits.  

We have reached that half way point in our training. 18 weeks down, 18 more to go. It doesn't seem to be getting harder or anything but it is definitely at the point that I know I have to really make sure I hit my workouts and put in my effort into them instead of just slacking off because I'm just not up for it.  I'm enjoying the fact that now I can start riding outside, which with the winds and debris on the trails makes it a bit of a challenge, but it's so much better than just sitting on the trainer.  Granted I do LOVE my KICKR, being outside is so much different, and so much fun when you have friends to ride with.

This past weekend really took a toll on my legs. 14 miles on Saturday, which in the end I found out I was going too fast for. And then 2 hours on the bike on Sunday. My thighs were FLAMING.  I noticed a weird noise, and Stephanie did too, when I was riding and getting into some of my higher gears. Seemed like it was rubbing on the front derailer, so after searching around I found a bike shop that had a 1 day turnaround, instead of the 2 weeks others were telling me, so in to the shop Roxy goes.  At least I got another ride in today, along the Salt Creek trail and it felt pretty good. The winds killed but the ride home was nice, especially when the wind is in your back and PUSHING you down the street.

I also got in a good swim today, using my snorkel for all but the 500 warmup and stretching thru my stroke. I wasn't concerned about staying on my TT, but more with my form. This wasn't about time, but about form/style and stretching through my stroke and giving my legs a rest.  I'm getting better and better with the snorkel, and didn't have any near drownings this time around. I'm still on the fence if I'll use it for any of my races, but maybe a few Open Water swims with it will help me decide.  Now if only the weather will cooperate and give us a chance to hit the lake before Grand Rapids.

So to give me even more motivation, attached are a few links to the Boulder Run and Bike course... No doesn't scare me at all... YIKES!!!

Boulder Run Course

Boulder Bike Course

21-Swim Challenge is in the books!!!

The challenge was to based on a time trial (TT) on either a 1650m (1 mile) or 500m swim. After that there were 3 weeks of 2 days swims plus a drill. I only got in the 2 days of swim, skipping the drills, since I had to still run and bike and do weights.

So on Feb 14 I swam my my first 1650 TT in a 32:05.86 (1:54/100m).  The following weeks, the workouts were based on my TT and worked on endurance. After the first swim, I found that the TT I had was really easy, and that it was difficult to do some of my swims so slow. As it turns out I dropped my TT by :05 as my base and used that to do my workouts.

My concerns in distance swimming has been with pacing. I know how to pace when I run/bike, simply look at my Garmin and either slow down or speed up. Pretty easy. But in a pool, you can't really take the time to stop and look and try to do the math. So after a few posts back and forth on Facebook in the Tri Swim Coach 21-Day Challenge Page, I found that by setting my Garmin's alerts I can set a pace for my 50's.

So today, it was back to the pool to do my final TT. Set my 50m time alert on my Garmin to :55 and was so happy I could keep the pace. Today I swam my 1650TT in a 30:20.21 (1:49/100m). Didn't break my 30:00 goal but damn that was close.

500 Group:

	Day 1	Day 2
Week 1	300, 200, 100 moderate pace on 20s rest 200, 100, 50 build :25s rest 200 fast 30s rest 100 fast 30s rest 6×100 moderate 20s rest	3x 3×100 TT pace+10s 4×50 TT pace+10s 1×50 Easy
Week 2	2×200 on 20s rest 100 moderate 20s rest 2×300 20s rest 100 moderate 2×400 40s rest 100 moderate	6×50 TT pace, 15s rest 2×150 build, 20s rest 6×75 TT pace, 15s rest 1×300 build 6×50 TT pace, 15s rest 3×100 TT pace+5s, 15s rest
Week 3	6×200 build so first 100 easy, 2nd 100 faster, 3rd should be race pace effort 2×300 hard effort	6×25 build 15s rest 5×100 TT pace+10s, 15s rest 6×25 build 15s rest 5×100 TT pace+5s, 15s rest 6×25 build 2×100 race pace

1600 Group:

	Day 1	Day 2
Week 1	4×150 easy (TT pace+15s per 100), 10s rest 100 relaxed 4×150 moderate (TT pace+5s per 100), 15s rest 100 relaxed 4×150 TT pace (20s rest)	8×100 TTpace+5s 300 easy 4×100 TT pace+5s 300 easy 3×100 TT pace
Week 2	4×250 continuous as 100 Moderate pace, 50 fast, 100 moderate 4×150 50 moderate, 50 fast, 50 moderate 4×100 25 moderate, 50 fast, 25 moderate	4×100 TT pace+5s 20s rest 4×100 TT pace 20s rest 4×100 TTpace-2s 25s rest 6×50 TT pace-5s 25s rest 16×25 build
Week 3	4×500 Descending, meaning that each 500 gets faster. The first one should be calm and relaxed, the 3 one should be at your 1650 pace, and the 4th one should be all out. :40 second rest interval)	8×100 TT pace with :20s rest 8×75 TT pace 20s rest 8×50 TT pace 20s rest 8×25 ALL OUT 30s rest

Drill set:
200 as (25 catch up/25 swim)
100 build
200 as (25 fist/25 swim)
100 build
200 as (25 high elbow catch/25 swim)
100 build
200 as (50 8 kicks/3 strokes/8 kicks, 50 swim)
100 build

Week 15 - where has the time gone

I can't believe I'm over a 1/3 of the way done with this training program... What's more scary is that I'm more than a 1/3 of the way closer to Boulder. I'm finally feeling like I'm getting into a groove of things with my training, but my nutrition still has a way to go. I've finally "sucked it up" and accepted that I will have to spend long hours/runs on the treadmill, thanks to the wonderful weather Mother Nature is sending us. But it's weird, I'm getting comfortable on the dreadmill, that I'm just hoping this will actually make me stronger when i get out on the road.

I'm still concerned with my biking. I just don't feel like I'm getting what i should be getting out of my trainer at home. So i broke down this weekend and went out to get the Wahoo Kickr.  With what I spent on it I'm hoping it gives me the hill and resistance workouts I'm really needing.

I finally started to add in swimming to my regimine. I go 2-3 days a week. I bought a freestyle snorkel with a cardio cap to help simulate altitude. I even found a good FB page "Tri Swim Coach 21-Day Challenge" that puts out new challenges each month and that has really got me going on my swims. I'm trying to improve my TT (Time Trial) for a 1650m swim (1 mile). I just started week 3 Day 1 today and I'm finding that my major issue with my swim is the ability to pace myself in a long swim. For last week's 100 repeats I was keeping 1:35-1:40 100m pace, but for these 500's I either went out too fast and then slowed down too much in the middle or I would have too much left in the take after. How do you pace yourself in a swim??? I mean when I run/bike I can watch my Garmin and make adjustments as needed. Even though I wear my Garmin while I swim, checking my pace is not that easy to do.

Things for the trip are starting to come together too. The house is paid off, now just need to email out and let everyone know how much they each owe. Flights are booked and paid (thank to my SW miles Rich and I each only paid $5 for our flight). Due to a delay in planning the flights, Christin and Dave don't have a good direct flight so they will be coming thru Chicago and I'll meet up with Christin and fly in with her, and then Dave will go with Rich. And the car is rented. Christin and I are also starting to look at things to do out there and found a few fun stuff, then lots of micro brewerys for them since I won't be drinking until after the race. Now only to get my training and diet in order, then I should be right on track.

I'm still quite nervous and I just hope I finish. I need keep focusing on my weak areas and just make sure I don't ignore my strengths. Bad part is right now I don't feel like I'm strong in any discipline.

Week 7 done, 1/5 of the way there...

So reality is starting to hit. I made my final payment on the house we're renting and now trying to figure out travel plans. I know we'll be using Southwest (thanks to miles Rich and I will be flying for free) and I'm also looking for a car rental so we can check stuff out while we're there. Luckily, I found out that Christin will be flying out and back on the same dates as me. This way we have each other and I won't be too lonely or too scared, since I don't know when Stephanie I is coming out or even Rich. I'm so happy Christin is coming out, I think she's seen me at most of my big races than anyone else.

This week of training I really tried to hit all my bikes/runs as it says. It was hard thou, since we got snowed in over the weekend to below freezing on Monday and Tuesday, which forced me to stay home from work and work from home.  I didn't get a chance to go to spin class on Monday, so it was riding at home. Tuesday I finally got out of the house and went to run on the treadmill.Wednesday it was back to the trainer. This time I decided to retest myself, and ride the 20 min test I did the first week. I'm happy to say that I've been able to improve in the past 6 weeks. My cadence was up, my speed was faster and my heart rate felt more in control. I was really happy to see that I was improving, this work is paying off. Thursday was running on the treadmill (again) and I enjoyed my Friday off day. The weather seemed to be the biggest challenge for my training. On Friday, the rain started, which meant flooding and staying up late to keep up with the seepage. So Saturday's 9-11 mile run, the rain water and dropping temps, scared us off from running outside, so that means... UGH back to the treadmill. I didn't think I could do it. But Jay gave me the idea to do a 3 mile run followed by a 10 min rest. I opted to change it up and do a 3 mile run at a good/faster pace, then a 1/4 mile walk. After 1:48 on the freakin treadmill I did, I got in 9.5 miles. WOW!! I hope I never have to do that again.  Sunday, my last day, I decided to kill myself and make up for lost time.  Started the day with Yoga By Degrees Sculpt Class, then off to the pool for a swim. I swam 1700 non stop, followed by a 100 easy, where my mile was about 35 minutes and the it was on to the bike for a 2 hour ride.  That ride really really hurt. My legs were spent from yesterday and today's sculpt class. I could feel my knees throbbing and my quads were burning, but I pushed thru it and I got it done. I'm so happy this week is done and I'm happy that I hit all workouts.

I still can't believe I'm going down this path. It's a strange idea to comprehend. I'm scared that I won't be able to do this and there are times I cry because I'm scared what will happen if I don't. I sometimes feel so alone in this journey, and I know I have my team, but it's still lonely. Everyone is dealing with other things, personal and physical, that it's hard to get together to train. Yeah we had each other last year for Racine, but since it's only Stephanie I and I doing Boulder, I just feel weird talking my concerns and issues with everyone else, since they are not going to be racing with me. I feel so alone at times it scares me, but I know that I'm not. I don't know... I guess I'm just being weird :( Maybe once the weather starts to cooperate we can all be back out there together and I won't feel as lonely.

2014 - Bigger and Better

2013 was a good year, with many firsts for me, so that just means that I need to find a way to top it in 2014.

How better way to do this but with competing in my first Ironman. Well, yes, I already had this planned in 2013, paid and started training on it, but I just have to mention that his is my A race this year. To make sure that I can successfully compete in my race, I've made sure to keep my race schedule at a minimal. And now that I have paid for my last race, I have the following schedule in place for 2014.

5/2/2014 - Flying Pig's Half Marathon
6/8/2014 - Grand Rapid's Triathlon - Half IM
7/12/2014 - Muncie 70.3
8/3/2014 - Boulder IM

Pretty small compared to the last couple of years, but I have to make sure I remain healthy this year. I also have some fun events setup, which will help in my training or just for fun:

5/24-25/2014 - Blackhawk Country Roads Bike Ride
9/29/2014 - Apple Cider Century

In the end of all of this, I just want to be able to complete my IM and survive, to a point where I can say it was fun and I'll stick to Half IM's :)

So 2014... Bring It... I'm Ready for it!!!

2013... Year in Review

2013 was definitely a year of firsts, injuries and illnesses for me.

My first DNF
My first Olympic Triathlon
My first Half Ironman
My first Century Ride
My first ER Visit

I busted my butt all year to reach my goals and made it thru many obstacles. From quiting a race to stay with a fallen teammate until medical arrived to spraining my ankle just a few weeks out from my triathlon season started. Getting sick just days before major races, spring and fall half and my marathon. Plus having my first fall on my bike during the ACC. I overcame them all and finished the best that I could.

Yes there are things I would've changed but there also things I would've kept the same. I now know what I need to focus on for 2014 and what my goals will be. Keeping my race load low to focus more on training and avoid injury will be my top priority. Plus this helps with keeping my sanity during long training days/weeks.

I had a great support team the whole way and that I would never change. Rich helped where he could, doing long rides with me or the team. Even providing nutrition and a cold pool (thanks to Payton) for our long training day. The team stuck together as well, working with everyone, even if they weren't racing. We had Nancy join us on runs/rides to just be there, and Helen as our food/drink sherpa during out long runs in the early season runs. All in all, this season was great.

So my yearly review consisted of:

# Events	Event Type	Distance Covered	Duration
133	Runs	680.01 miles	138:10:27
127	Bike	2,382.52 miles	152:14:39
79	Swim	77.26 miles	46:26:57

Of which some of these miles were completed during the following events:

Spring Spring 10K(NDF)
Shamrock Shuffle 1/2 Marathon
Wisconsin 1/2 Marathon
Ride the Rock
Leaning Tower Triathlon - Sprint
Soldier Field 10 Miler
Bike the Drive
Color Run 5K
Pleasant Prairie Triathlon - Olympic
Racine 70.3
Gather Race The Lake - 90 miler
DeKalb Corn Classic 10K
Naperville Trails 1/2 Marathon
Marine Corp Marathon
Apple Cider Century

I do have to say that the real hardest part of all of this was not training or competing in my first half Ironman, but more the events after that and the training for it. I still have a century along with a marathon to get ready for. My body never had proper time to recover from all the other training that it just started to shut down on me. I got really sick before the Naperville's Trails racet that I ended up in the ER for dehydration. Even with being so sick, just 4 days out from the race, I managed to PR and run the whole 13.1 without any walk breaks.

Then just before the MCM I was sick again, no ER visit, but ended up losing over 6lbs just days before the race. Plus recovering from my fall at ACC, it just made for a bad marathon, I never reached some of my longer mile runs and when I pushed for it I would end up crying. I did finish the MCM, but at mile 23 I hit a wall and couldn't move forward. I cried and had to walk. I felt so bad but the support from the spectators and Marine's on the route I was able to push forward and keep moving, even finding the strength somewhere to run up the last hill and run thru the finish. I was so happy to finish and I cried when my Marine gave me my medal. It was definitely an experience, and as our shirts said ... "Always Earned. Never Given" that held true for this race. I earned this one because I pushed thru it all and made it across the finish.

2014 is a new year, with new challenges and new obstacles

2014 is our IRON YEAR!!!