128.4

Yesterday, I swam 2.4 miles, rode for 112 miles (over 5200 ft of climbing), and much to my surprise ended up running/shuffling/walking/encouraging a teammate for 14 miles.  


I will write a proper race report, but for now a few things:


The swim was not easy.  I did it.  I finished.  I didn't struggle.  But, I was reminded that I have neglected proper pool time for the past 9 months because it is the smallest part of the day and something that wasn't a priority to me (over biking and running).  


My transition was awful.  Since this wasn't my "A" race, I wasn't too concerned.  But, I had a lot of issues with all the dirt that now turned somewhat muddy from all the wet people running around (you'd think by now this dirty business wouldn't bother me so much).  So much time lost here.  So many lessons learned.  Again, I will jot them all down when I have more time.


The bike was a roller coaster.  I had an awesome first loop and came in under 4 hours.  The second loop was not as easy -- headwinds, severe foot pain, etc.  I missed the bike cutoff by 5 minutes.  I was devastated.  The child in me exclaimed it wasn't fair.  My swim wave was 21 minutes later than the start.  If I had been in the wave most of my teammates were in, I would have made the cutoff.  If the police hadn't left, I wouldn't have had to wait at red lights and stop at stop signs.  If the volunteer wasn't talking on her phone, she would have pointed me left instead of right.  If only I took one less bathroom break.  Or, if I would have just sat my ass down in the dirt in T1 (as Nick was yelling to me "Sit down!") instead of struggling trying to keep my balance and wash my feet and put shoes on.  So many "ifs".  Coach Mike reminded me that the women get screwed every year because of the wave bullshit.  He said I was where I needed to be.  This was training for me.  I knew he was right.  I still finished.  I still got a finisher's medal.  The only thing I don't have is a finish time next to my name on a website somewhere.  It eventually became an easy pill to swallow.  


During my pity party I wasn't sure if I was going to run (I was only signed up for the Aquabike so I was technically done for the day).  However, my goal was to run the first loop (8.7 miles) to get a feel for what it felt like after sitting on a bike for 8 hours.  Then I talked myself into going for 6 miles.  And, then I wasn't sure I was going to go at all.  But I got myself together and went out.  I ended up completing 14 miles.  A lot of it was walking with Dana who was having a tough day.  I learned a lot from this experience as well that I will write about.


I completed ~92% of an Ironman distance.  And, I raised over $6500 for LLS. There's nothing I can do, but feel good about what I accomplished yesterday. And, besides some wetsuit hickeys and sore muscles, I am recovering physically pretty well, too.

Purple Power

I love the color purple -- deep purple/eggplant to be exact.  I even drove a purple Honda for 10 years (it was officially called black currant pearl). Unfortunately, there isn't much purple out there when it comes to exercise-wear, so pink is what I end up wearing most of the time.  


Since I hope to be hanging out in my aerobars quite a bit this weekend, I painted my nails purple.  And, my toes, too.  I even put some purple in my hair (love it!).  


Best of all?  TNT's color is purple.  And our team colors are purple and green (mostly green since it is brighter and easier to see).  I will be pretty color-coordinated this weekend.  Because it's the little things that will make me smile.

Mostly Packed

Last night was dedicated to packing.  I think it took me two hours to pack for less than a 24 hour period.  On the bright side, when I packed for my 3-night work trip, it only took me 10 minutes.  With the exception of a few extra nutritional items that are at Nick's house, all my bags are packed and ready to go (cue Peter, Paul, and Mary) when I get home on Thursday night.  *sigh*

Getting Ready

Less than one week to go!  I just returned from a trip to Target to stock up on a few things I need for my Special Needs bags (ok, so it was really yummy salt and sugar items, and pain reliever aids just in case I need them).  Now I'm staring at the piles of bags in my living room and willing myself to get up and start organizing all my gear.  

Yesterday, we swam the Vineman swim course again (I really hate that drive, but I feel fortunate to be familiar enough with the course, as that is generally not a luxury for races of this distance).  We just did one loop of the swim and then spent a few hours going over logistics, some ideas for transition, and getting silly team awards (I won the Sweet Pea award since I rode a bike on the trails of Shadow Cliffs in a pea costume a few months ago).  We also have a silly spirit cape that we pass around and whoever gets it, has to decorate it with something.  People have done some pretty funny things to the cape, but Grace had the best yesterday by putting a honey badger on it.  One of these days I will write a blog about the honey badger.

Anyway, the point of this blog entry is that I am getting excited.  I can't believe I am admitting that.  Last night I busted out my Cricut and started making signs for next weekend (if only my triathlon skills were as good as my sign-making skills, then I might not have to worry about cutoff times).  Today's workout was the Triple Brick for the IMC people (ours was just a short run).  So I went to the water stop to show support for my teammates that were having their 9 hour workout and hung out there for a few hours and made more signs that we are going to place all up Chalk Hill next weekend.  I did a short bike ride, a short run, and then headed to Target.  And, I learned that doing something as simple as buying some snack-size Pringles and peanut butter pretzels got me amped up for next Saturday.  I know I will be uncomfortable.  And, most likely in pain in various parts of the course.  But if my mind is in the same spot next weekend as it is in now, then I hope I will be smiling for most of it.

Vision Board: Check

A few days before I registered for IMAZ, I knew that I would need to create a vision board as one of the tools to help me get there.  I've been training for 8 months and I still hadn't completed it yet.  I had already spent hours looking for the right stuff, tearing and cutting things that caught my eye, and had stacks of magazines on my coffee table that were waiting to be reviewed.  But, just like with many other items in the house, those magazines just sat there patiently waiting for my attention.  However, yesterday was July 20.  What is the significance of that (besides being one of my best friend's birthday)?  IMAZ is officially only 4 months away!  

Get stronger

Love your ass

Quick cadence

Enjoy the ride

The night owl in me resurfaced and I stayed up very late finishing a project that was long overdue.  Yay!

Find your magic

Faster than you think

Committed

The impossible gets closer every day

What is a vision board?  Supposedly it helps with the Law of Attraction.  Some may find that babble-business a load of crap.  Others swear by it.  Do I believe that just by putting a bunch of words and pictures on a board that I can do anything or be anything I want?  No.  But, I do believe that it serves as a reminder because the visual representation of what I desire brings things to the forefront of my mind.  

Beat the clock

You got it

Smile

Unforgettable

I made a vision board several years ago over some personal goals.  When I look at it today, I would say about 75% of the board has since come true.  Was it magic?  No.  It was just a reminder of the things I wanted to work on, achieve, and do.  And, when something is staring at you in the face all the time, it puts you in motion.  

Outrun your limitations

Make a statement

Confident

Find your willpower

My honoree, Marilyn, is actually the person that introduced me to vision boards.  She was an artist.  Hers were beautiful.  After her funeral, I noticed she had made a new one regarding her diagnosis.  It was powerful and emotional.  And, it illustrated, once again, what a special person she was.

Inspire

Fight, Love, Live (one of my mantras)

Because you deserve it (another mantra)

I a"m" Sun Devil

The Countdown has Begun

I have a feeling I might be writing quite a bit over the next few days as my mind is all over the place...just like this entry.


First off, I've been to the chiro twice this week.  I'm pretty messed up, which I could have guessed, and probably why I procrastinated in going.  Fortunately, my achy hip flexor is not actually my hip flexor.  It's the tendon that connects to the pelvic bone.  So I don't really have any muscle issues per se that are problematic.  I've got a plan to fix that.  And, everything else uncovered in my visit were already things I could have predicted (from all laptops and traveling and bike riding) -- tight neck and tight back.  The x-rays were also enlightening and illustrated how crooked I am in my hips and that my spine curves about 10-15 degrees further than it should.  Again, I'm sure this has been there for years based on poor posture, non-ergonomic working environments, heavy backpacks and suitcases, etc.


Secondly, I did my first barefoot shoe run the other night.  It was a spin workout and then only a 10 minute run.  Surprisingly, it actually felt really good to run in them.  I'm going to try it again this weekend with a more substantial distance.


Vineman is only 9 days away (single digits!).  I had a talk with the lovely Nicole Gruen today and she asked if I was scared or nervous or excited.  I'm not scared. I'm a little excited.  I'm sure I will have lots of nervous energy that day.  But right now I'm mainly nervous about getting my act together.  I still need to do my race plan.  And, I need to start packing.  That sounds ridiculous that I need to pack now.  But, I have two trainings this weekend; on Monday, I hop on a plane to LA and fly back Thursday night; and, then on Friday morning I have to drive up to Santa Rosa for check-in, athlete's meeting, and an inspiration dinner.  So, yes, I need to pack now.  But, really, I need to get my race and nutrition plan together.  It's all in my head.  I just have to write it down.

 

Kind of a Big Deal

I'm struggling a little bit with the idea that my family most likely will not be coming out to Vineman.  Perhaps I downplayed the importance of next weekend.  Or maybe I didn't communicate very well.  Maybe they don't think spectating is fun (I find it quite enjoyable despite being a long day, but I understand others might wonder what you do all day -- note: it's wine country).  And, while I am only officially participating in the Full Aquabike (and then unofficially going for a run), it's still at least 123 miles (87% of a full Ironman).  That's no walk in the park.  Of course, Nick, the coaches, and the team will be there to cheer me on (and I know I will have LOTS of support in Arizona from friends, family, and the team), but I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed that my family won't be there next Saturday.