That I Needed......

As I drive to Chicago I am reflecting back on yesterday's race. Reviewing the good, the bad, how I felt etc is an important part of the race process. I am still all over the place when it comes to triathlon these days. I still say this may be my last season, it is time to move on and then the next thoughts are  Just doing sprints seems appealing as well.  As I put on my bathing suit, I said to Stewart this may be the last time I wear this suit as I will not wear it in ironman. I hope to squeeze in one more sprint before I close the season out with Chattanooga

So 4 weeks ago when I would think about this half, I was excited, I was ready to race, I wanted a PR. I felt like my performance at Waterfront was good but not what I wanted. I had trouble with getting my body to race after so many months of aerobic training. I thought the half would be perfect because I could race at just slightly higher than aerobic pace.

After Chattanooga, my work outs begin to really pick up. Two things happened, I lost about 4-5 lbs. even Riley was shocked when she saw me and my long bike rides begin to go to hell. Losing 4-5 lbs on me is huge and as I look back I think this could possibly be a contributing factor in these rides. I love junk but since marrying Stewart we just really don't eat it or buy it. My eating has really cleaned up but I have found with the type of training I have been putting in, I need junk. I have a high metabolism and pretty much clean eating and high miles were leaving me pretty lean.

On each long ride, I was getting nauseous, sick, headache, dizzy, clammy and just kind of out of it by the end. Most of these I pushed through. In Arkansas two weeks ago I knew pushing through was going to lead to an ER visit. I have done this sport long enough to know the difference between I am hot, tired, cranky, and ready to be done between something not right. After each of these rides I was scared. Scared because I knew I was looking at a big ole DNF in Chattanooga in the face. No way would my body have let me complete an Ironman

Nothing like an email from Liz with a big Fix it NOW to let u know u better get your butt in gear. Luckily I went on a big taper week and Riley was in town and I ate poorly and I ate a ton like I was still training high miles. This resulted with me going into the half closer to my old race weight. Believe me like any girl seeing low numbers on the scale is awesome but wisdom and maturity I also know that sometimes it is not ideal. I also began to quiz everyone on their nutrition and think back to years past and what I did then.

After talking with Liz, we decided that I wasn't getting in nearly enough calories on the bike nor enough electrolytes. Of course I wasn't because I felt sick and bloated and food and water just made me want to yak. We also decided That I was riding too hard and my hr was too high so my body could not properly digest the food

Believe me I stressed about it all week. Was I going to get my first ever DNF?  What should I eat, what should I drink?? After a week of stressing, I was walking down in downtown Springfield and passed a beautiful cathedral. I told Stewart I need to go in here. My catholic upbringing took over and I was in there lighting a candle and saying a prayer. Yes praying for a triathlon. I did throw in some prayers for others who needed them for serious stuff so I wouldn't seem too self absorbed. Mostly I prayed for peace and a calm mind

That night I told Stewart I need to not think of this as a race but a long training day. I need to work on my nutrition, dial it back, relax, and if my fitness is there I will still have a good race. My mind was now relaxed and at peace

So I did not get a PR and I was 10-15 mins slower than hoped but the course and conditions were harder than I expected. The swim was a disaster. I am not sure what happens to me swimming in a large body of water but I just suck. I can't swim straight, I can't sight, I find myself swimming towards the bank instead of the buoys. The water was rough very rough and I was having a hard time getting a rhythm. It seemed I still kept running into people almost a mile into it. In fact you swam right at the beginning turned around and headed left. At this point, I swam head onto someone. Liz had told me with your fitness,  you can swim this under 40 minutes. The thing is I don't get tired or winded, I just swim slow!! As I hit the turn around bouy for the Olympic distance race, I looked at my watch and saw 33 which I knew under 40 was not going to happen. In fact I swam my slowest half iron swim ever!!!  I think it was long but of course I did. I did hear others say it as well. I decided that ironman swim straight down the river was going to be easier.

As I exited the swim I told myself to forget it. Nothing I could do now. Another girl racking her bike must have had the same thoughts because I heard her husband yell don't worry about it. The sad thing is in that mess of s swim I still passed many men who started 4 minutes ahead of me

The bike started and so did the head winds, the rain and a few slight rollers. This was a tougher ride than I anticipated.  I saw lightening in the distance and really dark clouds but luckily we just got rain. One thought was in my mind eat and drink. Relax.  I was already upset because with the head wind I wasn't riding as fast as I wanted. I let everything settle for about 15 mins and took my first gu. I was also using base salt because Liz said enduralytes were a no goal. Every 5 miles, I was suppose to stick my finger in , get some salt and lick. I also used this 5 miles to drink as well.  Of course I drank at other times too but I liked this scheduled drinking.  I did great on my fueling took in 3 bottles of water, bottle of scratch, Gus, power bar and honey stinger waffle.  I also would feel hungry which was a good thing, my body was processing food. I met a guy on the ride and we rode the whole thing pretty much close. We often would ride side to side talking. This worked well with my dial it back attitude. Yes we could have got a blocking penalty   Around mile 10 on a really windy section, my speed started going all over the place. It was showing me biking 3 mph.  This proved to be a Godsend. I thought it was the wind blowing against the magnet but whatever the issue my computer was worthless. I had no idea how fast I was riding. Gone was the stress about holding a certain pace or I should be riding faster I just rode which felt right. It also was nice because at one point, I thought I was about 25 miles and realized I was at 37.  Felt good on the bike. Caught and passed quite a few girls and people and as I began to approach the end of the ride, I decided since I was having no issues I would eat and prepare for the run. Smartest thing I could have done.

Got off the bike and had to pee ( here comes TMI ) but was thrilled to relieve myself  all over myself during transition and at every water stop for the next 5 miles. Boy was I hydrated. Could not have been happier as I knew I fueled correctly.

I never run with a garmin but decided I would this race and once again great new decision. I knew I could run an 8:15-8:30 pace safely.  I started out fast and remembered Liz saying everything feels easy the first 3 miles don't do it. With the help of garmin, I backed it down    The rain stopped just in time for the run and came sun and humidity. The run was hilly but I could not have felt better. I continued with ice down top, ice over head, water, salt , gu and felt amazing!! The miles clicked off. Never walked the hills, never walked because of heat, tired, etc. Did walk through aid stations as planned.  People were dropping like crazy , walking saying it is so hot and I was like thank you Memphis!!! Nothing more encouraging to have everyone cheering u on and saying u look so strong. Continues to pass more and more people to have a guy say I think u r 8th overall. I was more than pleased. It didn't even matter because I was having my race and I was winning. Before I knew it I was done!  Came across the line, I was sore but hungry! Yes ... Body was using my food. I didn't need to take any anti nauseous meds as had been the habit

I am ready to tackle the last 9 weeks of ironman. It isn't going to be easy but I don't expect it to be but first a couple of R and R and no training in Chicago!!!

Racing Scared...

So...

I have a half ironman this weekend and if I recall I use to love to race a half.  Really one of my favorite distances.  I was really looking forward to this race and now I am scared!  I think the last time I was this nervous before I was going into a race was IM wisconsion.  I am soooo nervous and not because I don't feel fit.  I actually feel really fit.  Well fit to hold distances at a steady pace.  If I had to sprint or run a mile faster then the mid 7's, I may just break down into one puddle of mess.  So training was going really well - got the steroids for the foot and all was well and then I hit two disastrous weekends of long bike fueling.  One of them I spent the last hour of the bike sick as a dog and just prayed to get off the bike but once I started running things were a little better but it was not good.  I was determined that next week I needed to nail my nutrition.  Well next week was a disaster.  I didn't nail crap and was once again sick but this time I had an added pounding headache.  Climbing back into the hot head wind the last 13 miles to get to my car were like a death march.  More than once, I just wanted to sit on the side of the road and wait.  What I was waiting for, I am not sure as the group I was with had dropped me and Stewart was on another route killing the 100 miles that I should have been riding.  Finally made it back to my car and had another 30 minutes to ride and 30 minutes to run but I was done.  The miles were not quality and I was pretty sure I was one step away from an IV.  With these two disastrous long rides all confidence went with it.  As well as my confidence to race a half.  Now I have to stress about my nutrition the whole ride.  Stress I will, I won't be able to shut that brain off.  I am sure every slight stomach ache or head ache will have me thinking this is the beginning of the end. 

What is going on with my nutrition I am not sure.  I have always trained this way but it is not working.  Possibly because I am riding a bit harder which is a good thing but I need to change my nutritional needs to follow this new energy output?  Who knows?  We are trying to figure it out?  So I keep reminding myself to think of this weekend as training and not a race.  But I am disappointed because I want to consider this a race... Yesterday on time hop an old race report popped up from last year.  It was titled whatever... I was so relaxed at that race, no expectations.  I want that feeling back!  Last year it was easy because I wasn't training much but this year I am putting in a lot of work and I want some payback.  I do have expectations!!  To say I am obsessed with this weekend may be an understatement.  I guess it is time to practice some mindfulness or stress relieving yoga or something.  I just want Saturday to get here and for me to magically morp to the run!  Preferably to mile 13 of the run.  I also have been on a huge taper week and we all know that can make you nuts.  My calves feel like they are going to rip out of my legs, I am so tired how can I every execute a 5 hour plus race.  Taper is crap.  It really is.  I never do well on taper.  I get a sore throat, I get a stomach ache, my legs may fall off, anything you can imagine....

Everyone says Ironman is a journey and this definitely has been one.  I keep thinking it will be one more trial to add to my celebration as I cross the finish line.  So this weekend I am asking for prayers, mojo, good thoughts from everyone.  I am hoping my mind can relax and I can enjoy this distance that I love!  Then as a bonus I get some R and R in Chicago and what is even better no training!  So I sit here typing to hopefully take my mind off this race for a while and to have this report as a memory.  Maybe next year when it pops up on time hop, I can think how silly I was to worry about something that turned out great!

Happy Racing....

Ironman Training and the Life of a Domestic Goddess....

Busy has become my middle name.  It seems if I do not have a bike under my butt or a bathing suit on I am playing stay at home mom extraordinaire.  I am not sure how I ever stayed a stay at home mom for all those years.  I did not go back to work until Morgan was in JK.  No wonder I was a crazy person back then.. ok crazier than I am now.  Everyday is just an endless supply of cooking, making lunches for Stewart and Noah ( who is working 9-5), laundry, cleaning up after kids, and running errands and driving kids everywhere!!  I also have thrown in multiple trips to Lausanne for meetings, coaching, teaching camp, etc.  This has not been a relaxing summer but through all the chaos I am thankful for each day.  Thankful for the family and the life I have.  Last summer, I chose to redo and paint the downstairs bathroom which was a joke and I ended up bribing the boys with cash to finish for me. An artist I am not.  This summer I have decided to get new light fixtures, redo the dining room and kitchen, and recover the kitchen chairs.  The same chairs that I bought along with a kitchen table on a bike ride.  The next week I bought an awesome antique cabinet on the ride.  The men no longer let me go in for water.  Regardless the fun never stops around here!  :)   The other day I was complaining about the geese crossing the road and how I was going to call the homeowners association and file a complaint.  They take forever to cross and there is goose crap everywhere.  Stewart has taken this as a sign that I need to get back to work.  Not yet... I have a bunch of training to fit in before everything gets insane.  I will have about 3 weeks of insane.  More than any girl should ask for.  On the training front, things are going well.  I am riding well... hung with the A boys last night.. only girl up there and tempo and runs are great.  I do feel fit.  Swim is just swim.. easier, more efficient but never faster.  SMH...  my body is doing its best to stay together.  Lots of Foot issues and IT issues which are still stemming from my antiobotic fiasco and I am finally calling Uncle and going to see Croft tomorrow before I dig myself into a hole.  Actually I am loving IM training.  Surprised?  Very.  I do get tired and I count the work outs down to rest days but all in all I am embracing it.  Loving the long rides and the neat places I have been able to ride.  I have been lucky to get some great rides in Chatt and Monteagle as of late.   I have a half in two weeks and if all continues I feel fit and have high hopes of a good race.  Fingers crossed... oops.. got to go pick little bit up from cheer.  Today I have driven to and from my house a total of 12 times.. 12!!  Maybe I do need to get back to work!!!