I'm Tri'ing

Can't believe there is less than a week left in 2014.  I had an amazing year, both in life and triathlon life and I'm looking forward to what 2015 holds. I'm a bit disappointed at how I'm finishing the year because I had high hopes of getting to goal weight and working on some strength training but the back hindered that progress for about 4-5 weeks. I have to admit that I have been pretty lazy since finishing Kerrville but I'm working on re-energizing and getting back on track, which was the main reason I registered for Alamo 13.1 in March.   Yesterday I enjoyed a beautiful morning and was able to go outside for a 5 mile run, the longest run since Kerrville.  I remember when 5 miles seemed long.   I have my 2015 race schedule finalized, now just need to make sure all the dates work.  I've already ready registered for 2 of my planned 6 races, which is double the races I did in 2014 (3 races).  It will be even more important for me to get to goal ...

It's time for a change.  I realized this evening while driving home from work that I have wasted the past 6.5 weeks of my life.  Yes I've experienced a set back with my back but that doesn't account for the entire last 6.5 weeks.  This is not the way I wanted to finish out 2014.  So the next 7 weeks I need to get back on track, yep 2015 is 7 weeks away. I established some goals for the remainder of the year that I'm definitely not going to achieve but getting back on track is part of reaching those goals.  Sometimes we don't always achieve things in the time frame that we hope but what is more important is realizing when we fall off the horse, chase it down and get back up. In 6.5 weeks I have reverted to some of my very bad habits that caused me to live an unhealthy unhappy life and I worked hard to turn those around so GET UP AND GET YOUR BUTT IN GEAR because I'm much happier when I'm healthy!

It's hard to believe that it's been almost a month since my race and I have not made any progress towards my goals for the rest of the year. This lack of progress is mainly because I have been lazy but most recently I have done something to my back.  Last weekend  I tweaked my back and was in some pain but rested up and by Tuesday felt I could start working out again. When I was working out, I felt several jarring sharp pains that brought me to my knees and tears to my eyes.  Since then I have tried to stretch as much as possible and have gotten a massage but I'm still in a good amount of pain. The first thing I thought of was that day 2 years ago that I ended up in the ER and then a week later was having back surgery.  I wasn't ready for it then and I'm not ready for it now so I've decided that I'm going to try to get a Dr appointment for next Friday.  I need to know if I have done some long term damage or if it's just taking longer to heal than what ...

I had a complete week of no workouts.  I assumed I would be a bit sore after my big event so we decided it would be a great time to visit the family and I'm still nursing the big blister on my left ankle.  An entire week of not working out I figured I would feel absolutely horrible but I actually feel pretty good.  I feel rested and ready to get back to work! As I mentioned previously I was not going to make any decisions about next year until at least one week after the race, well it's been a week and I know that my 2015 triathlon season will not involve an Ironman but it will have at least one if not two 1/2 Ironman events.  I feel that I need to have at least another season before I seriously think about tackling an Ironman. It's easy to think it's double of what you just did and that wasn't that bad so how bad could it be.....double the training and double the time....uh no it's not really that simple. For the rest of the year along with focusing on so...

Kerrville 1/2 Full Triathlon 2014 Report Kerrville, TX Swim - 1.2 / Bike - 56 miles / Run - 13.1 miles Start time 7:30 a.m. Overall time 7:15:07 Pre-Race Race weekend held many surprises - two if my dearest friends traveled from Maryland to watch me race, it continued when I received a "Good Luck" video from family and friends, car decorating and signs from my cheering crew (Rob, Joy, Sue, Janet & Roger). On Saturday I was very nervous, the hubby had to talk me off the edge a couple of times but race morning I was pretty calm, taking silly photos and trying to be as positive as possible.   Weather Initially I was worried about the heat but as the weekend got closer I was worried about cold weather and rain but it turned out be a beautiful day Swim Time - 50:05 I didn't think I did well on the swim so I was surprised at my time, because I thought I was going to be over the hour mark.  The start was an individual time trial that you run into the water, wh...

9/15/14 - 9/21/14 Swim - 1 Bike - 0 Run - 3 Strength Training - 0 Weight loss (weekly / year) - 0 lbs / 8  lbs Mileage (weekly / 2014)   Swim - 2100  yds / 104,400 yds      Bike - 0 miles / 1399.28 miles   Run - 12.02 miles / 404.05 miles Well hopefully this time next week I'll be home or almost home enjoying some treats of red vines licorice and some cold cider. Had a short week as far as training, missed a few sessions, but the sessions I did hit were rock solid.  I touched base with Krista regarding my nutrition and think I have a good plan with some room for adjustments as needed.  I ran with my new water belt today, which I think will work well for the race. All week I have been very optimistic and upbeat, I think I watched / listened to the hour long Ironman Kona 2013 at least 3 times this week for some additional motivation.  This morning I started to get a bit concerned / worried but I wouldn't call it a freak out moment. ...

9/8/14 - 9/14/14 Swim - 2 Bike - 2 Run - 2 Strength Training - 0 Weight loss (weekly / year) - 0 lbs / 8  lbs Mileage (weekly / 2014)   Swim - 5,500  yds / 102,300 yds      Bike - 68 miles / 1399.28 miles   Run - 11.9 miles / 392.03 miles This was a good last week of “build” training.  Next week is like a recovery week, with shorter time, and then the week of the race is taper and the sessions are are very light/short.   I continue to have a range of emotions on a daily basis but I like to think that is a good thing.  I can be super excited and nervous at the same time.  I do have some concern about the format of the race (2 transition race) since it’s different than what I have done in the past.  I have to ensure that all my gear is in the correct bags and that everything from transition 1 is packed up so it will get back to me. My nutrition is improving, but of course that is always something to be concerned about. ...

9/1/14 - 9/7/14 Swim - 2 Bike - 1 Run - 3 Strength Training - 0 Weight loss (weekly / year) - 1 lbs / 8  lbs Mileage (weekly / 2014)   Swim - 3,950  yds / 96,800 yds      Bike - 56 miles / 1331.28 miles   Run - 14.01 miles / 380.13 miles I was very bad this week, I missed 1/2 of my training sessions....but if I'm trying to be optimistic I at least hit all my long sessions! With 3 weeks I'm not freaking out about that, I knew what I was doing every day I decided not to get out of bed.  I know I'm as ready as I will be for this race , I know that I won't be able to run the entire 13.1 miles and I know that my nutrition is much better than what it was.   There are definitely things that worry me - will I make the cut off times, will I finish, will I finish last.  I'm fairly confident that I will finish.  Swimming in a wetsuit for the first time is a bit scary, but I don't think it will be that big of a difference other than I hop...

8/25/14 - 8/31/14 Swim - 3 Bike - 1 Run - 4 Strength Training - 0 Weight loss (weekly / year) - 1 lbs / 8  lbs Mileage (weekly / 2014)   Swim - 6,500  yds / 92,850 yds      Bike - 50 miles / 1275.28 miles   Run - 20.01 miles / 366.12 miles This was my 2nd of 4 weeks of build before the race - I missed my week day bike rides but was able to get a good 50 miles in today and a lot of running this week - I was surprised by the amount of running when I added it all up - the volume definitely explains the sore hip. The week started off with some panic / freak out moments that I hoped wouldn't start for a few more weeks but I think I ended the week with a strong workout. This week I did my longest run to date - just over 9 miles and my longest bike ride in a long time - 50 miles and I finally completed my first brick (back to back  bike/run ).  I did not run the entire time but I think I've come to the realization that I won't be able to run t...

8/18/14 - 8/24/14 Swim - 2 Bike - 2 Run - 2 Strength Training - 0 Weight loss (weekly / year) - 0 lbs / 7  lbs Mileage (weekly / 2014)   Swim - 4,900  yds / 86,350 yds      Bike - 84.5 miles / 1225.28 miles   Run - 12.44 miles / 346.11 miles This was the first week of the final 4 weeks of build before my race.  It is hard for me to believe that 5 weeks from today everything that I have worked for will be over.  Post race life will be so different and I have been thinking a lot about how I will spend my time.  I still have many goals to achieve but I'm looking forward to planning exercise activities and not training activities.   Today we took a drive out to Kerrville to check out the race course and I'm surprised at how much of the race is going to be in town.  The lake looks clean but big but very calm. The roads for the bike are ok, a fair amount of chip seal, which is very common here in Texas, but the hills don't look t...

8/4/14 - 8/10/14 Swim - 3 Bike - 3 Run - 3 Strength Training - 0 Weight loss (weekly / year) - 0 lbs / 7  lbs Mileage (weekly / 2014)   Swim - 7,100  yds / 79,950 yds      Bike - 72.5 miles / 1140.78 miles   Run - 17 miles / 319.57 miles Overall, a good week of training.  I hit all my scheduled workouts but fell a bit short on time for a couple but had success with a new nutrition plan.  I realize that most sports / electrolyte mixes don't really appeal to my taste buds but in order to property fuel during training and races I just need to suck it up and not think about the taste.  I did not experience any stomach issues with the new plan and hope that it will help with my bike to run transition. My biggest training accomplishment this week was today when I went out for a bike ride - I climbed Heartbreak Hill, which kicked my butt in the June race - so we are now even Nicol - 1 Hill - 1.  The ride ended up not being as long as I...

7/28/14 - 8/3/14 Swim - 3 Bike - 1 Run - 2 Strength Training - 0 Weight loss (weekly / year) - 0 lbs / 7  lbs Mileage (weekly / 2014)   Swim - 5,800  yds / 72,850 yds      Bike - 31 miles / 1068.28 miles   Run - 11.94 miles / 302.57 miles Eight weeks from today.....I hope to be finished with my first 1/2 IM.  Time has snuck up on me quickly.  I still have some solid training ahead of me over the next few weeks.  I've waited for this race for a long time, and there were days I never thought it would come and some days I wish it was further away but this will be another moment that I test my physical and mental abilities.  Worry, fear, skepticism have started to creep into my brain and all I can do is continue to focus on my training and make my head believe that I'm ready for this.   I've been in touch with Coach Krista for some pointers on nutrition and fueling and in an hour phone conversation and reading / watching a few ...

Small Texan Triathlon 2014 Report Boerne City Lake, Boerne, TX Swim - .93 / Bike - 28 miles / Run - 6.2 miles Start time 8:05 Overall time 4:12:46 (last year 4:13:20) Pre-Race For the 1st time ever Rob is not here for my race, he is back in MD for work so I was going solo.  I also had to put Lane in boarding since I had to get up early on Sunday and didn't want to leave her locked in the house for that long.  I was a bit disappointed to hear that the race was starting at 8 again this year, I wish they would start a bit earlier, possibly 730. I arrived around 7 and had plenty of time to find a decent spot and get setup with time to spare.  Standing around, I chatted with a few people but I was missing Rob and his reminders. Weather It started off great, very overcast and the water was very cool from the recent rain.  But it quickly got warm and the sun was hot! Swim After the leg cramp at Gatorbait I was a bit worried but the start for this race is di...

6/30/14 - 7/6/14 Swim - 2 Bike - 1 Run - 2 Strength Training - 0 Weight loss (weekly / year) - 0 lbs / 5.5  lbs Mileage (weekly / 2014)   Swim - 3,900  yds / 47,450 yds      Bike - 41.5 miles / 983.28 miles   Run - 11.23 miles / 271.85 miles The past 2 weeks, since my race, I have been lazy.  When I do workout I have great workouts but I'm not hitting all of my scheduled workouts.  There is no excuse, I have my next race in 2 weeks and I'm just frustrating myself.  This has happened to before other races so I'm familiar with this routine but I need to break this cycle.  This race is going to be tough because the temperatures are rising and it's going to be hot and this is my last race before the 1/2 IM race in September so I want to do well.   I think it's also troubling me that the hubby will be out of town during my race.  This will be the 1st race that I have done that he won't be at and I think that is adding to my...

Gator Bait Olympic - 6/21/14 - Boerne, TX - Race Summary: Overall time - 3:45:18 WEATHER:  Fantastic for racing, it was overcast the entire day.  Funny thing is about an hour after the race the sun broke. SWIM:  Upon arrival they informed us the water was cool enough for wetsuits.  I still have yet to buy a wetsuit and who would have thought it would be cool in June in Texas.  However, maybe a wetsuit would have helped me out. A short history lesson - almost 2 years ago I had back surgery and have a fair amount of nerve damage in my left leg, this can result in severe cramping during over use. This was a time trial swim start so we started individually and with just over 100 people doing the Olympic distance you didn't have to worry about anyone beating you up or running into you.  I was ready for the swim, had high hopes of improving my time from last year.  I walked in over the rocks and started to swim - BAM - just like that complete ...

6/9/14 - 6/15/14 Swim - 2 Bike - 2 Run - 2 Strength Training - 0 Weight loss (weekly / year) - 1.5 lbs / 9  lbs Mileage (weekly / 2014)   Swim - 2,400  yds / 54,400 yds      Bike - 56 miles / 867.28 miles   Run - 11.43 miles / 243.62 miles This was a rough week for me.  I started the week of with a weight gain and continued the week with low energy and taking 2 days off.  I ended the week with a weight loss with a good swim but a rough run.  I'm not confident in the weight loss or maybe the weight gain.  I think for the most part I have been eating well but I think I might not be getting enough protein and that might be contributing to my low energy.   Next weekend I'll be doing my 1st race of the season.  I'm feeling good and hope to have some solid workouts this week and have a good performance. My #1 goal is always to finish a race but I would also like to lower my time for this distance.   I also need to do ...

6/2/14 - 6/8/14 Swim - 2 Bike - 2 Run - 3 Strength Training - 0 Weight loss (weekly / year) - 0 lbs / 7.5  lbs Mileage (weekly / 2014)   Swim -4,700  yds / 52,000 yds      Bike - 55.3 miles / 811.28 miles   Run - 10.67 miles / 231.19 miles I missed one bike this week and all of my strength training and did not have a good food week and gained weight and I have my 1st race in 2 weeks and that stresses me out but I'm more worried how I'm going to get all my workouts in while the hubby is traveling for work, which is 5 weeks away.  Jeez So this weekend we went out and drove the bike course, since it's different than the race I did last year and that I'm doing this July.  WOW - OMG - HOLY MOLY - that is one big hill.  The bike course is very intimidating.  There is a VERY LARGE steep hill that makes my head spin thinking about it and it doesn't help that I haven't been outside riding on my bike.  Of course hubby is like you got...

5/26/14 - 6/1/14 Swim - 3 Bike - 3 Run - 3 Strength Training - 1 Weight loss (weekly / year) - 1 lbs / 7.5  lbs Mileage (weekly / 2014)   Swim - 4500 yds / 47,300 yds      Bike - 58 miles / 755.98 miles   Run - 11.66 miles / 221.52 miles We have had visitors in town all week and I setup an eating plan for the week and I'm very proud to say that I have stuck to it, especially on the weekend - woohoo! Yesterday I decided to hold off on my run until later in the afternoon when it's HOT and sunny - well I have quickly realized that I'm not ready for the Texas heat.....yet.  I really can only adjust my weekend workouts but will try to get at least 1 run a week out in the heat of the day.  I'm 3 weeks out from my 1st race and while the heat may have gotten to me yesterday I still feel that I'm ready for the race although I know the hills and heat will be tough I'm still excited and ready to go!

5/19/14 - 5/25/14 Swim - 1 Bike - 2 Run - 2 Strength Training - 1 Weight loss (weekly / year) - 0 lbs / 5.5  lbs Mileage (weekly / 2014)   Swim - 1900 yds / 42,800 yds      Bike - 53 miles / 697.98 miles   Run - 10.2 miles / 209.86 miles It's been a few weeks since my last update, but no worries I have still been training.  Had some hiccups over the past few weeks with some sore muscles but I have kept moving in the right direction.   I have been serious about my training but I have not been serious about my eating.  I usually do pretty well during the week but fall apart on the weekends and much of my hard work throughout the week goes to the way side on the weekends and then I'm in this constant back and forth struggle.  So my game plan is to limit my dining out and alcohol intake.  We have family in town this week and next so I'm limiting myself to drinking 1 day each week and 1 splurge meal each week.  Then the final 3 ...