Tomorrow starts the 3rd go around for Ironman Texas training. I wish I was going into training in a better situation than what I have put myself but there is no dwelling only moving forward. I'm looking forward to the hubby returning from work travel so I can get back to the gym routine and especially my morning swims. I have a lot to overcome over the next 24 weeks so my dedication level needs to be better than ever. I have been considering doing 2 long distance event this year but feedback from some friends indicates I should do the 2nd one 6-8 weeks from the 1st but that is very tough for me because of the time I would need to take off and there is nothing close so I would have to fly which would mean some extra time because I would have to ship my bike. So I'm considering just doing some other races, as I had originally planned this year and didn't follow through with and then 2019 I would reconsider 2 long distance events. Key focus points for me t...
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I have officially wasted the past 27 weeks, since Ironman Texas. Which is exactly what I said last year I would not let happen. Well at this point all I can do is begin to move forward and get my shit back together. So now I have 26 weeks till Ironman Texas 2018. The good or I guess bad, is I'm not the only one, there are lots of people that have the same history. So what I can do: Admit that I fell off the wagon - I screwed up but I'm not a screw up. Yep 27 weeks to realize that is a long time but it use to take years. So what do I need to do, I need to get back on track, follow the plan, do the time. A made a promise to myself a long time ago that I was going to get healthy and take care of myself which is exactly what I need to do. I forget, very often, everything I have accomplished and even more that I want to accomplish. Be the person you want to be!
Happy Birthday to me ------ 47 years old young. I realized yesterday that I may have lived 1/2 or more of my life and I realize that I still have so much to do. I have always looked at what I need to fix about me and I realize that I can't look at myself as broken because I'm not broken, I'm just not perfect and starting over is just an opportunity to continually improving myself. I'm still wishy washy abouut doing TX IM 2018......I want to, but don't know but I can start moving in the right direction again.
No I still haven't made up my mind. I'm back and forth but ultimately I'm probably going to sign up. Should have done it weeks ago to get the better discount but I'm struggling with the training time and the cost of a hotel, which is $100/night more than last year! As the hubby regularly reminds me, some day your body won't let you do this anymore. I have scheduled to get my Ironman tattoo next weekend, super excited to get it. A bit scary since it's been so many years since my last but I earned this and always said I wanted to get the tattoo to remind myself of what I accomplished. It will forever mark accomplishing the #1 thing on my bucket list! I'll need to take a few weeks off from swimming until it heals up, which could be the toughest part since my morning swims help me start my day off right!
I'm sure there are people out there, somewhere, that think they have the perfect life. That everything is right in that world. I would love to meet them as I think it would be a great conversation on how they got there and are staying there. Me? Definitely don't have the perfect life but I believe it's always work in progress. I have a history of getting off track but I like to think that one of my biggest improvements is recognizing when I'm off balance and working to get pointed in the right direction. I've been definitely been off track, BUT I realize it and working on it. Vacation last week was the perfect time to get away from the craziness of work......I have been putting in some long hours and needed a vacation to remind me of my priorities - ME, hubby and our dog. That doesn't mean I'm not dedicated to my job but it doesn't mean that putting in 60+ hrs a week is beneficial for my mental and physical health. Tomorrow I plan to right th...
Seven weeks ago I completed my 2nd Ironman. I have worked out twice since then. Two days ago I received notification that Ironman Texas 2018 registration opens June 26th. After the race, I said I thought I was done with the full distance....then of course the pain of the race creeps out of your brain and the joy of what you did is all you seem to remember....the pain goes away and the high reminds you "You are an Ironman!" Days and weeks go by, many ciders, sugary food, unhealthy diet, no working out and we arrive at today - Ironman Boulder. I have watched/followed off and on to see 2 of my favorites finish and the high of being an Ironman all comes back. This sparks a conversation with the hubby, and I think I would like to volunteer for the 2018 Ironman Texas and he says the words I'm not ready to hear - "why don't you just race, there will be a time when you can't race anymore and that is when you can volunteer." He reminds me...
It's been 2 weeks since Ironman Texas 2017 - and I'm still under the weather. I started feeling bad on Monday after the race - thought it was just a cold, but by Wednesday was feeling worse and realized it wasn't just a cold because I could only hear a ringing in my left ear. Started taking Daquil / nyquil with no luck so went to Urgent care - confirmed I had a viral infection, which was probably causing the ringing/lack of hearing in my ear. So they gave me a steroid shot and cough medicine. I wasn't feeling any better so decided to schedule appointment with the huband's ENT. Was lucky to get in on Tuesday - confirmed that I have a bacterial inner ear infection - was given a round of steroids and antibiotics which should reduce the swelling in my ear and should resume my hearing. So I go back in 2 weeks for a follow up. So far still no hearing! All of this means I haven't been back to the gym yet - which is starting to suck! I'm hoping to get bac...
4/22/16 - IRONMAN TEXAS Swim - 1:43 Bike - 7:21 Run - 6:57 Overall - 16:25 For those that know me - realize that I do feel that I have now completed my first full Ironman. Yes last year I did Iroman Texas and finished however since the bike course was cut short, because of the flood damage, I strongly felt that I needed to try again to say I swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles and ran 26.2 miles and I can say that now. Here is my summary of my 2017 Ironman Texas adventure: SWIM This year was once again wetsuit optional so by electing to wear a wetsuit I gave up any age group podium opportunity which meant no KONA - Darn, though that was in reach :>) The swim route was different than last year as the canal was not safe because of the bacteria levels so we stayed in the lake last year. However this year we went into the canal and I would have preferred staying in the lake. The water in the canal was nasty - smelly and lots of seaweed. Several pe...
4/10/17 - 4/16/17 Swim - 2 of 3 Bike - 3 of 3 Run - 2 of 3 Strength Training - 0 Weight to lose - .5 lbs Mileage (weekly / 2017) Swim - 3,176 yds / 63,476 yds miles Bike - 53.2 miles / 544.8 miles Run - 7.03 miles / 115.13 mile Taper has arrived and I'm amazed that the shorter workouts have made me feel more aches and pains - my shoulder, my thumbs, my foot.....jeez and I feel exhausted, like I could sleep for a week. I don't remember this last year - but I feel ready - doing some mental focusing, reminding myself to take each segment at a time. Don't let to big picture overwhelm - break everything down into smaller, mentally more achievable events. The feather forecast at this point is rain - ugh - still have bad memories of the wind, hail, rain and feeling of running through a shallow creek last year. My feet have a very good memory! I'm not where I want to be weight wise but I'm not going t...
4/3/17 - 4/9/17 Swim - 2 of 3 Bike - 1 of 3 Run - 1 of 3 Strength Training - 0 Weight to lose - 1.5 lbs Mileage (weekly / 2017) Swim - 4,822 yds / 60,300 yds miles Bike - 16 miles / 491.6 miles Run - 3.54 miles / 108.1 mile Taper starts next week. I didn't have a great week, too much personal stuff going on that just consumed my focus and didn't feel motivated! Lots of emotions and conversations with myself questioning whether I'm ready for this adventure this year - I still don't know the answer to that. I feel I'm ready for the swim and despite the lack of running this year I feel I have a good plan for the run but the bike for some reason worries me. I haven't gotten as much mileage in as last year but my times are faster than last year. But this week is important for focus - stay on target, hit my planned workouts, NO distractions and remind myself that I GOT THIS. I can do this...
3/27/17 - 4/2/17 Swim - 2 of 3 Bike - 2 of 3 Run - 2 of 3 Strength Training - 0 Weight to lose - 1 lbs Mileage (weekly / 2017) Swim - 5,491 yds / 55,478 yds miles Bike - 49.4 miles / 475.6 miles Run - 8.26 miles / 104.56 mile No more splurge meals till after the race. This was an ok week, I let work get to me a bit too much but that is always a challenge to overcome, even when not in training. I didn't do my long run today, we had bad storms most of the morning and then I got busy cleaning and getting stuff done for the week. But overall it was a good training week and when compared to last year at this time, I was better except on the run. I lost 1 lb which is good because I've been stagnate the past few weeks. Still not at my goal weight, nor at the weight I would like to be for the race, so hoping the next 2 weeks go well to get me close to where I want to be. Tried on my wetsuit this week and realize I ...
3/20/17 - 3/26/17 Swim - 0 of 3 Bike - 1 of 3 Run - 3 of 3 Strength Training - 0 Weight to lose - 0 lbs Mileage (weekly / 2017) Swim - 6,477 yds / 49,987 yds miles Bike - 28.8 miles / 426.2 miles Run - 16.87 miles / 96.3 mile Wow - thought I did better -guess not. No swimming this week and I wish I could say my shoulder feels better but NOT. Despite not hitting on my training sessions I feel those that I did were on point! Today was the last splurge weekend and the hubby is planning to stick with me, which I really appreciate. It makes it easier when dining out. I'm disappointed that I didn't drop any weight this week because overall I had a good nutrition week but that could be related to less activity. I still have several pounds I want to lose before race day so no splurges for the next 4 weeks hopefully will help with that. My nutrition plan is going very well - except I forgot how qui...
3/13/17 - 3/19/17 Swim - 3 of 3 Bike - 1 of 3 Run - 2 of 3 Strength Training - 0 Weight to lose - 1 lbs Mileage (weekly / 2017) Swim - 6,477 yds / 49,987 yds miles Bike - 17.6 miles / 397.4 miles Run - 17.02 miles / 79.43 mile Overall good week - didn't get all the biking in that I needed but did hit my long run, which felt good. Still have about 10 lbs I would like to lose before the race, which will be tough in 5 weeks. The long run today was good, feet are a bit sore but overall could have continued on, the hills in this neighborhood are killer so I know on something flatter will be faster and nutrition went well. Was able to hit 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 last week - will try to add 5 next week! The plan for the next 6 weeks: 1. Stick to the plan 2. Keep practicing nutrition 3. Focus on daily hydration 4. Healthy eating - will stop the 1 splurge meal a week at the beginning of week 4 5. Add some...
3/6/17 - 3/12/17 Swim - 2 of 3 Bike - 1 of 3 Run - 1 of 3 Strength Training - 0 Weight to lose - 1.5 lbs Mileage (weekly / 2017) Swim - 5,678 yds / 43,510 yds miles Bike - 32 miles / 379.8 miles Run - 4.54 miles / 62.41 mile This was a recovery week so less volume, but I think I took a little too much volume off. After a disappointing ending to last week, I should have taken this week a bit more seriously. The best part of the week - I swam the entire Ironman distance - 2.4 miles on Tuesday and felt wonderful and the only reason I stopped was because I had to get ready to go to work. I really felt that I could have kept swimming and could probably have done 5,000 yds (2.8 miles). Sadly I paid for it the rest of the week. I definitely need to start stretching upper body and do some strength training, if things don't improve after the race then I'll go see a Dr. The plan for the next 6 weeks: 1. S...
2/26/17 - 3/5/17 Swim - 2 of 3 Bike - 2 of 3 Run - 2 of 3 Strength Training - 0 Weight to lose - 1 lbs Mileage (weekly / 2017) Swim - 4,970 yds / 37,832 yds miles Bike - 70 miles / 347.8 miles Run - 10.18 miles / 57.87 mile Rough end to a not so great week. Training this week was not good, missed too may sessions. So I thought I would end the week on a better note and I would do a 1/2 Ironman, this would provide me some confidence for IMTX now less than 7 weeks away. Well didn't end up that way. I did the 1.2 mile swim and the 56 mile bike but only did a little over 4 miles for the run. Totally bonked - headache, dizzy.....I have concluded this was due to a number of things. No dinner night before, poor hydration pre activity, bad breakfast. I'm really ticked off at myself, I know better. At first I was upset, worried that this meant that I'm not ready for IMTX, but realistically it means I wa...
2/20/17 - 2/26/17 Swim - 3 of 3 Bike - 1 of 3 Run - 2 of 3 Strength Training - 0 Weight to lose - 1.5 lbs Mileage (weekly / 2017) Swim - 7,718 yds / 32,862 yds miles 7 Bike - 30 miles / 290.8 miles Run - 8.01 miles / 47.69 mile Decent week, but missed some key workouts but those that I did have were good sessions, but I know I can do better. This week my new Coeur kit arrived and I love it! The top is so long, compared to what I'm use to wearing. This is the first full kit that I have ever bought. I typically just wear black shorts and a top. Today I missed my long run due to on-call weekend that started at 3 am this morning but it happens. As I have written before I will not get upset about things out of my control. I am constantly reminded that I can't control everything and I just have to do what I can do and make every session count. I compare my effort and time to last year and ...
2/13/17 - 2/19/17 Swim - 3 of 3 Bike - 1 of 3 Run - 3 of 3 Strength Training - 0 Weight to lose - 1.5 lbs Mileage (weekly / 2017) Swim - 6,664 yds / 25,144 yds miles Bike - 15 miles / 262.8 miles Run - 12.35 miles / 39.68 mile Not a bad week, missed a few workouts but still happy with what I'm producing. Starting to get a bit nervous, but hubby tells me I was the same way last year. I ordered a new triathlon kit - actually first time I've actually ordered a full kit. Typically I wear a tri shirt and black shorts but this go around I decided to go full out. It is shipping today, can't wait to see it. Coeur shorts were good to me last IMTX so decided to go with a top this well. This is a huge treat for myself as I have been racing the same jersey since 2013. Hope I like it!! Not a great weight loss week but down is always better than up! I did not stick to the plan last weekend, t...
2/6/17 - 2/12/17 Swim - 3 of 3 Bike - 2 of 3 Run - 3 of 3 Strength Training - 0 Weight to lose - 4 lbs Mileage (weekly / 2017) Swim - 2537yds / 18,480 yds miles Bike - 60 miles / 247.8 miles Run - 9.36 miles / 27.33 mile Compared to last year, 10 weeks out from the race, I'm on track. I'm close to my workout counts and pace and my weight is slightly higher this year. Overall I had a good weekend. I hit all but one of my training sessions, still need to get strength training into my regime, which is always tough to do because there is no time in the morning so it will have to be in the evenings, which are hard because I just want to come home, eat and relax. But, I'm going to try this week. On Monday, I wanted to quit! I told the hubby I was quitting. Work has been crazy, frustrating and just making life hard right now. He reminded me it's a job......its what pays the bills and what provides mone...
1/30/17 - 2/5/17 Swim - 1 of 3 Bike - 2 of 3 Run - 0 of 3 Strength Training - 0 Weight to lose - 4 lbs Mileage (weekly / 2017) Swim - 2924yds / 11,943 yds miles Bike - 57 miles / 187.8 miles Run - 0 miles / 17.97 mile 11 weeks to go and not a good week for me. Too many distractions...I let that happen, won't let it happen next week. Things I will change for upcoming week. 1. Work out in the mornings on weekends. 2. No missed workouts during week. I did have a good weight loss week, so I am excited about that but that is it. I stuck to the food plan, which was easier than I thought. I don't like to think that I eat a lot of sugar but by cutting all processed (except for exercise nutrition) and minimizing the natural really worked for me. I was worried because this changed my morning food routine but my body adapted quickly. Can't dwell in the past and what I didn't do can only look to the fut...