Ahhh……. one of those weeks

I was so excited to start my IM workouts, the 1^st and 2^nd weeks were exhilarating, I’m going be an IRONMAN!  Well, the 3^rd week has not been so joyful.  I’ve been tired; I think it’s a combination of work stress and working out.  My legs have felt tired, my shoulders hurt, and I thought I was going sink like a rock at swim practice last night!  Now, I did expect to have bad weeks, this is just the first of several, I’m sure of that.  I just felt like I should commemorate my 1^st Yuck week with a blog post!

Each year I create a motivational page to go in the front of my workout binder.  I think that I need to take a good look at my 2014 page.  See below:

Corn, and not the good kind!

I have had feet issues over the past year.  I have always had a few calluses but a few rubs with a pumice stone a couple of times a week have taken care of them.  Then, last year I got plantar warts.  Gross, right!  After several treatments over a couple of months with Dr. Scholl’s Corn Removers my plantar warts were gone!   I would leave the corn pad and medicated disc on for 2 days, then cut the dead skin away with a pair of pointy finger nail clippers, then rub with a pumice stone.  I was sooooo excited to finally be rid of them! 

Then about a month ago my heel started hurting and I thought that I had a stone bruise.  The pain got worse and worse and then my other heel started to hurt.  I noticed these hard calluses looking things on my heels.  After some internet research, I realized that they were CORNS!  I thought that a callus and corn was the same thing, but boy was I wrong. The calluses were just annoying, the corns were Painful!  After more treatments with Dr. Scholl’s, cutting away the dead skin, and rubbing with a pumice stone, I’m finally seeing some progress.  Last night I decided to put Aquaphor (which is the best stuff ever) on the corns and cover with a band-aid for the day. Hopefully, this will help soften the skin.

Garmin 910XT Review

So I got this wonder watch for Christmas from my dear husband.  I have been so excited about it because I’m a data junkie!  I have used this watch during my first week of Ironman Texas training.  Here goes my review for each sport.

Running – I have completed some long runs and one interval run.  I have been using a Garmin Forerunner 110 so I was used to a GPS running watch.  However, the Garmin 910XT has more features that I really liked!  I like that I can customize the screen to show up to 4 data fields.  Currently, I use the time, pace, and distance fields.  I was curious and apprehensive about using the interval function.  I wasn’t sure that it would keep my total distance, but after I used it I absolutely loved it.  I set up the workout that included a warm-up, intervals, and cool-down. I also like that the watch beeps and vibrates.   I really enjoyed the little song that was played at the end of the workout!  Hey it’s the little things that count!

Bike – I have used the watch on the trainer and on an outdoor ride.  I have a power meter and I love that all my data is stored on one device and can be transferred to Training Peaks.  I do not have the bike mount so I turn the watch around so that it is on the inside of my wrist.  I can easily see the display screen while in aero position.

Swim – I have only used the watch once for swimming in a 25 yard pool.  I had a little difficulty keeping up with my laps.  My workout consisted of a warm-up, drills, main set, and cool-down.  I did not realize that the watch would not count the laps in which I used a kickboard!  My coach told me to stop the watch after every set and she recommended that I read DC Rainmaker’s Review.

Overall – LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this watch!!! All my data is stored in one place and can easily be transferred to Garmin Connect or Training Peaks.  The more I use this watch the more I love it!

The Beginning of IMTX Training

So I signed up for Ironman Texas 2014!  We had our meeting last night and needless to say, I’m somewhat nervous AGAIN!  I took 2 weeks off during the holidays because of travel and now with the frigid temperatures I’m finding it difficult to get back into training mode.  I had rather be curled up beside our fireplace with a cup of something hot with a book!  I scored some fabulous tri gear for Christmas, here is what I got:

• Garmin Forerunner 910XT – I am super excited about this watch!  I have been using a Forerunner 110 and I loved it.  So far I have completed 2 runs and 1 trainer bike ride with the 910 and I can already see the benefits.  I have a Powertap and the 910XT gives me so much more data and I haven’t even swam with it yet.

• Camelback Podium water bottles – I had one of these in the smaller version and I decided that I needed 2 matching ones for my XLAB rear hydration system.  I always have trouble getting the top of the bottle open and getting it back closed; somehow I always end up sticky.  Well, these bottles are the solution.
  
  
• Moving Comfort Vixen Sports Bra – The absolute best, no chaffing whatsoever.  It is also slightly padded so it helps flatter the figure and smooth everything out

• Brooks Ghost 6 – This is my favorite shoe and this version seems a little lighter than previous versions.  I also love the pink and navy color scheme!
  
  
   
• OakleyHalf-Jacket Accessory Lenses in H.I. Yellow – I haven’t worn these yet, but I do have these lenses in dark grey polarized and I often find them too dark when riding my bike or running on the dirt roads where there is dappled sunshine.  But I do need some type of glasses, especially when riding the bike because my eyes water.  I hope these work!
   
• The Stick TravelStick – I have tight hamstrings and I usually get my husband to rub me down with a tennis ball.  I have used this a few times and it feels great, I can also bring it to work with me.

• Ironman Championship DVDs – I got these for myself to watch on those long trainer rides!

Now that I’m geared up I hope that my motivation gears up too!