State if Training – My 2nd Month of Ironman Training

As we go into another recovery week my coach asked us to send her a “State of Training” email so I thought I would include my thoughts and feelings here too.

Swim:  I fell stronger than I did last year and my form is better.  Last year I lucked out and the swim at IMTX was wet suit legal.  Wearing a wetsuit makes me faster so I’m not sure if my swim time will be faster this year.  But overall, I’m more confident in the water.

Bike:  This was my weakest discipline last year so I’ve worked very hard on the bike of the last year.  Overall, I’m stronger and more powerful.  I also got a new bike and a great bike fit.  I’m more comfortable so I can ride longer faster.  My only concern is taking in enough fluids and nutrition.  When I work out I do not want to eat.  I’ve been trying different things and I’m starting to feel better about my nutrition. 

Run:  Traditionally, this has been my best discipline and when I only have to run it’s still my strongest.  However, running a marathon after swimming 2.4 miles and biking 112 miles is another story altogether.  There are aid stations every mile on the run and we have to run a 3 loop course.  Last year I walked most of the 1^st lap, ran most of the 2^nd lap, and ran about half of the 3^rd lap.  This year, I must stay focused and try to run as much as I can to each aid station.

Overall:  Physically and mentally I’m stronger.  I’m more confident and better prepared.  But, at times I’m starting to get cranky.  I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining but training is so time consuming.  Sometimes, I really have to keep myself in check.  I try to focus on how I feel when I cross the finish line and Mike Reilly proclaims, “You are an Ironman!”

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Triathlon is an individual sport and this fact is magnified for me because I mostly train on my own.  Most of the time this is fine with me because I’m a very independent person and I rarely ask for assistance.  But this past weekend I was reminded how nice it could be to have a little help.

I complete all my long runs on the dirt roads by my house.  Although there is sometimes a little mud, it usually isn’t a problem.  But this spring it has rained a lot and the water was over the road in four places.  I was going to drive down and stash my rubber boots and extra water bottles.  As I was gathering all my equipment my wonderful husband volunteered to drive down, ferry me across the water and post up at different locations as an aid station.  Not only did this make my run easier, it made it more fun! J

 

 

Longview Half Marathon Race Report

This wasn’t a key race for me and I treated it like a training run for Ironman training.  I was tired from the trip to Plano and the hard week of workouts so I wasn’t expecting to set any records.  I also had to do an 80 mile bike ride and 25 minute brick run on Sunday, the day after the race.  Last year I went out really fast and it caught up with me on the second half of the course.  This year I kept a more consistent pace.  While this was by far not my fastest time I’m very pleased with my performance.  Overall, I’m just so much stronger.  I would have never thought that an 8:20 pace would feel so easy!  I ran this race last year and while the course was good it wasn’t great.  This year the course was better.  There weren’t a lot of turns and there were some nice rolling hills.  This race help raise funds for AMBUCS.  I highly recommend adding this race to your calendar for 2016!

Here’s some information about AMBUCS from the Longview Half Marathon website:

AMBUCS (American Business Clubs) is a national service organization composed of a diverse group of men and women dedicated to creating independence and opportunities for people with disabilities.  

This goal is achieved through various projects; three of the main projects of the Longview chapter are: 1) Scholarships for Therapists program which is the largest single private source of educational grants for therapists in the United States, 2) Wheel Chair Ramps; Longview AMBUCS built 22 ramps last year for disabled individuals who qualified, and 3) the biggest of all ; The AMTRYKE which is a unique therapeutic tricycle that can be hand and/or foot driven.  Therapists acknowledge its therapeutic benefits, citing improved motor skills and strength development.  

 AMBUCS chapters raise funds to provide AmTryke tricycles and handicapped access ramps free to individuals who qualify, plus provide scholarships to promising physical and occupational therapy students.  100% of the money raised by AMBUCS is returned to the community through these projects.   

Longview AMBUCS, is one of the most active local clubs in the country.  Last year alone Longview AMBUCS gave away $26,000 in scholarships to local students and gave away 146 AmTrykes in addition to the 22 handicapped access ramps built. 

 The first AmTryke was designed and built by the Longview AMBUCS in 1989, and Longview is nationally known as "the home of the AmTryke." 

For more information, go to www.longviewambucs.com

 

 

 

New Bike and First Ride

I went last fall to the TriShop in Plano, TX to get a proper bike fit.  Although the Javelin fit me better I had the feeling that I would be more comfortable and confident on a new bike.  The Javelin is 8-10 years old and bike technology had come along way.

I decided that with Ironman Texas fast approaching it was not or never!  So I took off work Friday and my grandparents and I headed to Plano at 6:30 a.m. in the pouring rain.  I had already been emailing the Tri Shop and they had my measurements from my last fit.  When we arrived Trent already had a Felt B14 set up for me.  I took my Cobb Fifty-Five JOF and my 650 wheelset.  I used my own wheels because I have a Powertap hub. 

I also got new bike shoes that are tri specific.  I could tell right off that this bike was going to be more comfortable.  Trent Nix, my bike fitter, had been to the wind tunnel with John Cobb the week before and he gave me some pointers.  Overall, I got 5 star service from the Tri Shop!

My First Ride

The weather has been terrible so I’ve only ridden outside twice this year.  A tri bike is more difficult to ride because the steering is touchy.  So I was a little nervous attempting an 80 mile ride outside on a new bike.  I chose to ride a 20 mile route 4 times. So I would ride out 10 miles and back 10 miles to get more nutrition and hydration.  The first 40 miles were pretty easy, the next 20 miles weren’t bad, but the last 20 were more difficult.  Overall, I had a great ride.  More importantly, my legs felt good on my brick run!

 

Pimped out with XLAB bottle cages!

Cathy Fields Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser

One of my biggest regrets about Ironman Texas last year is that I didn’t do it as a fundraiser.  This year I have pledged to donate $1 for every minute I take off my time or $100 (whichever is the most) to the Cathy Field’s Memorial Scholarship Fund. My goal is to raise $1000 which will help fund another scholarship!

 

Here’s the link to my Go Fund Me website:  www.gofundme.com/summerironman

I Almost Cracked

I LOVE running in the cold weather, heck; I don’t even mind a little rain.  But this continuous cold, rainy weather is about to crack this Ironman.  I’m doing all my bike rides, including a 4.5 hour ride, indoors on my trainer.  Completing the majority of my rides on the trainer has not only been tough physically but it’s been challenging mentally.  It’s just plain boring.

If you have ever trained for a race you probably know there is usually a dark moment in your training.  I refer to this as a meltdown.  I usually have at least one meltdown while training for a big race.  While training for my marathon several years ago I stopped on a long run and just had a good cry.  Last year while training for Ironman I had a couple of meltdowns on the bike.  Most of the time when I crack and have a meltdown I’m tired and overwhelmed.  I work full time at a demanding job and I put a lot of pressure on myself to race hard and fast. 

As I train year after year my meltdowns have decreased in number but I almost had one Sunday on my long run.  I was shocked because I usually enjoy the long runs the most out of all my training.  I like to get up and run early while the sun is rising and the woods are coming to life.  But this Sunday it was cold and pouring rain and about 1 hour into my 2 hour run I had to stop take few deep breaths and relax.    I was still miserable and cranky but I had my best long run of the year.  I was so happy after I got home, took a hot shower, and warmed up by the fireplace.  I was happy that I pushed through the dark moment I experienced out on the dirt roads.  HARD WORK PAYS OFF!

Living Life to the Fullest

I haven’t written a blog post since my uncle suddenly passed away in early February.  He was only 50 years old and he was in good health.  He was an avid outdoorsman, a businessman, and pillar of the community.  In fact, he is the person who introduced me to cycling.  He treated me like a daughter and I’m very close to my aunt and cousins.  Although I’m back at work and busy training, mentally I just haven’t been able to gather and organize my thoughts into a good post.  So why not start with this post?

My uncle was always up for an adventure.  He traveled the country with his family in a motorhome and on his Harley Davidson.  He has hunted many species in Africa.  I mean he had a guide and they tracked the animals down on foot.  He’s hunted bear in Canada and fished in Mexico.  My uncle lived life to the fullest.

I’m going to try to follow his example and live my life to the fullest.  I’m going to make the most out of every opportunity! 

 

 

This is picture of myself at the Freeze you Fanny bike ride.  It was held the weekend after my uncle passed away.  I rode 50 miles to honor and celebrate his life!  It was a beautiful day!