Over the River and Through the Woods. . .

Running is...well, it's running. It's not my favorite activity nor is it my least favorite. It is more than just a means to an end, but I am always open to new ideas that will make it more exciting.

Enter Trail Running. A friend of mine invited me to go trail running with her. Initially she suggested a 9-mile run. Supposedly, the mountain bike trails in Loudonville, Ohio (where I grew up) were spectacular and she very much wanted to run on them one more time before moving out of state. A day later, she contacted me and suggested that we do an 18-mile run instead. Hey, you don't have to ask me twice. That sounds like a challenge I would like to pursue.(Photo: entrance to mile 1 of 24 of the Mohican Mountain Bike Trail)

DIGRESSING: A few things I have learned about myself through this process (1) I am always up for a challenge (2) I prefer to attempt the completion of insane tasks "in the dark" so that I do not know what I am getting myself into before I begin (3) I don't need a lot of reasons to agree to something as long as one or more components make sense.

This is what I knew and what I needed to know before committing to my second 18-mile run - EVER; I have to do a long run anyway, so why not run on a mountain bike trail. I know it is probably more difficult, but it sounds like a lot of fun. I also knew that I had completed one 18-mile run already, so this should be a simple repeat of past events (except that my first run was mostly flat).Oh well, let's just give it a shot and see what happens to me.

So, on May 19, 2010, I began my journey (on foot) on a 24-mile long mountain bike course. I have to admit, it was BEAUTIFUL and everything everyone had told me about it was true. It was an amazing course. The trees provided much needed shade on a warm day and the hills covered in ruts, rocks, limbs and thorns provided enough of a distraction as to draw my attention away from how far I was running and instead keep me focused upon where my next footstep would land.

On mile 9.5 we stopped at one of the cars we had parked mid-way through and filled up our water bottles, ate a little and headed back the same 9.5 miles we had just completed. I was feeling wonderful. As we continued running (sometimes practically crawling up steep inclines) It was amazing to me how quickly the first hour of the second half actually went. It honestly felt like minutes. The last hour, however, was not so fast. At 2:30:00, the lactic acid started to make my legs hurt. I have come to recognize this feeling and know that I will in fact, live, however uncomfortable it is. I watched in great anticipation as the mile markers came and went, helping us count down our small running victory. We would come around a corner on that last mile and think, "this is it, we are done" only to find that we had another hill to climb to corner to run around. It actually made the last mile a bit better despite how painful because we honestly could not see the end until it was upon us.

Our final time running the 19+ miles of the Mohican Mountain Bike Trail was 3:32:00. I keep thinking about not too many months previous, I had a difficult time running past 1:45:00. It's very important to note that my body is getting stronger. It can only help my confidence when I run the trail the next time. I have a feeling, what I was experiencing mentally the last mile will be very similar to what I feel during the Ironman (hoping my legs hold out just a little longer, knowing that the end is in sight although I am not certain where the end is and being determined to get to the end regardless of the discomfort). (Photo: my legs and shoes after 19 muddy, and thorn-covered miles).

I have found a new love in trail running. It is beautiful and shaded. The terrain is not the same from one step to the next; very easily one can get confused about how many more turns or hills remain before the end. I love inching my way up steep hills, dodging logs, stepping lightly over rocks and slowly sliding down steep slopes. It is a nice distraction to the total duration. The trail offers a natural cushion and the sounds of the wind in the trees overhead, the birds cheering me along through song, and the smell of fresh pine makes me want to go back as soon as my legs are ready to take on the challenge again.

(SPECIAL THANKS: I have to thank my parents for providing dinner. My mom had dinner ready immediately following our run. It was pretty spectacular! Thanks so much!)

The Long Bike

I have now reached the point of "The Long Bike". Biking 30-40 miles at a time will do during the week, but weekends are now set aside for a little longer rides, endurance rides. These rides will build not only my strength, but my confidence when it is time to put the 2.4 mile swim together with the 112 mile bike and add in the 26.2 mile run.

As much as I do truly enjoy riding my bike, riding it 70-100 miles, alone, can get a bit dull. My mind wanders from one topic to the next with little effort. I sing little songs to myself, laugh at what I pass along the way and enjoy the sunshine and breeze upon my face. One thing I have realized, as I peddle my way around parts of the state, is how beautiful and amazing Ohio really is. True, there are lots of corn and soybean fields, but there is a great deal more to it if you just take a second or two to notice it.

(VIDEO: The majority of the images shown on this video were taken during the Month of May in the year 2010. A few were taken last summer (note the tall corn) when I first started riding. All of the images were taken from my bike. Pictures, however, can only show a small amount of the beauty that I am lucky enough to encounter each time I go out to train).

May 15th & 16th

5-15-10 - Bike 4 hours/run :30 - Knowing that I had a long ride alone ahead of me, I pulled out my map and planned my route, a new route. Speed was important, but I was more excited about the new scenery and I am happy to say it was 90% success. I got a little lost toward the end and thanks to the combination of my map and my mini compass, I found my way home.

What fun! Exploring new roads, exercising, the Spring sun beating down upon me, motorists keeping their distance and actually, on occasion, waving to me from their cars in Morrow County. I had no idea where I was, but as long as I had my map, all was well with the world as far as I was concerned. Compared to 236, what was 70-80 miles right? I had all day and really took the time I had available to be careful and enjoy what was around me. Afterward, I ran 30 minutes and it felt good, not fantastic, but good. (Photo: "walking the bike across the beam of a bridge being reconstructed).

5-16-10 - Bike Hills 3 hours/walk - When the offer came to have some company for a ride, I jumped at the opportunity. However, I had to choose between riding "flat" or riding "hills". My initial choice was flat (or course). What I learned about myself turning TOSRV was that I am doing "ok" on the flat portions, but when it comes to hills, my legs and endurance are lacking. Therefore, my Ironman demon had to step in and request a nice looonnnnng set of hills.

I can't really say that I was thinking anything but positive thoughts during the duration of the ride. Of course I had a little self doubt, especially when sitting and looking at the hill I was about to climb. I suppose knowing that everything I do toward getting in better shape will help me, makes anything I do (regardless of how frightening or initially difficult) that much better. I view all of this with the perspective that I can only improve.

My legs were certainly showing their inexperience by the end of the 42 miles of "hill work". However, knowing that I completed it and would probably have more opportunities to train on these hills made the ride that much more grand. I attempted to make the steep climbs as fun as possible by noting my heart-rate by the top of the hill and then while descending noting how quicly my heart-rate was dropping (yes, it's true, that is what I consider entertainment).

I suppose that is what makes the initial Ironman so fascinating. I will never experience any of this for the first time again. Certainly if have longer distances to my ride or run after my first Ironman there will be "firsts", but nothing compares to the first 226-mile ride or the first 18-mile run. All of these experiences are fresh and carry a completely different perspective the first time around compared to a second or third.

The weekend was a great success. My legs after riding this weekend felt great. I was and am still hungry (generally, I can always eat these days), but aside from a little minor discomfort at points, I feel lucky to be able to jump into such experiences and have such great friends who are willing to teach me everything they have learned over the years.

Will I Regret Not. . .

Every day I walk by the "days until" calendar I created. I strategically placed it beside the door I must leave through to go anywhere. It is 107 days out. At the end of each day, as I pass by the calendar or cross off a day, I want to feel as though I have done enough. Now, at the close of each day I think to myself, "Will I regret not biking 30 more minutes today. . . biking faster...pushing myself more...swimming a little harder...running just one more mile"?

My mind is one big question mark of expectations for a desire to be "more than ready". I want more than anything to be prepared. And life sometimes, can get in the way of that preparedness.
This has become extremely tough and I feel vulnerable to my own mind. I have no doubts that I will finish. Once I get to that day, I will utilize whatever preparation I have available to finish what I have started. But now is the time to prepare and I want to ensure I am using the time I have available to prepare well.

I think back to TOSRV weekend and wish I had the time and energy to do that every weekend. But then again, what purpose would that serve? Is that becoming compulsive? If I did have time, would I do it? And how much better would I actually be?
What is my goal here? I want to finish. I need to evaluate myself and do what I need to do without giving up what makes life valuable - PEOPLE.

I need to find the BALANCE toward the goal without regrets that I could have done just a little bit more. I need to have CONFIDENCE in my own abilities and realize that I AM doing everything I can to be as prepared as is humanly possible the day of the race.

May 8-May 14

• 5-8-10 & 5-9-10 - Ride 236 Miles - TOSRV weekend (*please see separate blog titled TOSRV 2010).
• 5-10-10 - Stretch Swim - in order to get the lactic acid out of my legs for all the hard work they put forth this past weekend, I completed my 1-hour stretch swim. This particular stretch swim entailed trying to go to the bottom of the 12-foot end and pretty much screwing around for an hour. It was actually really fun!
• 5-11-10 - TOSRV day off - Resting! I blew a whole day doing pretty much nothing constructive at all.
• 5-12-10 - Run 1:10 (Z3)/Swim 4,000 yards - I was able to get my run in before the rain came and it felt wonderful! The swim was nothing unusual. I was able to get my 4,000 yards in. Once again (I am beginning to sound like a broken record), I am feeling that much stronger in the water. I am enjoying seeing how my back and shoulders are increasing in strength with each passing week. It is yet to be determined if I am faster because of it.
• 5-13-10 - Run 1:30/Bike 1:15 - The run felt good today. It was HUMID and probably the first humid day I have experienced in quite awhile. It was kind of fun dripping with sweat. I guess I feel like I am doing more when I am nasty and gross after a workout. BRING IT ON LOUISVILLE HEAT. I will be ready for you! The bike was a bit different today. I decided after TOSRV weekend that I needed more work on hills. So, I spent the first 45 minutes working hills and then the remaining 30 minutes "putzing around" for a few extra miles. The only funny thing that happened, was for the first 45 minutes, my back pouch wasn't zipped. So, after I completed all the hills, I noticed stuff just started flying out behind me. Glad my phone still works after being chucked onto the pavement. Jeesh!
• 5-14-10 - Swim 4,000 yards - TOSRV weekend caught up with me today. I was able to get my swim in. However, while I was loading my bike gear into my car, I could hardly keep my eyes open. I decided a nap would be in order and the length of this nap would determine if and when I would go ride. 2 hours later I woke up and decided I would not ride today. I will save all of my ambitions for the weekend and hope it is as nice as it is supposed to be. "Will I regret not...riding today?" I guess I will see soon enough.

TOSRV 2010

May 8 & May 9

I wasn't truly aware of what I was getting myself into when I signed up for TOSRV (Tour of the Scioto River Valley) bike ride from Columbus, Ohio to Portsmouth, Ohio and back to Columbus. I was aware that the ride was around 200 miles (round trip) (add in an extra 16 miles for detours to equal 226 total round trip this year) and I was also aware that I needed some endurance bike rides - badly! That was all I needed to know.

So, on the morning of May 8, 2010, I arrived in downtown Columbus, Ohio for the beginning leg of the 113 miles I would complete. My hands were clearly shaking and I was, in fact, very nervous. I knew this wouldn't be a sight-seeing tour of Ohio, but instead a great training ride with food stops every 30 miles or so. I suppose the wind advisories for the day added to my nervousness knowing that I would be riding through the flat farmland with crosswinds exceeding 40 miles per hour. I didn't fear the wind (clearly I have been riding through crazy wind lately), I feared my ability to ride through that much wind for that long and then wake up to the same journey the following day.

The first 30 miles went well (fighting through crosswinds that shoved me from the edge of the road to the middle on more than one occasion). The second 25+ miles went well also. I was feeling good. The third section of the ride was a bit more complex as there was a detour that added an extra 8 miles of hills to the journey that I was not prepared mentally to climb. I felt wonderful up until the final two hills when my legs were screaming at me. I made it though, taking my last sip of water on the final hill only to descend to find a church handing out bottles of water along the road (A TRUE LIFE SAVER). Lesson Learned: Drink more water in the beginning even if my body isn't demanding it. It will tone down the negative reaction of my body later on.

The final leg of the first 113 miles was amazing. I was feeling great (Thank you Bill for teaching me to drag and allowing me to ride your back wheel). I was just ready to arrive in Portsmouth and set up the tent and eat something. Arrival in Portsmouth meant eating an amazing Lasagna dinner then heading out to set up the camping gear for a good nights rest. I slept well and had a blast (I was a little slap-happy setting up the camping gear, so everything was funny). I didn't feel tired or ready to sleep until I actually did lay down. I don't remember laying there very long before I knew I was falling asleep.

The next morning we all awoke to "calmer wind gusts", sunshine and temperatures in the 40's. I put on my 4 top layers and two bottom layers, helped pack up the camping gear and we all headed out (the only part of my body that hurt was the bony part of my buttocks and the area where I had a little chaffing due to the new saddle I decided to bring (not so certain is was the proper time to break in a new seat, but it is what it is at this point).

The first leg of the trip felt fantastic. 8 miles from the first stop though, my belly started to rumble and all I could think about was arriving so I could eat. I was dreaming of waffles and french toast and turkey-bacon and eggs (clearly not available during this trip, but one can dream). When we arrived, I stuffed my face (and I did stuff my face). It felt great. My stomach was happy and it was off to tackle the next part of the trip.

The second part of the trip made me extremely nervous. This time around, I knew the hills were coming. I wasn't sure my legs could handle the trip considering how tired they felt the day before. During one section of the trip I started sobbing. My mind was starting to wander and I started thinking of the passing of my friend Heather to cancer almost 12 years ago. I became suddenly grateful that I could climb those hills, enjoy the sunshine, feel the cold and feel pain at all. It must have been a sight (glad there weren't any other riders around at the time) me, sobbing, practically hyperventilating and smiling at the same time for the fact that I was alive to complete this amazing ride regardless of how painful at points.

Arrival in Chillicothe (half way back and 3/4 of the total journey complete) it was becoming a little more difficult to get back up after sitting on the ground. But, I still felt amazing. Again, I was starving, so I stuffed my face - yet again - filled up my water bottles and prepared myself for the open fields that stood between me and the end of the journey.

The third leg reassured me that my legs were going to hold up after all and that I would in fact complete my first 200+ mile ride. The only pain I felt was the rash I was clearly developing on my butt from chaffing, and a bit of pain now and then from all the work my gluts were putting forth.

Final stop - 30 miles to go - All I knew at this point was that my butt hurt. Everything else was fantastic. I didn't feel tired, all I knew is that I had to sit down on that bike again for another 30 miles to make it home (no big deal right). The Ironman Demon was telling me, "You can do 30 miles, you do 30 miles all the time". But the "negative demon" on the other shoulder was saying, "Yes, but not after completing 196 miles before doing it". AH! Why in the world can't the voices in my head just cooperate for once. Perhaps during the Ironman race they will have to get along. Either that or I will just knock the lazy demon out.

The last 30 miles went by more quickly than I thought it would. I was concentrating so hard on just making it home, I didn't hear the wind screeching like I normally do on my return rides. Everything was silent and almost as if my mind were working in slow motion, all I could think was, "you are that much closer to the finish" "you are actually going to do it and think about how awesome it will be." I was so focused. I didn't care how far I had gone, all I knew is that with each rotation of the wheels, I was getting that much closer to the finish.

By the time we finally rolled back into Columbus, I wanted to stand and peddle the last mile or two. However, the moment we got off our bikes and picked up our luggage, it was almost as if the journey was one big dream, some sort of illusion. I didn't feel physically or mentally bad and aside from the discomfort I felt from chaffing, I felt fantastic.

Quoting Bill Price here, "It's amazing what your body can do". And it truly is. To date, the longest ride I had completed was 100 miles. To date this year, the longest ride I had done was 50 miles. I was able to see first hand what "putting all the pieces together" actually meant. All of my running and swimming and biking (inside and outside) came together during this one weekend adventure and my legs pulled through.

I clearly remember last summer after my 100-mile ride. I came home, fell asleep sitting up on the couch. Then, when I actually did try to move to get something to eat, I thought I would throw up and pass out. Now, less than 9 months later, I rode 113 miles, two days in a row and I feel fantastic. I am little worn out, extremely hungry, and completely amazed at this process of getting your body in shape and what it takes to complete an endurance race.

A great many of my concerns have been put down to rest (my fear of the distance, my fear of the silence that comes with riding that distance, and the ability of my legs to cycle for an extreme period of time). I also learned how much fluid I actually do need (the entire trip) and that I need to work on my hills. Now, I feel armed and ready to tackle the remaining 111 days in order to complete the Ironman journey I have set out to complete. Thanks Bill and & Erika for an amazing weekend. Look at what we have accomplished and think about how much more we will do.

Stopping to "Smell the Roses"

Ever since the weather became warm enough to ride my bike outside I have been so focused on getting into shape on the bike, that I stripped the fun right out of any workouts. Dreading the bike workout over 4 months away from the Ironman is rather scary. Therefore, I decided to make my bike rides fun again by taking my camera.

Ohio has amazing back roads and even better scenery on those back roads. By taking my camera and stopping to admire what I get to see every day when I ride my bike, I have changed my rides from something I have to do in order to get faster, into something that I look forward to because I know I am going to see something amazing along the way.

Currently, I have 4-5 different "rides" I can take with the hope of adding more. I am going to attempt to capture the true essence of what I see so that you can experience a little of what I see while training on my bike.

May 3 - May 7

• 5-3-10 - Bike 2:00/Swim 4,000 yards - Today was my first "camera bike". I am a little stressed about the bike portion of the race because I know I have a lot of work to do. I understand I will have workouts where I will need to focus on getting my heart rate higher etc., but I also want to ensure I keep it fun so that I enjoy the Ironman experience. What is the point of doing something if don't enjoy it?
• 5-4-10 - Bike 2:00/Run :55 - The bike was interesting as it was my first day on my new saddle. I had to adjust it a few times and it's going to take some getting used to. Today, I dropped my water bottle and then ran over it, had a "stinging bug" fly into my shirt (I stopped and ripped my shirt off to get it out and keep it from stinging me anymore, glad I remembered to wear a bra). I completed a 2-hour ride and then finished it with a 1-hour brick run where I dreamed of eggs over-easy, lasagna and Gatorade. I ran along the beach where I had the privilege of seeing "bare buns" (since when is Alum Creek Beach a nude beach - keep your clothes on) I even stopped by the bathroom and drank from the sink ...ummmm...what can I say, when you get thirsty, it doesn't really matter if the water tastes like dirt. When I got home I sucked down two huge G-2's and am really proud I finished the run even though all I wanted to do was quit so I could eat. Thank you Ironman Demon in the back of my mind for yelling at me to keep going so that I could finish the run after the bike today. P.S. the wind is still really annoying!
• 5-5-10 - Bike 1:30/Swim 4,000 yards - The sun was shining and it was a gorgeous day to be out on the road - pretty uneventful (probably a good thing) and I am actually going to admit that I am getting used to the wind (I think).
• 5-6-10 - Run 1:30/Bike 2:00 - It is 115 days away from my first Ironman. I am running a consistent 10-minute mile (not fast, but fast enough to get the job done). It felt good today, the weather was perfect for a run and my legs didn't have any issues. The bike felt great too. I am happy with having such an amazing day and thrilled I have the opportunity to train.
• 5-7-10 - Swim 4,000 yards - I added some distance "sprints" into my workout today and wanted to give my legs a rest for the up and coming TOSRV ride I am doing this weekend (TOSRV is a 200 + bike ride from Columbus to Portsmouth and back again the next day). I need to make sure my legs are ready to go.

Running, Running, Running

April 26-May 2

• 4-26-10 - Swim 4,000 yards/nap - Swam 4,000 yards and I finally have my stroke back - I think. I thought about running, but a 2.5 hour nap sounded like a much better idea.
• 4-27-10 - Run 3 hours - I had a "motivated mood swing" of sorts and decided to go for my first 3-hour run. The sun was out, the air was cool and it just felt like it was time to run. I also decided to grab a gel pack (another first) since I know my legs usually start aching at 1:45:00. The first hour was glorious, 1:30:00, amazing, 2:00:00 point I started to wonder if 3:00:00 was pushing it (mainly because finding somewhere to run for 3 hours can be tricky)At 1:30:00 I pulled out my PowerBar Gel (chocolate). I knew my lactic acid was going to build up and cause me some issues and I wanted to prepare. Note: Chocolate PowerBar Gel takes like sticky, gross, fudge. However, it did what it needed to do and that was the point (I honestly should have taken another). At 2:30:00 my legs were seriously hurting, but at this point, I wasn't going to walk. I had already run this far. Overall the run felt great, excluding the final :30. But I hope to change this as I continue to train. When I stopped, I thought I was going to fall over. It was pretty funny and I wish I could have seen myself directly afterward trying to walk. However, at the end of the day, I DID IT! (I am guessing my distance was between 15-18 miles, but I honestly have no idea). Average heart rate was 146 with a high of 163.
• 4-28-10 - Swim 4,000 yards - Seeing as I broke another "Heather Run Record" and ran 3 hours yesterday, I decided to give my legs a break and just swim. And aside from my heel, I feel great - good news considering I was worried how my muscles would respond to such a long run.
• 4-29-10- Run 1 hour/Bike 1:20 - my run was good today. I ran faster than usual today so that my heart rate would elevate. The bike, well, let's just say I won't be eating any more peanut butter on pretzels before I bike - I kept burping them back up - yummy! It took awhile to get going today. On the run I dressed too warm and starting sweating immediately (whoops) and on the bike I changed the tube and couldn't get the tire on before I left (crazy frustrating). The wind during my ride is becoming very draining so I took the computer off my bike temporarily and am going out "just for fun" in order to make the ordeal tolerable. It wouldn't be so bad if the wind wasn't always in my face on the way home (HA!). I have a feeling its breaking me in quite well.
• 4-30-10 - Run 2 hours/Swim 3,000 yards - due to the crazy wind - again- I decided to go running - again - probably not the smartest idea, but what is one to do when 1 hour "out"? I had no other choice but run 1 hour back. PAIN! AH! I also took a strawberry/banana Powerbar Gel. EW! My gag reflex works. After I ran, I did a "stretch swim" in order to help save my legs from the torture I subjected them to today.
• 5-1-10 - DAY OFF
• 5-2-10 - Random Cardio 1.5 hours - miscellaneous cardio including: treadmill, rower, jump rope. It was nice to have a different workout today.

A Note-Worthy Workout

Today (my April 21st workout) started out typical. I thought I would bike a little and then run immediately after for at least :45 minutes. The bike was "fine" until the last :20 when I started feeling almost "drugged". I spent the last :10 zoning out at the ground hoping no-one would run me over. When I finished, I knew I had to run immediately or I would never do it. I arrived home, grabbed some water and headed out.
Usually the first :10 is hard, but then it gets easier. Today, not so much. I spent the next :20 minutes contemplating if I should stop at :30. My legs were begging me and I was hot and thirsty.
Enter Ironman Demon who lives on my shoulder when I turn into a whiny little wuss.
At :30 I stopped for a second ( I never stop at the halfway point). I had two choices as far as I was concerned (1) I could run the .5 miles home or (2) turn back for another :30 minutes. I took a large drink of water, stretched my back out, turned and headed for the additional :30. In the back of my mind I kept thinking "this is probably what the last 10 miles of Ironman are going to feel like". "Going to give up are we?" "Um....no!". At :37 and the final large incline of the run, I thought my legs would give out. However, just moments later, I started feeling strong again. With focus and determination, I cruised home having completed :55 - a minor victory in the pursuit of greater things.
Once home I sucked down a bottle of G2 over ice before any condensation could form on the glass. I took a 10-minute shower and immediately consumed about 4 dozen mini pretzels covered in extra crunchy peanut butter. I had eaten a 6-inch sub right before my ride and afterward, before the run, I was starving again. I guess my fuel gauge was on E during the run. Lesson learned.
I am happy I completed the workout. I am content with my success of one more completed day. Me against myself and me against my abilities and inabilities. This is what it is all about - those small victories new and reoccurring.

April 19- April 25

• 4-19-10 - Run 1:30/Swim 4,000 - Back to The O-H-I-O and the first glimpse of sunshine since leaving for Texas. I went on a 1:30 run. My legs felt strong. The swim felt weak, but what can I expect after having taken off almost 2 weeks in the matter of a month. My arms felt like the limp noodles they probably turned into. I am looking forward to new opportunity here as well as in the run.
• 4-20-10 - Bike 1:30/Run :30 - I fixed my first flat tire on the road today. I'm not saying I did it quickly, but I did it all the same. I feared the flat tire - strange I know, but I dreaded the day it would happen (last year when I had a flat tire, I called someone to come get me because I did not have a spare tube on my bike - duh!). It took me a few minutes longer than I would liked, but by changing my own flat tire, on the side of the road, I have officially conquered yet another fear and put that behind me. The bike felt good today. The run felt fine - the only re-occurring issue I have is that my heels are killing me (left one specifically). I have to find a way around this so I don't screw up my feet or ankles.
• 4-21-10 - Bike 1:45/Run :55 - workout described above
• 4-22-10 - Bike 1:30/Swim 4,000 yards - The hilarity of today's ride was only funny looking back at it. I had no intention of riding for time or mph since this is consecutive day #3 on the bike and #4 on my legs. I still put out 100%, but I try to "smell the roses" on these rides. Instead of smelling the roses, I got dust in my eyes, regurgitated pretzel in my throat and pollinated by the many bugs that whacked into me. I honestly had yellow streaks of pollen all over my arms - pretty odd/funny. The swim felt good. Glad I had two days in between and I have been working on my form as well. During the swim though I hit "surreal mode". I had the "I am really going to do this" moment even though I won't know what "this" is exactly until the day of the race.
• 4-23-10 - Swim 4,000 yards - I just swam today. I thought it would be a good idea to give my legs a rest for a bit.
• 4-24-10 - Bike Trainer 3 hours - I felt stronger on the BT (I had to do a bike trainer workout due to the crazy weather). The road certainly whips one into shape pretty quickly as I felt much stronger this trainer workout than in the past after having been on the road.
• 4-25-10 - DAY OFF

Overall, a successful week. I taught myself a few things, learned that I cannot eat pretzels with peanut butter before I bike or I will be re-visited by them shortly into the ride. I understand my motivation better now - I don't need motivation - I have the will and determination to do this thing and do it well. I want this and cannot put my finger on just one reason why - yet.

"It's Like Riding a Bike"

TECHNIQUE OBSERVATION: While swimming this week I had a revelation about the swim technique. Swimming is complicated (once you get it down its like riding a bike, you never really forget how to do it). This thought gave me the revelation, "it's like a riding a bike". And yep - it's like riding a bike. I noticed that when I use the pull buoy, I dig deeper in the water and thus propelling me forward further. It's is a great deal like having the bike on the BIG RING (front) SMALL RING (back), fewer rotations, but propelling forward faster. When I swim without the pull buoy, I was digging shallow and was not propelling myself forward as quickly. I noticed that digging shallow is like riding the bike on Small Ring (front) 23 (back), I keep sweeping the water, but am making a lot of rotations and not really getting anywhere. THINK BIG RING. THINK DIG DEEPER, EXTENDED ARMS.
TECHNIQUE PLAN: My plan for the race (as of April) is to keep my body compact, kick as little as necessary to save my legs and use little oxygen, reach and dig deep in order to propel further, faster.

April 12 - April 18

• 4-12-10 - Bike 1:30/Swim 4,000 yards - The bike felt pretty good today - traffic was a little "not nice" today and I chalk that up to being a Monday (and people are generally stressed out more on Mondays than any other day: personally noted from observation).
• 4-13-10 - Swim 4,000 yards/Run 1:15 - The run felt good after the first :10/at 1:00, I had excruciating pain from my shin to my foot for about 1-2 minutes. I believe stretching more will resolve this issue. I haven't felt this specific pain yet. Perhaps the additional biking is creating extra muscle tightness to my legs.
• 4-14-10 - Run 1 hour/Lift :30 - Arrival in Texas and I had enough energy to check out the gym and run on the treadmill *yuck* for an hour. The equipment was so amazing, I had to lift my arms for a bit. It was really fun. Can I take this equipment with me please?
• 4-15-10 - Run :45/Lift :45 - Another "spot" rainy day in Texas - headed out for a :45 minute run (my breakfast sitting like a brick in my stomach. Hash browns and bacon will do that to you). High humidity and unique scenery made the run fun. Came back and used the amazing equipment to lift arms and legs.
• 4-16-10 - Run 1:10 - The humidity in Texas is INSANE! The hilly environment today made the run especially challenging and fun. My legs were sweating and bugs were everywhere, but I enjoyed it for all the differences. After observing how fun the change of scenery was (regardless of humidity), I am going to plan some "scenery change trips" in the up and coming months to "spice things up" (did I just say that I am going to spice up my workouts - what is wrong with me - Ironman on the brain is what is wrong with me).
• 4-17-10 - Rafting - does rafting the "mini" rapids count toward Ironman training?
• 4-18-10 - Day Off - flying home.

SPECIAL NOTE: Adding biking outside to my routine has dropped my "HAPPY HEART RATE" from 156-158 to 150-153 in only a matter of a few weeks. I remember this change in my heart rate last summer, but didn't really pay much attention to it because I really didn't need to at that time. It should keep falling as the season changes to summer.