Getting "Down and Dirty"

Part of the "fun" of the Ironman process is getting "down and dirty" when in the thick of the training process. There is nothing glamorous about running on mountain bike trails, splashing in mud puddles, dodging thorns, and heading out a quick run into high humidity where any clothing you might be wearing becomes so saturated with sweat that you can actually wring the sweat from it when finished. The process can be "gross" at times. However, as I have stated before, it is getting down and dirty and into the heart of the process that makes this journey so much fun. It is so fun in fact, I cannot resist not sharing a few of the stories I have accumulated along the way. (PHOTO LEFT: the oil slick I cannot seem to avoid getting on my leg each time I ride).

IN THE WATER: I probably have the least amount of stories from incidences in the pool and open water since the pool is a pretty controlled environment. However, when I get in the pool and embark on a long set, as soon as I stop swimming I can burp for at least a minute straight. The pool clears out the sinuses very well and I have to laugh (and almost gag) every time I flip over to complete a few laps of backstroke and a ginormous glob of snot leaves my body via my nose and latches onto my face (gross). So, into the gutters I will continue to spit and I apologize in advance to anyone who has to me burp after I swim a set. There is just no holding back what demands to be released.

The open water is still pretty fresh to me, but it didn't keep me from getting the most magnificent "rash" on the back of my neck from the wetsuit. The only reason I found it at all is because I went to spray perfume on my neck and within seconds it felt like my neck had caught on fire (whoops). (PHOTO RIGHT: Wetsuit rash after my first open swim).


RUNNING: Running can get quite disgusting depending upon where and when I run. On a short run during high humidity, it felt as though a geyser had formed on my forehead and was gushing down my face. I've spit into the wind before on a run only to have the grossness come back and stick to my cheek. During a trail run my legs always seem to take the blunt of the trauma: getting scratched by thorns, covered in mud, and bruised when I face-plant. Sometimes I feel like I am in Raiders of the Lost Ark while I run trying to peel the cobwebs off of my body. Sometimes, the bugs on those cobwebs are still alive and in a last ditch effort to prove something (to God only knows who) they sting me. I get it and its fine, but at one point, I gave up and just let the cobwebs accumulate because there were so many. (PHOTO: My scratched and dirt-covered legs after a marvelous trail run).

BIKING: In comparison to the other two, biking can be the most disgusting. I suppose it is due to being in the thick of the elements (high heat, wind etc) and heading into those elements at a higher rate of speed. Bugs pose the first challenge. They stick to sweaty flesh; their little carcasses creating a miniature burial site on my legs. They also like fly into my shirt for some reason; that can get interesting. My favorite is when I get dive-bombed in the face by a large insect. Bugs coming at you at a higher rate of speed really, truly do sting; not to mention scare the skittles out of me as they hit right between my eyes, bounce off of my forehead or lunge at my nose.

The sexiest part of biking has to be the "snot-rocket". If you have to blow your nose on the bike, what are you supposed to do but hold one side, tilt your head and blow. I am becoming an expert - that and spitting off of the bike. Spitting and snot-rockets are an art form by themselves. You have know where the wind is coming from so that whatever you are trying to get rid of, doesn't come back to land on you (like regurgitated pieces of pretzel). I have failed miserably on a couple occasions and spit (yes, again) on myself (so awesome).

Despite all the grotesque things that can happen while swimming, biking, and running, I find them hysterical and each incident is unique. Not that I enjoy allowing my skin to be a canvass for environmental dirt that likes to paste itself all over me, but its inevitable. Things will stick to you (and I say things because sometimes I can't tell what just latched itself to me). Bugs will pelt you and fluids will come out of your body that you have to get rid of (by whatever means possible without being too disgusting). And yes, at the end of the of the day, dirt-coated, spider-web covered and sweaty, I still do in fact, FEEL PRETTY.

May 17th - May 26th

• 5-17-10 - DAY OFF
• 5-18-10 - S.T.D.D. -Swim 4,000 yards
• 5-19-10 - Run 19 trail miles - please see the blog titled, "Over the River and Through the Woods"
• 5-20-10 - Swim 4,000 yards, Bike 1:45 - NOTE ON SWIM: Recovery swim - screwing around with some kicking/breastroke and backstroke and I completed everything in 1:05:00 - a very good time for not trying. NOTE ON BIKE: My recovery bike turned into a little hilly adventure around knox county. But, regardless of how sore I was from running yesterday, the bike felt good. Amazing how that works.
• 5-21-10 - Too much to do, DAY OFF
• 5-22-10 - S.T.D.D. -Swim 4,000 yards
• 5-23-10 - Bike 2:00/Run 1:30 - The bike was a lull, not a hard ride, but happy to be out on a weekend in the sun - it has been awhile. The run was a bit more difficult. Perhaps I was a little over-zealous trying to run so far after a 19-mile run only a few days before. After putting away 2 bottles of water, I completed my run and am happy with the result.
• 5-24-10-Bike 2:30/Swim 4,000 yards - The bike was fun. I set out for a 2-hour ride that turned into a 2 1/2. It was longer because I chose another new route on my map and once again got lost. However, getting lost with a map in your hand, isn't exactly "lost". So, I would say I was "turned around" for awhile. My swim was fantastic. I wrote a new workout for myself this morning and it pretty much kicked my butt. I kicked my own butt, good for me. HA!
• 5-25-10 - DAY OFF
• 5-26-10 - Bike 2:00/Swim 1:00 - Another new road and more adventures for the bike ride. I gave directions to a couple of "old dudes" who were lost and found more places and more new roads. The world suddenly feels a little bigger. Had a tired day today, didn't feel 100% or 90% even, but glad I made it through.