Off Season

My newest Splish swimsuit features a cute little penguin family huddled among snowflakes on the front - and the words "off season" spread to the limit across my not so petite bottom.

Off season - with Ironwoman Canada's help, I've been working on "getting it" a bit more this year.

After IMFL in 2007, my endorphins were running so high that I continued training as if another Ironman race was on the immediate schedule.

2008 ended with training efforts focused on late season half IMs and marathons.

My 2009 "A" race was IMUSA in July - followed by my final "B" race - the Giant Acorn Olympic race - in early October. Meaning that off season started earlier this year - and on a bit of an "off" note.

Alas, as well as the 2-5 pound weight gain fluctuation.

Even with a little extra pudge, I've been striving to understand and trust the benefits of off season. I'm still training 6-10 hours per week, but trying to make all those hours enjoyable.

I look forward to swim and bike workouts - without the pressure of upcoming races. I've been incredibly annoyed by rainy weekend weather forecasts. I've been itching to bike on beautiful days - but have cut workouts short - or even skipped workouts - if the weather was crappy.

But those nice bike riding days...have made my heart flutter. I've relished moments casually cruising through beautiful scenery or pushing harder speeds.

These past few weeks, I've started to feel a twinge bit more comfortable about running. I've headed out without my Garmin and enjoyed the cooler temperatures, the fall leaves - and lately - the Christmas lights. I've tried to focus on technique, no matter what the distance - hoping to create a new and better imprint.

Trust and acceptance - maybe a few months of physical and mental rest and rejuvination will actually be beneficial vs. detrimental for next season.

We'll see.

Watch Out For Gravel

With the start of "off season," several of my training buddies have been bitten by the mountain biking bug.

I tried mountain bike riding a few years back. Like 10 to put it in perspective. I can't remember where we rode, but I do remember being so proud of myself after rolling over a few small log piles. I also recall thinking it was fun - like a day of hiking - though I hopped off the bike for a few more scary sections of the trail.

Well, my friends are on a whole 'nother level with their excursions. I've heard about the crazy falls and seen the impressive hematomas.

They've been gradually wearing me down, though, with promises of becoming a better bicyclist. When my company sent out the ten year work anniversary "pick your award" email, I noticed there was a mountain bike.

This must be a sign, right?

So I cut and paste the details and forwarded to the mountain bike goddesses.

Who promptly wrote back (kindly not making fun of me in the response)...

"No - that is a cruising mountain bike - meant for nice rides on sidewalks!"

Given I can't even pick out a mountain bike, let alone have the daredevil coordination to stay on the thing - I am thinking this may actually be a sign -

To stay on paved surfaces!

Ironman Arizona

Wishing a great race to several friends doing Ironman Arizona today. According to the athlete tracker, everyone is having a solid race - and though I wish I could be watching on the live feed, for some mysterious reason it won't download on either my desktop or laptop.

Pretty annoying.

But from the pictures, it looks like a beautiful day to race - and become an Ironman (a special shout-out to FAVE!)!

Putting it Out There

First - much congrats to all the Richmond IMFL finishers! You were exciting and inspiring to follow yesterday through the IM website and online feed (which thankfully worked most of the time) as well as sherpa texts, FB posts and phone calls. I can't wait to hear everyone's stories - and hope you all are basking in post race activities right now!

Seems I was one of many remembering the magic of Panama City. Over the past few days, a rumor has started and seems to be gaining momentum - a return to IMFL in 2011?

Hmmmm. What a happy thought!

And a shout out to Guppy TVR - who completed the iron distance Beach to Battleship - in 9:50!

All this race excitement has motivated me to put my 2010 race plans out there.

The theme for next year is "cheap, within driving distance - and fun." No worrisome travel or intimidating courses:

• Virginia is for Lovers 14 K - a tribute to John Kainer with some of the most fun peeps around
• Rumpass in Bumpass Olympic - my favorite local race
• Monument 10K - my best run ever - a goal to try to hit again
• Florida 70.3 - not definite - but hoping it works out
• MightyMan - somebody owes me a beautiful day for this gorgeous hometown race course
• Beach to Battleship IM Distance - for some reason, this race really appeals to me

And the best part - each of these races makes me...

Smile.

IMFL 2009

Goooooo strong, wonderful and fabulous IMFL girls (and boys)!!!!!

(I think I am more excited about friends doing IMFL this year than I was about IMUSA.)

They have trained hard and through obstacles. They deserve the beautiful weather forecasted - and the wonderful onsite super sherpa treatment. A few of us are left behind to cheer from afar - but we'll be doing so with gusto!

So excited for you inspiring women - and can't wait to hear your stories!

Feeling Better

2009 has been an interesting year so far.

The moments when things fell into place seemed to be outnumbered by those when things felt off - sometimes due to the physical, sometimes to the mental. IMUSA and the Giant Acorn being obvious examples.

After IMUSA, Ironwoman Canada told me that I needed to cut back. To allow myself to get worse before I could better again.

I did well with getting worse.

And the past week or so, I am finding that I am starting to feel better.

I am not failing as miserably at running. I even had my best 400 about a week and a half ago thanks to some individual attention from Ironwoman Canada. Then, at last week's track workout, Cupcake KO was a wonderful running buddy and pacer. Yesterday, Barracuda BL, the Should Be Sponsored Wife and I went for an easy run. Except none of us seemed to remember the easy part. Great weather and good company had us pushing the pace - maybe to enjoy the coffee reward at the finish.

Less time in the lap lane has been good for my shoulder. Today I had an encouraging Guppy workout. I may have even surprised Ironwoman Canada - she remarked a few times that I looked really good in the water. I almost kept up with one of my Guppy swimming heroes, Sharona, during a 50 sprint. Let's just forget the kicking drills for the moment...

Then there is the bike. I am grateful for a good bike year. This weekend's Seagull metric century ride (kudos to the Peddalin' SQ for completing the full century and achieving impressive TNT fundraising efforts) started off with a discouraging downpour (during which, Barracuda BL, the Should Be Sponsored Wife and I sat in the car and debated bagging the ride to shop instead). Alas, we braved the storm clouds and headed off for a fun day. I would love to do the ride in the future on a beautiful sunny day - but still enjoyed the smooth roads and pretty course. The first 17ish miles were casual. The next 23 included some tough pace line work. And after a decadent rest stop (picture: great band, river view, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream and apple pie), we completed the last 23 miles battling crazy cross and head winds.

While part of me would like to say I did the mile century, it was great to finish the ride feeling strong - those last 20 miles of a century can be brutal.

Then today, thanks to Columbus, I was able to join the Should Be Sponsored Wife and the RABA folks for Mondays with Mary. Though chilly, I loved the 35 mile route from Powhatan to Cartersville. Scenic foliage, fast flats, tough hills, challenging rollers and smooth roads - it was great. The Should Be Sponsored Wife was donning her new Fuji - which looked marvelous on her! We warmed up with soup and half-sandwiches afterwards - and I drove home feeling content, sleepy and...

happy.

Giant Acorn Olympic - Race Report

Did you ever have a moment of true greatness or absolute failure in a race?

Well, this weekend's Giant Acorn had both for me.

Saturday's weather turned out to be better than expected. While heavy rains woke me the night before, race day started out overcast and warmer than predicted. The clouds were gradually clearing as I drove to the Lake Anna Marina and set up transition. I met a high school friend, whose husband was doing his first Olympic. I caught up with a few Guppies, who impressed me with their detailed preparations. I also ran into two TRIgirls, gearing up for their latest challenges - one preparing with family support for her first Oly tri - and the other giving valuable advice to other racers on the porto-potty line.

Yet, without the posse' I typically train or race with, I was kind of on my own.

A few minutes before the race, I ventured into Lake Anna - the water was a little chilly at first, but warmed up quickly. Calmly, I waited for the purple caps to begin. When the gun for our wave sounded, I saw a bunch of folks take off - and was impressed by the super speedy swimmers. Still not able to push the start, I just tried to settle in - and not fall too far behind. The first turn went well - I was gradually catching up to the lead group and falling into a groove. But after the second turn, I lost my bearings. I couldn't find the buoys - nor a clustered group to follow. When I finally caught sight of a buoy, I realized I was a bit off the course. Overall, though, it felt like a good swim. With volunteers to help pull racers out of the water - I was optimistic for a decent swim time. And though not a PR - my swim was around 31 minutes.

Going into transition, I felt pretty good. I was excited to get on the bike.

And what a bike it was.

With a solid, consistent effort, I finished the first loop close to my dream goal - to finish at a 20 mph pace. Then I settled in for the second loop - which was a little faster - but felt a little easier than the first. I passed many women - and don't recall being passed by any women (other than a little leap frog with one girl near the end that luckily left me at the front of the game) - to end up with a 20.1 mph ride. While I didn't know the exact split at the time, I knew I was close enough to be psyched.

Getting off my bike, I was happy that my legs felt good. The weather had continued to heat up, but didn't seem too bad. I put on my sneakers and headed out. A five minute PR seemed possible if I could have an average run.

Except I didn't. As I posted on Facebook, it was dismal.

Within the first half mile, my heart was racing and I couldn't catch my breath. Which continued for the rest of the run, as I watched so many of the bikers I passed (and others I didn't), whiz by me on the run. Occasionally I wondered if I should have brought my inhaler. I wasn't wheezing heavily, but I wasn't breathing normally. And I am sure my frustration wasn't helping the situation.

I ended up walking a good chunk of the course. More than any race I could recall (percentage wise). Including IMs.

I finished the race at 3:04. A five minute PR had turned into a 5 minute not PR. The slowest run I can remember for a 10K.

And I couldn't figure it out why right away. Going into the porto potties after the race, I could hear that my breathing was a bit wheezy. Driving home, I started sneezing and gradually noticed that my sinuses were clogged. Later in the evening, I was dealing with some impressive green phlegm.

At best, a delayed onset head cold contributed to a very lackluster run.

At worst, I am just continuing to deteriorate in my running capabilities.

So for now, I'm torn between throwing myself into becoming a better runner -

Or just signing up for aqua bikes!