Ironman Void

Since I missed tonight's swimming due to preparing for tomorrow's work meeting, I've had some time to ponder. Could my Ironman void this year possibly be filled by doing the most challenging of each discipliine separately?

Like the planned 4.4 mile swim in the Chesapeake Bay with TRIgirls DL and JH?

What if I considered the previously unthought idea of a stand alone marathon in the fall, without the promise of my beloved swim or bike portions (Richmond or other ideas, anyone)?

What if I attempted a double metric century ride with Coach B and TRIgirl CD with a daunting name like "Mountains of Misery?" and an even more ridiculous looking elevation profile?" (Sorry REB60 and Popsrcr, the Wintergreen thing seems even more crazy.)

This is all hypothetical, of course.

Hill Treaty Disclaimers

My newly awakened love for hills needs a few disclaimers:

1. Does not apply to running up and down very steep hills multiple times.
   
2. Still does not apply to the bike, especially rides with constant climbs or little, steep, evil monsters (be forewarned if Tri-ing’s husband ever offers to plan a route for you – thank goodness for being able to draft off REB60)!
   
3. Does not apply to hills when running ten miles trying to keep somewhere between a tempo and easy pace, especially within days of above exceptions.

The Spirit Resonates

A few days ago, a bunch of TRIgirls attended the limited release of Spirit of the Marathon, a documentary following a diverse group of runners, ranging from first timers to pros, as they train for and participate in the Chicago marathon.

Even though a stand alone marathon is one distance I haven't done - and probably won't, the movie resonated with me, and I think, many of my training buddies.

Lori - the first timer who irons her name on her race shirt so the crowd will cheer her on.

Leah - another first timer who observes that when her friends are together socially, they talk constantly about running, but when they are running, they talk about everything else.

Jerry - the 70 year old who does marathons for the t-shirt and whose runner's high occurs after he stops running.

They run. They eat. They face obstacles. They run some more.

And, finally, race morning, they wake-up in the dark, eat their oatmeal and kiss their loved ones goodbye. They stand among the thousands of other racers, the static charged energy flowing through the crowd - a mixture of apprehension, nerves and excitement on the first timers' faces.

Reminding me of the way I've felt before my first ironman, half ironman, olympic tri, half marathon, 10K - even my first sprint distance.

Then the elation, triumph and sense of accomplishment after conquering the challenge that was months in the making.

Reminding me of how I've felt after completing those virgin distances.

Which kind of gave me goosebumps. Maybe I'll have to rethink the marathon resolution...

Decision Made (For Me)

Due to the extraordinary temptations by several TRIgirls, a few days ago, I started to rethink my decision to skip the Shamrock Half marathon this year. TRIgirl BL said we could pace each other and TRIDi offered me a place to stay. TRIgirls CD, DL, Annnn and TRIJones enticed me with further bribes and promises that made the race sound almost fun. I even threw in a little 9ish mile run with TRIgirl BL this weekend to see how it would feel.

So, I checked my calendar, consulted my training schedule and went to the website to register.

"The Shamrock Half-Marathon Registration is now closed. We have reached our maximum limit."

And, in case the crazy thought crossed anyone's mind, there is no chance I'm signing up for the full. I must stick to my resolution of only doing a full marathon if it is part of an Ironman.

So I'll be cheering all you green and pink racers from afar!

Snow, Snow, Go Away, Patriot Sangria Wants to Play

TRIDi just emailed me the following from Channel 8 Stormtracker:

"We are starting to watch an area of rain in the Gulf of Mexico that will be moving into the southeast this evening. This system will increase our clouds tonight, but ahead of that our low temperatures will dip into the upper 20s to near 30. That system will slide across North Carolina on Saturday and that puts us under the gun again for another round of wintery weather. This will be a different system than Thursday's as we will be getting colder as the weather moves in. That means we may start off as rain for Richmond and points south and east but transition to snow during the afternoon and evening. The timing of that change over will determine exactly how much snow we receive, but it currently looks like we may see a couple of inches here in central Virginia, including the Metro Richmond region."

And Popsrcr has confirmed, "This is a proper storm to bring snow. With the arctic airmass in place, I agree with the forecast."

I don't like this weather forecast. Can someone bring me another one, please?

Yesterday, I moved Patriot Sangria from off the trainer inside our house to the garage. She has been waiting there patiently in anticipation of tomorrow's ride.

She is going to be quite sad if the weather forecasters are actually right this time.

I Heart Masters Class

As much as I've always recognized Masters class was good for my swimming, I have to admit I've often found myself driving to it with mixed emotions. I looked forward to seeing Ironwoman Canada and working out with my friends (TRIgirls are literally taking over the pool - sometimes occupying up to 2-3 lanes!). But, the 6:30 pm start time meant most weeks I'd just finished a stressful day at work. There have been several occasions I've had to use all my willpower to not allow my car to take me home instead of the Y.

Then there was the apprehension of being the slowest. And looking like a spaz during drills. And feeling the panic and discomfort when gasping for air during sprints.

But this year has been different. I'm finding that even if I arrive to class a bit weary and tired - within a few minutes of swimming I am happy again - and enjoying most of the sets.

Yesterday, for whatever reason, I really liked the workout. Maybe because it was the first time I came within 50 meters of doing the entire swim practice posted. Yes, I stayed a few extra minutes and drafted off the super strong TRIgirl BL - but I finished my longest distance in Masters class to date - 2750 meters.

Or maybe it was because I found myself (almost) looking forward to the change of pace when we hit the sprint sets. Interspersed between 300s and 100s were 3 sets of 6x25 sprints. I remember, not so long ago, when doing 1 set of 4x25 sprints just about did me in. (OK, I have to fess up here - one of my 6x25s was actually a 4x25 - hence the missed 50 - I ended up getting behind a confused swimmer and Ironwoman Canada let me sit out for 2 25s until the group caught up.)

But maybe it all just comes down to mere emotions. Like this year's "believe" theme. Or a sense of accomplishment vs. frustration. Or rediscovering, that as the pieces gradually come together, underneath it all, I just truly love to swim.

I'm Still Laughing

So today, I’m swimming with the Guppies. We’ve just finished a drill and are hanging out by the pool’s edge while Ironwoman Canada gives out critiques, feedback or praise.

All of a sudden, the lifeguard calls out, “Dude, go put on a suit!”

All Guppy heads immediately swing to the locker room entrance to find…

Buck Naked strutting about in all his glory until a look of absolute embarrassment registers on his face as he quickly covers his privates, turns around, butt cheeks flailing, as he scampers back into the locker room.

After a few moments of stunned silence, we all burst out laughing for several minutes.

And I, for one, struggled during a few subsequent sprint laps, the memory still a little too vivid, and totally messing up my breathing with uncontrollable giggles.

How can you FORGET to put on your swim suit?

Oh yeah, though I would have bet otherwise, Buck was back a few minutes later.

Thankfully, wearing his suit.

A Hill Treaty

I have to be honest. This week included my first “hill” workout since Ironman training. (Shhh, don't tell the coaches.)

Even before IMFL, I justified running the rolling sections of my neighborhood or West Creek for most of my hill workouts because Florida was a flat race.

It has been awhile since I repeatedly pushed myself up a good, long climb. Because, as many of you have heard me whine, hills and I haven't had a very copasetic relationship in the past. Just running up the slight incline at the VITA course would leave me hacking and sputtering. The few times I attempted the Nickel Bridge or the pit of despair were pure torture. I chugged like a freight train and nearly collapsed when reaching the top. My quads would burn, but not as much as my poor, confused lungs.

Mightyman has hills – for both the bike and run. Facing my nemesis was long overdue. It was time to tackle a real hill workout.

Just outside the University of Richmond campus is a looong climb – probably somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 mile. Parts are steep, parts level off to fake flat - but a continued upward gradient the whole way.

Four times. The plan was to run up (and then down) this monster four times.

First attempt, I thought to myself, “Good Gosh, I'm only like one minute into this hill and there is still so much ahead." Then a minute or so later, "OK, this seems doable, but remember it is just the first time.”

Second attempt, “Ow, ow, a little side cramp issue, but legs feel good. There are some pretty houses around here. Two more times. I am halfway done.”

Third attempt, “Whew, cramp seems to have eased off during the downhill, legs are getting a little tired. Breathing heavier. Concentrate!”

Fourth time, “Yeah, legs are tired. Slowing down a little. Pull out the word. Believe you can do this. See, you can speed-up a little. Wait, I’m almost done. This workout was not just not bad. I may have even…

LIKED

THE

HILLS!”

Sometime over these past few months, my body has figured out how to deal better with hills. But like a friend's kid who you haven't seen in years, and you are shocked to find out said kid is taller than your friend, it hit me with surprise. All the IM training - mental and physical - tiny gains building over time - led to my perception of a significant improvement from my memories of previous similar hill workouts.

There is a chance I may have finally overcome my hill phobia, when running anyway. We've made a new pact that goes beyond resigned tolerance.

Alas, a major peace summit still seems to be needed for the biking. Just ask TRIDi, Popsrcr and REB60 - they smoked me during the last hill in today's bike ride!

Thank You!

I can’t quite believe it – but am incredibly grateful and honored…

Journey to Ironman has won in the Topical Category in the RVANews 2k7 Richmond Blog Awards.

http://rvanews.com/2008/01/richmond-blog-awards-2007/

Stumble, blush, stutter…

THANK YOU, Triathlonmom, for the nomination. Your blog has always been a major inspiration for me, not only for training, but also for awakening my interest in attempting to journal my thoughts for the first time in years.

THANK YOU, TRIgirls and TRIfriends, for voting – and for sharing the experiences that are sprinkled throughout this blog. Just another example of the power of TRIgirls!

THANK YOU, family and friends, for voting, too. I have a feeling more of you read my blog than I realized.

THANK YOU, fellow bloggers, for allowing me and my ramblings into this cool virtual world.

THANK YOU, RVANews, for hosting the Richmond 2k7 contest and promoting the blogging community!

THANK YOU, any other readers, far and near!

Fezzy and Buttercup thank you all as well as they saunter about feeling quite proud of themselves. They are convinced this honor proves there should be less posts about training and more guest submissions from them.

Was it the Chinese Food?

I don’t often remember my dreams and only a few have related to training. Maybe just one or two I can recall.

The other night, though, I had one of those “can’t do anything right” kind of dreams. The kind that leave you stressed after they are over - and you want to go back to sleep to change what happened.

I'm at the White Lake Half IM (which, in my surreal world, looks oddly like IMFL). I finish a great swim. I run to the transition area, calling for a volunteer because I don’t want to be stuck doing everything by myself like what happened during T1 at IMFL. Someone comes over to help me with my clothes.

I can’t find my socks (and I am looking in my gym bag for some strange reason). I debate going sockless, but worry about blisters forming that would be a problem on the run. So I decide to wear my wet socks from the swim (yeah, that makes sense). I look down and notice I am in yoga workout clothes (things I don’t even own in real life), but figure that will be OK, because I’ll be comfortable. I run to my bike and look down. Ugh, forgot my shoes. Run back to my gym bag, but can’t find them. Look around and notice they are on a shelf further down in the transition area (I’ve often seen wooden shelves in transition areas, haven’t you?). I put my shoes on and run to my bike. I start pedaling and realize my yoga outfit, especially the sweatshirt I am wearing, is making me way too hot. So I turn around on my bike to return to the transition area. I dig out one of my racing sleeveless shirts and put it on instead.

I finally get on my bike – I’m annoyed that my great swim was followed by such a horrible and time consuming T1.

And then I wake-up.

Only Seven?

TRI Jones has tagged me to post...seven weird things about me!

1. I eat plain m&m's in pairs and always of the same color (same as TRI Jones!). I've also been known to line up the colors from light to dark.
2. I can't eat meat that looked like what it once was when it was alive (aka - on the bone).
3. I don't like soda, never even liked it when I was a kid.
4. I can't really relax if there is surface clutter around, though my closets and drawers can be a disaster zone.
5. I love eating raw pie dough, but don't care for it cooked.
6. I have two itchy spots I scratch to death when my asthma acts up (one on my back and one on my side).
7. As long as the sun is out, I can brave pretty chilly temperatures to sunbathe (my husband calls me a reptile).

Seven people that need to share their weirdness, too:

Jonah
Diane
Kate O.
Bethany
Shawn
Richard
Kermit

No Dissing the West End

I live in the outskirts of Richmond, a suburban area called the "West End." Yes, it is full of chain restaurants and subdivisions - and it often is smirked at by Richmond city dwellers.

But I love living in the West End. We are about five minutes away from most shopping, Fifteen minutes away from Richmond and ten minutes away from rural roads. The streets are wide, the parking easy. Many transplants from other cities have landed here - so while not quite a melting pot - a nice mix of personalities from around the country.

Recently, I've found a few more examples on how the West End is proving its misanthropes wrong.

The Barrel Thief - the best concept anywhere in Central Virginia for a wine store. In addition to selling a diverse selection of wine, the Barrel Thief is also a cafe with yummy lunch and dinner choices that perfectly accompany wine. You can taste or buy (by the glass or bottle) any of about twenty reasonably priced wines from their seasonal menu. And, for a small corkage fee, you can purchase any wine in the store - retail - to have with your meal. You'll often find the owners huddled in the back, with bottle upon bottle surrounding them, tasting wines they are considering for their inventory (god, I want that job). I've been there twice with friends (including TRIgirls LD and BL) and we all just love, love, love this little wine gem.

Chez Max - this restaurant has been around for awhile, I just didn't hear about it until recently, when TRIgirl BL recommended it to TRIgirl LD. Set in a small cozy house with a fireplace burning and small white linen clothed tables, the atmosphere is perfect for a quiet, intimate evening that includes wonderful French food and impressive wines. And, oh, much to my husband's delight, they are one of the few restaurants around that make chocolate souffles.

And, last but not least, the Edible Garden. A week or so ago, my husband told me we had plans for January 5th at 7:00. Yesterday, after an awesome 30 mile bike ride with TRIDi and Annnn (in the West End, I may add), followed by a 5 mile tempo run, I was one hungry girl when it was finally time to head out for our intriguing sounding reservation. (See, there is a triathlon tie to this post.)

The Edible Garden is technically in Goochland, just west of the West End. As stated on their website, the Edible Garden's goal is to "demonstrate to the community the benefits and enjoyment of eating quality, organically grown food, professionally prepared in delicious dishes, while supporting our local farmers." On their menu, they list the nearby farms that provided the ingredients for each dish. So in addition to having a meal using produce that is pesticide free and hasn't been on a truck for two weeks, you promote local economy. I've never had a fresher salad, more succulent sun dried tomatoes, softer goat cheese, sweeter baby carrots and flakier rockfish.

So, the next time you are looking for a special, cool or elegant evening, don't scoff at the West End!

Well That Was Fun

Spent over two hours tonight trying to register for White Lake.

Check out TriJones' blog for screenshots of the experience.

I am in - and keeping my fingers crossed for the other TRIgirls and Guppies.

Happy New Year!

Happy 2009!

Whoops, I meant 2008.

I've almost made that mistake a bunch of times the past few days. Usually it takes me forever to get into the habit of using the new year. So why am I finding myself not only remembering 2007 is over, but jumping ahead 12 months?

Could it be because IMAZ is slated on my race calendar for 2009? Hmmmm.

Until then, I'll be playing around with my word for 2008:









Coach G came up with this idea and challenged all the TRIgirls to find a word to guide in our training - and lives. I've been trying it out during my latest workouts.

Believe you are strong
Believe there is more in you
Believe you can

BELIEVE

I am liking this word thing.

Wishing you a great year ahead - and a word to inspire for 2008!