Where Am I?

I am not so sure.

The whole stress fracture thing has thrown me for a loop.

But not in the ways you might think.

After this week, I should be officially healed.

To be honest. I haven't really missed running. I've worried about missing running. Quite a bit. But, missing donning my running sneakers and hitting the pavement? Not so much. I've enjoyed the G-trainer runs. And my excuses for running just a couple times a week.

Now contrast that to this past weekend when the gloomy, rainy, cold weather prevented me from biking outside. I was a - ah yeah - that female dog word. I can't imagine if an injury compounded that miserable factor - and if I had to miss 10 weeks of beloved bike riding (my heart goes out to TRIgirls SQ and SJG)...instead of running.

This same weekend, I had my first brick of the year (and since SF diagnosis). After a long and tough trainer ride with Coach Troy, training mates and Ironwoman Canada - Barricuda BL pushed me through my first transition run. It felt good, but...I was (and still am) worried about being so far beyond - and not terribly excited about catching up.

So, for IMUSA - bike and swim training seem to be on track. I feel fairly hopeful about how both are progressing.

But the running...

Well, that seems to be needing a bit more physical committment and mental motivation.

Aquavelo IMUSA, anyone?

Top Brick Moments

This Saturday's brick - a 30 mile bike ride and 10 mile run - definitely had some good, bad and ugly moments.

The Top 5 Bad and Ugly:

1. Totally screwed up the gearing with Patriot Sangria on nasty hill number two by crossing the "waited too long to go into my small chain ring" point. Ended up having to escape the bike vs. toppling over.
2. The last 4 of the 10 mile run. Most of my running buddies were on the half ironman schedule - with a 6 mile run. Without their company, the weather seemed hotter, my water breaks were longer and my legs felt increasingly tired.
3. The ugly blister on my pinky toe after the run.
4. The bizarre heat or sweat rash that appeared the morning after the brick - 50 tiny little puss pimples. Gross. This is the second time this has happened to me after a long workout. Does this happen to anyone else? Any ideas how to prevent it?
5. No TRIgirl coffee. Other than TRIgirl CD and her husband, West Creek was empty by the time I finished the brick.

The Top 5 Good:

1. Awesome new bike route plotted out by TRIgirl CD which starts at West Creek and winds through the rural backroads of four counties. Lovely scenery, quiet roads, great company. Nice little bonus - the bike route was actually 37 vs. 30 miles.
2. Patriot and I made peace on the rolling hills and the one nasty hill TRIgirl CD mentioned. (I thought the worst was over until I hit the second one, which must not have phased our route planner as she is a rock star cyclist.) I am starting to figure out the gears I need to be in with her to not loose too much cadence when climbing some hills.
3. Getting through the 10 mile run. The first six miles with TRIgirls SD, MW, KO, LD and MW went well. We frequently found ourselves dropping below the 10:30-11:00 minute miles we were aiming for - sometimes even seeing paces in the 9 minute range. I could have justified stopping at 6 because the bike was longer than planned. I pushed for 8 to try and meet last week's long brick run, then decided to try for 9 to add 1 mile, then figured it was only 1 more mile to hit the 10. I've really been trying to remind myself that to finish Ironman Florida, I will have to push myself when my mind or body wants to quit. I am hoping that plugging through the tough workouts will help build my confidence and will be something I can remember and draw from this November.
4. The water stop set up by TRIgirl CD and her husband that became our nirvana every three miles for fabulously chilled water to drink - and to dump on our sweaty selves.
5. The wonderful two hour post workout snooze - nothing like a good nap after a draining brick workout!

Maybe Not My Best Brick

Yesterday's 30 mile bike and 8 mile run probably wasn't my best brick. The paces for the bike and run, when I actually biked and ran, were not bad. But I seemed to find many ways to stall and break-up the workout:

• Before brick begins, talk to Coach B about IM CDA. Fiddle with Patriot, water bottles, food. Move Amarone from backseat to bike rack. TRIgirl KB said she'd be coming by to test her out. TRIgirl Annnn asks me if I am going to ride sometime today - hop on the bike and go.
• About halfway through the bike, pull into parking lot, look for TRIgirl KB. Don't see her, continue ride.
• After the bike, run into TRIgirl KB. Amarone is too big for her, too. TRIgirl JH had expressed interest as her husband is looking for a bike. Pack Amarone into her van to give him a chance to try it out.
• Complain about running to Coach B.
• TRIgirl DL heads out on the run, telling me she'll meet me later.
• Eat Gu. Drink cold water kindly offered by TRIgirl Annnn.
• Put on visor, reset Garmin, head out.
• Forget fuel belt. Go back, put it on. Head out again.
• Forgot IPOD. Go back, put it on. Head out again.
• Forgot to body glide. Go back, put some on. Finally head out to begin run for real.
• At mile two, catch up with TRIgirl DL - who was ready for a water break. Sounds good. Stop. Drink. Decide to continue with her plan to stop at every mile for hydration.
• Heat picks up.
• Around mile 4, run into TRIgirls SD, MW (Happy 40th birthday!), AF, TD and TB. Stop and talk for a few minutes. Decide to run the rest together.
• Humidity worsens.
• Stop at mile 5 to buy cold water, refill water bottles. Sit by picnic tables for awhile to gossip, chat, complain about heat.
• Stop at mile 7 to walk up nasty Capital One hill. Too hot.
• Finish run - 1:25 time for 8 miles actually ran. Probably covered over 9 miles including walking - and probably took close to two hours factoring in all the breaks.

So maybe this was more a sponge than a brick.

A Brick to be Thankful For

OK, we are into our second week of serious training. I feel like I work, train, eat and sleep. If I can fit it one or two house chores, it is a great day.

But there are times, like today's brick workout, where I am just so happy to be a part of this whole triathlon experience - so grateful to be a member of such a great community.

Today's workout was an hour run, followed by an hour bike, at West Creek. During the two hour workout, I circled the loop four times (1 run, 3 bike).

Within a few minutes of starting the run, three TRIgirls (Triathlonmom, TriDi and Annnn) rode by with big hellos and great TRIgirl catcalls.

Around mile 1 of the run, a few of the Guppies whizzed by - with encouraging words.

Mile 2, Ironman MR rode by for the first time. I could tell he was in the zone, but he still took the time to give me a hello nod.

Soon thereafter, TRIboyz GG (aka TRIgirl SJG's husband) biked by - with early happy birthday wishes. And he also gave me the first of several passing high fives.

Around the 4th mile, TRIgirls LD and MW waved across the median while heading in the opposite direction on their run.

I ran into Coach B around mile 5 - praise from the coach always feels good.

At my run to bike transition - I chatted with Ironman MR - and saw TRIgirl MF as she finished up her bike and was heading off to start her run. Extended my break a few minutes more by talking with a Guppy who was getting ready for his run.

The bike loops held several more acknowledgements and waves - though the crowd gradually thinned as the sun set.

All those welcoming faces. All the words of encouragement. All these great people I am privileged to call my friends and training buddies.

A big THANK YOU for making today's brick a much happier experience. You all rock!

A Conundrum of Feelings

In a recent post, Triathlonmom summed it up perfectly – sometimes it comes down to training – or blogging about training.

This week, I’ve been adjusting to our April schedule – of increased quantity and duration.

Physically, my body has made it through the workouts. Part of me has enjoyed the challenge. Part of me feels like my calves are going to explode.

For example, on Wednesday, Ironwoman Canada decided it was time for another graduation – to the third Masters lane. While I knew it meant being the slowest swimmer in the new lane – I also recognized that it would be an opportunity to grow. Her encouragement helped me realize that the challenge of keeping up with faster swimmers would be the right motivation to try harder – to push beyond my comfort zone to draft off stronger swimmers – like Coach B (who has kindly tolerated my efforts).

Or this morning, when I could have so easily justified (yeah – to myself) skipping the planned six mile run. Hey – I did some crazy speed workout on Monday with the Guppies (uh – lesson learned – ask about the goals for running quarter mile repeats before giving them your all) and I made it through Tuesday’s scheduled two hour bike/run brick workout. (Thank goodness for recently recommended muscle gel.)

So back to this morning – I dragged my sorry body out of bed to turn off the alarm. I completed the mileage – thanks to Coach G’s timely push to get my sluggish self moving during the first mile at the VITA course.

I almost started to feel a little proud of myself. Even if I rest tomorrow, after Saturday’s workout – I’ll have trained for 12ish hours this week. Look at me – isn’t that impressive?

Then I realized – under the best circumstances, I doubt I could ever complete Ironman Florida in less than 15 hours in ONE DAY. So, I have a loooonnng way to go before the 12 -13 hours expended THIS WEEK could even compare.

Waaaah!

Hang on, keep trying, don’t give up…