Tri-Dogmom

So, our training group is going to do an open water swim in a couple of weeks. I was thining we should do something like this...... Anyone in?

I don't have a whole heck of a lot to say today.... but when I decided to go in and start writing - figured something would come to mind - I saw my count down ticker saying 24days...... left until IM CDA . Really, it's really only 24days away? I know I'm ready to taper...but am I really ready to do this crazy thing? I've done all the training, I've rested when needed, bought everything tri related (and then some). Figured out my nutrition (last minute of course), made travel arrangements. It sure seems like I'm ready on paper.... I start to think of the day. Waking up when it's still dark out. Our house of 7 ironmen , and soon to be ironmen will be up eating, getting dressed, FREAKING OUT ( ok , maybe that's just me). Then I start to think of the swim start. The MASSES of people trying to get into the lake at the same time. I've heard about it, I've even seen it up close. I just can't believe that I am going to be in that crazines...

We read articles, listen to lectures, take advice from those who have gone there before. We try them all. Look at this grid, for example - How are we supposed to know what's right for us? What will work the best, and give us the best results? Well, we don't... and we just have to keep trying until we get it RIGHT! Well, finally - on my 16 th week of my 20 week ironman training plan, I think I figured my nutrition. I've posted about my nutrition issues before. About my headaches and nausea. Then there are my shoes. Orthotics or no orthotics . Keep with this new model of my old favorite shoe even though it's giving me blood blisters on EVER single run. Gatorade, Gatorade Endurance. Carbo Pro - how much? How many gels vs Fig Newtons vs Shot blocks. And the biggest question of all..... HOW MUCH SALT DOES MY BODY REALLY need? This Saturday, things just kinda fell into place. I think the big epiphany came last weekend however. About an hour into the ride my b...

You know when you go for an interview and they always seem to ask you what your "strengths" etc are? Well, being detail oriented has always been one of my strengths. But, I'm beginning to wonder if it was really more like a curse. Let me explain.... If you know me, you know that I definitely have the math nerd characteristics (if her haven't already noticed with my pace, miles, time, etc calculations I provide in this blog!). My checkbook is balanced to the penny. If for some reason it's off, I fix it. I can do calculations in my head fast, very fast (with the exception of lately, and during or right after a long workout - the brain is GONE, literally). Those very nerdy detail traits follow me across all of my skills & habbits, etc. When I plan a trip - I have a manilla folder with maps and numbers. Now, I don't plan vacations by time or itineraries, I don't like that. BUT, I do have all the options available, right in my little folder. When I write em...

Aghh , sweet relief.... I just finished my 90min deep tissue massage. My poor girl, I don't know why she continues to work on Shane & I - we really must wear her down. Maybe it's the tips... We always feel so bad and tip well. "K" So, anything hurting, or bothering you right now. Me - Nah, I feel pretty good. Well, I mean everything hurts sometimes, but right now... I feel ok about 10 mins later... "K" - I thought you weren't that bad!?! Me - Oops... well, I mean, considering how much I've done, I thought that I was ok . Me - (as I feel "K" dig her elbow into my shoulder blade)... WOW, I feel that all the way up to my sinus/eye area.... yikes! "K" Has this been bothering you? "K" How flexible is your hip? Me - Not sure.... why? "K" - I need to work on your IT band. It's bad. "K" Do you want me to do your left one too? It's not as bad, but your call... Me - Sure, why not.. You know, you...

So, I did it. Today was my last PEAK run of the training. I had 3 hours on my schedule, momo had 3-3:15. So, I mapped out an 18.5 mile loop that would put us somewhere in that time frame. There is definitely something to be said for getting up EARLY this time of year in Arizona. I mean, 4am or earlier type of early. So, today, I was OUT of bed at 4am to get ready for the run. We were meeting at a local park to begin the route at 5am. I was SO prepared this time! See, last time on the 3hr run momo tried to kill me. She had been dying to do this beautiful route up north. It was 9miles up, climbing 1000ft. Now, when you haven't run that far in 3.5 years, that is kinda intense if you ask me. But, I did it, and I survived . But man, was I sore. I also ran out of water last time - and didn't get up early enough. This time, I had plenty of time to drink my spark, go to the bathroom, use my inhaler and blister proof my toes. I also had all my gels ready, water bott...

Yesterday during our 3:10 bike ride, I was talking to Sara about running in the PM. You see I avoid night runs like the plague . I just don't feel the same. I'm not as fresh, the air seems so stagnant , and frankly - I just kinda like to vege & get to bed early. Oh, yah - top that off with the fact that it's been 100 degrees here in AZ and I avoid it even more. Well, by adjusting my schedule a little over the last couple of weeks with travel, being sick, etc., I had to miss my Monday am run, and the only really good place to put it was Tuesday evening. So, after a 3:10bike ride in the am, I ended the day with an 1:45run. So, back to my conversation with Sara. She started describing how she feels when she runs at night lately, and also on Sundays after the long bike rides. She said she has one pace. She can't go any slower, and she can't go any faster - it's just a flat pace, and after a while, her legs just simply go NUMB. I was thinking, numb.. really? Sh...

I expected tired, hungry, sore..... but, I didn't expect GRUMPY!!! I'm short tempered, and I don't like it! You see, I play "cruise director" for my training group. I try to initiate questions to figure out when, where & what time everyone wants to ride. But, more times than others I get little or no feedback. So, I put my project manager hat on, and I map it out.. set up the meeting times, places, etc... and send out the itinerary. Most people are great about it. They say, "Ok, great - we'll be there." But, it doesn't always go that way, and then I feel like I'm on the phone, sending emails & trying to make last minute changes to the plans. Now this.. this I don't like. It usually ends up with me forgetting a detail, or times getting mixed up, or something is off. Then, I feel bad because we missed a meeting spot, or time or something. Well, no more! I'm putting my foot down. I will continue to make our plans, pla...

Today I logged in to check out my schedule for the week, and see how intense my speed work was going to be. The first line read: "You have 5 weeks and 6 days before your Ironman triathlon on 6/24/2007." OMG ! S keeps asking if I'm freaking out yet. This weekend, thinking about how this week I am doing my last peak run (3hours), and in 2 weeks I do my longest bike ride (6:30/:30brick).. then Memorial Day is my peak swim (5500meters, 6000yards) - yes... I am starting to freak out a little bit!!! The last few weeks have been crazy, to say the least. First, the weekend in Vegas for the race, that didn't turn into such a great race with the swim being cancelled. Then, trying to squeeze all the long workouts in so we could enjoy ourselves at Stacey & Dave's wedding. Then the FLU! Unfortunately it took even longer for me to recover than I thought. Last week momo & I went to Toronto on Wed am to attend some meetings for work on Thursday. The flight went...

Ok, so my wind dance didn't really work. Now, I shouldn't be complaining about our AZ weather, when the poor people in Kansas were struck so hard over the weekend by Mother Nature. BUT, man... was it windy as heck here! I mapped out a nice 95+ mile loop for us (Momo, S & Sara). Well, nice being relative... I mean, there were lots of hills so it was going to be tough no matter what, but dang..... Now, if you've read my past couple posts you know I have been, well.... "under the weather." Saturday was no different. I tried to get in as many calories as possible on Friday to help, but after a week of not eating right, it just wasn't enough. My energy level from the start was at about 2 on a level of 1-10. The first part was actually the hardest for me. I couldn't get my HR up, and kept on trying to take in nutrition. Finally at about the 3 hour mark, I was really struggling to get in calories. I backed off my gels/fig newtons to every 50mins i...

Wind, oh wind.... PLEASE go away. I'm not even sure I want you to come back any other day... Current weather in Scottsdale, AZ Partly Cloudy, 81degrees 14% Humidity Wind - from SW 18-24mph Tomorrow's forecast - 5:45min bike/:30brick run... AND Sunny, with gusty winds High 77 Degs Wind - from W 20-30mph Wasn't Mother Nature hard enough on us in Las Vegas??? Please, do your NO WIND DANCE with me :-)

Why is it that when everything seems to be going so well.... life happens, and everything that was so good just seems to filter away? Well, that's what I feel like. I have done SO well with my training. A few glitches with the body here and there, but nothing to cry about. Then this flu.... Man, it has struck both S & I pretty hard. Now, the fever and chills, and "etc" that goes with the stomach flu... those symptoms are gone. However, the repercussion of no food or drink for almost 48hours has really messed up my entire training mojo . I'm running on empty, literally... I'm resting enough, sleep wise, but just can't seem to get the calories down. Now, I'm not a girl that normally has problems eating, but man.... NOTHING, and I mean nothing is appealing to me.... I sure hope this goes away by tomorrow, so I can intake some nutrition. Yesterday I went for my first workout with momo . She nearly killed me. And, she was taking it easy. We met for...

Somehow I have everything you imagine after a long weekend in Mexico. Tired, tan, feeling out of shape and SICK. Yup, I got the flu in Mexico. Now, I know what comes to mind first... food poisoning. I'm happy to report that is not the case. Mostly happy because S & I ate at one of our favorite places in Rocky Point, the Blue Marlin the night before it happened. I'm very picky about where I eat in general, but in Mexico, I take that to a whole new level. I'd hate to have to give up any of my favorite places. So, the trip started out pretty rushed. Momo , S & I had one of those NEVER-ENDING 5hour bike rides. We basically went in circles for about 3 hours, then headed home. None of us had any "gas" so to speak... In my case, I'm pretty sure my 3 hour run mojo took away all my bike mojo and left me empty. Somehow, we powered thru the morning and ended with a 4.5 ish , 70+mile ride, and then... we were on our way to Mexico. Thursday night was just S ...