Eat More

I just finished my biggest week (16 hours 7 minutes) which consisted of 4.5 miles swimming, 168 miles biking, and 17 miles running and today I feel GREAT!

I worked Monday through Thursday last week since it was my standard Friday off. Perhaps this made it a little easier to get all my training in, but with sunset coming so much earlier, it’s getting more challenging to get time on the bike. This week I rode 1.5 hours on Tuesday, half of which had to be done on the trainer because it was dark. Wednesday I rode 2 hours after work before it got dark but didn’t get the full 2 hours 15 minutes my coach had scheduled for me. Friday morning though made up for that, more in a minute, but first…

I had a long swim on Thursday evening. A 4500 yard easy swim in the pool with 1000 warm-up of free, pulls, kicks, and drills. The main set which consisted of 12x150 pulls with 20s rest and 12x100 as 50 skull, 50 free with 15s rest. A cool down of 10x50 choice. It took me quite a while to do this work out since skulling takes forever! It’s good, don’t get me wrong. It’s helped me tremendously in developing a good feel for the water and keep high elbows. 600 yards of it though takes almost 20 minutes. Anyway, after getting out of the pool at 8:40pm and eating dinner I was off to bed so I could get up early for my long bike ride.

My long ride was up the coast. I had 4 hours 15 minutes scheduled followed by a 30 minute run. I started off feeling really good. I kept a comfortable pace and around 1:30 in, I inserted my first of two 15 minute intervals at the power my coach wanted. It felt a little harder than I had expected, but sometimes it just takes a little to settle in. I finished, and felt ok, but not really strong like I had wanted and am used to. I recovered for about 10 minutes and then set into my second 15 minute interval. It was also ok, but during my recovery from it, I wasn’t feeling recovered. I thought I just needed to add in some extra spin time and I would be fine. It was now about 2 hours 45 minutes in and I just wasn’t recovering. My stomach ached and overall my body just felt off. I was still almost 2 hours away from my start point. I was starting to think about who I could call to come pick me up. I was supposed to do 3 intervals, but skipped the third one for obvious reasons and just took it easy all the way back to my car. My 4 hr 15 min ride turned into 4 hour 30 minutes.

I thought for sure I would just collapse on the grass when I got back to the car, but it was time to run. I had stopped to pee sometime on the way back and was feeling a bit better, thankfully. So I set off for a 30 minute run. It went well! Much better than last week when I had ridden too hard and couldn’t run for even 15 minutes.

I pondered throughout the day on what went wrong. Why had my ride fallen apart so suddenly after 2.5 hours. What I finally realized was I just needed more food. After a long swim like the one the previous night, I need lots of calories to recover from that effort and move on to a long effort like a 4+ hour ride. It was yet another learning experience for me.

Becoming Speedy

Saturday I did the longest bike ride I have done since IMAZ last year. Actually, each week I do the longest ride since then as I am adding more time to my long ride every weekend. This weekend was a little different though.

I have been doing my long rides on Sunday while working on completing long runs since I’ve struggled with running so much this season, but alas the runs are becoming “easy” and now I’m back to the long Saturday rides typical of most triathletes’ training. This change brought about 1 change for me, lots of cyclist on the roads.

Cyclists seemed to be out in masses! But I was out alone on my 4 hour ride having a blast. The weather was perfect and with all the people, there was rarely a stretch of road that I was really alone. It was very similar to a race. You pass a few people, say hello, then keep up that strong steady pace.

The biggest difference for me with all the people on the road was how many of them I was passing and how very few were passing me. This was a GREAT feeling. I’ve been working so hard in my training and the results are clear and very exciting. I’m so used to being passed like a sitting duck over and over, all day long, by young people, old people, boys, girls…everybody! Today though, I was tearing up the road! With all the stop and go from lights and stop signs, etc, I still averaged a full 18.0 mph for 4 hours, covering 72 miles. The total elevation gain was ~2300 according to my Garmin.

I’m feeling really good about my training so far. I still have a ways to go (like 40 more miles), but that’s ok. I still have 10 weeks! Oh…and then I have to run…hummm. I guess I need to work on that part ; )

From the Shores to the Cove

I was standing there on the shoreline at La Jolla Shores looking out across the choppy water to the Cove. I had swam from the Cove out past the ¼ mile buoy, then to the half mile buoy, stopped and asked around for a buddy to swim longer. I found a willing body and we ventured off toward the Shores, about another half mile.

I stood there remembering the first time I had stood in that spot almost a year and a half ago. I had just moved to San Diego and had IMAZ looming a few weeks away. I knew I needed to be there, but the water was cold, a brisk 56ish degrees, and I really wasn’t excited to be freezing.

The swim leader announced there would be a group heading over to the Cove and I thought to myself, people don’t really swim ALL the way over there. They must just swim in that direction. Either way, I opted for the 500m-ish beginner swim and even that seemed like a lot to me on that day. It wasn’t the distance, it was the cold. Putting my face in the icy water for the first time literally took my breath away. I was so happy to finally have that swim behind me. I came back the next week and did it again and it was only slightly better. And that was it. That was my open water preparation for the April IMAZ race last year.

My how a year changes everything though. Most weeks I get a long open water swim in, usually 1.5-2 miles and this week was no different. I swam from the Cove to the Shores lifeguard shack and back. So now I know when people are standing on the beach at the Shores and say they are going to swim to the Cove, they really do, because now I do it. The added bonus is, it’s still warm enough to go without my wetsuit. How wonderful it is to be free!

Taking it off!

My wetsuit that is! Last Friday was the first time I had ever done an open water swim in the Pacific Ocean without my wetsuit. And I have to tell you…it was AWESOME! The water was so warm and it was just so nice being out there without neoprene hugging and restricting my every movement. My arms didn’t have to fight to propel myself through the water. It was simply magnificent.

I didn’t plan this by the way. I showed up a little late. People were already coming out of the water and I still have a 2 mile swim ahead of me. I was in a hurry to say the least! I grabbed my cap and goggles and headed down to the edge of the water. I stood there nervous about taking the plunge for the first time. I wondered if I had become too dependent on my floatation device (ie wetsuit).

Alas, a friend came out of the water and told me to go for it. So I waded in, put my head down and off I went. I stopped at the quarter and half mile buoys looking for swim buddies to join me for a longer distance. I found someone debating about going long, so I grabbed him up and off we went.

I had the best time swimming ever! And now, I’m excited to go back tomorrow and do it all over again!

Barb's Race Report

Since the beginning of the year, I knew I wanted to do Barb’s Race. The time was right, the location was “drive-able” and the race reviews were very good. So I signed up, conned a few others to do the same, 3 to be exact and off I went.

GETTING THERE
Fast forward: Wednesday, July 29, I worked a full day, then headed home, threw everything in the car and headed to Burbank to spend the night with my brother. We stayed up way too late and I woke up early, even with no alarm : ( I hit the road for a long drive north and all was well until just north of San Francisco when traffic came to a halt. The last 30ish miles of the drive seemed to take forever and I was ready to get out of the car after 400 miles!

At last I arrive at the hotel, get checked in, unload a few things and relax. This only lasts for a short time though. I needed to head out on the run course and spin out my legs. So after not even an hour, I’m suiting up and heading out the door.

RIDING THE RUN COURSE
More traffic. At last the run course. From some report I had read in the past I heard it was an out and back, 3 miles flat, 3.6 miles of upward rolling hills, back down the hills and onto the flat for the last 3 miles. Then I looked at the map, and read the description: 4.4 miles out on lap 1 and 2.2 miles out on lap 2. This is good, right? I could pull out after 8.8 miles if injuries were bringing me down. It was however, different than what I expected.

I set out on my bike. The first mile is flat. By mile 2 you have gone up a little roller, a steeper roller and rounded a corner on another small one. Just past this one is another hill that I think isn’t too bad and then it’s flat until 3.5 miles. At 3ish miles I turned off of Starr Rd and thought that I might be on the wrong road. There was what seemed like a monsterous hill that curved up so you couldn’t see the top. I knew that one would hurt. After making it to the top I begin searching for the turn-around point and find it less than 1 mile up the road. This course is going to be killer I thought.

I headed back to the car, happy I came out and rode the course. I finished with some stretching and the legs were feeling good. Now time to find dinner. I located my burrito shop where I would eat my pre-race meal tomorrow night, but couldn’t think about eating it tonight too, so I stopped a lady heading out of the burrito shop and inquired about a local Italian eatery.

WRAPPING UP DAY 1
She was so nice! We chatted for a few moments, and I repeated what I thought were the directions back to her to find her recommended eatery, obviously I was wrong so she insisted that I just follow her. She was headed that way anyway : ) Sweet! 5 miles down the road and several turns later, she pulled into the parking lot and gave a few item recommendations and off she went. The people of Windsor were already scoring high with me. After a fine dinner at Mary’s Pizza Shack (I think that was the name) I was off to bed.

STARTING DAY 2
Up and at them as soon as my little eyes opened, just before 6. I wait for breakfast to open in the lobby at 6:30, grab a bite, gather tons of stuff to head out for some swim, bike, run action; I also planned on driving the bike course, attending the pre-race meeting, picking up my packet and dropping off my T2 gear as T1 and T2 are located 15 miles apart : )

LAST WORKOUT BEFORE THE RACE
40ish minutes after heading out from Santa Rosa I arrive in Guerneville, the swim start and location of T1. The beach opens for swimming at 10am and I’m a little early, but not too much. After chattering with the other races, finally I dip into the water with my tri-shorts, sports bra, cap and goggles. The water felt a bit chilly at first, but not too bad. I could do without a wetsuit. Besides, my swim was short, just 10 minutes and who wants to dry out a wetsuit after a 10 minute dip. I hurriedly leave the water, head up and jump on my bike and pedal for 30 minutes; off the bike and onto the run for 10 minutes. Sweet! I’m done and my legs feel AMAZING! I’m ready to race : )

I eat a snack and drive the bike course. I start complaining about my butt hurting while driving the course. I’m not even to 40 miles yet. How’s that going to feel tomorrow while riding the course, ha ha ha. It’s going to hurt!

DRIVING THE BIKE COURSE
The bike course starts out flat after the short jaunt up out of transition. Actually it tends slightly downhill. The course takes a sharp turn at around mile 5 and drops down into this little neighborhood and I’m sure I’m going the wrong way, but the directions say I’m on course. After passing under River Rd, turn right and head up the first hill, which isn’t trivial. I mark this on the map to review later (although I never did).

Nothing too much else happens for quite some time on the course, a few rollers, but nothing substantial. I mentally note the approximate locations of the aid stations based on mileage. Chalk hill which is considered the worst climb on the course finally comes. It’s around mile 44. It starts with 2 small rolls up and then gets a bit steeper. It’s not as long as Torrey Pines, but Torrey repeats are definitely helpful for this one.

Over the hill is a fast descent and just a couple more rollers to the finish line : ) Thankfully the drive is over. I need to get out of the car. I need to eat. I need to get to the expo. So I Eat. Expo. Get bib. Pre-race meeting. Pick up expo freebies : ) Head to store to pick up final supplies. Dinner burrito for later! Getting tired and irritable. One more stop to pick up Ultima to put in my bottles on the bike for the race.

WRAPPING UP DAY 2 – PREPARING FOR THE RACE
I go to REI, because I know REI carries Ultima and it’s right across from my hotel. Apparently not all REIs carry this. I start the internal meltdown. I’m exhausted and have tons to do to prepare and I’ve completely screwed myself by not getting my powder in San Diego like I had planned. Across the parking lot is a Vitamin Shoppe. I go in, find several other electrolyte powders that don’t have sugars. They just have potassium, magnesium, zinc, etc. I buy a couple of varieties and decide one of them will do.

As I pull out of the parking lot to head to the hotel, finally, after a long day, I realize I don’t have anything for breakfast in the morning before the race. Sigh! More driving, hunting for milk to put over my cereal and bagels to snack on before the race. At last, it’s 7:00pm but I am back at the hotel.

Sit and eat dinner. My feet ache since I was running around what seemed like the whole planet trying to tie up all the loose ends. This is NOT good. But, I take a few minutes for a foot massage and I feel 100 times better. Now it’s prep time.

FUEL FOR THE RACE
I sit on the floor and carefully measure out the carbo pro, improvise a funnel from my cereal box to get the powder into my bottles. Open a new electrolyte powder, put a touch in a cup of water, drink it, decide it has to work. Nothing new on race day philosophy out the window. Ooops! I make the first bottle: 24 oz, 2 scoops carbo-pro, 4 small electrolyte packets, spring water. Shake. Taste. OMG it’s SO strong! Oh well. I’ll dilute it in the morning. Make second bottle with different flavor of electrolyte. This sounds like a 5 minute job, but it must have taken me 30 minutes or more. Uggg….everything I do takes me forever. I’m so slow!

More prepping. Put swim gear and T1 gear in bag for the morning. Layout warm up clothes. Put gel in flask to take a “swig” every 15 minutes while on bike. Pack up all other stuff and throw it in car to minimize my morning trips down as I’m checking out of the hotel before the race. Sleep finally around 10ish.

GOOD MORNING
3:21 up for no reason : ( I try to sleep, but it’s no use. I hear other doors closing and I know the hotel is full of Vineman racers heading out. Eventually I get up a little before 5. Start morning routine and put on my zinc sunblock, a task that takes me ~20 minutes I’m sure. I’m still looking for the reason it takes me SO long.

PRE-RACE BREAKFAST
5:58 arrive at bagel shop and wait for them to open at 6:00. Get 2 blueberry bagels, 1 plain, 1 with an egg. Oh and I had a big bowl of cereal before applying all that zinc. I’ve read that for long races, half IM to full, one should aim for 1200-1500 calories. I don’t know how many I ate, but it was a lot and I was tired of eating. I left half a bagel, it was just too much.

ARRIVE AT START
Arriving at the race site there were cars lining the road everywhere. Someone had told me there was a lot past the library that’s always opened for racers. I pay $5 to support the local sports program and park in the grass field. After loading all my bike fluids up: 1 full aero-bottle, 2 24 oz carbo-pro bottles and 1 24 oz water bottle, I’m ready. Air up the tires, grab the swim bag and head to the river. The full racers were in the water already swimming 2 laps of the course. Thank goodness I only had to do 1!

T1
T1 is located in a large gravel lot with astro carpet running the length on both sides. I find my rack, based on bib number and rack my bike along the edge, the best possible spot in transition. I lay out my supplies: bike shoes, socks, helmet, halo, water bottle, very small towel (a kitchen towel actually folded in half), bag to put wetsuit in for transporting to finish line. I wait to leave my glasses as I’m completely blind! I hang out for a while meeting with other cool TRIbal chics from San Diego, but alas it’s time.

SWIM
We pour ourselves into our wetsuits (with sleeves) despite the water temperature of 73. All the leaders coming out of the water had on full suits and I would too! The wave in front of us goes off and suddenly they are yelling 90 seconds until the purple caps start. Crap, that’s me! Hurry, jump in the water, no time to wait. And the siren sounds.

There’s a little bumping, but not too much. I’m swimming against the girl next to me quite a bit. I swim longer than usual before pausing for a quick breast-stroke to catch my breath and site. I continue, and underneath I notice it is quite shallow. I stand up and push off the bottom a few times, I think mainly because I could. I’m passing through the stragglers of the previous wave. I’m not being passed by any purple caps, I’m holding my space and plugging along. Just before I reach the turn-around I finally settle in. After making the turn-around, the current seems to be sweeping me down stream quite quickly! Wow! This is really nice : ) Soon, however that feeling fades and I find myself swimming left, then right. I just want to stay in the middle, but it’s not that easy. Oh well. The swim was uneventful. I pass some more white caps and toward the end, a couple of pink caps (the wave after me) come streaking by.

I jumped up and run up the ramp, hear Bobbie yelling for me (Thanks!) and hear the volunteers yelling there are wetsuit strippers. Sweet! I throw myself down and this guy grabs my suit and like a mad man pulls with one full motion as hard as he can, as long as he can and he hands me my wetsuit. This is the best!

I run along the carpet to the rack with the small red tree air freshener hanging from it. I had noticed it earlier in the morning and knew my bike was down at the end.

I have a slow-ish transition then head out on my bike.

BIKE
As I’m running towards the mount line, the girl in front of me dumps her bike trying to hand off her bag to friends. Just leave it in transition. They will bring your stuff to you at the finish line. Way better than taking the risk and dumping your bike like she did, losing fluids in aero bottles, etc. The guy beside her and directly in front of me was slowing down watching her, so I yell at him to keep going and don’t stop, which he did once he noticed I was behind him : )

I jump on my bike, in the easiest gear. Note, put your bike in an easy gear. I end up pedaling one legged a couple of times until I got clipped in. Then I leap from the saddle, pass those people running their bikes up and I’m off. Well, I should have been anyway.

I got off my bike 3 times in about 0.25 miles trying to keep my magnets from clicking. I’m angry. I rode my bike to transition and they were fine, why were they making noise now?!?! I fix the front. Jump on. Still noisy. I try again. No luck. The 3rd time I realize it’s my back magnet that’s out of line and I fix both of them, jump on. They are still clicking, but my computer and cadence, etc are all working!!!! Yeah. I’ll ignore the sound. I’ve lost enough time.

I settle in, get a sip to drink, hit a bump, loose my water bottle, oh well. I start passing people. Not too many, but very few are passing me. I turn to head up the first hill and watch a lady try and get on her bike, not sure why she was off, but she fell right over. Lesson here: if you are on a hill, don’t try and get back on your bike. Run it to the top. Walk it to the top. Just don’t try and get on the bike on the hill. You WILL FALL again and again.

I make it up the hill and start downhill and into the rollers. I leap frog with a few people for a while. I feel good and am having a wonderful time. I go through the first aid station and decide to get a bottle of Gatorade so I have it when I need it. It doesn’t last long though. I’m putting it in my bottle cage, slip, oops, it’s gone. Oh well.

I make it to the second aid station and get a bottle of water as I was directed from an old race report and squirt myself down, just cool off a little, even though I’m not terribly hot. I place the bottle in my rear cage, but the bottle is too small and doesn’t fit. I round the corner, hit a bump. Oops! It’s gone. This seems to be a common theme and will happen 1 more time.

It’s relatively flat on the latter part of the middle miles, like Mile 30-40ish. So I put my head down and ride. I’m passing people left and right and leave behind one of my leap frogging buddies, he claims he just can’t hold on any longer. Bummer, I was having fun cheering for him when he would pass me.

At last it’s chalk hill time, mile 44. Roller 1. Roller 2. Gaining on the 2 peeps ahead of me. Pass them. Hear some people cheering. I ask them to cheer for me too. I tell them my name and off I go as they shout, “Go Mary!”. I wonder where the top is and the spectator says it’s near. So I jumped off the saddle and hit it hard over the top. No sweat. Ok, my heart rate is up, but now I’m screaming down the backside, 25, 28, 35, 38mph. Whoosh! I’m flying and I have no intention of slowing down.

As the miles passed I was picking up speed, feeling stronger than ever. It seemed like the rest of the cyclist had quit pedaling. Really?!?! Maybe I was just going that fast. There was a turn approaching mile 50 and the volunteers were yelling to slow down, I did, but not until the last second, then turned fast, jumped out of the saddle yet again to attack the small hill right in front of me. I’m having so much fun, just flying, 22, 25, 26 mph. Life is good and I’m finally up and over the last small hill. Dropping more and more people. A guy tells me to “go gettem’ you look great!” and so I do.

I approach transition, pull my feet out on top of my shoes and bounce off the bike at the dismount line thrilled with such an awesome ride.

T2
It’s so short, there’s not much to say. Spot my rack by the tree, rack my bike, slide on my shoes (no adjustments needed), grab my belt and visor that were carefully linked together thanks to Bobbie’s great transition clinic back in May and start running.

RUN
I have suffered from shin splints for about 6 weeks prior to the race. My running has been limited…very limited. My longest run before this race was a single 1.5 hour very slow where I may have covered 8.25 miles. That’s a long way from 13.1! This was my longest run in more than 1 year. I had already decided I was most likely going to pull out from the run. I would run maybe 3-8 miles and call it a day. I wasn’t ready and my shins weren’t going to let me ride hard then run hard. So I left everything I could out on the bike, because I wasn’t going to run.

But here I was, starting the run. The plan: run until I couldn’t, but walk EVERY aid station. Take on liquid per my stomach tolerances and a gel every 3 miles if possible. As I leave transition and look at my watch, I’m running 8:35, 8:45, 8:25, a pace I surely cannot sustain. My first mile comes and goes at an average of 9:17, then I hit the rollers and have a 9:08, more rollers, 9:24. I’m thrilled and feeling pretty good.

I’m alone on the road except the occasional lady running me down and quickly leaving me in the dust. I know I’m having a good race when there’s no one around. It’s solitary, but I’m happy. The “monsterous” hill really wasn’t too bad. Around mile 4.4 where the turn-around is Kiley, a girl I met at the pre-race meeting says hello and off she goes. She will be one of the last people to pass to me. As I started the run back to end the first lap, the run was getting busy. Tons of people were heading out on the run and my legs were feeling the fatigue. At 5.5 miles I’m starting to think that I can’t keep up the pace and will not finish the run. By 6.5 miles, I’m convinced I’m in over my head. Kiley is starting on her second lap and passes me. I tell her I’m dying and can’t keep this up. As she sprints past me in the opposite direction she yells back, “Run! Don’t Think!” And so I try. By 8 miles Kim, a wonderful friend, is heading out on her first lap, says I look great and I tell her I feel dreadful. As I hit town, I want to cry. I want to stop. My knees are screaming. My body wants to shut down. I’m losing it. Mentally, physically. The pain. Oh the pain. But I keep running.

A friend is there. He tells me I’m doing amazing. I tell him I want to stop. He yells to keep going. I round near the finish line and see the clock, it reads 5:00:24 seconds. REALLY!!!!! I have 4.4 miles left, although I think I have 5 because I can’t think. I “calculate” that I can run 11 minute miles and still finish under my 6 hour time goal. I realize later, that I had 4.4 miles, could run over 12 minute miles, but who cares. I’m doing it! I’m realizing my goals one step at a time.

I head back out on my second lap. I’m suffering. I’ve pulled out all the positive self talk I could find. I keep it up. My pace has been steady 9:31, 9:36, 9:31, 9:31. Can you believe it! I’m not a runner. I’m a swimmer, a biker, but not a runner and I’m setting new PRs with every mile. I ran the fastest 7 miles, 8, 10 miles I had ever run, in any race, in any practice. I’m stoked, but dying.
At mile 9 it’s time to have another gel. I don’t want it, but I know this is where the choice comes. This is where you are either smart and disciplined or you start to head downhill. I force it down, making the decision to stay on the plan unless there’s a good reason not to, like I’m bent over on the side of the road. But no, I’m not. I’m running fine and my gut is in check. I slug some water down and keep running. Every mile is getting harder to keep going. I’m falling off. I want it! I want it to end! Now! Run! Run $#%#^ &%$#%$# run! Dig deep. Dig deeper. Don’t slack off because you can still make your goal if you do. That’s not your best. Keep running like you want it! So I run. Walking through the aid station around mile 11 my legs didn’t want to run anymore. It gets harder every mile. After a good mental lashing they got going. My pace had slowed to 9:56. So I picked it up and brought it back down. 1 more aid station. I’m home. Heading into town for the final stretch bells are ringing, people are cheering. I see nothing but the bright orange cones ahead indicating the turn ahead into the finish chute. I pick it up with what little I have left. I round the corner and see 5:44:01 I can do this! I am doing this! The announcer calls my name and I throw up my hands crossing the finish line in 5:44:24.

Elated! In pain! Proud! Happy! OMG I did it! I’m done!


I can’t say enough great things about this race. It was well organized. The volunteers amazing. They got everything for me that I needed on the run, every time I asked. I wanted cold water, it would appear. I wanted ice, there it was. I would yell my request as I was coming up to the station. They offered fruit, pretzels, shot blocks and bars. Everything was spectacular. The course was challenging, but not over whelming. I really hope to be able to go back next year. It was truly amazing! And the cause is great too! Half of every entry goes towards helping women fight cancer. How cool is that?!?!

Times:
Swim 1.2 miles: 33:26
T1: 2:54
Bike 56 miles: 3:00:44
T2: 1:23
Run 13.1 miles: 2:05:56

Overall 26/342
Age group 7/35

What an amazing day, an amazing journey! You learn so much about yourself in a race like this. Where you can go and what you are capable of…

Am I Crazy? -- don't answer that

Ironman 2.4 mile swim 112 mile bike 26.2 mile run. What am I or the rest of the crazy triathletes thinking? Have I gone mad?!? It’s like the magnitude of this race has been reverberating in my head for the last few weeks. It’s crazy and it’s different now.

When I signed up for my first ironman race I must have been living in a world of rainbows. And I think I was; there’s no other possible explanation. People would ask me, “Are you really going to do an ironman?!” “Yes, I am!” and now I have, but that’s beside the point right now. I was living in a rainbow world with flowers and fairies and beautiful sunshine every day. Nothing fazed me, not even the thought of 140.6 miles in one day! Most people will never swim 2.4 miles in a day. Many people will never ride 100+ miles on a bike in one day, but quite a few people will do a marathon run in one day. But what sane person would do all this together, in 1 day, in 1 race, in 1 fierce attempt to gain the highly coveted title “Ironman”…only a crazy person.

I now live among crazy people. In San Diego, it seems everyone has done an ironman or 10 and if they haven’t done one, their brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, mom, dad, best friend, co-worker…you name it. Everyone knows someone that has completed an ironman and many know people who have qualified for the world championship in Kona. Everywhere, there are crazy people.

So last time, in my rainbow world, I don’t think I fully grasped or understood the magnitude of my undertaking to complete my first Ironman. I just did it! I didn’t think too much about it. What was the big deal? It’s a long way, but you have ALL day to do it; the required times are very manageable for the everyday athlete who has done some minimum training. You can average almost 1 minute to swim the length of a pool and still finish in the cut-off time for the swim. You can hold 14.4 mph (I think that’s right) for the bike. And get off and walk at a 17-17.5 min pace for the “run”. These paces are not the least bit daunting to me. One stroke then another. One rotation, then another. One step, then another…and wahoo! 17 hours later, you’re done. No big deal. Right? …not in the rainbow world.

And so it was. My first race came and went. People told me I was crazy before the race, they were in ahh after the race, but it’s like I didn’t really get it.

This time, it will be Ironman race #2. And this year, it’s still almost 5 months away and I’m freaking out! “Oh my!!!! What was I thinking?!? Can I really do this?” It’s like there’s all this pressure this time. There shouldn’t be any. It wouldn’t take much for me to just improve my time and that would be enough to say the race is a success. That should be enough anyway, but for some reason, the second time around is harder. I want revenge for all my shortcomings last time. I’m on a mission to not just improve, but to make a showing.

I now understand the magnitude of training I “should” be doing. The time, the hours, the distances, the goal pace…and the more you know, the harder the race becomes. I’m now not so sure about this race. I have my up and down days. Sometimes I think I’m going to pull out; I’m not up for the challenge. Other days I’m ready to take up the challenge and storm the race. When a ride is going well, I have no doubts, but on those hard days when I gaze at the side of the road and long for rest or I look ahead at the hill and the tears start to roll it’s hard to convince yourself you’re not crazy, that you haven’t bitten off more than you can chew.

Conquering the Mountain

Since moving to San Diego, I’ve heard about the illustrious Palomar Mountain. I wanted to see what the mountain was all about. So, last December I took a drive up it. The drive was long and windy as all mountain roads are. There were cyclists off and on along the road. I would check them out as I passed and take note of the number of female riders. There were some, but most were not. I remember thinking how strong those ladies must be to be able to ride all the way up that mountain.

For those of you not familiar with Palomar, it’s a long 12 mile hill that seems never ending. The average grade is 7% and it has been dubbed the American equivalent of L’Alpe d'Huez, one of the hardest climbs in the Tour de France. The elevation gain is around 4300 feet!

After driving up the mountain, I didn’t think of it for quite some time. I knew the Tour of California was going to ascend along the South Grade Road, the same route I had driven that seemed so steep. I knew the Tour would also climb up Lake Wohlford Road a relatively steep initial climb that seemed to last for far too long. These were pro-boy climbs, not the weekend warrior type…until this weekend!

I joined a local group of riders in Escondido for an attempt at the mountain. We first rode up and over Lake Wohlford. This climb wasn’t nearly as bad as I had remembered from the previous drive. Yes, it was steep in a couple of spots, but those were short lasted. After screaming down the other side, the group made our way over to a store near the base of Palomar. We re-fueled and headed out on what would be a journey for each of us who were doing this for the first time.

I had 12 miles of climbing ahead of me. I started in the easiest gear, just spinning my way up, slowly, very slowly. After 40 minutes I had climbed only 3 miles! There were 9 more to go! I was having a gel when I realized that it had spilled and was all over my bento box, my water bottle, my leg…it was everywhere! I stopped and cleaned up a little and continued riding, alone, up the mountain. The group had dispersed with everyone ascending at their own pace.

On every switchback I would look up and saw the next one towering above and wondered how I was going to make that climb in such a short span of road, but every time, I found myself thinking how “easy” the grade really was. It was going slowly, but much easier that I would have ever dreamed. More than an hour and fifteen minutes into the ascent I began to think that the top was near. It had to be just a few more switchbacks, maybe 5-10. Around every corner however, the mountain seemed to grow! The views were incredible. The weather was perfect. All was well, until I realized this mountain was never ending!

I had just cycled up a hill 10 miles long. How much farther could it be? I knew the road was 12 miles, but I was ready for the top. I had enjoyed the ride thus far, but I longed to be done. The pain of climbing was taking its toll on me mentally and physically. Earlier in the ride I had thought about all the people who always believe in me when I attempted something as crazy as a marathon, a half ironman and finally a full ironman. I knew there were no limits on me and my abilities to climb this mountain. I could do it! I began to say to myself, “I am an Ironman!” Over and over, remembering the day that landed me in the hospital. This was not nearly as bad, but I was rapidly wearing down. I realized though, that today was my day. It was my day to conquer the illustrious Mt. Palomar. It was my decision to give up or to go on and so I went…one slow pedal stroke after another all the way to the top! It took me 2 hours and 12 minutes. I’m not a pro-boy and I’m ok with my slow pace, because today I did it! I climbed that mountain that just 6 months ago I thought would be impossible for me. I joined the league of “strong” ladies I had seen climbing the mountain last December. It was such a joyous occasion to see my whole group waiting and cheering for me at the top. What an amazing group of people to be with!

Today I am proud that I had the courage to try, the fortitude to stick with it and the strength to rise to the occasion. Now it’s your turn to conquer your own mountain!

I AM AN IRONMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes!!!! At last, I am an Ironman!!! It's hard to describe the feeling and emotions that come after such a long, hot day, but I'm going to try.

I signed my brother up a couple of months ago to come with me to Arizona to primarily be my post race support and driver on the way home. He gladly accepted and I was very excited to not be going to this event alone. After some discussion my mom wanted to come, my sister and also my dad and step-mother (although they had some conflicts). Finally my mom and sister both had plane tickets; my dad and step-mother couldn't rearrange appointments and thus would be unable to attend.

Race week came, my mom, although injured from a recent fall, still boarded the plane and flew to San Diego. My sister, too sick to get out of bed for more than a week, was unable to join us. At a great surprise to me, Saturday evening I got a call from my dad, "...we're in the lobby!" Screaming, I leaped from the bed and brought Dad and Joanne to our room. Visiting, dinner, race-prep, bed. The time had come...

Today, I would become an Ironman. I was up at 3:20 (about 4 hours of sleep). I stretched, ate, put body glide on almost from head to toe, nope, that includes my toes. I also covered the inside on my tri-suit (clothes I would wear all day) and wetsuit collar with body glide too. Finally, I coated my face with zinc and we were out the door around 5 am.

I was worried I didn't have everything. I had a couple of bags, but it didn't seem like enough.

(perhaps I'll add more here later, but for now, I'm on a time crunch)

We plunge into the water like penguins lining the sea, one at a time over the edge and swim away into the water. The swim was a mass start, all 2035 athletes in the water together when the gun goes off. Tired of waiting behind the slow penguins, I moved to the front and plunge over the edge. The water was chilly, but thankfully after 2 practice swims, one Friday and another Saturday, I was ready for this. I had my wetsuit on and lubed and hoped it would be enough to get me through the 2.4 mile swim without significant chaffing.

I float in the water, freezing now and ready to swim. I talk with those around me a little, taking in the magnificence of this amazing day. I locate my mom and brother looking down from atop the bridge under which we start; I wave and then wait. Finally The water becomes alive at the sound of the gun. 2000 bodies begin pushing forward and we are moving. I crawl with my head above water, but soon, settle into a stroke. I find my own space and swim towards the turnaround. The mass start was not the nightmare that I hear about over and over. I wasn't crawled over. I wasn't kicked too many times. I just put my head down and swam a really long ways breaking stroke occasionally to look up and see how far was left and how little I had already swam. The meters passed by and before long, I was turning around heading back.

At last, the swim was ending and I was happy to have that completed and ready for the next event. I crawl out of the water, make it to the "strippers", laid down while they pulled my wetsuit off and then headed to transition.

I found space on the ground, dumped out my bag and began sifting through its contents. I needed bike shorts, socks, shoes, halo (sweat guard), glasses, helmet, a shot of gu, sunblock, gloves, race number and I was on my way. I made a quick stop by the sunblock slathers before making my way to my bike. As I made my way down the chute, my bike was rolled out to greet me and off we went for a very long ride.

I was almost immediately sick, within the first 5 miles my stomach already felt unsettled. I struggled keeping my 'food' (Sustained Energy) down along with my electrolytes, but managed to stay on track with my planning for almost 2.5 hours.

The bike course was a 3 loop course with totaled 112 miles. The first half of the loop was slightly uphill with a major head-wind. I was feeling pretty upbeat and just pushed along slowly into the wind. The miles came and went and before long, tired as I was, the turn around was here. Now I had a great tailwind and picked up tons of speed. I was having a blast! The slow trek up to the turn around was completely worth it for this much fun. I topped out at 33 mph but held over 25 for most of the trip back downhill. I was awesome.

Lap 2 came and I was starting to feel the sun beating down on me. The course was hot...very hot. The temperature was measured at 97 on the course. I slurped water from my cup between my aerobars and spit it on my arms and legs in an attempt to stay cool. There was no cold water on the course. In fact, the water felt like it came off the stove. There was no relief. With nothing cold and the intense heat, I was starting to suffer. It became almost impossible to get anything down at all. I kept a positive attitude, but I swear they moved the turn around a few more miles up the road.

As I turned around this time, I again picked it up, but not as much. The special needs station was coming up. I had placed 2 food bottles and 1 frozen water bottle in my bad. I slowed up, traded bottles, and was excited to have cold water for a change, even if only briefly. It seemed to breathe new life into me while it lasted. The water still even had a small piece of ice. My only regret is that I didn't put 2-3 of them in there or freeze my food bottles too. That would have been perfect!

The miles were now passing much more slowly, yet there were still 40 more to go! How was I going to make it? Slowly I kept telling myself. Slowly I will finish my race. Who cares about any one elses race. Slow and steady, I'll make it. By mile 80 I was hurting, but nothing like what was to come.

I made the final turn around, headed back to transition thrilled to think that after 7.5 hours I would dismount the bike. I slowed up as I approached the dismount line, yelled to the volunteers to catch my bike. As I stopped, they took hold and my spaghetti legs took hold. I wobbled a bit as I made my way to my running bag and into the transition tent once again.

This time a volunteer brought me water, with ice!!! Another nice lady took off my shoes and socks, changed my socks and shoved my feet into my running shoes. She also opened my pills I had to calm my stomach and fed those to me as well. She was great! I picked up my fuel belt, changed into my visor, slathered on some biofreeze, had more water and walked out into the light. I stopped a medical guy to use his shirt to clean my glasses. He looked oddly at me, but let me barrow his sleeve anyway. He told me that was the strangest request he had all day.

I walked out to start the marathon. Yes, after 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, I still had a full 26.2 miles to cover on foot...somehow. I walked for a bit, taking in fluid, a gel, and just regaining my self. I started to shuffle along, but stopped for frequent brakes. I started with shuffle for 1 min, walk 1 min. As I settled in, I shuffled for 2 min, then 5 min, then walked.

I continued on, talking with fellow athletes along the way. I was ok, just tired, but hanging in feeling strong enough. By lap 2, again a 3 lap course, my spirits were dropping. The pain was setting in. My hips hurt, my legs ached and I began to wonder how many miles I could endure.

I met up with Rick, I had seen him on the bike and we would now join together to finish the final 2/3 of the marathon. We shuffled occasionally and walked alot. We were constantly re-calculating how much time we had to finish and if our current pace would get us there...it's debatable, we better shuffle more. By the half way point, I was approaching misery. By the 3rd lap, I was hurting, badly. I had already began sniffling my way through the miles trying to hold myself together and not loose it. I saw my family, they asked if I was ok, I nodded, but knew it was a lie. I was not holding up well at all. After I passed them, I lost it. The tears rolled down, but Rick kept me moving.

Rick and I didn't talk much, only occasionally. We were both hurting. I was doubting my ability to finish, but knew I had it in me. He would ask about our pace. Tell me we were going to make it and we would walk in silence, me sniffling and trying to focus on my breathing. The sun had long set before we started out 3rd lap. We had been counting down the hours when we still had over 4 hours left of walking.

Rick's wife Katie joined us with about 10k left. They walked a few steps ahead. I would stop every now and then and bend over and rest on my arms on my knees, tears rolling down, I wanted to quit. I hoped Rick and Katie would leave me, but at the same time, I didn't. And they wouldn't. I told them to go on, they wouldn't. They pulled me through over and over again. I hurt so bad. I was mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted. I didn't want to continue. Every step seemed virtually impossible. I felt like the muscle on the outside of my shins was going to come off the bone. How was I going to make it for another 2 hours walking?!?!

I have never wanted to quit something so badly. I have never been in so much pain for so long. I have never walked for 10+ miles in the darkness with tears slowly trickling down my cheeks.

Looking at my watch, I told Rick he could still make it in under 16 hours, he should go. He told me he didn't care and besides, he had nothing left to run with either. At last our time was coming. We rounded the bend up towards the finish line. He was ready to shuffle again. I let him go to get his picture. After a few steps, I too started to shuffle along.

I rounded the final bend, my dad came out and ran a few steps with me, smiling from ear to ear, "I'm so proud of you! You did it!" I began my shuffle down the final chute, I saw the clock, 15:59:47, I could still make it. I sprinted, with what, I'll never know...my heart and ran through the exploding crowd who cheered me on as the announcer counted down 10-9-8...3-2...I was over the finish line!!! I had done it! I AM AN IRONMAN!!!

I did not cry like I thought I would. Instead I ran to Rick, "We made it! We made it! We finished in under 16 hours!"

My ironman experience was so much more than I ever thought it would be. I am almost thankful for hell I experienced. It has changed me. I had friends who came along and encouraged me. I had volunteers and spectators cheering me on to the end, late into the night. I had so many people who did so much for me that day, that night, I am so grateful!

The night got longer. Following the race, we headed out for a bite to eat. I made it about 5 steps from the car before almost collapsing to the ground in front on Denny's...

To be continue...

80 and Beyond

Today was a first. I biked 76 miles and then ran 4.5. It was a great day and I felt amazing!

I was up at 5:40 so I could hit the road by my standard 7am. This allows me to make it to Del Mar by 8am to meet the San Diego Triathlon Club. They have a group ride that starts at the local Starbucks. You can choose several distances. I usually just stay the coast and do my own thing, but I like to start with the club because every week I meet someone new.

Last week I was fortunate enough to meet a nice couple, Kebby and Reggie. They also just moved to San Diego a little over a month ago. They're from the Atlanta area and are training for Ironman Arizona. How much better could things get? I gabbed with Kebby for about an hour which is where my turn-around point was last week. She and Reggie continued on making their way up the coast. We had a wonderful time when we were together and talked about getting training together some too.

This week, I was hoping to see them again, but no such luck. Oh well. Instead I biked with 4 others up into Carlsbad (about 15 ish miles N. of Del Mar). There, I bid them farewell and continued my trek north and into Camp Pendelton. At last, I hit the halfway point and I turned around flying down the final hill I just climbed. I love the downhills and am learning to embrace the ups too. They build character and make you stronger; I guess that's what it's all about.

As I was nearing the halfway point, the winds started to pick up. This made the ride back challenging at times. Along the coast there are cars parked. These cars provide a little bit of a wind break, but between every car, the wind pushes you. So as you are whizzing along, the cross wind comes and goes and adds an interesting element to cycling. I was happy to finish my coastal miles and head back inland without kissing the pavement as I thought I might.

The final miles from the coast are uphill as I mentioned in my previous post. Each time I ride though the hills get a little easier and I am less frustrated. This in itself is an accomplishment. This week was the first week that I have been well fueled. The other day I stopped in and bought a container of Sustained Energy. It rocks! I use about 5 scoops per water bottle. I sip on the bottle every 15 minutes, and one bottle lasts about 2.5 hours. For Ironman, I'll take 3 bottles. Today, I took only 2. I also consumed almost 3 other bottles of just water.

By the end of my ride, I still felt really good. I could feel my legs were tired, but there was no time to stop. I got off my bike, put it in the garage, changed shoes, took off one layer and was off and running. I ran about 4.5 miles and felt great. I could have kept running, but I wanted to save some energy for Sunday's scheduled 10 mile run. Now that today is Sunday, 10 miles seems like a long way on the hills around here when I'm feeling as tired as I am, but hopefully by the afternoon I'll be feeling a little better and will pound a few out.

So all in all, I'm feeling pretty good about my race. Should I? Most people think I'm crazy to even consider doing this race with my lack of preparation, but I feel strong and fit and have a few more weeks to iron out any kinks for race day. I wasn't ready for my half-iron either and I thought the race went very well. We'll hope things go really well for this one too. Then, I'm going to take a little time off and not worry about training. I'll probably do a couple of races this summer and call it done for the season; we'll see. I would like to get to the track and do some track work-outs with the tri-club. I need lots of work on my running. I still think that's my biggest weakness and this year, I'm going to change that!

Today I went farther than I have ever gone before on the bike. When you add my running, it's still the farthest I've gone in a single day by 10 miles. Next week I will go farther...farther on the bike, and a few extra on the run.

On my lucky day, race day, I will swim farther than I've ever swam, I will bike farther than I've ever biked and run as far as I've ever run. It promises to be a day to remember and I can't wait!

Why?!?! Not again!!!!

I'm behind...that's the story of my life.........

I'm sick...that seems to be the other story of my life, at least in the last several months. I was sick in October, November, December and now February. I've been sicker in these last four months than I have been in the last 4 years combined. I'm sick of being sick!!! Too many changes, too many new germs...from students to co-workers, these people are always bringing stuff my way.

Life in San Diego isn't bad. My job is ok, not fantastic, but not terrible either. I love the people I work with. Several of us go out on Thursday nights. It gives me something to look forward to in my week other than training, although training...what training, it's not like I have an ironman in 6 weeks. Yes! 42 days from this moment, I'll still be racing, hopefully nearing the end, but not quite finished.

I'm really bummed that I haven't been able to train for this event. I think I could do well. This means I'll just have to do another one ;) I guess I shouldn't speak too soon, I haven't done the first one yet. I'll be less prepared for this than anything I've ever done. It will be close to my preparation for the Disney Marathon which was kind of show up and say, well, I paid and I'm here, let's do it! I feel much the same way about the ironman. I'll finish. Yes, I have no doubt I can do it, but it's unlikely I'll post my best time. If I would have prepared and trained as planned, things would be different, but they're not so I won't pretend they are.

This first weekend I got here Mark and I cycled about 30 miles. I got off and have never been so sore in my life. I took baby steps around town as we hunted for breakfast and then the beach. I stopped many times, almost in tears the pain was so bad. I needed a new saddle! So that week, we got one. I bought Blackwell's Adamo Road Saddle (http://www.ismseat.com/products.htm). It's an innovative saddle that people either love or hate.

Up until this point my friends that cycle, like Mark and Big John, love it and I have never really understood why. I cycled because of the social aspect and the fitness, but I would never feel like I just couldn't wait to get out and ride and ride and ride. I just didn't get it...until I sat on the Adamo Road Saddle. It has changed the my thoughts, feelings and ideas about cycling in a matter of only a few miles. I am in love. It's so comfortable and I can ride forever!!!

Mark and I went out again and did about 30 more including the Torrey Pines hill which is 1.5 miles long. We did it towards the end of the ride which I guess made it even a better workout. I was already good and tired from all the hills here. It's amazing, for all of you who think San Diego might be flat, you're wrong! It's nearly impossible to find a flat stretch anywhere at all. There are great hills to climb on every street. It's tough cycling here, but great for my training.

Sadly, Mark left and I'm here now cycling on my own. I live in Carmel Mountain, which as the name suggest is on a 'mountain'. I left out last weekend and headed down the 56 trail. It's this awesome bike path that parallels I-56 and goes to the beach. Once at the beach, I bike the coast. The ride to the beach is pretty easy. It's almost ALL downhill. I go fast and peddle occasionally until I get near the beach, then I have to climb a little; however if it's all downhill one way, it's all uphill the other way. Yes, so at the end of my ride, I climb and climb and climb. It's good for me.

Last time I was out I went 53 miles and everything was great except I didn't bring enough fuel with me. I could have used either a really good drink like Perpetum or Sustained Energy or even a few more gels. Oh well, now I know a lot more about what my body needs when I cycle here. To help me work on cadence and get some good long rides in that aren't broken with tons of stop signs and lights, I bought an indoor trainer last week. It's awesome!!! It's quite and easy to set up. I went with the Cycleops Fluid Trainer. I went in to by their magnet trainer, but 1) they didn't have any in stock and 2) the fluid trainer was less than what I anticipated and had looked up for the magnetic trainer. Sweet!

My hope is that I can cycle before work and run after. I need to be able to do one of them in the dark, and neither are very safe outside in the dark, so now I can cycle inside anytime! Yeah! I just need to get well. I tried out the trainer on Saturday morning, my usual cycling time, but a few minutes in I was coughing my head off. The fit passed and I continued, but then it came again and this time, I thought my insides were going to come up and so I gave it up. No more cardio until I'm better. I can't take the coughing. Besides a few years ago when I was sick I coughed so much I tore my chest wall open and was in bed for 3 days unable to move.

I feel like I just sit and wait to get better. I have done some strength training and will continue to do that, but it's not helping me build endurance. Until next time...thanks for stopping by :)

Moving on...Disney World Marathon

Yes, I still want to finish my race report, but we'll see. I know I have at least a few more comments about it, but first...I had several life changes come about during November and December and I'm currently moving across the country to San Diego. I quit my job teaching at Embry-Riddle and have accepted a position with General Atomics working as a Test Engineer on the Predator.

Among other changes, Irfan and I decided to just be friends. Now on to other updates.

Training has been week, but I still ran the Disney World Marathon on Jan 13 even after taking most of November and December off from training. I was happy with the result: 4 hr 40 min 58 sec. That's still faster than San Francisco and I know I will do much better on the 3rd one...like they say, the 3rd time's a charm :) Let's hope so.

How was the race? Very good all things considered. I spent the night before the marathon in Orlando so I wouldn't have to get up so early. That helped, but I was still up by 3:30. I stretched, ate and was out the door and headed to the starting line. I was lucky to have been joined by Mark, a cycling friend who has recently been running more. He ran for a friend who was not able to run the race. Here's a picture of us before the race.

We started in separate corrals and so I ran the race alone. Well, maybe not alone. When there's 15,000+ runners, you're never alone on the course. I started off feeling pretty good and so I went with it, perhaps because I'm stupid, because a smart runner would really hold back and know they have a whole 20+ miles to speed up. That was my goal for this race, work towards negative splits (running each mile a little faster than the previous) and for the most part, I did that all the way until the last 2 miles.

For the first 5-7 miles the people were so think it was difficult to spread out and claim your own space and set your own pace. The mass was running together. I drafted a few guys off and on to start with. I was given this advice at a local running store and decided to give it a go.

The weather for day couldn't have been any better. It was in the low 60s at the starting line and it stayed mostly cloudy the entire time I ran. There were times when the wind would pick up, but I was drafting, therefore it didn't matter too much.

I met a nice guy around mile 7 and we ran until almost mile 18 together. He was a fellow triathlete and this was his first marathon. Finally at mile 18 he told me to go ahead. I ran to catch up with another couple I had leaped-frogged with for many many miles. I drafted the husband closely. When running we held a 9:20-9:40 pace. For the last several miles we would run 6 and walk 1, but before that we were walking the hills. They were awesome for me. They pushed me and demanded that I give it my all. By mile 24 I couldn't go it anymore. That pesky mile 24, it's the same one that got me in San Francisco. I'm going to work on that.

Up until this time I had felt really good. I had consumed 5 packets of CarbBoom, but probably should have taken 1 more. With 1 extra gel, I think I could have held on. The only other issue I had during the race were my knees. Almost from the first step the outside of my right knee hurt. In the beginning I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to even finish the race the pain was so bad, but at one of the aid tents along the way I decided to try Biofreeze. That stuff is AWESOME!!! I stopped at every aid tent thereafter and would get 2 handfuls and slather up. It feels a lot like icyhot or other sports creams. I highly recommend it!

So at mile 24, I would run 1-2 minutes, walk, run, walk, run....I ran a 12+ and 11+ pace for my last 2 miles, not too bad I thought since I really felt like dying. In the end, I didn't die, I crossed the finish line completing my second marathon 90 days before my next marathon that I will run as the final leg of my Ironman.

The following day was nothing like post-SF. I felt really good. Sure I was a little sore, but all-in-all, I could walk, lift my legs and smile. It felt good for my muscles to be sore. The soreness went away though in only a couple of days. There was no time for rest, I loaded my car up the following day to depart Florida early Tuesday to begin my 21 day adventure across the country covering almost 5,000 miles...and we're off!

Great Florida Challenge Race Report

Where to begin...I'll start just briefly by saying Thursday night I ate almost half of a large, deep dish, Domino's Pizza and then on Friday, for both lunch and Dinner I had my usual, a Moe's burrito. After teaching most of the day on Friday, Irfan and I jumped into the far and drove to Clermont. We completed the usual: race meeting, bike check-in, etc. Then as the sun was setting we left out on what would tomorrow's bike course. We had a difficult time early on trying to find the route in the dark. After losing and finding the route a few times, I gave it up. I was exhausted, ready to eat and had seen all I needed to see. The course was hilly! As we were driving along we would say, "Surely they won't have us biking up this hill". Um, yeah, I wish. We biked up hills WAY worse than we saw on Friday night.

Anyway, we drove 20 minutes south to our cheap hotel that was one of the sponsoring hotels ($40/night!). We settle into the room; I choke down my burrito that I didn't really want, went through all my gear, which I seem to have a lot of these days and then jumped into bed, only to find a sharp pain in my shoulder blade. It hurt to lay on my back and on my right side. How was I going to race? I laid on my left side and was asleep before I even realized it.

The alarm sounded, and eventually I was up and moving. The breakfast I had brought from home sent me pucking to the bathroom. I had one taste, the food had spoiled. I was now forced to go check out the continental breakfast. Irfan and I headed down to find a lovely treat awaiting. Well, as lovely as a good continental breakfast can be. I had a bagel with cream cheese, a little bit of instant oatmeal and 1 small microwaved pancake that was not good at all. I chased it with some gatorade when I got back to the room.

After lubing up in all the right places and covering myself in sunblock, except for my forgotten arms, which are now slightly burned, I packed all my gear up and hit the road at 6:25. By 6:45 I was out of the car headed to transition in drizzling rain. I struggled with all my stuff, perhaps I have too much. I had to carry it about 3 blocks. Finally as I laid my gear out, the drizzle turned to a steady rain. They announced the water would be wetsuit legal. Damn it! I still don't have a wetsuit. Oh well! There was nothing I could do now. I finished laying out my gear not only in the rain, but in the dark too. I didn't even bother to check my tire pressure, I was freezing and ready for everything to be over.

I got weighed in and headed for cover under the pavilion. I stood close to people just trying to get some heat. Irfan finally found me and we waited together as the start of the Great Floridian (full iron distance race) approached. We stood overlooking the beach as the gun sounded and they were off, moving slowly into the water; then, the relays started. Finally it was my turn. I walked slowly down to the beach, waded into the water for the first time and went back to the beach to stand with my fellow athletes. The countdown started and we were off, wading into the water and finally swimming.

The water was choppy, making it nearly impossible to stay on course. I got several mouthfuls of water when I went to breathe. I continued trying to site, but found my blue-tinted goggles were quite a hindrance to seeing the buoys. I occasionally lifted off my goggles to be sure I was swimming in the right direction. The swim was slow. I tried to do freestyle, but every time I did a few strokes and then would site, I found that I had turned a couple of strokes off to one side and would then have to swim back. I opted then for breaststroke a good portion of the time. It sucked overall. It was nice though being in fresh water.

(more later)

Training Update

I should start with a big Thank You to my friend Peter, so THANKS! He sent me an email giving me a good verbal lashing and I needed it :)

Last week was tough as many of the previous weeks have been. Part of it has been dealing with pain. When I run and also when I biked the other day, my side hurts. It's not the normal side stitches. I run for a while, then it hurts and walking doesn't seem to help. It hurts to breathe. I want to double over and die, but that doesn't help either. It feels like I'm having a muscle spasm in my abs only it's higher. I suspected my gallbladder. Finally it wasn't intermittent anymore, it was constant and then it also happened on the bike. I was ready to go to the doctor, but decided to look at my diet first.

I opted to avoid all greens and the result was amazing. After not having any at all for several days, all the pain went away and has not returned. No more salads or spinach for me, at least not any time soon. I have had awesome runs and rides ever since.

That brings me to last weekend. I met my Plan B group and went for the usual Saturday ride only at the end of it, 3 of us got off and ran 4 miles. The run was slow and painful as the sun was beating down on us with no wind or shade. I drank a full 16 oz and went back to the shop and drank quite a bit more. Sunday I needed to run. My miles haven't been building the way I would like, but I've been getting a little more consistent in the number of days I'm running.

I got up early and left for 8 miles. It was still dark and rather cool for us. I decided not to look at my watch until 4 miles and just focus on running my best. When I looked down at 4 miles, I realized I was only 1 minute 17 seconds over an average 10 minute pace. I felt good and so I ran strong for another 2 miles and noticed that I had not lost any on my pace. Now it was time to make a move if I was going to. It started to drizzle. I picked it up. I ran a sub 10 and then a sub 9 and finished in 1:19:47, a new best. Afterwards, my biking buddy Mark wanted me to bike with him. So I hit the road for an easy 20 mile ride until we both got flats. That was a good ending point for the day.

Monday came and went. I swam a little, nothing too much. Tuesday I had planned a 10 mile run. Irfan and I started at 6 am. I was just out to cover the miles, but 1 mile in I was feeling really good. I stayed patient, but by 2 miles, I felt great and was running well. Irafn was ahead, but not too far. At 3 miles I had a pack of CarbBoom and as I neared 4 miles, I was closing in on him. At 6 miles, I again found that I was only about 1 minute over a 10 minute average pace. I took my second CarbBoom and was on the final stretch. At 7.5 miles I passed Irfan and took off. My finish time, 1:37:40. A full 12+ minutes off my previous best 10 mile time. I didn't mean for this to be a PR, I started off just wanting to cover the miles.

Thursday I did an easy 45 mile ride and then ran 3 at an easy pace. Today, I did my longest workout. I met my riding buddies and rode most of the way with them, but finished the last 10 of 57 miles by myself. Then, Irfan and I headed out on an 8 mile run just covering the miles. I was slow and walked some, but that was fine. All I needed was to finish and I did.

Why the long day? I registered for a half-ironman (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run) for next weekend. I was going to go to Tempe, AZ, in 2 weeks for a half iron race, but opted for the local race a week early and since I know I can go the distance, I need the race experience. This will be my last big triathlon this season. If I can get in another Olympic in early November, I might do that, but I want to wait and see how I feel.

So, for this week, everything will be slow and easy. I want to sleep a lot and exercise enough to keep me loose and feeling good, but that's it. No PRs, no long days, just rest and mental prep for this weekend.

The race is the 23rd Annual Florida Challenge in Clermont, Florida (about 20 minutes west of Orlando). The race is done concurrently with The Great Floridian, a full iron distance race.

I'm excited and know I can do this. Yes, it would be better if I could wait 1 more month, but there's not a local race next month that still has openings. So I'll do this one and then really focus on running and get ready for the OUC half marathon on December 1 in Orlando and of course, the Disney marathon on January 13. I'm also looking at a 30k in mid-November here in town. It will be a good/long training run (18.6 miles).

Thanks again Peter. Just so you know, I'm eating the world about every other day so I'm always prepared for training :)

Oh and I almost forgot, I got an awesome Tri-suit. The material is amazing and it's one of the most comfortable things I have ever worn. The suit doesn't creep move, at all, when I ride or when I run and it's amazing at wicking away all the sweat. If you're interested, it's the Descente Race Tri-Suit. The suit was also the #1 choice by Darren Cox, our local Kona qualifier. He's racing right now as I type this. Go Darren!

Escape 2 Miami -- Olympic Distance Triathlon

I'm sick! Thanks to my great students who have given me this rotten cold. Ugg. I dare say the 15k race I was going to run in the morning will not come to be, sadly. Nor will I train much at all. I am taking this weekend off to rest apparently and I guess it comes at a good time. I just gave my first exam today in my classes and now have almost 160 to grade.

Ok, now for the real stuff. My race went ok. It wasn't fantastic, but it wasn't bad either. I know that I have tons of room for improvement, so that's good. I would hate to go out and win everything the first time :) (Yeah right!)

Anyway, the distance wasn't an issue. I felt good about that, but the course was challenging. It started early. The alarm went off and I sprang into action around 4:30. By 5:15, Irfan and I were walking to transition in the dark. I laid everything out in the exact order I had mentally prepared the night before. Everything would be ready for me when I came out of the water.

Having things just as I wanted, it was time to trek down to the ferry boats where I would be kidnapped and dropped off on Escape Island in the middle of Biscayne Bay. It was dark as we pushed off the dock aboard a local pirate ship and into the bay. As we neared the island I noticed the song they were playing went something like this, "Jump! Go ahead and jump!" Coincidence, I think not. We were preparing to jump off the boat and swim to the island. A song or two later was "I'll send an S.O.S. to the world I hope that someone gets my...". Yes, they were clever and most around me were oblivious to the irony.

It was time and so I donned my bright pink swim cap with my blue goggles and plunged into the water. It was warm, almost roasty. I swam the 100 or so yards to the island and there I sat waiting and waiting to begin my escape. The swim was suppose to start at 7:30, but 7:30 came and went. It wasn't until somewhere between 8:15 and 8:30 before we finally headed out into the open water.

The swim was a mass start and there were approximately 1000 athletes registered. We had room though to spread out and it wasn't nearly as bad as I had heard or imagined. I had read to breath every stroke in the beginning of an open water swim until your breathing slows and you are comfortable. That was good advice. I occasionally switched sides, but found that breathing on my right wasn't working too well. The chop was right in my face, the sun was beating down on me and my goggles seemed to constantly leak after breathing to the right, so I stayed mostly with the left. I lifted my head every now and again to look ahead and to see my route through the other swimmers. During this time we were swimming mostly against the current and it was hard with the choppiness and so forth. In general I'm a pretty good swimmer, but I was thinking about how easy it would have been for anyone to drown out there, including myself.

At last I rounded the buoy and it was time to head back towards shore. After making the turn I was almost alone for the remaining 700+ yards of the swim. I took the side route out of the main stream of the people and got comfortable and took more strokes between my breaths until finally I was in so much pain. My top had rubbed against my neck to the point of removing the top layer or 2 of skin and it sucked. I began trying to breathe on my right more and only occasionally switched back to my painful left side. The swim seemed long, but I had finally found my rhythm and was feeling good, aside from the chaffing on my neck.

I headed out of the water and into transition. I stopped for a cup of water to rinse that saltiness out of my mouth. Ukk! I hate the taste of salt water! I had left a gu packet open standing in my shoe ready for me to slurp down. It was great. I have discovered my favorite energy gel is CarbBoom apple cinnamon or strawberry kiwi. They both are almost as good as candy! I attempted to be quick in the transition, but I'm slow. This is one of the areas I need to work really hard on.

At last I was off onto my bike :) The road was bumpy and the wind intense which was sometimes good (ie when it was a tail wind) and other times hell. I started off though feeling really good. I felt strong and knew I could have a good day. When I rounded the corner and headed for the first bridge the wind seemed to stop me dead in my tracks. Ok, I didn't stop, but the ride suddenly got really hard. I approached the bridge which is a little smaller than the one I bike over regularly. I got off my seat and peddled to the top passing many others (my local bridge climbing had paid off). As I rounded the top, I got low and cursed the wind for being so strong. There was another bridge a little smaller and then we were beach side with a crosswind. It wasn't bad. For the most part I was holding 18+mph. The turn around came and soon a long uphill entrance to climb back onto I-195W. Now the wind was at my back. I was loving it. After heading down the first bridge I was holding 25+ and then as I passed a few more people going up the second bridge I was flying. With the wind at my back and heading down the bridge, I hit 37 mph! I held tight and enjoyed the speed. Finally it was time to peddle again. I made the turn onto the last road, went about 1-2 miles, turned around, continued past the water stop and headed out for my second lap.

Heading into the wind sucked just as bad, wait it was worse, the second time around. It drizzled off and on which was nice to keep us cool, but made you keenly aware that a few more drops would make the roads slick and that would be nasty. There was already a wreck. I didn't see it happen, but I noticed the two guys not moving off the pavement afterwards. I also saw a few people walking their bikes back, probably problems with their chain. There were also the usual flats. Luckily I escaped with no harm.

I jumped off my bike and took way too long in transition again. I was right on time though. If I had a good run then I could beat the 3 hour mark. I had another gu (I also had taken one on the bike), changed shoes, put on my visor and eventually was off and running, but with much pain. I tried to regulate my breathing, but it didn't seem to help. I thought something was going to fall out of me. At least it felt like someone was going to pull it out of me, whatever "it" was. I kept a steady pace for the first 2 miles, but finally I couldn't hold it. I began walking off and on. I tried to do 5-1 (run 5 minutes, walk 1). After a couple of reps I decided to do 4-1. I felt horrible and was SO hot.

The aid stations made me mad. Either the water OR the gatorade was cold, never both! I always took a cup of each, but by the end I wished I had taken 2 of each. In addition to my pain, the run course wasn't all that easy either. After heading out of transition and down the street a couple of blocks, we headed up over another very long bridge. We were running directly into the wind. On the way back I was so tired, it didn't matter where the wind was, I was walking a lot. After climbing the bridge again, I made the commitment to run the rest of the way. I picked it up and finished strong in 3 hours 12 minutes and 41 seconds, but the run pace was slower than my slow marathon pace.

It wasn't a great race, but it was a good experience and overall, I'm happy with my time. On my next race, I'll try for a flat fast course and push to break that 3 hour mark I so desperately want.

Down but hopefully not out

Life is hard, but I knew that. It just seems increasingly difficult these days. Work is very demanding and my training is suffering as well as my mental well being. I'm busy working until near or past midnight many nights and then trying to get up and go for another day only to do it all over again and I'm not dealing well with it. I'm exhausted constantly and depressed that my training is so poor.

I've had a few days where I just wanted to say to hell with it all and quit and find a new something. I don't mind the teaching, but the prep work is what I hate. It takes me forever. Just like with running, I'm slow at it and it's miserable. I'm not sure if I'm eating enough and I know that I could improve what I am eating but everything takes so much time and effort that I would almost rather not eat than have to deal with it.

I feel weak these days, some physical, but I think that's just from lack of sleep, but mentally as well. I'm sure that's also from lack of sleep, but it's harder for me to deal with. Physically, I just cut back on my training. Mentally, I get depressed for not training hard enough, long enough, fast enough, often enough...

I've always set goals, but perhaps mine for now are too high and I'm putting too much pressure on myself to achieve them too quickly. And when I'm not having a good training session I find it difficult to keep going and often times, like today, I cut it short. This leads to me feeling weak and I hate it. Most of the time I stick it out, but increasingly I've not. I have debated on getting a coach. I know I could really use one right now and I've got a really good reference. I've been told that the benefits are well worth it, but for some reason I hesitate. I feel like it's a big step and right now I'm not sure that I'm ready for that step, although maybe that's what I need.

I'm getting tired of the exact same training routines. I could change things up, but I'm not sure how much is enough and what is too much. I want to improve and I know I have some limitations, but I know there's an efficient way to train to push out those limitations. I just don't know if a getting a coach would help with that right now or if I need to get a better training routine first.

On the other hand, there are a few bright spots. I met a really great person at the bike shop who has participated in triahtlons since the early 80s. We had dinner with the bike shop crew last Friday and talked about triathlons and training. He's out of town right now, unfortunately, but he's going to be a great resource. He seemed excited about being able to pass on his wealth of knowledge to me. He began laying out some running drills and said he would write me up some swim workouts that incorporate intervals. I know these things will be extremely helpful and I'm excited about getting started on them, but I'm not sure when he'll be able to get them worked out for me.

To help me set new/reasonable running goals, I think I'm going to go run a road race this weekend in Orlando. I'm looking at a 15k. It's been quite a while since I've done a road race and I think that it will help me see where I stand. I just hope I have a good race. Even though I want to use this race to set goals, I also have goals for this race and I hope I'm not disappointed if I fall short. I know it's not suppose to work this way, but this is fortunately/unfortunately how I work and who I am.

I set goals and worked like hell to achieve them and then am disappointed when I fall short.

I'll have a race report from Escape 2 Miami soon. I'll say this though, the course was tough.

Take Two!

TWO whole minutes off my previous best 5 mile time! I ran 5 miles at a 9:04 pace the other day. It was hot and so I figure that when the weather cools off a little I'll be running sub 9 pace (that's my hope anyway). The long bikes are paying off too by increasing my lactic threshold.



Also recently I did a quick time trial of 1000 yard swim. The goal was to finish in less than 19 minutes. I SMASHED it finishing in 16:30. This time trial was to 1) set a benchmark early in my training for me to measure my progress against and 2) to determine if speed and endurance should be my primary focus or technique. The result: technique. Now that I can swim 1000 yards in under 19 minutes, I should focus on my efficiency more according to Joe Friel's book "Going Long".



Coming up this weekend is my first Olympic Triathlon. It will be in Miami and is modeled after Escape from Alcatraz. Instead, it's Escape back to Miami. There's a ferry that takes you out to an island where you wait for your swim to start. Then you swim back to shore 0.7 miles, jump on your bike for 24.9 miles and run 6.2 miles. I'm really excited about the race, but not looking forward to trying to be ready to teach first thing Monday morning since the race is on Sunday 4 hours away. I'll have to stay really focused all week to get my work done so I can play hard this weekend.

A Passion to Go Long!

The workouts I enjoy most are not the short runs or quick swims; I enjoy the ones that push me to get stronger, mentally and physically. I am driven to go long and I love it! This past week I biked for almost 3 hours and then ran 3 miles. It felt great!

Last week I learned a very important lesson. Ok, I learned many important lessons. The first, being fit to your bike is not a luxury but rather a necessity! Nutrition is not optional; workouts are 10x better if you eat right before, during and after. Mental endurance is key for improvement. You must be able to stay focused and push yourself even when you are tired and want to stop. I know there will be times during the Ironman when I will want to stop, but I will never question why I am there or what I am doing. Mentally my will is strong and not finishing a race never crosses my mind. The real question is how long will it take if I keep walking. So I will have a plan to run again. During the swim there's not much option about stopping and the same is true on the bike. Besides, if you put the time in on the bike, you will finish the bike. It's the marathon at the end of 114.4 miles that you have to worry about. I can always walk, but that's one heck of a walk :) I plan on running most of it to finish it faster.

The bike fit that Steve at Plan B did for me on Friday night was awesome! He's fantastic! He moved my seat forward and down and lowered my handle bars to make me more comfortable and more efficient and it all paid off. There's quite a science to it and he was busy measuring angles, pointing lasers to check alignment and so forth. Anyway, on my usual Saturday ride everyone noticed the difference. I received several compliments on how much better I looked on the bike and how much more power I now have. And, on the sprint back from the lighthouse, I wasn't even huffing and puffing like last week. It was great!

Teaching and Training

These 2 things (teaching and training) are difficult to manage at the same time. Teaching is taking more out of me than I could have ever imagined. It takes me forever to make lectures, therefore, training time is much harder to come by than I would like. Overall though, my classes are off to a good start. I have 4 sections of Physics I for Engineers with a total of around 160 students. I'm on my feet for 5 hours Monday, Wednesday and Friday teaching, but my schedule is good.

I've been told that after the first 2-3 weeks my body will adjust to the new demands and I'll be much less tired. During this time though, I'm also increasing my training time. I did manage to squeeze in between 8 & 9 hours this week, but I also had Monday off. My goal was 10 hours. Next week I think it's 11 hours. I'm going to have a better plan this week though to work in the training.

This week I've just been exhausted, but I've pushed on and am seeing great things. On Friday night I finally went for a 5 mile run. I finished in 47:23, a new best for me in training. It was especially good because I was so tired and didn't really want to run. Then on Saturday morning, I met my group at Plan B and set out for a nice ride.

The ride was good, and I chatted with a few people I had met previously. Anyway, on the way back from the lighthouse (our turn-around point) the group usually picks up the pace and everyone more-or-less gets divided. Not this week. Mark, a young guy, told me to get up there on someone's wheel and draft. He knew from last week that this was not my strongest area, but I did as he said and found a wheel and rode it. We were hauling and I managed to stay with the lead pack ALL the way. We managed between 25 & 28 mph! It was crazy and I was exhausted, but it was really good for me to get that push to hang in there and see what I could do.

Then at the bridge, I usually go straight while the others head back to the shop. On Saturday as I headed straight I had 2 others come to get in some extra miles with me. Then finally it was just John and me. We had biked an additional hour and 10 minutes. At last I had my time in. We parted ways and I came home, 44.5 miles after I started. This is so far the farthest and longest (2 hours 23 min) that I have biked.

It was a fantastic training day for several reasons. I climbed the bridge well (not dropping under 15 mph) and it was noticed by Steve, our fearless leader :) I also am making friends with very experienced bikers who are taking the time to help me improve. I'm hoping to train with them through the winter months and come out really strong in the spring. These guys easily bike 25+ mph and most cover about 250 miles per week! They live on their bike, so there should be plenty of opportunities for me to find a training buddy that can really push me.

Now if I can just find some people that will help improve my running, I'd be set. For now though, I have elected Pinal as my personal running coach. She sets my goals with me and then I try my best to execute them. And since she wants to improve her times as well, she's done quite a bit of research on how to do that. Now she's passing it on to me since I'm really strapped for time these days.

Speaking of which, it's time to hit the bed. Sleep is such a precious commodity these days. I need all I can get! Good Night!

My First Group Ride

I've been really hesitant about participating in group rides because I've always felt I wouldn't be fast enough. The 2 local rides I've been suppose to go on average 17-19 mph. When I'm out on my own I usually don't average 18 mph. How could I possibly hang with the group?

This week I was in the bike shop, Plan B and Steve, the owner, told me again I should come out and ride with them. Well, finally I didn't have any more excuses. I'm in town and finished with the marathon. It was time to give in and go.

I showed up too late for the Tuesday night ride. It started at 6pm, but for some reason, I thought it started at 6:30. I was very sad that I missed the group. I went about on my own and vowed to show up on Saturday.

Saturday came and although I was tired, I was up at 6:45 and out the door by 7:00 am. I jumped on my bike, pedaling hard to ensure I wasn't late again. The ride began at 7:30 and I made it there with plenty of time to spare. There was a small group of 8 as we set out. The pace was easy. I stayed to the back, unsure of how well I could ride in the group. A few miles into it, the lady behind me came up beside me, and we chatted for a while.

As we headed down Nova Road and then up along the river, I was surprised at how effortless it was to keep up. We were cruising around 19mph. However, having the group ahead makes a huge difference. I even coasted a bit to avoid hitting the rider in front of me.

Finally we rounded the corner and began the trek up the bridge. It wasn't bad, but we were behind the group now. Steve had slowed down and waited for us and then began to "pull us up". This really means that he lets us draft off him, then when we were ready, we broke around him, sped up and re-joined the group. Next week, I won't need Steve to pull me up. I'll be ready.

There were several things I learned about riding in a group this week, and I also realized that I'm not that slow :)

Our turn around was Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Park. We stopped and some riders refilled water bottles, etc. As we headed back, the pace picked up, a lot, and everyone began to spread out. I made the choice to go as hard as I could for as long as possible. I managed to maintain 20+ for most of the way back to the bridge and then I split from the group and headed back towards home. I still needed 30 more minutes, and so I rode. I still maintained 19+ until near my turn around when I saw a group of cyclist headed the opposite direction. I immediately slowed down and turned around to catch them. They slowed long enough to talk to me. The nice guy I chatted with thought I had been cycling for quite a while and seemed shocked that I had only been cycling for a few weeks.

I was tiring and there was no hope of me hanging at 25+ mph when I wasn't close enough to draft off them. I fell back and decided to call it a day. I had cycled for 2 hours and traversed almost 35 miles. It was a great day! and Tuesday I'll be there for the group ride, this time at 6pm.

A New Spirit

I've been too many places in the last month to really do any kind of training. After the marathon we were all over Northern California. Then the next week I was in Alabama and just late Tuesday night I finally came home to stay, for a while at least. Wednesday morning came early, so I was a little late heading out but still managed to get 3 miles in and discovered the perfect loop. I realized on this run, I'm still in the final stages of recovery from the marathon.

Thursday morning was orientation for new faculty at the university. I had to be there around 8:00. I had hoped to get up and ride in the morning. I was good; I got up at 6 and had everything laid out to go. The only problem was, I haven't been getting up this early and didn't realize that dawn doesn't occur until around 6:35 and sunrise is at 6:50 or so. The problem, I don't have a reflective vest. I do have a flashing light on the back and a reflective seat, but I wasn't sure this was enough. I sat here sadly watching the time tick by and realized there was not enough time to get my ride in and make it to orientation on time. Instead, I opted for an evening ride to the lighthouse and back.

When I woke up this morning with the alarm blaring, I was not awake at all. It was 5:40 and I thought I had just laid down to sleep. Exhausted, I skipped the morning workout again today. I went out this evening instead. It was a mere 86 degrees :) The wind was blowing so hard it actually slowed me down quite a bit, but I welcomed it. It's odd though. I was delaying coming home because I knew I had to run and it's Friday. On Fridays I usually relax and hit the bed early: 1. because I'm tired and 2. because I should get up before the sun to set out for a long workout. Tonight though, I needed to run. As I walked through the front door I saw my running clothes hanging up and somehow, as if it were magic, a few minutes later I had them on. I looked down and thought, well, I guess I am going running. It was really weird. I don't remember making the decision to put them on. They just appeared on me.

Tonight when I left I was unsure of how far I could/should run. According to my training schedule, I should run for 1 hour. I was debating between 3 and 5 miles. Once I got out there though, I was feeling really good. Yeah, I was slow and my legs are still recovering, but my body and spirit felt good, so I passed where I would turn to finish 3 miles and kept running. I knew I could go for 5 and I did.

Doing this tonight has put me back where I need to be. I'm ready to ride, I'm ready to run and next week, I'll be ready to swim! I'm back to Iron Training and it feels great!

In other news. I'm bringing more people to the active lifestyle. In addition to the 6 people we have running Disney, a fellow grad student, Luis has signed up. I've also enlisted quite a few more to run 5k's locally. It's going to be a great fall!