Thursday, September 27, 2012

3 Days

Making sure I have EVERYTHING!
Yesterday, I woke up 4 days away from the 1/2 Iron Man excited and ready to get things going. I had my lists of what I needed to wash and pack. I had a wetsuit and all the gear I needed. The training was in the barn and I just needed to go out and kill the race. I might not have stellar time but I would finish.
I WAS READY!!




I woke up to today and listened to the voice in my head.
 
 " BITCH, please! You are NOT ready for this shit! You haven't trained hard enough. You've slacked over the last month. You're still injured from the ankle roll. The past 2 weeks have been shitty. You do NOT have this."

Ready to go on the car Sunday.
Also, the weather is going to suck! As of now......whoops. Ok, last night it was 50% chance of rain and high of 64. At this moment it is 20% chance of rain and high of 69. This presents a packing nightmare. I would like to race in what I've trained in, bike shorts and a tank. But, it's likely to be freezing when I get out of the water and I'll want pants. Which, will be far too warm 15miles into the bike. Based on last years chatter, many of the athletes ran into this. It's been suggested that you use sleeves that can be removed.

Rain, in and of itself, is not that bad. I don't mind swimming in it. I'll already be wet. And, depending on the type of rain, I actually enjoy running in it. But, I don't care what kind of rain it is I am petrified of biking in it. I don't even like to bike after it rains, when the roads are still wet. I go way to fast to be able to stop on wet pavement and the road paint is really slick.

If I was able to eat, I'd be throwing up about now.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

What Rules?

Over the past month or two I've helped an old friend get back into the dating game. Just offering advice when asked and encouragement when needed. I did set down 3 kind of rules...
1) Don't get drunk/drunkish.
2)  Try to keep first date to 2 hours or so.
3) don't make out on first date.

After the first date it's a free for all.
Hmmm, if only I could follow my advice.

This weekend I had a first date with Kaleb. Match sends recommended profiles once a day via email, and he was in one of them. I had passed on him even though we had a lot in common. Grad degree, liberal, agnostic and same interest. He was also very attractive. There was one problem, he didn't want anymore children as he had 3 already. I, myself, am not sure I want them either but I would at least like the option. So, I passed.

A couple of days later I received a wink and an email from him and I thought I'd give it a go. Maybe there was some wiggle room on the no children, maybe there wasn't and he was such a great guy I wouldn't care. Plus, we did have a lot in common. Kaleb and I met up for drinks this past Saturday evening and after 2 hours were still in deep conversations. We then had pizza in Little Italy and another round of drinks. Four and a half hours later the conversations were still flowing and the electricity was palpable. One thing led to another and he......stayed over.......in the spare room. But, I still broke all 3 first date rules!! 

On the plus side, we're still talking, have agreed that it was the best 1st date for both of us, and are in talks for a second. My schedule at the moment is making it difficult, I'm out of town for the next 2 weekends and he lives about 45 minutes away. I am willing to make the drive, so we'll see how that goes.

Side note, Awkward Italian Guy (see awkward date in RECAP, Sept 5) is still awkward. I went out with him yesterday (2nd date) and it was just off. I think I'm going to shelve him.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Lists

I've started making lists earlier this week for my 1/2 Iron Man trip. I waited a bit longer to write them up than last time. But, I've taken these a step farther than when I made a list for the marathon by putting them in Excel. This way I'll have the list already done for the next time!


This is what I have so far. You might have to click on them to see them better. If you think I've forgotten anything let me know in the comments. Ipods and shuffles are not allowed.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Gearing Up

I have 12 days until the 1/2 Iron Man in the Pocono's! I don't feel ready mentally........But, I now have all my GEAR!!

I do not look this cool.
I've always known that I would need a wetsuit. The water temp for the swim will be in the high 60's to low 70's. A bit cold when you plan to be in the water for at least 45 minutes. I've put it off and put it off. Wetsuits can be expensive. They range from $200 up to $1200. That $1200 one is the TYR Hurricane Freak of Nature. I know Hurricane may be great but it is not going to give me, an amateur, that much of an edge. Plus, I don't have that much money for something that I may wear once a year and might only wear once! I was willing to spend that on the bike, though. I know I'll get my use out of it. So, I put off the purchase hoping a sale would crop up at the end of the season.

And one did!! I get Active schwaggle and one came in that was for 57% off and free shipping for Xterra Wetsuits. I bought a $400 wetsuit for $170!! AMAZEBALLS!!I followed their size chart as best as I could. It's only based on height and weight. I think it should be based on height, and chest, hip and waist circumference. Xterra offers a 30day money back guarantee (as long as it's not damaged).

I eagerly waited 5 days for the wetsuit to arrive (weekend and holiday). When it finally came the packaging was almost as awesome as what was inside! I couldn't wait to try it on and then try it out! I ran into my room, ripped off my clothes and .................struggled for 20 minutes to get the suit up over my hips. Then over my boobs. I didn't even make progress on getting the damn thing closed. Disappointed, I began taking it off. And, 40 minutes later I was free of it. And in a panic! I needed a wetsuit! What was I going to do?

So, I ordered one size up and waited. While I waited I read up on Tri wetsuits and the proper way to put them on. I also watched a video on how to put them on by Xterra, which really should be on the final page when you purchase the wetsuit. "Since you just bought this, perhaps you should learn how to get into it." They don't bother to show how to get out, which they should.

I think my 2nd suit came the very next day or the one after. Which ever, it was very FAST! For comparisons sake, and that I now knew the proper way to put it one, I tried the old one first then the new one. And wouldn't you know it the old one went on like butter. Ok, not like butter, but better than before. It was still more difficult than the Xterra chick makes it seem and I'm very thankful the timing of TRIs does not start with the "put your wetsuit on" event. But, it fit much better. Still an issue with the crotch hanging low but my arms swing well in it and it goes up to my neck and closes. I still attempted the other one but gave up at the ankle.

I gave up because one of these had to go back and they only refund for non-damaged suits. I had already damaged the first one and did not want to risk damaging the second. How did I damage it? With my nails. While struggling to pull the damn thing up, I grabbed the suit and pulled. And my nails dug in. They warn you about this in the video and tell you how to do it properly. TOO LATE!!
 
Now that I've decided on a wetsuit I needed to test it in water. I first tried the bath tub. This may sound ridiculous but I'm told the suit will expand 1/2 a size in water, hence the bath tub. Obviously, I didn't try to swim in the tub. I did do the first swim, though, in the raging waters of Lake Erie. The wind was out of the North and producing white caps on the water. I wasn't worried about the water and air temps. I just wanted to be sure I could swim in it. And, I can. I just need to remember to Glide stick my neck where the suit rubs and I should be good. YAAAAAAY!!! 






Monday, September 17, 2012

Sometimes I Hate Being A Girl

Don't get me wrong, most of the time I love it. But I have 5 little black dresses; 4 different black shoes; a box filled with makeup; and another chock full hair products! Guys have two suits, a black one and one of another color; two pairs of dress shoes, black and brown; and maybe a small shelf for hair products.

My real problem with being a girl only manifests itself in training. Let's face it, my bosom is ample. Sometimes running hurts with them. And when I played volleyball they got in the way. They do make up for this in bars and on dates but it is a little annoying! And sometimes, one week a month training is near impossible! Especially, the weekend before my period is due. My legs just don't work! They feel as if they are devoid of ATP! I am Sisyphus with the rock that never gets to the end.

They do. Every time they buy a girl a drink!
That's what happened this past weekend. I was originally hoping for 20 miles and then I injured my ankle, so I would have been happy with 5-10. I GOT almost 3. The ankle ached a bit for the first half mile but I then took off the brace and it felt sooo much better. I probably could have pushed it to 5 or 10 miles but didn't want to agrevate the injury. I set out Sunday for a 40-50 mile bike ride. I did 10! I felt like i was working and working and getting no where. Looking back at my training log I can see the pattern and realize it's always the weekend before.


I am lucky in the fact that none of my races have fallen on that weekend.

Friday, September 14, 2012

CRAWLING!!

I'm currently reading the Athlete Guide for the Pocono Mountain 1/2IM. Rule one of the run is "no form of locomotion other than running, walking, or crawling."

I hear there's a video out there of a pro crawling across the finish line of a full IM.

I'm also a little peeved that they've changed the wave starts and I'm now starting a half hour later than I expected. I will therefore only have a 1.25 hour buffer. I don't feel comfortable with that short time. Especially, since I haven't figured in transition times!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

NO MORE HEELS!!

In the voice of Faye Dunaway/Joan Crawford as she screams, "No..Wire.. Hangers..EVER!"



And the new no heels rule only applies till after the 1/2IM. I had to establish this rule after taking a tumble yesterday while walking out of my parents house. I was in heels that are pretty sturdy and easy to walk in. At least until you catch the heel on the door sill, land on yours toes and you tumble sideways as your ankle breaks under you! My dad saw it happen from the front and my mom watched from behind, I guess it looked pretty bad but neither heard what I heard. A pop/snap! And my IM dreams were smashed!


Just kidding! I'm fairly certain that it's not broken, as I can walk on it. However, it does hurt to point, roll, or twist inwards. It is not black and blue....yet. But, it is VERY puffy around the outside ankle bone. I'm hopeful that rest, ice, elevation will help.

What sucks is that this past weekend I had a 20miler on the books but the weather just didn't cooperate and I only got 10 in. My thought was, "Oh, I'll just make it up next weekend." Pretty sure that's not going to happen. I have to hope that I've done enough so far to carry me at least to the 1/2IM finish line. To be injured this close to it scares me. I wasn't planning on starting the taper till next week! I feel confident, though, that I'll be fine for the marathon in October.


MY BRONZE MEDAL!!!

On the plus side, this came today!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Guilt

When I went to bed yesterday I had every intention of running this morning. I even laid out my clothes! And yet, I did not go. I awoke with a tickle in my throat. And a general malaise. It's gotten slightly worse as the day has progressed but I am also wracked with guilt for missing a run/ride. I can't make it up tomorrow because that would throw off my Saturday 20 mile run.
I'm going to give into the extra rest day and hope that it pays off Saturday with a great run and that the tickle doesn't get any worse.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Recap

Let's just recap my weekend.

I had 18 miles on the books for Saturday. I woke up rather early and headed out for my run. Initially, I was going to do a 9 mile out and back. But, it got hot! I ended up doing a 6 mile out and back for a total of 12 miles outside. Then I hopped on the treadmill for another 5 miles. Or that was the plan. I called it quits after 2 miles. I hate treadmill running if I can run out side. I gave up at 14 miles and headed to the pool to be lazy on my holiday weekend. At about 5pm I felt I was lazy enough and was feeling REALLY guilty about not completing my run. So, I laced up again (this time in my Mizunos) and headed out for 3 more miles. I have to say those were the fastest 3 miles I have ever run in training. I think I averaged around 10:20 or less. I then went back to the pool to be lazy some more.

Sunday, I went for a 30 mile bike ride. It was uneventful, other than I wanted more miles. I still have yet to do 50-60. The closest I've come is 40 miles back in July. I'm not sure I've prepped enough for the Pocono's.

Today, Wednesday, I ran a quick 3 miles again. I wanted to do a negative split out and back. My first mile was my normal training pace of 11:20. second mile was around 11. And I finished up the last mile at 10:20. It seemed rather easy. I think my Mizunos are the key. I have yet to try them on a long run as they are a little flatter and less cushioned than my Kayanos. I also did a 1.3 mile swim this morning in under an hour!


I also, had a date over the past weekend. It was awkward to say the least and that's comparing it to all the other first dates! By the end it was not so bad but not the best 1st date I've had. I'm still going to give it a go with a second date if the opportunity arises. He is cute.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Back Out There

That food in the bowl looks like crap. I know! But, it tastes amazing. Especially after 17 miles and a day in the sun at the pool. I'm so happy that I got 17 in today. I was more than a little worried about my long runs over the past two weeks.
A long bike ride is on the books for tomorrow!
Also, to get me back into the mind set for the 1/2IM, I'm rereading " You Are An Ironman." Honestly, hands down most motivating book I've read!