Week 15: Ironman Training

Well, another week has come and gone... and I honestly just can't wait until next Saturday.  I look forward to Saturday and Sunday morning work outs.  I never used to be able to pick one sport I liked more, but I finally decided I love cycling the most.  I love being on my bike.

Monday started off with a nice recovery swim.  I had a few days off last week form work and I hadn't been at one of my buildings in a week.  I was so excited to get to work.  Unfortunately, one of my favorite residents and someone I worked with for over 1.5 years passed away.  I was there when it happened.  I was devastated, couldn't think straight -- I was in a fog.  I made it through work -- how, I do not know.  I was exhausted, but I headed to the airport anyway.  I wanted to get on my bike and just ride.  It was raining, lightening, and thundering, but it looked clear to the east.  Heather, Lorri, Day and I debated on what to do.  I suggested heading to Avalon road.  We parked and it was drizzling a little -- but it ended up clearing up and we got a good 27 miles in.  It was so nice to just be out on the bike and riding with my friends.  It wasn't easy though.  I wanted to cry multiple times and I was battling negative thoughts throughout the ride.

Tuesday I woke up and I did not want to go to track.  I felt awful.  I was drained.  I did my best and that was good enough for the day.  I had an eye appointment and got my eyes dilated -- decided to take the morning off since I couldn't see well.  I slept for a few hours.  I woke up and got dressed for work, but I was just emotional exhausted.  I ended up sleeping for four more hours.  In the evening, I went to work out with my trainer for the first time in months -- and it was hard.  I had tears in my eyes twice because I couldn't stop thinking about what happened the day before.

Wednesday morning really wasn't any better.  It was probably the slowest swim I have had in YEARS.  No joke.  I almost cried in the water, but I made it through.  I told myself this was a mental strength exercise and I continued on.

VQ was much better at night -- maybe because work was done for the day, but I was able to hit all my numbers and it felt great.

Thursday morning run was not fun for multiple reasons:  1) Sway showed up = no slacking 2) My legs and back were so tight 3) Went a more "hillier" route 4) Still feeling crappy about what happened Monday.  BUT, I did it.

I have been battling allergies after the Lake Swim, but I really didn't want to cut it out of my training.  I feel open water training is very important.  I swam a little less than 4 laps in 60 minutes.  I immediately got out -- took a shower and used my nasal rinse.

I got to sleep in on Friday, but I still woke up at 5.  I laid in bed until 7 and I had to force myself to get to work.  I was feeling better -- but still not feeling good about being at work.  I was congested, but didn't have the exhausting allergies I have been having after lake swims! Yay!!!  Nasal rinse for the win!  I love rest day.  Just the fact that I can lay in bed until 7 is just awesome.  ha.

Saturday we started at Western Way and road to Van Fleet.  We averaged about 21mph, but stayed between 20-22mph depending on wind and who was pulling.  I believe I was a little dehydrated because I didn't feel 100% and ended with a slight headache.  I dropped my bike off and headed out for a run within 1-2 minutes.  It was hard at first, but once I got going it felt pretty good.  I'm getting used to running after we ride long and I LOVE IT.

I changed my clothes and headed to First Watch for breakfast.  YUM.  Floridian French Toast.

Took a nap and had a healthy family dinner to complete the day.

Sunday ran 13 miles -- mostly with Jess.  We ran 1 mile and walked 30-45 seconds.  When we were running our pace was between 9:45-10:25.  I realized we could do 13 miles in under 2:20 around mile 8 and it helped us to keep our pace and not slow down.  We ended up doing 13 miles at 10:38 min/mile pace.  2:18! :)

Went to breakfast at KeKe's.... and although it is more expensive it is HANDS DOWN BETTER THAN FIRST WATCH!!!!

Final thoughts from this week:

• I finally got my eating back in check and I am re-committed to healthy eating.  I notice SO MUCH difference int he quality of my workouts when I eat great.
• I am blessed to have so many great people in our group.  I can't tell you how many people helped me get through this week and make it through each work out.  Some people I talked to about it.  Some people just helped me focus.  Most of all -- just knowing I have so many different people there for me means a lot.  
• I haven't had a chocolate chip cookie in 34 days.  It's just another challenge I am giving myself, but boy... that chocolate chip ice cream sandwich I will be eating on 11/3/2013 is going to be AMAZING.  

Week 16: Ironman Training

It was recovery week and my family was here -- which was perfect timing.   I did walk at least 15+ miles while they were here at Disney.

Highlight of the week was my mile swim time trial: 28:50.  That felt awesome.

Still struggled some at VQ.  Track was hard.  I skipped my Thursday run and pump and swim on Sunday.

I am slowly gaining my focus back and I definitely need to take more pictures, but my camera is broke!

Better post next week.

Yes YOU Can!

This morning wasn't the fastest run or best run of the season for me, but it was definitely one of most enlightening.  Our conversation was all over the place, but one topic we discussed really got me thinking.  

We all have self-doubt.  It's natural to be scared and nervous when we decide to take a leap of faith and try to achieve a new goal.  

I am 31 and while I am still (and probably will always be) on the path to discovery of how to live the most positive, peaceful and joyful life; but I have learned a lot -- especially about self-doubt and the value of truly believing in yourself -- that you CAN and WILL do anything you want to do.  I won't get into any "Kristen Stories" about my numerous experiences in self-doubt.  I probably hate the saying "It will all work out" just as much as everyone else when its said to make you feel better.  But, let's get this straight people.  YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DO.  Say it. Believe it.  

Keys to succeeding:

1. Identifying a goal that YOU WANT TO DO.
2. MAKE A PLAN 
3. Identify areas that need improvement.  Don't ignore them, try to work on them.  If one thing doesn't work, try something else.  Keep trying.  Don't give up.
4. Find a group, mentor, friend that will help you achieve your goal and also work on your weaknesses.  Help others in areas where you have strengths.
5. Work HARD.  Don't give up.  
6. Never LOSE site of your goal.  
7. Treat negative thoughts like the plague.  Get them OUT OUT OUT of your head.  Someone doubting you? Don't worry about it.  (See: Daring Greatly)
8. Remember you CAN'T DO EVERYTHING, but you can DO ANYTHING.  
   
9. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.

We have all doubts, but we gotta push them out of our minds and believe in ourselves.  103 Days until Ironman. 

Daring Greatly

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. -Theodore Roosevelt

Ironman Training: Weeks 20-17

It's been awhile since I blogged regularly.... I just haven't had the time.  I have been working over time and work has been hectic.  My life has been mostly training, working, eating, and sleeping.

During the few weeks after Rocketman, I got really sick, wasn't eating the best, and had a lot of stress from work.  It is currently 4 weeks into Ironman training and I am finally feeling back into "shape."

Here are a few things that have helped me:

Masters Swim: It is motivating to swim with other people that are faster than you and people that are at your speed or close to your speed.  Getting up early and getting it done has helped me tremendously.

Run/Swim/Bike with people faster than me:  It's something that you don't understand until you do it.  This is how I got really strong on the bike, it's helping me with my swim, AND it helped me get back to where I was with running.

Meal Planning: Going grocery shopping for a few days and making snacks/meals for each day.  Planning ahead ensures I will eat healthy.

Admitting to my weakness: Emotional eating.  I haven't had a cookie in 20 days.  Now, while that did help me -- I won't lie I did substitute for them in one way or another.  But, I am BACK on track (took me awhile!).

Early Nighttime Morning Wake Ups: Although day after day of getting up between 4:45-5:15 six days a week is difficult, it has helped me stay committed to my workouts and check something off my list each morning.  In addition, since I am done with my workouts by 6:45-7 I have time for a strength work out session before work.

Friday Rest Days: I flirted with a Monday rest day.  I also made a rookie mistake of training 14 days without a rest day.  The past two weeks Friday was my rest day.  This made my weekend workouts great.  I had fresh (somewhat) legs.

Re-Committing to Healthy Eating:  In the beginning of the year, I really focused on my eating.  I lost about 10 pounds.  I got faster and I felt better.  I just lost focus.  I haven't been eating as well and I definitely notice it during my workouts.  I have also been having an AWFUL allergy season.  Every time I swim in the lake, I am almost wiped out for a day.  I spoke with Eric at David's, who also suffers from allergies, and he suggested limiting dairy and gluten.  I don't necessarily think I should cut anything out, but it made me realize how my poor food choices were affecting how I was feeling in more ways than one.  Something just clicked and I finally decided to re-commit.  Saturday I ate great --- Sunday I had the best run in months and I felt great.  It was hard, but I felt good.  I also have a goal weight for Ironman.  I have 12 pounds to lose.  We have 110 days.  EVERY day I must be focused.

Mini Weekly Recaps

Week 20:  Less than stellar EVERYTHING.  Mile time trial: 7:48.  Not so bad.

Week 19:  HOLY HILLS.  We went to Clermont and I was NOT prepared to ride 55 miles of hills.  We did Sugar Loaf and I WAS SO GLAD TO BE DONE. Ha.  My back really hurt after that ride. Run was less than stellar the next day due to sore legs.

Week 18:  Week of July 4!  Had a good time at the Watermelon 5K, 27:54 not a PR, but very satisfied given the fact my running hasn't been so great lately.  Road in the rain at the airport, scary at first, but it slowed down and it was really refreshing.  Went on an "adventure" ride with NooNoo, which I will never do again -- including riding on Aloma.  ha.

Week 17: My weekly miles were the most I probably have ever done: 149.  I was tired.  I even swam up to Sway's kayak at the lake and asked her if next week was recovery week.  She wasn't sure, but later told me it was!  This definitely explains my fatigue.  However, my Saturday ride kicked butt.  Held about a 20-21mph for 18 miles at the airport for time and then continued on a great 65 mile bike.  I had the best run post-ride.  Sunday I had the fasted long run I have had in A LONG time... averaging 10:11 per mile.  Thanks to running with Cathy, someone a little faster than me (see above).  Swim highlight: Timed 500 meters 9:27.

A few people made comments to me this weekend... stating that "You are not talking much" and "You are so serious."  DAMN STRAIGHT PEOPLE.  I AM TRAINING FOR AN IRONMAN.  I'm GOING TWENTY or I'm going home.  LET'S DO THIS.  110 DAYS.