Rest is (probably) Best

I am trying really hard not to let the nerves get the better of me and I have even quelled a sudden urgency to go for a swim on a sunday night and have sat right back down on my couch after the voice inside my head yelled at me that now is the TIME TO REST UP! Contrary to popular belief, it's quite hard to hit the taper right, and it's probably harder than the actual training, because once we pull back we start to wonder how much fitness we are going to lose by doing less, and how yucky we'll feel from doing so. Well, this past week has been a roller coaster ride with holding back, feeling like crap and reminding myself that this is normal. Hmmm, another week of this is about all I'll be able to handle. Then after that, I don't plan on sleeping much, especially once on the island. Everything will be real!

With all this extra time and energy, I have dedicated myself to a different hobby, something pretty new, but since I have the supplies I might as well make use of them. I painted a picture. It was inspired by one of many countless rides up Lefthand. Last week I saw a little leaf twisting and turning in the air next to me as I was riding uphill. And it looked so pretty doing its little ballet in the air, under a crystal blue sky. I decided to paint a few and name the painting "Leaf Sequence".
Also, this was pretty impressive last night on SNL, and no I don't mean the Sarah P.(Her last name shall not be spelled out on this page) skits. This brought out the LOL's for sure, especially since I feel like this about IM right now... Watch:

I wish fall could last forever btw. However soon all leaves will be off the trees and the warm temps will be replaced with chilly weather and the dreaded dark swims and cold bike rides will commence. And then the snow will fall. I might have to move...

Boulder Half Marathon

I decided on a whim saturday night to run the half marathon yesterday morning, as a supported training run with aid stations and company of 1500 other runners. The plan was to run a little before and after to get a total of 20 mi or so for my last big run before Kona. And what better way to split up boredom than to throw a half marathon in
the middle?

Packing for the race felt really odd. I had almost nothing in my bag, no equipment at all. I was done in 5 minutes! Race morning I made my way to the rez super early (well, 7 a.m. but it feels early now with the sun just rising) and had flashbacks of the tris from the summer, with cars piling up all the way up 51st to Jay Road. Luckily I was on bike and passed everyone. The weather was splendid crisp and overcast, perfect for distance running (not so much for Kona training) Ran an easy 30 mins upon arrival and had just enough time to scout out the bushes for number 1s, as every one of the porta potties had a line of about 20 waiting in front of them. (this always puzzles me and makes me wonder if these people will actually make the race start)

I lined myself up towards the middle of the front, off to the side, and really looked forward to running on my training grounds. I wore my trainers to remind me I was not racing, should the urge set in. The gun went off and I found myself running right next to Desiree who seemed to use the race for the same reason as me. There was only one girl ahead of us, along with maybe 10 guys. For a race of over 1500, I was rather surprised to find myself running that far up ahead.

Keeping the pace controlled and working on turnover, I started to feel really good at around mi 3 and decided to go with the flow. I would stay about 1/2mi back of the first girl, but kept my place throughout the race. After the turnaround I was cheered by everyone who was still headed out, which really made it a fun run. Ofcourse there was the guy who didn't want to get chicked and would not let me pass him. Instead of wasting energy to ask him what his deal was, I tucked in behind him and held out until the road cleared a bit and then made my pass. He did not pass me back.
I cruised into second place overall and noticed that I didn't fall over, needing assistance, like I do when I finish triathlons. I think tri training really makes you tough, and makes running seem easy in comparison. The run went just as planned, smooth and controlled, although I was told at the finish by Desiree to make sure I rest and recover as this race counts as a serious session, especially at altitude. From now until race day, sleep and recovery will take precedence over actual training.

the finish

Things that signal full blown IM training

I have slowly come to notice some subtle changes that have taken place within me and around me, all due to a little thing called Ironman Training. Since this is all new to me, and the longest event I ever trained for up to now were marathons (well, halves I guess but they only involve 90 min long runs and 3-3.5hr bike rides for me, as opposed to 2-3hr runs and 6hr rides) Here's a list of these "things" I am experiencing. In no particular order:

You know you're really training for an IM (especially your first) when:

1) 15mi at 7:10 pace feels "easy and relaxed", not to mention "short". And 25mi don't faze you either, heck a training marathon feels doable any day of the week.

2) same for rides, anything under 3 hours "doesn't even really count".

3) Swimming 5k in the pool definitely takes some getting used to, but once you're there, you might as well keep going and keep tacking on 1000's- if only I wasn't so slow and it wouldn't take up half my day...

4) You don't feel like you have done any kind of workout if the total time doesn't exceed at least 3 hours.

5) Your clothes start to fit a little more loosely, and you are finding it hard to find a pair of jeans that don't need a belt.

6) You eat a ton, and you still manage to drop some pounds.

7) You find yourself obsessing about D-day every day.

8) You get uneasy as the temps get cooler, even though you had wished for this to happen all summer long- now all of a sudden you would love to drip, drip along on your runs and rides.

9) Chamois cream becomes a must before EVERY ride.

10) Your sink is cluttered with more water bottles than dirty dishes.

11) If it wasn't already, coffee has now become a part of your staple diet, and you crave it first thing every morning before you can do anything else- kind of like engine oil for your motor.

12) And speaking of beverages, you as a self proclaimed health freak, have developed a deep craving for soda, especially Coke, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, and on occasion Sprite- nothing quite like it when you take that first sip!

13) You eat alot more pizza than you ever anticipated since it was in your "bad food category".

14) You freak out at every little sign of minor aches and pains, as these could foreshadow injuries.

15) You don't go out. Ever.

16) Keeping the house clean becomes a monumental task, even when broken down into smaller chores.

17) Sometimes you wonder if IM training eats your brain as you seem to be able to focus on almost nothing as you stare into space on your couch after your workouts.

18) Your family thinks you're nuts for training as much as you do.

19) You think there is absolutely nothing wrong with it and feel like you could always do just a little more. In fact, you wonder if 7 hr rides are better than 6 hr rides.

20) You constantly struggle with the thought of finishing 140.6 miles and go from excited to nervous to disbelief to doubt to absolute confidence and pride and back again.

Whew, well I am ready for my taper, I can tell my body is too. Bring it! Less than a month to go!

Something to think about on a rainy day

I am procrastinating getting out the door for training, since it's not pretty out there, and if anyone else feels the same way, here is a link to check out, to procrastinate a little further. In the wise words of Letterman, "Yes, we are screwed!"
And yet, there are people out there who believe that Global Warming doesn't exist, won't affect them or is just an excuse for political parties to stir up debates. But I don't want to get all political on here, this is a tri-blog after all...

Check out the link below for a surprisingly opinionated Dave Letterman piece on Global Warming: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/09/david-lettermans-global-w_n_125090.html

It's Getting Serious

Well, after taking yesterday 'off' to balance my life with some culture in Denver, I got back with a vengeance today. I felt refreshed and good after a 10 hr sleep, which is supposedly how much I should get every night during intense training-ha, and set out to try and ride the IM distance today. It would be a good day to do so because the "Ride the Buffalo" Cycling Classic was also going on, in the same direction I was headed. Pretty much all day. Yay, company! Although the century riders started their trip at 7 a.m. and I started mine after 10, I found some stragglers to keep me company for most of my ride. Weather was flawless, but a bit cool for my upcoming race conditions. I guess Sauna workouts are up next.

I am not sure where I rode to, but I stopped after I was going uphill at 6mph for oh, a good 20 mins? Dropped trou at the top of the hill to do a #1, and sure enough, a motor cycle comes zooming by. Luckily I think they were too fast to see my exposed, white moon. Today also marked the day I would try to 'simulate' race day, by wearing the suit I plan(ned) on wearing, as well as the nutrition I'd be using. Wearing a bathing suit under bike shorts can be risky, due to the uncomfortable rubbing factor, but less than 2 hours into my ride, I seemed to have gone numb anyway, so that solved that issue. My other task today was to stay on top of my nutrition. I packed 2 Ensures into a water bottle, had one Gatorade, one Coke and one Water Bottle, as well as a granola Bar, Clif Bar, Clif Bloks, and a gel. Doing the math, this amounted to about 1000 cals if all eaten.

I LOVED the Ensure! It worked so well, and I wasn't turned off, not at mi 50, not at mi 90. Yay, I found nutrition that might just work for me! I didn't touch the gel, and only had half a clifbar, but the rest I ate, and drank! Small Success on the "I usually feel like shit after a long ride" front. I got off my bike after 115 miles, feeling downright GOOD! Back to that in a bit.

I turned around at 50 miles, atop of that hill where I mooned the motorist, turned back around to ride past Masonville (people there HATE cyclists, wonder how they felt about the 1000s riding through today) and Carter Lake, into familiar territory. On the way I passed more cyclists who were also making their way back, put some in place as they tried to race me (come on now... you obviously did not ride hard enough if your testosterone is still kicking) and ended up at 28th and Jay at 92 miles. Damn! I passed my house and rode back up 28th, down 36 to Lefthand. The miles ticked by very slowly as I rode up to the turn-off for Ward. The whole time I was feeling pretty good, not like my usual trance-state-like self at around 100 miles.

I zoomed back down Lefthand, and then got a reality check. A little bee flew right into my jersey top, into the bathing suit! I could feel it walking on my skin! Immediately came to a stop as if my life depended on it (which it kinda does, depending on what stings me) and ripped off jersey. Problem: Bathingsuit does not allow for easy access. I watched in horror as the little critter made its way to my left boob and proceeded to sting me there. Great. With my head practically in my suit I tried to squish the thing without it stinging me again. It fell down to my stomach, further out of reach. Awesome. Another sting on my stomach. I finally got a hold of it and squished it with both sides of the suit before it fell down, down down, and out my left short leg. Um, so nevermind the discomfort of the saddle while wearing this one-piece, how about the danger of bees flying into the top end and getting you in places you will never be able to reach to get rid of them? Decisions... I know bees are a factor in Kona. Perhaps I need to re-think my race-day outfit, and go back to tried and true?

After what seemed like another 30 miles, even though it was only 10, I arrived (still breathing) back at my door step. And I felt good! After the bee stings I got a second wind and I felt sharp, focused and ready for an IM run! Ha. I rode over race distance in 6 hours, at 19mph avg, which I find pretty exciting. After gulping down ice tea I was out the door for an impromptu 60 min run, because I felt good! ( I had planned to swim after, oh well..) My legs felt swift, my back was tight, but I had hydration and I was feeling good! So my 60 min run turned into 80. Mostly easy and relaxed, paying attention not to overdo it with a tight lower back ( I will have to figure that one out for race day..) I am very proud to report that I for sure outdid my weekly car mileage by my ride-run mileage of 125.5mi today! I feel it coming together, and the thought of that is really exciting!

Big, huge props to Kristin C. who raced her first IM at Wisconsin today and killed it! Looks like someone found their race distance! Looked like a nice day there, good job to all others who raced as well.

Besides Coffee, this training also induces a craving for beer! Anyone that knows me, knows I don't like beer. Well, not anymore, I am about to have one now as part of my new balanced diet :-)

Labor Day, literally

After the little hike-get-away on thursday, I was back in full swing of things by friday. With my Kona ticker inching a day closer to D-day every day(!) I thought it'd be best to start getting serious about this "little" race coming up. And so I did. It finally feels like I am going to actually do this. I did a long run saturday, followed by an easy, crappy bike, no swim. Sunday was an easy run and long swim, no bike because too busy with social obligations (sigh). I am really trying to get my butt in the pool but for some reason it's becoming less and less the more I start picking things up.

Today was supposed to be my long ride, which I didn't do yesterday. I had every good intention, loaded up with plenty of fluids and food, after a super duper breakfast of French Toast, made by yours truly, Chef B.

Within the first few pedal strokes upon leaving my house I knew it was going to be a long ride. I felt flat from the start, legs tired and unwilling to move. Things would loosen up surely, as they always do. Well the only thing that "loosened up" was my HR, which felt too high, but then again I was only guessing, caveman style if you will, since I forgot to put my HR monitor on (however I was not the least bit worried as I rarely ever wear it), so who knows what it was. All I knew is that my sweat rate was high, very high! Everyone I passed going up Lefthand to Jamestown was greeted with a drip or two of my sweat as I went by. It is quite annoying actually, as I can't wear my sunglasses because it just drips down my face, into my glasses, onto my top tube and down on the road below me. When I reached the "downtown" Jamestown area, I stopped because I needed to wring my helmet out and clean my glasses. My legs were dripping out of every pore as well, but they would dry in the headwind going back down.

Foregoing the notion of riding to Ward due to my sweat annoyance, I decided to ride back down and venture out on the roads for a few hours. During the first half hour I stopped to call my massage therapist, Jeff, whom I just remembered to call back about scheduling an appointment. Ditto, got a slot for 5 p.m., which left me with just enough time to ride and get home, rest a little and leave again. (I was shooting for a 5 hr ride here) The whole time I am not feeling right. I get to some rollers out in Berthoud and get a strange sensation on my hamstrings, wtf? My rear water cages have loosened up and are hanging upside down with my water bottles still in them. Um, great. Good thing I thought ahead and brought my tools. Half an hour and two tries later, I am back in the saddle, still cursing the damn cage. Cages seem not to like my bike very much, as this is not the first time something like this has happened, I guess I need to check the screws every time I go out...

Feeling much like absolute crap, I decide to cut my ride short to 4 hours. That is about all I want to handle. I don't know why I can't feel better, but it must just be one of those days where you just go through the motions. After a stop to get some brain juice, aka Mtn Dew, at my favorite little convenience store ever in Hygene ( today was the second time I got a free drink, I must either look REALLY thirsty or they are just feeling sorry for me) I was in better spirits and could smell home from there.

Once home I had to take a seat immediately to let the crappiness come out in full effect. Are these the dark moments in Ironman training that no one ever talks about? I seriously felt like I was going to pass out. I made myself a homemade frappuccino in the hopes of snapping out of this funk, rested a half hour and then attempted a quick run which in hindsight was a dumb idea. I was lightheaded, had the chills, and just felt even more like Sh*t. Hmm, off to see Jeff for a dose of pain.

Jeff (Massage therapist extraordinaire!) tells me that my face is looking a little gaunt and that I am turning into the typical IM looking athlete. We discuss (through many pauses, pain inflicted) nutrition for Kona, the heat and sunscreen. Jeff convinces me to try Ensure for meal replacement on the bike, knowing I have a hard time stomaching solids. So I venture over to Target after the extra long pain session to get some of this magic stuff. I am actually pretty excited to try and see how I do with it on the bike on my next ride. I will ofcourse have to follow it up with a run to see if it mixes well with my stomach.

On my way out the door at Target I saw a mini can of Chef Boyardee's Ravioli (some of the most disgusting, and processed food ever, I know) and it looked so damn good, I bought a can! And I could barely wait to eat it! Wow, I guess I am following my body's orders on what it craves. It surely isn't the healthiest at times...

Anyways, I am taking away from today that there are bad days in training, and they might happen for no apparent reason, no matter how much rest, sleep, food you get. I just hope I don't catch one of those days when it really matters. For now, I must have my dose of chocolate and then bed.