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!