14 Days! Ironman Louisville 2015

Hard to believe only 14 days! Taper has officially started now that I have my training done this weekend.

 

My bib number - follow me on raceday - ironman.com

The last few weeks have been tough and exhausting. I have completed my first ever over 100 mile rides, an 18 mile run (which I haven't done since my last marathon in 2002!), 14 miles on a treadmill, swam 2 miles multiple times, and completed a 2.4 mile swim in a 25 yard pool (80 some laps). These trainings not only helped physically, but helped strengthen me up mentally. For an ironman, you need to be strong both physically and mentally. During these trainings, I was able to adapt as needed, practice nutrition, work through stomach cramps, and think alot and alot.



My dad and I after finishing the first 50miles

About a week ago was one of the toughest weeks. My husband's grandmother passed away and his dad was back in the hospital getting stints even though he had quadruple bypass surgery back in April. I had my second century ride scheduled the day before the funeral viewing and my 18 mile run the morning of. The century ride ended up being the hardest ride. It didn't help that I had very little sleep since my youngest kiddo had a tough time sleeping. (We just found out this week that she will be having her tonsils and adenoids out to help with her sleep apnea and a few other issues the tonsils are causing her.)  It was part of the Hope Ride in Hope, Indiana. The weather had called for some rain here and there just for a bit. My dad had agreed to ride the first 50 miles with me which would be his longest ride to date. As soon as we checked in, it had started to rain. After about 5 minutes, it stopped so we took off. According to the weather app, it should have cleared up. However it continued to rain off and on the next few hours, plus some thunder and lightening. We did not have any place for cover so we just focused on biking to the next sag in which case all the thunder and lightening had quit. We also had to cross over 4 metal bridges. The third bridge, we saw two bicyclists that had wrecked on the metal bridge, so helped them a little bit. Fortunately one of the bicyclist was carry a first aid kit that had pretty much everything. On this ride, my right knee started to give me some pain. It would come and go, but I still continued on to the second 50 after dropping dad off at the lunch sag. The second 50 was pretty quiet in the country. The crosswind and headwind were terrible, the roads were bumpy all over. Then at the very end, I was exhausted, knee in pain, took a wrong turn and added another 9 miles. I got out my phone and figured it out. To top it off, when I got back to my dad's truck to go home. I could not get it started! And the thought of running after biking this far seemed impossible.

second 50 on the Hope Ride

Not every workout goes as plan, but during all this ordeal, I learned how I adapt to the conditions to get through. This bad experience, has made me stronger, wiser, and more prepared. I do not need to worry about things I cannot control like the weather - just adapt. If my knee hurts, just ease up and focus on other things and not the pain. The next day, I woke up and my knee was stiff and hurt pretty bad. It was tough to move it forward and back. However, the more I walked around the better it felt,- not great, but better. I decided to go ahead and try to run a slow few miles to see how it would go. After the first 2 miles, I was pain free and ended up running the rest of the 18 miles.

I share the struggles to let you know that everyone has ups and downs. Excuses are easy, ignoring them is the hard part.  Training for the Ironman is tough, but you just focus on the task at hand and break it up into smaller pieces. My training plan started me at 1600 yards swimming back in April. I just swam 4300 yards (2.4miles). I have never biked more than 25-30miles, I have biked over 100 - twice!  I have been a runner most of my life, but I haven't run these distances since having 3 kids and never ran more than 5-6 miles on a treadmill - let alone the 14 miles I did a few weeks back because that was the lesser of the two evils (hot, hot weather was the other evil). I did not know much about nutrition, calories, electrolytes, but have learned how many calories I need, how often I need to drink, what foods works for me. It has been a learning experience. I have swam over 57 miles, biked 1992 miles, and ran 333 miles for over 2300 miles covered throughout the 22 weeks. Fortunately, I was able to surround myself with great family and friends that has supported me during this journey. I have found a great mentor who continues to give great tips and advice. A good group from Ironwilled - Women who Tri who are racing Louisville too. So if you have a crazy goal - go for it! There will be ups and downs, but just focus on your goal and work hard towards achieving it.

my last run before taper on my favorite country road to run on

I still have yet to swim in the Ohio with my wetsuit which I hope to do if the algae leaves, plan out race week where we have 2 days to check in, a day to drop off the bike, plan all the nutrition and finalize the clothes for the race. It is going to be an exciting two weeks!

4 Weeks Left!

 

 

 It just seems like yesterday I was blogging about my first month of training for the ironman! I am so glad to be at this end now. It has been a tough, but fun; challenging, but doable experience. It is exciting to start receiving the athlete's guide and your race day number. This will be my first race with my name on my bib. I maybe a little too excited about this.

 

You know you are close to race day when you know your number!

It has been over a month since I have given an update and there are been ups and downs with the training. A week after my 70.3 race, I competed in an Olympic distance in my hometown. I had just started to come down with a cold and sore throat- just like last year. However, I still PR'd and had a fun race cheering on my family and friends that were racing. The week after the Olympic distance I ended up getting a virus with a fever along with the cold/sinus infection. I was down for a few days - just completely wiped out. Fortunately it was a recovery week. Once I started feeling better I gradually started back by to my training. It probably took another full week to feel fully recovered. That was really tough to get back in the groove again after resting so much!

I was finally able to start building my bike endurance back up. I was able to ride with my mentor with whom gave great tips on the bike. The Louisville course is hilly and somewhat technical. It would be easy to break a chain or get a flat on the course and wear yourself out before you get to the run. I have completed my first century ride on the Ironman course which was a huge confidence booster. I have met some super great people on these group rides lately. They are all looking out for each other on the course even though we just met at the start of the ride. We all have similar insecurities about getting through the race, but trusting all our hard work to get us there.

Rice cakes and boiled potatoes

I think I know my nutrition plan - making sure I get all the right calories, carbs, electrolytes, hydration. That is a great feeling since that was one thing I knew I needed to work out and will need to nail during race day in order to enjoy the day and finish. I am using water, SWORD, and Tailwind for my bottles and honey stinger chews and waffles along with boiled potatoes and rice cakes for my nutrition. At least one bottle and one food item is needed per hour on the bike. It will help pass the time, right?  It is an all day event so lunch and dinner are on the bike and run! I may pack a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the bike for the special needs bag.

I still have race day planning to do - race clothes, special needs bags, making sure I have all the nutrition for the day etc. I need more open water swim practice with the wet suit, but I am gaining more confidence as race day approaches. I am hoping all my early morning workouts, double day workouts, and just plain hard work allows me to really enjoy race day and soak it all in this once in a lifetime experience. I still have 2 weeks of hard work and 2 weeks of taper to get through.

Be sure and let me know if you'll be coming out on the course race day so I can look for you! Or if you are racing hopefully we'll pass each other sometime throughout the day!

Again just want to thank everyone that asked about training, ran, biked, or swam with me. Or texts me while I am biking long to make sure I am okay and drinking enough during the hot training days. It is all greatly appreciated and means so much. I hope I can return the favor someday.

My tiny, but mighty daughter and I heading out for a training run.

Race Report: Newburgh, IN - 70.3 - August 1

It's official I am half crazy or half an ironman. Finished my first long course triathlon. I participated in the club race hosted by Southern Indiana Triathlon Team. It was a great race - truly impressed. Just open to club members, it was a small, friendly race and well supported. Just what I needed going into the final stretch of training for the Ironman.

This race was a dress rehearsal for me to practice what I think I want to do for the Ironman. I got to practice pre-race nutrition, race clothes, race nutrition/hydration, transitions, and race pacing.
The week leading up to the race, I did most of my training even though I had this race. I did take my rest day on Friday like I typically do and opted out of a bike ride on Thursday in exchange for running with my oldest at his cross country practice.

I found two helpful articles this week:
One for packing: http://triathlon.racechecklist.com/ - I was able to bring this up on my phone and just check things off as I packed it. Quick and an easy check that I had everything.

One for pacing: http://www.endurancecorner.com/library/triathlon/strategy/half_ironman_pacing -
This was right up my alley in that it had you start each of the disciplines slow. Everything was setting you up to have a good run.

We drove over to Evansville area after dinner on Friday evening. On the drive over I realized I forgot the sticky rice balls (part of my nutrition), Ryan had made for me to try in the race. Fortunately I had plenty of other nutrition, but it was one thing I was looking forward to trying.

We got to the race at 6am for a 7am start. It was plenty of time to get everything situated, body marked, and checked-in. I knew 2 others participating so chatted a little bit before the swim. One of those friends - this was her FIRST triathlon! It was great catching up with her and cheering her on during the race. She was a beast and super proud of her! Her sister-in-law also completed the race with an injury she suffered a few weeks ago which was so inspirational.

So here's the rundown of the race:

Swim: 46:40 - 1.2 miles
We treaded water for a very short time before started the out and back in a narrow lake. This was good practice with getting swam over and bumping into people. The sighting was pretty easy since the lake was so narrow. I swam a comfortable pace and when I got done I felt like I could still swim some more. Ryan volunteered helping people out of the water so it was fun to see him there. Also my parents surprised me by driving down to see me race. I saw them and gave them a hug after the swim so got them all wet.


T1 (Transition 1) 3:26
Since they had a changing tent, I tried my hand at changing during a race which I hadn't ever done. I just put on some cycling shorts and was back out.

Biking: 3:20 (16.8mph) - 56 miles

Halfway on the bike with my parents and Ryan

The first 12 miles or so had rolling hills which meant the last 12 miles also had rolling the hills. The hills did not compare to the hills near where I live or nearly as many, so I ended up going faster on the bike than I had imagined and was able to stay in my aero position for most of the ride. I saw Ryan, my parents, and my friend Jen at the halfway point. I got some more water and was on my way. There was some headwind heading back, so I just tried to stay relaxed while pedaling. I feel like a did a good job staying hydrated and fueled (Tailwind, SWORD, honey stinger chews, and water). I did drop one of my water bottles with 10 miles left, but still  had plenty of fluids in the other two bottles.


T2 5:20
I was able to get off my bike without falling which is always a good thing with my track record lately. I changed into some comfy running attire, made a pit stop, grabbed my fuel belt and off running I went.

Running: 2:20 (10:46/mile)- 13.1 miles

2 thumbs up for the run

My plan for running was to run 4 min and walk 1 min. Also to walk through the aid stations
which were about every mile. The course was an out and back just like the bike. My legs felt great starting the run even with the heat of the day. I continued to drink and eat a little during my walk breaks. Once I hit the halfway point, I picked up some sponges that cooled me down and then I slowed down a little and ended up walking up a few hills. Legs were starting to feel a little heavy, but I kept counting down the miles left and thinking to myself that I am really doing this! I still had plenty of Tailwind left on my fuel belt along with some chews, so I will need to do a little better job fueling for the ironman marathon.

I finished in 6 hours 36min which was much faster than I had predicted. The swim was right on target, but the bike and run was much faster than I expected. I felt relaxed throughout the race - just trying to enjoy it and know I still have lots of intense training ahead. I still need to get stronger on my bike for the hills and work on endurance for the swim, but I feel like I am on target to be able to finish an ironman. Racing makes all the hard work in training worth it.



Finishing and surprised with the time

This race was a great experience. All the volunteers and racers were super friendly and supportive. Southern Indiana Triathlon Team has a great club.

I couldn't have done it without great support from a friend who lets me asks all kinds of questions and gives great tips and advice.  And family and friends who have trained with me and watched kids. But most importantly, my husband has been a rockstar. All his support from bike maintenance to helping make some nutrition makes it just a little bit easier. He was an amazing SHERPA at the race.

Week 14 in the books! Only 10 more weeks!!

86 Days!

Hard to believe we are down to the double digits until Ironman Louisville! This is a big week. It is week 12 meaning halfway through training. It is also a recovery week which happens every fourth week. The intensity and distances are slightly easier this week to give the body some time to recover.

Thanks to all my friends and family that continue to support me in this journey. You guys are amazing Ironsupporters! I'm realizing you guys are just as invested in this as myself whether you've sent encouraging messages, watched my kids, swam, ran, biked with me and your continual sharing of your excitement with me. It is all greatly appreciated and has helped immensely.

Picture highlights from this past month of training:

I have learned how to change a tire. After having a flat on a group ride, finally got my act together and did it. I practiced at Trikes for Tikes which repairs old bikes and gives them out to the needy.

I took this picture while waiting to join up with some fellow bikers from Louisville Landsharks. I rode 56 miles on the IM course and was so anxious anticipating the hills. I made it through and am looking forward to when I can ride the loop twice. It has been interesting to see how even though Ironman is a race, it is still a community of triathletes with a common goal to finish. There are always people looking for fellow riders to join them out on the course to train together.  

Running one of my favorite routes which has quite of bit of shade. My longest run so far has been 11 miles. I am running 4 minutes and walking a minute during the long runs. I am anticipating doing some form of that during the actual race. I am not looking to break any records, just looking to finish and have fun.

I just had my youngest with me one morning, so I took her on my 40 minute run that I was suppose to do some hill repeats. I thought pushing a stroller up the hills in my neighborhood was good enough! We ended up running to our library to return some books and check out some new ones. We lucked out for their storytime which they had the local firefighters there. Win. Win.

This month has been full of storms. Fortunately it has just interrupted a few training rides.

Glad I wasn't caught out in this hail storm.

My morning run after the hail storm. Perfect temperature and a beautiful sunrise.

Started storming during another training ride in which my dog thought it was best to lay under my bike. Not his best idea.

Took a trip up to visit my parents hoping to ride the country roads where  I grew up , only to have it rain, again. So I got to have another trainer ride in their garage.

Training while our family visited my brother. I almost need another bag with all my training gear when we visit family and friends.  At least  I had some dry sunny weather for a change

A trail run joined by my oldest for part of one of my longer runs. He ran almost 3.5miles with me and it was fun having him along. When he leads us through the trails we never know what we will find. This time we found some red raspberries and a waterfall that cooled us off.

My farthest ride to date - 60 miles. And as fate would have it, on the trainer because yet of another rainstorm this summer. I am okay with all the trainer rides. I have heard too many stories of close calls, accidents while riding the bike. Makes me anxious riding on the road with distracted drivers. Just be safe out there and watch for bicyclists.

 My youngest is helping herself to some of my lunch. A big part of training is nutrition and hydration. I am still trying to figure it out. A part of nutrition is figuring out what will work while running and biking, but also nutrition helps in recovery and preparing for the next workout. So far I like honey stinger chews and waffles along with Tailwind nutrition. But I will still need some real food on race day, but haven't narrowed it done yet. Work in this area is continuing.
 
 
 

 

 

So after 11 weeks of training I have hit over 1000 miles. Hard to believe in just over another 11 weeks I will be tapering, it will be fall and kids will have been back in school. I have found it much more challenging getting in the 2 a day workouts with kids home for the summer. I have learned I do not like working out in the evenings. I  am just too tired to give a good effort in the workouts. This will be interesting to see what happens in race day when I am still racing!

 

The next four  weeks I have three races. I am excited to give my training a test. First up is my first off road triathlon, followed by my first half ironman, and then an Olympic triathlon. The half ironman I just signed up for last week. My training does not call for one until end of August but this fit best into our schedule and nearby. I am hoping to have this as a trial run of my nutrition and clothes.

 

So there's the short and long of it for now. I am still enjoying the training although I do look forward when I can sleep in again. Last year this time a 20 mile bike ride and a 5 mile run were my long distances. Now these are just a warm-up. Slow and steady!

 

Thanks again for all your support. Looking forward to see what the next half of training brings!

 

 

 
 
 

 

4 Months Until Ironman Update

Week 7 almost done -  47 days in training -  only 4 months left until the big test.
Since I've started training, I've swam over 12 miles, biked over 500 miles and ran just over 100 miles. That is over 600 miles logged with my body as the engine over those distances. It is crazy to think about that and to think how much more intense the training is yet to come - and I am only looking to finish - under the 17 hour deadline.

Since the last update, I had another practice swim in open water with my wetsuit. It was at the same place. My heart rate slowed down faster than last time, so slowly getting comfortable with open water swims in the wetsuit. I managed to swallow water during the swim making me cough which was good practice on staying calm until I was able to back going again. I still need to work on my sighting, but feeling good about my swim. Currently, I am swimming three times a week between 1-1.5miles each time with drills, warm-ups, cool-downs. Each workout is building my confidence up to enjoy swimming even more.

Constuction Zone at the Parklands

The bike is another story. When I started this journey, I was thinking swimming was going to be my weakest event. Now that I am in the journey, the bike needs alot more work. With the course being full of rolling hills and more hills, I need to continue to build up leg strength and endurance. My longest bike ride so far is 52 miles, but mostly flat. I even got a flat tire, plastic bag caught in the chain, and left my bag under the seat unzipped. Needless to say, I am slowly learning by mistakes on how to improve my biking. However, we saw deer, turtles, and a turkey along the route. The training for the bike has started to pick up some hill training and speed intensity workouts which will help me prepare for the hills. I have enjoyed the few group rides I have been able to go on - although I do not have a good track record - a minor wrecked and flat tire. (So who wants to join me on my next ride?) It has been fun meeting new people and getting to know who they are and how they got into biking - plus they helped me change my tire - and hopefully I can help them out in the near future. I am learning to break the bike into 15 minute sections to eat, drink, move around, and do a mental check to stay focus. Currently for biking I ride just over an hour for my foundations rides and between 3-4 hours on my long rides.

Recovery run with my kids and one of my best friends

The run. Nothing like saving the best for last. Running is my washing machine for my mind. It clears my head as I think about school ending for my oldest this week and summer beginning. I think about the whys of doing an ironman and the sacrifice my family has to do. Thinking about how all the training is going to be worth it when I cross the finish line in October.  The training has some fartleks added and hill training to continue to build base and strength. Currently, I run about 40-45 minutes a few times a week and the long run is 90-100minutes. Having been a runner for so long, these workouts are fun. I am slowly seeing improvement in my times. Plus the local Moms Run This Town group has monthly running challenges which have been a fun addition to my training.

About once a week I have a brick workout where I bike and then run immediately afterwards. These workouts are going well. The bike seems to warm up my legs for the run as I seem to have a slightly faster pace for these. These workouts have been around an hour ride followed by 30-40 minute run.

It is good to not always take training so seriously.

Overall I am still staying mostly injury free. I sliced my finger a few weeks back and opted to skip a swim workout which was my first workout I skipped. I replaced it with an insanity class to remind myself that I should be doing strength and core workouts too. A great workout to showcase my weaknesses.  With venturing into longer bike rides, I am having issues with my left wrist, hand, and fingers. It is similar to carpal tunnel - nothing major yet, but just aware of it. Just more time in the saddle and switching up the grip hopefully will help. 

In the weeks ahead, I will be figuring out how to balance all this with the three kids at home. I am thankful for friends and family who have offered to watch them for me. It is much appreciative. I have a friend who continues to be an excellent mentor along this journey - answering all my questions and has valuable tips and advice. My dad has been my partner in open water swimming  - taking turns in the kayak and swimming as he trains for his first Olympic triathlon.  It is starting to be the dog days of summer with the heat, so early mornings continue to be my best friend to get the workouts done. This makes for lazy afternoons which are always welcomed in my book.

Until next time, thanks again for the support. Don't forget about your dreams and goals - the time is going to pass anyways, might as well be shooting for something.

Run, Kat, Run Goes Marathoning

Sometime in January 2015 the thought of switching my registration from mini to full marathon went through my head.  I got excited!  I got hopeful!  I got ampped up!

I kept that thought to myself for a few weeks and secretly increased my long runs to test the waters and see just how far I could go.  In January I think my long runs were 8-12 miles, which in my book is pretty much trained for a mini-marathon.  Around the end of January I mentioned my #bigdream to my running partner Jessica, who fully supported my idea but said she would stick with the mini and then come run with last mile or two with me.  I was good with that but scared for dear life.  I talked to my husband about it, he fully supported with the side bar that I was in fact crazy in his eyes!  He had no idea why I couldn’t be happy with a half marathon.  And in my head, “bigger, better, faster” kept playing over and over again.  

So I ran and I ran some more and some more.  My “I’ll do the mini” running partner, ran with me as well and soon changed her tune.  If she was going to train with me, she might as well earn the medal with me.  We decided on a Sunday Runday that we were marathon bound and that no matter what we would stick together during the race.  If one had to pee we both stopped, if one of us needed to walk, then we both walked.  Along the way we met a new friend who joined our #bigdream and made our runs entertaining and exciting.  Now we had a new person to talk too, Jessica and I had talked about as much as we could talk—we had said all there was to say on 18 mile runs.  

Training was fun and awful all wrapped up in one.  Weekday runs were getting longer and weekend runs were LONG!  I loved it all but complained a significant amount of the time.  I had read a lot about marathon training and how it will change every aspect of your life.  I had no idea how true that was until one Friday night  (preparing for a Saturday morning 20 mile run) when I told my daughter that she was spending the night at grandma’s house, her response to me was “why don’t you want us to spend the night at our house anymore?”  My heart broke into a thousand pieces.  I tried to explain to her that this was temporary and that mommy was having to run a whole lot to prepare for the BIG race and I apologized over and over again and I think I even cried a little.  Everything I had read was right, marathon training was all encompassing and had taken over my life! 
  
Marathon week came and nerves had fully set in.  I was on 10 (as my students would say)!  The week turned into a few days and then a few days turned into the night before.  And the forecast turned into rain, which made me nervous! But I had great friends that had coached me through the process and both of them said the rain is better than the sun!  We changed our outfit to accommodate for rain and drank a ton of water and went to bed with nerves going strong.  

Race morning was fantastic, we got up early, headed to race, met up with a few friends, wanted to vomit a few times, poncho’ed up, and toe’d the start line (well not really since we were in corral D but you get the point).  The exhilaration that came with crossing the start line is unreal!  I was running a marathon! FOR REAL!!!!

All along the course there were tons of people we knew, old friends, co-workers, husbands, moms and dads, kids, running community friends, and so many more.  It was great!  We left out of Churchill Downs and saw my mom and dad—who had plenty of snacks and waters for us.  They were our breaking off point, the mini people went one way and the marathon people went the other.  Mom had fixed us little baggies of butterscotch and jolly ranchers—so sweet and useful!  We made it to the park with little incident, just rain and more rain, my niece, nephew and brother cheered us at the entrance to the park.  Around the back of the Iroquois Park my in-laws, hubby, and kids were there.  I stopped and gave hugs, I needed hugs!  We were at the half way point and I was getting tired.  At the front of the park was Jessica’s family.  It was so uplifting to see people you knew.  If you aren’t running a race, be a spectator!  We just love to see people cheering us on, we need it!

Coming out of the park my hamstring was not feeling good.  About mile 17 my hamstring quit!  I stretched it, I walked it, I stretched it, I kept running. I was in pain!  My foot was not picking up, it was shuffling.  I was having to verbally say outloud “pick up your foot” because it was not.  Things got rough at miles 17-19.  I had a pity party, my leg hurt, I still had a significant ways to go, and I was spent!  I HIT THE WALL!!!!  

My folks had waited for me at mile 18 with drinks and snacks again.  I cried when I left them.  I knew I was in for a long, painful finish.  

Around mile 22 my work BFF was there and she jumped in and ran a mile with us, really she probably just walked fast with us because at that point we were at a 13 min mile.  But a new person to talk to, to keep my mind off the pain, to tell us stories, or just be there was awesome!  Again, I cried when she left.

We pushed through and continued on stopping occasionally to pee or walk or stretch.  At mile 24 I got my 2nd wind.  Now let’s be clear my 2nd wind wasn’t a fast 2nd wind my 2nd wind was I could go on and I truly could finish it.  In my head I was repeating over and over “24 to 25, 24 to 25” and once I reached mile 25 that changed to “25 to 26, 25 to 26”.  For whatever reason that helped to just run one mile at a time.  

I saw the 26 mile flag and I punched Jessica in the arm!  I was so excited!!!  And then I saw my BFF, my kids, hubby, and in-laws!  I slowly made the turn to complete my .2 of the marathon and was smiling through immense hamstring pain.  But I didn’t care at all, I was finishing a marathon!  The best feeling is having someone put a medal around your neck for a race that you trained so hard for.  It was amazing!  

I can hardly remember all the details of the after, my BFF and daughter, met me all the way at the end of the finish line and walked SUPER slow with me.  I was slow, hurt, crying, proud, and over joyed all at the same time.  My emotions got the best of me.  I do remember saying “I never have to do that again.”  We walked a lot, met back up with my friends and made our way to the truck where I had to be hoisted into the truck—hamstring was DONE!  

The days following the marathon were rough but about 3 days after the race I was walking correctly again, able to sit on the toilet again, and pretty much a fully functioning person again.  The day after the race our new friend that we met during training sent us a text about “the next time”, I told her to never speak to me again.  I really didn’t mean it.  

About a week or two later my head went to ‘maybe next time we can get in under 5 hours’.  I quickly dismissed those thoughts but in my heart I’m certain that I will run another marathon.  My hamstring was still hurt but with a lot of ice, foam rolling, and ibuprofen it got better in about a month.  Life is back to normal now.  I took a few weeks off from running and got a new pair of shoes and hit the pavement again.  It felt good, I loved every minute of it!  

Everything I read is right: marathon training is all consuming of your life BUT for the rest of my life I can say that I ran a marathon!  I did it!!! WE DID IT!!!!!!!

5 Months until IRONMAN!

19 days. Yup that is it. That is the number of days I have 'officially' been training for my first Ironman. Of those 19 days, I have had 2 days off (tomorrow will be number 3) and covering over 250 miles between the three disciplines. Only 5 more months to go.
 

training plan

I have liked the training plan I've picked so far. It is from Matt Fitzgerald's book, Essential Week by Week Training Guide. It is pretty intense compared to what I am use to, but the Ironman race is more an intense race than I am use to.  It gives me one day complete rest, swim 3 days, run and bike 4 days. This equates to doing multiple disciplines almost everyday except one.  My goal is to just finish in the time allotted so I feel this plan will get me there. Since I opted not to get a coach, the workouts are detailed enough in that every time I finish one, I always feel like I accomplish something helping me  reach closer to my goal. For example the swim spells out the length of warm-ups, cool-downs, drill sets, fartleks, etc. The bike has the intensity of the ride, length of the ride, and what type of ride: foundation, power intervals, speed intervals etc. The run is similar to the bike with having length of run, type of run, and intensity. I have adjusted quickly to running and biking to time versus distance. It is nice to know exactly how early I need to get up in the morning to get my workout completed.

 Each week I look at my workouts and what is schedule for everyone so I know how I can fit them in. Each day my goals are to finish my workouts, hang out (play, homework etc) with the kids, and get dinner on the table. After that I find myself pretty tired and ready for bed. While the kids are in school, I have been getting my workouts completed early. Typically getting up before 6am to either have my bike or run completed before my husband leaves for work. By then, my oldest is also at school and I get my younger kids ready for the day. Depending on the day, the other two go to preschool and I get my second workout completed. Once summer comes around, I will have to figure out the best way to get my workouts completed without the kids feeling they are spending all day at the YMCA.

first crash bruise

One of the hills that defeated me today.

I have had time to update occasionally on facebook which you probably saw I survived my first group ride and wreck. It was good to get out of my comfortzone on the bike to ride with others I did not know. I rode my longest distance to date - 40miles. It was mostly flat, so I felt pretty good.  I am hoping to connect up with the other riders soon.  Today I did my first solo long bike ride since training started. Two hills beat me up. I only made it about 1/3-1/2 way up - meaning I had to walk the rest of the way up.  I am hoping each time I get a little bit farther. I biked out Mayo Lane looking onward to 42 where the course takes us and I am pretty sure those hills got a lot bigger.  I know hills are my weakness, so this just confirmed it. I will need to practice hills and prepare myself mentally for them as well.  I can't let this get to me. Fortunately these hills were not on the course. I will be visiting them again soon. 

Feeling like a superhero in the wetsuit

My dad supporting me in open water swims

On Mother's Day, I had my first open water swim in my wetsuit. I was so nervous. It was the first time ever swimming in a wetsuit. Fortunately, I was able to try it out with my dad in a kayak (his first time in a kayak, haha) at my friend's parents' house. The water was so quiet and peaceful. The water was warmer than I expected so my feet, hands, and head felt fine swimming. The test swim in the wetstuit went well. I still need to practice sighting as training goes along. I feel like my swimming has come a long way, but still have a ways to go. I look forward to doing some more open swims soon. My dad is training for his first Olympic distance triathlon this summer so I know we have some more training sessions together in the future. We trained together for our first marathons over 15 years ago, so I am excited to go through this training with him as well.

Pedestrian bridge run to Indiana

My running continues to go well. It is the one discipline I am most comfort and look forward to those workouts.I find myself ready for bed shortly after I put my kids to bed, so there is always laundry, grass to be cut among other things to do, but they get done eventually.

Overall, I continue to enjoy the training and thankful for all the support from my husband and friends. I know the next 5 months will continue to test my endurance, strength, and mental toughness.

Until next update....