Buzz - Over and Out

Today's 48-mile bike ride was accompanied by mixed emotions. There was excitement for what lies ahead, excitement over the long training season coming to an end and excitement that it was the last long ride on the schedule before the 112-mile ride. Yet, at the same time, there was a sense of sadness. I've become very fond of the ladies I've surrounded myself with this year and although, we will ride together again, each of our goals for 2010 will be different. There is also sadness that this journey is about to end. As ready as I've been for it to wrap up, I am going to miss the consistency of the schedule, the predicability of the rides and the familiarity of the roads. A short 4-mile run followed the bike.

Tomorrow is our trip to Charlotte. Buzz and all of my gear will be dropped at Inside Out Sports and we'll be reunited on the other side of the United States in two weeks. Two weeks! Unbelievable. What a ride it's been :) Happy Training!

Kickin' Butt

The schedule today called for swim drills, entirely kick drills. I opted to complete the drill sets along with an additional 1000 meters. I truly don't think I can swim too much. I am definitely looking forward to some off season weightlifting in hopes of improving upper body strength. Already thinking ahead to the next triathlon season and doing some smaller races to see how this year's training has had an impact on the shorter distances.

Friday night was the last shopping trip for my race gear. Several of us had gone back and forth on whether or not we wanted to change clothes after every event. My decision was made and I went looking for a tank top to wear for the run. I've decided not to run in a triathlon suit but run in what has remained comfortable and consistent to me. I chose a matching long-sleeved dry fit shirt to go in the run special needs bag as well. This should get me through the run and keep me warm should the sun set on the day and it become exceptionally cooler. I added all of these things to my gear bags and will be ready to head to Charlotte with everything on Sunday.

Tomorrow is a 50-mile bike followed by a short run. I saw Dr. Renick today and he did a wonderful job on my IT bands and my heel. A little tenderness lingering in the heel but hoping that it continues to improve by race time. Only time will tell. Happy Training!

Running Through My Mind

Tonight, we ran 5.7 miles. I felt some tightness in my left IT band but nothing significant like with the longer distance on Sunday. The temps outside were amazing and perfect running conditions. This was a good, steady paced run with the focus on HR. I wore my new running shoes, which are identical to the ones I've been running in all season. There was a great deal of increased stability tonight and I wonder if that minimized what I had been experiencing. Time will tell.

We also spent 1.5 hours tonight preparing the 5 gear and special needs bags that we'll be sending with our bikes on Sunday. On Sunday! I can't believe it. Everything from band-aids to cortisone cream to body glide to socks is included in these bags. Reality is setting in more and more as numerous thoughts ran through my head. Everything is packed except for a few things that I will utilize in the next two weeks that absolutely can't be duplicated. Otherwise, it will accompany Buzz on Sunday when we drop our bikes off only to be reunited with them in Tempe.

Paul and Lucas of Harrell's Bicycle World have been so good to us throughout this year. We couldn't have asked for a better support crew. They will be allowing us the opportunity to rent bikes and pedals from them for the next two weeks so we don't miss out on training. A very special thanks to them for all that they have done to ensure a successful training season for us all who shop there and are training for IMAZ.

Happy Training!

Death in the Valley

A camping trip to Clemson had been on the calendar for almost 8 months and training would definitely have to be a part of the festivities. Upon arriving on Friday, we made camp by Lake Hartwell and within 2 hours after our arrival, we were in the lake. It was actually quite fun or should I say, I think we were quite the spectacle. Campers came out of their tents, people pointed us out to their dogs, etc. Two crazy swimmers out in the middle of a lake. I am sure that "What are they thinking?" was a frequent phrase. This was the first swim with the Quinatana Roo Neoprene Speed Sleeves. And can I just say, WOW! They were absolutely awesome. Even better than I'd anticipated and worked perfectly! We didn't have anyone following us so we opted for a repetitious zig-zag pattern for 45 minutes. Good swim. I also utilized the wax plugs to cover my right ear, I am a right-side breather. This was equally effective. Nothing expensive, got them at Wal-Mart with the other earplugs. Actually had three good swims last week. Feeling confident about the swim minus the 1999 other people who want to be swimming where I am :)

We were off on Saturday and had planned to run 13.1 miles on Sunday. I'd been advised by several folks to stay off the foot but I really wanted to get the mileage in. This was to be our last long run of the training season. If I could just push through... Of course, I am not a good listener when it comes to training, haven't been most of this training season when it comes to testing the limits of my body. We met Rick at his tailgating spot around 9AM. We brought two buddies with us who decided the night before that they would like to run with us. Great, I thought...the more the merrier. Kim and Kris are really good runners.

Let me preface the next part by saying...injury, lack of sleep and 48 hours in the rain before the run probably didn't help the situation but I was determined to make it work. Rick went easy on us to begin with - okay, so not really (but I know he's reading this blog and he told me to be nice). We soon learned what Death Valley was all about. Climbing like crazy followed by death in the valleys. Over and over, we'd hear him say those words that were music to our ears "it flattens out". I suppose that there is a least one ledge on Mt. Everest that one would attest "flattens out", too. Perhaps it's all about percpetion. We just weren't seeing or feeling it in the same frame of mind that he was. We kept pounding the pavement and reached a point where we didn't want to know how far we'd been running anymore. All I know is that the up and downs created havoc on my IT bands as I tried my best to baby the left heel. My left knee buckled twice towards the end and I was forced to skip the hill at the stadium. I just couldn't risk further injury to say I'd done the big climb, the one that Rick says would break me. My knees and foot felt pretty broken. We wound up with 13+ miles as we'd planned. It wasn't by far the perfect run but it was about pushing through pain something that I've realized I may have to do in Arizona if I can't get everything right in the next 2 weeks. I can say that I wasn't standing outside of Subway like one of our friends feeling like throwing up. I stretch a lot that night and submerged my foot in an ice bath. Surprisingly, I didn't have to crawl to the shower before work today. :)

We'll see what lies ahead. Day by day. Workout by workout. "Everybody hurts", right? 18 days...HAPPY TRAINING!

Who, What, Where, When, How, Seriously??? #1

We met with one of our training partners, Alison, tonight to discuss all of the logistics of the special needs bags, transitions, race week planning, etc. We came armed with our Athlete Guide and questions. Alison spent 2+ hours with us having dinner and allowing us to ask all of the IM newbie questions that she was asking last year. I compare it to sort of cramming for an exam. You have your foundation of knowledge but you have to squeeze in the little details that could totally change the outcome of the test.

This goes in the blue bag...that is a morning bag...you'll put this on during the bike...you shouldn't eat for this many minutes after swimming....the list goes on. We also watched an IMAZ race preview that was forwarded to us by the tri club we're a part of. Tonight was very informative. I continue to remind myself that I am in Tempe to COMPLETE not COMPETE. More updates forthcoming as the race day draws nearer and nearer. Happy Training!

Working It Out

It's been several days since my last blog. Our goal on Saturday was to run 20 miles; however, a visit to The Renick Clinic on Friday yielded a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis in my left foot. Remember my last blog on obstacles? Let's add this one to the list. Saturday's run was scheduled for 9am but was rain delayed several times yielding a noon start time. Shiela joined us but wasn't feeling very well so she dropped out of the cold rain after the first loop to seek refuge in the gym on the treadmill. We opted to continue until I couldn't push through the heel pain any longer. We finished up 10 miles. I was bummed with the second five mile loop but felt very strong the first loop. I have continued to baby it with ice, NSAIDS, stretching and that wonderful ortho sock that makes me look retarded. I'll do whatever I have to do, right?

This week has brought two really great swim workouts s - 2800m and 2450m drill sets. Last night was a bike trainer workout so all in all I am feeling well. I've opted to stay off the foot a great deal in hopes that I can run a little tomorrow night and pick up a half marathon run on Sunday. Still feeling strong, getting more nervous but ready to produce results. Happy Training!

The Year in Review

Given that this is my last "recovery week" of the IMAZ 2009 training season, I thought that I would take a minute to reflect on everything that's taken place this year during the course of my Ironman training. What a year it has been!

When my training partner and I signed up with 18 other people from Columbia, I am not sure that we fully grasped the concept of the "training" that would be involved in preparing for an endeavor such as Ironman. Nevertheless, we felt we were up to the challenge. Committing to training was something that both of us felt we could do. I know I felt confident about it and as time passed, I actually came to enjoy the majority of it, especially training with really cool athletes who have now become friends. However, I never once stopped back in the process of registering to ask myself, what exactly will I be giving up? What if there are other obstacles that I will encounter? Will my friends and family understand?

I was prepared for the training but I can't say that I was prepared for the training AND the obstacles along the way. Training started off with a case of patellar tendonitis in my left knee. This was discovered shortly before completing my first half marathon. Soon, I would be introduced to Dr. Renick, the Ironman doctor, and he would slowly begin making the pain go away. Additionally, I had developed a pinched nerve, neuroma, under the second toe on my right foot. Dr. Renick along with a pair of inserts from Foot Solutions solved this problem as well. Blue skies ahead.

Training continued through the Christmas holidays and into February and March before I faced my next obstacle. The dreaded sinus infection season hit me hard. I seemed to be taking antibiotics every other week as I struggled to push forward through training. Eventually, this too would pass. In the summer, I was taken down by a peritonsillar abcess that left me with no choice but to have an emergency tonsillectomy. The same day of my surgery, my father was diagnosed with esophogeal cancer and began nine weeks of chemotherapy via a 24/7 pump that soon became known as "Charlie." Seven weeks into his treatment, my grandmother (his mother) died as a result of a massive stroke. Little obstacles and disappointments that have accompanied the bigger ones have been the loss of four toenails, a bike crash, mental and physical exhaustion, missing birthday parties, not seeing friends, less time with my family, etc.

I say all of this as a reminder to myself, however, that I committed 100% to this journey almost 48 weeks ago. It wasn't until this week that I watched a video recently of Team Hoyt. Although I knew about Team Hoyt, I never had seen the two of them in action. What a truly inspirational story! As I watched the video, I thought about the obstacles that I've faced and the reality that mine pale in comparison to what this father faced in helping his son achieve something that seemed impossible. The gift that he has given to his son is priceless. It showed me the strength of a father and the determination to complete the journey despite the obstacles that he has encountered. My father's struggle with the side effects of chemo have also been a silent reminder to me of the strength and determination of my father (and others) to beat the biggest obstacle he's faced even when it was tough, painful and almost unbearable at times.

I guess what I am really saying is that I salute Team Hoyt. I salute my father's fight against cancer. And, I salute all of my friends, family members, training buddies and co-workers who have stood beside me throughout this journey. I hope to make each of you as proud as my father has made me in his struggles and to finish as strong as Team Hoyt has finished in each of their endeavors. I truly could not have done this without the love, support and understanding of those I am fortunate to surround myself with daily. So, if you are reading my blog for the first time or have been following along since Day One, thank you for your support. Now, my final goal is to F-I-N-I-S-H! :)