Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Smiles

"Smile and the whole world smiles with you." Louis Armstrong

I have recently noticed that when I smile, not only do I feel better, but many others who receive my smile share their smile as well.  It isn't that difficult to smile and it will help to make the world a brighter, more enjoyable place!!

I am all smiles now that I have been cleared from PT to resume my Ironman training as though I was never injured!!  :)  It is such a great feeling to be swimming laps in the pool, out pounding the pavement, spinning in the basement (I know this sounds sick...who wants to stare at the walls in the basement while riding...), and strength training without any knee pain!!  That is something to smile about in my book!!  :)

Smiling helps keep your body relaxed even during challenging or painful times during training and racing.  Before my injury, I ran 10 hill repeats on Carr Drive.  For those of you who don't know, Carr Drive is a short climb, but a steep one.  While running these hill repeats, I found that when I smiled, the challenge in front of me was not nearly as daunting.  It didn't even really seem like a challenge.

Smiling not only relieves stress and relaxes the body, but it also boosts the immune system and causes the body to release endorphins.  As a triathlete, the release of endorphins will reduce discomfort and increase pleasure, which helps you to push forward even when times get tough.  I want to reduce as much discomfort as I can while competing in a race, so I plan to follow Chrissie Wellington's lead and smile!!

Chrissie Wellington smiles all the time.  She is always relaxed, focused and smiling.  With this demeanor, it is no wonder why she has set world records in the triathlon world and continues to challenge herself and break her own records!!

Just remember..."Smile and the whole world smiles with you." Louis Armstrong

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Week 11 on the IM Training Train

I am starting to get back to where I was before my injury :)

Monday:
Swim = 40 min

Tuesday:
Nothing...I was suppose to run, but it was thundering/lightening so I didn't go out :(

Wednesday:
TRX = 45 min
Core = 45 min
Cycle = 90 min

Thursday:
Kettlebells = 45 min
Core = 45 min
Run = 47 min

Friday:
Nothing...I was in training all day for SilverSneakers

Saturday:
Run = 1 hour

Sunday:
Cycle = 2 hours

I would say this was a pretty successful week :)

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Ironman Quote of the Day

"Life is about LIMITS, reaching them, exploring them, exceeding them, or coming to the conclusion that there really aren't any...LIMITS" ~ Ironman



Week 11 on the IM Moo Training Train

This week has been much more successful in the training.  I have been released by PT to do a little bit more than nothing :)

Monday:
Swim: 15 min
Pool Running: 15 min
PT day

Tuesday:
Elliptical: 30 min
TRX (Strength Training): 1 hour

Wednesday:
Walk: 2 hours

Thursday:
TRX: 90 min

Friday:
Walk: 30 min
PT day

Saturday:
Ride: 1 hour...FINALLY!!  :)
Walk: 30 min

Sunday:
Run: 21 min

I finally feel like I am getting somewhere with my recovery :)  Hopefully I will be released to do more soon since I have not been in any pain :)

Week 10 on the IM Moo Training Train

I know I haven't been very good at keeping you informed of my training lately...the problem is I haven't been able to train much due to my injury. 

Week 10 was pathetic!!  There was no exercise for the whole week...except for the strengthening exercises I have been instructed to do by PT.  Overall, I have felt like a slug and have not been in a good mental state...That started to change in Week 11 :)

Monday, March 7, 2011

Success


“Success in triathlon doesn’t happen on the day of the race, just before the race, or even during the race.  Success comes from the days, weeks, and months of training that prepare you for the race.” 
     ~Jim Taylor
This is quite possibly one of the most accurate statements made, as it relates to triathlon.  There are some very challenging times during training for Ironman that will strengthen the individual, making he/she much stronger on race day.  This strength translates into success.  Without the training, there would be no showing up at the start line for the race, no competition in the race and no crossing the finish line at the race.  Race day success comes from all of the hard days of training (both physically and mentally).  Without the everyday "grind," those race day successes might not exist.

I am currently experiencing challenges in my training, but I will persevere and be successful in my training, on the day of the race, just before the race and during the race!!  I will hear, "Kecia, You Are An Ironman!!" on September 11, 2011 :)

Week 9 on the IM Moo Training Train

The IM Moo Training Train has been derailed.  I am hopeful that I can start doing more training after I meet with the pt tomorrow.  This week's workouts were VERY limited and this has been VERY challenging mentally.  If I can't start training again soon, I may have to seek a psychiatrist for mental stabilization.  I haven't been sleeping well and am probably a bear to live with.

Monday:
Core Exercises = 30 minutes

Tuesday:
Strength Training = 1 hour

Wednesday:
No Exercise

Thursday:
Strength Training = 1 hour

Friday:
No Exercise

Saturday:
No Exercise

Sunday:
No Exercise

What a pathetic week since I was up to nearly 15 hours of exercise before this injury.  This is a true lesson in patience!!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Making the Most of it...

There are lots of people who compete in many races (including life) with a challenge...without a limb, with a disease, without family, without friends, with little money.  Whatever the challenge, they get through...they survive...they persevere.  I am a firm believer that you aren't given more than you can handle.  My mother has taught me to be a strong, independent woman and has always said, " That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger."  Well, I am getting a dose about being stronger!!  This bum knee is giving me the opportunity to grow mentally and hopefully physically (since we do grow stronger during our recovery periods than during our workouts).

I start pt on Tuesday and am hopeful that I will be told I can start exercising at a low intensity.  I have not had knee pain for a couple of days now and am still icing, taking ibuprofen and making the most of the present situation.  Hope and faith are what I have to lean on right now and I will continue to lean on them until I am back on the IM Moo training train full steam ahead!!