Week 15 on the IM Moo Training Train

This week wasn't as successful as I would like.  I was unable to get to the pool at all due to timing of open swim hours.  I am going to have to schedule that into my day first and surround it with all my work commitments.  This has been the biggest challenge.  Good thing this was a "Recovery Week."

Monday:
Rest Day...no exercise :)

Tuesday:
Run = 50 minutes
Missed a swim

Wednesday:
Brick...that turned into a fail!!!  Flatted on the bike and was unable to get the new tube to inflate, so it wasn't completed...30 minutes on the bike.

Thursday:
Run = 50 min speed workout

Friday:
Missed a swim
Raining when a 1 hour ride was scheduled

Saturday:
Run = 1 hour 20 minutes
Missed a swim

Sunday:
Bike = 2 hours 15 minutes

This next week is going to be much better for me...I will see to it!!

Don't Forget to Push Your Limits!!

As a kid growing up, Mom use to say, "Don't push your limits young lady."  I think what she meant to say was, "Don't forget to push your limits."  After all, in order to do our best and be our best, we need to push ourselves to do what we never thought possible!!  We have to find those boundaries and push ourselves beyond them.

Growing up, I would have never dreamed I would be training for and competing in an Ironman competition!!  During the training for Ironman, I have been and will continue to test my limits both physically and mentally.  By pushing my limits, I am hoping to achieve levels of physical fitness and discipline I didn't even know existed!!

What limits do our bodies and minds really have?  We won't know until we push ourselves to find them!!  During an Ironman competition, women compete with no advantage over men and I wouldn't want it any other way!!  We will all start together as the gun goes off.  One massive school of sharks waiting to attack their prey.  The swim start has been referred to as a rugby tournament in the water or a loaded washing machine on the spin cycle...complete and utter chaos in the water.  After the swim comes the long and daunting bike ride where you not only have to fight the terrain, environmental elements and your mind, you might also encounter the spit, snot or urine of your fellow competitors if you get in their "line of fire".  Once the bike has been safely stashed back in transition, you have to find your legs and begin the long and arduous run where you have to constantly remind yourself to just put one foot in front of the other. 

Through all of this, you must stay properly fueled and hydrated.  This can be very challenging!!  Trying to find fuel sources that have enough calories and don't upset your stomach takes a lot of trial and error.  Everyone responds differently to fuel sources, so what works for one person, may not work for someone else (bonking, cramping, diarrhea, vomiting...all of these have the potential to come with improper fueling).   Proper fueling and hydration is yet another example of testing our limits and finding out what our bodies can handle, can handle well and can't handle at all...

You might ask, "Why are you voluntarily doing this to yourself."  The answer is simple...I am pushing my limits!!

Week 14 on the IM Moo Training Train

Finally...A successful week in training!!  I didn't miss a workout and have no pain...WHOOT WHOOT!!

Monday:
Swim = 60 min
Strength Training = 2 hours

Tuesday:
Run = 30 min
Ride = 2 hours

Wednesday:
Ride = 2 hours 35 minutes

Thursday:
Run = 80 minutes
Swim = 30 minutes (suppose to be 1 hour, but I wasn't properly fueled)

Friday:
Day off :)

Saturday:
Run = 70 minutes
Swim = 60 minutes

Sunday:
Ride = 4 hours 30 minutes

I finally feel good about being back on the training train in full force!! 

Chugga Chugga Chugga Chugga...Choo Choo :)

Has Spring Sprung?

The last few days the weather has been absolutely perfect for Ironman training!!  High temperatures in the low 70s, relatively little wind, no precipitation, mix of sun and clouds...spring weather in Iowa doesn't get much better than this!!  It has definitely given me the urge to pick up my training and get outside more!!

The problem...I saw the weather forecast for this coming week.  Starting tomorrow, high temperatures in the mid 50s, potential for rain and snow, high winds...all around just UGLY!!  Just when you think spring is here, Mother Nature has a mood swing and slaps you in the face to bring you back to reality!!  Spring in Iowa is not always happy go lucky, but often times very unpredictable!!

Does this mean I am ready for summer?  Most definitely NOT!!  I am not a fan of the hot temperatures, humid air, and direct sun that is often present in Iowa during the summer months.  I will learn to live with Mother Nature's mood swings just to keep the Iowa summer at bay!!

Week 13 on the IM Moo Training Train

I had a better week this week than last week, but still not where I want it to be. 

Monday:
Strength Training = 75 minutes

Tuesday:
Run = 36 minutes

Wednesday:
Cycle = 2 hours
Strength Training = 75 minutes

Thursday:
Run = 65 minutes

Friday:
Nothing...VERY busy day

Saturday:
Run = 60 minutes

Sunday:
Cycle = 2 hours 15 minutes

I am going to rock next week's workouts!!

Week 12 on the IM Moo Training Train

This was a more successful week than last, but not where I want to be yet.  I am still struggling with my schedule and trying to figure out when I can get my workouts in around my crazy schedule.  The hardest one is the swimming since Ames doesn't have a pool with hours available throughout the entire day (unless I pay for an Ames Racquet and Fitness Center membership...which I refuse to do!!).

Monday:
Nothing

Tuesday:
Run: 28 min

Wednesday:
Cycle: 30 min (I was suppose to ride for 90 min, but was having some knee issues...UGH!!)

Thursday:
Nothing

Friday:
Nothing

Saturday:
Run: 60 min

Sunday:
Cycle: 2 hours

Not as great as I would like.  This week is going much better so far :)

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