So Exciting!

Can I just say how exciting it is to be here in Wilmington NC for the Beach2Battleship Full Distance Triathlon!  It's been one long year of training and I'm ready!  I'm keeping this blog somewhat short...as I've got lots of things to do including getting some rest.

To all my peeps out there, here is how you can track me on race day (Saturday Nov 7):

Web Browser and iPhones:

www.TrackMyAthlete.com/vemap.aspx?name=033030

Handheld PDA/Blackberry/Palm:

www.TrackMyAthlete.com/pda.aspx?name=033030

*Certain versions of the blackberry browser do not work.

Just so you all know, I am not allowed to wear this GPS System in the water or bad things might happen to the thing.  Bottom line, you can start tracking me once I get into transition and onto the bike course.  The race starts at 7 am (Eastern Time). You can do the math on what my swim time turns out to be but it better be less than the cut off time (see below).

Race Start: 7:00 am
Swim Cut Off: 2 hours 20 minutes (9:20 am)
Bike Cut Off: 10 hours 15 minutes (5:15 pm) (From the start of the race)
Run/Race Cut Off: 17 hours 00 minutes (12:00 am) (From the start of the race)

I'm not going to give you any indication on what I think my times will be...sorry don't want to jinx myself nor do I want to put any undue pressure on myself as well.  Remember, my goal is to have fun and to finish vertical and smiling.

Bib# 63

Predicted Weather:

High 64  Low 45, Sunny, 0% of Precipitation, E at 5 mph wind

Check the forecast out!  Can you say YEAH for the Sun and very little wind!  Awesome!  It might be a little chilly in the morning and the evening...but I'll take it!  I've done so much cold weather riding/running this year, 45-64 degrees doesn't bother me at all.  I am loving the fact that it will be sunny and dry!

Keep the good vibes coming...me and Waddler appreciate every little sentiment!

Time to rest so I can splash, pedal and dash big time on Saturday!

P.s. I'm sure Waddler will post her tracking number on her blog as well... keep an eye out for it.

http://1waddler.blogspot.com/

Bring it on!

I'm done worrying; it's time to have fun.  I finally got my iron tests back from the doctor's office.  My iron levels are just fine.  My Vitamin D level is a little low and my thyroid is good.  I can not explain the symptoms I've been experiencing lately but I'm over it for now.  I'll figure it out some other day.

I want to have fun with this race.  My goal is simply to finish vertical and smiling...and of course, to have enjoy it.  Only positive thoughts are allowed in my personal space from here on in. 

I'll be flying to NC tomorrow.  Packet pick up is on Friday and we're off to the races on Saturday!  Thanks to all my friends, family, and fellow bloggers for the good wishes! 

Bring it on!  I'm ready to do some splashing, pedaling and dashing, iron-distance style!

And a Round, and a Round, We Go!

Just when I thought I had things, and when I say "things" I mean my iron level, all figured out, I'm back to square one again.  The past few days haven't been very pleasant for me.  I have been experiencing all the wonderful symptoms I had months ago which include and are in no particular order:  high heart rate during cardio exercise, leg cramps, migraine, chest discomfort/pain, and fatigue.  I'm trying to keep myself from not freaking about this.  This is not good news at all, particularly when my full distance race is in mere days! 

I called my doctor's office to obtain a doctor's order for another blood test for my iron levels.  Instead, of giving me the order, the doctor wanted to see me again. I scheduled the appointment for the first available appointment which was Tuesday afternoon.  It turned out to be a very frustrating visit with my doctor.  I informed the doctor of my symptoms.  I told her about an article I had found on the anemia.org website regarding iron and athletes.  Something I didn't know nor did my doctor, is that you can lose iron through sweat and in addition, aspirin and ibuprofen can inhibit the absorption of iron.  She scanned the article, and asked me about my over-the-counter use (which the answer is "very rarely).

Doc: "I want to listen to your heart and lungs.  (she listens) ...ok, they sound fine."

As she pulls out a gown, she tells me she wants to have an EKG done...a what?  She starts explaining what it is and what it involves. 

Me: "Yes, I know.  I've had one done months ago."
Doc: "Oh?  Here, at the office?"
Me: "Yes"
Doc: She looks at chart, "Yes, you did. Sorry didn't see it, the file was in the wrong spot."

Doc:  "We may have to do a stress test and a echocardiogram."
Me: "I've already had those done by a cardiologist.  My heart is healthy"
Doc: "Oh, ok. How's your stomach? Any issues?"
Me: "No, my stomach is fine.  I've had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy. Everything is normal."
Doc: "Oh, well I guess we already ruled out the obvious factors."

Me thinking....yes, we have.  Would you please look at my damn chart!

Me:  "My heart and everything else is fine, I believe my iron levels are low again."
Doc: "I believe you are right.  We should get you on some iron supplements"
Me: "I'm already taking them."
Doc: "You are? How much?"
Me: "One to two pills a day"...just like you told me I should do.

Doc: "Looks like we should do an iron test again."
Me thinking ....that's what I asked for in the first place.

Can you say "frustrating"?  Now I don't expect for the doctor to remember everything about me and my medical issues but for crying out loud...read my chart before entering the exam room.  Holy crap, lady!

I got my order for the iron test. She also decided to test my Vitamin D and a thyroid levels.  What the hell, why not!  And why not scan my brain while you're at it!

And now I (impatiently) await  for my results and doing my best to keep calm, cool and collected.  Did you know my race is only 8 days away?

Racking Up the Miles and Counting Down the Days

You know it's serious training time when you just don't have time to blog, meet with friends, or simply just to shop for groceries.  Excuse me for my absence from blogging, but I've been racking up the miles on the road, on the treadmill and even in the pool.

For the last 5 weekends I have rode 100+ miles--whether it be on one day or two consecutive days for each weekend.  I've had several long runs consisting of 13-15 miles each as well as several long swims of 2.4 miles (that's 76 laps in a 25 meter pool).  Those are my long workouts, on the other days of the week I usually squeezing in brick workouts after a full day's work.

I know that THIS, all THIS training, is what it is all about when reaching for such a lofty goal.  With less than 3 weeks to go, I'm tired physically and mentally.  It's starting to show.  It's harder to keep focused and moving lately.  The cold weather is getting to me, the constant wind is wearing me down, my muscles ache, ... I simply want to rest.

Luckily, this coming week's training will back down a slight bit in preparation for my Race Rehearsal #2.  I completed Race Rehearsal #1 last weekend which consisted of a 2.4 mi swim in the pool on Friday, and a 112 mile bike ride followed by a 6 mile run on Saturday.  The cold and wind in the Chicago area has been brutal lately.  That 112 mile ride was one of the most miserable rides I've ever rode.  The temperature was in the high twentys and into the mid- thirties; the wind was torturous.  Some how, some way I managed to reach inside myself and find the will and strength to finish.

I know I can and I will get through my training.  But for the next 3 weeks, I also need to find a way to refresh my mind, body and spirit so that I will be ready come race day. 

Splashing, pedaling, dashing and counting down the days to race day.

The Sun is Shining

Warning: The following blog is not meant to be a bragging post (ok, maybe a little). But really folks, I simply am amazed at my running progress.

I've struggled for so long with my running. Only a few short months ago, I was seriously doubting my ability to run 3 miles let alone an entire marathon after a 2.4 mi swim and a 112 mile bike. It's as if someone turned the dimmer switch on the dining room light ever so slowly. The next thing you know the room is bright and you didn't even noticed when or how it happened.

So in a very fitting way, I went running at 5:30 am this morning (a first for me--I'm not much of a morning exercising). It was dark, the stars were shining, and a fog hung in the cool air. And I ran; I ran as the sun rose and the fog disappeared. It felt good; I felt good. I ran for 12 miles, only walking at each mile interval to drink some fluids. I checked my pace at each mile interval, I (just about) had a negative split for each consecutive mile and my total time was just shy of 2 hours. When I finished, the sun was shining; I was shining with my personal best.

The details:

Mile 1/ 10:58/ 131 bpm
Mile 2 /10:19/ 144 bpm
Mile 3/ 10:12/ 146 bpm
Mile 4/ 10:18/ 149 bpm
Mile 5/ 10:01/ 150 bpm
Mile 6/ 9:54/ 151 bpm
Mile 7/ 9:49/ 150 bpm
Mile 8/ 9:44/ 153 bpm
Mile 9/ 9:42/ 154 bpm
Mile 10/ 9:28/ 157 bpm
Mile 11/ 9:36/ 160 bpm
Mile 12/ 9:12/ 166 bpm

Total time: 1:59:19
Avg pace: 9:56
Avg HR: 150 bpm

Hey folks, I just discovered that I can actually run! How about that?

I shaved off 5 whole minutes!

5K Time Trial Run

2/11/09
Pre-Iron (supplements): 00:33:10 or a 10:42 min/mi pace, vdot 27

9/10/09
Post-Iron (supplements): 00:28:00 or a 9:02 min/mi pace, vdot 33

That's all I got to say.

The Great Illini Half Report

I'm smiling big today. Wow, what a difference good hard training and iron pills can do!

Saturday, Waddler and I completed our second half iron distance triathlon and this time it was "officially" 70.3 miles and our Garmins can prove it. Last year, we both did Steelhead in Benton Harbor MI as our first half. However, due to strong winds and nasty 10-15 foot waves, the swim portion of the race was cancelled. We, therefore, raced a duathlon instead (run 2 miles, bike 54 miles, and run 13.1 mile---apparently the bike course was short due to road construction). My time last year was 6 hours and 50 minutes. I had crossed the finish line in an extreme amount of pain. I had broken the golden rule of racing: I had massacred my nutrition BIG time. And oh, did I pay for it; all the muscles in both of my legs had cramped up as soon as I had gotten off the bike and headed on with the run. It was a horrific moment for me as both my legs seized up....I had wanted to end the race right then and there. If it weren't for some encouraging words from a fellow racer, I might have done just that. That race was quite the experience for me. Yes, I finished and I was proud that I did under the circumstances, but I also learned that day that I had a lot to learn about endurance races.

This year, I'm extremely proud to report that I came in at 6 hours and 25 minutes (under my goal of 6 hours and 30 minutes). AND I did it with a swim included as well as running the entire portion of the run (I did walk for about 20 -30 seconds at every aid station to down some water---all per plan).

The particulars:

Pre-race:

Waddler and I woke up at 4 am and I downed two Ensures (a nutritional first for me) and water for breakfast. We drove to the race start, in basically the middle of nowhere, Illinois....lots and lots of corn and soybean fields and one very fine looking lake (Lake Mattoon). We set up in transition the best we could; it was so dark outside with very few lights (I guess it wasn't in the budget). A flashlight at that point would have been nice. This race was extremely low key; boy, did that seem to take the pressure off things. To Waddler and I, it just seemed like another routine training day all except for the timing chip around our ankles.

Swim:
As I was still finishing up in transition, the announcer exclaims we have 5 minutes to race start. Whoa, I was still struggling with my wet suit. Luckily the men went off 3 minutes before the ladies and I had a few extra minutes to acclimate myself to the water. The course was a .6 mi loop in which we were to swim twice. Waddler and I wished each other good luck and off we went. I seeded myself in the middle of the pack and just kept a nice easy pace through the entire swim. At one point on the first loop, I had caught up to some male swimmers who were 5 abreast; it was as if they were holding a defensive line so as to not let any females through. I tried to swim around the group but didn't see the last guy on the end. As I was attempting to pass, I must have elbowed the guy to my left. The next thing you know, I feel someone deliberately pushing my back down into the water. What the heck? I come up for air and I yell "HEY!".....The guy replies back..."You hit me in the f*#king eye!" I just turned around and kept swimming but I was mad. This is a race and although I'm sorry I hit the guy in the eye... I didn't know I did it and furthermore, I didn't deliberately do it either. "Dude, it's a race and you should expect that in the water. Don't try to drown me because you're a slow swimmer".
Time: 44:40 min

T1:
I took my time...wasn't much in "racing"mode, and I didn't want to forget anything. One good thing was that my mind was much more focused than my last race --the OLY(can you say "scatterbrained"). Time: 5:14 min

Bike:
Quite honestly, the bike was uneventful which was probably a good thing. What I did right... I drank my water, Infinit and ate a package of shot blocks. I fueled my body for the run. It wasn't an earth shattering time but I got it done. The course was flat with one small section that was crushed stone. I had trouble going over it and noticed my mph dropped to 11.5 mph. D'oh. Time: 3:13:52 (avg speed 17.3 mph)

T2:
A little long but I didn't care. Time: 3:05 min

Run:

I started the run a little fast. My first mile split was around 9:30 min/mile. The legs coming off the bike were going too fast for my plan...I should have been doing a 12 min mile. Oops. If I had one complaint about the entire race, it was regarding the run course. The road out and back was crowned, broken up and just all in all in terrible shape. It was awful, crappy, whatever word you want to use. Yuch! Anyway, my ultimate goal for the run was to actually run the whole course. Sounds simple, but yet for me this is big. Anyone following my blog, will know that I've been struggling due to an iron deficiency. The Olympic distance in June proved to be hard for me and I seriously doubted my ability to run long distances thereafter. However since then, my endurance has significantly improved with the help of iron supplementation. I am in no longer in the red zone and my iron is back to normal levels.

Translation: I could run; I didn't experience the off-the charts heart rate, chest pains, or any struggles with my breathing. I ran the entire thing. Again no earth shattering times, but I am ecstatic about my improvement.

Time: 2:18:55 (avg pace 10.36min/mile)

During the race, it started to rain at about mile 6 for me. It was a steady rain but not horrible. I saw Waddler several times on the course and we high-fived each other, it was great to see her. At mile 10, my left foot was going numb from the freakin' crown in the road. I tried my best to find the flat sections of the road, where there was a road. I could tell other people were trying to do the same thing. Ughhhh.

At mile 12, I was thinking, "I can do this, I'm going to run the whole thing!" On the home stretch, I saw Ed waiting for me (he came to see me at the finish line). I was grinning from one ear to the other and exclaimed to him that I had just ran the entire run. Running through the finishing chute couldn't have been more perfect, "We Are the Champions" was playing over the sound system, my time on the clock was showing a sub 6 and 1/2 hour time, and Ed was waiting for me with open arms. Last year, I cried because I was in pain; this year I cried because I was so elated.

Overall Time: 6 hours 25 minutes 47 sec
Happy Dance, Happy Dance!

Figure in the additional time it would have taken for the swim last year if it was included, I would have done Steelhead in about 7 hours and 15 minutes. That's a 45-50 minute PR!

Waddler did great as well, she met all her goals! Great job!