a sunday swim and some other stuff

Went to swimming today. Not much to report. One of the young gals from the local speed swimming club was there and apparently went to the Olympic trials this year. Holy smokes was she fast!! And I am not sure she was even trying...didn't look like it.

Last summer I met a young guy when I was in Toronto at one of the investment firms we work with. He was a real up and comer, smart, worked hard. If I needed anything from the firm, he was the one I would call. Anyway, I had told him last year about my triathlon goals and we had a good talk about it and I found his business card last week again when I was cleaning up my office with a note on the back "Nice meeting you!! Best of luck with your triathlons!" About 6 weeks ago, he and his buddy were shot and killed in Toronto, apparently by a random shooter. He was 25 years old. No one has been arrested.

I have been thinking about this for the last several days. The Universe talking to me again!! I was feeling a bit lost and not sure what I should do then I find his card again, and it just made me think about how lucky I am to be doing things I want to do. And it reminded me not to hesitate and just do those things now. Right here. Right now.

Now I carry that business card in my wallet now and everytime I open my wallet, it is just a bit of a reminder.

got that ride in

What a beautiful morning here on the prairies! Went out on the yellow cervelo for 90 minutes today. Felt pretty good. Lots of cyclists out there today on the Casino road which is different as there is usually nobody out there. Was good to see. This was the weekend Justin had said I should enter in a 40 km time trial. Asked around and just concluded that I could not comfortably show up at something like that and be among real cyclists and say "Let's race!!" Ha Ha!! So I did my own little version this morning. Ended up doing 40km in 1:21.13. It is what it is and something to improve on!! My legs feel it right now...but it felt really good and i am really starting to feel like I belong on that bike...don't know if that makes sense, but I guess another word would be "confident".

i forgot to add...

Thanks to Julie for that bike tire tip...I fixed it last night!! All by myself. Sounds goofy but I don't really do well with things that have too many moving parts...but I did it.

really good swim...

Okay...so I am on a roll. Today was supposed to be a rest day but I woke up at my usual 5:00am and puttered around the house a bit and was super restless. I have not yet made peace with running so went for a swim. One of the super fast guys was there today and I jumped in with him and holy cow...I was gasping for air!! At the end of it, I took a deep breath and said as casually as I could "So...have any holiday plans for the rest of the summer..?" Little did he know, I was hurting! The main set was 6x100 meters with 15 seconds rest. I just hung onto John's feet and paid no attention to the clock. When we were done I said "John...what the hell were you doing those on?" John says "I was trying to hold 1:20s." NO WONDER I COULDN'T BREATHE!!! But it felt really good. John and I swam together as kids and when I do a swim workout with him I wonder how many meters we have put in over our life times. I remember one time on a bus trip to a swim meet, he and his buddy had beer cans at the back of the bus. They were pretending to drink beer but it was really coke. What you think is funny when you are 12 years old is sometimes a bit ridiculous as a grown up!!

Going to jump on my bike for a couple of hours tomorrow. Then a run on Sunday. Then off to the lake for the majority of the week. Just me and the kids...wish me luck...I have begged my mom to come up as I do love my children dearly but spending all day every day with them, when there are no other adults around, is a real test for me!!

really good bike ride...

Holy...I needed that this morning!! Up and at er at 5:00am. I feel my old self creeping back. I was so excited yesterday after talking to JP about Arizona! Jumped on my bike this morning and pedalled like I stole it. It was a beautiful day and it was a bit cool but once I got going, it was just right. Did all my intervals and felt really good. Got home and noticed my front tire was a bit flat. I don't know what to make of that dang tire. I am always putting air into it. And the pump I have, I am not convinced it works real well. Time for a shopping trip to the bike store. JP's advice, which frankly has been everyone else's advice as well but I didn't want to hear it, is to stay on that bike until the very last moment this fall before the snow flies. That will help things SO MUCH for next year.
Next up is a run tomorrow another bike ride Saturday and possibly a swim on Sunday. Kind of depends on how the weekend goes. Off to the lake next week with the munchkins. Really looking forward to getting out of town.

I HAVE A GOAL!!!!!!!!!!

YEY!!
Was starting to worry there....on what I was going to tackle next....I really want to do an Ironman. The full meal deal. Was too chicken to sign up with Jenna last year. Had my finger on the button for IMCDA but that is too early in the year. Was looking at IM Florida, November 2009....long ways away and there go my life savings for travel, hotel and park passes for the family to Walt Disney World. Wanted to take the boys when there are bit older and they would appreciate (and remember) the experience.
Just got off the phone with Justin...he suggested IM Arizona!! Also in November. My mom has a place literally down the road from ASU where all the action is. Can you say, accomodations AND babysitter...all in one!!! OMG....I am SO EXCITED!!!! He also tells me the course is fantastic for spectators for all three swim bike run.

a pretty decent swim

Got up and went to the pool today. I decided yesterday that to try to get into the groove again I would just start on something that I enjoy doing and it is not much of an effort...swimming.

AND my Wonder Woman costume came yesterday...Oh....MY...GOD....how much FUN is that going to be in Penticton!! I tried it on last night and let's just say I need a really good push up bra if I am to wear this thing in public. I put it on in the bedroom and came out to show my kids and their eyes just lit up and my 5 year old says "MOM!! That is SO cool!! Do you have any super powers? Do you FLY? Can you be INVISIBLE? What can you do, Mom?" So I told him I can see out of the back of my head...a super power that ALL moms have.

Anyway, the fireworks at 4:00am that some idiot was doing in the park next to our house did not even sway me from getting to the pool today. It was a good workout. I moved down a lane as I thought that leading the lane would keep me motivated. And that folks, is most likely my last swim before the Frank Dunn Triathlon August 10th.

I talked to Jenna yesterday...yes...JENNA!! On her way back from BC. Lots to tell and some good stories so hopefully she will update her blog....soon.

Up next is a bike ride tomorrow. 2 hours. And it is an actual workout, some intervals and stuff. So I want to give it a try as it is supposed to be a beautiful day!!

an attempt to run

Got up today to go for a run. Was a horrible run. Started out and just could not make my legs go. I was tired and had hit the snooze about three times. Ran for about 35 minutes and then walked home. I don't like running anymore. I really need a training partner. The good news is that I have been doing pretty good with my meal plan. Not exactly the plan but pretty darn close. If you have the right stuff in the fridge, it is way easier. Being at the lake was a bit tougher as there were lots of temptations but I thought I did pretty good...all considering. Tommorrow I am going to the pool for a swim. I am going to make myself swim about 3000 meters. I still have that triathlon up at Waskesiu in August!!
I need some serious motivation to do that one...cause I have none right now.

weekend report

Friday: Got outta work a bit early, raced around picking up a few things, picked up munchkins from daycare, home and loaded up, off to the lake, had supper in P.A., at Smitty's, total greasy spoon in P.A. but right next door to Safeway, got some groceries, up to the lake, unloaded gear, friends and friends of friends already there with roaring campfire, perrrrfect, put munckins to bed, cracked a cold one, told stories and jokes around campfire for a bit, could not keep eyes open, too bed.

Saturday: Up at the crack of dawn with 2 year old, tried to play "quietly" for a few hours, others finally emerged a bit foggy as they were up to the wee hours as it was Trent's birthday, my job is always to pick up the empties and clean up in the morning as I am ALWAYS the first one up, don't mind cause I am at the lake, made breakies for everyone, took kids for a walk, Luke went down for his nap and friends took Matthew out on the boat, I laid on the couch curled up in a blanket and read my book, "Water for Elephants", totally awesome book, started supper as they were coming in from the water, sat around campfire again for the majority of the evening telling even more stories and jokes and came up with an elaborate plan on how the main branch of one of the banks in Saskatoon could be robbed...set off fireworks as the Riders won...again!!

Sunday: Absolutely gorgeous day, sat on the beach with Luke all day, he played in the water, I read my book, others were out on the boat. Loved it!! Sent postive vibes to SKW and BrianM both doing Ironman Lake Placid on Sunday. Way to go guys!!!

Looking forward, I have a semi-big week (big for me) of training to do...geesh...have to get back into things a bit now. I have all next week off work so will most likely be up a the lake and not much will be happening while I am up there...have put some plans/goals down over the weekend and want to just let them sit for a few days before I put the wheels in motion. Stay tuned!!

2 days in a row

Got a run in this morning. Wasn't one of my best efforts but it is done. My legs were tired. Have had a busy week with work...clients have been getting their June 30 statements...yikes. I really wish these stinky markets would smarten UP!!
Off to the lake today, no training plans while up there...catch up with y'all Monday!

And Jenna better update that blog real soon....

did it....1:48

That folks is how long I was on my bike this morning! Holy hell, getting out of bed was a chore. I had checked my e-mail before going to bed last night and Justin had sent me a really nice and encouraging note that spurred me on to get the hell up today and get that bike ride in...me thinks he has seen all the red squares lately on my training site...when you click "skipped day" the square turns this bright ugly red.

And isn't it funny how The Universe works. The reason I was out there today (if not only to get a solid bike ride in and enjoy the sun coming up) was that when I was on my way back to town a dog that looked like a black lab kind of a dog was running down the highway, the wrong way, in the middle of the road. I saw a truck coming and have you ever had time stop on you? Well, it did for me today as the truck was not slowing down and that dog was missed getting hit by about an inch. I am not exagerrating here. The driver did not swerve or anything!! I hadn't even noticed that I had braked and stopped my bike. The dog took off again down the highway and I jumped back on my bike and pedalled like mad to catch her. Finally, I got up beside her and called to her to come over to me...she ran beside me as I slowed and stopped and could grab her collar. An absolutely beautiful dog!! I could tell she was loved and looked after and there was a phone number on her collar. I had left the house this morning without my cell phone and actually even went back the few blocks when I thought of it to grab it...The Universe again!! So I called the number, talked to the owner, who was nearly in tears when I told her what happened. The owner came and got her and all was good. I had to sit on the side of the highway holding this dog, who's name was Shady, for about 15 minutes waiting but it was so peaceful out there and I just enjoyed the morning and rubbed Shady's ears and chin.

i am such a HACK!!!

I feel the need to apologize to my tri-buddies for being such a lazy bum the last week and a bit...I was out for lunch with a tri-buddy and we ran into some other triathlon people and to hear them all talk about their training and bike rides and runs and swims....eek...I stood there staring a bit off into space. I just have had no desire to do ANYTHING ATHLETIC AT ALL!!!

My girlfriend called last night about supper time and offered up a free ticket to....get this....KID ROCK!! Oh my gosh...we had a total blast! I had reverted to my old life for a night. We drank and partied and danced and sang until the wee hours of the morning. It is now 3:00 in the afternoon and I am starting to feel a bit human again and talk in full sentences....oops. So Kid Rock is a total greasy guy, but it was a good ole fashioned rock concert and it was good to be out with friends I haven't seen in awhile. The absolute best part was when Rev Run took the stage (the "Run" half of the 80's rap duo Run DMC) and he and Kid did a whole bunch of oldies..."Walk this Way", "Tricky", "It's Like That" and some other gems. Wow. I am giggling right now thinking about it!!

TURN IT UP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsBfPhtSWl8

Going forward, the big workout for the week is a 2 hour bike ride tomorrow. I am going to make myself do it. I am serious. I am into bed early tonight, up early, and onto my bike for 2 hours. I will blog about it in the morning...I promise!!!!

back at er...sort of...

Well, I was up in time to go for a run yesterday but my 2 year old was also up at 6:00. Rats. So I put him in the stroller and away we went for a good long, hard walk!! Practicing my walking breaks in a race. Seriously, if you are hoofing it and pushing a stroller with a 30 pound weight inside, THAT is a workout! I was sweating as much as I do on a good run. And huffing and puffing a bit. Made our way to the Roastery and I enjoyed a coffee while he had a chocolate chip cookie...say what you want, but a cookie is a good breakfast! Espcially when you are two!!

Today I got up in good time again and it was so beautiful out I went for a run. About an hour. Then went for a swim. The pool was empty, empty today. Not very many peeps there today. Was not a great workout, just got some mileage in. Did some drill, some kick and some pull. Nothing fast or fancy. Chatted with a few people for the most part. I hadn't really seen anyone since GWN so wanted to see how everyone else's race was.

Last week I had a long talk with Justin about nutrition. I had purchased a meal plan a very long time ago from CTS but never followed it. It just looks like a heck of a lot of food and work to get it organized! But all the right food and easy to make so I took the plunge and I am now in day 3. My goal is to try to follow it for 7 days. It is actually a nine week plan but small steps, my friends, small steps!! I bought every single last bit of groceries I need for the 7 days so I have no excuses. It isn't rocket science, the same old thing that we all know..smaller portions, 6 smaller meals per day, healthy snack choices, low fat etc, etc. I want to eat better and not be in such a panic when I go to choose my meals. Before now I would load up on frozen meals. After that half ironman I am now convinced more than ever, the fuel you put into your body is so very important!! This is going to be another huge lifestyle change for me so watch me go!!! This morning was a very good smoothie for breakfast...yogurt, a banana, strawberries, oatmeal, wheat germ, milk...oh my gosh!! Simple, so simple but oh so good!!

new chair covers

Getting away with jumping on the furniture in the hotel room in Spruce Grove.

....cause training has been in the ditch this week...this has been my project...planned run for tomorrow and a trip to the Roastery to make sure I get my a** out of bed and get it done...notice the "coffee" theme...baaa haaa!!! and my beloved yellow cervelo in the background...

what to do...what to do....

What to do next...hmmm...I am in withdrawal. I hate it when that happens, when you work really hard towards something and then suddenly, it's done and now what? I maybe should have signed up for IMCDA...I had the form filled out and my finger on the trigger but could not make myself do it. That bike ride friggin scares me. It is quite frankly humiliating getting passed by 400 people on the bike. Had a long talk with JP the other day and he sort of chuckled when he saw my swim place vs my bike ride place....I think he sees me as a challenge to get fast(er) on a bike!! He wants me to sign up for as many time trials around town as possible...gulp. I am just not sure about that. My next tri-race is Frank Dunn in August. Then I think I am signing up for the half marathon in Regina in September. A nice, cool, flat course. But over the next few days my major goal is to get my kitchen chairs recovered!! I am doing it myself and found the coolest vinyl at fabricland last night. Super cool!!

60 km per hour

That's how fast garmin tells me I went down that big hill at the race on Sunday.....hoop dee doo!!

Some things I want to remember

I have had a couple of days to think about the race and this post is more for me to remember a few things:

• Alan's story about his Olympic triathlon made me giggle. And I thought about it on the bike a few times when things were getting a little hard and I would giggle again. It just improved my spirits!
• Seeing the purple pom-poms before I saw Susi. She was looking over her shoulder the other way and I actually thought "I bet that's Susi!!" And hearing her belt out the cheers was really great!
• The guy who got tagged for drafting...ME!! Can you believe that? The motorcyle pulled up beside us as the guy was passing me and pointed for him to pull over. I heard the motorcyle guy say "DRAFTING!!" I nearly drove into the ditch...what a goofball.
• How fast I went down that hill!! I need to check garmin because I bet it was way too fast and my mother will give me hell..."You have two kids!! You don't be riding your bike like THAT!!"
• I came out of T2 just behind Jenn. I could see her and then I slowed right down to say hello to Susi and gang and pose for a picture, when I looked again, Jenn was gone. I was thinking "Holy shit!! Jenn is going to burn this run UP!!" But she had ducked into the porta pottie...
• The freaking stress when I heard my tire pop in the transition area. I wish I would have had a blood pressure checker right there because mine would have been in very dangerous territory. And the entire beach stopped and looked at me.
• Seeing Darryl on the run and thinking..."Holy Crap!! That guy really CAN RUN!!" Runningman is a great name for him!!
• How hot and humid it was in those bushes on the run. Holy, it was like running in the jungle.
• At one aid station, I went to throw my cup in the garbage, missed and went back and picked it up and slam dunked it into the garbage...there was a little kid there watching and I gave him a high-five and he giggled and was so CUTE!
• Speaking of cute...the hot cowboy on his horse on the side of the road watching the bike race...all decked out in his cowboy gear...I said "Howdy!!" as I went by and he tipped his cowboy hat at me...
• The look on my kids' faces when they saw me on the run. Matthew yells out "Mom!! I don't think you are winning!!" That made me laugh for another few kilometers.
• Hearing the finish line with about 2km to go. That was a great way to finish. And seeing my boys...Luke ran across the finish line with me. Was slow going as he is only 2...but he was so proud and kept smiling up at me and then looking and pointing at the finish line.
• The guy who put the medal around my neck. He shook my hand and looked me straight in the eye and said "Good job!!" He just held my hand for that extra second and patted me on the back and I think he really meant it. OR I looked like I was a mess and he was just making sure I didn't need medical attention...but I am going with my first theory!!!

GWN Race Report

Wow.

All spring I have been secretly hoping I would get a flat on my bike. Out on a training ride, somewhere in the middle of nowhere and I would have to deal with it. I have been secretly praying this would happen before the race. But it didn't. We got to the lake on Saturday afternoon to drop my bike off in the transition and I took it for a short ride to make sure the gears were working and the brakes etc. No problems. I was WALKING it to the transition to rack it up and....POP!! My tube blew on my front tire. We got it changed and fixed and all was well. I was actually relieved. Really relieved

Slept like hell Saturday night.

Thank-you to Jenn, Allan and Dwayne for taking me to the first transition. Got there in good time and wandered around for a bit. Could hardly look at my bike as I was just anxious about the ride and the tire etc etc. To be honest, I was scared shitless before this race. Scared. Shitless. I just had no idea what to expect and I did not want to embarass myself. Stood in line for the porta potties, chatted with a few people I knew, got my wetsuit on and I was mid-sentence with someone in the water when the gun went off for the start!! DUH!! Maybe I will focus more at one of these races.

The swim was hell. Was not prepared for how freaking aggressive these people would be!! OMG! Someone had told me to start at the front...at the front was super competitive men and their testosterone...I was actually very scared for a few minutes as they were bigger and stronger than me and smashed over me. Fine. Take the space. You obviously need it more than I do!! Was a little unhappy with my swim time but it was a serious struggle just to stay above water so I was happy I survived.

Out of the water and there were many wetsuit strippers to help us out. I was wearing my itsy bitsy tri shorts and was a little worried they would be coming off WITH the wetsuit if I let them help me! So I stopped and said to the one guy "I have these shorts on and they may come off!!" He looks at me and says "Well, lay down in the grass and it's best you hang on to them then!!" I couldn't stop giggling!! Can't say I have ever done that before.

Got to my bike and said a small prayer to the triathlon gods. I actually wanted to stop and watch everyone as it was chaos. Literally chaos!! Put my gear on, took a quick second to just make sure I had everything with me and grabbed my bike and off I went. Holy hell. I am pretty sure everyone was coming out of transition at the same time! Got on my bike and my pedals just spun. Got off my bike and my chain was off. RATS! C'mon Tri Gods...I need a serious hand here!! Got the chain on, got back on the bike. Still nothing. Got off my bike. This sweet soul was across the road and all of the bikes were whizzing by and he is yelling at me "LIFT THE BACK TIRE AND SPIN THE PEDALS...!!!!!" I didn't hear why... I just did it. Voila. "NOW RUN IT UP THE HILL AND GET ON IT!!!" Yes SIR!! Got on that yellow cervelo and took a quick look at my heart rate and it was at about 170!!! Gotta love adrenaline. But I also said a quick thank-you to the tri gods.....

The bike ride was really fun. Yes, you read that correctly, it was FUN!! Okay, the rain was not fun and getting passed by everyone was not fun but I felt really good and Jenn had told me it was a hilly course but I did not find it that bad. My first Powerbar slipped out of my hand in the rain onto the road. Drat. That large hill near the middle was seriously fun going down. I just tucked right down and let er rip! I passed about 5 people!! And then thought "If one of these tires blows, I am dead..." but it was still fun!! And the climb back out was not that bad. Had to take a pee break at the half way mark. At about the 75km mark my guts went a bit sideways. A huge cramp and I could not wait to get off that bike. The last 15km took FOREVER!! Got to T2 and the cramps were just getting worse. I wasn't sure what to do so put my running gear on and figured I would just start running and see what happened. There were aid stations at every mile so I made a deal with myself to run one mile and see how I was feeling. Got to that first mile and I still was not feeling all that great. So let's run another mile and see what happens. And this is basically how I ran the half marathon!! Mile by mile. The cramps never went away and I just ignored them. I felt like I could have ran way faster but every time I tried to pick up the pace, my guts would say "No thanks." And honestly, I did not know what to expect. I remembered how hard those last few kms were in the half marathon in May and I did not want to blow up.

Sometime after the 10km mark, I saw Jenn coming the other way and I can't remember what she said but it was along the lines of "Looking strong!" or something like that.

I started to bawl.

Yup. Right there in the middle of my run, I was sobbing. I got to the next aid station and this older gentleman grabs my arm and says "Are you all right?" I nod my head, but he did not believe me and he motioned for who I am guessing was his wife, to come over. Because older men and a crying woman is usually not a great combination.

She comes over and says "What's wrong, dear?"

And all I could get out was "I am just so happy to be doing this!" So she gives me a big hug, and says "Well, get running then girl! You only have about 7km left!!" So that's what I did.

All in all, I was thrilled with this day! I felt pretty good the entire way. The gut cramps were annoying but manageable. I kept smiling at everyone and felt that really helped to just put them mentally aside. I was super duper conservative the entire way as I did not know what to expect. I cannot believe how great I feel today. I am not stiff one bit.

Bring on 2009!!

kkkkk...all systems go..over..kkkkk

What a difference a year makes! One year ago a half ironman was somewhere out there in my dreams. I will be at the start line of my very first one in about 2 days! One of the major goals this year was to get to that start line feeling good and ready and no injuries. Done. As long as the goddess of the left leg smiles down on me on Sunday, all should be well.

I have no expectations time wise for this. None. But here are some race goals or things I want to focus on to make sure I have a good day:

The swim: Steady, long and strong. A decent kick, keep my head down. Don't go out like a bat out of hell...this is a triathlon, not a 2000 meter time trial. Even though this is definitely my strength, I don't want to swim so hard so I am exhausted when I hit the bike.

The bike: Someone who's advice I respect told me to not start eating until about 20 minutes into the bike. All my blood will be in my arms and if I start filling my belly then the bod will be saying "What the heck? Where do you want me to focus? Your arms or your legs?" He said take about 20 mintutes to find a groove then start the nutrition plan. And don't eat about 20 minutes away from the run. This morning I went for a ride and boy oh boy!! What a difference fresh legs make! Felt like I was flying. I put an extra bottle cage on my bike this weekend so I should have every one of those bottles drank by the end of my ride. Have also attached my old stop watch to beep every 10 minutes for a reminder. I will have to keep telling myself to do my own thing on the bike as I fully expect a good chunk of the field will pass me during the ride. Justin says I will surprise myself but he also said that if a choice has to be made between eating and going fast...always EAT!! Triathlons are won and lost on the run.

The run: Hopefully I have been smart and things have gone well on the bike. It is supposed to be a warm day on Sunday. I love running on a nice warm day! As long as I am hydrated and feeling good, I should have decent run. By decent I mean feeling good and I don't blow up. I will probably walk the aid stations just to give myself some shorter goals within the run, but I do plan on taking something in at EVERY aid station.

Here we go....next post....RACE REPORT!!!

THREE...gulp!! And some other musings...

Huge butterflies when I read the widget today.

Not much to report in the way of training. Went to the lake for the weekend and did nothing...I mean, literally nothing. Ate, slept, read, swam with my kids, ate some more, had a few beverages, visited with friends, slept, read a totally mindless romance novel. The book took place in medieval Scotland so I have been using all the new words I had learned over the weekend any chance I get...also read my newest edition of "History" magazine...I am a total nerd. But a relaxed and re-charged nerd.

Did get my run in yesterday as we had to come home Monday for a ball game. Waited and ran in the heat. Just to remind myself that I can function okay in the heat. Comes from all those summers on the farm when we had to work outside on the jobs Dad lined up for us...pulling weeds, painting bins, cleaning machinery, shoveling and hauling grain...trust me, I can work in the heat!! Also got to my swim today. Nothing much to report from there. Someone asked how fast I was going to go on Sunday...I almost heaved!! ON SUNDAY!! As in 3 and some days away!!! I said I have no idea...not really worried about the swim...just please get me through the bike!!