Progress Report

Me at B.I. Parks Aquatic Ctr

It's almost the end of the week, according to my training schedule, and I am most definitely looking forward to Sunday (it's my day off). Not that this week was hard or anything, but I know I've finally reached that point where I'm starting to do more than I'm used to and it'll be nice to let my body rest.

Here's a quick snap shot of the week:
Monday - This is a biking day, and due to the fact that I already bike to work, I incorporated my workout into my ride home. This way I'm not really sweaty when I get to work and I don't have to wake up any earlier to fit in the workout. My bike commute is 15 minutes, so I just took a longer way home to get to my 30 minute total.

Tuesday - Or Sauna Tuesday's as Jeff and I like to call it, has become a fun addition to our lifestyle. This is the one day Jeff joins me during my training. I go to the aquatics center to do laps while he enjoys the hot tub and the sauna, sometimes he even does a few laps with me.

Wednesday -  Needed to run 40 minutes, and due to other plans (Cheddar was coming with me to the office for the whole day!), I decided to run at Ft. Ward with her. This worked out really well! We arrived at the park just a bit before 7:00am but the Fall season has made it so that it's pitch black at this time, so I had my headlamp and Cheddar was sporting my red blink-y light from the back of my bike helmet. If any of you ever go running with your dog in a low visibility to complete darkness setting you need to put one of these on them! The Blackburn Flea 2.0 USB Rear Light. http://www.rei.com/product/856437/blackburn-flea-20-usb-rear-light. More on this later. The 40 minutes flew by and I felt strong the entire time.

Thursday - Second swim day of the week. I actually looked like a real swimmer, Houzzah! I was able to take a breath with every right arm stroke without breathing in water, swallowing water, or not taking enough oxygen in...it feels good to have rhythm.

Friday - Today was a 50 minute run, and since Ft. Ward worked out so well last time, Cheddar I went again. There were less people, still really dark, but because we had to run longer we actually ran part of the trail system towards the end. Not fun. No matter which end you start at, the trail section starts you with a very steep climb. I knew I wasn't going to be running it but I had to at least try trotting....turns out my trotting was more like walking.

Saturday - Tomorrow I'll be biking. Here's hoping for good weather.

Back to a normal routine

It's been about two weeks since my dad's passing, and two weeks since Jeff (my husband), Cheddar, and I have been home. And, TWO WEEKS WITHOUT TRAINING!

When we drove down to California I had planned to continue training knowing that I would have down time, as the point was to just be with family...no other plans. I knew I couldn't swim as there's no community pool in the hot central valley that's indoors and open during winter, or even outdoor and heated (maybe if I searched really hard, but no time for that). I did however pack a bag with my running and biking gear, when last minute Jeff convinced me not to bring my bike as it would be traveling a good ole 1,004 miles on the rack. So then it was just running. I ran once.

Now that we're back home, back to work, and nothing special is going on, life has resumed as before and so has training. My athletic ability is definitely less than what it was which makes sense as not only did I take a two-week break, I also spent a few days worth in the car. But, that just means that I have to give it my all, no excuses, whining, or hesitations because my training time is starting to increase with each session now.

Biking is easy. The gears just get adjusted to what is needed to climb the hill. What used to be a 2/1 gears for my first hill and 2/2 gears for the second hill to get to work is now a 1/1 and 2/1 to 1/1. No worries, right now the focus is increasing time, my leg muscles will slowly build themselves back up on their own.

Swimming is swimming. I was starting brand new and I am still new.

Running ::sigh:: I love running (I also love to sleep and eat, and...). It's what I've been doing the longest which is why it's harder, at least for me, when my athleticism takes a step back. Yesterday was my first run, and my body was fully aware of how that hill was harder, the whole run was slower, and my enjoyment meter was low. While I may be making excuses, there were a lot of things different on my run; my time was increased by 5 minutes for a total of 35min., Cheddar was not with me, it's now dark when I start, and a good 15min. into it I got emotional and shed a few tears.

All in all, it's good to be home.                     Oh, and thank you everyone for all the love and support. 

Tears & Training

So from the moment that the idea of actually participating in an Ironman crossed my mind, I've only had one thought about the actual day of the event; that my mom and dad would be there somewhere spectating, watching as their daughter tackles on another out of the ordinary endeavor. Well...

 You must never give in to despair. Allow yourself to slip down that road and you surrender to your lowest instincts. In the darkest times, hope is something you give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength. (By Iroh.from Avatar: The Last Airbender)

 

Even though everything of my normal day life seems absurd right now, right now that I'm in the waiting phase of prepping things to make the journey to be with my family and face the full brunt of life without dad; my daddy, training will continue. Because...

 

Sometimes life is like this dark tunnel. You can’t always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving… You will come to a better place (By Iroh.from Avatar: The Last Airbender)

 

 

How hard will it be to train during this? I don't know. Will this make me focus in a way one can't on their own and go to another level? I don't know. What reaction will family have when I take off on my own and insist on training? I don't know. All I know is that I want to keep my life going the way it was before last night's phone call. I know that he wanted me to live and that's what I'll do.

 

 

Step 1: Swim Class Tonight! FYI, I will be trying out my swim cap

 

Elizabeth