Week 25, Days 169-173

Day 169: Today I flew back from Louisville. It was kind of a mess getting home, but I made it. I had an amazing weekend with family and friends and I am counting down the days!!!! Today I wanted to try to get a run or swim in, but that didn't happen. With traveling and trying to get ready for work there was just no time to fit some training in. And I still have to unpack. I am hoping to get a little in tomorrow, but it isn't looking promising.

Day 170: Today I didn't get any training in, but I did get my last massage!!! The muscles feel good and are ready to go!!!! I am really happy the way my body is feeling. I got through all this training with no serious injuries and still healthy! 

Day 171: Today was my last day in Caretersville before I leave for Madison and I enjoyed every min of it. I had a nice relaxing 3 mile run. A strong 27 mile bike that I tried to keep it easy. At times I found myself pushing it and then had to remind my self to slow back and go easy. Of course we also swam out at Lake Allatoona, and I had a nice 1 mile swim. Overall it was a good training day and I am still feeling good with the lack of training I have done the past few days. Also I should mention on Wednesday's we call our self's the TriGeeks and every year they induct people into the group. Well today I got inducted into the TriGeeks!!!! It was a blast and I am proud to say I am officially part of this amazing group of people! I wouldn't have been able to do a lot of this without them. 

I also did almost all my packing today and boy was it a mess. Thanks to Misty for coming over and keeping me on track I think I have it all packed and ready to Rock and Roll!!!

The start of the packing mess, I'll spear you from the real mess!

Day 172: Today was a busy day of course not with training, but everything else. I tell ya, packing for an ironman plus trying to pack for 10 days is not easy. Today after work I had a bunch of errands I had to do and still didn't get the all done. I did however have an amazing Ironman send off party that was put together by some amazing friends. It was so nice to see people I trained with one last time before I left. It really got me excited with hearing all the encouraging words they had to say. Thanks so much everyone for tonight. I will never forget it!!!

Amazing group of Girls!!!!

Scott and I, Thanks for all the nice words of encouragement

Day 173: No training today, but I leave tomorrow!!!! Today I finished my errands and got my bike packed up!!! Now officially everything is packed and I am ready to rock!!!!

 The Bike is in the box!!!! Thanks Podium Multi Sports for the amazing help!!!

Ready to FLY!!!!

To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.

                                                    Steve Prefontaine

Day 168

Day 168: It is exactly 2 weeks from Ironman Wisconsin and today is also IRONMAN LOUISVILLE!!! Today I cheered on Misty, Scott and a few others and enjoyed every moment of it. I loved seeing everyone race and lot of people become first time Ironmans! This is really making me ready for my race, but also really nervous. My biggest fear is failing, but who's isn't. I know in my heart I can do it and finish, but it just makes you second guess yourself when you are standing at the turn around point on the run and people are making the turn around and the race officials stop them and take off their timing chip because they are not going to make the cut off. It just broke my heart, because I know how hard they trained and make it that far in the race and not finishing. It just made me think... I know I can do it!
People say there is a lot of down time for the spectators, but I'm not sure what down time they got because I was non-stop and I still didn't see Misty everywhere I wanted to. So even though I really didn't do any training I think I still go a workout in running around. Overall it was an amazing race, but I will never do it like I have said before, because of the heat. I am so proud of Misty and Scott and everyone that finished!!!!!
CONGRATS YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!!!!!

Day 167

Day 167: Today my brother was nice enough to wake up and go for a run with me along the river. We actually had a really good run and it was cool in the morning which was nice. After our run we enjoyed a nice breakfast and then my parents came up to see me as well. I love seeing family and being around them. Today I also helped Misty carry here things to transition and made sure she had everything she needed. I am so excited to see Misty race tomorrow and it is getting me a little more excited about my race. I think soon I will be bursting with excitement. =) After have dinner with some friends and my brother it was nice to just go back to his apartment and relax for some running around tomorrow.

Week 24: Days 162-166

Day 162: Well today I am not going to be able to get any training in. Since I have been switching my schedule around so I can get these last few Saturdays off to train and going to Ironman Louisville, I have been working Monday evenings to get the Saturdays off. And with today having a Dr. Appointment I just don't have enough time in between to get a swim in. Hopefully I will be able to try to squeeze another swim in some other time in the week. Today is also the 20 day mark till Ironman Wisconsin!!! I can't believe it is almost here, I am still feeling ready and super excited! In 20 days I will be racing to the finish line to hear those famous words from Mike Reilly!!!!

Day 163: Today was a really good speed work day out on the Silver Comet Trail. It was enough where it pushed me, but did feel spent after words. After the speed work, the running shoes went on and I did a 3 mile brick. It was so nice to run and not be dripping sweat. Today was the perfect temperature in the morning with not a lot of humidity. Can't wait till it is like this every morning. Over all I felt really good and I am loving this taper!

Day 164: I GOT MY IRONMAN WISCONSIN NUMBER TODAY!!!!! I will be sporting number 356! That just made it seem that much more real. Today I headed out to Cartersville for a little running, biking and swimming. I did a easy 3 miles run and felt really good. I told myself I was going to take it easy on the bike, but that didn't happen. Once I got going I just kept peddling and I was feeling really strong so I went with it and had an amazing ride today. Then like always it was off to Lake Allatoona for a swim. The water temperature dropped a little which was nice. Today my stroke felt like it was back were it should be and I was just cruising along. I really hope I feel like that race day, where it felt like there was no effort and at a good pace. I can't believe next Wednesday will be my last day in Cartersville before the race. I am looking forward to next Wednesday though, it's CRAZY HAT DAY!!!!! Oh and I leave for Louisville in 2 days to cheer some people on at Ironman Louisville and see my brother and my future sister-in-law!!!! Can't wait. I am hoping to get a swim and run in, but we will see what happens.

 Getting ready to go for a run

  At one of the gathering spots on the bike ride

The Famous Lake Allatoona except the water is really low right now.

Day 165: Well today I was suppose to go for a run, but with trying to pack and get everything together to leave tomorrow straight from work the run never happened. I am however very excited to head up to Louisville to cheer on some amazing people. I am even hoping to hop in the river and swim a little on Saturday and well as go on a run with my brother. Hope I can get some of this training in while having fun!!!! It will be an exciting weekend!!!!

Day 166: Ok well I think this is going to start a long stretch of no training that I am not happy about, but we will see what I can fit in. Today I left for Louisville to cheer on some amazing people at Ironman Louisville. Straight from work I headed to the airport and got into Louisville around 4:30 and enjoyed the evening with my amazing brother and his new fiance!!!

"Those who are warriors can master anything, but first they must master themselves."
-USMC

Day 161

Day 161: Today I headed out to Cartersville for a 66 mile ride. It was nice going into this ride knowing I only had to do 60-70 miles. I had a really good ride and felt strong the whole time. Also talking to Mike on the bike who has done WI a few times, I am pretty sure I am ready to tackle the hills in WI. With this ride being a lot short then my recent rides there is not much to say about it. After the bike I went out for a 4 mile run. After what happened yesterday I took it real easy and did a walk/run. So over the 4 miles I felt really good, besides being extremely hot again. Overall I had a really good training day and I loved doing the short distances.  =)

"If you are always allowed to stop training whenever you feel discomfort, you will find it too easy to give yourself permission to quit." - Attributed to Jet Li

Day 160

Day 160: Well today was a fun fulled day... well sorta. I was up at Lake Allatoona and in the water by 7 am. What a beautiful way to see a sunrise to. It was so peaceful at the lake and enjoying a nice morning swim seeing the sunrise was amazing. Overall it was a pretty good swim. I felt strong for about 50% of the swim. The rest I was just getting through it. Oh and I also have to say on the first loop we stopped at the rocks for a min and yes I got bit by a fish. Dang little bugger scared the crap out of me and yes I screamed like a girl. =) After the swim I had to hurry home and shower and get ready for my wiffle ball game (yes I am on a wiffle ball team and love it!). Wasn't my best game, but I  had a good inning of pitching and we WON!!! Go OG 2-0!!!! After the game grabbed a salad then it was time to head out for my run finally. Man that was the worst run EVER.
Me + Heat = Sick. I knew I didn't do well running in heat, but today really confirmed that again. I was actually looking forward to running later to get a feeling of running later in the day to simulate the time I would be running. I was hoping to get a 10-12 miler in but that didn't happen when I started feeling sick and felt like I was going to pass out. The bright side I got 5.5 miles in. A few things I learned I will never run in the afternoon again in this heat and I will never let myself sign up for IM Louisville. LOL. Tomorrow I hope to have a better 5 mile run after my bike ride.

Oh and not sure it I mentioned it but, the shirts I ordered for all my support team came in this week!!!! They look awesome and I can't wait to look for my support team with them on at the race!!!!

The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender  - Vince Lombardi

Week 23: Days 155 - 159

Day 155: Today starts my taper time!!!! I never thought this day would come and my race is getting closer and closer. I can't wait!!!! Even though I didn't run on Saturday I was still sore from yes Wiffle Ball and the ride on Sunday so I decided to use today as a recovery week. I really should have swam, but this weekend I will be doing a 2.4 mile open water swim o Saturday so I should be ok.

Day 156: Let's see what can I say about today... Let's just say today never existed. I am looking forward to Cartersville though!!!!

Day 157: I can really start to feel the affects of training now and how tired mentally and physically I am feeling. I am so glad it is taper time! Today started out not so good with hitting my alarm clock for 45 mins and not realizing it. So I missed the run this morning, ugh. Then as I was on the way, I got on the wrong interstate so then I had to back track. I did get there in time for the bike thank God. I actually had a good bike as well. I was still feeling sluggish, but I was still moving. After the bike the swim was another story. During the swim I felt very tired and just couldn't get my stroke down. Finally when I got back to land I was happy. My stroke was just sloppy because I was tired, but I would know that I was just making it hard because it was sloppy. Oh well you can't have a good training day every time.  So some funny advice I got on the bike today was "It's not racing unless your puking or getting IVs at the finish" =) Thanks Kona Karl

Tomorrow I am going to take as an off day instead of Friday, because my wonderful husband got us tickets to the Braves game!

Day 158: I really enjoyed another day off a little to much. =) After a crazy day at work it  was nice to come home and head out to the Braves game with the Husband. I think the thing I am looking forward to the most about being done is getting to spend time with Jordan again. He has been so understanding and supportive through this whole process it has been awesome!!! Thanks Babe and had a blast at the Braves game. Oh and it was an exciting game they won 1-0! Go Brewers, oh I mean Go Braves =)

Day 159: Ok so I am going to the extreme end of tapering, lol. So I had every intention of going for a long run today, but with the heat and getting wrapped up with doing things the run never happened. I guess I'll try to get out in the heat tomorrow evening and run.

I hated every minute of training, but I said, don't quit.  Suffer now and live the rest of your life a champion." 

 Muhammad Ali, Boxer

Day 154

Day 154: Wow am I glad this day is over. I'm not even sure where to begin, with the way my morning started I was ready to can the ride and just go home. Boy am I glad I didn't it ended up begin a good ride overall. Let's see my morning started at 4 am when I got up to get ready to head up to the GAPS for my last 100 miler!!! We were starting at a spot that I normally don't start at and that is where it all began. I was up in the GAPS at 6:30 and then driving around for 30 minutes realizing my GPS brought me to the wrong area of the GAPS and of course no cell phone reception because I'm in the mountains I knew I was screwed. Finally driving around and finding a spot with cell phone service I was finally able to get a hold of someone to get me in the right place and by now we were suppose to be wheels down at 7. Well because of me we were rolling around 7:45. Around mile 10 we made our first stop to make sure all 9 of us were still together. After about 20 mins of waiting and one of the girls hasn't shown up yet another guy and I start the venture back towards the cars to find her. Finally a little over 3 miles on our way back we find her still riding but freaking out because of the down hills.After getting her to the 10 mile mark we make some decisions and the 6 of us doing IM Wisconsin continue on our way now finally, while the other 3 stayed in that one area to ride a little. With all the time set backs we are finally on our way to get this 50 mile loop done twice. Oh and let me remind you what the GAPS are, lets just say we are up in the GA mountains riding our bikes and as I go on I will try to describe some of the hills. The first 10 miles were not to bad at all it was actually nice rolling hills with a big down hill which was nice to get the legs warmed up for what they were about to do. As we make our first turn on to Skeehan Gap Rd this is the first set of fun hills. For the most part it was good rollers which I was told is very comparable to WI, but then somewhere between mile 15-20 was our first really climb. Sometimes the shorter the hill the hard because of how steep the hills can get. As we started climb this short little fun hill you get those legs burning and all you wanna do is stop because you are down to about 5mph. Almost to the top of the hill is this nice little church and you think maybe I'll pull of in the church for a sec. to rest. As you pass the church, they have this verse on their board out side that I truly live by. It reads..."I can do all through he who gives me strength" Philippians  4:13 and I knew I could keep powering up this beastly little hill. If it was tough to get up the first time, I know it will be a struggle to get up the second time through. Finally getting to the end of the road that still had nice rollers the rest of the way we let everyone catch up and then away when went to Hicks Gap Rd. Let's just say every turn we made the hills seemed to just get worse and worse. The only plus side I guess is that when you finally get to the top you get a nice descent going down. Finally at the last stop on the first loop we knew we had one more hill to climb. They always say they save the best for last and that we did, it was the dreaded climb of Wolf Pen. Getting up is always doable but it also pushes you and having done it a few times before I knew what I was in for, but it is the second time around that was going to be the kicker. After making it up Wolf Pen it was smooth sailing back to the car with some big rollers. Back at the cars it was time to refuel and get ready for round 2 which I was not looking forward to. One loop was hard enough and now I knew what was to come and I was not looking forward to it.
Loop two all I can really say is that it was just as hard and even harder then loop one. I was very proud of myself the way I powered through loop two. It was tough, but I was truly tougher!!!! To make this loop story short at the first stop as we were getting ready to get going again guess who drops their chain and falls... ME. Luckily it wasn't a bad fall it was more like I tipped over since we just started going and I dropped my chain and unclipped the wrong foot and down I go. Hey it happens right. I barely got a scratch but my poor bike got a few. =( Other then that the hills were the same but a little harder the second time ok a lot harder the second time. There were some hills I wasn't sure how I was going to get up, but I just pushed and made it up. Of course though around mile 40 was the dreaded Wolf Pen round 2. I was really not looking forward to climbing it again. At the last stop I decided I would turn on Pandora on my iPhone and use some tunes to help get me up. So Pandora and my singing got me up Wolf Pen with no problems and I actually think as crazy as it sounds I made it up easier the second time around.

Taking a break after the second climb up Wolf Pen

After it was a said and done 106 miler in the GAPS was a success!!!! I was very happy with my ride and after doing this ride and I better be ready for Wisconsin after it. Over all the day was very long with leaving the house before 5 am and getting home after 8 pm, but what a FUN DAY of hill climbs!!!

Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.
~John F. Kennedy, U.S. president

Day 153

Day 153: I am really disappointed in myself today. The midnight shift was a real struggle for me last night. Not only was it a struggle trying to stay up, but I also managed getting a head ache half way through it as well and towards the end of the shift I just wasn't feeling well. So I canned the run in the morning hoping to go for a run after a wiffle ball game I had later that day. The heat though is still ridiculous so I skipped the run all together. I hope tomorrow I was have a good ride out in the gaps and get some good hill climbing in. So I am just going to try to make up for it tomorrow with a strong ride and then a good run after.

Week 22: Days 148 - 152

Days 148: Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming, that is what Dora was telling me today. 5 am came early and all I wanted to do was sleep. After a long weekend of training and early mornings the last thing I wanted to do was wake up early and go swimming. The dedication though got me out of bed and to the pool. Today was a pretty good swim since there was no speed work involved today. I think today catch-up drills and I became best friends today. Since Coach Larry still wasn't real happy with my stroke we made me do nothing but catch-up all 1.5 hours today. If I didn't get it down pat today I don't know if I'll ever get it lol. I definitely felt all the other muscles I am suppose to be using today. Let's just hope I can keep it up and only get stronger and faster from it. I was glad though after that 1.5 hours was done, because catch-up drills and count strokes can make for a long training period.

Day 149: Speed work today on the Comet Trail. With how crappy I slept last night I would have thought I would have heard it storm, but I guess not. Starting out on the trail it was a little trashed with debris from what seemed like a storm. It made speed work hard with trying to dodge branches, and what not so I decided to just do a normally ride since I didn't want to risk getting hurt or a flat. The further out on the trail we got the worse it got. As we approached mile 5 a guy in front of us slammed on his breaks and went flying off his bike when he noticed a big tree down across the trail. I guess I really did storm last night. the tree didn't stop us from riding though we carried our bikes around it and went on our way. Overall the speed work just turned into a 22 mile ride with a 3.5 mile brick after. So I guess my legs will be ready to rock tomorrow up in Cartersville.

The picture of the tree down is blurry but you get the idea.

Day 150: I had the best training day ever in Cartersville to date!!!!! Even though I couldn't get out of bed for the run, I still made it up there in time for the bike and swim. Today's bike was such a good ride. The humidity was not as bad as it has been so I think everyone was just ready to go. There was a group of about 6 of us that stayed together today and drafted and just cruised the whole 27 miles. Today I avg. my fastest yet 19.1!!!! My awesome training day didn't stop after the bike either. Once again I had a really good swim feeling really strong. I am loving the way my stroke feels and instead of everyone waiting forever for me, today I was able to keep up with most of them!!! Really happy how today went and I am ready to finish my training up strong and ROCK WISCONSIN!!!!

a sign we found on the ride

Day151: Well today was suppose to be speed work, but with everything that happened at work I just felt a drink calling my name instead of speed work. And yes I caved. I am not happy that I didn't do that speed work and I am sure running would have been a better stress reliever, but at the time it didn't seems like it. Oh well can't change it now. Maybe instead of going straight to sleep tomorrow after work I will try to go get my run in. I guess I will see how I feel tomorrow after work. 

Day 152: Sleep won today, or I should say trying to sleep won today. I really didn't get a good nap in so tonight's midnight shift is going to be a struggle. UGH. Oh I did for get to mention though that yesterday I did get a lot of things done for my race as well. I got my appointment scheduled for my tune up, appointment schedules for Podium to help me pack my bike up and get the last min things that I will need and the best part.... I ordered all the shirts for my supporters to wear!!!! It is really starting to come fast now and I can't wait. 

"You can keep going and your legs might hurt for a week or you can quit and your mind will hurt for a lifetime."
Mark Allen - Ironman

Day 147

Day 147: Today I had a really good ride out of Alpheretta. The only bad thing is that I forgot to put sunscreen on. 106 miles in sun with no sunscreen is never good and I might as well be called lobster. =) I thought the ride was going to be a ruff one when my legs were feeling tried and like they had no strength right away. Around mile 15 I really started to feel good and my legs were ready to rock. Normally we would climb Burnt Mountain, but today we decided to for go it and spend some time on Steve Tatte Rd. The hills on Steve Tatte are relentless but good climbing hills for racing. After doing 32 miles on Steve Tatte we headed back to Alpheretta. I was feeling good all the way back, but the heat was out in full force and I was starting to feel the burn on my shoulders and arms. After getting back to the cars I filled up with water and headed out again for a few more extra miles. I still was feeling good until the last 5 miles. I'm not sure if it was the heat or what but it started to become hard for me to breath a little, it was mainly hard to take deep breaths. After getting back to the car I was feeling spent and was ready to just head home. I was suppose to run, but with the sun beating down and being burnt already, my poor arm and shoulders were hurting. So home it was and no running. Overall I was pleased with my ride today, just not sure why I was having a hard time taking deep breaths. I wish I would have run, but I was spent and the heat was getting to me. It was a successful day though!!!

Chasing records doesn't keep me on my bike. Happiness does. ~ Lance Armstrong

Day 146

Day 146: Well today I tried something new. Instead of going out for a run after the mid shift, I headed up to Red Top Mountain for an open water swim first. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be since I was going on no sleep. I did a 2.4 mile swim and I felt very strong in the whole time. After today's swim I know for sure I have gotten faster in my swim. When I was at the half way point I was at 39 mins!!! My fast half swim even in a race was around 45 mins. With that said I did today's swim in 1:19. I guess the training is paying off. What was even better is that I felt like I could keep going when I got to the 2.4 mile mark. Maybe by the time the race comes I be able to pull out a 1:15 swim! In the mean time I am just going to keep swimming and keep pushing myself. After the swim I came home for a fast shower to get all the nasty lake water off and then I was off for an 8 mile run. I started off feeling good and strong, but around mile 5 I started having stomach issues and then it went all down hill from there. I did get the run in though and I pushed through it all. I hate when things like that happen, but I know it is only going to make be stronger mentally and able to push through things when I am struggling. Overall even though it wasn't the best run I am very happy with my training day today and I am feeling more and more ready and confident for my race!!!! I can't believe it's 5 weeks away and only 4 weeks till I head up there!!!! I'm ready to rock it!

"In training everyone focuses on 90% physical and 10% mental, but in the races its 90% mental because there's very little that separates us physically at the elite level".
Elka Graham

Week 21: Days 141-145

Day 141: Today I tried something different. Usually I head to the Concourse at night for masters to get my swim in. After masters I usually feel rushed to try to get home to see Jordan. The master's coach also does a class at Emory at 5:45 am which is a lot closer to my house as well. So today I thought I would wake up at the crack of dawn and go swimming. I'm not sure if I had a bad swim because it was early and I was tired or if my body was physically tired from this weekend. To start though I was feeling my quads while I swam, so I was trying not to do a lot of kicking. Also my shoulders never loosened up either and I was just trying to survive today's workout. I got some yardage in, but I don't think it was the most affective workout. My stroke was ugly the whole time and I just couldn't pull it together. I loved being down at 7:15 am though, because now I have all day to hang out with Jordan. I think I am going to try it again next week and see what happens. Let's hope my open water swim goes good this week.

Day 142: Today I went to see my favorite massage therapist Kelly!!!! Lets just say she had a field day on my legs and spent the whole hour working on them. It is so weird how something can hurt so bad, but feel so good. After she did her thing she said that I can do a very easy run if I want to but nothing more then that. So with that advice I am actually going to listen. So instead I just took the day to recover which I know I need and then I can go out to Caretersville tomorrow ready to go.   Thanks Kelly!!!!

Day 143: Today I started with a nice easy 2 mile run. I still was feeling a little pain in my left leg, but it is nothing like it was and I felt almost 100% better. When I was getting ready to go out on the run though I realized I forgot my Garmin, so now I felt lost. It is amazing how much you depend on that when you use it for swimming, biking and running. It was kind of nice not to have it as well thought I really focus on how my body was feeling. After running I had a good bike ride and keeping my average around 18 is starting to feel a little easier every time. I love that I am starting to feel stronger and just not people telling me I look stronger. It just does something for my confidence feeling it myself and not just hearing it. Then once again off to Red Top for a swim. I had a nice swim and felt strong. I just wish I didn't get so bored swimming. I really need to figure out how to keep my head in the game when in comes time for Ironman Wisconsin. I hope with it being a race I won't be so bored and there will be so many people that it will keep me busy and I won't get bored. I am really happy with my training day today. Tomorrow is another track workout. Lets hope I don't get dehydrated again and hurt myself since I am starting to finally feel good.  

Day 144: Today was track workout! Compared to last weeks workout it was a lot better. I was feeling a little pain in my legs still from last week, but it wasn't anything I couldn't deal with. It was a short track workout, but still kicked my butt. Like always I am feeling tired since it is the end of the week and I am ready to rest now and get ready for a long tough weekend. Thanks Jim for a great track workout!

Day 145: Day of rest today!!! I wish I could like these days a little more. It's hard to really enjoy the day of rest when I get home from work I have to go straight to sleep just so I can go back to work that night. Oh well at least I'm resting. Good Night, nappy time =)

“Obsessive is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated.”