You Know When You're Training For an Ironman......

You know when you're training for an Ironman and your husband takes you for a test drive in a fancy new car and you fall asleep in the back seat.....whoops!

Ironman Meltdown #2

Let me first start by saying, I love pizza.  I always have and I always will.  I am a foodie, but every once in awhile a cheese pizza or McDonald Nuggets and French Fries are the most delicious thing in the world!   All day Wednesday, I was hungry.....started at 2:00AM.  There was not enough food in the house to satisfy my needs.  I had a 2000 yard swim in the morning and a 90 spin class in the evening.  Bryan said, "Let's get a pizza after spin class".  Well of course I was in for a thin crust, cheese pizza!  I was not about to turn that done!!  Tommy, our new employee started spinning with us.  He road with us to the YMCA after work and of course was joining us for pizza.  On the way home (after a killer class) I was on the phone talking to an elderly friend of mine.  Bryan ordered the pizza and I didn't think a thing about it.  All I knew was Tommy wanted pepper and onions on his.  (Let me back up one minute and say that when I'm hungry, I eat a half of a large pizza myself.)  Bryan went in and picked up the pizza and I never thought anything of it.  He put it in the back and away we went with the smell of delicious, hot pizza in the car.  We get home and the pizza comes out of the car and into the house.  Two boxes......one large and one mini.  Well, a mini cheese pizza was ordered for me!  BREAKDOWN #2 started to occur!  "Really!  He ordered me a ________ ________ _______ mini cheese pizza? You are got to be ______ kidding me!  Did you really order me a ________ _______ mini cheese pizza after a 90 spin class with a hour swim earlier that day?  You got to be ________ kidding me?  I don't even eat the _______ ______ crust!!"  It was not pretty to say the least.  I was beyond HANGRY!  Bryan then proceeded to get on the phone, order me a 2nd  mini cheese pizza and go and pick it up.  When he got to the pizza place the guy ask him if he dropped the first one.....he said, no, it just wasn't big enough for my wife....I think Bryan learned his lesson......and Tommy got a lesson in 'happy wife, happy life!

200 Days and Counting

200 days from this minute I hope to be on the bike course at Ironman Chattanooga. Time is flying by!  We have been so fortunate to have had a mild winter to get our long runs done outside! The Ironman Gods have been looking upon us!  Training has been positive overall. Other than some sort of eye issue and a few aches and pains I have been a pleased with my progress. The only thing I have not been a fan of is my growing thighs. I know it is muscle, but still not a fan!  

Here's to 200 more days of training and 200 more glasses of wine! Cheers! 

Ironman Meltdown #1

I knew it was going to happen.  Just when and where was the question.  Well, it was on Feb. 13, 2016, in my bedroom - my first ironman meltdown.  I thought it would happen on a Saturday during a long brick workout, miles away from the car after everyone else finish and I was still running.  It did happen on a Saturday, but instead of being in the middle of a huge brick, I was putting my bike on the trainer. The weather forecast didn't look good at 5:00AM when I would be leaving for spinning and to top if off it was going to be around zero degrees, so I gave up my bike for class.  Thinking is would be the perfect day: sleep in a little, have a leisurely breakfast (egg whites and wheat toast) and then get on the trainer for a quick 2 hour ride while I Skype part of the ride with my friend Michelle in Maryland.  We have been trying to "ride together" on our trainers and get caught up on our life events while getting some miles in.  Michelle called and she said she was on her trainer.  I took a little too leisurely breakfast and wasn't ready to start.  I had to put my bike back on the trainer after getting new pedals put on.(THANKS KEVIN!)  I took the bike to my bedroom where the trainer lives and thought I could get it on and start to ride within 5 minutes.  I thought I got my bike on, but it was leaning to one side.  Michelle was riding away on the iPad, while watching me struggle.  I googled how to put a bike on a trainer, watched videos and read manuals.  Nothing worked.  Time was ticking away.  After about 35 minutes, Michelle was done with her ride and wished me luck on my struggle.  By this time I was covered in grease and so frustrated I was ready to cry.  Options - just screw it and take the day off or try one more time.  Of course I would try one more time!  This time I had pieces fall off the trainer,,,,,that was it......the breakdown began.  I'm thinking I'm training to be an Ironman and I can't even get my bike on the trainer!! WHAT AM I DOING???? The tears started streaming down my checks.  Knowing I would feel so guilty if I miss my long Saturday workout, I would just go to the YMCA and get on the spinning bike, run my 4 miles on the treadmill and head to the pool.  I kept crying, but packed up my bag and off I went in 10 degree weather to the Y.  Got to the locker room to get organized and NO running shoes.  So the tears started again and cycle shoes got thrown across the locker room.  I was not going home, I will just skip my run.   But of course, I would feel guilty if I missed my run.  I got on the bike, with a red face and bad attitude.  It was going to be a long two hours!  The more I road, the better I felt.  Part way into the ride, my training buddy, Shari texted me and ask when I was going to swim.  I proceeded to her about my breakdown.  Being the best training buddy a girl could have, she went to my house and got my shoes so we could do the run and get in the pool for a quick 2000 yard swim.  Luckily the more I worked out the more my mood approved.  By the end of the swim, I had a PR on a 25 yard sprint (24 sec).   I'm sure this is the first of many Ironman meltdowns!  I just hope I remember how this one ended, with a PR!!

One Journey Ends as Another One Begins

While on our Thanksgiving cruise in the Caribbean, I got a phone call, the day after Thanksgiving to tell me my Father passed away.  I hate to say that it was sudden, due to he was 90, but he was fine when I left.  It was less than a year ago my Mother died of Alzheimer's and Parkinsons'.  My Dad was in an assisted living facility.  He was not enjoying life to say the least.  He was confined to a wheelchair due to knee issue.  A knee replacement was not an option due to a history of heart attacks and strokes.  His death was very different than my Mothers.  She spent 18 months on hospice and declined at a very slow pace.  I mourned for a very long time before she passed away.  Dad on the other hand, died very suddenly.  We had a Memorial/Celebration of life about a week after his death.  Bryan, my husband did a fantastic job telling stories about my father and made my father smile in heaven by singing the Lords Payer.  My sister made a batch of my Father's famous caramels and we gave them out at the service.  The outpouring of support that I got from friends and family was overwhelming. We thought we may have 50 people at the church, but ended up with over 100.  The cards I received in the mail were all so beautiful, along with special words that came in the form of texts, phone calls, emails and Facebook posts.  My Dad became my buddy.  We took many Walmart trips, went to the symphony and had many ice-cream cones, along with many other adventures  over the past few years. I will miss him everyday, but I know he is with my Mother and she is buttering his toast, ironing his shirts and making him little platters for lunch.  

Eleven years ago, we moved from Richmond, VA to Butler, PA take care of my ageing parents.  My Mother started to show signs of Alzheimer's, which runs in our family.  We are fortunate enough to have our own business that can be located anywhere, so we picked up and moved from Richmond, VA to Butler, PA.  I said I would never move back to Butler....well I ate those words!  For 11 years my life revolved with taking care of my parents, raising Clare and working in the office.  I was able to hire caregivers for my parents, but I handled everything else. I would not have changed a thing (other than selling my parents rental house to a total asshole, who someday will rot in hell - I know, Laura, I have to let it go!!).  About two years ago, I knew in the near future that Clare would be off to college and the journey of taking care of my parents would be over.  I thought that I better start thinking about the large void that I will have in my life, thus the world of triathlon came into my life.   As of Nov. 27, 2015, realization of all of my voids became a reality.  This journey has sadly come to an end and the new journey of Ironman is about to start.  Official spread sheet training starts in January.  I have a few more days to enjoy the rest of the year without beating myself up about missing a workout here and there.  I'm sure a little weight will be gained and one to many cocktails will be drunk, but I will enjoy the Christmas season with family and friends, but missing both of my parents very much. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  

50th Birthday - Nothing Changed

Well, my 50th birthday arrived on Nov. 10th. I woke up and I didn't have grey hair, didn't need a hip replacement and no one exchanged my clothes in my closet with an Alfred Dunner wardrobe.  I did have a wonderful week of celebration!  Monday started very early for the 50th Birthday Workout!  Joella decided to start us at 5:45AM in the pool.  5000 yards of fun!  (200 laps/2.75 miles)  It took us about 2 hours and 35 minutes.  Then off to the spinning room for 50 miles on the spin bikes (2 hours sand 15 minutes) and outside for a 5 miles run.  After each mile we did 10 pushups for a total of 50!! (about 1 hour)  We ended the day with a really nice lunch.  Tuesday was a day to sleep in (skipped my run - Happy Birthday to me!) and had lunch with Jude at Off the Hook! Delicious as usually!  The day ended with an hour spin class and dinner at Mad Mex. Wednesday (took an off day...still tired from Monday!)  was dinner at Olives and Pepper with Nancy and John.  The best part as my $200 VISA gift card!  I got to order my 920 Garmin! More about that later.  Thursday was a wonderful lunch with one of my oldest friends, Teresa. What a week and celebration!   The stress of turning 50 is over.  It happen and it was fine.  New attitude is 50 is fabulous, so bring it on!!  Note to self......get on the scale at some point.  Too much celebration!!  Own the weight gain and do something about it! (as I take a sip of my wine)

Starting to get used to 4:30AM alarm going off (not really, but I will stick with that story) on Saturdays. Two hour spinning class and a 2 mile run.  Was supposed to swim, but I forgot my suit...... Came home and took a nap so I could start Saturday "B"

Had a little IronMan Kona party on Saturday to watch the condensed version on NBC.  Shari and Kevin came over and we ate and drank while watching some amazing athletes and inspiring stores of courageous people that have over come major disabilities.  After the broadcast was over, Bryan went to the mailbox and my Garmin came!!!!  How exciting!!  I always think of myself as fairly techno savvy, but with this Garmin, not so much!  I will need a learning curve.  Baby steps.....Took another nap then figured out some more.  I guess this Saturday had a part A, B and C.  

Sunday's long run sucked.....calf and shoulder pain.  I'm sure it is tendonitis in my shoulder and a little tear in my calf.  Was trying to work thought the pain.  Cut if short after 6 miles.  Ice, Ice, Ice  I did use my Garmin for the first time!! Also wore it to bed to try the sleep setting.  Kind of interesting.  Not sure what all the data means, but it is still kind of interesting.

Had a long day in the office at Monday, but I got my stuff together to swim during swim lessons.  Got to the Y, check in, went downstairs......forgot my bathing suit again!! REALLY?????  Is this what turning 50 does to my brain?    Came home and did cross training. 

Moral to my post....Your 50th birthday is just another day.  I was lucky to have wonderful friend and family make it special. My 50th year (or I guess it is my 51st year, as my mother would say) is going to be full of challenges and conquering fears.  Here, here to 50! (take a sip of wine)    

Post New Orleans

Well, the 50th birthday trip is over.  Went 7 days without an ounce of training.  Had a cold most of the time, so I figured I killed 2 birds with one stone (vacation and cold).    Haven't looked at the scale.....maybe next week.  Ate and drank too much, but you only turn 50 once!

I thought yesterday was going to be a nice easy 5 mile hill workout to ease back into things.  Wrong I was!  Spinning started last night....60 minutes of hell...good hell, but hell.  Woke up with a headache this morning, but still made it to the pool for a 2800 yard swim.  Proved to myself that even if I feel like shit, I can make through a workout!  I need to remember that!  Swimming seems to be coming along better.  I'm finally getting a little faster.   I have watched enough swim videos and read a million articles.....I should be a pro at this point.


Signed up for the Half IronMan Ohio last night. Mixed emotions about it.  Always worried about the swim start.  Since it is a new race, there is not too much information out there.  I hope it will be a good rehearsal for my full.  It will give me a chance to try things out.   I guess I have my race schedule in place.....Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon - March 19, Pittsburgh Half Marathon - May 1,  Mars HS Band Run - May 21 (our company sponsor's it, so I have to run), Mighty Moraine Man Spring Sprint -  May 22, Rev4 Williamsburg Olympic - June 11 (rethinking that one), Half Ironman Ohio - Aug 20 and Ironman Choo - Sept. 25.   Looks pretty scary on paper! 

I wish the stress of selling my father's house would be over.  If the house won't sell, I'm afraid he may have to move in with us, instead of living in assistant living.  He is 90, grumpy and in a wheelchair.  Not sure how I would handle work, training and caretaking.  It may be just too much...........