hummmm

I've had my hand under my chin for about 10 minutes thinking about today's post...just looking at this screen...hummmmm...should I go funny or serious? What kind of mood am I in?? What do people get from reading my thoughts? It's like a reality show but online and you can't see me? How many of you people do I really know (I'm knocking on my computer screen - Hellloooo in there!) My mood is tired so you get what you get...

So I've been on facebook for several weeks and it's interesting really. It's a mini blog! But that's not what today's post is about! It's about my workouts and speaking of...I lost my rest day today because I didn't get enough miles in earlier this month and I only have until Saturday to get them all in. I'm SOOOO TIRED! I learned a great lesson through all this. When Dave tells me at the beginning of the month what my goals are he's not kidding around. This is what I love about having my own trainer/babysitter. I don't have to think about this stuff. I've become robotic and I won't have it any other way. He gives me a command and I stand at attention. No matter how miserable I just keep doing it...and I say thank you when we are done! It's a sick process.

Random thought - I never used an iPod when I first starting my training. I was totally against it but now I can't live without it! My shins hurt... (here comes the pitty party)

We had a group workout yesterday Brigid, Dave and I We did some drills and running followed by a swim workout with Butch and Vickie. It was SO MUCH FUN! My swimming was not as bad as I thought after so many weeks off. One of the best things about Dave is his ability to make exercise super fun. My shoulder still gives me worry but I have lots of time to build up the endurance.

I have to go bike and run.....I'm going to let out a few really horrible curse words (P(*&)(&#$#_$*@#$*@#*$@#!#$%%%$#@@*$*@#) and then go put my bike clothes on. If you are looking for me just go outside and you'll find me :)

Miles

I just added my miles up for the week. I can't even believe it but I rode 141 miles since last Tuesday! Yippy for me!!! No wonder I'm tired :0

UPDATE - It's 151 miles because I didn't include my CompuTrainer miles. I'm such a bad ass!

I knew it

Didn't I say yesterday that I was sure today's workout would test my limits and make me sweat? I'm exhausted. Mentally and physically I'm just toast right now. I am counting the hours until my rest day and since I have some serious running to get done before the 1st, it won't be coming before then.

I met Dave at Camelback again today. I was prepared! I brought food even though he told me we were not going long today.. Anyway, I'm not sure the name of the street but it's off of McDonald & 44th St. near Camelback Mtn and let me tell you, it's tough. We did a loop with some baby hills followed by one giant freaken mammoth hill that I thought for sure I would not make. If I stopped pedalling just for a second I would have fallen over for sure. My loop time averaged about 6:40 or so (some laps were better then others) but honestly, I had a really hard time holding back my tears after lap two and three. I just don't know why hills are such a challenge for me. I tried, honestly I did with all my might to do exactly what Dave was telling me to do but half way up that hill my legs just said no more and I would fall apart just barely getting to the top.

The question is...is this a mental issue? I don't think so. I want to do it...I'm not afraid of it but my quads start to burn and I can't seem to push past that pain for more then a minute or two max. It's ironic really. I've had so many people ask me why I'm training so early for IM...a race that's in Nov. Well, today's performance is the reason. I don't have the leg endurance to keep me going for 17 hours so I have to start early. I'm in this race to finish...nothing less.

What a day

First, a quick message to our friend Hollon. Our hearts and thoughts are with you and your family this week as you mourn the loss of your mother. John 14:1-3
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I was able to get 42.25 miles done yesterday, which puts me really close to reaching my mileage for the month....only 55 more to go. I'm sure Dave is happy about that too since I've been missing the mark since the holiday.

He and I met at the gym today and let me say this - WOW. Riding home I stopped at the light and my arms were literally shaking. It was a slow ride home for sure.

"Julie" and I swam and it was fantastic. She's much faster so I made it my goal to try and keep up with her without letting her get a full 25 yards ahead. Boy, it was close! I really like the challenge it brings swimming with stronger people. Nicely done B...way to put the pressure on sister.

Who knows what's in store for me tomorrow but I'm sure it will test my limits and make me sweat... My guess though...since Dave just did a 12 hour ride is that we are running. I can't image he wants to sit on a bike seat for very long ;0

NWLB

Here is a picture of my bike group, NWLB (no women left behind) from this morning. Super fun and fast ride! That's our leader, Christina in the middle.

Nice job gals!

Watch and Learn

Here is Buddy fast asleep in my car. We went down to watch his owners race in the 12 hour mtn bike race yesterday and after a quick jog, lots of hellos, petting and panting he was ready for a nap. Poor guy was fast asleep before I got him home. It was a fun adventure for Bud...

It was a fun adventure for me too. I was filled with emotions yesterday as I watched my friends compete in this 12 hour race. Watching the transitions, watching what and how they eat, change clothes and bikes all of it helped me plan for IM in November.

That's not all I learned. I want to do it! I'm totally in for next year and even if I only complete 5 laps in 12 hours I'll be better for it. I'm not sitting on the sidelines after IM is over. I'm in the game 100%.

But today, I'm feeling pretty small when I think about what I just witnessed. My training is great but I have such a long way to go. Will I be good enough? God I am so sick of asking myself that question. I'm so very tired of always feeling like second best ya know....like I'm two steps behind everyone else who is waiting for me to catch up. I want to play! I want to participate! I want to be strong and fast enough! ugh... what if after the IM I still feel not good enough? What's this for then? It's an battle in my brain that won't turn off...

I woke up this morning before the birds thinking about the internal strength that it takes to do a 12 hour mtn bike race. It literally brings tears to my eyes thinking about how badly I want that strength. I can taste it and I feel the blood rush through my body when I think about it. I just wish I knew how to get it. I want to be those people and my only hope now is that IM will get me there....

Today I'm doing my own biking with my women's group. We have great new jerseys so I'll try and get a photo to post. I'm going for another 40 miles and maybe a 3 mile run when I get home just to push my mind a little bit more. I enjoy brick workouts much more then just one or the other.

Congrats to my friends who were all podium finishers yesterday..Dave, Windy, Vickie & Butch and Brigid... very inspiring - very touching...thank you...

My new buddy, Buddy...

Wow, this week is finally over. Well, not really....my training continues despite being Friday, Saturday or Sunday. I'm wondering when my rest day will come again.

Did I mention the 15 notes Rick left me? This is how much support I get at home. I woke up to a note that said, "Your arms are getting particularly strong and sexy looking"...and "You are smart, driven and crafty...." and "You inspire others..." Can you believe this? WOW! Notes ALL OVER the house! In my shoes and my wallet. How fortunate am I to have this kind of support. I love you deeply...

It's been a pretty great workout week. I did some bike/run bricks along with my long ride and I'm still going strong. Today I beat virtual Kim on the Computrainer, though she's getting stronger and harder to beat! Following was a tow from Buddy, Dave's dog and two hikes up North Mtn.

This is hilarious! Buddy, Dave and Windy's dog actually did tow me on the run section today. He is one strong dog! Since I'm dog sitting tomorrow Dave thought it best we give Buddy a trial run and I'm glad we did. I actually had the tow line around my waist - it was hilarious. Buddy and I are going to try and make our way down to the 12 hour bike race tomorrow to watch his owners ride....should be fun if we make it. It seems Buddy has a mind of his own so we might end up wherever he decides to take me. (I wonder if the new train allows dogs on board?? )
What do the neighbors think when they see a person being towed by a dog? I can't stop smiling....

This week I think I finally made it over a plateau. Three people told me I looked really fit and I'm super happy about that. Dave says I'm stronger and that's really what I like to hear most. My biking endurance has definitely improved and the brink workouts have been awesome. Now it's time to swim...swim...swim. I'm on a three day a week swim schedule with an IM swim goal of 1.5 hours. The more bike time I have the better! I still can't believe the IM is this year. Friends and family are flying and driving in just to watch and I'm so appreciative of the support everyone provides. This would not be possible without Dave and Rick... (why am I getting all sappy...pull it together Kim and go take a shower - you stink! )