What a difference a day makes

What a difference a small accomplishment can make in the life of a wanna-be Ironman. Yesterday I couldn’t get my flat tire fixed. Today, I fixed it. I’m not stressing about my 3 hour bike ride today because I can’t control everything. The ride should be 3 hours (in a row) however, I will have to break it up 3 ways. One hour indoors before work. One hour outside this afternoon. One hour after work inside. I’m okay with it. I got my 16 training hours in and will always be able to fix a flat.

Yesterday was a bad day. On the drive to the YMCA I was close to tears for the first time this year. The stresses in my life flashed in front of me: a tough training plan this week with 16 hours, What am I going to do if I can’t change a tire to my road bike? If I can’t take off the tire and put in a new tube, then put the tire back on, how will I finish Ironman? What if I don’t finish Ironman? What if I can’t finish?

This negativity is ruining my beautiful drive south on 40 past ranches and horses eating hay. Instead of feeling jazzed about driving to the YMCA with music blaring, my mind drifts to Idaho and June. The bike is going to be the hardest part – 112 miles. It will take a minimum of 7 hours. This is why I need to know how to change a flat tire.

I get to the pool and start my workout. 150 warm up (6 times up and back). Then 4 X 500 which is 20 laps, 30 second break, 20 laps, 30 second break, 20 laps, 30 second break, 20 laps, 30 second break. I feel sluggish. Each 500 is suppose to be faster but it seems really slower. After 3 I look at my watch and the 45 minutes is over but the workout is not done. Should I end the workout now or complete every part of it? I need this little victory right now. I need the mental reinforcement that I can finish it even if it takes an hour. As I turn from the wall on lap 10 I remember I’m suppose to get faster so I swim faster. I continue the pace until the 20th lap. I finish the work and start the 6 laps of warm down. Done. 1 hour.

I drive home with a wet head and feel great. I look at the check engine light and wonder if my mechanic really did fix the problem.

Today, I’m not worrying about anything – not even the check engine light. There’s snow in the forecast but I’m okay with it. I’d love to bike outside but it’s okay today. Next week is a 9 hour training week: recovery week. I can do this.