Need to Do It; Have to Do It – Today’s Theme

This morning I did my swim training plan. The plan called for: 8 X 100 increasing RPE on each lap. I finished the workout in the allotted time AND was able to decrease the number of strokes. I have been really working on efficiency in the water and watching videos about how to do it. I think it is working.

Success in the pool makes me happy!

Then, I signed up for an 8 week spin class at Never Summer Fitness. It is a bit expensive but it is a very structured class (I was measured for the bike) and very professional; so I did it. The classes start March 17th in Grand Lake. It’s going to be hard but I need to do it.

I still have to bike 45 minutes today. I hope I will still feel motivated once I get home (at 8pm tonight). I slept in today (until 7am) so I just have to do it.

Tomorrow is either a long run or a long bike. I’m not sure what I’ll do – it’ll probably be determined by weather.

The low temperature in Fraser today was -19, but then got up to 45. I can’t wait for the temperatures to be in the high 50s – then I can get outside on my bike. I’m jealous of the triathlete who can bike outside at this time of year.

Tomorrow I’m going to record all the food I consume. I need to stop eating junk food but at least I’m off ice cream. I just haven’t been craving it. I’m sure it’ll be back soon.

What to Eat - I really like this video

Week 17

Training is going well. I hurt my back again while walking the dogs on the ice around my house. They yanked me at just the right time - I was walking stiffly, trying not to slip - and yank. I’m taking today off (instead of Saturday) and adjusting the training plan. After talking to Mel, who swims at the Y, about training plans, I realize I must be more flexible. I need to take a day off when needed and train hard the rest of the time.

I have a friend in Steamboat who finished Ironman Coeur d’Alene a few years. When I told him I was signed up for the race he told me specifically: train hard on the days you need to and take time off when your body tells you to. (or something close to that) I’m taking his sage advice.

I'm also going to stretch more.

Tomorrow is a fun training day; swimming and skiing.

As I read other blogs that itemize all the food consumed in a day, I’m thinking I might do that a few times a week. Maybe tomorrow.

I'm on track to complete 8 hours this week.
Then Week 16 starts Base 1 and 12 hours of training. Yickes.

"I want control right now"

I had a bit of a meltdown and came to the realization that I need to just chill out if I can’t get all my training in on the day it’s suppose to be. I need to strive to do everything I need to do each day but I can’t let it ruin my day if it doesn’t happen.

Today’s theme while running for 60 minutes up and down the hills where I live, Badlands plays on my mp3 players and it applies to how I feel today.

I ran today instead of a swim because I got to the Y and they announced that they were closing early for a staff meeting. What??? Don’t they know I’m on a schedule and they are messing with me? Apparently they don’t care. Their staff meeting was more important.

I drove home angry and didn’t feel better until I called Jeanne and told her the story. When I heard it out loud I realized how irrational I was. So I went for a run.


Bruce Springsteen:

Honey I want the heart, I want the soul, I want control right now.
You better listen to me baby:
Talk about a dream; try to make it real.
You wake up in the night with a fear so real.
You spend your life waiting for a moment that
just don’t come. Well don’t waste your time waiting

Badlands you gotta live it every day
Let the broken hearts stand As the price you’ve gotta pay
Well keep pushin till its understood
And these badlands start treating us good

Mental Training Day

Today I ran to the top of SolVista on the back roads in 20 mph gusts of wind. Luckily the temperatures were in the 20s. I just kept going and got to the top. I walked a bit but ran the entire way back. It was a great mental toughness run. I kept thinking of all the blogs that say you have to train in all types of conditions to prepare for Ironman. Today included hills and wind.

I met Kevin for lunch at Mad Munchies. Roast Beef sandwich post run: Yum.

I biked indoors to One Tree Hill Season 1. I just love this show, however, the voice over important quote at the end of the episode is no longer played. Bummer. I tried watching the prime time version of it and couldn't get into it. I'm sucker for the high school drama.

I'm a bit behind on this week's plan since I didn't run on Monday but I'll catch up.

Feb 9 - Feb 15 Week 19

Had a great training week. Completed all workouts and feel good. I've been eating too much and notice that I can't handle really sweet food any more; it makes me feel sick for the rest of the day. But I think I have it all under control now.

2.5 hours Swimming, 4 hours Biking, 2.65 hours running = 9.1 hours total.

Next week is 9.9 hours.

Whatever it takes, I'll try

7.5 hours this week. I was able to make up hours now that my back is feeling 95%. Ran for the first time this morning, just 30 minutes and it was good.

Week 20 is over.
Week 19 is 9.1 hours. I'm ready.

"Wherever it is, I'll fly Whatever it takes, I'll try So don't pay no mind To what other people say Whenever it is in my life Know that I will be on time 'Cause you know why There's no standing in our way" - Leona Lewis.

"The world you desire can be won. It exists. It is real. It is possible. It is yours"

I was able to swim and bike today. I still can't stand up straight due to the back but training was good.

No Migraine. That is good.

It felt great to be back in the pool. It took about 20 minutes to get in my groove and stretch out the back. Biking was good; no pain at all. And, I biked to Season 1, Disk 1 of One Tree Hill which I LOVE.

The quote is from episode 2, Season 1. I love how the end of each episode is from a book and the main character is a reader. This quote is perfect motivation for Ironman. It may just be my new mantra.

Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark in the hopeless swaps of the not quite, the not yet, and the not at all.

Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved and have never been able to reach.

The world you desire can be won. It exists. It is real. It is possible.

It is yours. - Ayn Rand

After great pain, a formal feeling comes - Emily Dickinson

This is what hurts:

"No One Said It Would Be Easy"

Starting yesterday all my blog post titles are going to be quotes from songs or poems. Yesterday, Mary Oliver, poet. Today, Sheryl Crow, musician.

Yesterday I got a migraine while biking, took me out of commission the rest of the day. I've been getting them again: visual thingys, numbness in my arm and mouth, pounding headache, sensitivity to light. 7 hours later when I got out of bed to walk the dogs, I realized I couldn't stand up; I tweaked something in my back. I don't know what happened. I did adjust my seat on my bike forward a bit but that is the only change.

Then, this morning, I sleep in and at 7:30 I decide to make coffee. As I am opening the new coffee can, the sharp alumunium gave me a wicked paper cut on my index finger.

I'm taking today off from training and will re-group tomorrow.

This song is going to play in my head all day:

No one said it would be easy
But no one said it'd be this hard

your one wild and precious life

Week 21 is just about over. I have a 2 hour bike ride inside today. I plan on watching Seinfeld Season 7 on DVD that I got from the library. The key to long indoor bike rides is having a TV Watching Plan.

Training is going well and my nutrition seems to be working. I need to lose 15lbs before race day but I don't think it will be a problem. I've been staying away from junk food and haven't eaten ice cream in days.

The title of this post is from Mary Oliver's Poem, The Summer Day. I choose to spend my days swimming, biking, running, and hiking with my dogs. "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

9.5 Hours Total Training Time This Week.