I'm going to have to take down that Ironman Wisconsin countdown timer pretty soon. It is sad to see that 16 days have passed since the race -- and funny (in that "gee, isn't the passing of time such a weird, ironic, I-don't-get-it"funny kind of way) that 16 days BEFORE the race, it seemed that the race would never get here and I was unsure about the day and the results.
And, yet, the day came and went and here I am.... still looking at my medal, my shirt and my hat to make sure that I actually did cross the finish line this year.
I did, and I'm damn proud of it!
Honestly, I couldn't have asked for a better day. Okay.... if I was pressed, it would have been nice for less wind on the bike course, but given the fact that it was hot, humid and windy all flipping summer, I had plenty of practice riding in to the teeth of the wind. The biggest bummer on the wind front was that I lost some mph on some nice down hills on the section of Witte Road and it also was a little bit of a grind coming back in to the city.
But really, the temperature was perfect; it was sunny but not enough to melt you; Lake Monona was calm and extremely comfortable; the evening was a perfect night for a 26.2 mile run.
Race morning, Warren drove and he and Lance dropped me and Natalie off at the Terrace while they parked the car. Natalie and I wandered through the crowd so I could drop off my special needs bags.... and then we reconnected with Warren and Lance. They all waited for me while I got body marked and went in to transition to fill up my bottles with Infinit and bento box with Bonk Breakers, fig newtons and gummi bears.
I felt pretty calm and everything was very routine. This is key component of my entire day. "Routine". I had been in Madison a lot over the year and had done plenty of swimming (including 2.4 miles in Lake Monona at the Madison Open Water swim) and rode that dang bike course -- forward and backward --about a million times AND ran on the marathon course -- especially the sections that had given me trouble in the past that everything felt entirely normal, comfortable and "usual".
Once my wetsuit was on, we all went down to the swim start. I eventually got in the line of athletes getting ready to get in to the water. I edged my way in to the water, but found a spot on the side where I could just stand for a while. There was still plenty of time before the pros started (at 6:50 am), so I felt no need to get in to the water only to tread and get hyped up.
I chatted with a woman from Colorado who had the same plan as me -- wait until we really 'had' to get in to the water. She looked to be older than me (I always take heart in that....) and seemed to be pretty confident that her day would go well. I wish I had gotten her name -- although I did check the results and there was at least one woman from Colorado, older than me, that finished. I am hoping it was her.
The pros took off and I waited another little bit of time and then got in to the water. I found a nice spot to just tread water and wait that was closer to the shore and more towards the front the group of swimmers. Not that I'm fast: I wanted to try to take advantage of the drag from others in front of me.
Mike Reilly, who announces at most of the Ironman events, does a lot of revving up the athletes and spectators before, during and after the race. When he asked "Who is going to be an Ironman today?", this was the first year that I said "I am" and I actually thought it was possible. Although I was a little worried about the run cutoffs getting to me again this year.... I was pretty confident that all would be well.
BOOM -- the cannon went off and so did 2,400 plus swimmers. I'm used to getting jostled for the first 5 or 10 minutes of the swim, so that was really nothing new. I just swam, settled in to my stroke, and watched the scene on the shoreline pass by as I turned to breathe.
The swim course was changed to just one loop this year (in years past, it was a two-loop course). The first turn buoy -- the famous MOO buoy-- came up pretty quickly for me and I was still in a pack of people. The turn is called the Moo buoy because, traditionally, swimmers will lift their heads out of the water and MOO as loud as they can before starting the next swim leg. I think that is a blast, and I just mooed my little heart out.
The second turn came and now I was on the third and longest leg of the swim. It seemed to go on forever. I breathe to my right side, so I swim on the inside of the buoys so it is easier for me to site. I kept thinking "oh, there is the next turn buoy". Nope. Kept swimming. "Okay, there. I see it now". Nope. Kept swimming. "Now?" Nope. "Jeezus. Where is that buoy????" Swim, swim, swim.
Eventually it did appear on the horizon and we made a quick jog back toward shore, with one eventual turn left again to swim in the stretch. Again, because I breathe to the right, this was a leg I liked because I could watch the shore go by.
Got out of the water at 1:42:09 -- slightly slower than I wanted, but well within my tolerance. (As a side note, my awesome, rocking coach, Greg Rhodes, who was also doing IM WI, got out of the water in 53 minutes. Yes. 53 minutes.
Warren, Natalie and Lance were right near the swim exit, so I got to give them a big smile as I ran to the wetsuit strippers. On my way, I saw the rest of the Imoo Crew (Gary, Marcia and Marty). Once in the wetsuit removal area, I looked for my friends Mike and Jenny Wimmer, who were volunteering. I got to them, and then pulled off my wetsuit in a jiffy and sent me on my way up the helix.
Running up the helix, I saw Cathy Yndestad and some of my friends from the place I trained last year. Big boost to see all of them.... ran in to transition, got changed and trotted off to my bike. Got on, got out and started my ride.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
I am an Ironman!
Short and simple today, while I still try to unwind from yesterday.
I FINALLY crossed the finish line at Ironman Wisconsin. Finish time was 16:06 -- five minutes slower than I had thought I would BUT well within the 17:00 hour time frame.
I was 49th out of 58 women in my age group that finished. (Yes, this means that I was not last -- even in my own age group!)
I am thrilled and still trying to have it all settle in.
Most of the day was great (the swim and the bike). I got nauseous on the run (which seems to happen to alot of IM competitors)..... but was never even close to worrying about a cut-off time.
HOOO-RAY!
I will post details soon.....
THANKS again to everyone that supported me through this wild and wiley journey!
I FINALLY crossed the finish line at Ironman Wisconsin. Finish time was 16:06 -- five minutes slower than I had thought I would BUT well within the 17:00 hour time frame.
I was 49th out of 58 women in my age group that finished. (Yes, this means that I was not last -- even in my own age group!)
I am thrilled and still trying to have it all settle in.
Most of the day was great (the swim and the bike). I got nauseous on the run (which seems to happen to alot of IM competitors)..... but was never even close to worrying about a cut-off time.
HOOO-RAY!
I will post details soon.....
THANKS again to everyone that supported me through this wild and wiley journey!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
It takes a village....
It is 8:23 pm on Saturday, September 8th.
I'm sitting in the living room of the 1-bedroom room at the Residence Inn that has been my home since Thursday. Warren is here.....arrived today after competing in his Nationals tournament for the Golf Channel Amateur Tour.
The Imoo Crew (aka friends Natalie, Lance, Marcia, Gary, Marty and Mark) shared a pot-luck dinner with us tonight in the room -- a collective of food shared, stories told and support given.
Despite the thunder and lightening now, tomorrow is supposed to be a great day for an Ironman and, at 7:00 am, I'll be starting the swim and working myself toward the finish line, where I will be sometime before midnight.
This is my 3rd attempt.....and, right now, I'm a combination of confidence and fear. Peace and anxiety. Prepared and wondering where in the heck the training season went and WHY the date got here as fast as it did.
I can say, though, that I trained very hard this year. I rode through heat, humidity, wind and rain. I ran at night, in the dark, after work when I was tired. I swam a lot; I tried a lot of new things (races/techniques/plans). So.............all I need to do now is work my plan; stay in the box and keep moving.
The other REAL FACT is that, although I put in the training time, I certainly did not get here all by myself. I want to acknowledge some of the very important "villagers" who helped me more than they can possibly know:
My Coach -- Greg Rhodes. After a two year hiatus, we worked together again this year and I could not be happier. He is a terrific athlete, a wonderful coach that really knows and cares about his athletes, and I'm proud to be able to call him my friend. He knew when to ratchet things up and what to say to calm me down. I'm fit; I'm strong and I'm ready. THANK YOU! He is also racing tomorrow and I'll be sending good vibes his way all day.
My Hubby -- Warren: You put up with a lot of stuff this summer. Many weekends where we saw very litte of each other -- thank heavens golf rounds take a lot of time too; a lot of meals alone. Still, you encouraged me; you ran with me; you pushed me. You excused me for not being able to make Couples League rounds; You sent me merrily on my way for training weekends. You love me (a job in itself). And I love you!
My Long Distance Training Partner In Crime: Natalie. Nothing will ever replace the training seasons we had when we trained for Chicago Marathon, Pigman 1/2 iron, Ironman Wisconsin (round 1 for me) or any of the hundreds of other races we've done together. BUT, the next best thing is email and texting and you were there for me every step of the journey. I'm excited to see you PR your 1/2 marathon races this fall and look forward to our new adventures.... maybe Rio?
My ever-training friends: Marcia, Gary, Cheryl, Mary; My new training friends: Stephanie, Mark, Jeff. It is wonderful to have friends that enjoy this sport as much as I do. I love comparing notes, training plans, nutrition plans, tri community gossip and workouts with you all.
Superstars:
*Cathy Yndestad -- one of my triathlete heros: When I was running at Minneman sprint this year, I heard someone from behind me say "Great Job, Amy" and then Cathy blazed by. She went on to win the long course race. She, while trying to win her on race, had the kindness of spirit, to encourage me as I plodded along. She is -- and always has been -- one class act.
*The Gunthers -- Helen and Steve: You open your hearts, home and pontoon boat to all of us. You both have been nothing but supportive of me, offering friendship and encouragement
*Greta, Julia, Micha, Steve and Pharmie: Superstars all. I've learned from all of you.
Dave Cameron: without your help, I'd still be swimming 100 yds as 25 free, 25 side, 25 back and 25 breast. I appreciate your coaching and your stories.
Swim Lane friends: Eric, Shannon, Digby, Joe, Shaun. Glub glub and thank you!
My webfriends: Mike and Jenny Wimmer. What can I say about you two except: YOU ARE BOTH AWESOME! Your encouragement, humor and support have been unparalleled.
Beth K: your smile, your determination, your strength inspires me every time I see you. Rich V.S: it was always great to see you at races. You always had some thing funny to say to encourage me along. WIBA friends: Rob, Tonia, Lynn and Sharon: So nice to connect with you this year and to share a ride or two. Race well tomorrow.
My club run friends: Patrick, Bev, Joe, Lela, Mike, Mary, Mark, Kathy. Always full of advice, encouragement and wisdom. Best advice came from Joe: Read "Iron War". Thank you.
My siblings -- my neices -- my cousins -- my Facebook friends old and new -- thanks for listening to my boring training stroies, reading my status and giving me the old "like".
I am SURE that I've forgotten some names.....I'll remember them tomorrow about mile 75 on the bike. Or mile 17 on the run.
Just know, no matter what the final outcome is tomorrow, that I really appreciate you all for what you've done but most of all, I love you all for who you are.
Good night!
I'm sitting in the living room of the 1-bedroom room at the Residence Inn that has been my home since Thursday. Warren is here.....arrived today after competing in his Nationals tournament for the Golf Channel Amateur Tour.
The Imoo Crew (aka friends Natalie, Lance, Marcia, Gary, Marty and Mark) shared a pot-luck dinner with us tonight in the room -- a collective of food shared, stories told and support given.
Despite the thunder and lightening now, tomorrow is supposed to be a great day for an Ironman and, at 7:00 am, I'll be starting the swim and working myself toward the finish line, where I will be sometime before midnight.
This is my 3rd attempt.....and, right now, I'm a combination of confidence and fear. Peace and anxiety. Prepared and wondering where in the heck the training season went and WHY the date got here as fast as it did.
I can say, though, that I trained very hard this year. I rode through heat, humidity, wind and rain. I ran at night, in the dark, after work when I was tired. I swam a lot; I tried a lot of new things (races/techniques/plans). So.............all I need to do now is work my plan; stay in the box and keep moving.
The other REAL FACT is that, although I put in the training time, I certainly did not get here all by myself. I want to acknowledge some of the very important "villagers" who helped me more than they can possibly know:
My Coach -- Greg Rhodes. After a two year hiatus, we worked together again this year and I could not be happier. He is a terrific athlete, a wonderful coach that really knows and cares about his athletes, and I'm proud to be able to call him my friend. He knew when to ratchet things up and what to say to calm me down. I'm fit; I'm strong and I'm ready. THANK YOU! He is also racing tomorrow and I'll be sending good vibes his way all day.
My Hubby -- Warren: You put up with a lot of stuff this summer. Many weekends where we saw very litte of each other -- thank heavens golf rounds take a lot of time too; a lot of meals alone. Still, you encouraged me; you ran with me; you pushed me. You excused me for not being able to make Couples League rounds; You sent me merrily on my way for training weekends. You love me (a job in itself). And I love you!
My Long Distance Training Partner In Crime: Natalie. Nothing will ever replace the training seasons we had when we trained for Chicago Marathon, Pigman 1/2 iron, Ironman Wisconsin (round 1 for me) or any of the hundreds of other races we've done together. BUT, the next best thing is email and texting and you were there for me every step of the journey. I'm excited to see you PR your 1/2 marathon races this fall and look forward to our new adventures.... maybe Rio?
My ever-training friends: Marcia, Gary, Cheryl, Mary; My new training friends: Stephanie, Mark, Jeff. It is wonderful to have friends that enjoy this sport as much as I do. I love comparing notes, training plans, nutrition plans, tri community gossip and workouts with you all.
Superstars:
*Cathy Yndestad -- one of my triathlete heros: When I was running at Minneman sprint this year, I heard someone from behind me say "Great Job, Amy" and then Cathy blazed by. She went on to win the long course race. She, while trying to win her on race, had the kindness of spirit, to encourage me as I plodded along. She is -- and always has been -- one class act.
*The Gunthers -- Helen and Steve: You open your hearts, home and pontoon boat to all of us. You both have been nothing but supportive of me, offering friendship and encouragement
*Greta, Julia, Micha, Steve and Pharmie: Superstars all. I've learned from all of you.
Dave Cameron: without your help, I'd still be swimming 100 yds as 25 free, 25 side, 25 back and 25 breast. I appreciate your coaching and your stories.
Swim Lane friends: Eric, Shannon, Digby, Joe, Shaun. Glub glub and thank you!
My webfriends: Mike and Jenny Wimmer. What can I say about you two except: YOU ARE BOTH AWESOME! Your encouragement, humor and support have been unparalleled.
Beth K: your smile, your determination, your strength inspires me every time I see you. Rich V.S: it was always great to see you at races. You always had some thing funny to say to encourage me along. WIBA friends: Rob, Tonia, Lynn and Sharon: So nice to connect with you this year and to share a ride or two. Race well tomorrow.
My club run friends: Patrick, Bev, Joe, Lela, Mike, Mary, Mark, Kathy. Always full of advice, encouragement and wisdom. Best advice came from Joe: Read "Iron War". Thank you.
My siblings -- my neices -- my cousins -- my Facebook friends old and new -- thanks for listening to my boring training stroies, reading my status and giving me the old "like".
I am SURE that I've forgotten some names.....I'll remember them tomorrow about mile 75 on the bike. Or mile 17 on the run.
Just know, no matter what the final outcome is tomorrow, that I really appreciate you all for what you've done but most of all, I love you all for who you are.
Good night!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Day Two: Conversations with Demons
After finising the stick and one loop on Saturday, I felt pretty good. I also thought I had an "easy" workout for Sunday: a simple six mile run along parts of the marathon course that is generally pretty quiet and where, in the past, little nagging demon voices have chattered in my ear about how nice it would be to just stop and have Starbucks. (Which, unfortunately, I did do in 2011, right after passing mile 14.....iditot me.)
But no. By the time I got back to my hotel from Monona Terrace, my Coach had sent me a text with a revised training plan. Sunday now called for a two loop bike ride and a 40 minute run.
Say what?
"Two loops and a 40-minute run".
Strangely, those little demons found me at the Residence Inn! "Hmmmmm. But I have to check out of the hotel! I have to drive all the way back to Minneapolis! I only HAD a one hour long thing and now I have a several (much harder) hour long thing!"
Enter stage left: The good demons: "Time to nut up", they said.
So I went to the Front Desk of the hotel and extended my stay for one more night. (I had no intention of staying on Sunday night, but knew that I would not be back to the hotel to shower and change before check-out time (even late check-out time). A nice feature of staying at the hotels out in Middleton is that, when you check in for Ironman, you get a coupon that is good for 11-months after Ironman. If you go back to Madsion during that time and stay at one of the participating hotels, you get a room for 50% to 65% off. It was worth it to me to spend very little money to extend my stay past check out time so I could get in my ride and run, have a nice shower, a little nap and then head back to Minneapolis).
I started my ride from Verona on Sunday. The first loop was pretty uneventful, which is always good. As I was headed toward Midtown Road (that last yucky hill), SOMEONE (either me or my demons) was yacking at me about how nice it would be to just do one loop. "Why did I have to do two? I knew the course... I had a successful day yesterday and the loop this morning was fine. Why not just call it a day?"
The good demons responded: "HEY! is the bike course just one little loop? NO. Think of how great it will be to complete 150 miles of biking over the weekend. Think of how strong you'll feel! How confident! Nut up!"
This little tete-a-tete went on until I got back to Verona. I got off the bike, listened to the arguments for a few more minutes while I refueled and refilled water bottles. Then I got back on the bike and started loop two.
HURRAH for good demons!
The second loop had a different set of challenges:
1) I got stung by a bee. It flew under my helmet. At first I didn't realize it was a bee. I thought I got clunked on the head by an acorn. I kept peddaling and the bee kept releasing venom into my head. I finally stopped and pulled my helmet off. There the little bugger was...dead as a doornail. Fortunately, I am not that allergic so nothing horrible happened that day. (The next following days, however, my forehead swelled, then the swelling sunk in to my eyes and nose. I eventually had to see the doctor who perscribed an antibiotic and Claritn....).
2) My pace slowed down quite a bit. DRAT. I am blaming some of this on heavy training on both Friday and Saturday. But I also know that this will happen on race day. I am just not hoping for a big drop in pace.
3) My tush got plenty sore (again, nothing new).
4) I did not want to run after the ride. Uh oh.
I got back to Verona, got off the bike and my legs were not happy about having to run. Very not happy.
Then it hit me. I've been here before. I remember what this is like. This will be a challenge.
Trust me. I've done plenty of bricks. I've done plenty of training races. My legs start turning over just fine (eventually).
This was different and yet strangely familiar. This is my Ironman challenge. Getting to move on the marathon course.
I got my shoes on and started my trot. Got about 100 yards and walked. Uh oh.
Walked for a bit and then tried to run some more. Nope. Walked.
I finally did my body check-in. Were my legs really tired? (No.....no, not really). Was I really tired? (A little but not really). Then what was it?
Oh....... my brain. My silly brain was telling me that it was time to quit.
"Nut up, brain."
I just clunked along for the 40-mintues. It wasn't pretty and it wasn't fast, but -- finally -- it was done.
I loaded up the car, got back to the hotel; showered, ate, napped and got on the road about 7:00 pm.
Over the weekend, I completed 2.4 miles of swimming; 150 miles of biking and 2 hours 10 mintues of running. Go me.
This was probably the best dress rehearsal I've had for race day. I'm glad that I went back to that old, familiar "give up" place and didn't. I now remember what I'll be up against on race day, and I've been working on mental strategies to get past it.
Physically I'm ready. Those nagging demons don't know what they are up against this year.
But no. By the time I got back to my hotel from Monona Terrace, my Coach had sent me a text with a revised training plan. Sunday now called for a two loop bike ride and a 40 minute run.
Say what?
"Two loops and a 40-minute run".
Strangely, those little demons found me at the Residence Inn! "Hmmmmm. But I have to check out of the hotel! I have to drive all the way back to Minneapolis! I only HAD a one hour long thing and now I have a several (much harder) hour long thing!"
Enter stage left: The good demons: "Time to nut up", they said.
So I went to the Front Desk of the hotel and extended my stay for one more night. (I had no intention of staying on Sunday night, but knew that I would not be back to the hotel to shower and change before check-out time (even late check-out time). A nice feature of staying at the hotels out in Middleton is that, when you check in for Ironman, you get a coupon that is good for 11-months after Ironman. If you go back to Madsion during that time and stay at one of the participating hotels, you get a room for 50% to 65% off. It was worth it to me to spend very little money to extend my stay past check out time so I could get in my ride and run, have a nice shower, a little nap and then head back to Minneapolis).
I started my ride from Verona on Sunday. The first loop was pretty uneventful, which is always good. As I was headed toward Midtown Road (that last yucky hill), SOMEONE (either me or my demons) was yacking at me about how nice it would be to just do one loop. "Why did I have to do two? I knew the course... I had a successful day yesterday and the loop this morning was fine. Why not just call it a day?"
The good demons responded: "HEY! is the bike course just one little loop? NO. Think of how great it will be to complete 150 miles of biking over the weekend. Think of how strong you'll feel! How confident! Nut up!"
This little tete-a-tete went on until I got back to Verona. I got off the bike, listened to the arguments for a few more minutes while I refueled and refilled water bottles. Then I got back on the bike and started loop two.
HURRAH for good demons!
The second loop had a different set of challenges:
1) I got stung by a bee. It flew under my helmet. At first I didn't realize it was a bee. I thought I got clunked on the head by an acorn. I kept peddaling and the bee kept releasing venom into my head. I finally stopped and pulled my helmet off. There the little bugger was...dead as a doornail. Fortunately, I am not that allergic so nothing horrible happened that day. (The next following days, however, my forehead swelled, then the swelling sunk in to my eyes and nose. I eventually had to see the doctor who perscribed an antibiotic and Claritn....).
2) My pace slowed down quite a bit. DRAT. I am blaming some of this on heavy training on both Friday and Saturday. But I also know that this will happen on race day. I am just not hoping for a big drop in pace.
3) My tush got plenty sore (again, nothing new).
4) I did not want to run after the ride. Uh oh.
I got back to Verona, got off the bike and my legs were not happy about having to run. Very not happy.
Then it hit me. I've been here before. I remember what this is like. This will be a challenge.
Trust me. I've done plenty of bricks. I've done plenty of training races. My legs start turning over just fine (eventually).
This was different and yet strangely familiar. This is my Ironman challenge. Getting to move on the marathon course.
I got my shoes on and started my trot. Got about 100 yards and walked. Uh oh.
Walked for a bit and then tried to run some more. Nope. Walked.
I finally did my body check-in. Were my legs really tired? (No.....no, not really). Was I really tired? (A little but not really). Then what was it?
Oh....... my brain. My silly brain was telling me that it was time to quit.
"Nut up, brain."
I just clunked along for the 40-mintues. It wasn't pretty and it wasn't fast, but -- finally -- it was done.
I loaded up the car, got back to the hotel; showered, ate, napped and got on the road about 7:00 pm.
Over the weekend, I completed 2.4 miles of swimming; 150 miles of biking and 2 hours 10 mintues of running. Go me.
This was probably the best dress rehearsal I've had for race day. I'm glad that I went back to that old, familiar "give up" place and didn't. I now remember what I'll be up against on race day, and I've been working on mental strategies to get past it.
Physically I'm ready. Those nagging demons don't know what they are up against this year.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Big Weekend Review
So, here we are: 18 days away from Ironman Wisconsin.
Training is almost over -- just a couple more and then it is taper and travel time.
Last weekend was my last training weekend on the course. I've trained on the course every month since April, so by now, I know it pretty much inside and out. Last weekend marked the "biggie" for my training time there.
I did hill repeats up and over Observatory Hill on Friday night. I went along the Lakeshore path from Memorial Union out to Marsh Drive. Then I turned around, hit the turn on to Babcock, up the flipping hill, back down Bascom (no Lincoln did not stand up....) and back out to Babcock. Repeat. Several times. At the end of the final loop, I ran up to Gilman Street and then back to Lake Street. I felt pretty good and confident.
Saturday was the Madison Open Water Swim. I was in the 2.4 wetsuit division along with 293 other close, personal friends. (Actually, only two friends: My Coach, who came in 1st place, swimming the course in just over 54 minutes, and another friend from my Masters swim group).
I swam only okay. Because the summer and the lakes have been so warm, I've done all of my tri events and most of my open water practice swims in my "swim skin", not my wetsuit. I wanted to do this event in my wetsuit because by the time September 9th gets here, the water temps will be just cold enough that I'll need the warmth. I also want/like the buoyancy that the wetsuit provides in the chaos of open water swimming with 2,499 of my close, Ironman friends.
I forgot, though, how different it is to swim in the wetsuit. My positioning got all befuddled and my form got squishy on the last quarter of the swim. It took a lot of concentration to get it back together, which cost me some time. All in all, I swam the course in just a touch over a minute slower than I did in 2011. This was "okay", but I wasn't the happiest with my time. I'll be doing more wetsuit swimming over the next couple of weeks to try to get back in to rhythm.
After the swim and awards, my Coach asked me to coffee, so we walked up to Starbucks on the Square, ordered, and sat outside and talked about the strategy for next couple of weeks and Ironman week.
Then he had a run planned for his day and I was supposed to do the full bike course (112 miles). I went back to Monona Terrace, changed in to my cycling clothes and got on my bike. I noticed that my bike computer was not registering any numbers. I really wanted to know my speed/distance, etc. for the ride. Especially THIS ride.
I was close enough to the Terrace, that I turned my bike around and headed over to Machnery Row (a SUPER AWESOME bike store). They looked at the computer, tried to fix it and nothing was registering. I ended up buying a new one -- had them install it and then, finally, about 2 1/2 hours behind schedule, I started my bike ride.
The ride out to Verona (aka "the stick") was totally uneventful. I actually like the route now. I've got landmarks that I like to see (Irish Lane; the first and second stop sign; Verona's water tower in the distance).
The loop wasn't too terrible. I know where the big hills are; I know where the REALLY big hills are; I know the flats where I can just sit in aero and push a little.
There is a detour on the route right now, though. Construction along Highway 92 in to Mount Horeb pushes riders along another route. When I was in Madison in July, I took one of the alternative routes, which was loaded with hills. Last weekend, I rode the second alternative route, and, although it too was hill, wasn't quite as bad.
It was almost 4:00 pm when I got in to Mount Horeb. I had only eaten breakfast (before the swim) and some of my solid bike nutrition by this point. I was very hungry, so I stopped at the Kwik Trip and got a turkey sandwich. Ate that, filled up water bottles and went along my way.
Again, I have visuals along the route that I like to see: the turn off to Messerschmidt; Mount Horeb; the beautiful high point before turning on to Garfoot Road; Cross Plains.....then the dreaded quarry.
The quarry in and of itself is not the dreaded part. It is Old Sauk Pass -- the first of the really big three hills -- that is the dreaded part.
I've ridden that (those) hills what feels to be a billion times this year. Sometimes it is easier to get up them than others, but it is never easy. Still, I know what to expect.
After Old Sauk, comes a short burst of relatively flat and then Timber Lane -- a quarter mile of steep uphill fun. Other hills may be longer, but this little bugger is a royal pain to get up. I typically just get in to my granny gear and pedal up.
After that little fun fest, comes a nice stretch of flat and downhills..... ahhhhhhhhh....... recovery.......Until that last little turn and you see Midtown Road, the last of the three big hills. This one has been a challenge for me in the past. It isn't a straight hill. You start going up angling towards the right, then there is sort of a sharp turn to the left. You can't ride the tangents particularly easily because of traffic coming down the hill.... so it is a grind, grind, grind. At the top of the hill is a section of false flats, which lull you in to thinking you can just relax and recover, but, no, you still have to gear down and pedal hard.
FINALLY, you turn to the right and get some relief. The final five mile stretch of the loop is down a nice, shady section and then you pop out on a flat section of the road where you can pedal comfortably while you look for Verona's watertower....
I got to the end of the 1st loop about 6:00 or so. I knew that I would not be able to finish riding a second loop before the sun went down. I was not willing to risk riding on country roads in the dark, wearing dark clothing.
So, I texted my Coach and told him I was only doing the one loop, and went rode in to Madison.
I felt good after the ride -- thought it was successful.
The original plan called for me to run 6 miles of the marathon course on Sunday morning. But, with my shorter bike ride, my ever-thinking (scheming) Coach had other plans for me......
Sunday's ride: coming tomorrow!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Final Four
No, not basketball teams.
I just got my plan from my Coach for the final four weeks of training before IM WI week.
Yippie Skippie!
The next two to two and a half weeks have some pretty heavy volumes, long distances and long hours. For example, I'm doing a 20 mile run tonight. Yes, tonight -- starting at 6:00 pm and ending sometime after 10:00 pm.
While some may think that this is totally crazy, there is a lot of logic to it. For Ironman, I won't be on the run course until late, late, late afternoon. I'll be tired and I'll be running as the sun sets and well in to the night.
So for training, why NOT run after work (when I'm tired) and well in to the night? Good mental and physical practice for sure.
I also have my last tri before Ironman this week on Sunday. I'm doing the YWCA Women's sprint tri -- (500 yard swim; 15.5 mile bike; 3.1 mile run). Super simple; super fun. Well organized race full of women of all ages, sizes and shapes. Incredibly welcoming to the first-timers.....
That is my morning. I get to follow that by 70 miles of additional time in the saddle....all in a (Sun)day's work.
Next weekend, I go back to Madison for my last training preview before Ironman. On Saturday, I'll do the Madison Open Water swim (2.4 miles) and follow that up with 120 miles on the bike. I'll ride the full Ironman course and then add on a few extra miles to get to 120. Sunday will be an "easy" six miles on the part of the course where I've struggled the most mentally.
Then I finally get to start to think about tapering.... there will still be lots of miles and effort, but there will be a hint of winding down.
The last long effort is scheduled for Sunday, September 2nd, where I have to get in 75 mile of riding followed by a short run between 2 and 4 miles. Hubby will be in Florida for his golf tournament and I'll be at home, mentally shoring up to leave for Madison on Thursday, September 6th.......
It really is just right around the corner.
I just got my plan from my Coach for the final four weeks of training before IM WI week.
Yippie Skippie!
The next two to two and a half weeks have some pretty heavy volumes, long distances and long hours. For example, I'm doing a 20 mile run tonight. Yes, tonight -- starting at 6:00 pm and ending sometime after 10:00 pm.
While some may think that this is totally crazy, there is a lot of logic to it. For Ironman, I won't be on the run course until late, late, late afternoon. I'll be tired and I'll be running as the sun sets and well in to the night.
So for training, why NOT run after work (when I'm tired) and well in to the night? Good mental and physical practice for sure.
I also have my last tri before Ironman this week on Sunday. I'm doing the YWCA Women's sprint tri -- (500 yard swim; 15.5 mile bike; 3.1 mile run). Super simple; super fun. Well organized race full of women of all ages, sizes and shapes. Incredibly welcoming to the first-timers.....
That is my morning. I get to follow that by 70 miles of additional time in the saddle....all in a (Sun)day's work.
Next weekend, I go back to Madison for my last training preview before Ironman. On Saturday, I'll do the Madison Open Water swim (2.4 miles) and follow that up with 120 miles on the bike. I'll ride the full Ironman course and then add on a few extra miles to get to 120. Sunday will be an "easy" six miles on the part of the course where I've struggled the most mentally.
Then I finally get to start to think about tapering.... there will still be lots of miles and effort, but there will be a hint of winding down.
The last long effort is scheduled for Sunday, September 2nd, where I have to get in 75 mile of riding followed by a short run between 2 and 4 miles. Hubby will be in Florida for his golf tournament and I'll be at home, mentally shoring up to leave for Madison on Thursday, September 6th.......
It really is just right around the corner.
Friday, August 3, 2012
WHOOOOOooooooshhhhhhh
August 3rd. THIRD!
This summer -- okay, this year -- has been just whipping by.
A year ago at this time, the idea that I'd be at a different job -- that Hubby would be displaced from his job -- was nowhere on our radar screens. Not even a blip. Today, I'm at that (very) different job and he is spending a lot of time on the golf course and watching the Olympics inbetween interviews. (Color me JEALOUS).
Less than a year ago, I was excitedly putting together my 2012 race scheudule, which included 14 events. Today, I have three events left before Ironman Wisconsin.
Amazing.
The good news is that training has been going well. I'm putting in the time. I continue to be injury free. As with most of us across the country, the weather here has been unbelieveably hot and humid, so sessions are hard physically and mentally. (Please, though, Triathlon Gods, work your magic so that September 9th is a nice, overcast, low dewpoint day with a high in the mid-70s and no wind.....)
Bib numbers were posted earlier this week. Mine is 994, which feels like a very good number indeed.
Those of us training for Imoo are in the midst of our peak volume/mileage weeks now. This has meant for some very long nights for me. For example, I had a 50 mile ride on Tuesday night and a 16 mile run on Wednesday night. I get home from work, change, putz (and gripe) for a bit and then hit the trails.
Because I'm a slower athlete, I'm getting back home about 10:00 pm, eating a little dinner, showering, watching the last 15 minutes of Olympics coverage and then its bedtime.
I have a brick workout tonight (30 mile bike tonight followed with an 8 mile run) and then a 100 mile ride tomorrow (Tour d Tonka). Sunday will be "light" -- 5 mile run and 2000 yards in the water. (My most excellent friend and training partner-in-crime, Natalie, will be here this weekend, so we'll run together on Sunday, which will be a super treat).
And so it goes until about August 29th, when taper kicks in.
I'm not complaining. I asked for this. Once I'm out the door and on the bike or trotting down the path or in the water, I actually enjoy the time and the training. I've seen some great sunsets and other breathtaking views; even got to make "friends" with three deer that were munching on someone's lawn on Tuesday night as I rode by. (I had to stop and watch for a while. I really love deer.)
I will say that it is hard to fit every thing in artfully. Sleep, friends, chores, "stuff" all have to get squeezed in around work (and my new inflexible hours -- ugh) and training.
I can also tell it is peak time in that I'm hungry all the time and getting a little crabby.
But I asked for this when I signed up to do the race.... and there is a finite time to go, so.... I just keep shuffling forward.
I have also been very happy with how things are working between me and my Coach. We have a very good working relationship and the plan he has carved out for me is challenging. He has also been great in communicating encouragement and recommendations right at the right time.
Doing the majority of my training on my own probably will work to my advantage this year too. Although there will be alot of others out there on the course, it really does boil down to just me, my feet, my heart and my head out there working to try to come in under 17 hours.
Which brings me to my last update: I've been working more on the mental aspects of racing. I read "Iron War", which fictionalized account or not, is a great read. I'm in the middle of "A Life Without Limits" and have learned through both books that every one hurts at somepoint during Ironman - -- even Chrissie Wellington, Mark Allen and Dave Scott.
I found some great tips for getting though the bumps (and dark places) and have been practicing them during training and events too. One I really like is to remember that the event will unfold in circles. At the top of the circle, you'll feel great. As time goes on, it may feel tougher (the bottom of the circle), but eventually, the circle completes, as you feel better and get back to the "top". The truth is that I'll probably go through lots of circles on race day, but just being able to visualize moving through the bottom and back up to the top should help.
So..... it feels like it is all coming together -- bit by bit. While I'm still nervous the cutoffs I know I have the endurance to do it.
For now, I'm just going to keep shuffling foward toward race day.
This summer -- okay, this year -- has been just whipping by.
A year ago at this time, the idea that I'd be at a different job -- that Hubby would be displaced from his job -- was nowhere on our radar screens. Not even a blip. Today, I'm at that (very) different job and he is spending a lot of time on the golf course and watching the Olympics inbetween interviews. (Color me JEALOUS).
Less than a year ago, I was excitedly putting together my 2012 race scheudule, which included 14 events. Today, I have three events left before Ironman Wisconsin.
Amazing.
The good news is that training has been going well. I'm putting in the time. I continue to be injury free. As with most of us across the country, the weather here has been unbelieveably hot and humid, so sessions are hard physically and mentally. (Please, though, Triathlon Gods, work your magic so that September 9th is a nice, overcast, low dewpoint day with a high in the mid-70s and no wind.....)
Bib numbers were posted earlier this week. Mine is 994, which feels like a very good number indeed.
Those of us training for Imoo are in the midst of our peak volume/mileage weeks now. This has meant for some very long nights for me. For example, I had a 50 mile ride on Tuesday night and a 16 mile run on Wednesday night. I get home from work, change, putz (and gripe) for a bit and then hit the trails.
Because I'm a slower athlete, I'm getting back home about 10:00 pm, eating a little dinner, showering, watching the last 15 minutes of Olympics coverage and then its bedtime.
I have a brick workout tonight (30 mile bike tonight followed with an 8 mile run) and then a 100 mile ride tomorrow (Tour d Tonka). Sunday will be "light" -- 5 mile run and 2000 yards in the water. (My most excellent friend and training partner-in-crime, Natalie, will be here this weekend, so we'll run together on Sunday, which will be a super treat).
And so it goes until about August 29th, when taper kicks in.
I'm not complaining. I asked for this. Once I'm out the door and on the bike or trotting down the path or in the water, I actually enjoy the time and the training. I've seen some great sunsets and other breathtaking views; even got to make "friends" with three deer that were munching on someone's lawn on Tuesday night as I rode by. (I had to stop and watch for a while. I really love deer.)
I will say that it is hard to fit every thing in artfully. Sleep, friends, chores, "stuff" all have to get squeezed in around work (and my new inflexible hours -- ugh) and training.
I can also tell it is peak time in that I'm hungry all the time and getting a little crabby.
But I asked for this when I signed up to do the race.... and there is a finite time to go, so.... I just keep shuffling forward.
I have also been very happy with how things are working between me and my Coach. We have a very good working relationship and the plan he has carved out for me is challenging. He has also been great in communicating encouragement and recommendations right at the right time.
Doing the majority of my training on my own probably will work to my advantage this year too. Although there will be alot of others out there on the course, it really does boil down to just me, my feet, my heart and my head out there working to try to come in under 17 hours.
Which brings me to my last update: I've been working more on the mental aspects of racing. I read "Iron War", which fictionalized account or not, is a great read. I'm in the middle of "A Life Without Limits" and have learned through both books that every one hurts at somepoint during Ironman - -- even Chrissie Wellington, Mark Allen and Dave Scott.
I found some great tips for getting though the bumps (and dark places) and have been practicing them during training and events too. One I really like is to remember that the event will unfold in circles. At the top of the circle, you'll feel great. As time goes on, it may feel tougher (the bottom of the circle), but eventually, the circle completes, as you feel better and get back to the "top". The truth is that I'll probably go through lots of circles on race day, but just being able to visualize moving through the bottom and back up to the top should help.
So..... it feels like it is all coming together -- bit by bit. While I'm still nervous the cutoffs I know I have the endurance to do it.
For now, I'm just going to keep shuffling foward toward race day.
Monday, June 25, 2012
They Lie.
Or, the truth about the Ironman Wisconsin bike course, as viewed through the eyes of a real person.
First, let me just acknowledge that it has been a long, long time since I've posted. So long ago, in fact, it was probably snowing, since it was FEBRUARY.
It is now late June. Only eleven weeks to go until Ironman Wisconsin. Time has been FLYING and will continue to just clip along now, faster than Chrissie Wellington in aero.
Training has been going pretty well. I'm getting in the miles, the yards and the hills. I'm healthy and uninjured (a big plus over last year's continual Achilles issues that plagued me all summer). I'm working well with my Coach and I'm having some fun. These are all good things.
I've done some new things for training, including riding in one of the routes at Hillfest and doing the Nature Valley Grand Prix Gran Fondo ride in Menominee WI. That was 65 miles of hilly, rain-soaked fun. (Really! It was!). The highlight for me (and my bike) was scrambling over to the side of a huge, steep, soaking wet hill to get out of the way of the professional racers screaming down the hill at breakneck speeds. It was awe-inspiring and confirmation -- yet again -- that much of what I'm doing for "fun" takes a lots of chutzpah and an attitude of no fear. This for me, translates to having really good brakes.
I also have incorporated some training tactics that I've used in the past. For example, I just got back from a really great training weekend called Wisconsin Brick Adventure or WIBA. The weekend is hosted by a team of EVOTRI athletes, who share their knowledge and expertise with the rest of us FOR FREE. (Well, we have to pay for our hotel and our meals, but considering some IM weekend camps cost as much as $800.00, -- which, by the by is more than the current IM registration fee, FREE is a bargain).
This is my third year attending WIBA. Natalie (IM Godess that she is) and I went in 2010 when we were both in training and I've been back every year since then.
We spend the weekend swimming, riding and running the course. We share stories and training trips with each other. We brag or complain about past races. We worry and fret about the upcoming race. I've met some very nice people at WIBA that have turned out to be good friends. It is a great weekend.
To kick off the event, we all meet at a local Madison restaurant to share a meal and to hear a course preview talk.
I've heard this preview presentation three times now. The guy giving the presentation is a rock star (aka Kona qualifier) triathlete. He is young and vigorous and apparently has a Vo2 that rivals Lance's. I admire him a great deal, but he is a liar.
Okay, maybe not a liar liar, but he tells triathlon fibs about the course. Okay, so maybe not fibs, but his perspective, coming from a Kona qualifing, "I'm-enjoying-the-post-race-buffet-while-you-are-still-out-there-slogging-away-on-the-course" is really much different than mine.
He is not the only one to spin a few yarns about IMoo's bike course. Granted, most course descriptions are written by folks that finish the race well before the midnight cut-off.
So, for all the rest of you regular people that will take longer than 12-hours to finish IM Wisconsin, let me tell you the truth about a couple of the lies we've been told:
Lie: "The Stick is flat". Ha. The stick, which is the 15-mile portion of the bike course from Monona Terrace out to Verona is not flat.
While it is much flat-ER than the loop (which we'll get to shortly), it is definitely not flat. On the way out, there are some rollers that just may trigger the following thought: "What the hell was I thinking when I swiped that credit card and signed up for this?" After riding two loops (we are getting to that, I promise), you have to ride the stick back in, where there are at least two long, not-very-pretty hills. So when they tell you that the stick is flat, don't you believe it.
Lie: "The trick to riding the hills on the loop is to just relax and spin up them." (See! I told you we'd get to the loop!). Here is what I have to say about this: HA!
"Just spin up" is triathlon's equivalent of "just say no". While it may be true that some -- maybe many -- young, gifted athletes with legs as strong as tree trunks can just make a couple of clicks down on the cassette and then merrily spin their feet around the pedals, MOST of us regular people can't get in to a gear low enough to "spin" up the four big hills on the loop. I'm clicked all the way down in to the small ring up front and the last one on the back and it is still a grind, grind, grind up those hills. But, grind we must and it is all okay. Just don't be taken in by the idea that you can actually "spin" up those hills.
Now that I've burst your bubble about the bike course, let me tell you a couple of true things: the course, while challenging, has its rewards and is just beautiful.
After every hard climb, there is an equal reward that comes from cruising down the backside of the big hill. This gives you some time to catch your breath, lower your heart rate and helps to remind you that you are doing some thing pretty remarkable.
The views around you all along the course are truely amazing. The views from the vistas, the wonderful farm land, the colors, are all just breathtaking. Take it in; send a little note of gratitude; and enjoy, for Wisconsin really is God's country (says the woman from Milwaukee).
Are the hills worth the ride and the effort? Yes (says the woman that has yet to complete the race by midnight). Each time I've ridden the course, I've learned some thing new about it and myself. And, while I may not have perfected spinning up those hills, I am getting better at getting up them more efficiently, and I sure enjoy the views.
That ain't no lie.
First, let me just acknowledge that it has been a long, long time since I've posted. So long ago, in fact, it was probably snowing, since it was FEBRUARY.
It is now late June. Only eleven weeks to go until Ironman Wisconsin. Time has been FLYING and will continue to just clip along now, faster than Chrissie Wellington in aero.
Training has been going pretty well. I'm getting in the miles, the yards and the hills. I'm healthy and uninjured (a big plus over last year's continual Achilles issues that plagued me all summer). I'm working well with my Coach and I'm having some fun. These are all good things.
I've done some new things for training, including riding in one of the routes at Hillfest and doing the Nature Valley Grand Prix Gran Fondo ride in Menominee WI. That was 65 miles of hilly, rain-soaked fun. (Really! It was!). The highlight for me (and my bike) was scrambling over to the side of a huge, steep, soaking wet hill to get out of the way of the professional racers screaming down the hill at breakneck speeds. It was awe-inspiring and confirmation -- yet again -- that much of what I'm doing for "fun" takes a lots of chutzpah and an attitude of no fear. This for me, translates to having really good brakes.
I also have incorporated some training tactics that I've used in the past. For example, I just got back from a really great training weekend called Wisconsin Brick Adventure or WIBA. The weekend is hosted by a team of EVOTRI athletes, who share their knowledge and expertise with the rest of us FOR FREE. (Well, we have to pay for our hotel and our meals, but considering some IM weekend camps cost as much as $800.00, -- which, by the by is more than the current IM registration fee, FREE is a bargain).
This is my third year attending WIBA. Natalie (IM Godess that she is) and I went in 2010 when we were both in training and I've been back every year since then.
We spend the weekend swimming, riding and running the course. We share stories and training trips with each other. We brag or complain about past races. We worry and fret about the upcoming race. I've met some very nice people at WIBA that have turned out to be good friends. It is a great weekend.
To kick off the event, we all meet at a local Madison restaurant to share a meal and to hear a course preview talk.
I've heard this preview presentation three times now. The guy giving the presentation is a rock star (aka Kona qualifier) triathlete. He is young and vigorous and apparently has a Vo2 that rivals Lance's. I admire him a great deal, but he is a liar.
Okay, maybe not a liar liar, but he tells triathlon fibs about the course. Okay, so maybe not fibs, but his perspective, coming from a Kona qualifing, "I'm-enjoying-the-post-race-buffet-while-you-are-still-out-there-slogging-away-on-the-course" is really much different than mine.
He is not the only one to spin a few yarns about IMoo's bike course. Granted, most course descriptions are written by folks that finish the race well before the midnight cut-off.
So, for all the rest of you regular people that will take longer than 12-hours to finish IM Wisconsin, let me tell you the truth about a couple of the lies we've been told:
Lie: "The Stick is flat". Ha. The stick, which is the 15-mile portion of the bike course from Monona Terrace out to Verona is not flat.
While it is much flat-ER than the loop (which we'll get to shortly), it is definitely not flat. On the way out, there are some rollers that just may trigger the following thought: "What the hell was I thinking when I swiped that credit card and signed up for this?" After riding two loops (we are getting to that, I promise), you have to ride the stick back in, where there are at least two long, not-very-pretty hills. So when they tell you that the stick is flat, don't you believe it.
Lie: "The trick to riding the hills on the loop is to just relax and spin up them." (See! I told you we'd get to the loop!). Here is what I have to say about this: HA!
"Just spin up" is triathlon's equivalent of "just say no". While it may be true that some -- maybe many -- young, gifted athletes with legs as strong as tree trunks can just make a couple of clicks down on the cassette and then merrily spin their feet around the pedals, MOST of us regular people can't get in to a gear low enough to "spin" up the four big hills on the loop. I'm clicked all the way down in to the small ring up front and the last one on the back and it is still a grind, grind, grind up those hills. But, grind we must and it is all okay. Just don't be taken in by the idea that you can actually "spin" up those hills.
Now that I've burst your bubble about the bike course, let me tell you a couple of true things: the course, while challenging, has its rewards and is just beautiful.
After every hard climb, there is an equal reward that comes from cruising down the backside of the big hill. This gives you some time to catch your breath, lower your heart rate and helps to remind you that you are doing some thing pretty remarkable.
The views around you all along the course are truely amazing. The views from the vistas, the wonderful farm land, the colors, are all just breathtaking. Take it in; send a little note of gratitude; and enjoy, for Wisconsin really is God's country (says the woman from Milwaukee).
Are the hills worth the ride and the effort? Yes (says the woman that has yet to complete the race by midnight). Each time I've ridden the course, I've learned some thing new about it and myself. And, while I may not have perfected spinning up those hills, I am getting better at getting up them more efficiently, and I sure enjoy the views.
That ain't no lie.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Quick catch up
A short post to check in.
I've had a couple of good, mostly solid training weeks. I'm in the last phase of build before "official" Ironman training starts and in some ways I feel strong and prepared.
My endurance is good (meaning I can make it though a 5 hour ride on the bike trainer) and swim distance is going well.
In other ways, I'm wondering how much progress I'm really making. My running pace has slowed back down. I'm doing strength training but don't necessarily feel any stronger. My coach is having me do long runs on Thursday evenings so I'll be a little tired from the day and will run in the dark (similar to what will happen during the Ironman). I ran 8 last Thursday and still felt like I had lead in my legs on Saturday morning when I ran 6.5.
I'm just going to keep going and logging time in the pool, saddle, shoes and gym and have a little faith in my body to do what I'm asking it to do. (It may not LIKE it, but it can get though it!)
----
A observation I wanted to share:
I went to a swim technique and breakfast event about a week ago. The session was set up so the the first 45 minutes was a regular workout and the second 45 minutes was a set of technique drills. I swam in the slow lane with four other women.
The folks leading the class reorganized the lanes for the drill session in order to spread the entire group out a little more evenly. The other four women I was swimming with were moved over to different lanes and a bunch of the faster folks came in to my lane. There was no rhyme or reason to how the switches were made, the movement of people was very random.
The looks of horror on the faces of the faster swimmers being told to move down to my lane was pretty interesting. Most looked as if they had been sentenced to a Hard Labor Camp in Siberia. Or that they were being asked to swim where the water was contaminated with slow germs.
Most of the faster swimmers had not done the drill sets. I had taken a class led by the same instructors where all we DID were the drill sets. When the faster swimmers had questions about what to do, they asked each (equally as clueless) other rather than asking me or the instructor.
I found this fascinating.
I'm sort of "used" to this faster versus slower hierarchy from running. It is s funny how so many faster runners act like slower runners are "different" and not in a good way. (Well, we are different. We are slower.... yet, we still run the same way (right foot, left foot; right foot, left foot).
Yet, the great debate over whether or not folks that are slower runners or run/walkers "cheapen" events rages on. (Still don't quite understand how my taking 5 plus hours to run a marathon impacts in any way any one who runs marathons in less than 5 hours....).
I may be more aware of this now because I'm considering running with a running group again to help me prep for Fargo 1/2 marathon. This is the same running group I used to run with a few years ago, but without the slower pace group. (For a variety of reasons, the slower paced folks dropped out of this club -- so the club now is pretty speedy and talented.).
I know that I need the discipline of the group to push me. I'm excited to run with some new people that can challenge me. AND I'm concerned about looking and feeling like the old, fat slow person....with the Ironman dreams.
Time to just suck it up.
I've had a couple of good, mostly solid training weeks. I'm in the last phase of build before "official" Ironman training starts and in some ways I feel strong and prepared.
My endurance is good (meaning I can make it though a 5 hour ride on the bike trainer) and swim distance is going well.
In other ways, I'm wondering how much progress I'm really making. My running pace has slowed back down. I'm doing strength training but don't necessarily feel any stronger. My coach is having me do long runs on Thursday evenings so I'll be a little tired from the day and will run in the dark (similar to what will happen during the Ironman). I ran 8 last Thursday and still felt like I had lead in my legs on Saturday morning when I ran 6.5.
I'm just going to keep going and logging time in the pool, saddle, shoes and gym and have a little faith in my body to do what I'm asking it to do. (It may not LIKE it, but it can get though it!)
----
A observation I wanted to share:
I went to a swim technique and breakfast event about a week ago. The session was set up so the the first 45 minutes was a regular workout and the second 45 minutes was a set of technique drills. I swam in the slow lane with four other women.
The folks leading the class reorganized the lanes for the drill session in order to spread the entire group out a little more evenly. The other four women I was swimming with were moved over to different lanes and a bunch of the faster folks came in to my lane. There was no rhyme or reason to how the switches were made, the movement of people was very random.
The looks of horror on the faces of the faster swimmers being told to move down to my lane was pretty interesting. Most looked as if they had been sentenced to a Hard Labor Camp in Siberia. Or that they were being asked to swim where the water was contaminated with slow germs.
Most of the faster swimmers had not done the drill sets. I had taken a class led by the same instructors where all we DID were the drill sets. When the faster swimmers had questions about what to do, they asked each (equally as clueless) other rather than asking me or the instructor.
I found this fascinating.
I'm sort of "used" to this faster versus slower hierarchy from running. It is s funny how so many faster runners act like slower runners are "different" and not in a good way. (Well, we are different. We are slower.... yet, we still run the same way (right foot, left foot; right foot, left foot).
Yet, the great debate over whether or not folks that are slower runners or run/walkers "cheapen" events rages on. (Still don't quite understand how my taking 5 plus hours to run a marathon impacts in any way any one who runs marathons in less than 5 hours....).
I may be more aware of this now because I'm considering running with a running group again to help me prep for Fargo 1/2 marathon. This is the same running group I used to run with a few years ago, but without the slower pace group. (For a variety of reasons, the slower paced folks dropped out of this club -- so the club now is pretty speedy and talented.).
I know that I need the discipline of the group to push me. I'm excited to run with some new people that can challenge me. AND I'm concerned about looking and feeling like the old, fat slow person....with the Ironman dreams.
Time to just suck it up.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Hello Cheryl!
Last night, Hubby and I shared a lovely dinner at Buca with some of our closest running friends. Buca is an Italian eatery known for its huge, family style portions.... deeeeelicious food, fun atmosphere. We don't go there a lot -- usually just for special occasions.
What was the occasion you ask?
Most of us that bellied up to the table were kicking off our 2012 triathlon seasons by doing the Tri U Mah indoor triathlon today.
Tri U Mah has been around for eight years. I've done it every year. In fact, it was my first triathlon ever! It consists of 30 minutes each of swimming, biking and running with 10 minute transitions. What ever distance you cover during the segments is your distance for the race. It is held at the University of Minnesota's Aquatic Center, which has a terrific pool.
Heats are small -- limited to for each, so athletes get their own swim lane (AWESOME) and then we ride on stationary bikes and run on treadmills.
It is a very welcoming event and -- because it is held in February -- it is a perfect reminder for us in Minnesota that triathlon season will indeed be here before we know it.
More about the event in a bit. First, back to Buca:
It had been a while since I'd seen some of my running/tri friends. Work, travel and the holidays kept us all busy since about November. I'd been running a bit with Gary and Marcia, but hadn't connected with Mary, Cheryl or Derek much since the end of 2011.
Everyone at dinner would be doing the tri --except Derek, who has become a CrossFit enthusiast, and Mary, who would be spending the morning today doing a run and yoga with her beaux, Jim.
It was great to share the meal and to catch up. If you've ever been part of a running group or trained with others over a long period of time, you know how important your partners become to you. You are all out there, day in and day out, good weather and bad weather, getting ready for great events and events that don't quite go your way.
The folks at dinner have been part of my core training group for many years. We've done marathons, triathlons, bike events and lots of training events over the years. They've encouraged me to go further than I thought I could and put up with me when I was in less than a happy mood at about mile 22 of a training run or event. I love them all.
At one point during dinner, Cheryl said to me: "So when are you going to update your blog?"
"Huh? Someone actually still reads my blog? Wow".
I've been very lackadaisical about updating my blog. Mostly because the end of last year was such a topsy turvy one, not knowing the outcome of my job; feeling a bit let down because I bailed on Iornman; and other just general 'blah' stuff.
I didn't have much to report and so I didn't. And, honestly, the behavior sort of lined up with another behavior habit I've acquired since last fall. I think the technical term is "half-assed". I've been training at a half-assed level; I've been logging my training on a half-assed basis; I've been watching my nutrition on a half-assed basis. I've been mentally challenging myself on a half-assed level.
So when Cheryl asked me the question, I perked up a little bit.
"Hmmmm.... Maybe I should get back at it".
So, here I am blogging.....and realizing that it's now only a few months until Liberty 1/2 iron and then only a few months to Ironman. So, accountability on all fronts (full-assed, maybe) is important now.
So thanks, Cheryl. I appreciate you more than you know.
Back to Tri U Mah: I did okay, but did not PR (see above for half-assed training efforts comment. You get what you train for and, although I was swimming, biking and riding, it was more leisurely (half-assed) than it should have been). I swim .848 miles, biked 8.08 miles and ran 2.59 miles for a total of 11.508. Not sure yet where this puts me in my Age Group. Definitely was an eye opener that it is time to actually put in the time.....
Chery, Marcia, Gary, Angel, Rick, Jumper, and Bev also did well today.
My biggest cheers, though, go to Hubby. This was his second Tri U Mah, fourth indoor triathlon. Truth be told, he isn't a big fan of the water. Or better said, being IN the water. (He loves boating and sailing. It is the swimming that he could take or leave). Once he is done with the swim, he is fine. He is a good biker and a good runner, so today, he once again, mastered the beast known as The Pool and had a great showing at Tri U Mah.
I'm so proud of him I could just squeeze him! I think I will.
What was the occasion you ask?
Most of us that bellied up to the table were kicking off our 2012 triathlon seasons by doing the Tri U Mah indoor triathlon today.
Tri U Mah has been around for eight years. I've done it every year. In fact, it was my first triathlon ever! It consists of 30 minutes each of swimming, biking and running with 10 minute transitions. What ever distance you cover during the segments is your distance for the race. It is held at the University of Minnesota's Aquatic Center, which has a terrific pool.
Heats are small -- limited to for each, so athletes get their own swim lane (AWESOME) and then we ride on stationary bikes and run on treadmills.
It is a very welcoming event and -- because it is held in February -- it is a perfect reminder for us in Minnesota that triathlon season will indeed be here before we know it.
More about the event in a bit. First, back to Buca:
It had been a while since I'd seen some of my running/tri friends. Work, travel and the holidays kept us all busy since about November. I'd been running a bit with Gary and Marcia, but hadn't connected with Mary, Cheryl or Derek much since the end of 2011.
Everyone at dinner would be doing the tri --except Derek, who has become a CrossFit enthusiast, and Mary, who would be spending the morning today doing a run and yoga with her beaux, Jim.
It was great to share the meal and to catch up. If you've ever been part of a running group or trained with others over a long period of time, you know how important your partners become to you. You are all out there, day in and day out, good weather and bad weather, getting ready for great events and events that don't quite go your way.
The folks at dinner have been part of my core training group for many years. We've done marathons, triathlons, bike events and lots of training events over the years. They've encouraged me to go further than I thought I could and put up with me when I was in less than a happy mood at about mile 22 of a training run or event. I love them all.
At one point during dinner, Cheryl said to me: "So when are you going to update your blog?"
"Huh? Someone actually still reads my blog? Wow".
I've been very lackadaisical about updating my blog. Mostly because the end of last year was such a topsy turvy one, not knowing the outcome of my job; feeling a bit let down because I bailed on Iornman; and other just general 'blah' stuff.
I didn't have much to report and so I didn't. And, honestly, the behavior sort of lined up with another behavior habit I've acquired since last fall. I think the technical term is "half-assed". I've been training at a half-assed level; I've been logging my training on a half-assed basis; I've been watching my nutrition on a half-assed basis. I've been mentally challenging myself on a half-assed level.
So when Cheryl asked me the question, I perked up a little bit.
"Hmmmm.... Maybe I should get back at it".
So, here I am blogging.....and realizing that it's now only a few months until Liberty 1/2 iron and then only a few months to Ironman. So, accountability on all fronts (full-assed, maybe) is important now.
So thanks, Cheryl. I appreciate you more than you know.
Back to Tri U Mah: I did okay, but did not PR (see above for half-assed training efforts comment. You get what you train for and, although I was swimming, biking and riding, it was more leisurely (half-assed) than it should have been). I swim .848 miles, biked 8.08 miles and ran 2.59 miles for a total of 11.508. Not sure yet where this puts me in my Age Group. Definitely was an eye opener that it is time to actually put in the time.....
Chery, Marcia, Gary, Angel, Rick, Jumper, and Bev also did well today.
My biggest cheers, though, go to Hubby. This was his second Tri U Mah, fourth indoor triathlon. Truth be told, he isn't a big fan of the water. Or better said, being IN the water. (He loves boating and sailing. It is the swimming that he could take or leave). Once he is done with the swim, he is fine. He is a good biker and a good runner, so today, he once again, mastered the beast known as The Pool and had a great showing at Tri U Mah.
I'm so proud of him I could just squeeze him! I think I will.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
First big snow...
Hubby and I are hunkered down at home tonight.
We are getting our first "significant" snow for the winter 2011/2012 season. Ultimately, we are supposed to get about 3 inches of the fluffy stuff....so, all in all, not that much, but......just not really ready for it. Even if it is December 3rd and we do live in Minnesota.
Not a lot of changes to report.
Oscar is doing well. Tolerating his medicine, playing like a kitten and appearing to be totally healthy. Yea on that one.
STILL no word on what is happening with my job. We were supposed to know by the end of October ==, er.....no, November.... errrrr..... um, at this point, who knows when the final decision will be made. I have had a couple of interviews for the positions I've posted for, but no word for any of us on next steps since before Thanksgiving.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, Hubby and I took our annual trip to California to spend the holiday with my brother and his family. My younger sister and her husband came too.... our older sister wasn't able to travel this year, and I was sad about her not being able to join us.
We spent a lot of time at Stinson Beach -- walking the beach, watching the sunsets, running outside, hanging with family. It was great. I absolutely love that part of the country and if I could figure out a way to live there, I'd be there in a heartbeat.
My running continues to improve (yea), but I've been very lazy about doing much else. I "blame" travel, but what it really boils down to is the need for some time off.
But December 1st marked the ten-month countdown start to IMoo, so it is time to get my arse back in the pool and back in the saddle.
I am finalizing my race plans for next year -- have registered for a few events already and am looking forward to a healthy, injury free, happy 2012.
How about YOU?
We are getting our first "significant" snow for the winter 2011/2012 season. Ultimately, we are supposed to get about 3 inches of the fluffy stuff....so, all in all, not that much, but......just not really ready for it. Even if it is December 3rd and we do live in Minnesota.
Not a lot of changes to report.
Oscar is doing well. Tolerating his medicine, playing like a kitten and appearing to be totally healthy. Yea on that one.
STILL no word on what is happening with my job. We were supposed to know by the end of October ==, er.....no, November.... errrrr..... um, at this point, who knows when the final decision will be made. I have had a couple of interviews for the positions I've posted for, but no word for any of us on next steps since before Thanksgiving.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, Hubby and I took our annual trip to California to spend the holiday with my brother and his family. My younger sister and her husband came too.... our older sister wasn't able to travel this year, and I was sad about her not being able to join us.
We spent a lot of time at Stinson Beach -- walking the beach, watching the sunsets, running outside, hanging with family. It was great. I absolutely love that part of the country and if I could figure out a way to live there, I'd be there in a heartbeat.
My running continues to improve (yea), but I've been very lazy about doing much else. I "blame" travel, but what it really boils down to is the need for some time off.
But December 1st marked the ten-month countdown start to IMoo, so it is time to get my arse back in the pool and back in the saddle.
I am finalizing my race plans for next year -- have registered for a few events already and am looking forward to a healthy, injury free, happy 2012.
How about YOU?
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Muy short and sweet
My last few posts have been pretty L O N G and involved.
This one should be pretty short and sweet....just a "catch up", really.
I just got back from spending some time in Naples, Florida. I was there for work, facilitating a workshop for about 25 sales people attending a 2012 Planning Offsite. (The offsite was held at a Ritz Carlton resort. Muy fancy. Muy nice. Muy expensive.....)
But the muy-est part of the trip was that I got a chance to see a very good friend of mine that moved to Naples five years ago -- Mary B.
Mary B and I met a long time ago, when we were both training to run Grandma's Marathon. We became fast, furious friends. Ran many a race together; did a lot of training together. She and her husband, Trevor, were two of a handful of friends that came to Las Vegas to attend Hubby's and my wedding....
Shortly after we were married, Trevor found a work opportunity too good to pass up that required them to move to Naples, so off they went.
Mary and I stayed in touch over the years, but we hadn't seen each other since they left Minneapolis, so it was wonderful to be able to see each other while I was in Naples.
We had dinner last night and then Mary and I got together for a run this morning. It was like old times, trotting together and sharing the details of our lives. It was muy great.
-----
Oscar seems to be holding his own. The medicine is keeping any fluids build up at bay and he is playing, eating and sleeping just like a 'normal' cat. He goes back in for a check up next week and I'm hoping that the disease hasn't progressed much or, better yet, that the vet made a big fat mistake and that he is fine. "More will be revealed". Muy bien.
------
I had two interviews this week for jobs -- these were the standard, behavior-based questions that are routine for first interviews.
"Tell me about a time when you XXXX (successfully managed a project; had to build relationships with multiple business lines; had to deliver training to an audience that wasn't receptive, etc.). What did you to to YYYY (make it successful; ensure success; bridge gaps; identify opportunities, etc.".
Second interviews will be scheduled for after Thanksgiving, it looks like my job status will be a bit unsettled in to early December now. Still keeping my fingers muy crossed for the best.
-------
Speaking of Thanksgiving, I've been putting together a list of all the things I'm grateful for and am trying to review it -- and add to it -- every day.
On the top of my list is being grateful for having my health, because I know that without that, nothing else matters. Muy amen.
----
Finally, my birthday is coming up. I'll finally be my 2011 USA Triathlon age -- for a few weeks, anyway. I was supposed to go to North Dakota on a girl's road trip with some friends to visit Nat, but the weather is not supposed to cooperate. So now the birthday plan is to get in a workout or two, have some cake and be very, very low key.
Sounds muy perfect.
This one should be pretty short and sweet....just a "catch up", really.
I just got back from spending some time in Naples, Florida. I was there for work, facilitating a workshop for about 25 sales people attending a 2012 Planning Offsite. (The offsite was held at a Ritz Carlton resort. Muy fancy. Muy nice. Muy expensive.....)
But the muy-est part of the trip was that I got a chance to see a very good friend of mine that moved to Naples five years ago -- Mary B.
Mary B and I met a long time ago, when we were both training to run Grandma's Marathon. We became fast, furious friends. Ran many a race together; did a lot of training together. She and her husband, Trevor, were two of a handful of friends that came to Las Vegas to attend Hubby's and my wedding....
Shortly after we were married, Trevor found a work opportunity too good to pass up that required them to move to Naples, so off they went.
Mary and I stayed in touch over the years, but we hadn't seen each other since they left Minneapolis, so it was wonderful to be able to see each other while I was in Naples.
We had dinner last night and then Mary and I got together for a run this morning. It was like old times, trotting together and sharing the details of our lives. It was muy great.
-----
Oscar seems to be holding his own. The medicine is keeping any fluids build up at bay and he is playing, eating and sleeping just like a 'normal' cat. He goes back in for a check up next week and I'm hoping that the disease hasn't progressed much or, better yet, that the vet made a big fat mistake and that he is fine. "More will be revealed". Muy bien.
------
I had two interviews this week for jobs -- these were the standard, behavior-based questions that are routine for first interviews.
"Tell me about a time when you XXXX (successfully managed a project; had to build relationships with multiple business lines; had to deliver training to an audience that wasn't receptive, etc.). What did you to to YYYY (make it successful; ensure success; bridge gaps; identify opportunities, etc.".
Second interviews will be scheduled for after Thanksgiving, it looks like my job status will be a bit unsettled in to early December now. Still keeping my fingers muy crossed for the best.
-------
Speaking of Thanksgiving, I've been putting together a list of all the things I'm grateful for and am trying to review it -- and add to it -- every day.
On the top of my list is being grateful for having my health, because I know that without that, nothing else matters. Muy amen.
----
Finally, my birthday is coming up. I'll finally be my 2011 USA Triathlon age -- for a few weeks, anyway. I was supposed to go to North Dakota on a girl's road trip with some friends to visit Nat, but the weather is not supposed to cooperate. So now the birthday plan is to get in a workout or two, have some cake and be very, very low key.
Sounds muy perfect.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Faith and the "New Normal"
If you pick up a newspaper, watch the news or work for pretty much any corporation in the United States, you are familiar with the term "New Normal".
It seems to mostly be associated with the economy; with the ways and means we are supposed to be getting the economic engine revving again so that people can go back to work and companies can see profits and stock prices rise. (Or, as it really seems to mean, so that companies can see profits and stock prices rise and then people can go back to work...).
Yet, no one -- not the politicians, not the heads of corporations, not most individuals -- seem to be able to define with the term really means.
What is NORMAL these days?
I believe most of us are just trying to find some stable ground again. Ground that feels solid for longer than a day or two. So we find ourselves sort of waiting it out...applying approaches from total denial to those that are difficult (right sizing; closing doors; leaving jobs/houses).
The New Normal is hard enough to define this on a macro-level -- figuring out the world at large. It is equally as difficult to define this on a micro-level -- figuring out what it means within our little lives.
Which brings me to Oscar, our 11-month old kitten.
We adopted Oscar and his sister, Kishka, last March on Hubby's birthday. The kittens were one of six that had been born in January.
After losing Kirby, Hubby's cat, very suddenly a year earlier, we finally had healed enough and decided to bring two more cats in to our house to join us, Lefty and Callie.
Hubby's son's girlfriend had a friend with a cat that had delivered a litter and after we saw pictures of the fuzz balls, we decided it was time to add to our brood.
Kishka, named after the famed Polish polka song, "Who Stole the Kishka", got her name because she too is "round and firm and fully packed". She is the smaller of the two, black and white and adorable.
Oscar is grey and fluffy. He is as outgoing and as social as they come. Loves people, loves to be in the thick of things. Loves me (follows me every where; sleeps near my head).
We have loved having them in the house and, although it took a bit of time, Lefty and Callie seem to be happy to have them with us too.
Last Saturday, we started our then "normal" day. Woke up, ate breakfast and started our day. I took some time to watch some t.v. and have some coffee and Oscar joined me on the couch.
When I got up to really get going in my day, Oscar stayed put. Slightly unusual, but nothing alarming. As the day went on, though he really didn't budge. Slightly alarming. I ran an errand and after I got home, Hubby was sitting on the couch next to Oscar.
"Has he moved since you got home?", I asked.
"Not that I noticed", replied Hubby. Now more alarming.
I noticed that Oscar's breathing was a bit labored. We decided that he must have eaten something that didn't agree with him and that he was merely sleeping it off.
We ran one more errand and when we got home on hour later, Oscar's breathing was much worse and we knew it was time to take him in to the Vet.
We've had lots of experience taking our cats in to the University of Minnesota Vet Hospital. Ungodly expensive, but the best care in the region, as far as I'm concerned.
Oscar went in about 8:00 pm and they immediately put him in oxygen and started to try to diagnose.
He wasn't stable enough for them to do much that night, but they did take an x-ay which indicated fluid around his heart, which meant either pneumonia or heart failure.
What? Heart failure? The cat is only 11-months old! How can his heart be old enough to fail? With two older cats in the family, I knew it was only a matter of time before their time would come, but OSCAR?
The news stupefied us.
We left Oscar at the U -- they started a course of diuretics to reduce the fluid and we hoped for the best.
On Sunday morning, the Vet called and said that his condition had improved dramatically (!). They were able to run a few more tests and when the called with the results, the news was bad.
Oscar has a congenital form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy == a condition which causes the heart ventricles to become thick, which weakens the heart, which can cause heart failure.
Heart failure in cats is not curable, and we are now looking at a dramatically shortened lifespan for this tiny, loving cat. The worst case scenario gives Oscar about 3 months. The best, not much more than that, but as the Vet says, "Cats like to prove us wrong". I'm keeping my paws crossed....
What we can do, is to lessen the likelihood of fluid buildup by giving Oscar two small dosages of Lasix (a diuretic) and we can make him happy and comfortable for as long as we can.
A routine we have to build in to our "new normal" of daily life and activities.
For now, Oscar is "normal". He is eating, drinking, playing, purring and still as cuddly as ever. You wouldn't guess that there is any thing wrong with him at all. (My 'normal' reaction to this is, naturally: the diagnosis was wrong; he is fine. Some might call this denial....).
But I'm going to hold on to this for as long as I can because I can.
Before his diagnosis, I envisioned how Hubby and my lives would continue to progress as time moved us forward.
We'd continue to work (in my fantasy, I would retain my job -- a situation that is still up in the air); we'd continue to travel, to golf, I'd still do tris until I started to really look bad in spandex -- eventually we'd retire and we'd spend half the year some where warm.
In all of the scenarios that I envisioned, Oscar and Kishka were there with us, growing older with us, sharing experiences and life with us.
Now, even my future fantasy scenarios are impacted by the "new normal".
I am not happy about this -- not one bit.
What I do need to try to lean on, though, is the same thing I've been trying to lean on through all the other adjustments I've been trying to make to try to embrace the macro-New Normal -- faith.
Not the "religious" type of faith....that isn't my thing. Rather faith in that universe knows what it's doing. That there is a reason for every thing and that some how, some way it will all be okay. The outcomes may not be (and in this case definitely won't be) what I want them to be, but that there is a rhyme and reason for all things.
This belief is so easy when times are easy. Not so much when times are tough.
But I'm trying my best to believe and trying to embrace the New Normal.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Euphemisms and Lessons Learned
While I am having a very hard time wrapping my head around the fact that it is OCTOBER, we happen to be having unseasonably warm weather this week -- temps are in the 80s, so the fact that the year has flown by so quickly is a little easier to take.
The leaves are also almost in full peak colors, so it is really, really beautiful outside.
Unfortunately, I've had to spend the bulk of every day working -- but I have been able to get on my bike and to walk outside a bit each day.
Tomorrow, I also get to spend the day on the golf course, playing a round as part of a Community Support event sponsored by the company I work for....I'm very, very much looking forward to this. I really need a little time to be outside and to breathe.
The stress level has ratcheted up in a big way since Ironman.
I work for a big company. I've worked for this big company for a lot of years. I've been happy, productive and successful.
I've been lucky.
I found out shortly before the race that, in an effort to "reduce redundancies and increase efficiencies", that my position was "mapped" to a new work team. And, although I've been "mapped", I haven't yet been "selected", meaning I may have a job; I may not.
I didn't have a choice. The group I worked for didn't have a choice. I just got the call one day from HR and that was that.
On the one hand, I am grateful that I'm still in the game, so to speak. I haven't been "displaced". It is "business as usual" for the time being, until the yet-unsubstantiated "selection" process is defined.
But nothing about this is usual. I don't know what criteria will be used to determine if I have a job or not (meaning do I interview? Do I have a choice about the job? The work?). I don't know, if I get "displaced", what terms will be presented to help keep me afloat.
I've been told that I shouldn't worry. That with my talent, my skills and my abilities, that I'll have a job and all will be well.
Yet, every day that goes by, I find out about other talented, skillful colleagues have been offered a "package" and are out the door. Lesson: there are no guarantees.
I'm resentful because I didn't ask for this. I'm resentful because I'm worried and there are less qualified people that remain with the business that aren't in this position at all. I'm resentful because the recession, which was supposed to be over a long time ago, isn't. I'm resentful because the politicians just keep playing politics, instead of getting real work done.
(I mean really: debate of gay marriage? Why aren't they creating jobs? Looking at alternative energy? Looking at education reform? Changing any thing of real importance? WHY IS BACHMANN GETTING ANY ATTENTION at ALL?).
I know that I'm not the only person that has gone through this over the last few years. I have been lucky to have a job through some very rough economic periods. I'm lucky that I have no debt (outside a mortgage payment) and that Hubby's job seems secure for now. The best luck I have on my side, though, is my health, for without that, I'd be really in trouble.
I should know by the end of October which direction Compass will point me...I'll either have a job or I won't. I just have to hold on and to try not to let the stress get too much of me.
--------------
In the midst of all of this, I decided to hire a new Coach --Actually, he is an "old" coach of mine. I used him when Nat and I trained for our first half ironman.
I've been lucky to work with a lot of really great coaches over the years. The coach that I used for the last two years is utterly awesome. Love him. But, I never felt that I was an athlete that was in his league. The most of his folks are podium finishers; die-hards; naturally talented.
I struggled this last year to get much attention from him and by the time Imoo rolled around, I was well trained, but felt incredibly detached from him, and honestly, that hurt a lot.
Right before I left for Madison, out of the blue, I received an email from my half-iron coach. He sent me good luck wishes for a great race.
When I was out on the run course, he was there, cheering with the crowds. He spotted me and came out to give me a great big hug. He knew, based on the clock, that I was cutting it close, but he gave me a little pep talk and sent me on my way.
When I got back to Minneapolis, after my DNF, I thought for a L O N G about what my plan for 2012 should be. I decided to go back to Greg. We started our training plan this week.
I guess what I've learned from this experience, that it is very hard to "fire" someone. I struggled for a long time about moving from one Coach to another.
When the time came, I just had to tell the truth, though. That it was better for me to work with someone that could provide me more attention; that worked more effectively with people of my ability and skills. That it was nothing personal.
Lesson learned: If I see HR show up at my office with "that look", I hope they can tell me the truth and not try to just cover the facts with a lot of pretty words.
Oh. And it's just business. It's nothing personal....
The leaves are also almost in full peak colors, so it is really, really beautiful outside.
Unfortunately, I've had to spend the bulk of every day working -- but I have been able to get on my bike and to walk outside a bit each day.
Tomorrow, I also get to spend the day on the golf course, playing a round as part of a Community Support event sponsored by the company I work for....I'm very, very much looking forward to this. I really need a little time to be outside and to breathe.
The stress level has ratcheted up in a big way since Ironman.
I work for a big company. I've worked for this big company for a lot of years. I've been happy, productive and successful.
I've been lucky.
I found out shortly before the race that, in an effort to "reduce redundancies and increase efficiencies", that my position was "mapped" to a new work team. And, although I've been "mapped", I haven't yet been "selected", meaning I may have a job; I may not.
I didn't have a choice. The group I worked for didn't have a choice. I just got the call one day from HR and that was that.
On the one hand, I am grateful that I'm still in the game, so to speak. I haven't been "displaced". It is "business as usual" for the time being, until the yet-unsubstantiated "selection" process is defined.
But nothing about this is usual. I don't know what criteria will be used to determine if I have a job or not (meaning do I interview? Do I have a choice about the job? The work?). I don't know, if I get "displaced", what terms will be presented to help keep me afloat.
I've been told that I shouldn't worry. That with my talent, my skills and my abilities, that I'll have a job and all will be well.
Yet, every day that goes by, I find out about other talented, skillful colleagues have been offered a "package" and are out the door. Lesson: there are no guarantees.
I'm resentful because I didn't ask for this. I'm resentful because I'm worried and there are less qualified people that remain with the business that aren't in this position at all. I'm resentful because the recession, which was supposed to be over a long time ago, isn't. I'm resentful because the politicians just keep playing politics, instead of getting real work done.
(I mean really: debate of gay marriage? Why aren't they creating jobs? Looking at alternative energy? Looking at education reform? Changing any thing of real importance? WHY IS BACHMANN GETTING ANY ATTENTION at ALL?).
I know that I'm not the only person that has gone through this over the last few years. I have been lucky to have a job through some very rough economic periods. I'm lucky that I have no debt (outside a mortgage payment) and that Hubby's job seems secure for now. The best luck I have on my side, though, is my health, for without that, I'd be really in trouble.
I should know by the end of October which direction Compass will point me...I'll either have a job or I won't. I just have to hold on and to try not to let the stress get too much of me.
--------------
In the midst of all of this, I decided to hire a new Coach --Actually, he is an "old" coach of mine. I used him when Nat and I trained for our first half ironman.
I've been lucky to work with a lot of really great coaches over the years. The coach that I used for the last two years is utterly awesome. Love him. But, I never felt that I was an athlete that was in his league. The most of his folks are podium finishers; die-hards; naturally talented.
I struggled this last year to get much attention from him and by the time Imoo rolled around, I was well trained, but felt incredibly detached from him, and honestly, that hurt a lot.
Right before I left for Madison, out of the blue, I received an email from my half-iron coach. He sent me good luck wishes for a great race.
When I was out on the run course, he was there, cheering with the crowds. He spotted me and came out to give me a great big hug. He knew, based on the clock, that I was cutting it close, but he gave me a little pep talk and sent me on my way.
When I got back to Minneapolis, after my DNF, I thought for a L O N G about what my plan for 2012 should be. I decided to go back to Greg. We started our training plan this week.
I guess what I've learned from this experience, that it is very hard to "fire" someone. I struggled for a long time about moving from one Coach to another.
When the time came, I just had to tell the truth, though. That it was better for me to work with someone that could provide me more attention; that worked more effectively with people of my ability and skills. That it was nothing personal.
Lesson learned: If I see HR show up at my office with "that look", I hope they can tell me the truth and not try to just cover the facts with a lot of pretty words.
Oh. And it's just business. It's nothing personal....
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Changes, Recovery and Refocus
It certainly didn't take long for the season to start changing from summer to fall. The temps have dropped dramatically; leaves are starting to change and it is dark by 7:30 pm now.
Recover week means doing very little but resting, eating, sleeping and resting some more. I have to say that, while I'm enjoying some longer snoozes in the morning, I am looking forward to getting back to some easy "maintenance" workouts.
I'll go to watch my friend Mary's son play in his high school homecoming football game on Friday night, I'll golf on Saturday and on Sunday I plan to join some friends for what is sure to be one of the last open water swims for this year.
I can start doing some short runs again soon; won't be long before I get back on the bike, but really only just for fun now, as the 2011 season draws to a close.
I will do a couple other races this year: The Monster 10 miler; maybe the Reindeer Run 5K and maybe one on or near New Year's Day....
I'll also be able to register for Tri U Mah 2012 on October 1st and can doing some 2012 event planning soon, as a number of races I want to do have already landed on dates and some have early registration open.
I'm giving some thought to training plans for 2012 -- where to do Masters swims; training program and coaching options; race ideas. No decisions yet. Just kicking around some ideas.
Changes abound right now. Professionally, personally, seasonally and athletically. Should be interesting to see how they all unfold.
Recover week means doing very little but resting, eating, sleeping and resting some more. I have to say that, while I'm enjoying some longer snoozes in the morning, I am looking forward to getting back to some easy "maintenance" workouts.
I'll go to watch my friend Mary's son play in his high school homecoming football game on Friday night, I'll golf on Saturday and on Sunday I plan to join some friends for what is sure to be one of the last open water swims for this year.
I can start doing some short runs again soon; won't be long before I get back on the bike, but really only just for fun now, as the 2011 season draws to a close.
I will do a couple other races this year: The Monster 10 miler; maybe the Reindeer Run 5K and maybe one on or near New Year's Day....
I'll also be able to register for Tri U Mah 2012 on October 1st and can doing some 2012 event planning soon, as a number of races I want to do have already landed on dates and some have early registration open.
I'm giving some thought to training plans for 2012 -- where to do Masters swims; training program and coaching options; race ideas. No decisions yet. Just kicking around some ideas.
Changes abound right now. Professionally, personally, seasonally and athletically. Should be interesting to see how they all unfold.
Monday, September 12, 2011
DNF but okay with it....
Yes, it is true.
I pulled out of IM WI yesterday at mile 14 of the marathon, at about 9:05 pm.
Second year attempting to cross the line. Second DNF.
I made the decision to pull out after figuring that there would be no way I could run a negative split to get to the finish before the magic midnight hour. (Had "run" the first half in about 3 hours and 15 minutes or so.... and it was not pretty).
In making the decision, I had to be sure that I could live with it. That I wouldn't wake up today and regret it. As strange as this may sound, I don't and I can.
Why?
Because race day -- and the days leading up to it -- were not a total loss.
What went well:
What went wrong:
My reply: "Fine...just stretching my back."
"Um....you have enough water?"
"Yes."
"Um...how ya feeling?"
(I thought I had answered that...) "Fine."
"You look a little hot."
"Okay..."
"So, you want to sit in the shade a bit?"
(Not really, but are you hinting???) "So how are the riders handling the heat?"
"We are having lots of them sit in the shade for a few minutes.... wanna sit in the shade?"
(Okay, hint taken.) I got off my bike and joined a few people who were also cooling down.
I rolled in to transition waaaaaay later than I wanted to and knew that finishing the run on time would be stretch.
My running training had suffered this year, with early lack of mo-jo and then a late, nagging heel injury. My coach and I had been banking on me getting off the bike in enough time to mostly walk the marathon. My plan was to run a 3 minute/1 minute walk routine, which I started, but had some struggles keeping. I adjusted to a 2/1 routine, but my pace was off, off, off and it became apparent I was not going to be able to make midnight.
I had lots of friends out on the course who tried to get me to run more/faster, but it wasn't where my head was at. And where the head is at, the feet will follow....so, by about mile 7, I started to think that getting to the half, picking up my Special Needs bag (because I wanted the card that Hubby slipped in there), and then dropping out sounded like a good idea.
And that is what I did.
The really bad news: for as much as I prepared, the real struggle for me has always been (and continues to be, apparently), the ongoing argument with my mind.
As much as I've heard "the body can take 20 times more than the mind thinks it can", I have not been extremely successful at countering it when it woos me with it's crazy talk. Be it "you aren't good enough/young enough/thin enough/speedy enough/whatever enough" or, "just stop. It will feel soooooo good", I am not always prepared with a counter offer.
I have 360+ days to come up with a good one.
I pulled out of IM WI yesterday at mile 14 of the marathon, at about 9:05 pm.
Second year attempting to cross the line. Second DNF.
I made the decision to pull out after figuring that there would be no way I could run a negative split to get to the finish before the magic midnight hour. (Had "run" the first half in about 3 hours and 15 minutes or so.... and it was not pretty).
In making the decision, I had to be sure that I could live with it. That I wouldn't wake up today and regret it. As strange as this may sound, I don't and I can.
Why?
Because race day -- and the days leading up to it -- were not a total loss.
What went well:
- I went in to this race incredibly calm. I felt more competent and prepared this year.
- My swim was 4 minutes faster than last year.
- My transition times tightened up.
- My nutrition was fine. (Last year, I got was so nauseous by the time I got out to the run, I couldn't eat any thing. The only things that appealed to me were ice chips, coke (which they ran out of) and chicken broth (which was cold). This year, there was plenty of coke (which, as a non-soda drinker, I have a new found appreciation for its power to bring you back to life when you are running) AND the chicken broth was warm and salty. Perfect!)
- Instead of hating the crowds (as I did last year), I had fun with them -- even during the run.
- I had a GREAT first 58 miles on the bike (averaging over 15 mph, versus 13 last year). Also had a great ride back in to town after the hills (averaging 14.8 mph).
- I had tons of support out on the course, which I really appreciated. Hubby, Nat, Lance, Angel, Rick, Mary, Jim, Gary, Marcia, Marty, Pam, Kurt, Eric, Greg, Patrick and Beverly just to name a few faces I was so very, very happy to see out on the course.
- I remembered to be grateful.
- I remembered to look up and to see the day.
- I had fun in the days up to the race hanging out with Nat doing some pre race swims and stuff.
- It was a nice weekend with my husband.
- My other IM WI friends did GREAT! Congrats to: Ali, Debbie, Cindy, Mark, Alyssa, Kirk and MIKE WIMMER!!!!
What went wrong:
- After that awesome first 58 miles, the second loop went south in a big way. Not sure if the day was too hot, or what, but I got very uncomfortable on the bike. My average pace dropped like a stone to just about 10 mph. Pitiful. Screwed up my plan to get back in to transition and out on the run course by 5:00 pm at the latest
- Things that usually didn't bother me while riding. did. My shoes got terribly uncomfortable. (I may try some gel inserts to add some cushion). My "hoo ha", which never, every bothers me, really, really bothered me. (And I even had Hoo Ha Ride Glide packets, which I bought as a "joke" and didn't use. Dumb me.) My hands hurt (the tape on my handle bars came loose). Hubby had asked me if I was going to use gloves. "Why?", I replied. "My hands never bother me." Dumb me.
- I stopped at the water stop in Cross Plains to stretch my back a little, where the following conversation with a happy volunteer occurred:
My reply: "Fine...just stretching my back."
"Um....you have enough water?"
"Yes."
"Um...how ya feeling?"
(I thought I had answered that...) "Fine."
"You look a little hot."
"Okay..."
"So, you want to sit in the shade a bit?"
(Not really, but are you hinting???) "So how are the riders handling the heat?"
"We are having lots of them sit in the shade for a few minutes.... wanna sit in the shade?"
(Okay, hint taken.) I got off my bike and joined a few people who were also cooling down.
I rolled in to transition waaaaaay later than I wanted to and knew that finishing the run on time would be stretch.
My running training had suffered this year, with early lack of mo-jo and then a late, nagging heel injury. My coach and I had been banking on me getting off the bike in enough time to mostly walk the marathon. My plan was to run a 3 minute/1 minute walk routine, which I started, but had some struggles keeping. I adjusted to a 2/1 routine, but my pace was off, off, off and it became apparent I was not going to be able to make midnight.
I had lots of friends out on the course who tried to get me to run more/faster, but it wasn't where my head was at. And where the head is at, the feet will follow....so, by about mile 7, I started to think that getting to the half, picking up my Special Needs bag (because I wanted the card that Hubby slipped in there), and then dropping out sounded like a good idea.
And that is what I did.
The really bad news: for as much as I prepared, the real struggle for me has always been (and continues to be, apparently), the ongoing argument with my mind.
As much as I've heard "the body can take 20 times more than the mind thinks it can", I have not been extremely successful at countering it when it woos me with it's crazy talk. Be it "you aren't good enough/young enough/thin enough/speedy enough/whatever enough" or, "just stop. It will feel soooooo good", I am not always prepared with a counter offer.
I have 360+ days to come up with a good one.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
It's Heeerrreeee....
No, not the aliens or even that very strange blond little girl from the movie.....
Ironman Wisconsin is tomorrow. It is here.
I can't believe how quickly the year flew by. I can't quite grasp that it is already September. Amazing.
Hubby and I have been in Madison since last Thursday.... got my packet Thursday; went to the dinner and official meeting on Friday; spend MOOla at the expo (MOO, of course, because it is IMOO...); Got a couple swims in; a quick bike and a quick run.
I'm feeling strangely calm about tomorrow. Probably because I made the trip down here several times and am less afraid of the bike course. Could be because I did the Madison Open Water Swim event as a 2.4 mile practice of the course. Maybe because I understand more of what I'm up against tomorrow. Who really cares why.... I'm just going with it.
Natalie and Lance got here yesterday. Angel, Rick, Patrick and Beverly are here now.....Marcia, Gary, Marty, Mary and Jim come later today and tomorrow.... It is really wonderful to have such supportive friends (and Spouse!) here to watch, volunteer and support. I have no way to appropriately repay them for this.
Other friends I've trained with are excited for their Ironman day too: Ali, Debbie, Cindy, Madonna, John, Mike W, Mark....AND friends like Eric, Helen, Steve, Ray, Kurt, Pam, Greg, Badgergirl and JWimm will be out there too - some volunteering; some just cheering, but I'm sure to "feel the love" (or at least hear the screams) while we are out there on the course.
One friend that won't be competing is Denny Johnson. He was in Boulder in August to watch some friends do IM Boulder 70.3 and went out for a training ride, when he had a very bad accident. Broke his helmet, bones and ended up with a severe brain injury. He was in a coma for almost a month and passed away a week ago. He was so excited to do IM WI.....it is a rotten shame that he won't be here to compete -- won't be here any more, but his spirit certainly lives on, as many of us here knew him and will carry him with us tomorrow.
So, when I hit those dark spots -- when I've hit "the line" as the Endurance Nation folks call it, and I need to have that "one thing" to grab on to, I'll be grabbing on to gratitude. For being alive; for being able to be here; for my health; my sobriety; my husband; my family; my friends. And I'll pass a silent prayer on for Denny. Then I'll take that next step.
Ironman Wisconsin is tomorrow. It is here.
I can't believe how quickly the year flew by. I can't quite grasp that it is already September. Amazing.
Hubby and I have been in Madison since last Thursday.... got my packet Thursday; went to the dinner and official meeting on Friday; spend MOOla at the expo (MOO, of course, because it is IMOO...); Got a couple swims in; a quick bike and a quick run.
I'm feeling strangely calm about tomorrow. Probably because I made the trip down here several times and am less afraid of the bike course. Could be because I did the Madison Open Water Swim event as a 2.4 mile practice of the course. Maybe because I understand more of what I'm up against tomorrow. Who really cares why.... I'm just going with it.
Natalie and Lance got here yesterday. Angel, Rick, Patrick and Beverly are here now.....Marcia, Gary, Marty, Mary and Jim come later today and tomorrow.... It is really wonderful to have such supportive friends (and Spouse!) here to watch, volunteer and support. I have no way to appropriately repay them for this.
Other friends I've trained with are excited for their Ironman day too: Ali, Debbie, Cindy, Madonna, John, Mike W, Mark....AND friends like Eric, Helen, Steve, Ray, Kurt, Pam, Greg, Badgergirl and JWimm will be out there too - some volunteering; some just cheering, but I'm sure to "feel the love" (or at least hear the screams) while we are out there on the course.
One friend that won't be competing is Denny Johnson. He was in Boulder in August to watch some friends do IM Boulder 70.3 and went out for a training ride, when he had a very bad accident. Broke his helmet, bones and ended up with a severe brain injury. He was in a coma for almost a month and passed away a week ago. He was so excited to do IM WI.....it is a rotten shame that he won't be here to compete -- won't be here any more, but his spirit certainly lives on, as many of us here knew him and will carry him with us tomorrow.
So, when I hit those dark spots -- when I've hit "the line" as the Endurance Nation folks call it, and I need to have that "one thing" to grab on to, I'll be grabbing on to gratitude. For being alive; for being able to be here; for my health; my sobriety; my husband; my family; my friends. And I'll pass a silent prayer on for Denny. Then I'll take that next step.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Banished
So the summer and Ironman training are quickly coming to an end.
I have my last "official" event of the season tomorrow morning. A 2.4 mile swim in Lake Monona, as part of the Madison Open Water Swim event.
The course will mimic Ironman's route, so I'm doing it as a practice event. After I'm done, I'll ride my bike for about 70 miles, doing the stick and one loop of hills and then it is back to Minneapolis.
I'm in Madison by myself. None of my friends that are doing Wisconsin signed up for this event. I do have one other swimming buddy down here, but we are really only pool and facebook friends. We don't spend a lot of time together outside of the water and cyberspace.
This whole training year has been a little lonely. Natalie moved to North Dakota to marry the love of her life; my other running friends did a couple of shorter tris; the folks that I met through training this year and I are "friendly" but not particularly tight. Plus, I traveled a lot for work this year, so connecting for training runs or rides was pretty tough.
So I did a lot of my training and my events by myself this year. Not terrible, but a little lonely.
In some ways, this was probably pretty good for me, since even though I'll be surrounded by 2,499 other Ironman participants, the race is really just about you. And your endurance. And your thoughts.
I finally got to stay at Memorial Union this time around. Every other time I came down to Madison this year, the Union was booked.
I like staying here as it brings back some very vivid memories of my college days. Some memories are wonderful; some not so wonderful. All in keeping with my trying to make amends to myself for the years I lived here as a young person.
I sat outside on the Terrace for a long time tonight and watched the sunset, the lake and the action. Kids are coming back for the school year and lots of them were enjoying the evening outside -- many with their parents.
I thought about how, when my Dad drove me up here to drop me off for the beginning of my freshman year, I felt like I was being banished from home, Milwaukee and all things familiar.
I really didn't want to come to Madison. All my friends from high school were going to the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee or just to work. I really wanted to stay in Milwaukee and to go to school there, but my Dad put his foot down and that was that.
I thought that the world would end if I couldn't see my friends every day; if I left the comfort of the house, even though my Dad and I were constantly fighting about every thing there was to fight about.
That fall, he drove me up, helped me unpack my stuff in to that tiny dorm room in Witte Hall, took me to dinner and then got in the car and zoomed off down I-94 back to Milwaukee.
And that was that.
It didn't take long before I met a couple girls on my dorm floor that I became friendly with, so I felt a little more comfortable.
I did make the mistake of going back to Milwaukee pretty much every weekend that first semester, trying desperately to catch up with my old friends, who were living their lives pretty well and easily without me.
By the time Winter break came, I had made a number of friends at school and when I went back to Milwaukee for the holiday, a lot of my old friends basically told me I had changed so much that they didn't know me any more -- and they didn't want to get to know the new me.
And that was that.
I came back to Madison that January knowing that my life in Milwaukee was pretty much done and I had to make it in Madison. I found a (non paying) job at a radio station, fell head over heels in love with a boy, got better connected with others and never went back to Milwaukee for longer than a weekend again.
I bring this up now for a number of reasons.
One, I'm here in the hot bed of Memoryland. The Union. For good or for ill, I spent countless hours here. Some -- okay, A LOT of them --when I should have been in class..... Some -- okay MOST of them -- under the influence of some substance or another. So the memories flood back, along with the immense gratitude for having survived those years (and all the ones following) until I finally got sober and started really living my life.
The other big reason for these feelings now is related more to current day. I just found out that I'm being transferred from my current job in to a new position.
I'm working for a company (like many others) that is going through the process of "reducing redundancies and increasing efficiencies". For those of you in Corporateland, you know what that means.
Apparently, what I do is redundant. So, I'm being moved under another umbrella withing the organization.
The good news is that I'm being moved and not eliminated.
The bad news is that I have no choice in this decision. Neither does my business line, my boss or my Executive Management Team.
I happen to really like my job and what I do. I like my boss; for the most part, I like the people I work with. I've been happy, productive and successful for almost six years with this group.
I'm sad to go; I'm uncertain of the future; I feel like I've been banished.
So, in addition to reliving memories from early college years, I've been trying to remind myself that, although the change from Milwaukee to Madison was a tough transition that I really didn't want, it, for the most part, turned out okay.
The new position may be very exciting. It could open up lots of doors. It could be the best thing that happened.
I'm just stuck in the shock of the change and am trying to struggle through it a little bit.
If I can reframe my thoughts a little bit, the transition should be just fine.
At least that is what I'm hoping.
I have my last "official" event of the season tomorrow morning. A 2.4 mile swim in Lake Monona, as part of the Madison Open Water Swim event.
The course will mimic Ironman's route, so I'm doing it as a practice event. After I'm done, I'll ride my bike for about 70 miles, doing the stick and one loop of hills and then it is back to Minneapolis.
I'm in Madison by myself. None of my friends that are doing Wisconsin signed up for this event. I do have one other swimming buddy down here, but we are really only pool and facebook friends. We don't spend a lot of time together outside of the water and cyberspace.
This whole training year has been a little lonely. Natalie moved to North Dakota to marry the love of her life; my other running friends did a couple of shorter tris; the folks that I met through training this year and I are "friendly" but not particularly tight. Plus, I traveled a lot for work this year, so connecting for training runs or rides was pretty tough.
So I did a lot of my training and my events by myself this year. Not terrible, but a little lonely.
In some ways, this was probably pretty good for me, since even though I'll be surrounded by 2,499 other Ironman participants, the race is really just about you. And your endurance. And your thoughts.
I finally got to stay at Memorial Union this time around. Every other time I came down to Madison this year, the Union was booked.
I like staying here as it brings back some very vivid memories of my college days. Some memories are wonderful; some not so wonderful. All in keeping with my trying to make amends to myself for the years I lived here as a young person.
I sat outside on the Terrace for a long time tonight and watched the sunset, the lake and the action. Kids are coming back for the school year and lots of them were enjoying the evening outside -- many with their parents.
I thought about how, when my Dad drove me up here to drop me off for the beginning of my freshman year, I felt like I was being banished from home, Milwaukee and all things familiar.
I really didn't want to come to Madison. All my friends from high school were going to the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee or just to work. I really wanted to stay in Milwaukee and to go to school there, but my Dad put his foot down and that was that.
I thought that the world would end if I couldn't see my friends every day; if I left the comfort of the house, even though my Dad and I were constantly fighting about every thing there was to fight about.
That fall, he drove me up, helped me unpack my stuff in to that tiny dorm room in Witte Hall, took me to dinner and then got in the car and zoomed off down I-94 back to Milwaukee.
And that was that.
It didn't take long before I met a couple girls on my dorm floor that I became friendly with, so I felt a little more comfortable.
I did make the mistake of going back to Milwaukee pretty much every weekend that first semester, trying desperately to catch up with my old friends, who were living their lives pretty well and easily without me.
By the time Winter break came, I had made a number of friends at school and when I went back to Milwaukee for the holiday, a lot of my old friends basically told me I had changed so much that they didn't know me any more -- and they didn't want to get to know the new me.
And that was that.
I came back to Madison that January knowing that my life in Milwaukee was pretty much done and I had to make it in Madison. I found a (non paying) job at a radio station, fell head over heels in love with a boy, got better connected with others and never went back to Milwaukee for longer than a weekend again.
I bring this up now for a number of reasons.
One, I'm here in the hot bed of Memoryland. The Union. For good or for ill, I spent countless hours here. Some -- okay, A LOT of them --when I should have been in class..... Some -- okay MOST of them -- under the influence of some substance or another. So the memories flood back, along with the immense gratitude for having survived those years (and all the ones following) until I finally got sober and started really living my life.
The other big reason for these feelings now is related more to current day. I just found out that I'm being transferred from my current job in to a new position.
I'm working for a company (like many others) that is going through the process of "reducing redundancies and increasing efficiencies". For those of you in Corporateland, you know what that means.
Apparently, what I do is redundant. So, I'm being moved under another umbrella withing the organization.
The good news is that I'm being moved and not eliminated.
The bad news is that I have no choice in this decision. Neither does my business line, my boss or my Executive Management Team.
I happen to really like my job and what I do. I like my boss; for the most part, I like the people I work with. I've been happy, productive and successful for almost six years with this group.
I'm sad to go; I'm uncertain of the future; I feel like I've been banished.
So, in addition to reliving memories from early college years, I've been trying to remind myself that, although the change from Milwaukee to Madison was a tough transition that I really didn't want, it, for the most part, turned out okay.
The new position may be very exciting. It could open up lots of doors. It could be the best thing that happened.
I'm just stuck in the shock of the change and am trying to struggle through it a little bit.
If I can reframe my thoughts a little bit, the transition should be just fine.
At least that is what I'm hoping.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Perspective
I'm on a flight from Salt Lake City back to Minneapolis as I post this. GOGO Inflight internet access is free during the month of August on Delta flights, courtesy of Diet Coke.
We live in interesting times, being able to blog and Facebook and get stock quotes and do google searches from a widow seat located 35,000 feet above the air....
My trip to Salt Lake City was productive on a number of levels. Work went well (delivered an 8 hour training class); wandered the city a bit and got to swim in the Salt Lake City Sport Complex's 50 meter outdoor pool, where every time I came up for air, I could see mountains. Beautiful.
Also did a lot of mental walk throughs of the Ironman bike and run courses. Of course, I cover the 112 and 26.2 mile distances much more quickly in my mind than I will on race day, but I'm trying to really set myself up for knowing the course inside and out.
The one piece of bad new -- very bad news, actually -- was that a triathlon friend of mine died on Tuesday.
Terry Alexander was in his truck last Monday when another oncoming car crossed the center line and hit Terry's truck head on. The two people in the other vehicle died at the scene. Terry was taken to a hospital in St. Paul, where he passed away the following day.
Terry and I used the same training facility and went to a number of the same spin classes and functional strength training classes.
He was quirky in his own way. Always very welcoming, outgoing, talkative and encouraging. He was one of the first people from the training center to include me in breakfast invites (which I never accepted.... ) or to go with a bunch of them this year to New Orleans to do IM NOLA 70.3 with them (which I did not do).
I bumped in to him a few times around the city: once in the parking lot in front of a Panera/PetSmart and again, just recently in the parking lot outside a coffee house. He would chat with me, ask me how training was going, and then provide some advice or inspirational comment.
He wasn't just nice to me. He took time to talk with and encourage everyone in our classes.
He was "A VERY NICE GUY" in the truest sense of the concept.
I am one of those people that probably spends a little too much time worrying about life and death and the meaning of both.
I worry about life cycles and time lines and spend time every week reading obituaries, usually shaking my head at the unfairness of any one under the age of 52 passing away. (You should see me shake my head after reading the obits of people in their 20's or younger. What a gyp!)
I am pretty sure I am a little obsessed about this because my mom died when I was 10; because my dad died when I was 31; because I had a very good friend (my second mother) die when I was 32. Because I've lost a sister to cancer and friends to cancer and suicide. Because I've lost pets that I loved with all my heart and were closer to me emotionally than a lot of humans. Because I spent so much time in my youth in the haze of drugs and alcohol and DIDN'T die....
So Terry's dying in a car accident at age 54-- healthy, strong triathlete Terry -- seems so foolish and senseless to me.
Makes my little rant about "heel issues" seem silly, no?
But I'll carry Terry with me from here on out in my triathlon spirit and mind and hopefully will be able to pass some of his triathlon goodwill along to others for as long as I can.
We live in interesting times, being able to blog and Facebook and get stock quotes and do google searches from a widow seat located 35,000 feet above the air....
My trip to Salt Lake City was productive on a number of levels. Work went well (delivered an 8 hour training class); wandered the city a bit and got to swim in the Salt Lake City Sport Complex's 50 meter outdoor pool, where every time I came up for air, I could see mountains. Beautiful.
Also did a lot of mental walk throughs of the Ironman bike and run courses. Of course, I cover the 112 and 26.2 mile distances much more quickly in my mind than I will on race day, but I'm trying to really set myself up for knowing the course inside and out.
The one piece of bad new -- very bad news, actually -- was that a triathlon friend of mine died on Tuesday.
Terry Alexander was in his truck last Monday when another oncoming car crossed the center line and hit Terry's truck head on. The two people in the other vehicle died at the scene. Terry was taken to a hospital in St. Paul, where he passed away the following day.
Terry and I used the same training facility and went to a number of the same spin classes and functional strength training classes.
He was quirky in his own way. Always very welcoming, outgoing, talkative and encouraging. He was one of the first people from the training center to include me in breakfast invites (which I never accepted.... ) or to go with a bunch of them this year to New Orleans to do IM NOLA 70.3 with them (which I did not do).
I bumped in to him a few times around the city: once in the parking lot in front of a Panera/PetSmart and again, just recently in the parking lot outside a coffee house. He would chat with me, ask me how training was going, and then provide some advice or inspirational comment.
He wasn't just nice to me. He took time to talk with and encourage everyone in our classes.
He was "A VERY NICE GUY" in the truest sense of the concept.
I am one of those people that probably spends a little too much time worrying about life and death and the meaning of both.
I worry about life cycles and time lines and spend time every week reading obituaries, usually shaking my head at the unfairness of any one under the age of 52 passing away. (You should see me shake my head after reading the obits of people in their 20's or younger. What a gyp!)
I am pretty sure I am a little obsessed about this because my mom died when I was 10; because my dad died when I was 31; because I had a very good friend (my second mother) die when I was 32. Because I've lost a sister to cancer and friends to cancer and suicide. Because I've lost pets that I loved with all my heart and were closer to me emotionally than a lot of humans. Because I spent so much time in my youth in the haze of drugs and alcohol and DIDN'T die....
So Terry's dying in a car accident at age 54-- healthy, strong triathlete Terry -- seems so foolish and senseless to me.
Makes my little rant about "heel issues" seem silly, no?
But I'll carry Terry with me from here on out in my triathlon spirit and mind and hopefully will be able to pass some of his triathlon goodwill along to others for as long as I can.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Feeling like a big ol' mess
Time if F L Y I N G by.... Only six weeks until Ironman Wisconsin.
I feel like I could use another sixteen weeks to train!
For the most part, I feel stronger than last year, but am having the darndest time fighting small, nagging injuries.
None are big enough to take me out of the game, they impede my ability to really train as best and hard as I can.
The biggest issue has been with my right heel. I am not entirely sure what happened with it other than I ran with worn out shoes for too long. (Couldn't really "tell" they were worn out because I was using orthotics. They "masked" the feel of the shoe on my foot.)
The first real issue popped up when I was in Des Moines about eight weeks ago (or longer). I went out for a run -- had a great run and by the end, my heel was achy. The longer the evening went on, the less pressure I could put on my foot. The next day, walking was difficult for about half the day and then it got better.
I took a look at my shoes and saw that I had pretty much worn the outside edge off the shoe. So, I bought some new shoes....
Because I was wearing orthotics, I was told to get a neutral shoe. So I got Asics Nimbus. Felt great in the store; did okay at Fargo 1/2 marathon, but both my feet ached after the race. Ran in them for the Minneapolis 1/2 marathon. Ran worse at that event. My feet were really killing me by the end.
Turns out, the pair I bought was a half size too small.
Bought another pair the RIGHT size. Still had heel problems. Sometimes I would be fine; other times, I'd get that ache and would not be able to put much pressure on my foot.
In the meantime, I have been going to see my chiropractor that specializes in ART therapy. He works on the foot (which is P A I N F U L while he is doing it) and then I'd feel better. Until I wouldn't.
We thought it was Achilles Tendinitis; then we thought it might be a bruised heel bone; then we thought it was bruised heel tissue stemming from calf muscles.
So, basically, we don't know what is really causing this issue.
We DON'T think it is a stress fracture, but I'm giving it one more week before I go in to my regular physician to ask for an xray or an MRI just to make sure.
So now: I'm icing (a lot), running in the pool (super boring), went back to my old stabilizer shoes (Kayano) without the orthotics and am praying to the Tri Gods for some relief.
I'm also going to try to tape my heel tomorrow just to see if that helps.
The other piece of news is that I went back to Madison last weekend for a race preview with Endurance Nation.
Had a very good ride for the first portion (stick out and one loop of the hills). Then struggled with the second loop. It was incredibly hot and humid and I'm pretty sure I got dehydrated and over heated. Felt dizzy a number of times, hot then cold. I was just glad it wasn't race day.
Needless to say, I'm feeling a little worried at this point.
If I look at this logically, I have some confidence am confident that race day will go well -- I am stronger. I am biking better. I only missed the Mile 19 cut off last year by 2 minutes.... but, the run (and the other variables, like the weather) concern me.
I have six weeks to heal my heel and get my mental resolve up to snuff.
I feel like I could use another sixteen weeks to train!
For the most part, I feel stronger than last year, but am having the darndest time fighting small, nagging injuries.
None are big enough to take me out of the game, they impede my ability to really train as best and hard as I can.
The biggest issue has been with my right heel. I am not entirely sure what happened with it other than I ran with worn out shoes for too long. (Couldn't really "tell" they were worn out because I was using orthotics. They "masked" the feel of the shoe on my foot.)
The first real issue popped up when I was in Des Moines about eight weeks ago (or longer). I went out for a run -- had a great run and by the end, my heel was achy. The longer the evening went on, the less pressure I could put on my foot. The next day, walking was difficult for about half the day and then it got better.
I took a look at my shoes and saw that I had pretty much worn the outside edge off the shoe. So, I bought some new shoes....
Because I was wearing orthotics, I was told to get a neutral shoe. So I got Asics Nimbus. Felt great in the store; did okay at Fargo 1/2 marathon, but both my feet ached after the race. Ran in them for the Minneapolis 1/2 marathon. Ran worse at that event. My feet were really killing me by the end.
Turns out, the pair I bought was a half size too small.
Bought another pair the RIGHT size. Still had heel problems. Sometimes I would be fine; other times, I'd get that ache and would not be able to put much pressure on my foot.
In the meantime, I have been going to see my chiropractor that specializes in ART therapy. He works on the foot (which is P A I N F U L while he is doing it) and then I'd feel better. Until I wouldn't.
We thought it was Achilles Tendinitis; then we thought it might be a bruised heel bone; then we thought it was bruised heel tissue stemming from calf muscles.
So, basically, we don't know what is really causing this issue.
We DON'T think it is a stress fracture, but I'm giving it one more week before I go in to my regular physician to ask for an xray or an MRI just to make sure.
So now: I'm icing (a lot), running in the pool (super boring), went back to my old stabilizer shoes (Kayano) without the orthotics and am praying to the Tri Gods for some relief.
I'm also going to try to tape my heel tomorrow just to see if that helps.
The other piece of news is that I went back to Madison last weekend for a race preview with Endurance Nation.
Had a very good ride for the first portion (stick out and one loop of the hills). Then struggled with the second loop. It was incredibly hot and humid and I'm pretty sure I got dehydrated and over heated. Felt dizzy a number of times, hot then cold. I was just glad it wasn't race day.
Needless to say, I'm feeling a little worried at this point.
If I look at this logically, I have some confidence am confident that race day will go well -- I am stronger. I am biking better. I only missed the Mile 19 cut off last year by 2 minutes.... but, the run (and the other variables, like the weather) concern me.
I have six weeks to heal my heel and get my mental resolve up to snuff.
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