Sub 14 Would Be Okay...I Guess

  Ever since I started this Ironman adventure I have had alot of friends ask how long it will take me to complete the Ironman. Great question!! Wish I knew the answer. Wind, sickness, bike issues, swim issues, run issues, cramps, too many bathroom breaks, weather and so much more are all variables that can and probably will affect my time. Let's just say I have smooth sailing (which is rare) my time would be, well, I want to say 12 hours and 30 minutes BUT NO. That's only wishful thinking. Honestly I would be really happy with anything sub 14. Being a mom, working several jobs, and having limited time to train will definitely play a major role on my total race time. I'm heading to Placid to put my body to the test (especially mentally) and as long as I see that finish line I will be VERY happy!!!
  There are cutoff times for the Ironman. The swim has to be completed within 2 hours and 20 minutes. The bike has to be completed within 10 hours and 30 minutes and the run must be completed within 17 hours of the start. Realistically I will probably do the swim around 1 hour 20 minutes, the bike around 7 hours and the run around 5 hours. In my dreams I would love to do the swim in 1 hour 17 minutes, the bike in 6 hours 30 minutes and the run in 4 hours 30 minutes. The closer I get to race day the more reality is sinking in. I am becoming continually excited about just finishing the thing even if it takes 17 hours. You just never know what could happen. I totally wouldn't be surprised if it takes me much longer than I think. (Jamie is going to cringe when he hears the next part.) The problem is if I have some sort of unpredicted issue and my time is off big time then I will be dying to do another to prove to myself that I can finish an ironman in a descent time. Let's just pray really hard that things go somewhat smooth and I can at least accomplish this beast within 13:59:59 or less!!!! Sub 14 would be okay, I guess. Not exactly what I was hoping for when I first started this adventure but it is quickly becoming my reality. Could take longer but one thing is for sure no matter how long it takes I have to remind myself that few get to experience such a thing and it will be amazing just to finish!!! God give me strength!!

Some Truth and April Training

Hello Once Again!! April training is over and May training has started. April went pretty well, although I did get sick again. I missed two days of training which wasn't too bad but two days missed is two days missed. I am realizing that ironman training is very hard health wise. I am not willing to compromise my faith, my family time or my work. It's getting harder and harder and usually what goes first is sleep. There is no doubt that I am missing out on some family time too. Thankfully pretty much the only time my family notices that I'm gone is on Sunday’s when I have to do long bike rides followed by a t-run. It could be worse.

Jamie has been such a wonderful support!!! I often can't believe how selfless he is. He is truly the most amazing guy on this planet!! Jamie is helping me fulfill a dream that is only mine. Somehow he is willing to see me through it and often I have no idea why. This leads me to another point...

Ironman training is NEVER about just the athlete. Everyone is cheering the athletes on when we are on course racing but I honestly wish my family and friends could stand up on a platform and get the recognition they deserve!! This sport takes a team. When July 22 comes I want my whole support crew to get a medal. They deserve it so much more than I do. I have never felt so selfish in my life then I have during this training. So much time is scheduled around my training. Feeling selfish is a horrible feeling. I would like to thank some people by name (you can get the idea how many people it takes to train for an Ironman. Every single person has played a key role in my training): Jamie, Tucker, Dad, Mom, Rick, Cheryl, Mike T., Matt, Mariah (mac recipe), Greg T., Aunt Donna, Russ, Mike C, Jill W., Kathy, Tom, Rich, Tina, Matt & Jill H., Jerry H., Greg S., my grandparents, my couch to 5k group, my students, Rachel S., other MTC members, Sustainable Athlete, and many more.

 I want you all to understand that I do love the challenge and I am looking forward to race day but I am trying to be very open about the whole process. It's not all bliss and fun. I hate to be a Debby downer but hear me out. First of all it's incredibly hard to balance life with training. I am constantly fighting exhaustion. Weekly events have to be scheduled around my training. I can't go out with friends Saturday night or any other night of the week or I end up sleep deprived. As soon as Tuck goes to bed I have to go to bed (otherwise we all pay because I get sick) so Jamie and I have limited time together. There have been no date nights. I miss it so much. There have been training days that end in tears due to duration, intensity and/or exhaustion. I am not much of a crier but sometimes I feel like everything has been taken out of me and I am just totally drained. Training for an Ironman is not easy! Jamie often asks me if I had fun after a long ride and I'm not sure how to answer him. It's true, I have put myself in this position and it's my choice but it's not always fun. It's alot of hard work that includes alot of sacrifices. All of my long rides have been alone too which really adds to the mental battle. Last year I was able to do alot of long rides with my team mates who made it fun and enjoyable but this year it's just not working out with my schedule. Riding alone for 4 to 5 hours can be daunting and overwhelming physically and mostly mentally. Thankfully I have been able to do my long runs with a friend which has been a big help. Another thing I have noticed about this Ironman training is my health has been the poorest it's been. My good friend, Tom, said you can be fit but not healthy. SO TRUE!!! I have been sick at least once, sometimes twice, every month this winter. It's partly my fault because I have trained at too high an intensity but it also down to sleep deprivation. I am concerned about my health and am hoping to make a visit to the doctor soon to get some advice. I have cut out all desserts but it doesn't seem to be helping. Bottom line, Ironman training is thrilling and an amazing experience but it doesn't come without its challenges. There are alot of sacrifices that have to be made not only by the one training but by the entire family and friends.

Upside: the experience seems surreal and I still can't believe that I will be an athlete at the Lake Placid Ironman. It really blows my mind. It's also a great feeling to not feel intimated by long distance swims, bikes or runs. It becomes part of your identity. It gives you great confidence. It boosts my mood and helps me be a better mom (when I'm not exhausted). I have gotten jobs due to my triathlon experience and Jamie and I can use every red cent we can get. I have gained alot of experience and have learned so much about triathlons. I have also learned alot about myself and what's important in life. I have learned even more about how amazing Jamie is and how much I adore Tucker. Most importantly I have learned that imbalance is dangerous. God has to be my focus. Ironman training takes alot of time but mental training even takes more time away from God. It's playing with fire. Don't let anyone kid you. I tend to learn things the hard way. But I will tell you, God has blessed me so much during this training even though I feel like I don't deserve it. God is great!!! He gives me every breath, every step, every minute of my day and I am so thankful. God is allowing me to do this Ironman for some reason and it's a privilege. To God be the glory!!!

  April training has included 3,500-4,000 yard swims, bike rides have maxed at 4 hours outside, and runs have included anything from 7 mile runs to 20 mile runs. I had one very hard run due to only 5 hours of sleep the night before and due to what time I ate supper. It was a 16 miler which half way through resulted in me feeling very sick and dead. After a little bit of walking I was able to pick it back up and push through. What a mental ride!!! It’s not fun to run any distance feeling extremely sick. But once it was over I was SO thankful I finished the run. Great Ironman practice, so I hear!!

  May has already started and it started out great with an amazing 4 hour bike ride in Mass followed by a 4ish mile t-run. At first the bike ride was frustrating since I didn’t know where to go but it ended up great. Half way through the ride I rode up Mt Wachusett which was beautiful!! I felt pretty good on the run. Part of me felt fresh and almost as if I never biked but I did fight a cramp from the food I ate on the bike. I will have to work on that.

  Currently I am on my second day of sitting on a lazy boy with the flu. I’m hoping it ends soon since I am getting behind in my training. So, yes, I got sick in May too, already. Aaaaaa!