For the last six days I've been able to call myself an Ironman! It's starting to sink in and feel real, not unlike the time it takes to get used to your new married name, or when I passed my Nursing Exams and could call myself a R.N. These are major "titles", linked to my name. So how am I going to let the added descriptor, "Ironman" define me? If I'm not careful, it would be very easy to allow the perspective of those around me to make me feel self-important and elevated in status. I can certainly see how celebrities get sucked up into believing that they are more than what they truly are. They come to crave the attention, are not satisfied or fulfilled without it, and will do anything to get it. Add to that the obscene monetary compensation...and there you have it. A perfect recipe for CRAZY!!
The past two weeks have been intense to say the least. The week before the race was full of nervous excitement from all those around me. My schools made me banners and signs, and the students gave me hand-made cards full of good luck and wonderful pictures. In one of the cards, a student wrote, "I really hope you can do all that stuff!" I brought that one with me to the race! :-) My friends gave me cards and wrote amazingly thoughtful notes and words of inspiration and encouragement. My family...they were awesome! The girls were keeping it real by having boyfriend, school, and work issues. A wonderful distraction for us all...and a reminder that even in this week, life is MORE than IM!!!! Mike knows me better then anyone. He knows exactly what a need to hear and when I need to hear it. He simply let me know how proud he was already, no matter what happened on race day.
I woke up race morning at 3:45 am. I had been awake almost hourly all night long since I had gone to bed at 8:30, but this was not unexpected. We picked up the girls and made it to the Monona Terrace by 5:30. The atmosphere was incredible! The nervous energy was so thick I could hardly breathe! Or maybe it was the feeling of my heart beat in my throat. I checked on my bike, my gear bags, went potty AND #2.....YEAH!!!, put my wetsuit on, and kissed the family goodbye. There were a few tears, but I was soooooo ready to go! I made my way down to the swim start with 2400 athletes. The sun was just starting to come up and it was an absolutely gorgeous morning! I took is as a good sign that I ran into my friends Jon and Randy, who I couldn't find since we arrived, right before we entered the water!! Fate indeed! We shared hugs and luck...and a few more tears from me!
The cannon fired, and for the next hour and 51 minutes I got pummeled, pushed, kicked and swam over by seemingly ALL 2400 of the other athletes!!! I managed to stay calm and "just keep swimming". Of course I was all over the place, and probably swam close to three miles, but I did it! I survived the swim!!
I was very happy to see my bike! The ride took 7 and 1/2 hours!!! I kept it slow and steady and played it very conservatively. I saw my family and friends several times on the ride, and that was PRICELESS! Still, I became fairly fatigued and slightly nauseous by mile 80. The weather, again was beautiful, not too much wind, but it was starting to get a little warm...even for me! I spent the last 2 hours of the ride trying to keep up with the nutrition and fluids, but it was getting challenging. I knew it was going to be a very interesting run. Plus, I kept praying that my bike would hold up. "Please....no flat tire....no flat tire!!!" I finally finished the ride at 4:30, one hour before the bike cut off!!!
The run did not start out so well. By mile two my stomach was really starting to complain and my legs were like cement! I saw Mike and the girls and I told them it was going to be a very long night.
I came up with a plan to continue to try to get fluids in, mostly water, and take a little bit of Gu. I would run until I felt the nausea and cramping, and then I would walk. I just stayed with that approach and stayed patient, hoping beyond hope that my body would turn around. This was supposed to be the part we know. We LOVE to run!! We can do this!! THANKFULLY, I started to feel better at about mile 13...the halfway point where the course takes you back to the finish line, only to send you back out again for round 2!!!!
At that point the sun was going down and I started to cool off. I then started to drink chicken broth and Coke...and that was wonderful! I was feeling more energized, and starting to get excited. I was really going to do this!!! I was imagining the finish line and was running much bit more then I was walking. A one point I was running, and came to the horrible realization that I had run off course!!! I missed a turn!!!! AHHHHHH Panic had set in. Was I lost? Where was I? What do I do? OMG....I'm not going to finish this thing because I was imagining the finish line and not paying attention and freaking got LOST!!!!!! I looked around...no other athletes were around. I took a deep breath and simply surned around and ran back the way I came. It really wasn't very far until I saw the orange cones and the turn that I had missed. Still, I lost a few minutes....and I almost tossed my cookies again from sheer panic!!!!
I could hear the crowds when I had about 1 1/2 miles to go. I was feeling so strong! I was really going to do this. I stepped up my pace, got to State Street, and started yelling at the crowds, "Come on State Street!! I'm going to be an Ironman!! You guys all ROCK for being here, THANK YOU!!!!" They responded by cheering my name and yelling,"GO PINK!!!" ( I was wearing a pink tank!! ;-)) I turned the corner, and I saw Mike, yelling and pointing down the fishers chute. "You are doing this!!! The girls are at the finish line!!! GO!!!" I turned the last corner...and there it was...the finish line. My hands were it the air, I was yelling at the crowds, and I kissed the sky in a loving nod to me grandparents who I know were with me the entire way. I then heard those words I have waited seemingly a lifetime to hear..."Laurie Krause from Deforest...YOU ARE AN IRONMAN" It only took me 14 houre, 14 minutes, and 45 seconds.
I hope to do better next time!!!! ;-)
Enjoy this day!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Six days and counting.....
It's labor day. A day that represents the end of summer activities, the beginning of school, and for me the final time that I will uses the pregnancy analogy to describe the Ironman journey. Like the very end of a pregnancy, it's beginning to get OLD! ;-)
Six days until the "birth"! (ok, I'm done.....seriously!!) The tapering has been going surprisingly well! There were a few days in the beginning of last week that were pretty rough with feelings of sluggishness, soreness, and fatigue. I'm sure that starting back to work has a lot to do with this as well. But by Thursday and Friday I was feeling GREAT!! I was really wishing the race were this past weekend instead of having to wait another week.
But fatigue is a tricky thing. On Saturday morning, I swam the Ironman course while Derek, my swim coach, paddled in a canoe along side me. He helped me with my sighting, where the actual course was in relation to the shoreline, and gave many tips about swimming with 2500 other guppies....ok....maybe not guppies, but SHARKS!! :-O We tried to work on my constant veering to the left!!! It was one of the most beneficial things I've done in my training. And it felt awesome! It was so beautiful to be there at 7 in the morning, with the sun rising over the lake. There were a few boaters, but otherwise it was very quiet. The view of the Monona Terrace was amazing!! I kept imagining all of the people that will be standing at the top of it, cheering on the athletes at the start of the race. I also pictured 2500 sharks trying to eat me!! I quickly shoved those thought aside.
I then ran for about 8 miles. A few miles into the run, I saw two familiar figures running towards me. I literally "ran" into Katie and Sue!!! We all said we couldn't have planned it any better! I took it as a positive sign...the fates are with me and everything is going to be fine. I ran with them for awhile before we went our separate ways, as they were running much longer than I had planned.
The last 15 minutes of that run were interesting. I was POOPED all of a sudden! It was again a reminder that my body is still needing more taper time to heal and refresh from all of the hard training. Again, it's tricky....there's such a fine line...for me at least...between doing too much and DE-training. Even if I do this for the rest of my life, I will never have it all figured out. The best I can do for myself is to keep on trying, learning, feeling, and evaluating. Luckilly, I LIKE to over think things, so this fits right in with my obsessive tendencies.
Later that afternoon, Mike, the girls and I went to the Taste of Madison. It's one of our favorite end of summer activities, where local restaurants set up booths all around the Capital, and you go and "eat your way around the square". There is so much food, and music, and tons of people! We had a great time. It was one of the few times this summer that I let loose and just had fun. We danced and ate...and I even had two glasses of wine! I was soaking in the atmosphere, and imagining myself there in a week...when there is a strong chance that I will not be feeling as good!!
I woke up yesterday VERY sore and tired!!!!! AHHHH!! Did I just blow my taper by DANCING too much?????? :-O A very fine line indeed. :-)
Six more days. I'm completely immersed in it now. It's all I can think about. But it's a good thing right now, and I'm just going to go with it. It's what I've waited so long and worked so hard for. I'm so excited and nervous, but I LOVE this feeling of anticipation. I feel so ALIVE!! Yes, I will take mental breaks from it, and to remind myself that there are other things going on BESIDES IMOO! But for the most part, I will soak it all in...the nerves, the restlessness, the images played over and over in my brain of crossing the finish line and the constant battle to push aside stinky thinking and remain positive and relaxed. I will have FUN!! :-)
Enjoy this day!
Six days until the "birth"! (ok, I'm done.....seriously!!) The tapering has been going surprisingly well! There were a few days in the beginning of last week that were pretty rough with feelings of sluggishness, soreness, and fatigue. I'm sure that starting back to work has a lot to do with this as well. But by Thursday and Friday I was feeling GREAT!! I was really wishing the race were this past weekend instead of having to wait another week.
But fatigue is a tricky thing. On Saturday morning, I swam the Ironman course while Derek, my swim coach, paddled in a canoe along side me. He helped me with my sighting, where the actual course was in relation to the shoreline, and gave many tips about swimming with 2500 other guppies....ok....maybe not guppies, but SHARKS!! :-O We tried to work on my constant veering to the left!!! It was one of the most beneficial things I've done in my training. And it felt awesome! It was so beautiful to be there at 7 in the morning, with the sun rising over the lake. There were a few boaters, but otherwise it was very quiet. The view of the Monona Terrace was amazing!! I kept imagining all of the people that will be standing at the top of it, cheering on the athletes at the start of the race. I also pictured 2500 sharks trying to eat me!! I quickly shoved those thought aside.
I then ran for about 8 miles. A few miles into the run, I saw two familiar figures running towards me. I literally "ran" into Katie and Sue!!! We all said we couldn't have planned it any better! I took it as a positive sign...the fates are with me and everything is going to be fine. I ran with them for awhile before we went our separate ways, as they were running much longer than I had planned.
The last 15 minutes of that run were interesting. I was POOPED all of a sudden! It was again a reminder that my body is still needing more taper time to heal and refresh from all of the hard training. Again, it's tricky....there's such a fine line...for me at least...between doing too much and DE-training. Even if I do this for the rest of my life, I will never have it all figured out. The best I can do for myself is to keep on trying, learning, feeling, and evaluating. Luckilly, I LIKE to over think things, so this fits right in with my obsessive tendencies.
Later that afternoon, Mike, the girls and I went to the Taste of Madison. It's one of our favorite end of summer activities, where local restaurants set up booths all around the Capital, and you go and "eat your way around the square". There is so much food, and music, and tons of people! We had a great time. It was one of the few times this summer that I let loose and just had fun. We danced and ate...and I even had two glasses of wine! I was soaking in the atmosphere, and imagining myself there in a week...when there is a strong chance that I will not be feeling as good!!
I woke up yesterday VERY sore and tired!!!!! AHHHH!! Did I just blow my taper by DANCING too much?????? :-O A very fine line indeed. :-)
Six more days. I'm completely immersed in it now. It's all I can think about. But it's a good thing right now, and I'm just going to go with it. It's what I've waited so long and worked so hard for. I'm so excited and nervous, but I LOVE this feeling of anticipation. I feel so ALIVE!! Yes, I will take mental breaks from it, and to remind myself that there are other things going on BESIDES IMOO! But for the most part, I will soak it all in...the nerves, the restlessness, the images played over and over in my brain of crossing the finish line and the constant battle to push aside stinky thinking and remain positive and relaxed. I will have FUN!! :-)
Enjoy this day!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Taper Time!
Three more weeks, and for the first time since I started training for IM eight months ago, I feel ready. Physically anyway! I've conquered the major workouts over the last two weeks. I've made it through a 92 mile ride, then 4 days later my first Century ride. This ride proved to be eventful in that I crashed at mile 80. I just caught the right shoulder of the road funny, and in a blink I was down! THANKFULLY, the only damage that occurred was road rash on my shoulder, a bruised hip, and a flat front tire. I managed to fix the tire, (with Robyn coming to my rescue...again!!!), wipe off the blood, get back on my bike and finish the ride. My long run the next day was a little dicey, but with Susan with me to talk me through the time and miles, it went better then it should have. This past week included my longest swim, 4250 meters....in the pool....snore!!!!!....., an 80 mile ride Friday, and my 20 mile run yesterday. Today, I feel unbelievably good! This is the best I've felt on a Sunday this entire time. I have energy and just a little soreness in my legs. I am enjoying this feeling right now, and for as long as it lasts. I've put in the work, my body has hung in there with me, and I feel very proud of what I've accomplished. I just need to keep my wits about me during this taper, which as I've said before, has been historically the most difficult time for me.
I'm getting very excited now! And I will be praying to the weather Gods for a day like we are having today. It's absolutely gorgeous outside and would have been perfect IM weather!
Enjoy this day!
I'm getting very excited now! And I will be praying to the weather Gods for a day like we are having today. It's absolutely gorgeous outside and would have been perfect IM weather!
Enjoy this day!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Rain, rain, and more rain!
It is now 5 weeks to IM and the countdown continues. Training has been a little more challenging the last few weeks, not only with physical issues, but mental as well. Two weeks ago I did my first 80 mile ride, and followed it up the next day with a 16 mile run. That was at the start of our annual summer vacation to the cabin. The plan was to take an easy/recovery week while we were up there, but still try to take advantage of being on the lake and try to get some good open water swimming in. I swam a total of....ONCE! The weather was so cold and rainy, it just didn't happen. I didn't even bring my bike up, so no riding except for some time on a stationary bike at the club in town. I ran a few times, walked a lot, but mostly just sat around and ate. I gained a few pounds!!! This is good since I'd been dropping a little too much. So I used this time to re-charge the batteries and spend quality time with the family. I even read an entire book....only my second complete book in 5 years!!! Sound like heaven, right? What was interesting, but not surprising, was how much it felt like tapering before a race. I felt heavy, sluggish, and my brain was mush. There's also this strange feeling of being, "off", and not comfortable in my own skin. It's anxiety I think, and the fear that I'm going to lose fitness and all of the hard work I put in so far. And there's the simple fact that my brain works better AFTER a training session. I really have to focus and remind myself that this it what my body needs to get stronger, and what my mind and spirit need to retain balance. It's sometimes frightening how strong the pull into obsession can be. I'm extremely fortunate to have Mike, Katie, and Sue, and the girls who recognize this in me and are able to pull me back from the edge of the overtraining cliff. WHEW!
The girls and I actually left to come home on Thursday of our week. We had my cousins wedding to attend on Friday. I was able to get on my bike on Friday morning for a longer ride, then run again on Saturday. So it was an odd and different week in the Northwoods this year...and yet it was exactly what I needed.
At least I thought it was? This week has been tough. My intention was to get right back on schedule for the biggest and final push before the race. Monday was awesome! It was one of those days where everything comes together. I felt very fresh and strong on my 3 hour bike ride and long swim. Tuesday I still felt pretty good in guppy class and my afternoon run. Wednesday morning I could hardly get out of bed! My upper back and neck has seized up and I was having spasms. I had a hard time turning my head in either direction. This has happened before and occurs sometime during the night while I'm sleeping. It tends to work itself out over time, but it makes for a rough several days!! :-( I still managed to ride easy in the afternoon, but really had a hard time during the night. I resorted to taking some Advil, which I'm NOT supposed to take because of the HHT. I promised myself, "only two". I finally got some sleep! God I miss Advil!!! It's the wonder drug....seriously!!! Tylenol just doesn't do it quite like Advil! ;-)
I skipped my Thursday guppie class. That's when the mental madness started. I NEVER miss GC if I can help it! And I already missed last week because of vacation!! And the next two weeks they are closing the pool....so NO GC for TWO WEEKS!! AHHHHHHH
To help calm my brain, I decided to do the Aquathon that night. My neck was feeling a little better, so I went early to get in the lake to test things out. The water was a lot calmer then the last guppiethon and all felt ok. The swim, I THOUGHT went well, I was feeling more confident and I was sighting better. But my time was 10 seconds slower! My run time was slightly faster, so overall I finished 6 whole seconds faster than the last one....WHOO HOO!
Yesterday morning I woke up and my left groin area was very ouchy....and so was my neck. SIGH!!! I needed to try my first 6 hour ride, but storms were predicted. SO I call Katie...., "What do I do??? We decided to push my long ride to Saturday, and TRY to run longer, but to stop if the pain was too bad. I managed to run 14 miles but at a very slow pace. My body warmed up into it, so the pains were all manageable. And the rain actually felt good! I took an ice bath, (torture!!), ate my way through the rest of the day, and mentally prepared for my ride in the morning.
I woke up to thunder and lightning, storms worse then yesterday and they wouldn't clear out until around 10 or 11. I have plans this evening starting at 5. GRRRRRRR......KATIE!!!!!!
Today I'm taking a rest day! :-) We'll try it again tomorrow. It's predicted to be very hot and humid....good for training, right?? :-O
I am learning important lessons about flexibility, dealing with the unexpected, and about having a plan B, C, and D. I am realizing that if I stay motivated and committed to this goal, that I will succeed despite the occasional side trips along the journey. I am working very hard on managing the anxiety and pushing aside "stinky thinking". It's all a work in progress, work that is never completed. Self-discovery is a job I NEVER want to be finished with!
Enjoy this day! :-)
The girls and I actually left to come home on Thursday of our week. We had my cousins wedding to attend on Friday. I was able to get on my bike on Friday morning for a longer ride, then run again on Saturday. So it was an odd and different week in the Northwoods this year...and yet it was exactly what I needed.
At least I thought it was? This week has been tough. My intention was to get right back on schedule for the biggest and final push before the race. Monday was awesome! It was one of those days where everything comes together. I felt very fresh and strong on my 3 hour bike ride and long swim. Tuesday I still felt pretty good in guppy class and my afternoon run. Wednesday morning I could hardly get out of bed! My upper back and neck has seized up and I was having spasms. I had a hard time turning my head in either direction. This has happened before and occurs sometime during the night while I'm sleeping. It tends to work itself out over time, but it makes for a rough several days!! :-( I still managed to ride easy in the afternoon, but really had a hard time during the night. I resorted to taking some Advil, which I'm NOT supposed to take because of the HHT. I promised myself, "only two". I finally got some sleep! God I miss Advil!!! It's the wonder drug....seriously!!! Tylenol just doesn't do it quite like Advil! ;-)
I skipped my Thursday guppie class. That's when the mental madness started. I NEVER miss GC if I can help it! And I already missed last week because of vacation!! And the next two weeks they are closing the pool....so NO GC for TWO WEEKS!! AHHHHHHH
To help calm my brain, I decided to do the Aquathon that night. My neck was feeling a little better, so I went early to get in the lake to test things out. The water was a lot calmer then the last guppiethon and all felt ok. The swim, I THOUGHT went well, I was feeling more confident and I was sighting better. But my time was 10 seconds slower! My run time was slightly faster, so overall I finished 6 whole seconds faster than the last one....WHOO HOO!
Yesterday morning I woke up and my left groin area was very ouchy....and so was my neck. SIGH!!! I needed to try my first 6 hour ride, but storms were predicted. SO I call Katie...., "What do I do??? We decided to push my long ride to Saturday, and TRY to run longer, but to stop if the pain was too bad. I managed to run 14 miles but at a very slow pace. My body warmed up into it, so the pains were all manageable. And the rain actually felt good! I took an ice bath, (torture!!), ate my way through the rest of the day, and mentally prepared for my ride in the morning.
I woke up to thunder and lightning, storms worse then yesterday and they wouldn't clear out until around 10 or 11. I have plans this evening starting at 5. GRRRRRRR......KATIE!!!!!!
Today I'm taking a rest day! :-) We'll try it again tomorrow. It's predicted to be very hot and humid....good for training, right?? :-O
I am learning important lessons about flexibility, dealing with the unexpected, and about having a plan B, C, and D. I am realizing that if I stay motivated and committed to this goal, that I will succeed despite the occasional side trips along the journey. I am working very hard on managing the anxiety and pushing aside "stinky thinking". It's all a work in progress, work that is never completed. Self-discovery is a job I NEVER want to be finished with!
Enjoy this day! :-)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
This "guppie" starting to LOVE swimming!
When I did my first triathlon, a sprint distance at Devil's Lake, in 2003, I swore I would never do it again. It was the most awful experience. The 400 meter swim about killed me! I had never been good at swimming, and to prepare for the race, I plundered through a few yards in the pool at the club.
The morning of the race, the weather conditions were horrible. It was in the upper 40's and raining. Having to wait 45 minutes for my wave to start, I was already hypothermic when I entered the water. I was shivering with the cold, my teeth were chattering, and my feet and fingers were numb. The cold, spring-fed lake took my breath away. I could not put my face in the water. The lake was choppy, and all I wanted to do was get back out before I died. I dog paddled my way to the first buey and thought, "This is nuts. I need to get out! Maybe those nice people in the boat will haul my butt out of this damned water!!" The nice people looked at me, didn't say anything, and gave me a strange look. Maybe I was hallucinating at that point, but I interpreted their look to mean, "Look at this chick. It's only a 400 meter swim and she wants to get out already? What a woosie!" I got MAD...and I did everything I could, WITHOUT putting my face in the water, to finish that swim. I did dog paddle, side stroke, and back stroke...which was mainly floating on my back and gasping for air. When I FINALLY stumbled onto the shore, I looked at my watch and was stunned to discover that it took me almost 14 minutes to do that swim. It truly felt like an hour! Of course, almost 14 minutes for a 400 m swim is less then stellar. (My friend Susan, who is a gifted swimmer, can swim 1000 m in less time!) By the time I got on my bike, I was wrecked. I was nauseated, numb from cold, and had a headache. The first mile of the bike is an uphill climb. I got off my bike and pushed. I did this two other times during that ride. Then came the run. YES....my strength! I had nothing left. It was more of a slow jog, but at least I was still upright! I finished the race...and I said, "NEVER AGAIN!!"
But, like childbirth...again with the pregnancy analogy...the pain is not forgotten, but muted by the love and joy of the experience. I wanted to do it again! My dream of participating in Ironman was just starting to form. This week marks the 5th anniversary of my ruptured Cerebral AVM. My plans to run a fall marathon and pursuit triathlon were put on hold, indefinitely.
After my Craniotomy, my neurosurgeon strongly discouraged me from participating in triathlon. There was, and apparently still is, a risk for seizures as a result of the surgery and the presence of the two remaining CAVM's. He worried less about running and cycling, although these were still issues. But, he said, "If something happens in the water, especially during a mass swim, you may not get noticed until it is too late". That scared me enough to put me off for awhile! However, after a couple of years without any seizures and having successfully completed a few marathons, the triathlon bug had bitten again. I wanted to go for it. I rationalized about the slight risk, and held true to my general philosophy of life. There is a risk to every choice we make, to every step that carries us forward. In most cases, it is more than worth it!
Two years ago, Susan encouraged me to join her Master's swim class. She thought it would be good for me to swim with a knowledgeable coach as well as other swimmers. The class is divided according to ability, with lane 1 being the rock star lane....Susan is in this lane, and lane 6 being the beginners. I quickly started calling it the "guppie lane". There were only 2 or 3 people in the guppie lane, and I was buy far the worst! The first day, it took me the whole 75 minutes to kick...with a board...200 meters!!! :-O I would kick, and not move forward at all! Jerry, the coach, looked at me....and shook his head and laughed!! That's all is took. I was determined to learn how to swim!!!
A few weeks ago, Jerry moved me out of guppie lane. It took me TWO YEARS to get out of guppie lane. I want to go back, but Jerry is not letting me. He says, "It's time to start pushing you." I'm having a very hard time keeping up with the other swimmers in my lane. I've gone back to feeling like I did on that first day. But when I look back at where I started, and the SLOW and painful improvements I have made over this time, I feel very proud! It's still very frustrating, I'm still fairly slow, but I'm feeling much stronger and more comfortable in the water. My endurance is MUCH better! And there are times, much like the runner's high that I sometimes feel, that I think, "yes, this is it. I could swim forever!" I'm finding my bliss in the water.
Enjoy this day! :-)
The morning of the race, the weather conditions were horrible. It was in the upper 40's and raining. Having to wait 45 minutes for my wave to start, I was already hypothermic when I entered the water. I was shivering with the cold, my teeth were chattering, and my feet and fingers were numb. The cold, spring-fed lake took my breath away. I could not put my face in the water. The lake was choppy, and all I wanted to do was get back out before I died. I dog paddled my way to the first buey and thought, "This is nuts. I need to get out! Maybe those nice people in the boat will haul my butt out of this damned water!!" The nice people looked at me, didn't say anything, and gave me a strange look. Maybe I was hallucinating at that point, but I interpreted their look to mean, "Look at this chick. It's only a 400 meter swim and she wants to get out already? What a woosie!" I got MAD...and I did everything I could, WITHOUT putting my face in the water, to finish that swim. I did dog paddle, side stroke, and back stroke...which was mainly floating on my back and gasping for air. When I FINALLY stumbled onto the shore, I looked at my watch and was stunned to discover that it took me almost 14 minutes to do that swim. It truly felt like an hour! Of course, almost 14 minutes for a 400 m swim is less then stellar. (My friend Susan, who is a gifted swimmer, can swim 1000 m in less time!) By the time I got on my bike, I was wrecked. I was nauseated, numb from cold, and had a headache. The first mile of the bike is an uphill climb. I got off my bike and pushed. I did this two other times during that ride. Then came the run. YES....my strength! I had nothing left. It was more of a slow jog, but at least I was still upright! I finished the race...and I said, "NEVER AGAIN!!"
But, like childbirth...again with the pregnancy analogy...the pain is not forgotten, but muted by the love and joy of the experience. I wanted to do it again! My dream of participating in Ironman was just starting to form. This week marks the 5th anniversary of my ruptured Cerebral AVM. My plans to run a fall marathon and pursuit triathlon were put on hold, indefinitely.
After my Craniotomy, my neurosurgeon strongly discouraged me from participating in triathlon. There was, and apparently still is, a risk for seizures as a result of the surgery and the presence of the two remaining CAVM's. He worried less about running and cycling, although these were still issues. But, he said, "If something happens in the water, especially during a mass swim, you may not get noticed until it is too late". That scared me enough to put me off for awhile! However, after a couple of years without any seizures and having successfully completed a few marathons, the triathlon bug had bitten again. I wanted to go for it. I rationalized about the slight risk, and held true to my general philosophy of life. There is a risk to every choice we make, to every step that carries us forward. In most cases, it is more than worth it!
Two years ago, Susan encouraged me to join her Master's swim class. She thought it would be good for me to swim with a knowledgeable coach as well as other swimmers. The class is divided according to ability, with lane 1 being the rock star lane....Susan is in this lane, and lane 6 being the beginners. I quickly started calling it the "guppie lane". There were only 2 or 3 people in the guppie lane, and I was buy far the worst! The first day, it took me the whole 75 minutes to kick...with a board...200 meters!!! :-O I would kick, and not move forward at all! Jerry, the coach, looked at me....and shook his head and laughed!! That's all is took. I was determined to learn how to swim!!!
A few weeks ago, Jerry moved me out of guppie lane. It took me TWO YEARS to get out of guppie lane. I want to go back, but Jerry is not letting me. He says, "It's time to start pushing you." I'm having a very hard time keeping up with the other swimmers in my lane. I've gone back to feeling like I did on that first day. But when I look back at where I started, and the SLOW and painful improvements I have made over this time, I feel very proud! It's still very frustrating, I'm still fairly slow, but I'm feeling much stronger and more comfortable in the water. My endurance is MUCH better! And there are times, much like the runner's high that I sometimes feel, that I think, "yes, this is it. I could swim forever!" I'm finding my bliss in the water.
Enjoy this day! :-)
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
60 days.....
On Monday I was reminded that there were 60 days left until IM. These were my immediate thoughts:
"Holy Crap!!!!!"
"I will never be ready!"
"What was I thinking signing up for this?"
"I'm soooooo tired"
"My shoulder hurts....so does my foot.....and hamstring...."
"I'm hungry!!"
Then I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down. I realized I was....as one of my friends call it..."Stinky Thinking". So I preceded to change the direction of my thoughts:
"YEAH! I can't wait!"
"A few more weeks and I WILL be ready"
"I will sleep so good tonight!"
"Just tweaks that will work themselves out"
"McFlurry anyone?"
58 days. The speed with which time passes will never cease to amaze me.
Enjoy this day! :-)
"Holy Crap!!!!!"
"I will never be ready!"
"What was I thinking signing up for this?"
"I'm soooooo tired"
"My shoulder hurts....so does my foot.....and hamstring...."
"I'm hungry!!"
Then I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down. I realized I was....as one of my friends call it..."Stinky Thinking". So I preceded to change the direction of my thoughts:
"YEAH! I can't wait!"
"A few more weeks and I WILL be ready"
"I will sleep so good tonight!"
"Just tweaks that will work themselves out"
"McFlurry anyone?"
58 days. The speed with which time passes will never cease to amaze me.
Enjoy this day! :-)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The training goes on....
To continue with the pregnancy theme from the last post, I've been drawing parallels between training for IM and having a baby. During the last 7 months, I've experienced many similar feelings related to a pregnancy. The first trimester was very exciting with the realization that I was officially signed up for the race of my life! I also felt a little sick every time I thought about it. :-0 The second trimester, I was in my happy place. I was training for the marathon,(my very favorite thing to do! :-)), along with biking and swimming at a fairly reasonable volume. I am now in the middle of that last trimester and it is starting to get uncomfortable. Last week was the highest number of hours I have ever spent moving this old body. The totals are: Bike-120 miles, swim-7500 meters, run-34 miles, resistance and core work....only 45 minutes(I had no stamina for more!), for a total of 17 hours. And just like the expanding belly of a pregnant Mom at this stage, it will just keep growing and growing until the end!!! I'm holding up pretty well for the most part. Fatigue is becoming a major factor in what I've been calling the "isolation phase" I've had to make some difficult choices in other areas of life, mainly socially. I've turned into that old lady who goes to bed while it's still light out, and stays at home while everyone else is out playing. I simply don't have the energy for it. But it's ok, I know it's temporary, and it really is helping me stay "above water" so to speak. I just hope my friends and family will still be speaking to me after this is over! On the positive side, there times I feel so strong! My times are improving slighly, but my stamina is really improving! So far, I've not gotten sick or injured which is definately a risk at this point. I'm very pleased with how it is going so far, but I can also see where....just like a Mom ready to give birth....I will be ready for this to be over. For now, I'm taking it one day at a time, always hoping to make it through another workout with my mind, body and spirit intact.
Enjoy this day!
Enjoy this day!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Happy 20th birthday Rachel!
Exactly 20 years ago today, I was larger than life! Seriously. I was pregnant with our first daughter and the due date was over a week away. I was soooooo ready to be done. The summer heat was getting to me, and like most women at this stage of pregnancy, I was swollen, crabby, and uncomfortable. That night I was with my family playing poker, as we usually did on summer Saturday nights, when at 9 pm my water broke. YEAH!! I was going to have a baby!!!! Since I wasn't having contractions, we continued to play cards for another few hours. And yes, you guessed it....I started winning!!
Then I started whining. No real contractions yet, but just ready to get this going. To the hospital we went!
She was born at 9:17 PM....the next day. The Milwaukee Lakefront Fireworks were just starting to go off...or so I was told by my Mother later. It's an understatement to say that it was a very LONG day. Of course it was worth every painful moment! She was so beautiful and healthy, and priceless. She was the first grandchild for both sets of parents and everyone was so thrilled at her arrival. Now, 20 years later, we are all talking in cliches. "Can you believe it's been 20 years? Time really flies, doesn't it? It seems like just yesterday....." But it's all so true. Looking at Rachel today, at how beautiful, intelligent, intensely loving and compassionate she is, I realize that she is the embodiment of all the hopes and dreams that we've had for her since the very first time we saw her. On a day like today, on the eve of her 20th birthday and just a couple of weeks prior to Robyn's golden birthday on the 18th, I'm reminded of how incredibly blessed I am.
Happy Birthday Rachel! My love for you is without limits. It's immeasurable, timeless, and without boundaries. It is forever.
Enjoy this day, and Happy 4th of July everyone!
Then I started whining. No real contractions yet, but just ready to get this going. To the hospital we went!
She was born at 9:17 PM....the next day. The Milwaukee Lakefront Fireworks were just starting to go off...or so I was told by my Mother later. It's an understatement to say that it was a very LONG day. Of course it was worth every painful moment! She was so beautiful and healthy, and priceless. She was the first grandchild for both sets of parents and everyone was so thrilled at her arrival. Now, 20 years later, we are all talking in cliches. "Can you believe it's been 20 years? Time really flies, doesn't it? It seems like just yesterday....." But it's all so true. Looking at Rachel today, at how beautiful, intelligent, intensely loving and compassionate she is, I realize that she is the embodiment of all the hopes and dreams that we've had for her since the very first time we saw her. On a day like today, on the eve of her 20th birthday and just a couple of weeks prior to Robyn's golden birthday on the 18th, I'm reminded of how incredibly blessed I am.
Happy Birthday Rachel! My love for you is without limits. It's immeasurable, timeless, and without boundaries. It is forever.
Enjoy this day, and Happy 4th of July everyone!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
It's summer!!
Summer....my favorite time of year. One of the benefits of being a school nurse is having off with the kids during weekends, holidays, and SUMMER!!! Now if I were a very responsible person like most of the wonderful educators I work with, I would be taking classes during this time off to further my education. I fully intend to do so....perhaps next summer??? ;-)For now it's all about training, eating, resting, and spending time with family and friends. We've been out of school for a week, and have already had many hours filled with "friend time". I've had two lunch dates, a bachelorette party, and and hour long walk this morning in which our jaws got a much better workout then our legs. (except for you, Jamie, with your leg weights. You outdid us all!! :-)) I cannot tell you how much these relationships mean to me. I feel like my soul has been lifted and I have this sense of clarity in my thinking. To be able to talk about everything that is going on, and to listen to what others are going through. To try and solve all of our problems, the world problems, our kids problems. To celebrate accomplishments and milestones....(see previous post!! :-)). To provide empathy and support and to receive the same....well, it's priceless.
We've also had a graduation to celebrate! My youngest daughter Robyn graduated from High School two weeks ago. It's been interesting with her since she spent her senior year going to a technical college. It felt as though she had graduated already, and she had considered not attending the ceremony. We convinced her that she may regret that one day. I think she's happy she was able to experience the ceremony, partly because it signifies then ending of one phase of life, and the beginning of another. And she looked so great in her cap and gown!! We are so proud of both of the girls. Robyn will be joining Rachel at UW Madison in the fall. She will be in the pre-nursing program and is entering as a Sophmore, having attained 21 college credits already. Rachel made the Deans list this past semester, and as a Junior, will be continuing to pursuit her interest in Zoology and Environmental Science. I know I'm bragging, but I can't help it. They are both so amazing!
The training comtinues to go well. I'm up to four hour bike rides and last week was the highest trainig load so far, topping out out at 14 hours. This week is a sort of recovery week and I'm grateful for it. I'm pooped!!
Enjoy the day, and a very Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads!!! :-)
We've also had a graduation to celebrate! My youngest daughter Robyn graduated from High School two weeks ago. It's been interesting with her since she spent her senior year going to a technical college. It felt as though she had graduated already, and she had considered not attending the ceremony. We convinced her that she may regret that one day. I think she's happy she was able to experience the ceremony, partly because it signifies then ending of one phase of life, and the beginning of another. And she looked so great in her cap and gown!! We are so proud of both of the girls. Robyn will be joining Rachel at UW Madison in the fall. She will be in the pre-nursing program and is entering as a Sophmore, having attained 21 college credits already. Rachel made the Deans list this past semester, and as a Junior, will be continuing to pursuit her interest in Zoology and Environmental Science. I know I'm bragging, but I can't help it. They are both so amazing!
The training comtinues to go well. I'm up to four hour bike rides and last week was the highest trainig load so far, topping out out at 14 hours. This week is a sort of recovery week and I'm grateful for it. I'm pooped!!
Enjoy the day, and a very Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads!!! :-)
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Change
Earlier this week I was really struggling emotionally with a big change in my life. I have had horses for almost 20 years. We've had them here on our six acre farmette of 16 years which we turned into a boarding facility. This had been my dream since I was five. Mike lovingly supported this passion, not only financially, (He frequently wore a t-shirt that said, "My wife owns horses...this shirt is financed!"), but with a tremendous amount of work and sacrifice. Over the past several years my interest have shifted to all things running, biking, and swimming. Throughout this transition, I kept a grip on the idea that I can do it all. I can ride and care for my horses while I train, work, raise a family, maintain relationships with those I love, and the other daily commitments we all deal with. Mike likes to say, " Putting ten pounds of poop, [aka...**it!] in a five pound bag!!" Well, the smelly bag has been overflowing for too long. Is it the HHT? Or simply being over 40...even if only slightly? ;-) Fatigue has become a familiar enemy that I battle with daily. It impacts me in ways that affect everything I do. In trying to live life to it's fullest and not waste any moment I'm on this earth, I too often live these moments in a fog. I call it "brain mush". So Monday, after a painful process lasting three years, we drove my two horses to their new homes. I sold the youngster Slim. He has a wonderful new Mom named Holly. She is 17 years old and is perfect for Slim! I really am happy for them both. My old guy Dudley...he is 25 and I've owned him for 13 years... is housed in a stable less then a mile away. The barn manager there is Carol. Do you know how when you meet somebody and you have an instant connection? I feel that with Carol. She will help lessen some of the burden of caring for Dudley. Tuesday morning, for the first time in many years, I had no horses to take care of. It felt foreign, wrong, and I felt sad.
We frequently hear, "Change is inevitable". We all experience it with every milestone, every passing year, every birth, death, babies first steps, graduation, divorce, marriage, tragedy, illness, move....the list goes on and on. It's part of life. And so is adaptation. I realize full well how blessed I am to have had these opportunities. I've had the freedom and circumstance to make these choices, to have these amazingly wonderful experiences. I just needed to remind myself while I was wallowing in these negative feelings, that really...this is all part of the ride. I am beyond thankful that for a majority of the time, I've gotten to pick which road to take, and have been able to fix MOST of the flat tires!! I know one day, there will be too much damage to fix. We will all get to that place. Until then, just keep on peddling!! ( Ahhh...enough with the metaphors, right?)
I slept in until almost 7 this morning. It felt YUMMY!! :-)
Enjoy this day!
We frequently hear, "Change is inevitable". We all experience it with every milestone, every passing year, every birth, death, babies first steps, graduation, divorce, marriage, tragedy, illness, move....the list goes on and on. It's part of life. And so is adaptation. I realize full well how blessed I am to have had these opportunities. I've had the freedom and circumstance to make these choices, to have these amazingly wonderful experiences. I just needed to remind myself while I was wallowing in these negative feelings, that really...this is all part of the ride. I am beyond thankful that for a majority of the time, I've gotten to pick which road to take, and have been able to fix MOST of the flat tires!! I know one day, there will be too much damage to fix. We will all get to that place. Until then, just keep on peddling!! ( Ahhh...enough with the metaphors, right?)
I slept in until almost 7 this morning. It felt YUMMY!! :-)
Enjoy this day!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Visit my facebook page!
It is definitely a work in progress. It's also been an exercise in frustration!!! :-( I am very technically and internet challenged. I would much rather be outside on this beautiful morning planting the rest of my flowers then sitting here fighting my way through this set up. But it's already worth it given all that I have learned! I just want to reach as many people as possible with information about HHT and my fund raising efforts. Visit my page on Facebook if you get a chance. I welcome ALL suggestions!!! :-)
Part of my challenge with working on computers has to do with my visual impairment. I have what is called Right Homonymous Hemianopsia. (It took me almost a year after my surgery to be able to say this correctly!! ;-)) The part of my brain where the CAVM ruptured and the subsequent surgery to repair it damaged my right optic nerve. I have very little right peripheral vision. In place of images in my right visual field, I see waves and flashes of multicolored light. I see "Northern Lights", which are very beautiful to be sure, but they block all of the things I'm trying to see on my right side. When I read, I am constantly reading into my blind spot. Driving was, and still is, a major issue!! It is a very long story, but the short of it is I had to learn to read and drive all over again using new visual strategies. I had to pass another road test to demonstrate that I could drive safely. I do have a HUGE rear view mirror in my car that helps tremendously. Over the years I nave really gotten used to compensating for this unique way of seeing, but working on the computer is still a challenge and can become very fatiguing. Again, it's so much better then it used to be. I just quit when I get tired, and head outside for some exposure to natural light engage in anything physical to get the blood pumping!
So, I'm headed out now to do just that. Look out flowers, here I come!
Enjoy this day!!! :-)
Part of my challenge with working on computers has to do with my visual impairment. I have what is called Right Homonymous Hemianopsia. (It took me almost a year after my surgery to be able to say this correctly!! ;-)) The part of my brain where the CAVM ruptured and the subsequent surgery to repair it damaged my right optic nerve. I have very little right peripheral vision. In place of images in my right visual field, I see waves and flashes of multicolored light. I see "Northern Lights", which are very beautiful to be sure, but they block all of the things I'm trying to see on my right side. When I read, I am constantly reading into my blind spot. Driving was, and still is, a major issue!! It is a very long story, but the short of it is I had to learn to read and drive all over again using new visual strategies. I had to pass another road test to demonstrate that I could drive safely. I do have a HUGE rear view mirror in my car that helps tremendously. Over the years I nave really gotten used to compensating for this unique way of seeing, but working on the computer is still a challenge and can become very fatiguing. Again, it's so much better then it used to be. I just quit when I get tired, and head outside for some exposure to natural light engage in anything physical to get the blood pumping!
So, I'm headed out now to do just that. Look out flowers, here I come!
Enjoy this day!!! :-)
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A Green Bay story.
Soooo, I ate my way through the rest of taper week, and by the end I was wondering if my running shorts were going to fit. Thankfully they did! While I was anxious to run the race itself, what I was really looking forward to is spending a little "girl" time with my friends for the weekend. Dana, Alicia, Erica and I headed to Green Bay on Friday. The girls were running the half-marathon, and for Al and Erica this was their first race ever! Dana and I have run the Virginia Beach half-marathon together twice. We happily shared our war stories and experiences of flying into a hurricane, flooded hotel rooms, racing in the heat, and drunken sailors. Our intention was to entertain them and calm their anxieties. I think we just scared them even more!
We spent the night and the next day just relaxing...and of course...you can probably guess by now....EATING!! (Told you I can get redundant!!) We went to the race expo on Saturday to pick up our packets, and engage in Dana's favorite activity....SHOPPPING!! She is the best power shopper I know. She has a great sense of style. Her influence has enabled me to break away from my jeans/t-shirt/sweatshirt look to one that's a little more sophisticated. She was in her happy place! I manged to restrain myself and purchased two shirts. WHEW! ;-)
I woke up race morning a bundle of nerves. We were all nervous and feeding off each other. Except for Erica. She has a quiet soul and was very calm, outwardly at least. She was pretty quiet, but I could tell she was excited.
We had been worried about the weather. It was predicted to be very cold, and the wind on Saturday was brutal! Luckily the wind had died down. It was about 30 degrees at the start but with full sun the temperature rose nicely. All in all, it was great running weather! I started out feeling pretty good. By mile 8 I was considering dropping to the half....I felt that bad. My legs were wobbly and I was feeling weak. I realized that I hardly had anything to drink and had not kept up with my nutrition plan. I usually start nibbling on pretzels and drinking Gatorade, but because of the cold and my nerves, I just didn't. So I started drinking more and took some goo. Goo is basically a packet of thick, sugary syrup. It comes in all kinds of flavors. Some athletes can't tolerate goo, others are very picky about their preferred flavor. I fall into the latter category. I need to have chocolate with some caffeine. At mile 10 I took goo, and by mile 11 my legs woke back up. It's amazing when that happens!
Miles 11-18 felt great!! Then the wheels started coming off again. GRRRRRR.... :-( At mile 20 I got a mental boost. Rachel and Robyn write me notes that I run with to read at mile 20. They truly help get me through the rest of the race. I always look forward to reading them. They are usually pretty humorous and always sprinkled with loving sentiment and inspiration. This time the letter got me to mile 22. I then looked at my watch. At my current pace, I was not going to come in under 3:50:59, the time I needed to qualify for Boston. Now, I did not NEED to qualify again, I already ran my qualifying time last October 11, at the Whistle Stop Marathon with a time of 3:49:25. I can already run Boston next year....YEAH!! :-) So if I were smart, I would back off and start walking and save myself from potential injury and a longer recovery.
I pushed the last four miles. I cannot explain what happens in my brain. There is a competitiveness that I never knew I had. I constantly compete with myself, challenge myself to go faster and further. It's very difficult for me to let that go. I finished in 3:50:29. The last mile was very painful, but I forgot the pain as I ran through Lambeau Field. It's so cool running through that stadium!! :-)
The girls finished their races as well! I was so happy and excited for them. When Alicia and Erica ran through mile 4, they had a surprise waiting for them. Their families had come to watch the race! They had come up the night before and stayed at a different hotel. It was at mile 4 that they made their presence known. I thought it was so sweet, and so did they!! :-)
It was a great weekend with many new memories created. We will be telling the stories for a very long time.
We spent the night and the next day just relaxing...and of course...you can probably guess by now....EATING!! (Told you I can get redundant!!) We went to the race expo on Saturday to pick up our packets, and engage in Dana's favorite activity....SHOPPPING!! She is the best power shopper I know. She has a great sense of style. Her influence has enabled me to break away from my jeans/t-shirt/sweatshirt look to one that's a little more sophisticated. She was in her happy place! I manged to restrain myself and purchased two shirts. WHEW! ;-)
I woke up race morning a bundle of nerves. We were all nervous and feeding off each other. Except for Erica. She has a quiet soul and was very calm, outwardly at least. She was pretty quiet, but I could tell she was excited.
We had been worried about the weather. It was predicted to be very cold, and the wind on Saturday was brutal! Luckily the wind had died down. It was about 30 degrees at the start but with full sun the temperature rose nicely. All in all, it was great running weather! I started out feeling pretty good. By mile 8 I was considering dropping to the half....I felt that bad. My legs were wobbly and I was feeling weak. I realized that I hardly had anything to drink and had not kept up with my nutrition plan. I usually start nibbling on pretzels and drinking Gatorade, but because of the cold and my nerves, I just didn't. So I started drinking more and took some goo. Goo is basically a packet of thick, sugary syrup. It comes in all kinds of flavors. Some athletes can't tolerate goo, others are very picky about their preferred flavor. I fall into the latter category. I need to have chocolate with some caffeine. At mile 10 I took goo, and by mile 11 my legs woke back up. It's amazing when that happens!
Miles 11-18 felt great!! Then the wheels started coming off again. GRRRRRR.... :-( At mile 20 I got a mental boost. Rachel and Robyn write me notes that I run with to read at mile 20. They truly help get me through the rest of the race. I always look forward to reading them. They are usually pretty humorous and always sprinkled with loving sentiment and inspiration. This time the letter got me to mile 22. I then looked at my watch. At my current pace, I was not going to come in under 3:50:59, the time I needed to qualify for Boston. Now, I did not NEED to qualify again, I already ran my qualifying time last October 11, at the Whistle Stop Marathon with a time of 3:49:25. I can already run Boston next year....YEAH!! :-) So if I were smart, I would back off and start walking and save myself from potential injury and a longer recovery.
I pushed the last four miles. I cannot explain what happens in my brain. There is a competitiveness that I never knew I had. I constantly compete with myself, challenge myself to go faster and further. It's very difficult for me to let that go. I finished in 3:50:29. The last mile was very painful, but I forgot the pain as I ran through Lambeau Field. It's so cool running through that stadium!! :-)
The girls finished their races as well! I was so happy and excited for them. When Alicia and Erica ran through mile 4, they had a surprise waiting for them. Their families had come to watch the race! They had come up the night before and stayed at a different hotel. It was at mile 4 that they made their presence known. I thought it was so sweet, and so did they!! :-)
It was a great weekend with many new memories created. We will be telling the stories for a very long time.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
15 years ago I joined Prairie Athletic Club and began exercising to try and lose some weight. I was 70 pounds heavier then my current weight. To say my diet at the time was less then stellar would be an understatement! I can honestly tell you I eat more now then I did then. Admittedly, for the most part anyway, what I put in my mouth is a lot healthier. Mike likes to tell people about my daily bowl of salad that's, "bigger then your head!" What I never anticipated when I started to work out and training more intensely is how hungry I would get. I could literally eat 24/7. I was talking to my friend Katie last night about this....not for the first time! (I tend to bore most people with my tales of training, hunger, and the unique places I find on a long run to "eliminate" all that food!!;-)). Katie more than understand. She is my angel that is helping me with my training. She did her first IM Wisconsin last year in just over 12 hours. For those that don't know, that is an incredible time! She did this without a coach, on a basic road bike that was constantly breaking, and while having only raced in one other sprint triathlon. She is amazing! What's even more amazing is the amount of food she can consume. She said to me last night, "The only time I wasn't eating during training was when I was swimming!"
I've already eaten 1/2 cookie, cereal, fruit, and yogurt this morning. I've been up for an hour!!! :-O
I've already eaten 1/2 cookie, cereal, fruit, and yogurt this morning. I've been up for an hour!!! :-O
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Welcome to my blog!
Hello, and thank you for visiting my blog. Please forgive me as I stumble through my first post, and as I navigate my way through what is foreign territory for me. I need to thank my daughter Rachel for helping me set this up. What a wonderful Mother's Day activity!!
I will be using this as a forum for sharing with you this incredible journey down the "Iron" road to Ironman Wisconsin. Associating this event to a fund raising effort is also new for me, but it's something I'm very excited about! I will also be setting up a Face Book page and I will have a link on this site as soon as it is set up.
I will try to summarize my short athletic history and all that has taken place to get me to this point. Seven years ago I ran my first race. It was the Crazy Legs Classic, a five mile run for UW- Madison athletics. Prior to this I hadn't run more than 3 miles. I HATED running! I ran the race as a response to a challenge from a friend. Something happened when I crossed that finish line. It was at that race my obsession started. I HAD to run a marathon!
I spent the next year running my self into the ground and making every newbie mistake that one could ever make, the biggest being too much mileage too soon, in a 36 year old body that was screaming, "What the heck are you doing to me???" By mid-summer I was injured and couldn't run for four months.
I have learned much since then, and I continue to learn every day. I think one of the most incredible things that I have learned from all of my experiences so far is that the human body is so complex and powerful and has tremendous capacity to perform under the most challenging circumstances. It is no surprise that it also houses the heart and the brain, whose influences are beyond measure. I've also learned that the heart and brain respond very positively to the love and support of family, friends, and even strangers. I definitely did not get to this place alone!
Since that first race, I have run eight marathons, six triathlons, and many other short course races. 2008 was my busiest year so far. It included running in two marathons, including my first Boston Marathon, and three triathlons. I was able to finish my first half-ironman distance triathlon last August. So, when you ask me when my training started for IM Wisconsin, I would tell you, "seven years ago"
In the middle of all that, the road got a little bumpy with the consequences of a ruptured CAVM, and treatment of a PAVM, but that's another blog. This first one is already too long! So much for a summary! ;-)
Fast forward to the present. This morning I ran my last 11 miler in preparation for the Green Bay Marathon which I will run next Sunday. This week I will be dealing with what I have started calling, "taper madness" week. It's the week or two before a big race where your drastically cut your training volume to rest up for the race, and at the same time continue to eat like you will never see food again, aka "carb loading"! When I said before I hated running, now I HATE taper week! I struggle with it mentally and physically. By the end of it I feel sluggish, tired, and heavy. When your body and mind are used to going, going, going and you tell it to slow down and rest, it feels awful. If you would have told me seven years ago I would feel this way, I would NEVER have believed you or understood.
After this marathon I will be focusing more on the bike and swim. I have continued to bike and swim while training for this marathon, but my attention to those disciplines will increase while the running miles will decrease slightly. If your wondering what is my least favorite thing to do? It is the swim....more on that later.
Thank you again for visiting! I hope everyone had a great Mothers Day!! :-)
I will be using this as a forum for sharing with you this incredible journey down the "Iron" road to Ironman Wisconsin. Associating this event to a fund raising effort is also new for me, but it's something I'm very excited about! I will also be setting up a Face Book page and I will have a link on this site as soon as it is set up.
I will try to summarize my short athletic history and all that has taken place to get me to this point. Seven years ago I ran my first race. It was the Crazy Legs Classic, a five mile run for UW- Madison athletics. Prior to this I hadn't run more than 3 miles. I HATED running! I ran the race as a response to a challenge from a friend. Something happened when I crossed that finish line. It was at that race my obsession started. I HAD to run a marathon!
I spent the next year running my self into the ground and making every newbie mistake that one could ever make, the biggest being too much mileage too soon, in a 36 year old body that was screaming, "What the heck are you doing to me???" By mid-summer I was injured and couldn't run for four months.
I have learned much since then, and I continue to learn every day. I think one of the most incredible things that I have learned from all of my experiences so far is that the human body is so complex and powerful and has tremendous capacity to perform under the most challenging circumstances. It is no surprise that it also houses the heart and the brain, whose influences are beyond measure. I've also learned that the heart and brain respond very positively to the love and support of family, friends, and even strangers. I definitely did not get to this place alone!
Since that first race, I have run eight marathons, six triathlons, and many other short course races. 2008 was my busiest year so far. It included running in two marathons, including my first Boston Marathon, and three triathlons. I was able to finish my first half-ironman distance triathlon last August. So, when you ask me when my training started for IM Wisconsin, I would tell you, "seven years ago"
In the middle of all that, the road got a little bumpy with the consequences of a ruptured CAVM, and treatment of a PAVM, but that's another blog. This first one is already too long! So much for a summary! ;-)
Fast forward to the present. This morning I ran my last 11 miler in preparation for the Green Bay Marathon which I will run next Sunday. This week I will be dealing with what I have started calling, "taper madness" week. It's the week or two before a big race where your drastically cut your training volume to rest up for the race, and at the same time continue to eat like you will never see food again, aka "carb loading"! When I said before I hated running, now I HATE taper week! I struggle with it mentally and physically. By the end of it I feel sluggish, tired, and heavy. When your body and mind are used to going, going, going and you tell it to slow down and rest, it feels awful. If you would have told me seven years ago I would feel this way, I would NEVER have believed you or understood.
After this marathon I will be focusing more on the bike and swim. I have continued to bike and swim while training for this marathon, but my attention to those disciplines will increase while the running miles will decrease slightly. If your wondering what is my least favorite thing to do? It is the swim....more on that later.
Thank you again for visiting! I hope everyone had a great Mothers Day!! :-)
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