33 sleeps until race day
When I signed up for Ironman Maryland, I had the idea I would regularly update my blog on how my training was going. That didn't go as planned.
Life while training for Ironman has been hectic. I'm pretty busy already: wife, mom, granny, daughter, sister, working full time. The list could go on. The swimming, biking and running keeps me busy (this week I will spend about 16 hours training) but there is so much more. Here's a list.
-eating
-Thinking about eating.
-Thinking about how hungry I am.
-do I have enough food
-Making food-actually I'm pretty spoiled. Jody does all the grocery shopping and all the cooking. He is an amazing chef and caters to my whole food plant based diet. He is always searching for recipes that he knows I'll like and then making them for me. There are only a few specialty items that I make for myself.
-Planning where I'm going to do my long bike rides. My long bike rides are 6 hours right now.
-Planning where to go on my long runs-I can be a creature of habit and run the same places but then sometimes I get bored and have to go somewhere different
-Getting ready for my work outs-do I have everything I need to do the work out with me?
-Cleaning up after a work out. Me and my gear.
-Making sure I have enough of my training nutrition. With help from a friend, Lee of moplantsplease, I have worked out what to fuel my body with while training, racing and post workout. But do I have enough to last me to race day?
-Laundry-working out 6 days a week creates a lot of laundry.
-Do I have the gear I need for race day and will it last to race day? I have gone through a lot of swim goggles and swim caps. Right now my bathing suits are barely hanging on. I make many trips to Tri-It, MEC and TCR labs.
-Making sure my bike is running smooth and the fit is good. I used to have to get Jody to help me clean and lube my chain. Not anymore!
-Practising changing a flat.
-Sleeping, I can never get enough.
-Do I have the gear I need for race day and will it last to race day? I have gone through a lot of swim goggles and swim caps. Right now my bathing suits are barely hanging on. I make many trips to Tri-It, MEC and TCR labs.
-Making sure my bike is running smooth and the fit is good. I used to have to get Jody to help me clean and lube my chain. Not anymore!
-Practising changing a flat.
-Sleeping, I can never get enough.
Here are the answers to the most common questions I get asked.
How is training going?
Training is going great. I have a great coach. Jenna-Caer sends me work outs for the week on Saturday or Sunday and then I get it done. It's been so nice having a coach. I only worry about one week at a time. Once I get my work outs I add them into my schedule. Next I usually review it with Jody so he know what's going on. Jody has been my second coach and biggest cheerleader. On tough, high volume weeks he keeps me focused on what I need to do that day and not get overwhelmed by the rest of the week. He reminds me, after this one you just have two more days and then your done.
My long ride days have been the hardest for me. I can predict the weather by looking for the day of my long ride. That is the day that will be the most windy and probably some rain. I usually wake up and say to Jody, "It looks pretty windy out there." He says, "So? Have a good ride." I'll say, "Maybe I shouldn't go." or "I should ride on the trainer today." He just looks and me, laughs and says,"You'll be fine. Get going" It makes me so mad. I'm thinking, "Fine for you to say. You're not out there for hours on end, with a sore butt, fighting the wind, on the side of the highway." I ride off only to thank him for the encouragement when I get home.
How do you feel?
This is meant in two ways, physical and mental.
Physically I'm doing pretty good. I'm having a bit of an issue with my right hamstring. I get regular massage, active release and I'm adding in dry needling this week. I feel blessed that my body is strong and healthy.
Mentally: Up until last week I was calm, cool and collected about race day. One day that just flipped and the anxiety clicked in. This is most obvious in the race and training dreams I have started having. All of them involving high drama. My rational brain reminds me: trust your training, trust your coach, you know you can do these distances, you are strong, you've got this.
Do I feel ready for race day?
Buff Granny feels ready for race day! Buff Granny is going to rock race day. Sandra.....she is just going to stay out of the way and let Buff Granny race.
How is training going?
Training is going great. I have a great coach. Jenna-Caer sends me work outs for the week on Saturday or Sunday and then I get it done. It's been so nice having a coach. I only worry about one week at a time. Once I get my work outs I add them into my schedule. Next I usually review it with Jody so he know what's going on. Jody has been my second coach and biggest cheerleader. On tough, high volume weeks he keeps me focused on what I need to do that day and not get overwhelmed by the rest of the week. He reminds me, after this one you just have two more days and then your done.
My long ride days have been the hardest for me. I can predict the weather by looking for the day of my long ride. That is the day that will be the most windy and probably some rain. I usually wake up and say to Jody, "It looks pretty windy out there." He says, "So? Have a good ride." I'll say, "Maybe I shouldn't go." or "I should ride on the trainer today." He just looks and me, laughs and says,"You'll be fine. Get going" It makes me so mad. I'm thinking, "Fine for you to say. You're not out there for hours on end, with a sore butt, fighting the wind, on the side of the highway." I ride off only to thank him for the encouragement when I get home.
How do you feel?
This is meant in two ways, physical and mental.
Physically I'm doing pretty good. I'm having a bit of an issue with my right hamstring. I get regular massage, active release and I'm adding in dry needling this week. I feel blessed that my body is strong and healthy.
Mentally: Up until last week I was calm, cool and collected about race day. One day that just flipped and the anxiety clicked in. This is most obvious in the race and training dreams I have started having. All of them involving high drama. My rational brain reminds me: trust your training, trust your coach, you know you can do these distances, you are strong, you've got this.
Do I feel ready for race day?
Buff Granny feels ready for race day! Buff Granny is going to rock race day. Sandra.....she is just going to stay out of the way and let Buff Granny race.
What are you going to do after the race?
Clean my house! Honestly that is my plan.
Immediately after the race, Jody, Jarom and I are going to drive up to New York for 5 days. Among other things, I am going to run in central park. I've always wanted to run in central park. (I need to add that to my bucket list).
Clean my house! Honestly that is my plan.
Immediately after the race, Jody, Jarom and I are going to drive up to New York for 5 days. Among other things, I am going to run in central park. I've always wanted to run in central park. (I need to add that to my bucket list).
Last thought for the blog today.
My race is on September 29, 2018. I distinctly remember where I was and the first thought I had September 29, 2004.
I woke up in a hospital bed.
My first thought was, "That wasn't a bad dream, I really do have stage 3 colon cancer. Please, Heavenly Father, I don't want to die." I had been told the night before that I had cancer and I would have surgery as soon as there was space available.
When I wake up September 29, 2018. My first thought will be, "Heavenly Father, thank you that I am alive." Then Buff Granny is going to go out and show cancer who's boss.
"What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."
My race is on September 29, 2018. I distinctly remember where I was and the first thought I had September 29, 2004.
I woke up in a hospital bed.
My first thought was, "That wasn't a bad dream, I really do have stage 3 colon cancer. Please, Heavenly Father, I don't want to die." I had been told the night before that I had cancer and I would have surgery as soon as there was space available.
When I wake up September 29, 2018. My first thought will be, "Heavenly Father, thank you that I am alive." Then Buff Granny is going to go out and show cancer who's boss.
"What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."