I hab a code

Thus begins my struggle. My nose is dripping. My body is tired. Do I cut back time and intensity or do I still go ahead?

I was talking with a friend and she isn't feeling well but is still pushing through. I was the pot calling the kettle black when I asked why she didn't let up. She said she has a race in three weeks and feels a bit unprepared. I can understand that. Even though my race is 12 weeks away, I wonder about it too.

I'm tired more often than not. When Junior sleeps past 6 (or isn't rowdy until then) I feel like it is a small victory.    I do my best I guess.

I have found that decreasing the number of weekly workouts, but increasing the length of some of them, has been the right thing to do. For example, it is nice to know that I only have to swim today instead of also trying to fit a bike workout this afternoon. It gives me more time with the family and time to get other things done.
I do feel more "rested" this way and a whole lot happier.

Half assed

Yeah, I'm whiny today. I was up more times than I can count (if I can only count to 5) with the older fuzzies last night, coupled with Junior's early wakeup and I was dog tired tostart my day. I spent the day with Peanut's class on a field trip and it was the most amazing day. I love watching him interact with his class mates. I learned that one has a crush on him. Awwww.

I spent time with all the fuzzies when I got home and made supper. I grew more tired as the night progressed and I was looking for any excuse to skip tonight's workout. We did our regular nighttime routine of teeth brushing and stories and once Junior went to bed we went downstairs for a little bit of TV time. I half assed half my workout while the kids enjoyed a favourite program. I was texting a friend, telling her that my heart wasn't in it. She said that sometimes it isn't, but you still have to get done what you can. She also gave me permission to be flexible. I didn't want to be on the bike at almost 10pm so half a workout it was.

Also, I guess letting the kids watch TV before bed is half assed parenting. Half a gold star for me?

oh snap!

I know that no one is making me train for Ironman, therefore I shouldn't complain that I am feeling tired. I am bringing this on myself, right? I am not trying to be amazing or make others feel inadequate, however, when I am informed of one of the 90% of the population is feeling tired today I want to snap a bit. Feeling tired seems to be the new norm for me. It's a mix of training and lack of sleep and really, there are only a few things I can do to help either. There is a minimun that I need to train in order to finish the race. But I want to do more than finish. I want to do my best. I can only get so much sleep as it is dictated by how well the fuzzies are sleeping and when they get up. Quality of training suffers. There is only so much rearranging I can do in a week to make everything fit. I still want to spend time with my family.

So when the momma to my right with the perfect hair and make-up holding the Starbucks complains that her only baby was up at the god forsaken hour of 830? Yeah, I want to snap.

First race of the year!

I ran today's half marathon in a smidge under 2:06. A solid effort marred by several trips to the toilets during the race. I got so effiicient at it that I only ended up losing 30 seconds on a few. I was on track to make my sub 2 goal until kilometer 15 when I ended up using the toilet, running away and then 30s needed to go back. At that point things transferred to survival mode. I just wanted to get the race done. Some kilometers were run at the goal pace and others were run slightly bent over. It was tough, but so am I, so I got it done.

The positives are abundant: I still was only a few minutes off my best time, and I didn't specifically train for this race. I discovered that gel blasts are not running friendly when I am pushing the pace.

I was also treated to a night in a hotel so I could relax and have some time to myself and not have to wake up and drive at 530 in the morning.

More than just the race...

A friend of mine DNFed her A race for the year. Naturally she is sad and disappointed. I am not going to comment on her feelings, but on something a friend said to her. She was told that she is soooo much more than the race. This is true. My friend is loving and caring, a determined athlete who rarely complains about her life or what is on her training shedule, a friend who can help pick you up when you are down, and speaks the truth.

The list of things that I admire about her is as long as my arm and it breaks my heart that this is was the result of today.

So yes, she is more than this race.

It is a good check for me too. I am more than what the result of Ironman will be. It does not change who I am. It may enhance some positive and/or negative qualities about me but it doesn't define me. It will be what it will be.

Insight is lacking

So I am realizing that I have absolutely nothing insightful to say! I had a friend over for lunch yesterday and I was talking about my blog and how I don't want it to be negative. I try to focus on the positive and use that to remind myself when things are hard. There are others with a lot less that do a lot more and some will never utter a harsh word about it. I have been encouraged to write it all down, because the journey isn't always going to be rainbows and sunshine.

With each workout I do feel like I am getting stronger and getting closer to my goal. I will be honest and say that during some parts of my ride on the weekend I did question my ability about meeting my more aggressive time goals this year. Each ride is going to have highs and lows, and the race is going to have it too.

Like mommy like...

Sweetpea sees me use the foam roller and she also stretches on it.

Peanut sees me on my trainer and lodges his training wheels so he can ride his bike without going anywhere.

Happy Mother's Day!

I will start this out by saying I am very lucky to be a mother and for that I am greatful every day. I was spoiled by my husband and the fuzzies.

Did my first outdoor ride this year. Battled the wind for 78km but felt confident that the what I have been doing has been the right thing.

And now a fuzzy needs me....

Paperless

Last time I did Ironman I had a paper log where I kept track of me training. I had intentions of doing it again, but this is the middle of week 9 and I have yet to do so. Instead I use an online log to track my workouts. I have been using it ever since I was training for the San Francisco Marathon in 2007. It's neat, concise and keeps the data. However, I miss being able to sit down and flip through a journal. Maybe I will get some time to start adding the entries before I become forgetful. Hmmm...maybe that's what those early mornings can be used for.

I said a while ago that I was feeling low but I didn't think I would be staying there. Things are definitely getting better for me.

Fueled by latte

The most amazing swim this morning. Not sure if it was because I had a cut back week or the caloric and caffeine jolt in a grande cinnamon dolce latte, but I was swimming faster with greater consistency than I have in years! Holy crap. I was seriously shocked. I know I work hard and I try to make the most of every minute that I have.

I am also embracing the "eat when I'm hungry". I have no weight to lose, but I am having a hard time shaking the  need to drop the baby weight. If my workouts are rocking because I am eating, then that's what I need to remember.

I am flattered with all the postive feedback that I have been receiving. Thanks everyone.

Time goes fast

As I was swimming this morning I was thinking of a friend of mine. Her fourth Ironman is less than 2 weeks away and it doesn't seem that long ago that she just started training for it.

Soon enough I am going to be in the same position. My training cycle is a third over and the builk of the hours will be in the next three months. Expect to be tired, hungry and super fit!

I hate listening to my body

Today I chose rest instead of an easy run. Even though I know it was probably the right decision, it was still hard to not run. I have had the runs before that have sucked because I was too tired and I did it anyway.

Training smart.

FFS