Where's my tailwind at?

Just a quick little note. I just got back from riding for about an hour and some change. No big whoop - except for the 90 degree heat and humidity. Oh yeah, and a headwind that felt more like a head brick wall! I tend to ride in loops so I will get use to the 3 loop course in Arizona. You would think when you round the corner and go in the opposite direction the brick wall slowing you down would turn into a turbo charge for your bike. Well, not today ladies and gentlemen. Not today.

Here's to hoping for a tailwind.

Ellie says, "Hi."

Do whatcha gotta

I've been in the thick of my Ironman training for 6 weeks now, and I have to admit.... it's not so bad. Yes, I realize the worst is yet to come, but I have successfully been swimming, biking, and running on a fairly consistent basis. It's true that my training was a little lack-luster while I was in New Orleans. And I was very motivated while on family vacation at Canandaigua Lake until I threw my back out lifting my bike into the back of my car which put me out of commission for 3 days. (I know, I know.... as a PT I should have known better. I can tell you at least 10 things I should have done differently that day, but like my profile says, I'm the worst patient out there. At least I knew how to fix myself.)

Thanks to a very supportive director at work, I have been able to change my work hours to help get in all of my training. This has been the first week of the schedule change. While it may take a little time to get use to working 8-7 on Mondays I feel confident that the schedule change will make the hard parts of the training doable.

I also have to thank my very supportive husband. I know he thinks I'm nuts - he just won't tell me that face to face. It's hard when you have to go ride for an hour or so and then run just as long (and from here on out it just gets longer). While I'm out training I would like to say that I am 100% focused on the race and what I need to do. But the truth is that I sometimes feel guilty being away from home - like I should be cleaning, doing yard work, walking the dog, or just spending time with my husband. But when I get home Kevin always asks how it went. I usually respond with some grumbling and the phrase, "I know, I did this to myself," when he just looks back at me and smirks. The conversation usually ends with him saying, "Do whatcha gotta." (which is funny if you know Kevin because he usually has very good grammar.)

So I have figure out what I "gotta" do - I will most likely enter a sprint triathlon in 2 weeks to get me into the racing mode. My test race will be the Pumpkinman 1/2 Iron-distance race in Maine in September to see how far my training has brought me and to work out all the kinks for the longer distances. All are welcome to come and cheer. I can't say that longer races are the most exciting things to watch, but the bike dismount station is usually pretty comical. Stay tuned for more exciting updates :o)

Sometimes this is how I feel after a workout.

Elephants

This week is the Peck family reunion in Canandaigua, NY. I have family from all over the U.S.(Utah, Minnesota, Colorado) converging on one of the most beautiful places I have seen. This week is also my self-proclaimed "training trip". No work for a full week? Whatever shall I do with my free time? I guess swimming, biking, and running should be on that list as I am now at T minus 5 months until IM Arizona (ahhhh! Silently freaking out to myself).

You know that old saying your grandparents would to tell you, "When I was your age I walked to school uphill both ways," yada, yada, yada? Well that is what my bike ride felt like this morning. I mapped out a route and had Kevin drive it with me before I actually rode it. Turns out the hills had what seemed like a 200% grade (if that is even possible) meaning that it would be impossible for me to ride it. Ok, change of course. On my new course the hills were still torturous but I am proud to say that I did make it up all of them. Lungs burning, heart pounding, feet going numb. The whole ride I was telling myself, "You did this to yourself. Get your stupid a$$ up that hill." Hey, whatever works.

After the first monster I decided to enjoy the scenery. There were lots of older farm houses, flowing fields of wheat (or maybe just unplowed grass), home-grown berry stands, and beautiful vineyards. Who knew NY had so much to offer? The good thing about hills is that if you go up them you eventually have to come back down. My cool down was more of a "coast" down and my biggest fear was burning out my brakes. Good times Canandaigua, good times.

Later in the day my Mom and I took a trip in to one of the small towns nearby. I found a print in a gift store that read, "Always keep your elephants calm." I like that. I'm sure you can apply that to many facets of life. Today I am applying it to hill work during my Ironman training. If you stay calm and enjoy the view then the hills won't kill you. (That is my wisdom for the day).

Get your tissues

I recently watched Mine, a documentary on the animal rescue that occurred after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The movie followed several hurricane survivors as they tried to reunite with their lost pets after the devastation. While I cried pretty much throughout the entire movie, I found the first 20 minutes particularly hard to watch. It detailed the actual animal rescues that took place and the difficulties the rescue groups encountered due to lack of help, lack of funds, lack of space, and too many abandoned animals.


This is a short clip from the movie that I found on YouTube:







American Lab Rescue is only one group out of hundreds in the United States trying to help with the placement of abandoned and homeless pets. I really have no idea if they played a role in the aftermath of Katrina, but I do know that they face the same challenges. If you would like to donate please click on the ChipIn link to the right.

New Orleans: Working my brachioradialis

I have spent the last 6 days in New Orleans for the National Athletic Training convention. New Orleans is quite the town. Unfortunately I spent most of the time training my brachioradialis (bad PT joke) as opposed to sticking with the scheduled training plan. Althougth I must say that walking the French Quarter in flip flops is an excellent calf work out.

Kevin and I headed down last week and stayed in the heart of the French Quarter. We ate our way through the city - beignets at Cafe du Monde, fancy schmancy meal at Emeril Lagasse's NOLA, handgrenades and mudslides on Bourbon Street, and the best southern brunch at The Court of Two Sisters while serenaded by a jazz trio.

We were complete tourists - bought some local street art, took pictures on almost every street corner (that would be my doing), were in shock and awe of Bourbon Street and the open container policy, and of course, knocked 3 times on the tomb of Marie Laveau (Voodoo high priestest).

My training schedule sat in my carry-on bag the entire trip (bad Ironman-in-training). I feel like it was/is glaring at me as if to say, "glad you enjoyed your trip but now I'm going to kick your ass." Sigh.

Best part of going away.... returning home to the dog!

Day 2 of training - check.

It's amazing, I have actually stuck with the training for 2 days. (Too bad I can't say the same for the 5 half-read books sitting around the house.) The smell of chlorine is slowly seeping back into my skin.

Adorable pics as promised:

It's tiring being this cute.

Look at the size of this hole I put in your yard! I can stick my head in it.

Hug it out.

Put your paws up, baby!

I would just like to thank Lady Gaga for creating the tag line for the official start of my Ironman Arizona 2011 training. Today marks 24 weeks until the big showdown - me vs. 140.6 miles. Who's excited? This girl, that's who. I was definitely not born this way, BUT I was born 31 years ago tomorrow. Oh you forgot? That's OK. You can make it up to me with a donation to American Lab Rescue (see ChipIn link to right, check them out at www.americanlabrescue.com).


Let me re-cap my last few blog posts:

1) I have gone insane and registered for Ironman Arizona

2) I will be covering 140.6 miles (swim 2.4 mi, bike 112 mi, run 26.2 mi) in under 17 hours under my own pure will on November 20, 2011

3) I am raising money for American Lab Rescue which is the dog rescue group from whom we adopted Ellie, the greatest dog in the whole world (see adorable pic in previous post).

4) I would appreciate your support (monetary, emotional, training partners, medical, etc.)


So in honor of Ellie and American Lab Rescue I would like you to put your paws up and get them waving as I start this crazy journey now and cross that damn finish line in November.

One more thing.... I would love it if you sign up to follow my blog posts. Right now I feel like I am talking to a blank wall. Thanks!