6 Week Count Down...

It amazes me when I think about it...I have been "counting down" to an Ironman (or two) every year for the past 8 years! This will be my ninth year in a row without a break. This realization comes to me every now and then I and simply cannot believe just how fast time can fly by! I can remember back in 2001, training for my first Ironman. I was 24 years old and I was training for IMLP at the time, but a bike crash 4 weeks before the race quickly changed my plans. With the help of mom and dad, I was signing up for a charity spot in Ironman Florida the day after my bike accident. During that summer after my accident I was forced to ride the trainer due to the 2 metal plates that were (are) inserted on each bone of my forearm. That along with pins that kept my wrist together made for a difficult time training...but train I did! I was back to running a week later with a cast that went from my shoulder to my wrist! So funny to think about it now! It amazed me just how many yells of encouragement I got EVERY TIME I went out for a run! Due to the severe pain that I would get every time I slightly moved my arm or wrist, I would be running down the road trying to hold my left arm up in the air and as still as possible...Ha! What great form! I am laughing just thinking about it! I felt like a complete fool, but this didn't stop me, oh no...I was out there training for my Ironman. The cheers I got from passing cars were a surprise and a relief...I expected much more "heckling" than I got....in fact, I don't think I got any negative comments!

As for the bike...the trainer became my friend. I would sit on that thing for hours on end...5-6 hour "long rides", intervals, you name it. I even brought it up to a friend's house while I was there visiting. Not only did I perch myself on the side of the road for a workout as a break from driving (crazy girl), but I also set it up in his parents backyard for a 6 hour ride! They must have thought I was a complete PSYCHOPATH! They would have been right! The swim wasn't so easy, so I had to take a couple of months off from that and "wing it" as best I could in the race... By race time, my arm wasn't "fully healed", but I had the plates on the bones to protect them, and the bones were "mostly healed"...my biggest fear was getting kicked in the swim, so I stayed FAR to the side during the start and dodged people as best I could! So, all went well...I won my age-group, qualified for Hawaii and was HOOKED for good! Ends up the accident was a blessing in disguise, as I doubt I had the strength to qualify in Placid at the time...funny how things work out!

Well, here I am starting my 6-week count down to IM Austria and I find that I get many of those same pre-race feelings that I got during my 1st Ironman Prep. I think this may be part of the "addiction" of Ironman. How great is it to prep for a huge event, set your goals, try and do everything right (or as "right" as you can) and countdown to a SUPER exciting day, where the outcome may be somewhat predictable due to your prep and your fitness level, but ultimately it is unknown, due to "unforeseen circumstances" on such a long day. They say that you learn the most from your worst performances... I can say that this is very true. It's during these performances that I question what I am doing with my life (during the race), but then it is these performances that get me to carefully evaluate what went wrong and how I can remedy it ( for the NEXT performance, of course)!

So, I started my "8-weeks of no ice cream/dessert" two weeks ago, a ritual of mine that I started years ago before every Ironman (I regret starting this ritual, by the way, since I usually enjoy SOME kind of dessert on MOST nights and I don't think that omitting it does anything for me really) It has become "ritual", however, and it signifies my "commitment to the race coming up"...or so that's what Ive been told when I was questioning whether I should ditch the ritual or not during a moment of weakness! Ive also had some fantastic workouts and feel quite fit, and I will be racing in two weeks at Mooseman as a type of "tune-up".

All is good in my world and as I was 8 years ago with my prep to IMFL, I am nervous and excited at the same time! The only difference is that I have 11 of these races under my belt now, Im quite a bit stronger from the years of training and it isn't as much of an "unknown" to me now. But I'm sure anyone who does them (even the studs who do 3+ a year!) can agree with me when I say that each Ironman is a bit daunting when you think about it as a whole, but each one is also special in it's own way and the excitement you get during the build-up as well as the thrill of finishing one of these races is worth all the months of training!

Back to Basics...

Wow...Time flies. It's been a while since my last update. Many changes since Oceanside. I took a "turn" after that race and have "revisited" my old training that I found to be so successful for me. The good news: Im not as "de-trained" as I thought I was! Also, after adding some MUCH NEEDED intensity in a short amount of time, I have been on a the fast track back to fitness levels that I reached during my first Pro season back in 2007! :-) I am on track to surpass those levels no doubt...
...isnt that what we all strive for? Getting as strong as possible...finding ways to surpass levels that we once considered to be our best? Because of this "switch", my mental side has also done a "180". I am more confident than I had been in a long time and I realize that I really love doing what I do, which is SO important for success. I try to embrace what I am doing as "it won't last forever"!
Of course, no athlete does it completely solo, everyone has support and I have been lucky to be able to "bounce ideas" off of George in my attempt to regain my power on the bike. Ive learned a lot that I THOUGHT I knew, but didnt fully understand. By looking back at my old training and carefully analyzing what works and what does not work for me in my training, then "picking George's brain", I have been able to really understand what it is that I need to be doing, and the correct way to go about it. It also helps to try and ride side-by-side with him...something I find difficult and frustrating at times, but always rewarding once the ride is over! Also, my coach from 2004/5-2008 offered to help me out again after almost a year hiatus. Having someone who knows my history, my ability and potential, and my goals has been key. Working closely with him again and developing a solid plan for IM Austria has been exciting...especially when I have been seeing the results come so quickly in training! Of course I always have family and friends that support me, like Jen Gatz (amazing triathlon coach, teacher, mother, athlete, etc...) who I can always contact when I need advice on training and who always gives me a solid, well thought out solution to whatever it is I need guidance with. Also, Jamie Fishlow (incredible triathlon coach, teacher, father, athlete, etc...) who has not only developed a strength training regimen for me that helped me to train injury-free throughout this winter (a first for me), but who also became my strength training partner as well as good friend. Like I said, no one can do it alone...
I've been working on my mental preparation quite a bit as well and have been reading, "Fit Soul Fit Body" written by the legendary Triathlete Mark Allen and Healer Brant Secunda. Their website is: www.fitsoul-fitbody.com. Another incredible book that teaches the importance of the mental side of training and racing is Bobby McGee's "Magical Running". I am reading this book for a second time to refresh myself on the lessons that Bobby (legendary running coach) teaches as a fundamental part of any athletes training. Bobby also has some wonderful article's that he has written on his website: www.bobbymcgee.com. Ask any successful athlete and they will tell you the importance of believing in themselves and working on their mental strength and perseverance...something that plays a HUGE role in endurance sports.
So I am finishing up a short rest period after completing a wicked training block and am getting ready to start up again...the next race is Mooseman in June and then Ironman Austria in July. I cant wait to see the payoff from all of this hard work!