Tuesday, June 29, 2010

race n stuff

so i will write a proper race report when i get home...but yesterday ETG and i went down to the race expo for one last look at the finisher gear (nothing all _that_ great) and happened upon the posted results...

2097 people finished the race

i was 688 out of 2097

i was 20 out of 108 in my age group

so that made me happy...now...i hope my blisters on my toes get better soon...and my quads stop throbbing...but other than that i am a happy lil bear

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Friday, June 25, 2010

so far so good...

CdA has been really amazing so far...lots of beautiful houses and yards with soft soft grass...great weather...laughs...nerves...more laughs...and lots and lots of eating...with a tiny bit of training thrown in...oh and lots of trips to the bathroom...mmm...hydration!!

i have been keeping my self in my realm of normalcy by taking over kitchen duties...whipping up grilled salmon and asparagus...to a dozen eggs scrambled...to orzo and peas...topped with some lovely grilled chicken...it has been fun and VERY relaxing to cook for our house full of IM athletes and sherpas...and it has been super great not to have to be eating out every meal every day...making my belly a happy beast...

workouts have been good too...day one was swim/run...glassy water and cool temps for the run...day 2 was swim/bike...not so glassy...more choppy making the swim a bit of a fight...but it's just a different style of swim...must remember that i am a strong swimmer...i need to put my head down and swim...and just keep moving forward...bike was amazing...super nice wheels (thanks again carrie)...and awesome views of the lake...

our major entertainment of the day was driving the bike course...didn't look like anything i have not done before in austin...so that was nice to see with my own eyes...though there were a couple of screaming down hills with some quick turn action that i will need to pay attention to...but wow...what a beautiful course...

now...off to bed to swim/run in the morning...cheer on my friends racing france and western states...and stay off my feet and try not to get nervous...it's almost game time...eeek!!!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Final Prep

I'm in the process of my final preparations for Ironman #2...the bike is shipped, my bags are packed...flush out massage done...motivational note cards are being written (by me and others..thanks!) and the boarding pass is printed...now it's just travel and take it easy before the big day on sunday...

i'm really going though waves of nervousness and excitement but generally very calm at the moment...i am hoping to hold on to that as we approach the weekend...i have trained well and consistently...i have made gains and moved forward in my training and in my fitness...i have found much more balance with school/friends/husband/training this time around...so the whole process has just felt a little more relaxed. less stressful and more fun...and really just ready to take that fun though my IM day

Sure i have goals that i am scared to say out loud to many people...i'm drawing a blank as to what 58 degrees feels like (the lows here in ATx have been in the high 70's)...and what it's like to wear arm warmers...but i am also excited to overhear over confident/under trained dudes brag about past races...check out all the new IM gear at the expo...and relax in what i am told is a totally beautiful area of the country...

so i will hope to keep you all (the three of you) who read my blog..posted as to my adventures in Idaho...but if you want to catch me race day it's #2210 :) let's do this!!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

for my pops

today is father's day so this post goes out to me pops...

i really don't think i could be a few days out from my second ironman (with a little bit of confidence and a lot of will and mental strength) without my dad cheering me on from the sidelines since the age of 5...well probably before that too but i can't really remember much before then ! ...driving me 8 hours away to attend soccer camps and tournaments and generally (okay specifically!)telling me to follow the ball and get my head in the game...

thanks pop for all the encouragement along the way :D...can't wait to give you and mom a call a week from today after i cross that finish line for the second time!!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Here We Go...

It is the beginning of taper...the rest that comes before the big race...and the time to really start ramping up the mental aspect of the training and preparation...this is when (even more than before) i begin to visualize each portion of the race...trying to walk through all of the steps mentally...in as much detail as i can...down to the lap of the chilly water on my feet...the smell of 2000 athletes in neoprene...the sound of the water against my ears...and perhaps earplugs...the sand on my toes as i get out of the swim...and on through the race...i literally close my eyes and try to "see" where i will be and feel how i want to feel....

feel strong, steady and solid up that middle section of hills, fast and fresh as i cruise through town...smell the freshness of the not so humid air...and even a little bit of a chill on my nose as i climb the hills for a second time...attending to my own race...chomping my shot blocks, sipping the liquid nutrition...calling for water at the hand up...rolling strong back into town and through transition...watching for a second as i hand off my bike...shouting my race number...

transitioning to the run...the feel of my hand held bottle on my arm...the lift of my knees as i run, the steady breathing pattern, the breeze off the lake...head up and lifted tall...shoulders relaxed as i move into the second loop of the run...reaching the turn on the hill...the lift as i am on that last 10k...the turn on to Sherman avenue...and...those final moments...where time cannot slow down enough...where you want to stop running and listen to all of those cheers...where all of those people (physically there and at home glued to computers) are screaming for you.....and you alone...no matter if they think you are crazy...amazing...or just plain weird...

i try as much as i can to imagine all of that as i sit in line at the grocery store, or hang out at the end of the lane during one of my last swim practices, or stretch after run practice...and if it feels this good visualizing...it is going to be _amazing_ on race day...