The Happy Turtle's Journey to the Start: An Ironman Tale

For those of you that believe that you have to be sleek, slim, cut and fast to be an Ironman, think again! Some of our bodies just don’t fit that mold but we have the guts to set our intention, make a plan and see it to the end. In my heart, I believe that turtles CAN fly! The turtle society is not just challenged by fitness, but by the time limits imposed by race companies insisting we keep up with the status quo so they can get to the bars before last call. Well, I suppose there has to be a cut off or us turtles might be out there for days enjoying the sun on our backs. Some stare at the turtles on the course wondering why it even embarks on such a journey and what purpose it has. It is old, weathered, wrinkled, and slow no matter how you twist it. I just know that you can train a turtle and the turtle might teach you a thing or two along the way. We are old and wise and we have a shell that cannot be broken. We want a taste of victory just like our other friends. I cannot find another creature that I am most like. Join me on my journey from start to end to help the Happy Turtle win again!

Saturday, September 28, 2013

REBOOT

One year from today is another opportunity to find greatness within.  Today I proclaimed that I felt like being an Ironman was like being crowned Miss America.  You hold your title for a year and it abruptly comes to an end as someone else steps into your running shoes as that day becomes their turn at the title.  During your reign, you have a responsibility to inspire others by sharing your journey, wisdom and strength.  As time passes, and your fitness level dwindles further and further away from the day you tasted victory, the memories fade and you no longer feel invisible or worthy of your title despite the blood, sweat and tears you shed to win.  So, you sign up again to try to find greatness for a second time.  All the doubts that were once there on that first pilgrimage return and you have to go through the process again for another taste of victory.  There are no short cuts to the finish line.

Let the games begin.  There will be the ups and downs on this winding road and the self doubt and questioning of one's own sanity will haunt you for the next 365 days questioning the state of mind you were in when you clicked the REGISTER NOW button on active.com.

This faulty computer of mine needs to be restarted.  When I went to bed last night, I told myself I was DONE being sick and no matter what, it was time to REBOOT.  Sometimes when you can't fix the problems that you are faced with, you just have to turn the power button ON and OFF and reboot to clear out the bad and start with a fresh screen.

Ironman Chattanooga 2014,  HERE I COME.......CHOO CHOO!!!!!

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k284/nanagoat129/gifs/Picture958.gif

SUPERSTITION: 3rd time: curse or charm!

Do bad things really happen in threes or is the third time really the charm!  Call me superstitious like many triathletes who chose to wear their lucky socks, obsess over every calorie they ingest, and go through training and race day rituals that must be performed to a T for the planets to align in our universe.  My absence from my blogspot over the past month has been a sure indicator about my plans that came crashing down.  My training has been almost non existent over the past few weeks due to a chronic cough and fatigue which was my first strike.  Then as I was finally starting to feel like I could get back in the saddle, I made a wrong turn and my back was in knots, strike two!  I felt doom and gloom hanging over my head as I sat around feeling sorry for myself anxiously awaiting for the third and final strike so I could just get on with my training.  Then I realize how ridiculous this all sounds, when I think about how great the number 3 can be......TIC, TAC, TOE 3 in a row can mean victory; or it can mean TRIATHLON:  swimming, biking, and running which equals HAPPINESS, or it can represent 3 triathlons in a row in a Triple Summer Series.  Maybe 3 really can be great!  I am always looking for the message in everything but if you can put a positive spin on what feels like a curse, you will usually find your lucky charm.

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Decisions, Decisions...what to work on next

I know, I know.  I let a week or two slide by without a post.  That must mean it is still off season and recovery from my summer season along with adjusting to going back to work and back to school.  One thing most triathletes love to do is PLAN or hire someone to plan for them.

Most of the planning is done for 2013-2014 as many important activities, commitments, deadlines and events are filling up the calendar, but getting back into a smooth and regular routine can be a challenge or a juggling act.  I was what I like to call, "the spoiled triathlete" during last year as I did not have much to juggle other than training, a few hours of work, and making sure my son got to his activities.  This year, I have taken on a little more work responsibilities and my son started high school, after school activities, and work commitments.  So now, I am more challenged as to when, where, and how to get all my workouts in with the days starting to get shorter. (I did not say cooler, because cooler has not arrived in AZ yet).

That will not stop me from doing what I love to do because I live to TRI, so one way or another, everything will get done.  The past few weeks have been overwhelming and my body is rebelling about getting back to "work" both as a physical therapist and a triathlete.  I am happy to still be in the recovery mode so there is no pressure about having to get in a certain number of miles or intensity.  While I take a deep breathe to pause, there are plenty of off season things to focus on like strength and conditioning, flexibility, technique, and nutrition.

Now of course there will be a few short races on the horizon including a sprint or two.  I also accepted an invitation to run PF Chang's Marathon this year on Team Wylder and will be posting more about this undertaking.  I have not had the desire to "run a marathon" unless it is part of an Ironman.  I could not pass up this invitation to honor a special little boy and help raise awareness and funds for NORD (national organization for rare diseases).  I will share more about this event in a future blog, so stay tuned if you would like to be a part of this day with me.

And the big decision is getting near.  I had decided that the best way to celebrate turning 50 next August was to do another Ironman.  One of my requirements was that it would have pine trees on the course, but after a lot of soul searching and research, it made more sense to go with a course that was more reasonable for my skill level and and a new race popped up on the circuit, IM Chattanooga in Tennessee.  It looks to be beautiful fast course with possible ideal conditions for a race.  It will include a river swim with the current, a rolling bike course through Northern Georgia, and a flat run through Chattanooga with average temps of 55-75, low humidity and little wind.  Who knows, there might even be pine trees.  I am not giving up on my vacation destination races in Tahoe, Whistler, Boulder and Coeur d'Alene, I just want to get leaner, stronger and more prepared for the difficulty of those courses.  So the decision is getting close and sign up for Chattanooga for September 2014 is getting closer.  I also will have to pick a 70.3 race or two along the way...so more decisions coming.

For now, I put those big goals to the side and focus on getting my energy levels back on track, my nutrition under control and build a strong base.  This is the fun stuff where you can take an hour or two out of your day to TRI before the wild ride begins for 2014.