Tri-ing my best: Ironman by 40

Okay so every single detail is what I am aiming to capture. This post is for me to capture as much as I can. I am now one week past Michigan 70.3 and I am ready to sign up for another. Friday morning we left (Pam, Shane and me) and headed to Frankfort. Pam is 6 months pregnant and we didn't even get to Lansing before she had to use the bathroom haha. It made me laugh so hard. We made the drive up with a few more stops, lots of laughs, and just all the best feelings. We got into Frankfort a bit before 2p and I went to sign in. Of course there was ALL THE MERCH for Ironman. I bought it all haha. In reality I grabbed a sweatshirt (it was a Finisher sweatshirt and of course it made me very nervous to buy this before the race. But I didn't know I they would have them after - and they didn't, so I am glad I got it when I did). I also got a long sleeve shirt, microfiber towel with all the participant names on it, a hat, and a coffee mug. The gear was Lululemon so it was not cheap ...

 Um, so where did I leave off? Remember how I said my run just felt hard and I thought it was just the let down of a post race feeling? Nope. COVID. So that explained a lot. It was a very mild case overall. Stuffy nose, one terrible morning of coughing, and otherwise nothing much (other than that terrible run).  Just after my isolation period ended, I had Tri Goddess Tri on the calendar. I went into the race after basically two weeks of not working out and zero expectations. I signed up for it truly because I wanted the jersey, and so I reminded myself of that as I prepared that day. I was very happy with the outcome of the race. This was the first race I have done twice and so I could compare last year to this year and see progress. 2021: Swim 24:05 / T1 2:41 / Bike 38:04 / T2 1:02 / Run 28:29 2022: Swim 19:27 / T1 1:51 / Bike 24:03 / T2 wasn't recorded / Run 30:52 The improvement on the swim and bike really made my day. The run wasn't my best but thats okay. Shaved 8 minutes...

After my Olympic Distance tri this past weekend, I was on Cloud 9. For a couple of days. Its been awhile since I had that feeling though that sometimes comes a few days after a race. That feeling of moving slow towards getting back going again. That (dare I say) lack of motivation. The itching feeling of a lack of consistency after recovering for a couple of days. For me, that is all being compounded by a work trip, and some killer allergies that just have taken me out of my rhythm.  I am working towards giving myself space with it. I think an aspect of this also is that after feeling what I gave on Sunday, and what it took out of me, part of me is doubting if I can do the 70.3 Or rather, do it well (by my own definition of well). How can I finish it feeling strong and like I emptied the tank, when I just did that and it was only half the distance? I can tell myself logically that I won't be going as hard since it will be longer. But I don't think I am yet at a place mentally t...

Good morning mama, I’m not sure how it’s been eight years that we’ve been going on this world without you, but really it’s just been without you physically. You’ve been here with us every single day since we said goodbye eight years ago.    Every time that I see a cardinal out when I’m riding my bike, I see you. I know you are with me when I’m running along with my music on shuffle and the right song comes on at the right moment.  You’re with me when I sit quietly with my coffee in the morning and then pet the dogs. You’re with me when I feel overwhelmed and I make a list, and am reminded of your work ethic.  I see you as I watch Eileen raise her kiddos and she does the little things that you did with homemade cakes and fun birthday parties.  I see you when I talk to Pam on FaceTime and we drink our coffee together. While I’m looking at her face, I see you looking back at me.  I feel you every time I go home and I walk through our house that we spent so man...

 A lot has happened since I last wrote in January. A few items of note: 1. I officially started working with a triathlon coach. I had this planned already but it has been even more impactful than I would have realized, based on item number 2 below. Her name is Jennifer and she is based out of the DC area, so it is virtual coaching. It has been great. We have all my races on the calendar, she goes in and adds my workouts, and then after each one I share details about how it went and she will comment, ask questions, give guidance. I was able to send her a video of me swimming and she gave me a few tips on my swim form. I am doing that with running soon. I am so thankful that I made this decision because I really don't know how this would be going based on the new job if I didn't have someone leading me along this path. 2. I started a new job. In the past, a life change like this has been the thing that has thrown me off course. Well, I have officially learned that about myself an...

In September and October I took a break from tracking. This was the first time since I was a WW member where I did not consistently make an effort to track. Those two months furthered my journey into thinking it was time to step away from WW. I felt a sense of ease surrounding food that I had not felt in years. I took the break because I was training for my half, and knew that I would be going over points daily. I also knew we were going to London for 10 days and I just didn't want to think about trying to track while on vacation. I just wanted to fully embrace and enjoy the experience.  During that time I began to discover food rules that I had that I didn't realize I had. Because I had convinced myself that the items I chose to not eat were not worth the points. Or that I didn't really like them that much. Or I convinced myself that I really liked the things I was eating. But it just wasn't true. And taking a step back helped me realize that. Here are just a few examp...

January is so often the time when we set goals, and things we want to do and focus on. I find myself doing this and picking maybe a few too many things.  1. Hip/strength work: I know that my right side is stronger than my left, and this becomes more pronounced in my hips and glutes. Because these areas are vital to being a strong runner, I have a set of 4 exercises I am aiming to do 4 times a week. Hip bridges (single leg and both legs) Leg raises Clam shells Monster Walks 2. Crush Your Core 2 Program: This is a four week program in the Peloton app. I did the first CYC program twice and loved it. It is core work for 4-5 days a week, with the class lengths ranging from 5 and leading up to 20. 3. Leaving WW: Can't forget that one, and the massive impact that has. Writing my last post was what I needed to help me process. I was a bit naive to think I wouldn't have any negative responses. So I am working through that along with the whole leaving thing.  4. Dogs need more activity:...