I did it, I did it.....

3 biggest days of training to date are successfully completed!!!

6:30 bike ride. 2:30 run and 4 miles of swimming.. Fri/Sat/Sun.

The bike ride was awesome- long aero and not a lot of climbing. The goal was time and 120 miles. KP, T and I rode from my house to Dana Point- stopped and refueled big time....food, drinks caffeine and rolled back home. Had a tail wind most of the way- gosh I love that.

Saturday up and off for my run....but not too early. No early soccer to get to so it was all good. Tough at the end, but well so is Ironman and nice to be done for the day by 11. R and I went to pick up my gear for the LJ Roughwater and meanwhile the boys bit the bullet and bought a spankin new, beautiful BBQ. We are officially in the club. Long story but this has been a long time in the making and I cannot wait to cook outside. No dishes. We planned to grill up a storm . but had an unexpected treat. R's friend from Kyrgyzstan was over last weekend and told me she likes to cook. I had asked if she would come over sometime and make an ethnic meal for us with Riley. So I and R sent JB a shopping list and they went to work around 5. By 6:30 we sat down to a wonderful dinner of Borscht (they made a vegetarian version) and a delicous salad of beets, potatoes, pees, and dill pickles. Very impressive. It was great and we loved that they did it all on their own. We gladly cleaned up!

Sunday JD and I were up and out by 6:40 for a 7:50am soccer game. Tough game....tied 0-0 but
was disappointing. We outplayed the team significantly but the score did not reflect that. Kid you not, we had at least 20 shots on goal and over 10 of them directly to the goalie. The goalie was not a phenom, we just kicked them directly to them. Frustrating....at least it was a tie and not a loss. Welcome to the season.

Dropped off JD and off to La Jolla. Rough Water swim, 1 mile was first and it was well rough.... tough swim but over quickly and then had to sit and wait and worry about the 3 miler. Family came out for some moral support - love that! D/K thanks for making it out as well. JD had to get home to lacrosse.

Gatorman start was delayed by over an hour due to the longer swim times, thanks to the swells. So when we finally started I was hungry....not a good way to start. There we were lined up on the beach and one of the paddlers is surfing in on a wave. Hello, this is the cove, protected and calm. Once the set, yes set of waves, passed they started the group. The swim goes from the LJ Cove to the Scripps Pier- you swim over the Canyon....scary deep bottom of the ocean, round the buoys and come back. The swim across was awesome and I was loving it. Checked my watch at the buoy and was totally psyched. Much like a head wind on the bike, we had the current going against us and the swells heading back. Took me 35 minutes over and 47 minutes back. The differential was not fatigue but waves and chop. It was so hard...and eventually it was fatigue as well. Up and down and then I got cold. The cove was moving away it seemed....finally, finally I roll onto the beach and am done. NOT a fun swim, but hey, its over and now it doesn't seem so bad. Medals to show the hard work, cool t-shirt and arms that are as tired as my legs.

Broke down and went to Starbucks on the way back to my car....Got the biggest, hottest mocha they would make. Give me the caffeine, sugar and calories- I needed them all. Cranked the heat and ate my grapes and pita chips and cruised home. Awesome family evening...kids headed to bed early, love that, as I am right behind them!!!

Working toward the weekend....

Thursday already! Really? Where does the week go. Woke up Tuesday and headed to UCSD for a swim only to find a huge sign on the door "major malfunction, pool closed" What the heck? It must be some malfunction as it is still closed and they have not identified what malfunctioned, but whatever it was it is big enough to close 2 pools. Bummer! I should have gone to the cove but well lost my will to swim. So I went for a run, a nice run around UCSD and called it a day. Tired for some reason so skipped the bike ride.

And Wed I was up at 4:30- ugh to swim with KP and T. Dark and early at KP's masters program. Small pool...6 lanes and loose lane lines so it was wavy, wavy. Ocean simulation. Good workout-new people and my lane was working hard so I worked with them. Out of the pool, starving....thanks EB for Breakfast Cookies- woofed down 2, yes 2, changed and we headed to KP's and hopped on our bikes. 3 hour ride....not intended to be tough but well T was coming off a few recovery days after a massive block of work and KP had recovered over the weekend and I was well, tired. I hung in there and it was not a hammer ride, but more than I anticipated. Consumed all my calories and more....indication I under fueled for the workout and proceeded to go home and take a nap. Worked for a few hours and then had a massage- one of the most painful massages ever. It was NOT relaxing but it was so very therapeutic. Hannah worked me over and I was so congested I could hardly breath and my throat was raspy. She worked out some serious stuff. Once I drank a gallon of water I started to feel normal again. Wow, hoping for a remarkable recovery.

New favorite food.....roasted sweet potatoes. Super food- yeah baby! Roast them in the oven and then brown up in a little olive oil, salt, pepper and good to go. Kids are loving them too. That and the green grapes are just to die for now... we are eating 5lbs a day. Amazing. While we are on food....lets talk beverages - I am so tired of anything that remotely tastes like a sports drink that I am seeking a new taste. And I found it- Pomegranate white tea. Trader Joes sells the bags and I make iced tea and it is delicious. I may just fill my water bottles on my long ride and see how it works....no electrolytes, no salt. Maybe not- could lead to a major bonk fest.

Riding long tomorrow with KP and T. Not my kind of ride...I like hilly but this one is a Kona prep ride....long, flat and most likely windy when we hit Camp Pendleton. Lots of aero time, which IM will be. Just so boring....but I'll have some company for the 6+ hour ride. And the reprieve from the heat seems to be passing as it is very warm this afternoon. Yeah, heat training.

This is a power weekend....Saturday is my long run and Sunday is the double whammy in La Jolla. At 11:00 I do the 1 mile La Jolla Rough Water Swim and then at 1:30- the 3 mile Gatorman. 4 miles swimming. And then I rest, recover...survive :) It's all downhill after this weekend.

So I changed my flight to Kona- I was arriving on Tuesday and after all I have read about heat acclimation I decided I need one more day. I changed no problem, beauty of using miles. I went to change my car and wham.....my rippin deal was no longer available. So bummed and then I realized I had booked the car for the wrong arrival day anyway, no wonder it was so cheap- I only rented for 4 days vs 6. So I looked and looked and found a roaring deal on a Jeep Rubicon! Gotta love that- Hawaii for a week in my favorite car.

Carmel Valley Manchester Wins!!!

Great weekend of soccer. JD's team, CVMSC won their division in the Nott's Forest Tourament. A few well fought games and some digging deep led them to win. We love soccer, have great fun with the families so it is a good way to spend a few days. Even the 8am Championship Game was okay. Worked well for me., up at 6:00, quick run with the dogs and we are out the door by 6:30, at the field by 6:50 and I had time for an hour run while the team warmed up. Iced coffee in the car and settled in for the game. Boys were thrilled and celebrated the win at a team mates swimming and playing pool all day.

Riley was up and around by the time we got home and was soon off with a friend and I found time for a bike ride. Yes, it was about 75 and absolutely delightful. So, so nice to not be pouring sweat. Sunscreen yes and covered up but wonderful temperatures.

3 day weekends are so nice. The extra day just takes the pressure off. Working up toward a solid training week and a big, big weekend. Need to get some serious work done early in the week as we are riding most of Friday. And since, well it is already Monday, that leaves me 3 days- really better get working.

Had some fun yesterday with some new friends..... great couple with kids 10 years younger than ours....gee where did the time go. Had a nice dinner, enjoyed the cooler weather and the kids loved the pool. JD and a buddy wanted to build a bridge over the pool to have a sword (noodle) fight upon. Well they asked Braman and he said, go for it (gotta love that about JB) So out came the tape measure, wood, nails, drill, saw.....and they worked and worked and dragged it to the back and John made some engineering improvements and they were ready to go. The group was eager with anticipation to see if the bridge would hold. They dragged it across and tentatively climbed on it. It actually held 2 teenage boys, bowed in the middle but they had their sword fight and fought until one plunged into the pool. This was repeated many times and some of the younger kids gave it a try until it bowed so much it touched the water. Never broke but it soggy... Great fun was had by all the boys, big and small, in the building and playing. Love to see the imagination come out and to fruition. He may be 15 but still likes a good sword fight :)

Sword Fight #1
Sword Fight on Bridge

Soccer, Ironman training...

It's hard to fit it all in sometimes....I did my long ride Friday since JD has a soccer tournament this weekend but of course his first game Saturday is 9am, has to be there at 8, leave the house 7:30, back up the time and I am up before 5 to get in my long run. Thankfully another team mate's parent gave him a ride so I had an extra hour!

Of course at 6 it was already warm....very humid, but I headed out with JB and the dogs....soon they left me and I was off on my own and I did a trail run and then headed up Black Mountain. Not an easy run and the pace was so very slow....but got the time in and a significant amount of elevation gain. And the bonus is I was done by 8! Showered, well pooled, changed, filled with pancakes and off to soccer. Nothing better than drinking iced coffee watching soccer, knowing I done for the day.

1st game was a loss that they really should have won. Outplayed them, had so many shots on goal and there was force field repelling the balls off and then they just faded....hate to lose to a lesser team. But game 2 at 5:20- ah much cooler outside, was awesome. There were on fire and came out fighting. The other team was quite physical, a higher ranked team and our guys got to business. 3-0, shut out and max points for the tournament in hopes to advance. It was great soccer. One game today and with a win, they move to the finals.

Rushed the boys home (we have an extra one this weekend) and off to M's for a nice dinner- we were late so we showed up, food was ready and everyone had eaten. So no issues about filling a plate and joining the group. Relaxing and enjoyable....especially the Internet dating topic. Good fun and home early and to bed not so early, but sleeping in Sunday :)

Sun, sun , go away....come again, well not sure

Enough already!!! 90+ degrees for over a week. I am again cranky! Yesterday was what KP refers to as BDT (big day training) and it entails, well a big day! Swim/Bike/Run and it was hot. In order to start as early as possible I swam at the local Y at 5:30- close is good, pool was not good. Water temp was 86, which is sweltering for a 1 hour swim. I was so hot and dehydrated when I finished I was on the verge of throwing up. Not a good sign when I still have to ride and run. But before the bike, headed home for pancakes with JD (birthday breakfast) Chocolate chip pancakes are the perfect fuel for the ride. Off to meet Marion and KP who thankfully rode part of the ride with me. It was bloody hot- Heeding my Dermatologist warnings I had on a jersey (shoulders covered) and my white arm coolers. Let me tell you, I have never been so hot on a ride. Sweat pouring down my face most of the ride, burning eyes...oh yes, it was just heaven. Bottles were hot within 15 minutes - gotta love hot carbo pro or hot Accelerade. It was a test, I tell you. I doubled my salt intake and still that was enough. The last bit of the ride, my feet started burning....oh boy. I was cursing Ironman, cursing Kona, cursing the fact I dreamed of doing this race. But ah...soon the ride was over and I had to take a swim before my transition run. Not really an option in Ironman, but it was self preservation. I headed out in wet clothes and an ice filled water bottle. Just get me through the run. I was doing prettey well and thinking, I can do this and all of a sudden I got the chills. Goose bumps, head tingling chills, as if I was freezing. Mind you, I have sweat pouring off my body. It was definitely a sign something is not right. I was near home, so I slowed way down, cut the run short and got back in side. I decided an ice bath was in order and I got in with all the ice, ice packs, anything cold ( well not the frozen peas) and sat in there watching the ice melt around my skin, while I was still sweating. The ice was gone and the water seemed to warm up so I jump in the cold shower only to have it feel warm too. I was dressed and still sweating....so I got in the car and cranked the air conditioning and went to Vons. Sure enough- coldest place in the county. That is how your bring your core temperature down - to to the grocery store.

No rest for the weary.....JD's birthday dinner- no reason to sit down and let the muscles tighten up. It was great, all the family came over and we had scrumptious Carnitas, grilled onions (thanks Kathi) and a wonderful cake (gratitude to my Mom) We ate, enjoyed and everyone was gone by 9! And I was in bed at 9:05!

Where did the week go....

Thursday already!

Monday- day off. Needed and relished in it. I was sooo tired, legs tired, arms tired, me tired.

Good sleep Monday night- despite the miserable heat. Have I commented how much I despise this weather- hate it, hate it. My mother told me not to use that word, but I do hate it and it has been over a week. When do we get cooler temperatures...... Soon, please.

I have tried to be positive, good heat training, good for Kona....blah, blah, blah. I am hot and cranky most of the time. Today, I hung out in Vons for 45 minutes, not because I was grocery shopping, but because I was relishing the air conditioning. Funny, strolling up and down the aisles without a cart- just looking.

Tuesday I had a good swim and then off to the Dermatologist. She walks in and sighs...."does not look good, look at the tan lines.. what have you been doing??" Um, Ironman. I pull out my various sunscreens and she approves of 2 of the 3! Yeah but then says needs to be applied hourly and then let it settle in. Right when it is 100 degrees, I am dripping sweat and on the road. I am proud that I reapply, salt, dirt and all- it is kind of like an au nataural exfoliation. She says "cant you train before the sun comes up and after the sun goes down..." Right, so then I explain what Ironman is and her eyes get big and she leans in close... "really? Where is your race, will you be in the sun??" I ponder....do I tell her "no, racing in Antarctica, no worries. " No, I sheepishly say Kona.....she asks if there will be breaks that I can reapply sunscreen. I look at her....lady, I don't even stop to go to the bathroom. Instead I politely say, um no. She suggest I do my best and she gets down to work with the liquid nitrogen. She says my face looks good! Yeah......so I will continue to lather up and try to lather more. Bought some arm "coolers" will see how cool they are tomorrow in the 100+ degrees for my 51/2 hour ride. Ugh.... I ask you, where is fall, where are the clouds???

Wed was a good run and a short ride....active recovery and preparing for next few days. Good masters swim this AM- but ugh, my swim is not where it needs to be. Still my times are slow.....hoping 5.5 weeks is enough time. Yikes, 5.5 weeks!!!! Really, yes really. Great coastal ride today- hot yes, but good company with JN! Lots of chatting and catching up to do and the time just flies by, gotta love that.

And here we are on the eve of my oldest birthday- JD will be 15 tomorrow....that sounds so old! I remember 15 years ago, it was hot, bloody hot like this and I was feeling like a beached whale and was not happy. We lived in a loft downtown and our neighbors had a raging party and I was laying there in the heat, miserable, willing myself to sleep. Our place was shaking it was so loud. I thought I had indigestion for a while and then it occurred to me.....duh, pregnant, due date is soon, I think I am in labor. Hard to believe......Wow. Great kid. So far so good. Hope we make it through the next few years as painlessly as we have these past few. Love ya NOS! (number one son)

You know you are training for Ironman when....

- You can fit 1500 calories in one bottle

- Someone asks what you are doing next week and you say "I don't know, I am waiting for my schedule from my coach" Then you plan the rest of your life

- When people ask you how much you train you use up your fingers and toes counting the hours and you still have many more to add up

- You say things like " I can't wait to roll around on my foam roller" and the people you are with all agree

- When you see ice, all you can think about is where to put on your body to reduce inflammation

- Eating becomes a work out in itself.

- You wonder if it is good to have so many calories in liquid and gel and you have flashbacks to being a baby...the last time you received most nourishment out of of plastic bottles.

- The sunscreen begins to layer and you almost wonder if you can scrape down a few layers back to your natural skin

- The goggles leave semi permanent indentations on your face

- People wonder if someone spilled bleach and you realize it is the chlorine from the pool emanating off your skin

- The laundry room smells worse than most places you can imagine...running and cycling clothes piled up

- You visualize crawling into bed at night soon after you crawl out in the morning for your first workout of the day

- You cannot remember the last day you did not wear spandex

- Your garage looks like a Transition Area for a race- piled up running, cycling, swimming gear- why put it away when you need it all the next day.

- The back of your car could be a Sporting Goods Store- running, swimming and cycling gear - you never know when you can squeeze in one of the 3.

- You are training when your kids go to school and when they come home..they ask " Mom, really, what else did you do today?"

- Double espresso 4pm, no problem and still asleep at 9

- Anyone hungry in your car and you promptly offer bottles of water, power bars, gu? All readily available

-Your idea of staying up late is 9pm

- A short day of training is only 2 hours

- You find yourself doing google searches about recovery...there must be a magic pill

- You realize it has been weeks since you used your own shower.....you take a swim, shower at the pool or the cove, or my favorite a shower with 3 gallons of water in the parking lot after your hot ride.