When 105 mile ride seems hard....how will I do an Ironman?

Liz and I paid, yes stupidly gave $100 to ride 100 miles, to do the Encinitas Century. Seemed like a great, fun idea..... we drove to Mira Costa College and rode a route that we do portions of pretty much every weekend...why did we sign up? We thought it would be fun to ride with others, which turned out to be more of a pain.  Ok I know people say triathletes are geeky but this ride brought out the cycling geek fest- every one was so official in their hand signals- stick, rock, tiny crack, leaf, slowing, slowing, stopping, rolling, on your left, approaching on your left- all signals followed with loud vocal calls. Really- can't we just ride our bikes, give a little distance and watch the road.  I was not getting caught up in the dynamics, Liz and I would just smile and roll along..making our little jokes along the way. 

I was not happy that  #1 the route was crappy and had lots of stopping (which I hate)  and #2 filled with a lot of yahoos....but I refused to let it get me down- I decide to get the most out of the ride and get my fill at the aid stations.....that offered luke warm water (except in Ramona where it was ice cold) and fruit flavored powerbars (which I have 5 cases of at home), PBJ's which I love and Coscto Trail Mix which I live on....okay so maybe not the culinary delights I hoped for- oh wait they did have tamales and lumpia at various stops- I don't know about you but neither of those work well with me while riding.  I did try and take 2 bags of PowerBar Energy Blasts and the volunteer said -1 per person please? Really, I paid $100 and I get 1 bag? It's not like I was taking 10.....hand slapped I put back the 1 extra bag I "stole"

Okay don't get the wrong idea....we did have fun and it as a solid 100+ mile ride.  The last 15 miles was dead into a head wine on super trafficky streets with lots of stoplights - really it sucked big time was a lot of fun.  Thank you Liz for being a good sport ....and we had some fun that last few miles riding on some fast wheels.

Oh wait more complaining....the ride was not a hammer fest and I was toast- dead tired after the ride- thinking how can I, will I run 26 miles....oh well not today.

Back in the Ocean

First real OW swim of the season and it was not forgiving....a beautiful day in San Diego but windy - and windy means choppy and swells.   Swam from LJ Shores at 12:15 and had to get past the break- not an issue but then it was like a washing machine all the way over- big swells and hard to even see La Jolla Cove.  I was feeling a big sea sick but got in my meditative groove and was at the cove in 22 min- decent.  I figured the return would be much faster as I was fighting the swells....so much for that theory, I finally found solid ground at 45 minutes.  Big swells and a continuous swim....oof! 

Challenging I would say and a reminder how much different a continuous swim is vs a master workout in a 25 yard pool.   I am committed 1x week, minimum, between now and Ironman Lake Placid.

Recovery....dogs know how to do it!

After Makos 90 minute trail run on Sunday...he drank a big bowl of water and ate 2 bowls of food and then slept for 4-5 hours... he was recovered and recharged by 5pm. So much in fact he had a major wrestling match and tore is tongue...but I digress.  So I finished the same run, hydrated and ate- did a few hours of training plans, went to a movie with my mom. had a glass of wine and then came home walked the dogs, did laundry and prepped dinner.... hmmmmm- I need Mako's life to be a better Ironman.

Today- we did another long trail run..... we both hydrated well- he refused calories during the run - perhaps he is more metabolic efficient than I.  Post run we both re- hydrated and shared Gluten Free Pumpkin pancakes (he refused his dog food- I know if he is hungry enough he will eat it) but sharing breakfast with my running partner is fun.  Zen was outraged....see he is nearly 10 and his morning run is less than 1 mile and he already ate and napped while Mako and I ran.   Here we were are few hours post run and Mako is 2 hours into a recovery nap...I am on the phone, negotiating contracts, planning site inspections.... I need Mako's life! 

But I like my own too....especially since I get a massage at lunch :)

An expensive day......time and money

Major tune up on the Audi....they cover everything to 50,000 miles for reason...cause after that you may as well buy a new car - Free loaner car was great until I locked the keys in in in my garage and had to call AAA

Mako- torn tongue ....2 trips to the vet - $650 later...he is one sad puppy with sutures in his tongue

Poor Riley 7+ days of rash that is getting worse....pulled out of school and off to the Derm- Steroids for the poor girl and hoping she gets some relief. Recommended topical relief $49- ouch

So at 4:00.....I manged to see 3 Dr's, 1 Vet, 1 Car Mechanic, 1 AAA guy and get about 10% of the work done I need to....

Luckily today was a swim only day- got that baby done at 6:30 and nearly died....only 2 of us in the lane and well somehow in the middle of the main set the interval began to drop and I was also getting dropped.... I picked up the pace and hung on for a while, my 75's becoming 150's and then just swimming to stay alive.   Not really sure what the set was or the interval but I was very tired after that workout...see at 6:30 swim we have to be out by 7:30 - so we arrive around 6:20 but with 4200 we have to push at the end to get the workout done-

All missions accomplished I think.....

So much to catch up on.....

When I take a few days off it turns into a few weeks..... I keep thinking of blogging and then I have so much to say and how to say it all or not all or how what to forget...  So here is the long and short of it..

1- I am running!!!! yeah baby....pretty consistently- did a split run on Friday 45 min in the AM and 30 min in the pm and feeling good. Backed that up with a 90 min run up Black Mountain today and all is good.  So....I am pretty darn sure IM Lake Placid is going to happen!  So I have to stay smart and keep building- but I l see a 90 min run on my schedule for next week so that is good....and lots of short runs.  And I ran with my hubby and Mako- such fun!!! John and I fell in love running with Rocky so this is just perfect- so much fun!

2- Training is going well.....nuff said on that (see above)

3- Work is outstanding.....traveled to NO last week (for my real job)  with one of my fav clients and had some fun, did some business and did not return home too wiped out.  My coaching is going soooo well I am just elated!   I have over 7 swimming students right now and they are rockin it.  2 more new ones this week and I love it-   every one of them is eager to learn and improving rapidly. I just bought a new book  Swim Speed Secrets and am really excited about using some of Sheila's great insight.

4- ITU Triathlon Race....Riley, Amy and I worked the Women's Elite Aid Station on the run course and it was inspiring to see those women gutting it out and watching Laura Bennett earn her slot on the US Olympic Team- so so fun.....

5- Fire in the Garage....as we were handing out water to elite triathletes JD was fighting a garage fire.   One of John's electric bikes caught on fire.... dogs went nuts - good fire alarm and JD was level headed and loaded the dogs in the car and backed it out of the garage, found a working fire extinguisher and was putting it out when the RSVP cruised by and called 911.  3 fire engines and 2 police cruisers (and the neighborhood looking on) and the fire was out..... He was calm, cool and collected. Well done boy scout...who is not really a boy scout

6 - Mother's Day....running with Mako and John and then Hunger Games + wine with my Mom and finally dinner with JD and RM after their 11 hour day of Lifeguard Certification. Tired kids.....but came through with sentimental cards + chocolate.  And my talented, devoted husband make me an amazing chair :) 

Walk your dog ...not your bike

Thank you KA for that wonderful quote....and oh so true.  I have heard about people walking their bikes due to steep climbs- Ha....really? I have done the Death Ride 129 miles, 15,000 feet of climbing I did not walk my bike!  

So Saturday we rolled out on the Mt Laguna Classic which  features 101 miles with 10,000 feet of climbing and three different ascents of San Diego County's Mount Laguna! We climbed to San Diego's highest point via Sunrise Hwy from the north, via the fabled and car-free Kitchen Creek from the south-east, and via the little-known and truly epic Pine Creek drainage from the west....which is 20-22% grade at times... Let me digress.  I am in terrific biking shape and 100 mile ride should not be an issue.   I have done 1- 5 hour ride since October so I knew it would be a long day.   And long it was....close to 7 hours!

Waking up at 3:45am was a bit like Ironman, Very dark and chilly walk with the doggies and we were rolling by 4:15 to pick up Liz and head to Pine Valley.   Registered in the dark and missed the first group but rolled out at 6:10,

It was chilly indeed but soon were were climbing and the sun was out.  Our goal was zero lactic acid on the 1st climb - I watched my power and keep my HR low-  long climb but nothing brutal and we regrouped at the aid station. Definitely a warm day and we ditched our vests, arm warmers and left it piled up on top.   No need to carry extra weight.   20 minutes and we are down at the bottom and heading out to Kitchen Creek.

KC is one of my favorite climbs...steeper than Sunrise Highway but with the road closed to cars and trees all about it is so scenic. This is a part of San Diego you must see.   I was feeling good and the 2nd half of the climb picked it up a bit and was having fun pedaling past some that were seemingly slowing with every mile.  I was sooo happy to be on my road bike with a 12-28- used that 28 frequently.  I am not one to "save an extra gear" I use it early and often.  I was also paying special attention to fueling and calories...220-250/hour with cliff bars and pb/j sandwiches.  Lots of water with NUUN and Enduralytes.  2nd climb done and feeling good!  2 down 1 to go.

This time we go back to Pine Valley, where we started and checked in with John who was not doing the ride...he climbed Pine Creek, had breakfast, took a nap and was hanging out enjoying the scene.   Off we went to the "dreaded 20%" climb.  We are now at mile 82, my legs are feeling the 7000 feet of climbing, 5+ hours riding and it is hot.  We are chatting it up and the road is filled with potholes and sand "nice" and it begins to climb.  I am thinking is this 20%....no, let me tell you, 20% is when you are saying " Oh F I may fall off my bike"  20% is HR 195 (new max for me on the bike) Power is over 400 Watts and Cadence is 38- that is 20%.  I am following some guy who is doing the "mailman" crisscrossing along the steep road and I am counting to 10 and starting over...I can do this, I can do this.... I see a turn ahead and what I am sure it is a leveling out but no only to round the corner and see up, up , up..... the guy in front of me clips out and is walking.  My morale is crushed.... I am following him, how can he be walking.... I take about 4 pedal strokes and am in fear of a heart attack, pulled muscle or rolling downhill and having to ride back up.  I do the dreaded unclip and start walking my bike....really I am pushing my bike up the hill.  

I am demoralized, only until I round a bend that allows me to look back and see 10+ people all the way down the valley pushing their bikes.  Misery loves company....1 guy passed me riding- I snarled at him but did say "good job"   Finally there was a small level and I got back on and mashed it for a while until I saw a short downhill and then another major climb and an oasis... a white tent!!! I was almost to the tent a truck is on my as% literally and there is not shoulder, no bike lane and they are now honking.....really, are you serious!  For fear of getting run over I had to stop and let them go.  Starting again...ha....rolling back down no way as the road was too steep and narrow but turn around- somehow I managed to get riding again and make it to the tent! 

Found a few weary riders and ice and water.  I am not feeling great and realize that I did not eat or drink the last hour of hell...... and I am feeling it now.  Refueled and forced down some calories and was told 5 more miles....3 miles to Sunrise Hwy and then the top.  I followed another guy and hung back a few bike lengths and just matched his pace and cadence and suffered the rest of the way.... Finally back to Sunrise Highway and then a few miles to the top!  I was done....so very done. Grabbed my gear and headed down.

6:45 minutes in the saddle- YOWZA and a great day!!  Been there, done that....next year?  too soon..... I am still reeling that I had to walk my bike- and now I need new cleats, thank you very much!!

This is a great event....well run!  They start you in small groups so no mass start which can be dangerous. All aid stations well stocked and very helpful volunteers.  

Arrrrggghhhhhh



This is a very complicated joint.....
The Anterior tibiafibular ligament is causing me MUCHO problems-

Why they grumbly title...Why you ask? guess, just take a guess?  Give up...okay- I am NOT running!   I was running, sort of, a little and was happy ok not really happy  with 20 minutes of running every other day.  I got to warm up on the elliptical for 10, run 20 and then do the elliptial for 30.  Yeah 1 hour of not running but sort of running simulated running.  It was great for 3 times and then I made the error of going from the TM to the StairMaster to avoid the mind numbing boredom of the elliptical because my friend Amy is on there due to her broken collarbone and rib fractures.  We chatted non stop, the time flew by and upon completion my ankle was sore...not a little sore but more sore than from running sore- F'ing kidding me. No worries, lots of ice and compression and I am sure I will be fine.  That was Tuesday....NOT fine!   Really, how is this Ironman thing going to work.  Seriously if Lake Placid offered swim.bike.elliptical I would be in the money! 

I can swim which is my least favorite of the 3 and the one I don't like to do., ride my bike pain free - which I am VERY happy to be doing and the ol running is the challenge....and since the run is my challenge at every Ironman- I am patiently waiting for my ankle to be ready freaking out on a daily basis.....

So lets talk about what is FUN!   GWL + Pine Valley on Saturday when it was close to 90 degree!  New chic joined us and she fit right in.....fun ride where we lost a few (their choice to turn around early) and jumped on the wheel of a roadie coming back from Descanso.  Dude says about 15 min later after we are in a serious pace line with a major head wind- do you mind another body?  Headwind,  uh no, welcome aboard!!  It was great until he blew up....okay one more boy to pull along.   We had great fun and welcomed a new "chick" to the group. 

Fun was riding GWL again on Thursday with Maureen....chilly, chilly day but riding out there is always a treat! 

And then there is the rest of life, work, coaching (more on that as I have exciting news) but am off to the gym for some elliptical fun!   Wimpy me bailed on riding today due to high winds and rain.  Tomorrow looks nice...so that sounds like more fun. And my riding partners seemed happy with the 5:30am call to stay in bed :)

Ok this is fun too....my talented "pointer"   Here is Mako pointing the birds...

"mom,  see the bird, see him, see him....come on shoot him. I'm doing my job you do yours! "