Again, it’s been a long time since writing. Sometimes I want to write but then I see something shiny and I get distracted. This is a thing of mine. The attention span of a pea, easily diverted to doing something else. So a recap of things and where I am today.
Packed on some more pounds and not the good muscle type of pounds. More like the bacon, wings, donuts, pizza pounds. This thing I have with food, well it just kills me. I see food and I want to eat it, even if I am not hungry. So this is going to be my next challenge. Get back to the healthy eating I was doing before.
Working at Lowe’s and then getting a contract with the feds wasn’t going to give me much time to focus on training. The folks at Lowe’s have been great and let me take some time away so I could train. Pretty sure I am going to owe some major baking for that one. Training started out slow and I really focussed on my swimming and biking.
Bought myself a new pair of shoes, and with the crappy weather, well I was sticking to my fair weather running philosophy - if it was not nice out, I wasn’t going. So I spent some time on the treadmill. Most of you know that the ‘mill is the least motivating training device. Never feels like I am getting very far, and again I get easily distracted. I trained without music, which makes it even harder for me. I went for a few lunch time run, or even a run home. The run home from work was my favourite - took me a while, but I persevered and am pleased with the results.
I received a lovely birthday present of a Kurt Kinetic trainer for the Pony, it was awesome. I was in the pool 3 days a week and on the bike at home twice a week and once a week at the Cast Iron classes with the OTC. The great thing about that weekly class, I rode for 4 hours every week, and I learned what not to wear, what to lube up and picked up so much information that I would never have had on the trainer at home. I learned that you don’t wear underwear under your bike shorts - it creates chaffing and other painful things. Oh ya, got myself a new pair of shoes and pedals for the bike. I am so grateful for all the help and advice from Allie, Kim, Kym, Graham, Brent, Garry, Justin and well pretty much the two groups. So much so, I treated everyone almost every week to some GF treat or an almost one. I will say, with all the stuff I have for my bike, I am actually looking forward to the bike ride.
I was in the pool all the time, I love the water. With the few gadgets I had for my swim (a water tight case for my iphone) I could keep track of my laps and time. Sometimes my daughter amazes me with the great little gifts she gives! I think it was meant for the hot tub, but I love it in the pool.
I have done some major long runs, long swims and long rides. I have also missed some sessions for various reasons.
The mental process of training for a race of any distance can be daunting. I love to train on my own, I like the solace on the run where I can clear my head, the feel of the water cascading over me in the water is so soothing and well believe it or not on the bike by myself on the trainer, I get to watch a lot of tv shows I would normally not watch, leaving my mind blank.
The start of this past weekend and the mental training was starting to get tough. I started to doubt things, wondered if I was actually losing my ever loving mind. Started to panic about what I would do if I couldn’t make it to the finish in the time allotted. All the freaky things. The great thing about the OTC and knowing people who have experienced these feeling has been a blessing for me.
Brent got me started on mental training, then I went to my Cast Iron class, cried while I thanked everyone for their support, advice and tricks and tips. Then I realized that the week leading up to Florida was going to be emotional. On Sunday I went to Brent’s Boston Marathon World Run event, met up with a guy I knew way back in the day. He’s had some rough patches, pulled himself together is so wise. Unknowingly, Pierre inspired me to suck it up, and gave me some advice on the mental preparation - and it works every time I close my eyes! Then I went to the S.W.E.E.T. event at Bushtukah with my friend, sis-in-law and a few other women. Members of the club were there and they were so supportive and encouraging, I had to hold back the tears. Then Cat came out to speak about Trips for Kids - what a fantastic program. I was amazed, she sure does a lot for kids who have little and for those who want to do. Well when Sindy Hooper spoke, I am pretty sure there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. If you don’t know her story, check it out at http://lifetri.blogspot.ca/2014/04/sweet.html. Oh boy the tears fell. What an amazing woman. As I recall her journey, remember hearing about her last year I remember my favourite saying - NO EXCUSES - if this woman can take on Ironman Canada in Whistler BC and miss qualifying for Kona by two spots in the middle of chemotherapy, I have no freaking excuse or reason to no hit it hard core on Sunday. Turns out on Sunday, Sindy and I will be starting the race together in the same wave. Don’t set limits on yourself, and don’t let others set limits for you!
I hope to take you on the race day journey with me when I post again after the race and then regularly when I get back to the reality of my journey to being healthy and happy.
Thank you everyone for taking the time to read this, to support me, to keep me competitive and to believe in me.
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