Hope you all had a great Labor Day holiday weekend! We enjoyed a few days in the mountains about 2 hours east of Seattle in the little town called Leavenworth. No, not the prison in Kansas... it's actually a cute Bavarian Village nestled in the Cascade mountains. We rented a place right on the Wenatchee River about a mile outside of town and enjoyed the 80+ degree sunshine, hanging out with Christy and her family, and just relaxed! I did fit in a 16 mile training run on Sunday morning, though, but other than that, we relaxed!
Here are a few pictures from the weekend.
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| Beautiful hike - saw tons of huge salmon swimming |
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| A view along my run |
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| Love it |
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| about 1/2 way into my 16 mile run |
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| Throwing rocks and looking for fish! |
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| Artsy fartsy, right?! My little family (awww!) |
It was a nice break from the every day grind and I would love to go back and spend more time there soon!
So yea, that Ironman thing...it's 75 days away. Seriously.
Last week I had a couple of big tests with training: an 82 mile bike ride and a 16 mile run. I did my 82 mile ride on Friday and things were going well...until I got a flat about 54 miles into the ride. And my kit with my spare tire was safely in my car about 12 miles away. Awesome. Luckily I was able to walk my bike about a mile back and found a bike shop. They were so helpful and fixed me up so I could get on my way. Whew. I thought about quitting but I just couldn't - I would have felt guilty for some reason. So I trekked on and finished my ride! It was tough, though, as I was out about an hour longer than I expected and didn't have enough food or water. Lesson learned - never leave the tire kit in the car! I did have it on my seat last week - I swear I did! But I have had to take Sparty into the bike store about eleventy billion times in the past week to get things tweaked, including the seat itself. So I had taken it off. Yea, yea, blah, blah...I know, I'm an idiot.
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| Here is a picture of said idiot pre-ride... |
I took Saturday off to enjoy the day with my family and to rest up before a 16 mile run on Sunday. I found a loop around town that was fairly flat (with a few rollers) and was about 8 miles which is always helpful. I felt fine most of the time, but could feel a bit of the altitude with my breathing - we were about 1100 feet above where we are at our house in Seattle. So it was enough of a change to notice. But I was very consistent through almost all 16 miles which I felt was great for me. And other than my lower back screaming at me the rest of the day, I didn't feel all that sore, thankfully!
So this week brings my fear front and center. I am taking a "vacation day" from work on Friday so I can do my big triple day that I mentioned last time:
1 hour swim
90-100 mile bike
10 mile run
It just makes my stomach hurt thinking about it. I chose to do this on Friday vs. the weekend so I don't completely ruin Rob, Julia and my entire weekend. (I mean, come on -there is college football to be watched on Saturday and NFL on Sunday!) I thought it would be better for everyone for me to do it this way. And honestly? The sooner I do this, the better, so I stop worrying about it. To say I'm nervous is an understatement.
Will I have the right nutrition?
Will I have enough water/Gatorade?
Will I get another flat?
What if a squirrel runs out in front of me?
What if it's hot?
What if....
I need to wrap my head around this one over the next 3 days and really figure out how the hell I'm going to get through this. It will be mentally challenging yet again to do it by myself. But I figure, if I can handle this on my own, my confidence should go up exponentially (that's a big word, no?) for race day...right?! Right?? (crickets...)
That's what I'm telling myself anyway and I hope it is true.
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| I'm going to certainly try! (via Google) |
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| well, alright then! (via Google) |
Between now and then I have some easier training days leading up to Friday. Then my coach said I can rest over the weekend -Wooo!!!It's the little things...
Have a great week!
Questions:
1) How do you face your biggest fears?
2) How was your Labor Day weekend?
3) Any more races coming up? 
You will be great, as usual! But I appreciate that, even you, have doubts.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your first question: I tend to talk about my fears (as you know!). Talking about it makes it feel a little less real and more easy to conquer.
You got this! I would totally volunteer to do some of this with you since I don't work Fridays, but A) I wouldn't be able to keep up on my mountain bike, B) I can't run more than 3 miles, C) I'm way slower than you, and D) we'll be in Pullman for a football game.
ReplyDeleteBut, I think, going it alone will be a huge confidence-booster for you!
PS: Thank you so much for offering to help me figure out this whole triathlon thing!
Good luck with your big training workout! Yes, I am really glad that I didn't have to stress all year about the IM, BUT, I was training with it in mind for more than 5 weeks. There were times where I wasn't super serious, but I had packed my pre-season full of riding to get me ready.
ReplyDeleteYou are an inspiration to me...You can do this girl! I don't have any race recaps as I am still healing from the pelvic stress fracture I sustained in May...but in the last two weeks or so my whole family (hubby, 3 sons and daughter)built a fence...well house & gravel pathway...and then stained and stenciled said fence and well house..so we have been busy...sadly it wasn't a race or anything to do with running, which I miss greatly...but even so, it was great fun...blessings
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are beautiful!! I want to visit there sometime. Reminds you a little of Colorado, right?:)
ReplyDeleteYou'll do awesome on Friday and know that we'll all be cheering you on from afar. You are a rockstar and will kick some big triple day bootie, I just know it!:) Way to face your fears!
Kelley
That triple day looks INSANE! You're basically doing an Ironman! Good luck, buddy, and if you get sad or are having a rough time, give me a call, and I'll talk you through it!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the 16 mile run. I had a REALLY hard time doing 16. You had some beautiful country to run through.
I hope you don't have any more flats till after your IM!!!
good luck on your training and your race! i had to ride 70 miles around and around a 3.5 mile loop ... alone. long story as to why, but point is I made it and it sure did boost up my confidence because legs were fine, physically i was fine but i faced that mental challenge. i did not allow one negative thought. none. period. all good, all positive, each loop. good luck!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in grad school, my flute professor told me this before I gave my recital- "do the best you can do and the rest will take care of itself." And it was true because I had put in the time in the practice room during the months leading up to the recital. I think training is much the same- you've been pouring your heart and soul and body into your training. Your body is ready, and your mind will eventually catch up. Just do the best you can do, and the rest will take care of itself.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, I think it's awesome you're taking Friday off work so you don't have to miss football on Saturday! Viva la college football!!!!!!!
I love Leavenworth!!!! I am glad that you had a fun little getaway. It definitely sounded like the perfect way to unwind.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that your bike ride turned out okay and that a bike shop was so close. Very proud of you for finishing the ride despite the major hiccup. Most people would have give up, but you are strong both mentally & physically.
Even though your workout on Friday seems daunting, your workouts thus far have prepared you for it. You are going to do awesome!
You will do great. You are a Spartan! Isn't your mantra "This Spartan Will"?? That is all :)
ReplyDeleteI loooovvvveeeee Leavenworth!! Take me next time! But did you find it difficult to find 16 miles of space to run?!?! You are going to ROCK this Ironman!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, I am so glad I found your blog. Good luck on your incredible workout tomorrow! I can't wait to hear about it. Now, I am going to explore your blog. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm SO late to posting on this post of yours, since you've already completed your crazy brick, but just want to say that you can DO IT!
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally heart that shadow pic of you, Rob, and Julia! Miss you guys so much!
And as for facing fears - it's all about taking it a mile at a time. That's the only way I can get it done.