I Should Write a Blog Post

I don't really know how many people read my blog, but I'm pretty sure that the ones who do anxiously await my next missive, so here goes.

I've been on the non-generic Synthroid for 5 days, and I am optimistic that it is making a difference for me.  My heart no longer feels jumpy 2 hours after I take the meds, and I just feel more "level."  But as to how I should feel, I still have no clue.  I am less than 4 weeks out from another Ironman, and while I have been able to execute most of the training in my plan, some of it has been at less intensity than I would prefer, and I couldn't tell you whether that's due to:

• Age.  Yep, I got older.  How the fuck did that happen?
• The underlying nature of hypothyroidism, whether or not medicated.
• The meds themselves
• I need to HTFU
• I really did get out of shape for over a year

So when somebody asks me, "How do you feel?"  I am not really sure what to tell them.  Overall, I would say I feel pretty great, considering how much I am training, that I'm 57, and I'm going on my 17th Ironman.  I mean, what the fuck, how many people are in that category?  I've noticed that I can't get my heart rate up much at all beyond maybe 110, and again, I am not sure what the reason is.

So based on the above, I have no fucking expectations going into IMCOZ, because there are too many variables in play at the moment.  That's OK, though--I am pretty sure I can finish the thing and not do too poorly.  I am not sandbagging here, either!  I know some people on the sidelines are thinking WTF she has trained like her usual beastly self, she ought to come out really well, and to you I would say why don't you try stepping into my shoes?  Yes, I have retained this freakish ability to train a lot, and yes, I still enjoy it in a perverse way--the pain, the mental suffering, the stupid things that come up and my ability to get past them.

Just yesterday, for example, I didn't sleep enough, which I blame on the stupid time change.  I had settled into waking up around 3AM, which is still a bit earlier than I would like, but even still, I would get so many things done in the wee hours.  In case you are wondering, that is when I perform my coaching duties, clean my house (because if I wait until later in the day, I will be too tired and just go FUCK IT), wash the dishes, fix bottles for biking, catch up on email, write blog posts and generally organize myself.  Anyway, my legs were also quite sore yesterday.  From biking.  See this last push has me biking 4 days straight, and none of it is what I would call easy.  Plus I shelled myself a bit on Saturday with that 114 miles in 4:30--but I am also quite pleased that I did it!

So what did I do yesterday?  I started out by raking my entire back yard, and I think that took about 1.5 hours.  I tend to rake competitively, so it's like another workout in a way.  I thought that might tire me out enough to make me go down for a short nap, which I attempted, but failed.  I also felt nutritionally depleted, so after I raked, I ate another breakfast--2 eggs fried in butter with 2 slices of buttered toast.  YUM!  Then at about 11AM, I thought I'd eat lunch and have a beer and see if that would get me to nap, but again, I failed.  But after laying in bed for maybe 20 minutes, I did seem to feel better (sometimes a beer "resets" my brain don't ask me why), so I got up and decided to motivate and go work out at the Y, since I needed just to be around other people, since I've been doing a lot of training in my house.  I packed a Coke and a bottle of Cheaterade to fuel me for a 1:30 ride and :40 brick run.

Now, many people would have bagged their workouts given my lack of sleep and sore legs.  And I get that.  And there are times when I would make the call to bag it, too, but yesterday was not one of them, being close to the race, and with this and next week being the real tests of HTFU and final fitness building.  Plus, in the back of my mind is always the thought that there will be periods during the race where I will feel this shitty, so might as well get used to it now!

I got on a Precor stationary bike, and predictably, didn't have much power, but I had enough for the circumstances, and the Coke helped the time pass quickly, but near the end, I began dreading the run.  I just didn't think I'd be able to hack it, but I transitioned quickly (I wore my running shoes on the bike), and went to the indoor track, and figured I'd just start out nice and easy, see how I felt, and if I really felt too tired to keep going, it would be OK to stop.

My first mile was 10:05, which would be too fast for being in the race, but slow for me in training, but hey, I was running when I felt like shit, so I was OK with it.  Without even feeling like I was pushing any harder, my second mile was 9:34, then 9:27, then the last one was 8:47!  The entire time I was running, I kept thinking I will feel like this in the race, so just feel it and be OK with it.  And I would say that during the 3rd mile, I began smiling and that old feeling of how cool is this came back to me and how awesome is it that I am fit enough to do this shit, and I knew I would finish the workout.

Of course, when I was done, I felt absolutely great, took the BEST SHOWER EVER (I was moaning in there, though because I was pretty wasted), then hit the sauna for some stretching, put on compression tights and headed back home to work some more.

After I was done working, I stretched some more, then I headed over to my friend's house down the street, as she'd invited me for dinner, how nice is that?  We had a nice time talking about this and that and laughing, and I would have stayed longer, except for I was really tired.  When I got home, I stripped, got in bed and passed out in like 2 seconds, and woke up right at 2AM because I had to poop, and this is what happens, and it's hard for me to go back to sleep after that.  I tried, though, but I was glad I'd made it all the way to 2 (the former 3) without waking up once.  So I know I will be a bit tired today, too, but I will get through it.

I am having some work done inside my house next week, and in preparation, I have to move things around in my bedroom, which means, you know, cleaning, too, and I'm getting there.  Behind my big dresser, I found this:

It was my Mom's.  Isn't it garish?  But I love it!  I wish I could wear it during IMCOZ!  Wouldn't that just be a fucking hoot? You never know--maybe I will pin it to my race belt.  It's about 2.5" in diameter.  I would be the most sparkly Crackhead ever!

On that note, today I swim 3500 and then run 1:10 later, and while I feel a little worked, I'm pretty sure I can HTFU and get through it just fine.

Have a great day!

Fuck this Shit, I'm Training!

OK so back to Tuesday.  I felt a bit better than on Monday, well enough to try working out or else I would go out of my mind.  I managed :35 on elliptical trainer (in lieu of running which I didn't think my lungs would support), and then I hopped on a Cybex stationary bike for 1:15.  I was able to push it on the bike, and I even paid attention to my heart rate, which was reasonable.

Wednesday morning I felt like I could swim, and it DID feel really good.  I managed 3500 yards, including 2400 with paddles and pull buoy (yes, my shoulders are really strong--when I was training for Ultraman, I'd sometimes do paddles/pull buoy for up to 4,000 yards at a pop).  It was a gorgeous early fall day, and at 12:30 I headed outdoors to give running a try.  Since I didn't know how hard I could push it or for how long, I decided to run "block repeats," which is around this big block from home that is 1.15 miles around.  That way, too, I didn't need to carry any fluids with me.  I managed 5 times around at 9:34 pace, slow I know, but I was OK with it as I was still fairly sick.  Plus, no reason to push the pace until I knew the virus had cleared.

Thursday is long run day, and the plan was for 2:10 with some 1/2 marathon and 10k pace intervals.  I knew I couldn't do the interval work, and I had no idea if I could complete the time either running or some combination of running/elliptical/Arc Trainer.  The Arc Trainer is a Cybex machine that is fucking awesome and much better than any elliptical.  I used it to train for the stair climb I did in February, and now I consider it a fine substitute for running.  It doesn't have the same impact forces as running, but if you LEVEL THE FUCK UP like I do, you get a seriously hard workout, especially your quads!  It's funny to me now that I can go so much harder on that machine now than I could back in February!

Anyway, once again since it was nice out, I thought I'd start with some block repeats, just to see what I could do there.  Apparently, working out the prior 2 days had introduced some unanticipated fatigue considering I still wasn't well.  I did 2 repeats at about 10:15 pace, which was fast enough given my physical state, but then felt like I was dragging ass, so I switched to run 1 minute/walk 1 minute, because I didn't want to dig myself into a deep hole.  I know you are laughing at me--how could I even think about running 2 hours when my voice was gone, I was having regular coughing fits and even a little bit of dizziness?  Because I'm Crackhead, that's why!

I ended up getting in 7 miles outside, and then I decided to do another hour on the Arc Trainer at the Y.  So I pretty much got in enough running/AT to cover my long run and then some.

Friday morning I was feeling better--more energy, still with the cough, though.  Fuck it, I'm swimming.  I knocked out 4200 and felt great doing it!   Around noon, I headed outdoors on yet another glorious early fall day to run.  I was a bit perturbed with myself that I could still only manage 9:15/mile, but I need to give it time, I will be back soon enough. But at least this was a full-out run!  It was during this run that I'd worn a bra top I'd acquired recently that happened to match the shorts in this pic:

Actually it's this bra in the color "busy red."  It matches those shorts perfectly.  It comes with slight padding, which I don't really want, but whatever.  So it was rather warm on Friday, and I am 1.5 miles from home, and I'm HOT and I stop and remember there are pads in my top!  So I took them out (they came out through roughly the side of the top), commenced running, and flung them in the next garbage can!  I was laughing my ass off, as I often do, at how comical this seemed to me at the time.

Saturday the plan was a 4:30 ride and :40 brick run.  I wanted to get an early start so that I would have time to nap or just lay down in advance of a party my friend Mark was having.  It was cold outside (for riding), only low 50's, and what with my cold and still needing to take hits from an inhaler and occasional cough syrup, I thought I'd be better off on the trainer.  I started at 5:15, and did 1/2 hour pretty easy, although my legs felt really great!  It had been 2 weeks since I'd been on Skull Kingdom, so I was really happy to ride her again!  I had tunes blasting, maybe waking up my neighbors, but they are used to me being up in the dark.

1/2 hour in and it's time to start intervals.  I figured I won't know whether I can do them until I try, and I was happy that I could manage them--3x(20' @ 85%, 10' @ FT, 3' @ 105-110%, 7' Easy).  HELL FUCKING YEAH!  All the while I'm drinking Infinit and blowing my nose like it's going out of style.  Well it did warm up, but I saw no reason to make the transition to outside, as I was quite comfortably ensconced on the trainer, and besides, there are a handful more of long rides coming up where I will be on the trainer, and besides, I've done this before, it doesn't bother me.  I ended up at 105 miles!!!

I quickly checked the weather and it was now 60's meaning I didn't need to wear much to run outside.  I grabbed a 12-oz. bottle of Cheaterade after slugging a big glass of water and headed outside.  I ran super easy, which is how I'm supposed to run off such a long ride, and I didn't feel bad at all, most likely because for once I was running how I should run in an Ironman.  I ended up really enjoying myself, and my pace for 4.2 miles was 9:44.  What the fuck, if I could do that in Ironman, I'd be...I'd be...qualifying for Kona.  Here I am when I finished running, I am pretty happy with myself considering I was still a bit under the weather:

I felt pretty good after all this for a bit, but then the tiredness set in.  After a shower and food, I got in bed.  I don't think I ever actually fell asleep, but it felt good to lay down.  After about an hour, I got up, cracked a Coke and stretched (funny usually it's a beer but I didn't want any until the party later), got my shit together, and headed to my friend's party. I was going to try and avoid wearing any compression, but man my legs were feeling it and I wanted to wear full on compression tights, but I settled with just compression socks (HOT PINK!) and "regular" clothes.

Not sure I can remember everything I ate that night, but I know there was brisket, pulled pork (my favorite), ribs (also my favorite), cupcakes (also my favorite), random raw veggies, chili (also my favorite).  I think I had 3 or 4 beers, but they kept getting warm and/or I lost them so I would just crack open another one.  Then someone brought jello shots and I think I had 3 or 4 of those, but they weren't that strong.  I had a ton of fun with Mark and his friends, well I should say the ones that weren't put off by me.  There were a few women there who just could not get on board with me being so athletic, even though I didn't say ANYTHING to them about what I do--either they know from Mark, or else it's true like his sister, Laura, told me--IT'S THAT OBVIOUS from how I look.  OK, so maybe the compression socks gave it away, but other than that, I think I look like a normal person in normal clothes?  Maybe not.  Toward the end of the party, someone told me I have "Michelle Obama's arms," and I was like WTF???  I HAVE HAD THESE ARMS WELL BEFORE SHE DID JACK SHIT PEOPLE.  I did get a bit upset by that, but on the other hand, kudos to Mrs. Obama for looking a little like a Crackhead!  My arms are better than hers anyway.  TAKE THAT PRESIDENTIAL FIRST LADY BITCH!!!

So I managed to extricate myself from the party just before 10PM, lest I hang out and try and keep up with Mark's drinking, which would be no contest--I would pass out well before he was even on his way to major buzz.  I fell asleep blissfully, thinking I might not have too much of a hangover the next morning.

I slept until 5AM, which is rare for me lately, and I felt pretty good when I woke up.  Not particularly hungry, meaning I must have chowed down enough at the party.  I wanted to ride outside, and the plan was for a 2:30 ride / :40 brick run.  Same interval work on the bike.  It was cold again, and I had time to wait until it warmed up, but it really wasn't happening too fast.  So I putzed around the house, cleaning, organizing (it's a never ending process when I'm in heavy training), and finally around 9:30 I decided it wasn't getting any warmer anytime soon, so I may as well suit up and head outside.

Here I am pre-ride with my hangover face

I am sporting my new neon helmet, which cost all of $49.99!  Isn't it cute?  It's actually an MTB helmet, but I ripped off the visor.  Now I need neon sunglasses--I'd like hot pink.  I'm wearing my lucky Jordan Rapp jersey, I LOVE that thing, and I busted out a new pair of Castelli toe warmers.  It really does pay to have good gear.  Skull Kingdom was so happy to get outside!  At first, my legs were a little crunchy, but then after 1/2 hour warmup, HERE COME THE WATTS!  I was enjoying hills, just a little wind, more hills, and LOTS OF WATTS!  I was about :20 from home and being done when I thought my front brake was rubbing, looked down, and the tire was flat.  I pulled over onto the sidewalk, took the wheel off and inspected the tire and found either a tiny piece of glass or else a really sharp rock shard in the tire and knew that was what did it.  I changed the tire leisurely, needing to remove the jersey because I was now in the sun!  I had one offer from a woman to help out, but I was fine, and then as soon as I put the wheel with new tube back on, a guy rode by who works at a bike shop offering to help.  I told him, nope, I'm done, all good, and tested the wheel spin, and it was off and rubbing, but it wasn't the brake.  I was like, fuck, is the rim bent?  I took the wheel off again, and then slammed the fork down onto it.  I forgot my front fork can be truculent in how it sits on the skewer, and that was the problem.  PHEW!!!  I rode home and was excited to see how I could run, if at all.

By the way, before I'd started riding, I noticed I was able to take in a deep breath, and I was so happy for that!  But while I was riding, I was Queen Snotula, OMG you should have seen the snot ribbons coming out of my nose!  It was pretty gross a couple of times when I'd stop to blow it out and it would just hang off my nose maybe 8" worth!  But I was glad all that snot was coming out of me because it meant my system was clearing the virus.  And about 4 miles from home, I started singing with my tunes!  My voice has been so fucked up and/or gone, I was like shit, I can sing again!  Happy day!

So I get home, put Skull Kingdom in the house, drink some water, pee, change into running clothes, grab a 12-oz. bottle of Cheaterade, and decide to run the same route as the day before.  Only today, I am running faster!  Yip-fucking-ee!  I didn't feel at all bad.  When I was on 63rd street, the song YMCA was on my iPod (part of a mixed CD of Motown stuff and related), and I was so happy I began doing the arm signals while I was running!  I even stopped once or twice and did it for the passing traffic, I was laughing so much!  I am sure people think I'm batshit crazy, but I don't care.  They WISH they could be in as good a condition as me and be able to run and dance and sing all at the same time!  I knew I was ahead of pace from the day before, and when all was said and done, I'd run 9:18/mile, not bad considering I'm coming off a virus and training like a beast.

Here I am once again pretty pleased with myself and feeling awesome:

When all is said and done, I got in almost 39 miles of running (or its equivalent--I have a "fair" conversion algorithm for Arc Trainer, etc.) last week WHILE SICK!  Right now, I feel nearly 100%--the cough is all but gone, there's still some mucus coming out my nose but nothing bad.

This week is a REST WEEK, which means a rest from running--there will be some serious amounts of biking (9.5 hours planned) and swimming, though.  Today I am taking the day off from work and I'm going to go see the Snake and the Mongoose movie.  I'm really looking forward to it!  I'm going with my friend, Carol, from down the street.  No running or biking until Wednesday, which means my legs get complete rest unless I decide to lift today and/or tomorrow, which is a distinct possibility, although I think I will lay off the leg work until tomorrow.  My right ankle is nearly healed, and I continue to work on various physical therapy modalities for my right ass (combo of sciatica, I'm sure, plus the ankle fucked it up plus I've pulled that right hamstring at least 3 times so it's always a bit vulnerable).  So things are coming around for me, and I can't wait to see how I feel by the end of this week!  I should be good as new, which means I'm ready for my final IMCOZ push. 

THE RACE IS ONLY NINE WEEKS AWAY.  I AM SERIOUSLY FUCKED!!!

Nope, I'm Crackhead, I've done all this before.  The plan for the next 7 weeks is, of course:

--Harder, longer, faster, tougher--REPEAT