So this week, I did everything I was supposed to do - maybe not necessarily on the scheduled day - - but it worked, and I had fun - - - and isn't that one of the reasons I am doing this???
Monday - Brick workout - Bike 30min/Run 20min - it was my first bike ride outside this year, in the real world and it felt fantastic - I didn't want to stop at 30 minutes. . . but alas, it is my job to pick up Kate from pre-school at 11:15am sharp. . . so I had to turn around and ride back to town ( but I did yahoo a few times when there was no one around. . . because I was having SO MUCH FUN!) The weather was so warm and beautiful - I was on my bike in shorts and a biking shirt - and after only about 4 minutes, I remembered what I forgot to wear. . . . SUNGLASSES! Ahh one thing you don't get on the bike trainer. . . bugs in the eyes. . . . well, I survived, and headed out on my 20 minute run. I am not sure why, but I seemed to be going a lot faster today - it felt so good. I usually run to a certain spot which takes me 10 minutes - but today - I ran ALOT farther - someones sprinklers were on - I enjoyed the overspray. It was a perfect day! I am happy.
Tuesday - The weather was so perfect, I wanted to bike and run today, but I didn't - I stuck to my plan . . . . but I wasn't able to get to my workout until after the kids got home from school. Which frustrated me a bit for some reason, but it all worked out. They came home, I drove to Lethbridge, I swam, and there was hardly anyone there, in fact, when I left 45 minutes before closing, I was the last person in the pool! It was very relaxing - I wasn't frustrated anymore. Swim 115 lengths - check!
Wednesday - Another beautiful day. . . . so beautiful, I started debating if I should do my long bike ride today instead of Friday, then I was trying to figure out how to switch stuff around, but with the logistics of it all, I was feeling challenged. . . so I went for my 90 minute bike ride. . . it was a little windier and a little colder than Monday - but still - I was not wearing a coat in April - beautiful! I rode out to Leavitt and back and around the bypass and home. . . it was wonderful - I picked up Kate from pre-school - in my biking gear. . . . the Vice-principal thought I looked 'sporty' and her comments included "that my outfit would make a nice Halloween costume." This is who I am. So to add to my absolutely insane Wednesday - I decided that I would still do my tempo run down on the dreadmill ( I mean treadmill - really - wink wink nod nod). So I did 5 miles at tempo - it was hard ( could be because I just went for a 90 minute bike ride outside already today! Ya, I am a bit crazy - but this is nothing compared to what is coming!!! I also drove into Lethbridge after cubs and went to a Nutrition class at Fit Physiotherapy. It was good. It gave me a lot to think about, and research, and practice. . . . It was basically the Paleo Diet for athletes . . . . which is intriguing. . . . like I said, lots to research and think about. . .
Thursday - Rainy and cold, but the perfect day for a swim! The kids didn't have school today, so I stayed in Lethbridge on Wednesday night after my class, and then got up and swam on Thursday morning, and headed back home early afternoon.
Friday - scheduled long bike ride - but I already did it! So. . . . I earned an extra rest day I guess!
Saturday - 16 mile run. Yes I did! Three - 5 mile loops with 3 different groups of friends, and 1 mile up and down the creek on my own. It was tough - but the biggest deal for me is that. . . I DID IT!! Longest run EVER! I ran the first 7 miles in my Newtons, and the rest in my Vibrams. Feet hurt the worst at about 1 hour and again at about 2 hours. . . but everything feels GREAT now!
Sunday - REST REST REST - and enjoy this video. The following video is helping me to make my own mental video of the race that I will be doing in just over 6 months from now. . . . it is helping me to 'see it'. To see ME doing it!
I can relate to all the people talking at the beginning - I especially like the girl who admits that 'she really enjoyed all the training, is that bad?' - so I guess I am not the only CRAZY out there! I also loved the comment "you will not learn as much about yourself anytime in your life as in the last hour of your IRONMAN".
IRONMOMME!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
28 Weeks till IRONMAN - Time to Visualize ME at Ironman
So early in 2012, I joined the Runner's Soul Marathon Club - hesitantly . . . . I have NEVER run a marathon, I have NEVER WANTED to run a marathon, I NEVER THOUGHT I COULD run a marathon, I DON'T REALLY EVER WANT TO run a marathon (except. . . . . BIG exception here) there is a marathon run at the end of this Ironman race that I signed up for . . . and so now I NEED to run a marathon, need to WANT TO run a marathon. . . in fact I would say I need that I NEED TO KNOW THAT I CAN run a marathon before I get to that race in only 28 weeks!
The point is, I signed up for Marathon Club, as another training tool to help me get to where I need to be for this Ironman race. This week there was a clinic with Sports Psychologist, Jennifer Spriddle. She had titled it "Train Your Brain - Mental Race Preparation".
This clinic was EXACTLY what I needed this week.
Things I learned, or had heard before and was reminded of. . .
1. I need to start visualizing the race . . . every day . . . make it part of my life. . . so I when I get there, I can close my eyes, and see myself succeeding in every part of Ironman. If I train my mind, my body will do it. I was also reminded of this concept as I listened to the book 'The Power of Habit" this week as well. Which of course Duane and I have been listening to - and it fits so perfectly into what I need in my life right now! I need to make my ironman race - a habit - so I just GO and DO!
2. Train in EVERY CONDITION so I can be prepared for EVERY CONDITION.
3. What will I do when I get tired - and I WILL GET TIRED!
a. consciously adjust my form. Straighten up, lift head, look around. Listen to the rhythm of my breathing, change my running gait. Focus on form for a time. . .
b. take an interest in my surroundings, look at 'where I am!' and the pain will diminish.
Elite athletes focus on technique the entire time, but THE REST OF US need to focus in and outside our bodies, we need to go back and forth between associative and dissociative.
4. Write some personal affirmations that I use in my 'daily Visualization Practice', so that I hear all the positive things when I am tired, and when I am tired. . . . negativity sets in. . . . and that is not a fun place to stay!
So I tried some of these techniques this week, when I went on my long run in Edmonton on Saturday - I focused on form, enjoyed where I was, let my mind remember life in Edmonton, ran even though I was on day 2 of my cycle (train in every condition so I can be prepared for every condition). I ran my 10 Miles on Saturday 15 minutes faster than last time - I am still in shock about that!
I will put my affirmations on the blog when I get them RIGHT.
So Emma had the second wacko Ironman dream this week. . .
I will have her type it after school - so you will have to check the blog again later - something about we got to Ironman and I decided I didn't want to do it, so I made her do it for me, I made her cut her hair, and pretend to be me. . .I think she said she drowned in the ocean . . . . I am sure this dream has some meanings we need to figure out. . . . where is Joseph (you know Joseph and the technicolor dream coat . . . ) when we need him!
The point is, I signed up for Marathon Club, as another training tool to help me get to where I need to be for this Ironman race. This week there was a clinic with Sports Psychologist, Jennifer Spriddle. She had titled it "Train Your Brain - Mental Race Preparation".
This clinic was EXACTLY what I needed this week.
Things I learned, or had heard before and was reminded of. . .
1. I need to start visualizing the race . . . every day . . . make it part of my life. . . so I when I get there, I can close my eyes, and see myself succeeding in every part of Ironman. If I train my mind, my body will do it. I was also reminded of this concept as I listened to the book 'The Power of Habit" this week as well. Which of course Duane and I have been listening to - and it fits so perfectly into what I need in my life right now! I need to make my ironman race - a habit - so I just GO and DO!
2. Train in EVERY CONDITION so I can be prepared for EVERY CONDITION.
3. What will I do when I get tired - and I WILL GET TIRED!
a. consciously adjust my form. Straighten up, lift head, look around. Listen to the rhythm of my breathing, change my running gait. Focus on form for a time. . .
b. take an interest in my surroundings, look at 'where I am!' and the pain will diminish.
Elite athletes focus on technique the entire time, but THE REST OF US need to focus in and outside our bodies, we need to go back and forth between associative and dissociative.
4. Write some personal affirmations that I use in my 'daily Visualization Practice', so that I hear all the positive things when I am tired, and when I am tired. . . . negativity sets in. . . . and that is not a fun place to stay!
So I tried some of these techniques this week, when I went on my long run in Edmonton on Saturday - I focused on form, enjoyed where I was, let my mind remember life in Edmonton, ran even though I was on day 2 of my cycle (train in every condition so I can be prepared for every condition). I ran my 10 Miles on Saturday 15 minutes faster than last time - I am still in shock about that!
I will put my affirmations on the blog when I get them RIGHT.
So Emma had the second wacko Ironman dream this week. . .
I will have her type it after school - so you will have to check the blog again later - something about we got to Ironman and I decided I didn't want to do it, so I made her do it for me, I made her cut her hair, and pretend to be me. . .I think she said she drowned in the ocean . . . . I am sure this dream has some meanings we need to figure out. . . . where is Joseph (you know Joseph and the technicolor dream coat . . . ) when we need him!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
29 Weeks till IRONMAN - life IS perfect in Whitefish
I can't believe we have less than 30 weeks till the big day . . . . it blows my mind
I had my first wacko ironman dream
I was ready to start, but people were just running down the beach/road, and it was like they started with the run (which is totally mixed up, because they ALWAYS start with the swim), but for some reason, I didn't notice the mix up. . . . but I had to go to the bathroom or something, so we went up to a hotel room or something, and I started running back and forth in front of this really big 'island counter top' while Duane, and his parents sat and talked. I remember them saying things like 'oh ya, this will count, we can vouch for you that you did it', 'just keep track of how far you go'. So I was measuring my miles by measuring my hands on the island. When I got to 40, I would start again. I have no idea how many miles I did! We went to 4 different rooms and did the same thing. . . FINALLY I realized that this was a problem. . . . Duane said he would go talk to the people in charge and see what I was supposed to be doing, and see if I could just join the rest of the people midway in the run, and if I could do the swim portion last. . . but I was worried about swimming all by myself in the ocean with the sharks. . . . Duane found out that the people were all running at the beginning to catch a bus, and go to the start point. . . . I woke up very frustrated and very confused. . . .
lesson learned. . . . stay with all the people no matter what! Review the route so I don't get stuck running around a counter island trying to count my miles. . . . eeeeyyyaaa!
So I have had a great training week - really. I was worried about it because it is Easter break, and the kids are home, and I am out of my routine. . . . and I was thinking about going to Whitefish with the 3 little girls, and was even more worried about it - my back up plan was that I would do Monday and Tuesdays workout on Monday, drive to Whitefish on Tuesday, and if I couldn't fit in any workouts, I would do Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday's workouts on Friday, and Saturday's long run on Saturday. . . .
but that is NOT how the cookie crumbled . . . . (no pun intended) - and no, I didn't eat any cookies this week either - ha ha
So I mentioned last week that my mother is hiking the Himalayas in Nepal . . and my dad is just flying by the seat of his pants while she is gone! That is another 'funny' cause he is a pilot. . . . laugh here. . .
So, I went to Whitefish, and my dad decided to stay in Whitefish with us - what a lifesaver! I now could do my workouts, and he was willing to watch kids, and feed kids, clean up after kids, and he even took the kids swimming! What a GREAT Grandpa hey?
Meanwhile, I went to the Whitefish Wave Rec Center for the first time. I fell in love - no exaggeration - TRULY! What an amazing place. I went on Wednesday morning and did my Tempo Run on one of the 10 or so treadmills, that hooked up to my iPod, and recorded my workout - cool. Went back on Thursday morning and did a cycling class from 6-7am, and then went and swam lengths in their lap pool ( one of their 3 swimming pools) for an hour. Got out and sat in the hot tub. Checked out their swim lake to lake challenge ( swim 75 miles in 5 months. . . cool challenge - and you know how I LOVE a challenge! I haven't signed up. . . . yet, but I see you can sign up online!) I showered, and dried my swimsuit in their spinny swimsuit dryer thing (which is AWESOME - Just like Taiwan's 'American Club'). I got my computer, and sat on a big comfy couch by the fireplace while it was raining, and checked my e-mail. I was mesmerized by their smoothie bar where they were growing 'wheat grass' to add in. . . I didn't eat there, but I thought about it. I watched an aerobics class happening, and checkout out their children's depot too. So I paid a $12 fee for 24 hours - so I got all those workouts in for only $12. . . Happy Ironmom - it was SOOO worth it! This place is truly HEAVEN! It opens at 5am, and closes at 10pm. . . so the only thing you can't do there is sleep - Wow!
Some things I noticed. . the parking lot was always full - like 1 or 2 spots available - ever! I think it is definitely more fun to lead an 'active living life' where there are so many choices and options available.
So this is all I have to do to get a facility here. . . . (another 'funny' in case you missed it - just a note, we can't even get an indoor pool in this town where we have 10 months of the year that we can't use the outdoor pool... sad, sad, sad)
I really can't say enough good things about this place - It was perfect, and it made for a perfect workout week - that COULD have gone either way. . . . Phew!
I had my first wacko ironman dream
I was ready to start, but people were just running down the beach/road, and it was like they started with the run (which is totally mixed up, because they ALWAYS start with the swim), but for some reason, I didn't notice the mix up. . . . but I had to go to the bathroom or something, so we went up to a hotel room or something, and I started running back and forth in front of this really big 'island counter top' while Duane, and his parents sat and talked. I remember them saying things like 'oh ya, this will count, we can vouch for you that you did it', 'just keep track of how far you go'. So I was measuring my miles by measuring my hands on the island. When I got to 40, I would start again. I have no idea how many miles I did! We went to 4 different rooms and did the same thing. . . FINALLY I realized that this was a problem. . . . Duane said he would go talk to the people in charge and see what I was supposed to be doing, and see if I could just join the rest of the people midway in the run, and if I could do the swim portion last. . . but I was worried about swimming all by myself in the ocean with the sharks. . . . Duane found out that the people were all running at the beginning to catch a bus, and go to the start point. . . . I woke up very frustrated and very confused. . . .
lesson learned. . . . stay with all the people no matter what! Review the route so I don't get stuck running around a counter island trying to count my miles. . . . eeeeyyyaaa!
So I have had a great training week - really. I was worried about it because it is Easter break, and the kids are home, and I am out of my routine. . . . and I was thinking about going to Whitefish with the 3 little girls, and was even more worried about it - my back up plan was that I would do Monday and Tuesdays workout on Monday, drive to Whitefish on Tuesday, and if I couldn't fit in any workouts, I would do Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday's workouts on Friday, and Saturday's long run on Saturday. . . .
but that is NOT how the cookie crumbled . . . . (no pun intended) - and no, I didn't eat any cookies this week either - ha ha
So I mentioned last week that my mother is hiking the Himalayas in Nepal . . and my dad is just flying by the seat of his pants while she is gone! That is another 'funny' cause he is a pilot. . . . laugh here. . .
So, I went to Whitefish, and my dad decided to stay in Whitefish with us - what a lifesaver! I now could do my workouts, and he was willing to watch kids, and feed kids, clean up after kids, and he even took the kids swimming! What a GREAT Grandpa hey?
Meanwhile, I went to the Whitefish Wave Rec Center for the first time. I fell in love - no exaggeration - TRULY! What an amazing place. I went on Wednesday morning and did my Tempo Run on one of the 10 or so treadmills, that hooked up to my iPod, and recorded my workout - cool. Went back on Thursday morning and did a cycling class from 6-7am, and then went and swam lengths in their lap pool ( one of their 3 swimming pools) for an hour. Got out and sat in the hot tub. Checked out their swim lake to lake challenge ( swim 75 miles in 5 months. . . cool challenge - and you know how I LOVE a challenge! I haven't signed up. . . . yet, but I see you can sign up online!) I showered, and dried my swimsuit in their spinny swimsuit dryer thing (which is AWESOME - Just like Taiwan's 'American Club'). I got my computer, and sat on a big comfy couch by the fireplace while it was raining, and checked my e-mail. I was mesmerized by their smoothie bar where they were growing 'wheat grass' to add in. . . I didn't eat there, but I thought about it. I watched an aerobics class happening, and checkout out their children's depot too. So I paid a $12 fee for 24 hours - so I got all those workouts in for only $12. . . Happy Ironmom - it was SOOO worth it! This place is truly HEAVEN! It opens at 5am, and closes at 10pm. . . so the only thing you can't do there is sleep - Wow!
Some things I noticed. . the parking lot was always full - like 1 or 2 spots available - ever! I think it is definitely more fun to lead an 'active living life' where there are so many choices and options available.
So this is all I have to do to get a facility here. . . . (another 'funny' in case you missed it - just a note, we can't even get an indoor pool in this town where we have 10 months of the year that we can't use the outdoor pool... sad, sad, sad)
I really can't say enough good things about this place - It was perfect, and it made for a perfect workout week - that COULD have gone either way. . . . Phew!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
30 Weeks till IRONMAN - Getting better??
It has been an interesting week. . . .
So Monday morning came and Duane asked me 'So . . . how are you feeling?' I answered with ' It doesn't matter anymore.' As you can imagine, that was the end of the conversation.
Ya, I was mad - seriously put out! Enough was enough!
And so, I pulled what I like to call a 'LaVern'. Why do I call it a 'LaVern' you ask? Well, 'LaVern' is my mother, and she has been fighting a bad knee for a few years now, and she has tried everything, it has slowed her down, and stopped her at times. . . she is on the waiting list to get a scope to see what to do next. . . . Anyways, I am not sure when she decided, but she DID decide in the last year, that she was going to Nepal to hike - whether it hurt or not. . . . she was going to do it. . . and so that is where she is right now - in Nepal. . . . she is still scheduled for surgery, but she has trained and she is prepared and ready for this hike of a lifetime. . . . hence . . . I decided to pull a 'LaVern'. Check out her blog here.
I went to the gym and went for a run on the treadmill, came home, got the kids to school, and did my scheduled brick workout (30 minutes on the bike trainer and 20 minutes running). Walked around all afternoon delivering sponsor sheets for the Kids Marathon, and then after dinner, we cracked open our brand spankin new Cardston Kids Pedometers and went for a walk as a family for an extra couple of miles, making my total miles for Monday 8.59 - Nice. . . and I didn't seem to be any worse for wear. . . . even nicer!
I have been completely strict with my 'food intake', and I have followed my workout plan almost completely this week. . . (magically, I have lost 3 pounds too!)
I also went to the doctor and am being tested for celiac and lactose intolerance. . . .
The only day that I did NOT follow my training plan was Thursday when I went to Calgary for a dyed MRI. . . . just like old times. . . It was my 1 year check up MRI since my liver surgery.
Here I am dressed to the 'nines', in all the hospital glory I could muster! I love the instructions. . "change into these clothes, and you can keep on your socks and shoes" Nothing quite feeling like all you are wearing is your socks and boots. CLASSY! But it did help to keep me warm!
I cannot believe that it was only a year ago when I looked like this. . . .
I remember how I felt on this day. . . and for quite a few days after that. . . .
I am definitely 'getting better'.
Here are a few pictures of our lunch on Thursday from the Gratitude Cafe in Calgary - my favorite place of all times to eat. I had to fast for my MRI, and so, I COMPLETELY enjoyed my lunch @ 11:30am - My body feels SOOO GOOOD when I eat there, it is almost impossible to describe. . . .
I did my 10 mile run today in my Vibrams. . . my toes did not go to sleep and I did not get excruciating pain in my feet and toes. . . . . the bottoms of my feet are tender and a bit sore. . . but . . . . for the first time ever . . . . NO TOE PAIN TODAY!!! Not sure if this is better, but it is different, and different intrigues me. But, because the toe pain goes away in minutes. . . . and the sore pads of my feet are still tender . . . . . . still sore. . . . . I'm not convinced which is better of the 2 evils . . . .
I found this poster a few weeks ago, and I think it fits here today. . . .
I AM changing, and I AM getting better, and I AM getting stronger, physically and mentally, and it feels good - really good.
So Monday morning came and Duane asked me 'So . . . how are you feeling?' I answered with ' It doesn't matter anymore.' As you can imagine, that was the end of the conversation.
Ya, I was mad - seriously put out! Enough was enough!
And so, I pulled what I like to call a 'LaVern'. Why do I call it a 'LaVern' you ask? Well, 'LaVern' is my mother, and she has been fighting a bad knee for a few years now, and she has tried everything, it has slowed her down, and stopped her at times. . . she is on the waiting list to get a scope to see what to do next. . . . Anyways, I am not sure when she decided, but she DID decide in the last year, that she was going to Nepal to hike - whether it hurt or not. . . . she was going to do it. . . and so that is where she is right now - in Nepal. . . . she is still scheduled for surgery, but she has trained and she is prepared and ready for this hike of a lifetime. . . . hence . . . I decided to pull a 'LaVern'. Check out her blog here.
I went to the gym and went for a run on the treadmill, came home, got the kids to school, and did my scheduled brick workout (30 minutes on the bike trainer and 20 minutes running). Walked around all afternoon delivering sponsor sheets for the Kids Marathon, and then after dinner, we cracked open our brand spankin new Cardston Kids Pedometers and went for a walk as a family for an extra couple of miles, making my total miles for Monday 8.59 - Nice. . . and I didn't seem to be any worse for wear. . . . even nicer!
I have been completely strict with my 'food intake', and I have followed my workout plan almost completely this week. . . (magically, I have lost 3 pounds too!)
I also went to the doctor and am being tested for celiac and lactose intolerance. . . .
The only day that I did NOT follow my training plan was Thursday when I went to Calgary for a dyed MRI. . . . just like old times. . . It was my 1 year check up MRI since my liver surgery.
Here I am dressed to the 'nines', in all the hospital glory I could muster! I love the instructions. . "change into these clothes, and you can keep on your socks and shoes" Nothing quite feeling like all you are wearing is your socks and boots. CLASSY! But it did help to keep me warm!
I cannot believe that it was only a year ago when I looked like this. . . .
I remember how I felt on this day. . . and for quite a few days after that. . . .
I am definitely 'getting better'.
Here are a few pictures of our lunch on Thursday from the Gratitude Cafe in Calgary - my favorite place of all times to eat. I had to fast for my MRI, and so, I COMPLETELY enjoyed my lunch @ 11:30am - My body feels SOOO GOOOD when I eat there, it is almost impossible to describe. . . .
 |
| The unique thing about this restaurant is that when they bring you your food, they place the food in front of you and say "you are grateful", "you are intentional", "you are creating". I know when I took Clara, she ordered "you are awesome", just so that when they brought out her food, they would tell her "you are awesome"! |
 |
| "I am grateful" - raw mexican enchilada lettuce cups with a side of delicious soup in a happy mug! |
 |
| Duane's dinner : "I am creating" - curry chili, brown rice, salad guacamole, salsa and chips |
 |
| Kate's dinner: "I am intentional" - grilled 3 cheese sandwich, ketchup and dill pickles |
I did my 10 mile run today in my Vibrams. . . my toes did not go to sleep and I did not get excruciating pain in my feet and toes. . . . . the bottoms of my feet are tender and a bit sore. . . but . . . . for the first time ever . . . . NO TOE PAIN TODAY!!! Not sure if this is better, but it is different, and different intrigues me. But, because the toe pain goes away in minutes. . . . and the sore pads of my feet are still tender . . . . . . still sore. . . . . I'm not convinced which is better of the 2 evils . . . .
I found this poster a few weeks ago, and I think it fits here today. . . .
I AM changing, and I AM getting better, and I AM getting stronger, physically and mentally, and it feels good - really good.
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