14 weeks till IRONMAN - practice practice practice

When things go wrong - - - it's just practice.

This week was ALOT of practice!

Monday morning during my brick workout, I busted my de-railer hanger.  Just biking up the hill, I think actually I wasn't even on the hill.  It was crazy - all of a sudden, I thought my chain had fallen off, but I couldn't pedal - it was like it was seized up - - I just started thinking "get your feet out - hurry - get your feet out!"  Phew - I got my feet out, and looked down and thought "what the heck?!"  So I turned around and coasted down the hill, and then I took my shoes off and walked on the line on the highway, as it is the smoothest part of the highway. . . . I saw a runner up ahead and yelled " Hey!  Do you have a cell phone!?"  She either didn't hear me, or didn't have one. . . I couldn't decide . . .but she started running the other way - after a bit more walking I came to Kevin Leavitt's yard and decided to brave the gravel driveway and see if I could call home, but Kevin came around the corner in his truck - and offered to drive me and my bike back to my house.  THANK YOU - I didn't want to have to walk all the way home with a broken bike.  Just then, Duane drove up - he was worried about me ( awww )

Busted my de-railer hanger on my Monday brick training ride.  Man I am tough!!  I even got my feet out in time and didn't hurt myself!  I had to walk the painted line in my socks for quite a while. . . . but Duane finally came looking for me after I had found Kevin Leavitt to give me and my bike a ride home. . . . sigh. . . . 

I went out for another bike ride on my good old silver bike - then finished with a 30 minute run.  Training for Monday - check.

Tuesday's 2 hour bike ride was a bit more difficult to fit in. . . . but Duane drove us all out to Glenwood where the kids had dinner and ice cream and I biked home with no ice cream ( sigh )

My Tuesday 2 hour ride, I rode from Glenwood with NO coconut ice-cream on Good 'ol Silver.

So during this week, Duane, my super fantastic husband learned how and replaced the front and rear derailer, re-ran the cables, installed the new aero bars, changed the stem and put on a new chain.  Cleaned and shined 'er. . . . I got my bike 'pimped up'!!

On Thursday, I tried out the 'new' bike just moments before the hail storm of a lifetime.




Friday was my long ride to Magrath and back - and it was fairly un-eventful!  Except that Duane had to drive to Calgary to pick up a rental van for us to take on our vacation, hopefully leaving in only 1 more day....

Saturday was my long run of 10 miles - no problem and then off to Idaho for our 2 weeks away from home - I hope I remembered everything that I need!  Time to practice packing . . . . ugh.

15 weeks till IRONMAN - training plus a marathon of hikes!

This week I have been enjoying the outdoors, and hiking with my mom, my kids, and some ladies from my community.  3 hikes totaling 26.2 miles (well, I am not exact on that number, but it for all intents and purposes, it is close enough).

Hike #1 - Florence Falls, Logan's Pass, Montana

memorable moments - hiking with my mom and all of my kids.  Finally getting to the waterfall - and enjoying it's mist.  Learning that a 5 year old can hike over 12 miles in one day!  Learning that we all need to pack more water.  Taking a wrong turn, getting lost, finding the going to the sun road, but not finding our van.  Walking down the road with a crying 5 year old, a very worried 8 year old and wanting to cry myself - but holding it together.  Getting a ride from a kind couple from Toledo, Ohio.  Finding our van.  Getting pie in St. Mary's.  Going home.  Sleep.

Having fun on the way up!

So much foliage!

This is on the way up ( but it was after this bridge that I took the wrong turn!)

The falls!  We made it!!

Hiking out with an 86 year old hiker leading the way.

Hike #2 - Wall Lake, Waterton, Canada

memorable moments - Seeing so many ladies from our community hiking together!  Seeing 'the wall' and making the connection  - "aha wall lake!"  Visiting with Karen and Liz.  Seeing the Forum waterfall.  Any hike is not complete without a waterfall sighting - better yet, feeling it's mist!

Forum Falls with Liz Bectell - LOVELY!

Wall Lake - absolutely STUNNING wouldn't you say?!

Hike #3 - Red Rock Falls, Many Glacier, Montana

memorable moments - a bear walked right across our path, and didn't even look at us!  The falls were beautiful, and fun to just sit and and relax.  We stuck together, didn't get lost, and it was an easy fun hike.  No tears.  Mary whipping out the band-aid for Kate when she scraped her knee.  The view from the top of the rock was priceless.  Having Huckleberry ice-cream at the end!  Wanting to never leave this place.  Starting to almost enjoy hiking. . . . Completely entranced with Many Glacier.

A cool looking butterfly.  The girls would try to catch every butterfly that flew across our path!

Grandma LaVern ( alias: hiker extraordinaire).
I think that she is determined to pass on her love for hiking to us. . . . it might be starting to work....

Red Rock Falls.
The perfect place to sit, rest, breathe, think, and enjoy the beauty of the mountains.

Sisters: 
There to protect each other from bears.  There to make sure no one falls and 'gets bleeding'.
Mary was always the first one on the scene with a band aid when it was needed.
Thanks Mary for making everything better!

This was our second bear sighting of the day.
The first one was smaller, and he sauntered right across our path while we were hiking. . .
it was VERY exciting!  We saw this guy on our way home from the safety of our car
- a great way to end our day!

So at the end of the week after a marathon of hikes, and a full week of Ironman training. . . I was absolutely EXHAUSTED!  My mother thought maybe I should NOT go hiking while I am training for Ironman. . . . I had to agree.  But I do have to admit that I am a little sad about that.  I think that I might actually miss hiking!  Experiencing the great outdoors and learning valuable life lessons with my kids.  Watching them take care of each other. . . . looking for bears and moose, feeling the beargrass and sucking nectar from the Indian paintbrush.  I can't believe that I am actually saying it out loud. . . I never thought I would miss hiking. . . I never thought I would love hiking. . . . but I think my mother's wishes are starting to come true!

16 weeks till IRONMAN - the season begins with race #1

Race #1 = Magrath Triathlon.

Well, it has been 2 years since I have done this triathlon.

I was nervous.

Things are different now, and yet, still kind of the same.

I had a few crazy fears.

I think I worked through them and went into the race with hope, enthusiasm, and excitement.

A few stats:

2009 = 2:47
swim 29.20.65
bike 1.15.16
run 1.03.08

2010 = 3:03
swim 31:04.85
bike 1:25.37
run 1:06.26

My GOAL for 2012 = 2:49   My ACTUAL for 2012 = 2:54.18
swim :29                                  :29.09
bike 1:20                                1:25.25
run 1:00                                   :59.42

I was very happy with my swim, I felt right on track.  My bike ride felt good - I felt like I rode well. The transition times are both included in the bike time, and I think that is where I was not very speedy - but I can work on that.  My run - I was absolutely THRILLED about!  Under an hour!  SO VERY HAPPY!  It was a great #1 race!

a few pictures of the day:

Yes - it is true - I'm a racing 40 year old!  Yahoo!

feeling ready - got the gear - here's hoping it doesn't rain/lightening . . . too hard.

I'm loving my new wetsuit - it is really mine. . . . breathing . . . waiting . . . 

check out my form . . . Duane has it all figured out as what we need to change. . . . love that guy!

OK, so do you see the look this girl is giving me?!
Ya - that is why I have been hesitant to be all 'matchy matchy' and wear my crazy helmet. . . .
you can see what she is thinking can't you!
Ha Ha!  Oh well - 

All Done!  A Successful day!
I know I pushed it because when I was done, I told Duane "I think I might throw-up!"
and Duane said "Oh good for you!"

17 weeks till IRONMAN - I think I found 'the one'. Thank you Altra

Monday - 30 minute bike/ 30 minute run - Nice.

Tuesday - 1 hour swim, 2 hour bike ride.  The wind was blowing something fierce today. . . I actually did not realize that there was a wind warning till I got home ( ha ha ha), but this is a screen shot of the weather today.... so ya, I rode from Cardston to Carway today. . . CrAAzzEEE!

Sometimes I think my feet are still growing!

Wednesday - just a nice 30 minute run, I swear I could feel my shoe rubbing on my left foot's outside toes. . . .what?  It makes no sense to me - I have been wearing the same shoes for 6 months, and now I feel rubbing?

Thursday - Swim

Friday - 2 hour bike ride - to the border and back was GREAT!  Today, the wind was blowing the other direction - you just never know in this country!!

Well, I am excited to announce that I got a new pair of runners this week, and may I be so bold as to say, that I think these might be "THE ONES".  (knock on wood).  I have tried on 5 different pairs of these shoes, looking at them for a couple of years, bought some, returned the wrong size . . . and now here we are at today - I hope and pray, and plead that I have found my 'marathon runners'. . . .

The Instinct™

A11332-080

$99.99

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The Instinct runs slightly short in size. If you are between sizes please go up 1/2 size larger than your regular size.

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Benefits

Introducing the first shoe to truly marry the form-improving benefits of a minimalist shoe with the comfort, cushioning and support of a traditional running shoe. The Zero Drop™ platform and innovative foot-shaped design work together to help runners maintain proper running technique and reduce joint impact while freeing their toes to help alleviate foot pain. Trust your instincts and experience the world's first fully cushioned, foot-shaped, Zero Drop™ running shoe!

Technical Stuff

• Weight: 8.8 oz
• Foot Shaped Design: Male FS-1 Last
• NRS: Natural Ride System
• FootPod Outsole Encouraging Natural Motion
• Quick dry air mesh upper with minimal seams
• Asymmetrical Lacing, Heel Claw, and A-Wrap for superior fit
• Drilex Premium Liner
• Strengthen and Support Insoles
• Designed to be worn without any insoles for Minimalist Runners
• Stack height = The total thickness of the shoe/the distance between the foot and the ground.

Instinct

Introducing the first shoe to truly marry the form-improving benefits of a minimalist shoe with the comfort, cushioning and support of a traditional running shoe. The ZeroDrop™ platform and innovative foot-shaped design work together to help runners maintain proper running technique and reduce joint impact while freeing their toes to help alleviate foot pain. Trust your instincts and experience the world’s first fully cushioned, foot-shaped, Zero Drop™ running shoe!

Instinct™

$99.99

Ok, so just a quick report, I got my shoes on Friday, wore them all evening, and seriously thought about sleeping in them as they were "that comfortable".  I went for a 6 mile run on Saturday with no problems!

I am in L O V E!!