Crazy

After going to the doctor this morning finding out the pain in my ankle is tendinitis, I decided to do a shorter workout today. 

It's really amazing, when you think about it, when a 4 mile run is not even a bump on your radar!  I did repeat Yasso 800s at 9:13 mile pace. No pain and no problem!  

Now this black KT Tape on my leg for my friend's wedding tonight will definitely be a conversation starter though...

IMWI Video

Here's a video that I put together with photos of the weekend and pictures from friends and family who were there to cheer me on.  If the hyperlink doesn't work... this should:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5FedwsDEqw&feature=youtu.be

Thank you again so much!!

I'm still working on my race recap...  I'll get that up soon!  

I'm going to start adding my post-IM recovery work-outs and 

runs that lead up to the Marine Corps Marathon

The day after

"Once a man has made a commitment to a way of life, he puts the greatest strength in the world behind him. It's something that we call heart power. Once a man has made this commitment nothing will stop him short of success." Vince Lombardi

Weight

People have been telling me that I've looked like I've lost weight but I was convinced I hadn't. 

I finally got on the scale today and since I started Ironman training in January, I've lost almost 17lbs!

...The trick will now be to stop eating like I'm still in training!

Finally a lazy Saturday

"The storm"

Flowers from my sister

Video of the finish...

Race report and my thoughts and insights to come in the following days and weeks.  I'm feeling okay and still basking in a lot of race day glory!!!

Thank you so much for all your support!

xxoo

The only two wounds I have from the race yesterday is the (eventual) loss of this toenail and some massive chafing in my armpits from my wetsuit. My lady bits don't feel awesome, but that's to be expected and normal during my regular training rides. Yesterday was the longest bike ride I've ever taken. 

Everyone keeps asking if I'm sore and the answer is yes. But I'm not sore in a debilitating fashion, I'm just sore from a hard workout. I'm going to put together my thoughts and a full race report in the next couple days while I'm resting so stay tuned for that...

I'd say that it was a pretty good day!!

The day after

"Once a man has made a commitment to a way of life, he puts the greatest strength in the world behind him. It's something that we call heart power. Once a man has made this commitment nothing will stop him short of success." Vince Lombardi

Yes!!!!

Nighty night

Going to check gear!!!

Monona Terrace sign 

Bike is in the ready position!

My bike tag

My row- first one on!

Bike racked 

Bike gear dropped 

Run gear dropped

Gear bag preparations

There are 5 bags for Ironman:

Morning

*Bike

Special needs Bike 

*Run

Special needs Run

*These must be dropped off on Saturday along with one's bike at the race start and transition areas the day before the race.  They include anything you want to consume (food/drink) during the transition period and clothes and gear you'd use during that portion of the race. 

In my bike bag I have the following:

Towel (to dry off after the swim)

Bike shoes & socks

Helmet

Bike shorts

Tri top (pockets stuffed w race nutrition)

Sunglasses

Chamois cream for my lady bits

Imodium - my secret weapon

Extra: arm warmers & cycling top w sleeves

In my run bag I have the following:

Running shoes & clean socks

Jog bra

Capri running pants (stuffed w race nutrition)

Tank top

Other Sunglasses (in case something happens to the first pair)

Visor

Chamois cream - in case I have wounds to sooth from the bike

Biofreeze gel (like icy hot)

Ibuprofen for the pain that may start during the run

First aid "kit"- band aids, ointment, etc

In my special needs bags I have additional supplies. There are made available to us at approximately the 1/2 point of each discipline:

Extra socks

Sunscreen^

Tubes and co2 cartridges^

Snacks

4 hours of concentrated liquid nutrition^

Extra tops•

LED armband•

First aid "kit"- band aids, ointment, etc•

^bike bag only

•run bag only

I thought it would look like a LOT more stuff but apparently all this training has made me pretty lean and efficient on how to prep my gear!

Before (I came to Madison "packed" already by gear bag)

I put rainbow tape on my bags to make them easier for me to spot. My bib number is also on every bag. 

After

It doesn't look like that much stuff to me for a 16-17 hour day!  The mini backpack on the left has the items that I'll need to start the race (wet suit, goggles, cap, timing chip, road id).  The paper bag has the extra stuff i need to prep race morning like nutrition & a few things i need to put on my bike before I check it (tubes, co2, nutrition). 

Friday post-registration at race start site

Monona Terrace

Where the bikes are racked

Sign barrier at the finish line 

Finish line being constructed w the Capitol behind it

Local businesses supporting Ironman racers

Machinery Row bike shop parking spots 

My race bracelet with a little bling 

Chocolate milk tent picture (recovery drink). Chocolate milk mustache!!

Friday Registration 9/6/13

Agenda for check in

Welcome sign

Look, it's me!!

Check in begins...

My bib #

Course maps while in line

Getting past the waivers, weigh in & finally to the bathing cap & swag lines

My cap (ladies pink, dudes green)

Swag line (license plate cover)

Check in complete

Athlete course briefing

Wednesday taper swim 9/4/13

Today all I had was a 20 minute swim so I opted to do so before work. When I hit the snooze button I didn't even have to worry since it was such a short workout!  Boom!!!

I got to the gym around 6:30 and hopped in the pool for a quickie. It was nice to read the pool is going to be closed soon for a week's worth of cleaning.  It's been gross!

When I was finishing up, I noticed that Larry was there again. He's a nice older guy who worked out of our office for some time. It's always nice to see him but also a bit strange to see a "colleague" while I'm in a swimsuit and he's in a Speedo!  Thankfully he's a supportive type and gave me a lot of positive support for the race this weekend. 

I'm also going to Dr. Ryan over lunch for 30 minutes for my last pre-race session. He is going to continue to work on my glutes, IT band, ankles and hips. He is probably going to be in Madison spectating on Sunday as well. Apparently Dr. Tracey from his office will be practicing ART up there this weekend as well. 

Following that, I'm headed to Frum Jewelers to finalize my post-race reward!!!!  An item I've dreamed about since I was a high schooler!  A nice watch...  I'm having it shipped to friends in Madison so they can give it to me after I've finished. I'm slightly superstitious and this makes me feel more calm about it! :)

Tuesday taper run 9/3/13

You know you've totally been indoctrinated into the Ironman way of thinking when going for a 3 mile/30 minute run is "annoying" and "disappointing" since getting showered and clean afterwards takes more time than the workout itself!

Tuesday's run was from home north through Rodgers Park. I ran by the soccer fields at Senn High School where lots of people were out playing that and basketball. It was a beautiful night!  I jogged easy north on Greenview and up to another high school I didn't even know was up there (the name escapes me now). So after walking 5 minutes and jogging 10, I turned around, already halfway done, to head back home. 

MB got done with his swim and got turkey meat, cheese and light sour cream for taco night. It was a little light in the fixings since all I had were tomatoes, onions, mango salsa and cheese too. Anyway, we made do and hung out for a it before I went (back) to organizing and checking my bags for the big weekend. 

To bed early and up at 5:30am on Wednesday. 

Hilarious!

Diana Nyad & I share something

Monday rest day 9/2/13

Monday was an official rest day. 

I awoke to the smell of smoke. Smoked meats. My neighbor has a smoker and I'm guessing he was making pig for the holiday. 

MB went golfing super early and we went to brunch around 10:30 at Tweet. Good food!

After brunch, we had a very lazy afternoon and watched some bad tv and then "G. I. Jane". 

I have my things in bags by discipline all strewn around my dining room and will check that I've got everything I need later tonight. It's a bit difficult to pack since the weather can vary, but I'll bring a bunch of "just in case" stuff...  

It's going to be an early night and a quick run tomorrow before a pre-race massage tomorrow night!!

Bike cleaning & lesson from Chase

Chase agreed to give me a bike tire changing lesson at his apartment with Katie. After I learned how to change my tire, we realized I also pinched it so I truly got a flat that I learned how to patch and then reinstalled a new tire for my flat. :-)

Chase cleaning my chain and drive train

Below is a pile of gunk that he removed from my chain