Bib numbers posted!

Ironman Wisconsin bib #598. 

This is happening. 

Reminder

Saturday OWS race 8/17 first 2.4 mile swim ever!

Saturday was a big day for Michael and me. We both signed up for an open water swim race on Lake Monona in Madison. I've never done one before and he hasn't done one since his mid-20's. I had signed up for the 2.4mi wetsuit swim and he for the 1.2mi non-wet suit swim. 

I was slightly nervous but glad I proved to myself that I can do this swim!  Since we left our phones in the car, I don't have a commemorative photo of the event. :-(

For me the start was very rough. It took a solid 5-8 minutes to get out of the chaos. I'm fairly certain that I kicked a few people as hard as I could in the arms when they were grabbing for me!  It was intense!!  

This is a seemingly small rub wound from not properly lubing up for the race.  The sting also goes at my hairline. I have another one on my right arm pit.  Not where it meets the edge of the wet suit, but across the arm.  Note to self!!

It was an in water start (not running in from the "beach") so you swim out and just tread water and float until the start. I think I was we'll positioned between the shore and buoy but not between all the people. I think I was too close to the start where the fastest swimmers should be. This probably made the start rougher BUT I also didn't want to add additional mileage to the swim!  As it was, Garmin said I swam 2.6mi (not 2.4) so I definitely wandered a bit. I thought I didn't pretty well sighting except for the first far loop, to be honest. I'll need to review the map it creates of the swim on Garminconnect.com.

I took the first mile/loop VERY easy since I really wasn't sure how it'd go. I think that took me about 50 minutes. The second loop I got in my grove and went a bit faster. I still went at a very comfortable pace finishing around 1:30. That put my 80th out of 116 female swimmers or 68th percentile. I am actually totally satisfied with my time despite not finishing that high up in the standings.  

Michael had a good swim as well and was satisfied with his time too. 

After the swim, it was time to ride.  I got changed and ready to ride and MB hung out in downtown Madison and had lunch and relaxed at a coffee shop on State Street. 

More on the ride in a following post. 

Friday rest and drive 8/15

I worked from home Friday morning as I needed to get out to one of our properties in the suburbs that afternoon. It always seems like a colossal waste of money to drive downtown for a few hours to "show face" and then go to the suburbs. At least I feel at this point with my employer that they know I'm actually working so, as I said, I did it from home. 

After getting out to Downers Grove, the Friday workday came to a close and MB and I headed to Madison. We took a new route (after all these years!) and really had no trouble with rush hour traffic or construction. 

We arrive to Madison and headed for a drink at Jolly Bob's Caribbean place and since they wouldn't let us have a drink outside, we left for Eldorado Grill for dinner- which was delicious. 

We got to Don & Jenny's fairly early in the evening and also both passed out pretty early too!

Here we are at Eldorado. 

Thursday run 8/15

My delta was still out of whack so I didn't work out twice as per my schedule (1:45 morning and evening runs) but did "run" after work. 

I didn't go the whole time alloyed but did 1:15 and then headed home to pack and prepare to leave for Madison Friday after work. 

Here's a picture of my one true love just for fun. :)

Injuries and ailments

The following may not be a complete list of ailments and injuries I'm quite sure that I *may* have:

1.  Something terribly not right with my neck that likely has to do with borrowing a helmet with a visor for my 72 mile Valparaiso-New Buffalo-Valparaiso bike ride. I needed a helmet and what could i di?!  it was generous to lend me one to use!  This requires a massage. 

2.  Ever since my bike fall/mini-crash in Galena in late April my right ankle hasn't been right. I went to Athletico to have it checked and they said it was fine, but since I can roll it inward still, I'm thinking they were wrong. I will have it looked at my an actual medical professional post-Ironman.  I think it is a stress fracture- maybe in the talus bone or a tear or stretch of the peroneus longus?  It is in that area, the pain.  I'm not a doctor in real life, I just play one on TV.

3.  Sciatica or something not right with my right butt cheek or piriformis muscle.  This has been an on and off thing for years. Sometimes foam rolling helps. Yoga can help and hurt. Thankfully this only stays in my booty and doesn't go to my knee or leg.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sciatica. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piriformis_syndrome

4.  The newest ailment:  the left top of the foot near the inner arch.  Pain!  No more high heels.  Perhaps a (nother) stress fracture?

5. Saddle sores; they really don't need or require any elaboration. If you invite me to sit down and I say I'll stand, it isn't because I want you to remember me.  It is because even in "those shoes", I'd prefer not to sit.  Lady bits aren't having it.  

...I'm the picture of health!!!!!  :-)

Wednesday 8/14 - 3/4mi swim

My delta was still crazy this morning but I felt I should at least di something so I headed to the gym pool to swim some very easy laps. 

I had a mile swim in my plan and just decided to swim a little bit and see how I felt. Luckily I didn't have to swim much because the water was gross!!  I mean so gross that I told the management when I left. I swam an easy 500, then 200 kick, 200-300 pull and then some more freestyle "cool down"