7.30am. Summoning the energy required to complete the 15km run on tap. Good thing I have running mates to meet at 8.30...
Long day ahead BUT the world's best coffee awaits me on the other side of the run...YUM YUM.

So I submitted my last weeks work out completion rate to my coach on Monday. Totally the kick in the pants I needed. It was a dismal 63% AND that included work outs that were modified (either not the correct distance or switched to a different day).

An excerpt from my email:
"I totally realize that excuses won’t get me to the finish line BUT I’m still going to tell you that last week was ‘off the wall’ for me with the offer of a new job, negotiations and finally accepting the new role…however, please note that I am not happy with this number and don’t plan on seeing a number like that again."

So far, this week has been bang on with a spin class thrown in there at 6am as penance for missing my Sunday ride...who knew that such an innocent stat could have such an influence over me?

Wow. It's Sunday evening. It feels like the weekend went by in a blink of an eye and yet when I look at what I learned and what was accomplished...was it really only 2 days?

• 13 km run and a 1km walk/coffee break
• Consumption of the best coffee ever ~ 2 days in a row
• Mardi who is a carbon fibre bike is now creakless
• Carbon Fibre bikes should not be used in trainers
• Found another bike to use for trainer and modified to fit
• Investigated and purchased new running shoes
• My old stand by running shoes with a kazillion miles on them are currently in the garbage*
• Final mow of the season has been completed
• Donated plants have been planted
• Plus a whole slew of 'work' related issues that will be turning my life upside down over the next month...

What hasn't happened was a 'long' ride. I have been so intent on the upcoming changes that other than the 14 km run...I didn't know what was on tap. I am going to make up for my transgression tomorrow evening on the trainer.

Monday is going to be a long day! Run, tendering my 'official' resignation, vet (cat's insulin has been recalled & she needs transitioned to a new type) ride on trainer

*It is everything in my power to not go rescue them. What if they are cold and scared. And what if the new pair aren't what they are cracked up to be...

Right. Time to get my 'Ironman' house in order. I need to:

• arrange tune up for Mardi to address her creaky crank
• investigate a 'rim' for the indoor trainer I have been loaned
• investigate, purchase & install aerobars

I am open to any input or suggestions anyone may have on the rim and aerobars. What to look for, avoid and such.

Today is a 8k run with 4 reps.

1 rep = 3 mins at threshold followed by 2 mins of recovery

What support looks like:

In an effort to make a 6am cyclefit class. My clothes (work out and work) were laid out for me the night before...
AND
I didn't make it. Woke up at 12.38am and did not get another wink of sleep. I was stewing about work and my lack of sleep. In hindsight, I should have dragged myself to class. Would've been a much happier camper I'm sure.
Off to get a swim in before 9am. My office mates will appreciate the effort!

PS notice how artfully the clothing is arranged?

EDIT: good thing I didn't make the supreme effor this morning...turns out the instructor called in sick!

Holy Kadoodles. I'm not sure what I'm more excited about...blogging from home via a connection that is NOT dial up OR that I achieved what I set out to do on today's run?!

First off: I'm sitting in a comfy chair in front of the fire with NO telephone wire connected to the laptop. I just have this cute red rocket stick connected and voila! internet. I LOVE TECHNOLOGY! Finally, something faster than dial up in our neighbourhood...only took 10 years!

Next, a rocking good run with a fun bunch of girls! We rocked the windy course. My chip time came was 56.29. Woot, woot! It was a cold, windy day and was relieved to finally hop into a warm shower to wash the chills away.

Awesome run, awesome chatter, awesome coffee and lotsa laughter. Thanks Kate for talking me into this, it was just what i needed!

PS I just paid my bills online and it was lickety split. WOW...who knows maybe cable is next?

It's time. Time to take action!

My running has been a complete flop since arriving home. Physical or Mental Block? I'm not sure but it certainly sucks rocks!

Signing up for a 10k run this Saturday to replace the scheduled 12k run on my training plan. Looking for friendly faces, new route and $45 entry fee to put the 'oomph' back into my run. I'm even upping the ante and looking for a PR. Gunning for 55-59 minute finish. Notice I never put any pressure on myself...?

I leave you with a visual of the last time I had a good run....maybe I need to move to Halifax?

Where has time and my mojo gone to?

Helllllo? Mojo?

Mojo? Where are you?

That is what I thought. GONE!

Good thing vacations are over with for the year...tough to get back into the swing of things when I return. Both times (Sept & Oct vacations) I have questioned my decision/desire/capability of achieving this crazy goal of mine...it would be soooo much easier to hibernate over the winter, appearing only when I WANT to workout vs. having to workout. BUT I'm assuming that is what makes an Ironman vs and Ironcouchpotato, huh?

Operation Detox has begun. I decided if I'm asking my body to carry me 140.6 miles, the least I could do is try and take care of it! Alcohol consumption severely curbed until the festive holidays. Funny how the first week you actually feel worse in the morning than if you drank a ton the night before...body is a weird and wonderful thing.

Most days I would rather be sitting here than working out...

What I did on my Fall Vacation:

• Drove 1080 km


• Swam 1800 yards


• Ran 30kms
  
• Played in the Atlantic


• Learn that I'd rather skip a work out than detest my journey to Ironman…

It's Friday. Tomorrow is the start of vacation which means no posts, limited workouts and hopefully a ton of fun...

Plugging away. Nothing exciting. Just crossing the work outs off as they are done....

It is another week of trying to maneuver workouts to fit a busy travel schedule. I think I have it worked out so that I only miss 2 low priority workouts AND still have time to actually enjoy my vacation. We shall see; planning is a completely different story that actually doing.

I have to admit the hardest part to date is trying to enjoy day to day life (read: not be a complete and utter bitch at home and at work) instead of always worrying about accomplishing the next workout. Maybe I'm going too hard, too fast? I'm having trouble sleeping...I'm usually a 8-9 hour a night girl but right now I'm lucky if I'm getting 5...making for long cranky days.

Not gonna lie. I've been stressed and bitchy about trying to cram everything I needed to get done so I could get away this weekend...

BUT....

It is all done now. A 65km bike ride yesterday and a 13km treadmill run today. The high priority long workouts got done and the lower priority workouts got scrapped. Hopefully this won't bite me in the ass 9 months from now.

side note: 13 km run in 1 hr 14 mins & bike ride....gosh only knows. Mr. Garmin died from lack of battery power. All I can tell you was that is was a long, unmotivated, cold, shtty ride!

I was very nicely reminded I left yesterday's post hanging and haven't updated today...

6.5 km run yesterday and 1400 yard swim today!

Done.

Oh No! The posts are getting fewer and fewer…

Where does the time go? The first month of ‘official’ training is complete and I survived. I am so happy that the ‘open water swims’ have been converted to pool swims. I have an amazing 3 month plan of twice a week swims to start and I have been waiting to be able to insert them into my training plan.

But of course nothing goes as planned. On the drive down to work I stated that I am really looking forward to getting into the pool today. While chatting with the lifeguard on deck, confirming the time I could slip into the water, she noticed some ‘brown spots’ on the bottom of the pool. Floaters thwarted my swim…pool is closed for some shocking!

I am trying to convince myself that I want to complete a 3 to 4 mile run…

Watch this space.

I am unable to shrink these below 38kb and send as an email for a swim critique. So I guess everyone and their brother can now critique my self taught style.

Please note the panicked turn around. Good Stuff!

Black mood won't go away...been a full week now. Tired of myself.

Bad mood be gone!

Yep. Back from vacation. With a nice owie that impedes running and biking. Good times!

Decision made: 2010 gerneral entry is sold out.

So. Having found a coach, I was feeling very calm and 'structured'. All I needed to worry about was to follow the program. That was my job. Just follow the program.

BUT ohhhhh no. I can't relax and just get things done...I need to start wondering if Ironman Canada 2010 (Aug 29) would be a better fit?! Entry is open and available.

Pros:
In CANADA - health care, bike transport
Later in the season therefore making a longer outdoor training season
A second attempt at Ironman next year 'IF' the first fails
Aware of other athletes training for this target date

Cons:
Next summer will be consumed with training versus enjoying
Another $700 in entry fees
Still halfway across the country to get to...