Right. Proposal has been handed in on time and the long weekend is upon us! Good time to unwind, relax, get the house in order and get some long rides/runs in......Wheeeee!

I feel like I didn't get much accomplished this week work out wise. But in review, I did ok. This week was about getting in the basics. Nothing long, nothing fancy, just doing it.

The big learning this week is that I need to stick with Yoga. At the beginning of each session, you need to pay a lump sum ex. $126 for 8 weeks. I always wifflewaffle at the beginning of each session wondering if the money is best spent this way. Ya know, I could be saving for exciting things like a bathroom reno, or kitchen upgrade. However, with the triathlon learning sessions and open water swims landing on Tuesday's....I haven't been a regular attendee AND I can feel it. My upper back is extremely tight with the shoulders starting to move closer to my ears again. Other than open water swims, I plan on being a regular attendee. I guess I needed to have the break to see the value and benefit!

I have alluded to some people at work that an Ironman is on my bucket list BUT I have finally told two friends what I am up to. Told them I'm registered, the date and that I'll be there OR have a really, really decent reason of why I'm not there.....not sure how I feel about the word being out there.

Off to start the work day and create a 'relaxing' to do list for the long weekend.......

Who me? Avoid a decision? Is that why I haven't posted?! Nope! Just really busy at work putting together a proposal......

Not much going on: Saturday was a 6k run, Sunday stacked the rest of the wook (5 cords?), Monday was a quick swim and this morning was a quick ride with Yoga tonight.....

Regular posting to resume.

I guess I avoided the decision of 'is it 340 or 338?' by not posting! Let's hope my training doesn't go like this!


339 or 337 (promise, i'll make a decision soon)

Been a rainy week around here......

• Wednesday was 10km run in 57 minutes and a 7km bike ride in 20'ish minutes.
• Thursday was pouring down rain and the tri group training was iffy. So instead of facing the possibility of a zero work out day. I went to the pool at lunch and gave myself one definite goal and one 'reach for it' goal. The fist was to compelete a half mile under 20 minutes and the other was to swim a mile with no time limit. I'm pleased to say that I managed both goals.

Today I have an interval run planned on the treddie. Tonight we have dinner plans and I'm hoping it is not a late night. I'm hoping to spring out of bed tomorrow and get a long bike ride in......

I have a very serious decision to make..........


...........



...........

Do I name this post 341 OR do I name it 339 to match the ticker on the right hand column?

Decisions, decisions. And one that I hope deflects from my yesterday's activities:
Stacked wood

342.....
I was a stacking machine last night! Managed to make a dent in the 12 cords of wood that is currently sprawled over the driveway.

Planning a ride tonight. A destination ride if you will. The agreement is no alcohol for the remainder of the week UNLESS we bike for it. With flank steak on the menu tonight, a nice red would be lovely!

Yesterday's activities:
Squash, wood stacking and early to bed.

343
Not a fantastic weekend work out wise but ok. Love the new bike. Amazing coasting abilities!
344
7 km bike ride and then a 2km jog with Oban. Stacked wood, walks puppies and did laundry.
345
Mardi's first ride. Up the Hills of Hell to a bike sale in Ancaster. Then off to get purrrty with highlights and a cut. Dinner plans were cancelled, so ribs and chicken wings were inserted with a movie for dessert. Mmmm,mmmm,mmmm
346
Day of Rest and alcohol comsumption. Lovely!

347.....Thursday

Yesterday was supposed to be a nice relaxing evening. Nothing other that catching up on the newspapers and taking the dogs for a walk was on the agenda. I scheduled my workout (5k run) over the lunch hour in order to accomodate......

Y'ah. So totally didn't happen. Stopped in at the bike shop on the way home to compare the Roubaix and the Ruby elite against the Trek Madone 4.5 that I tried out on Tuesday. Just going to be 15 minutes for a quick spin on the two bikes. 1.5 hours later.........

........she is mine.

Meet 'Mardi'.

348....
Success! I swam almost 1km in open water last night. My stroke wasn't pretty and I was tuckered at the end BUT I DID IT!
I think my phobia is the inability to see what is going on in the water. Gulliver's Lake is fairly shallow and clear. With my goggles on, I could see the fish. I could see the 'seaweed'. I could see the smiling alligator head someone placed on the bottom. And shockingly, none of this bothered me. What did freak me out was arriving at the middle of the lake where visibility was greatly reduced. I couldn't see the bottom or through the water. This experience has definitely given me some food for thought......
My next 'baby step', is to 'attempt' Gulliver's sans wetsuit. The wetsuit is actually my biggest complaint right now. I was aware that it would be hard to get on and off (and it was) but I also found it was uncomfortable at the joints (bunching), extremely warm and very short through the torso/shoulders. I will need to do some more research on styles, sizes and such before I jump in and make a purchase.
Yesterday's Activities: 3.5 km run (7 min hills, 21 min fast flat) and 950m swim

349...

Well, I did it. Made it in the water. Swam a few strokes. Pretty much hated every minute of it. We'll leave it at that for now.....

Found the wet suit mighty uncomfortable. Unsure if I did not put it on properly or if it is an ill fitting suit. It was bunching at my knees and elbows but that was soon corrected by a seasoned wet suit wearer. However, I still found it very tight across the shoulders.....wondering if a man's suit would accomodate my svelte figure?

Yesterday's Activities: 29 minute run (5k), 45 minutes of squash and then 1 hr of open water instructions.

350...(Monday)
Although neither of my weekend runs happend.....I feel ok about it. My legs are sore, the garden looks great and I have a better idea of what kind of ride I'm looking for!
Today I have a squash date at 11am. I'm hoping to squish a quick 25 minute treadmill run pre-game.....see how the legs are feeling and a warm up.

Tonight is my first attempt at getting the wet suit on and going in the water…G’AACK!

As promised: Friday's ride home was uneventful....a nice steady incline vs hilly hills. 1hr 10 minutes was the total time. Again, a few wrong turns and much discussion about the best route. I think once we get the routes down pat, it will be 45 minutes to work and an hour home. Planning on trying again on Wednesday.

Weekend Recap
351...
10km long and steady run scheduled for my marathon training was on tap. Never happened! Two days in a row, d'oh! :00 Ended up being super busy around the house as we were having my friend (& her family) from University over for dinner. Laundry, whipper snipping, weeding, pruning, hanging laundry. I was on the go from 9am until 9.30pm. We sat down for lunch and dinner and that was it! There was at least 7 km's of dog walking in there.....
352....
Saturday turned out to be errand day along with test driving some bikes. Was supposed to be a steady 6km run but that never came to fruition.....but at least my legs moving with the bike testing. Had ~ 5 bikes out during an hour.....wonder how far my total milage was?
353 cont'd....
The ride to and from work turns out to be a 30 km bike ride....not bad. Puts milage in the biking bank!

353.....
Ok. Last night and this morning is a little more like it......

• picked up wet suit rental that I have until next Wednesday.
• participated in group ride and group intervals (16k)
• biked to work this morning (15.71km) and planning on riding home. It is a steady incline home, so we shall see what the legs are telling me at 3.30!

Last night's ride was hill repeats! A fairly hilly 4k warm up with 1km hill from hell that was completed 4x's and then a 4k hilly cool down. We ran group intervals which I dreaded at the beginning but then a group relay was organzied with 3 teams and as much as I rolled my eyes as she was organzing it....it turned out to be a great way to meet people, finally learn their names and cheer crazily.

I have scheduled attempts at getting in the water on Monday and Tuesday. Monday with someone from work and Tuesday with the group. I don't really want to panic in front of either of these options BUT if it's going to happen, I would rather get it out of the way on Monday.

The bike to work took a while but it was our first attempt, with a couple of wrong turns and a lot of stopping to discuss the best and quietest route.......1hr for 15kms. The plan is to do this once a week.......pick a day, bring as much of the items we need for work the day before (outfits, shoes, paperwork). As I mentioned before, we shall see how the legs feel and how the return trip goes. Monday's post will tell all.........

364....

Yesterday's exercise: 2km dog walk.

Now that ain't going to get me to CDA is it?

355... Wednesday
Need to start searching for someone who can help me out with my training plan. I would love to meet and discuss my plan for the next 3 to 4 months and then sign up for a monthly plan during the full out 6 month training term......
I need to be brave and step up the plate and announce that I signed up for an Ironman and I plan on being there and let's get this ball rolling
356...
1 hr Yoga session
Wetsuit seminar and FINALLY arranged for a wet suit rental. Picking the suit up Friday the 10th and returning the morning of Wednesday the 15th
357...
Woke up and went for 10km bike ride before work
Took puppy to regular vet for a follow up appointment after work
358...
Took very sick puppy to emergency clinic
Supposed to do a 10km steady run but it turned out to be a brutal 8km run.
359...
Woke up to a very sick puppy. Spent day cuddling and then for a quick 6km steady run
360...
lazydazy day
361...
5km dog walk
14km bike ride, 800 m swim
362...
Still Sick. Must sleep

363 days.....

Feel like poop.....sore throat, fever, upset stomach and yet I'm starving?

Yesterday's activity:
18 lengths of the pool, working on stroke

PS it turns out that Thursday's work out was a 14km bike ride and 2.75 km run.

365 days....
28 km bike ride, a bike tune up, the purchase of clipless shoes and pedals, my first fall

364 days.....
the start of marathon training, an easy 10km run with heart rate monitor attached

366 days....

With a 5 month plan of action starting to come together my stomach has settled down a wee bit......my biggest stumbling block was knowing that I had not completed any of the required distances. Fine! Lets get'er done: By following John Stanton's 19 week marathon training program, starting this weekend, I will have a 26.2 run under my belt by the end of 2009.

1/2 marathon - October 18, 2009
Marathon - November 1, 2009

I have signed up for 11 week triathlon introductory course that began last night. It was total serendipity that this program was through online research. The group meets at a branch of where I work, unheard of by me until Wednesday. It fits within a time frame where I can be dropped off, work out, shower, and then be picked up (we are a one car family with an ongoing Thursday engagement). The program is an hour long bike ride, with alternating runs/swims each week. While I was a nervous wreck leading up to last nights session, I think this will be good for me. It will introduce me to riding with a large group, riding on the road, AND swimming in open water . There are 4 0r 5 open water sessions with a SAFETY BOAT following the group. All this is coupled with information sessions regarding the equipment required and weekly training plans that focus on swimming and weights. PERFECT!

Last night reinforced the old adage: You can never judge a book by it's cover. There were many different shapes, sizes, bikes and attire in attendance and it is not necessarily the prettiest, most expensive or suped up model that is the best prepared. I think that is a lesson that I will need to remember when the mind games of ICdA begin.
_________________________________________________
Yesterday's Activity: 1 hour bike ride (unsure of distance as I was so scattered and scared that I didn't use my garmin), .75 km run (slow and steady. Met and chatted with one of the participants.) 1.25 km walk with dogs.

367 Days....

So yesterday was spent with my stomach tied up in knots. Trying to piece together my dream of conquering an Ironman to the enormity of the challenge. Questioning whether I was capable of this task. I always stumbled, panicked and turtled when I thought of it in terms of 2.4,112 and 26.2. I would panic and let all kinds of negative thoughts swirl around. In talking with my husband, I said that Coeur d'Alene would be hanging over my head for a year IF I decided not to do it. I would always wonder what if until the June 27, 2010 passed.....

I needed to get my mind off ICdA so I moved along to reading the daily paper. The funny thing is, I'm not much of a horoscope reader but today I did:

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19): If you are feeling bored with your current routine then it is up to you to do something about it. No one can make life more interesting for you, so decide what needs changing in your life and get on with it.

I laughed and read it out loud to my husband. I read it again.

Something clicked, the gears changed and my train of thought switched: A year. 12 months. 52 weeks. With grit, determination and baby steps a lot can be accomplished. No one can do it for me, the goal has been determined. All that is left is to get on with it.

ICdA 2010 is my goal and I have a year to make it happen.
___________________________________________________________________
Activity: 4 mile run on treadmill, ~8 km bike ride on trails, 2 km walk with dogs

368 Days....

What have I done?

Oh. My. God.

2.4 mile swim, 112 bike ride and a casual 26.2 run at the end......with of course "the cut offs":
Swim: 2 hours and 20 minutes, Swim/Bike: 10 hours and 30 minutes, Swim/Bike/Run: 17 hours


Me? Doing all of that? In one day? Holy Shit.

I see what they mean about it being a mental game, I could look at the below numbers and think of it two ways....

To date my farthest totals:
Swim - 1 mile
Run - 13.1 miles
Bike - 32 miles or 52 kms

a) Geesh, it going to be a long 6 months of training but I have a pretty good foundation to build on.
Or
b) AAAAAH, I haven't completed any of the required distances, at any time! Never mind within a 17 hour period.

Last night when discussing my impulsive registration, I told my husband that I wouldn't let Ironman consume me. It wouldn't be the only thing I talk about.

So far? I've failed miserably
___________________________________________________________________
Yesterday's Activity: ~ 3 km bike to Yoga, Yoga, 3 km bike home

369 Days....

I am oscillating between sheer terror and sheer exhilaration.

Coeur d’Alene in 369 days? Really? Me? The one who has yet to compete in an organized triathalon? While contemplating hitting the “PAY NOW” button of the registration, I toggled between:

It’s only $550 US . I only have a small window of opportunity. Ironman races generally sell out within a day. I have a year to train and decide if I can do it. Just because I register doesn’t mean I HAVE to race.

To

Holy Shit. The registration fee is $550 US. $550 US that I can kiss good bye if I don’t finish. I will need a new bike. I’ll need a wet suit. I’ll need to enter races. The location is not as accessible as Lake Placid…maybe I should wait until July to see if I can catch that registration. What am I thinking? I’m not part of a tri club, swim club or run club? I have never swam 2.4 miles, OR biked 112 miles OR run 26.2 miles NEVER MIND DOING ALL THREE TOGETHER. G’ack. Hit close. Hit close.

To

It was a sign that you stumbled upon the open registration for the Couer d’Alene! Really, it is just $550. The registration has already been open for 18 hours. It’s not sold out yet but it will be soon. I have a year to prepare and you have ALWAYS been captivated by the Ironman event. Seriously? It’s just money and this is your dream.

At this point, I started rummaging around Ironman blogs I have read in the past for some ideas on training plans or inspiration…….I found the inspiration in two spots. The first is a quote from http://www.chasingiron.com/ and the second is an email communication trail with my husband:

1) If there were ever a time to dare, to make a difference, to embark on something worth doing, it is now. Not for any grand cause, necessarily, but for something that tugs at your heart, something that's your aspiration, something that's your dream. You owe it to yourself to make your days here count. Have fun. Dig deep. Stretch. Dream big

2) From: Lesley Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 8:02 AMTo: St. John Subject: http://www.ironmancda.com/

http://www.ironmancda.com/

From: St. John Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 8:27 AMTo: Lesley Subject: RE: http://www.ironmancda.com/

http://www.costco.ca/wetsuit


From: Lesley Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 8:25 AMTo: St. JohnSubject: RE: http://www.ironmancda.com/

Eeek. it's $550 BUT the races sell out quickly! From the ironman site:
Q: How do I find out if there are entries still available and if so, how do I sign up?
A: Go to the ENTRY link on the site and if the entry page says the race is still open, there will be a link to the sign up form.Note: Most full Ironman races sell out within hours of opening entry the day after each event. Please plan to sign up a year in advance if you want to secure a general entry spot.

From: Lesley Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 8:29 AMTo: St. John Subject: RE: http://www.ironmancda.com/

I am so tempted by 'core da lane'

From: St. John Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 8:34 AMTo: Lesley Subject: RE: http://www.ironmancda.com/

Then sign up, silly. Return airfare to Spokane is $850 including tax

_____________________________________________________________


So with out further ado:


Registration Confirmation for: 2010 Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Dear Lesley,
Congratulations! You are now registered for 2010 Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene. Please check the event's official website for updates: http://ironmancda.com/
______________________________________________________________
Yesterday's Activities: 500 yard swim, 2 km dog walk

Things that make you wonder: In the last 30 days

• Biking - 110 km
• Swimming - 80 laps
• A Running PR - 5kms in 27.43 & ~ 35 kms in runs

Along with a new

Actually......lets make that a hand-me-down






..........................................Is 70.3 doable in 12 weeks?