A year of Challenge

So, I fell off the blog scene and have been facebooking however I feel the need to update things.

I had a rough year and my training was sub-par as I did not do enough of it. Work and life got the best of me and I put things on the back burner.
I had some bad experiences on my back as I was training and I got depressed about it. I fell on a hill and tweaked my right knee and injured my left wrist I bruised the carpal tunnel causing numbness in my left thumb and pinky and weakening my hand strength.
I felt horrible and went home after one loop.
The next weekend I got into a similar situation and my chain dropped only I was able to un-clip quickly and did not fall. Took a few minutes to get chain on and I was off again. I got to the backside of the rollers on lancaster and I was sooo slow and I was feeling hopeless at that point and was praying I had someone to push me up the hill I was tired and frustrated and felt scared for IM. Then all of a sudden I hear this voice and I feel a push on my back. It's Roger Thompson and he's literally pushing me up the hill and we are gaining speed are you freakn' kidding ME!!! That was awesome. I ended up only able to do one lap again but, that boost picked my spirits up and gave me the courage to go try IM CDA.
I made it out of the swim which was crazy. The first loop was amazing and fun I felt like I was drafting well and things were going ok. But, the second loop was a different story just trying to swim to the 1st Orange bouy was crazy it felt like I was going nowhere. I finally made it but, the first half of the loop the waves really picked up and every time I needed a breath a wave was breaking over me as I was inhaling I drank half of the lake. The last half there was this surge and you could feel it pulling you back you'd swim forward and go back a foot. It was crazy. I had never felt so happy to get out of the water as I did that time. My time was very slow for me but, I ran up and laid down to have the suit strippers take my suit off. And I had my name mentioned as I was crossing the mat by the Legendary IM Announcer. That was exciting. I jogged up and to the change tent. My arms were rubber and it took two helpers to get me suited up for the bike and my pants were still down my butt. It was hilarious. I also saw two friends in the tent which made it fun.
I got my bike and hoped on. I was feeling supper awesome hearing people call my name seeing friends and my mom cheering me on that was a thrill. Then I saw Jay on his way in as I was heading out it was cool. I got out to the first hill and my left leg locked up in a super cramp and I couldn't bend it. So I jumped off stretched and got back on. Went up the hill turned around and all of a sudden I was throwing up.
Rinsed out my mouth and went on. I got all the way to CDA high school when my right leg locked on me. Stretched and got going again. Got down by the first real aide station with a medical tent and threw up again. Got off asked for pepto they had none had me wait and I started to feel better but, the doctor there said I was done for the day. So, I called for a SAG Wagon and I went back to the park gathered what I could and went back to the hotel to rest. When I realized I had not been able to urinate and had not felt the need to do so for the morning it was 12 by the time I got back. So, I drank 32 ounces of warm water (as I was freezing cold) and eventually pee'd but it was discolored so I drank more water and laid down for an hour. Started feeling better and went out to cheer my fellow racers and friends and my Best Friend to the finish.
I want to thank all of my supporters and friends for their encouragement and love. I will try again maybe I'm still on the fence yet. But at least I tried and I made it out of 1 event anyway.
Jay finished in a bit over 16 hours and he is still beaming with pride as he should be. Go to www.Tri-Fusion.com click on gallery then click on the CDA Ironman picture and you will see pictures of me out of the swim and on my bike.
CHEER ON!

Training is On!!!

So, I did my first outdoor bike a few weeks ago it was 70 Miles the longest I've ever done. It was ok but, the wind really hampered me and I was having difficulty with shifting. So, Vicki our kick ass trainer had us meet with her and we rode a hillier course out in the valley and I have to say I learned so much, about shifting, climbing and how to conserve your energy. It really brought my confidence level back up as. It was pretty shaken after riding the IM CDA loop for the first time last weekend by the time we were coming back into town I was wiped out! My legs just burned I kept thinking about what Roger says about keep turning your legs over pull through the lactic acid during those BAT's in the Thompson sweat lodge this winter. It kept me going but, I tell you we were coming into Hayden and you know that little incline before coming down in to the city. Well my mind was screaming at me If you climb another insert superlative here **@?! hill I'm shutting down these damn legs and you are going to burst into tears and I won't let you move.
I finally had hit the wall my legs were dead and I was mentally tired as well as physically. I had not taken all of the perpetum that we hadmade up I was sipping a little too conservativley I might add as I had just under a half a bootle of a 3 hour bottle drunk. At this point and my body was dead. So, I grabbed the last of the perpetum I had and finished it as well as a gel and water and about 5 minutes latter as I was still peddling we made it to the car in 3:15 min. BTW I I have a new hate relationship with long traffic lights.
I have found some bike confidence. Now it's pulling it together. The time crunch issues with work ad training and wow I never knew your nether regions could get so bruised or numb... from a bike seat.
Things are going ok. I have a lot of out of town stuff coming up for work and Training is picking up so I will focus on the bike. My swim has improved considerably and the run well it's the run and I find there are good and bad days. It's all mental now.
Of course acupuncture has been my little treat for myself; keeping headaches to a near zero or such a dull roar I don't notice them anymore and the pain from my IT Band Syndrome is being kept at bay with it as well.
Hope you all are doing well. the countdown is starting to get quicker and shorter the Lilac Century Bike ride is coming up so. It will be my first 100 miler with a brick to follow... I'm looking forward to it. Crazy but, true..
TTFN I am leaving with a quote from John Collins the Founder of Ironman and a new inspiration to me.

"Ironman has always been about finishing what you started, about being able to do what you set out to do. Maybe not as fast as the person in front of you, but, certainly faster than the person who never started" John Collins

May my friends and family find inspiration in these words and set out on their own adventure. You never know where it will take you.

What's up???

Well, no big changes. Jay and I decided not to do the Snake River Sprint. Jay does not want to inadvertently push himself and re-injure his healed leg. I am just not up to it, I have a lot of work right now and just tryin to fir in workouts has been tough.
Then there's always this crazy Spokane weather. SNOW still... I'm ready for the warmth of the sun and some time out fishing in the lake with my guys and our boat.

Jay finally has the "BAT BIKE" his new QR which he loves and is really enjoying riding. If the weather cooperates on Thursday we are going to take a LONG bike ride. We'll ride from Mirabeau Park to Higgins point and back. We need to get started on the longer road distances now and weather be darned at this point. The stress of "OH MY GOODNESS" Ironman is not far away is biting at my biscuits!!!

Swims are good and when it's warm I start thinking swimming in some local smaller lakes is coming up before we know it.... But, when you look outside and see all the snow and know that the mountains are getting dumped on it makes you take a big "Gulp" and say when did I become the weird adult doing this crazy stuff?

Oh yea!! I forgot I won a drawing at our Tri-Fusion Mtg last week. NIIIIICE Rudy Project Sunglasses. Of course I can't use them so I gave them to my sweetie and he's in love. Between the bike and the glasses I don't know how much more room there is in bed. I've almost resigned myself to sleeping on the family room sofa with the dogs. I also got a t-shirt and nice visor which I Will use and have.

Stay tuned there's always more to come. Who knows I just know one thing keep praying hoping and wishing that Juneuary DOES NOT show up again this year! Isn't it that old saying March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb? I think the Lion ate the lamb!!!

Swimming....

So, I will start with the run since I titled this swimming.LOL..... I went for a run outside last week on one of those fun sunny days. I just need to say one thing AWESOME!!!! It felt so good to run on ground and no tread mill. Fresh air and I took our 2 big dogs with me. They had a ball and you could tell when we got home because they slept for 2 hours and there was no barking at the squirrels in the front yard.
Bike... ok a bit lax on it. But, it's warming up and Jay has his new STEED! I'm so excited for him. He so deserves it after all the time he puts into at work. The name I do not know yet but I'm sure Jay has one in mind.Vicki also has me doing pickups, so I hope to see an improvement in my run times this year.
THE SWIM....
So, last time the swim was good and I was doing fine then I hit a wall. Sound familiar STEVE? I could not keep up. I was out of breath and fatigued, burnt, crashed you name it I was there. I always finished the swim. But, if I sat out I finished the distance i sat out for.
Well, Jay and I have been working with the pullbouy and paddles more. We also have been still working on that full rotation and my arms are finally realizing that this is the way it is. They get tired but, not as much and I've found my balance, I'm able to lengthen my stroke and bobble like a boat in the water down the lane. I also happen to listen to my coach and started taking in more carbs during the day before the swim and during the swim. I used 2-4 cliff shot blocks while swimming if I felt exhausted and week, I've been taking 2 extra calcium 2-3 hours prior to swims and that cuts out the cramps in my calves, I use a gel before the swim and back to Hammer nutrition i use heed or recoverite after and my body is thanking me.
So I swam good last night. We were doing a modified torture ladder. 8x100 on the 2:30 and during the odd sets 1,3,7 you swim hard 90% effort on the 2,4,8 you swim easy 60% effort and work it up with 2x 50 back strokes in between each ladder step. The last part of the ladder was 2x 300 on the 5:00 we finished well over 1 minute early and I was not winded after the first 300. So, I pushed it on the easy and it felt great.
So, after the swim this Sunday I'll see how it goes but, I have a feeling I'm back on target. Looking forward to the outside swims and bikes soon.
Keep up the good fight everyone IM CDA is creeping up on us!

TTFN

Chinese Accupuncture

So, I have been going to an acupuncturist for 3 weeks. It is amazing. I have finally been rid of my nagging headaches and visual disturbances that have plagued me for over 32 years.
Long story short I suffered a severe head injury as a kid age 6. I was told it was just part of dealing with things as I progressed I started having visual disturbances tat made it difficult to see and function when the headaches hit.
About 2 years ago a local very awesome neurologist diagnosed me with silent migraine syndrome and placed me on medication that helped but, it made me weak, exhausted and forgetful. So, I stopped taking the medicine back in September.
I just continued to deal with the daily pain and 2-3 visual disturbaces that hit a couple times or more a week.
Last year I was told about this specialist and voila! A few needles poked in my head and wrists and feet and I am feeling good.
Training has become hard at times with work and how it interferes with my training schedule especially this month I've been traveling every week Seattle, Olympia and Richland each week I am at one place or the other for a matter of time. This week to Seattle for 3 days.
I have to admit I'm staying at a new hotel this go around and I hope to see how their pool is as long as they did not turn it into a eating room;)
If it's not good I will go to LA Fitness in Tukwila, I really enjoy that gym when I am there and it's comfortable too.
I am running more and I have increased my cadence to 80! Wow that's awesome I never thought I would be able to do that but, here I am above a jog at a real run. Look out Master Women LOL as if I could keep up with the likes of those gals... They put 20 somethings to shame yet. But, it is fun and I really have been enjoying the long bat rides. They hurt the arss but, the feel is good and I look forward to being able to go out and ride soon.
Jay will have his new steed in a couple of weeks and I can't wait for him to gain the confidence on the bike that he's been trying for.
My swim is lagging a bit, but I feel like it's coming along. I started using my paddles and that helps a bit. But I find that I sometimes put the brake on when I put my left hand in the water it just kind of slows my progress so now the mantra in my head has risen by a few more words. Ingage the core, breathe but Do Not lift the head just turn if you suck water it's ok (you are a triathlete and part fish so deal with it cough and get over it), toe in do not bend your knees kick from the butt not the lower legs, stroke 3 times and then take a breath relax it's just water, Hands in fingers first not palm be sure to bring arms around to thighs and then high elbow up and over repeat, count those strokes 1.2.3. breathe What lap is this? and Repeat....
I know you all know what I mean a swim is more technical any more, when I am in the water it feels good though. I can't wait to get out and swim in open water. Those first few swims are always rough. I have visions of seeing a dead animal or body in the water as I swim which adds to the anxiety of not seeing well but, it keeps your mind engaged although it freaks you out when a fish comes up or the weeds rake across your hands as they delve into the murky waters... EEEE ok I freaked myself out a bit. sorry peeps.
Valentine's day was fun. I turned in a poem for Love Stories on channel 4 news and I won Jay and I a couple of the Zi-Spa Cashmere Robes. NIIICE, I love those robes there they are sooo comfy so now I get one of my own:) Spa day at home foot rubs and soaks maybe a paraffin wax bath for the hands that's always nice too.
I frequently get reminded that I have some real nice friends and support out there it's always nice to have that and I want to use this day as a day to say Thank you to all of you for your love and support as I train and look forward to "Going Long" this year.
Hope you all are good and know I think of all of you daily and you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

A little quote to inspire.

" Some run to see whose the fastest. I run to see who has the most guts"...

A little fun. If one of you can call me with the answer I will make you a home made soup that is just right for these cold days hanging on. If no one answers by this Friday the 20th I will just have to save it but, I think you may be a miss if you do not try.

Till Friday!!!!

Listen

Listen

Listen When I ask you to listen to me, and you start giving me advice; You have not done what I asked my grandfather with Ry about 2 weeks before he passed away from stomach and liver cancer
When I ask that you listen to me and, you begin to tell me why I shouldn't’t feel that way, You are trampling on my feelingsRy about 2 years old this was during one of his night terrors those sucked bad
When I ask you to listen to me, And you feel you have to do something to solve my problems, You have failed me; strange as that may seem.Ry aka the Husky, about 2 years old he loved to play with his slide but, he only liked it when it was upside down
Listen.All that I ask is that you listen, Not talk or do-just hear me.When you do something for me That I need to do for myself, You contribute to my fear and feelings of inadequacy.Ry and Jay's dad Miron on a last fishing trip he passed away on July 4th not too much later
But, when you accept as a simple fact That I do feel what I feel, no matter how irrational, Than I can quit trying to convince you And go about the business Of understanding what’s behind my feelings. Ry out with us on another "Short Hike" you know to a different time zone.
So, please listen and just hear me, And if you want to talk, Wait a minute for your turn-and I’ll listen to you
Ryan with my Grandma at Homecoming last year, he was Junior Prince. Gram or GG has Alzheimer's and we took her to the game. I'll never forget her comments " I know you are my family and I do not know your names. But, I know you love me and this is so much fun I hope we do this again"



This is a poem Jay brought home from a friend. We thought it was fitting and deserved some recognition. When Ry was a baby we tried to do as much for him as we could so he would not fail. However, over time we learned that we had failed him in his early years by not letting him fail. Crazy as that seems it is true. I am reflecting on my baby boy's life because he turned 18 last Thursday, and now I see why mothers have an empty nest syndrome, and how when you let your children go you are allowing them life's simplest pleasures and learning as we were intended. By trial and error.
Mind you Ry is a Wonderful young man and I am not biased by too much there... He has such great values and core beliefs I know he will accomplish great things and now we sit by and let him go out to the world to explore and discover what his meaning in life is.
I like these two quotes and I share them with you in hopes they will help you on your life's journey.

" We miss 100% of the shots we do not take"...Wayne Gretzky

"Laughter is the sound you make when you are free"... unknown

"A lot of people run to see whose fastest. I run to see who has the most guts"... Steve Prefontaine

Ok so I through an extra one in. I do not think that will surprise anyone.

More to come later....

Swimming, did I finally get the advice?

Wow I think I got it! It only took two years of training and trying. While I was in Seattle for a meeting I went to LA Fitness. Now let me say I thought it would be very intense, you know Seatellite's with posh workout gear etc. It was not that way at all. It however made me wish OZ would look at there layout and reconfigure ours. They have a whole wall for ball workouts and bands it has mats on the floor that don't slip and the whole place has windows galore to look out and you can choose to watch tv or look out the window while you ride,eliptical train or run... The swimming pool is also surrounded by windows that allow you to see out and not feel as if you are enclosed in a square room! ( OK I'll calm down now and take a breath) sigh******.
The water was great not too hot not too cold and definitely had the correct amount of chlorine. I met a few nice folks while I was there and it was just $15. for a 24hr pass. Same as OZ.
Somewhere between my warm up and set I noticed even though I really thought I had been bringing my arms all the way back I had not. So, I concentrated on the stroke and made sure my tip of my thumbs were brushing my thigh. It made me feel faster of course I don't know if I was but it felt good. Although my arms felt like over cooked noodles when I was done. So, move foreword to the 19th I think yeah I'm gonna kick this swim and it's gonna be great! Ha, I had no one to measure with except for 2 new older Oz member's that were coming to class for the first time and just started swimming after taking off 4 months What!!!!! 4 months are you kidding. Ugh. So I led the laps and I held my own. But, my swim may not be as strong as I thought it was. But it will BE!!!! My biceps just need to get used to the new stroke.
I feel really good about this and wanted to share my small victory in the water.
I have a favor to ask of you all and to pass it on. Many of you know I love animals, well I received a link the other day for a new search engine dogpile search. This is a very unique program. Any time you search with this search engine the people that own this site will donate money to the American Humane Society which will be put to any number of the ASPCA shelters in the US and it will save one dog for each search. I can not ask you more than this it means the world to me to know we can help save these selfless creatures that give nothing but love to us for just a short time of our affection. Pass it on let's save a dog today. www.dogpilesearch.com
Until I figure out how to import the movie I made this will be it for now.

Keep Swimming (: