Biking fail and other embarrassing moments

So Tuesday, I decided to do my ride outdoors since its been rather cooler than usual.  I got out my bike, aired up the tires, put on my helmet, gloves, heart rate monitor, and shoes, loaded up the water bottles, walked my bike to the front door and...

The front tire was flat again...bad tube.  I was so limited on time and my expertise in changing tubes is terrible that I just gave up and went to the gym to ride the spin bikes (not quite the same but as close as I was going to get).  My perfect husband always changes my tubes for me, so I'm no pro.  I better learn seeing as how I might blow a tire 100 miles into the Ironman and I need the skills to save myself.  So...Jeff you better teach me again (so I can forget again).

Another amusing incident in training thus far...went to the gym in Austin for a bike/run while on a trip.  Ran about 2 miles before my bike, then went into the spin room where there are copious mirrors.  I noticed a spot on the back of my capris and reached back to see what it was...it was a hole!  My pink panties were peeking out of my black pants!

What could I do, I didn't have a different pair of pants and I wasn't about to give up the workout, so I went ahead and rod.e  I'm sure the guy on the bike behind me was laughing all the time.  I actually took a picture of it when I got back to the hotel, but I'll spare you that!

This week's schedule

Here's the training schedule for the week of July 26:

Monday: Swim speed drills, total distance 1500 meters, weight training

Tuesday: 20 Mile bike, flat road, fast cadence, 4 mile run

Wednesday: Endurance swim, total distance  2400 meters, 15 mile bike, hill intervals

Thursday: 2 mile swim, 5 mile tempo run

Friday: Short easy swim, weight training

Saturday: 30 mile bike

Sunday: 6 mile run, 10 mile bike

Weekly total time: 8:05

Its going to be a crazy week, but I will do my best to get all of these workouts in.  This is actually the first week of structured training and will increase weekly as we go!  I'm getting pretty pumped about having a structured training schedule again.  First race is in two months.  Its an Olympic and I'm hoping to finish in 3 hours, so I'm going to be focusing on speed and form!  Feel free to ask me if I've gotten my workouts in as that's the whole point of the blog, to keep me on track!

Swim Fit Test

This week, I did my swim fit test, a good benchmark that I will be repeating every 6 weeks as I get into training. What did I learn? I'm slower than Moses!! I am hoping to do a few sessions with a swim coach soon to help improve my form and pick up my speed.

For those who are interested, in the fit test you warm up, then swim 8 100 meter swims with 20 seconds rest in between. The goal is to work harder and increase your speed on each lap. You record your heart rate and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). As training continues, I should be able to swim faster with a lower heart rate and RPE.

Here are my baseline stats:

2:13,  HR 151, RPE 7
2:30, HR 155, RPE 7.5
2:29, HR 159, RPE 8
2:27, HR 160, RPE 8
2:23, HR 166, RPE 9
2:20, HR 169, RPE 9.5
2:13, HR 172, RPE 10

I would like to get these down below 2 minutes by the next swim test in 6 weeks. Bike and run test will be done this week, so I'll keep you posted!

Its Official

I have officially registered for the Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas. Its going to by May 21st in the Woodlands so mark your calendars to come out and see me. I have a total of 17 hours to complete this feat, so if you're coming, bring a long book! Here's the race website if you're interested. I am going to be doing several "training" races leading up to the big day and will post about those as they get close.

http://ironman.com/events/ironman/texas/memorial-hermann-ironman-texas-is-newest-event-in-global-series

Going Barefoot

In my illustrious, long, if unremarkable running career, I have been fairly injury free. Aside from a stress fracture last year, I’ve never had an injury that sidelined me from running! What I have worn with pride (only amongst other runners) are two black toenails. I have tried countless different shoes in various sizes, widths, and flavors but have yet to find something that didn’t create large blisters underneath the toenails on my second two on both feet. These blisters then break but not before destroying the nail bed and discoloring my toenail. As this occurs day after day, the texture of the nail changes and becomes a thick, black, “nail” that resembles shale. This is truly both shocking and unjust given the fact that I am not one of those freaks with a longer second toe than their big toe, (you know who you are Ms. my second toe is as long as my pinky finger), in fact I have an ENORMOUS big toe that is totally out of balance with the rest of my toes. Seriously, its like one of those giant, bulbous lollipops! No one can explain why my second toes take such a beating and the podiatrist’s explanation was “that’s what you get for being a healthy runner.”

Of course every time I go for a pedicure, the sweet ladies are repulsed, get out the rubber gloves, and ask me “This fungus? What happen to toe?” Other patrons overhear and look down at my toe with different shades of horror, immediately assuming they are going to contract a deadly fungus from sitting next to me. “No, its just from running,” I stammer as loudly as I can looking pointedly at Judgy Judy sitting across from me (as if she’s never had an embarrassing deformity). I hand over my red/black polish which is the only color I can wear given the natural hue of 1/5 of my “horn like envelopes covering the dorsal aspect of the terminal phalanges of my toes” which to my surprise is the technical definition of toenail. Clearly, something has to change as I gear up to train for the 140.6!

Enter barefoot running. I have now completed 3 barefoot runs, and I’m LOVING it. I’m doing a combo of totally barefoot and the new Vibram Bikila. The first few runs have resulted in extreme soreness in my calves and lower legs that have led to me appearing even clumsier than ever and getting offered a wheelchair at the airport (which I declined after seriously considering it). But I’m working up to it and could almost walk normally today despite running 2 barefoot miles yesterday.

Today’s workout is a 30 minute swim and 60 minute bike (indoors since I’m traveling), plus a super short run to keep strengthening those barefoot muscles!

Out with the old, in with the Aging

This year, I am 29 years old and the big 3-0 is looming. I’m excited about the milestone and feel it is worth marking! When I turned 18, I ran a marathon. Throughout my 20s I did a few marathons and got into triathlons. So, moving into my 30th year of life, I have decided to celebrate by completing an Ironman. I’m going to need your help, so I’m starting this blog to chart my progress, share the ups and downs of training, and motivate myself on the though days! For those of you who know me, you know I travel for my job, so that’s the first challenge! I’m also in the midst of getting an MBA which takes up some time as well. I expect many of my workouts will occur when you are all snug as bugs in bed; but I’m ready to commit to this journey, and I hope you’ll share it with me!