Today I attempted riding on a real road. Not the road that ran alongside the Regatta Centre which is only accessed by patrons of the centre and trucks from the quarry, but a real road - with cars coming from every direction. It was a 10km circuit but not in a complete loop, which meant I had to be road savvy to navigate turns with the traffic. I actually quite enjoyed it and felt at ease with my ability to do this. I guess if your confident but are still cautious of what is around you then accidents are less likely to occur. That's not to say that it could never happen, God only knows there have been alot of cyclists who have been hit by negligent drivers. But I will try with all my might to avoid this happening.
This is an important step for me as I feel that soon my training for the Half Ironman will require long distances, which I can only acquire by riding on the road. It would do my head in if I had to do the 5km loop at the Regatta for more than 30km. So I look forward to the open road and the challenge of riding up some hills. I may not be saying that though when it actually happens. But having something different to look at seems to distract me from the burning in my legs and seems to make the time pass faster.
So with another goal ticked off I am set to attack another one tomorrow, my first long run. Ok, so it's only 8km but this is more than I have ever done. I have to remember that it is not about the pace but rather just doing the distance. So nice and slow I will go and I will not walk once.
What can I say, I am blessed to have Susan as my best friend. Actually she is more like my sister, someone whom I can truly count on in any situation. Susan gives me the strength and clarity to see through any dilemma. I guess she would probably say that I give her the strength and "harden up" kind of attitude. Together I think we compliment our friendship really well.
In training I compliment her in the swimming department and she compliments me in the running arena. We are always saying the same kind of things to eachother like " It's all about taking the training nice and easy" or "You don't want to injure yourself". Without her in my life I think I would be lost. We call eachother almost every day to see what the other is up to for the day. As a friend, Susan is awesome. As a training partner - I couldn't ask for anything better.
Susan only ever has the my best interests at heart. It doesn't matter if I say I want to run a 4km or a Half Ironman , Susan is only ever thinking about how she can better enhance my running performance. That is her strength - a naturally gifted runner. I always compare her to a gazelle, those long legs of hers see her taking one long stride to my one and a half shuffles. She is always reading and photocopying training plans to better help me get to my goal. I love her with all my heart. They always say you are lucky if you can find a best friend in your life - I have been blessed with Susan.
Spoke to my Tri club coach yesterday, I am so excited and can't wait to get started. During our conversations he had brought forward some questions which got me thinking. The first was " Where did I want to do my first HIM? When exactly did I want to attempt this goal?, Good questions, if I was really honest with myself I know that I would not be ready until next year. Why? Well I totally suck at running. I am being a bit harsh. Not totally, but I struggle with it - and thats being honest. I will definately have to train at it.
In terms of where did I want to do it. To me there is not better place than Port Macquarie. Why? Well the time of year for one - next year it will be in May. Not too hot and not too cold. I think the weather will be ideal. Secondly, its close to home. I don't have to travel too far and that means I can have my family and friends there to support me. I couldn't imagine doing the race on my own without their support. They are the reason I am who I am. Everything I have ever said I wanted to do, they have always supported me. Seeing my children's face light up as I finish any of my goals is the reason I do what I do. I want to show them that anything is possible so long as you have the right mental attitude and support network. I truly am blessed.
I have emailed my coach with what my schedule is at the moment and he will either a) totally dismiss what I have been doing and make up a whole brand new one or b) add to what I am doing and just make it longer and better. Whatever he sets up for me I am totally looking forward to it and can't wait to get started. In the meantime I have started my own running plan by doing 3-4km every 2 days. More than what I have ever done. So here's to increasing the miles and moving forward to my goal.
Bring on the HIM training.
"
Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil."
James Allen
Today was deemed Day 1 for two reasons. Firstly, I had had a week off due to injured calfs and quads from the bushwalk, so this was an introductory run to see how they felt. And secondly, I am now viewing this first run back as the beginning of my quest for Half Ironman status.
How did I feel? Well, I now realise how quickly one loses stamina, strength and flexibility. My right gluteus maximus was quite tight at the beginning of the run and it was hindering the full extension of my stride - not the best stride to start off with but it was now even shorter. Looking back over this last week, I have had trouble sleeping at night due to a sore back again and I think its all because I haven't been exercising and stretching as much as I normally would. So glad I can get back into it, couldn't handle going backwards again with my back. Not that I would let it happen.
My lungs started to burn again, not sure if it was due to being out of action for a week, the fact that I am slightly congested due to hayfever or the fact that the air is getting slightly cooler. Maybe a combination of all three, whatever it was I was trying to suck in the air. I couldn't really hold a conversation with my friend Susan, so she kindly did the talking whilst I nodded every now and then. I love running with her, she makes me feel like I can do anything. Susan gives me little bouts of encouraging words when she can see I am starting to feel it. I know she will help me reach my goal - I can definately count on her in every aspect of my life. I am truly blessed.
At about 2.5km my left shin started to feel a bit niggly so I stopped and gave my calf muscles a stretch and then walked for about 500m. Susan gave me some wise words, maybe because my calf muscles had been injured they were not supporting my shins hence the pain. Time to get back into stretching and strengthening them again. I hate the pain of shin splints and don't particularly want to suffer with them again. So I will pay extra attention to this in my training program.
I finished off fairly ok, nothing great - ran the 4km in 24.04. Don't know why I timed it, I guess I wanted to have some idea of where I stood. I guess it's ok, just need to not get caught up in times at this point. Need to focus on distance and just getting out on a regular basis to make running feel normal. I want it to feel normal, at this point it still feels foreign.
I have always been told how important it is to rest and recover. I am glad I finally listened and have done just that for almost the last week. My legs are feeling stronger and stronger every day and they don't ache like they did about 5 days ago. I was in absolute agony, burning, searing agony from my calf muscles up to my quadriceps. If I was sitting down for too long I had REAL trouble trying to stand. But going from the standing to sitting position was damn near impossible. Lucky I have a basin right in front of my toilet that I could hang on to and gently lower myself onto the porcelain bowl. I could only compare myself to a giraffe trying to lower itself precariously to pick up some shoots of grass off the ground far far below. It was a painstakingly slow endeavour, but once there "Oh the joy".
So during my recovery week I had the chance to go and put my first payment on my bike. I was so excited, the joy I am sure was oozing out of every pore. All I can do is smile whenever I walk in this shop because I know that one day - in the not too distant future - I will walk out with my Cannondale CAAD9 5. I have been fitted to this bike and I feel like I can move mountains on it. With commitment and perseverance I am aiming to do so much better at my next Triathlon.
So it was somewhere inbetween walking in the shop and putting my first payment that conversations arose of the Port Macquarie Ironman that had only just happened the weekend before. I was commenting about how amazing those people are and what an awesome accomplishment it would be to have that title attached to your name. I remember saying how hard I thought it would be to do it and my friendly bike guy said "Why don't you try the Half Ironman?". And that was all it took - the seed was now planted. I have given myself a whole year to train for this, God only knows I will need this. But if others can do it, why can't I? I have accomplished everything I have set my sights on and I know this will be no different. Sure there will come days that will test me to the the very core of my being, but what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger - I believe. I have faith in my strength, ability and determination to move forward to my goal. Day by day, step by step, accomplishment after accomplishment. Full steam ahead.
I'm a whinger, this little blister hurt like crazy.
This is what I get for losing paddling form.
Off we go.
Loving the harbour at 0730hrs.
Your hard work will be rewarded.
"The path to a dream is paved with sacrifices and lined with determination. And though it has many stumbling blocks along the way, and may go in more than one direction, it is travelled by belief and courage and conquered with a willingness to face challenges and take chances" Barbara Cage
Today I attempted riding on a real road. Not the road that ran alongside the Regatta Centre which is only accessed by patrons of the centre and trucks from the quarry, but a real road - with cars coming from every direction. It was a 10km circuit but not in a complete loop, which meant I had to be road savvy to navigate turns with the traffic. I actually quite enjoyed it and felt at ease with my ability to do this. I guess if your confident but are still cautious of what is around you then accidents are less likely to occur. That's not to say that it could never happen, God only knows there have been alot of cyclists who have been hit by negligent drivers. But I will try with all my might to avoid this happening.
