Sneeze, cough, sneeze, cough. Ugh. That's been the music I'm dancing to the last couple weeks. Somehow school caught up with me after Christmas break and basically handed me my rear along with a nasty cold. But of course I don't take advice that includes "go to sleep, Suzanne," or "take it easy," or "why don't you stay home from the gym today? You can't breathe anyway" very well. Thought I was better after "taking it easy" by attending a two day women's cycling clinic through Tribe but I wasn't. I did learn a ton and down a bottle of Dayquil while there, though. I actually had a great time and got in a couple really good rides, learned how to change my tire (after I got a flat that morning . . .), took a cornering clinic so now I can slingshot my little self around the turns, and also learned a bit about nutrition and mindset. It was great!

Then I thought I was better again a couple days later. Alas, I thought wrong. My cold moved from my head to my chest and knocked me back on my butt again. This all happened the first full week of January through this last weekend, and this Friday was the first time I've run. I ran 4 miles! I did manage a couple spin classes but mostly it was yoga and walking on the treadmill and trying to breathe. I'm convinced I'm actually better now.

Sometime in the middle of that I did ride up South Mountain with PMBC and had a great time! What a rewarding view up there! While I couldn't have done it twice in one day I was totally ready for another go the next day. My cold was not, but whatever. And thanks to Gary for sticking with me the whole ride up. Just keep pedaling.

Today I managed a 30 minute swim: 1 x 100 warm up, 5 x 200 swim, 2 x 100 kick, 2 x 100 warm down. Not the most grueling thing but I'm working on it. Then I ran 3 miles on the treadmill and did some core work.

While I still have a long ways to go to take this tri by storm and am scared of it, I also know that I will do a great job. Every time I think about the finish I get goosebumps. I'm stoked and focused and might even cut back on my MnM's habit. Well, I will make an attempt at that. Every girl needs a little chocolate now and then!

It's Getting Hot!

Ok. Maybe not hot. But at least warm. Temp was 67 during my run. Hoo boy. It is only January 30. What is it going to be like in a month?

How are we going to keep the running up in July when it is 100 degrees first thing in the morning?

Bueller?

Matt's Big Breakfast

Note to self - Running a half marathon after stuffing myself at Matt's Big Breakfast is not advised.

P.F. Chang's Marathon

So I did it. Finished my first marathon. Time 4:28. Overall pace was a 10:15 mile. Hooray!

Things went pretty well through mile 16. My pace up to then was a 9:30 mile. I was pretty psyched about that as this is significantly faster than I have run on my long runs. I felt like I was flying. That pace is probably why I started to drop off pretty good at mile 19. When I got to mile 22 I was able to clearly understand why people only run one marathon. I was not feeling so hot. The pain and tiredness was creeping in. I was ready to begin walking and maybe even laying down. Then I began to really admire those folks that are able to actually complete an Ironman. Seriously. I can't imagine completing a full marathon after a 2 mile swim and 100 plus mile bike ride. Insane.

I also can't imagine running with a 24 ounce can of Coors light. But that is what one of the guys near me was doing. I saw him at mile 20 with a beer and then crossing the finish line 6 miles later with that same beer. Crazy. Who does that?

Anyways, I am glad to have finished without any injuries.

March 27 Here I come!

Tonight's Swim and Cut-off Times

Swam 2000 meters in 53:24 tonight. While I am pleased that I was able to go that far this is still a slow time. I just checked out the swim times from last year's California 70.3 and this puts me as one of the very slowest swimmers. The slowest swim that finished (no DNF or DQ) was 59:54.

Swim cut-off is 1:10. Bike Cut-off is 5:30 after the start. Run cut-off is 8:30 after the start.

We have a long way to go!

Silent Sunday at South Mountain

I'm very excited about my ride today. We tackled South Mountain! It was "silent sunday" which means the roads were closed to traffic so bikers and joggers could enjoy the park without dodging cars.  At the very top of the mountain there are TV towers that we can see from our house in Gilbert.  1300 feet in elevation changes.  It was a ton of climbing with 4 and 5% grades. We drove it yesterday and I was sure I would have to walk some it.

Well, it was a success! I climbed it and felt pretty good. I can feel my biking skills getting stronger and stronger.  Ron said this is now his favorite ride.  It is up there for me but probably not my favorite.  It is cool having the road to yourself!   

I am hoping to get that ride in again but after some front end mileage to try to replicate the half ironman course.  A girl who did the California Half Ironman last year said that South Mountain was good practice for the half ironman.

I ruined the great day of exercise by eating everything in sight. Oh well. At least I'm working out!

Here is a link that shows the ride up to the TV towers.  Make sure you hit the elevation button under the mileage so you can see how steep it it!  The Half Ironman route with elevation is shown on the bottom right hand side of the page.  http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/az/phoenix/825124310682582761

78 Days??!! How did that happen??!!

Seriously?!  How did we get down to 78 days already?  I just put up the countdown calendar and freaked out when it told me the days until the race.  What a reality check.  I need to get my shoulder back to normal and log a ton more time working out. 

I am ready.  I can do this.  I am NOT scared.  I am strong.  I can swim 2000 meters.  I am so fast going up hills. 

Triathlon Crew!

We need to get it together!! No more hibernating or accidents or injuries!!! LET's Get FIRED up!!

The Big Crash

Yes I crashed, I'm back, but I'm not 100% yet. Actually, I'm sore as hell!

This was my first bike accident and I'm very thankful I wan't going down hill at 35 MPH! I took a turn too fast and hit a brick subdivision wall in the Blvd. Yes, hit the curb and straight into the wall. UGH! I blew my tire and smashed the side of my helmet as I turned my face away from the wall. As a result, my shoulder took the full force of the wall. I was a mile from my house and I couldn't get ahold of anyone. I put my chain back on my bike and walked my bike the whole way home.

When I got home everyone said I looked like crap. I decided I should take a shower and regroup. I knew things were bad when I couldn't take my clothes off. I couldn't lift my shoulder. My MIL had to come in my bedroom and undress me. Embarrassing! Everyone said I should go to urgent care and get checked out. I was going to try to sleep it off but I was in too much pain.

Went to Urgent care and they said I seperated my A/C joint. 2nd Degree seperation. I didn't realize it at the time but I busted my knee. The shoulder was the biggest pain but as the day moved on I realized my knee was big and swollen. I also had a huge bruise on the opposite thigh. What a mess. They gave me vicodin and muscle relaxers. It helped but I was totally out of it. I've been off the meds except when sleeping the past couple of nights.

I've been doing little bursts of exercise. 30 minutes every other day. It feels like nothing compared to what I've been doing. I'm going on a ride this weekend too. I figure I need to get back on the bike right away.

I have a half marathon in a couple of weeks I'd like to do if possible. Our race is coming up too! We only have about 11 more weeks. The problem is I'm sore but I know I should be training. Push myself or rest myself? UGH!!!

Spin Class = Ouch for Suzanne

Last night was my first spin class in about 2 weeks. Damn. It was NOT pleasant! And it wasn't even that tough of a class. So I guess that means I really did hibernate over winter break with my 12 hours of sleep a night and "big" runs of 4 miles (with hills!). What a rude reminder.

This week, including the spin class, I'll be on a bike 4 days: Tuesday spin, Thursday ride with Tribe, and then a two-day weekend cycling clinic with Tribe, also. Really going to get my rear end handed to me! But the clinic should be good, and will include nutrition information, a couple of shorter time trials and a core stability class, too.

Haven't been in a pool since the middle of November . . . oops.

And running, well, that's at least portable. I ran almost every day over winter break at home, although not always very far. I stayed at my mom's house that is on top of two giant hills, so that counts for a little extra. And my goal was only maintenance (or not sliding backwards too far) of fitness rather than to make leaps and bounds in reducing my body fat %. There were cookies!

So this week and next it's back at it because we are less than 11 weeks until go time. Go team!