Meh.
Last I checked, my most recent update on this blog was sometime in June. Over two months have passed and I swear it happened with a blink of an eye. I stayed on track most of that time even though I laxed on my updates. I figured that as long as I continued with my faux-training plan, I was still building my base and coming here every week was okay to skip out on because with limited time, something had to give. Here's a run down of what did and didn't happen and where I am now.
I started this "super simple 70.3 Ironman training plan" immediately following the 4th of July weekend. Initially, my thought was that starting at that time would get me ready for Ironman 70.3 Miami late October. I really liked the swim and run courses on this and the idea that my family could be there along with my hometown family and friends seemed like icing. My hubby was on board and even considered for a hot minute that maybe he could train with me and DO. IT. TOO. (gasp...too many more thoughts and words about this...it totally would deserve its own post on what all happened there). I had browsed through the training weeks in this plan and I thought "hmm, totally doable". Of course, I was only concerned with the physical aspects of "doing" it. I cringed a little at the later weeks of the plan as there never seems to be a true recovery time and the brick workouts appeared to be very intense but nonetheless, I was pretty confident in my ability to get it done.
What I put in the back drawer of my brain was the schedule. The changes in the schedule that were fast approaching, specifically. Week after week, I swam, ran and biked as prescribed. I bricked early in the morning and squeezed my long rides on Fridays and runs on Sundays. In the mean time, I looked into the logistics of Miami. Travel with or without kids? Bike transport? The schedule, like an internet pop-up, came into the frame and it reminded me "oh yea, school will be in session. And soccer. And golf" Uh-oh.
I had a Plan B in my back pocket if I did in fact continue on this journey without obstacles...Ironman70.3 Austin. Closer to home and a week or two later than the first race, Austin was the initial obvious choice for a first 70.3. The thing is, I read sooo many reviews about the swim and bike that just seemed awful. Chip and seal sucks and swimming in a plant lake leaves much to be desired in the scenery department. The topper on this one is that the run is 3 loops. UGH. I hate loops!! Clearly, this is not where I wanted my first (and quite possibly last) run at 70.3 to be.
Because of all these
I managed 6 weeks of training. Even on a mini vacation getaway, I managed long runs and squeezed bikes and swims before and after travel. On that sixth week, swims were tough because I just couldn't get to the pool. And then, we went on another getaway. There was lap-length pool there but getting up early to swim before the vacationers came in was TOUGH. I succumbed to vacation mode. I needed it really and I was guilt free about it. I managed to even run 9 miles on our time away. My husband was so impressed. I ran down the hill from the hotel, under and across the freeway to the nearby trail and back finishing up that treacherous hill to get to my shower, breakfast and pool. Beast mode!
I was ready to conquer week 7 when I got back home. Except that back to school, work deadlines and a travelling husband also happened that week. I wore a cape on week 7, really. I did it all. Everything you could possibly imagine that needed to get done, I did. Except swim, bike and run.
School started, new schedules at 3 different schools and a SUPER busy entrepreneur husband that was cooking up big deals and was totally in the "zone" and me...in the busiest time of year for a corporate tax person.
Y'all. I'm motivated and at times crazy about getting what I need to get done, done. My priorities are not skewed, however. My family always comes first. I thought that missing all my workouts was going to really mess with my head, emotions and body very quickly. I thought I was going to turn into a raving lunatic craving and needing to "escape" the chaos for a run. I am happy to say that I was wrong.
I feel pretty freakin' fantastic (and accomplished) to get all the work done at the office (at whatever hour necessary), support my hubby's endeavours all the while being a supermom who treks across town for soccer practices, carpools, cooks, tutors, launders and still has time to play princess, kick a ball and ride tricycles with the littles and doesn't tire of the thousands of "moms" I hear on the daily. My heart is full, I am so very grateful and I am ok with not sleeping much. So far.
I have not had a workout (the 9 mile run) since August 16th. Technically and in reality, that is not THAT long. But with my history, that could snowball into what I am feeling right now "I feel great, I am never getting up at 5 for a workout again!!" and then soon after, I feel awful and starting again is much like dragging my 3 year old to her new PK3 class, lots of tears and whining is involved. Ahem.
So what's the plan, you say? How do I stay ahead of this unpreventable situation that is looming given your time constraints, you say? Well...I'm either hiring a tutor, housekeeper (that cooks) and putting my babysitter on the weekly payroll, or quitting work.
Bahahahaha. Dream on, sister. I don't know is the answer. Sleep even less? Honestly, I don't know. I have been creative before but usually much more motivated than I am right now. Maybe another week will get me itching and motivated. Maybe a short run on this upcoming free and clear (so far) holiday weekend will spark the motivation. Because that post run feeling is SO AWESOME. Again, I don't know.
I hope all of you that still come out here looking for my updates are staying active and keeping with your programs. My workout buddy has not quit on me (yet)...she still texts and emails in hopes that one day I WILL join her at the pool at 6 or for the 5:30am Define Rev class. She is still hoping that I agree to do the TowneLake Labor Day Tri with her but I just don't feel like doing it because I know I'd be beating myself up during the entire swim, bike and run about how weak, tired I feel and what a miserable experience it is. Not being prepared will do that to you. I want Tri's to be FUN! The reality is that a 3 week hiatus will make it not fun for me...pretty sure.
In any event, I will keep you all posted when I figure this out because you know what? If I do, I will most certainly want to SHARE!! Lol!
Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend everyone and TGIF!!
Valerie :)
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