Unscheduled day off..

Well, I was suppose to swim in Cochiti Lake this morning to get ready for Lake CDA, which is still bouncing from 50-53 degrees. I thought once a lake started warming up, it kept going up but noooo, apparently not in Coeur d'Alene. Cochiti today has this forecast:

so our little group decided this would NOT be a good idea (I draw the line at lightning and thundershowers) and will re-attempt tomorrow AM.

Therefore, I am staying in my jammies all day today! It has been probably months since I have done this but this is the only time/day I will be able to do this for awhile. OMG the lists are endless for home projects:

1. Balance the checkbook-do we have any money in the account?
2. Start packing for IMCDA-that will make it real.
3. Catch up on Oprah-thank goodness for the greatest invention ever-TIVO!
4. Well, maybe I will have to venture to Costco. we are pretty much out of everything. My wonderful hubby does all the shopping and cooking thank goodness because we would starve if he didn't right now.
5. Pay bills. The electricity went out the other night and I thought maybe I had forgotten to pay the electric bill until I saw the whole neighborhood was out too.
6. Stretch! My whole body feels like I went through a meat grinder. What happened to the 30 something year old body I was feeling a couple of weeks ago? Apparently she aged overnight!
7. Did I mention the laundry-e..n..d..l..e..s..s..!!

I have been pretty grumpy. Well to be honest irritable is not even close. More like irrational bitch! Today I seem to have a better attitude..

I went biking yesterday and felt like sh%$&t! I couldn't even keep up with the slow group. And I am going to do an Ironman? I cut my ride down by 45 minutes. Legs heavy, tired, did I mention grumpy?

H stayed with me-he is my hero.. for better or worse..

Highlights of my taper..

1. It really doesn't seem like I am tapering. Did a 5000 yard swim yesterday (yes, in the pool-2 hours).I guess now I am tapering from the swim.

2. I am hungry all the time. It has turned from gosh I am hungry more than usual to I am ravenous..shoving food into my mouth at meals, etc.. Trying to eat healthy but bread especially sounds good all the time..

3. I hate speed work. I would rather do a 3 hour run than an hour speed workout.

4. I am starting to make lists. Endless lists for IMCDA. Makes me feel better..

5. I am now officially tired. I need a break from training. After that swim yesterday I thought, Oh my gosh, I cannot swim another lap in this gross pool with little kids in it who probably pee and I am swallowing it..etc...

6. IMCDA Lake seems to heating up. It is a balmy 53 degrees now. I can swim in that-no problem..

7. My mother in law mentioned to H the other day that I was too skinny and needed to put on some weight. Now that is a first..The Ironman diet (eating like a pig but endless training) must be working..Oprah is on a 21 day "cleanse diet" Maybe I should tell her about the IM diet..

8. I finally got my laundry done and put away from our trip a month ago...

9. I bought the perfect Ironman outfit the other day. I will post a picture later. CWX shorts and a bra top..

10. I feel excited about the trip to Idaho. We are staying at Yellowstone for 2 days on the way..

My brain seems to only work in these short spurts these days so that is it for today..

May totals..

Well, I have decided with the amount of swimming I have done, I am now ready for the 10k open water swimming event at the Olympics:

Bike: 589 miles
Run: 90 miles
Swim: 36,680 yds.
Weight workouts: 7

Whew! My biggest training month....ever..to date..

Now we'll see if it translates to IMCDA!
I got my NEW/new Cervelo P2C yesterday. Rode it today-so far so good-needs a few tweaks..

Also the really GOOD NEWS is yes to aquasocks at IMCDA. See this (make sure and watch the video)..Good thing I have both!

Interesting thoughts..

24 DAYS UNTIL IMCDA AND I HAVE TO REMIND MYSELF:

I found this on Triathlete Magazine Online:

17 things that triathlon has taught me about life
By J.

1. There are good days and there are bad days and sometimes you can't tell the difference until you start.
2. Contrary to popular belief, sleep is not overrated. Not in the slightest.
3. Don't forget to breathe.
4. Just because it's raining doesn't mean you should cry.
5. Nobody ever said it was easy.
6. Pain is temporary. Pride lasts a lifetime. Sometimes even two.
7. Create a plan and stick to it. It may not always work, but if you stay focused and relaxed, it'll all end up just fine.
8. You've got to try. No matter what happens, in the end you'll have bigger regrets from not ever trying.
9. Strength and courage blossom from the sands of adversity.
10. Sometimes it's the little things that make the big differences.
11. Getting to the starting line is usually a lot harder than getting to the finish.
12. Listen to your body and listen to your mind. And make sure you know when they're lying to you.
13. You can't change the past and you won't alter the future. Enjoy right now, right now.
14. Smile. It does a body good.
15. Be supportive of others. We're all in this together.
16. It's OK to cry.
17. Don't forget to eat. Especially breakfast -- that's a really important one.

I added some of my own:

1. You can feel like sh$^*&%t one minute, fix the problem or your thinking, and feel great the next.
2. It is never too late to realize a dream.
3. Anyone can do an Ironman-it is all in doing the training.
4. You can come in dead last and still get a medal.
5. Don't underestimate the power of the will..
6. It's only a triathlon race, it is not life or death. It is suppose to be fun!

Do you have any of your own?

Let the taper begin!!

I did it! My longest training week is over and now comes the payoff-tapering and racing!

Saturday: did a 2:40 min. run

Sunday: a few of us went out to Cochiti Lake, where the water was a balmy 58 degrees. I came armed and ready..bought this really cool polar tech thermal wetsuit shirt that Mark Allen himself recommended for icy waters. It was a bit snug under my wetsuit at first but after swimming a bit, got more comfortable. I had my Neoprene hood on and booties (not legal in races but what the hell-I had them so why not use them). Results: I was nice and warm in 2.4 miles of not so warm water. I had a moment in the middle of the lake, quite a bit behind the lead group and I started to panic a bit. I think I was getting hungry, couldn't reach my Carboom gel and just started telling myself scary things oh my god I am out here and can't get to shore..Silly stuff..I quickly calmed myself down and began counting and looking at the scenery-it worked. I made it across, ate my gel-then swam back with the group..


Monday: Rode my bike with a friend for 92 miles. H caught up with us around mile 35. We had a head wind going, then the wind switched and we had a head wind coming back. I think I am finally just plain numb to the wind. It has blown, and I am talking at least 25 MPH winds probably 90% of my long and short rides in the last three months. I am not kidding. I just laugh now-of course the wind changed directions-ha! The ride was followed by my "run" brick of 30 minutes. I use the term "run" loosely as it was more of a jog. It felt good, I feel good. I am wondering what is wrong with me-like when is the other shoe going to drop? But then again, maybe I am just peaking at the right time for an Ironman!!! Oh please!!

One of the campers (Kelly) at my recent triathlon camp has done well for herself:
http://www.triathletemag.com/Departments/Race_Coverage/2007/Sturla__Keller_win_one_on_the_run_in_Florianopolis.htm
SECOND-overall at Ironman Brasil!! She is Kelly in the article. She is also beautiful and a very nice person. Geez, can I turn back the clock and be born fast? I am really proud of her!

Lastly-2 of our daughters came to visit this weekend so sneaking in my training was tricky. It was insinuated that maybe I was a bit Ironman grumpy. Ya think?? WHAT THE HELL??

Ha! Here are me and my little girls:



Addendum: Well, you know you are Ironman spacey and tired when you wear your slippers to the gym. Yep-that is what I did this morning as I went for my AM swim. Thank goodness I had an extra pair of boat shoes in my gym bag-otherwise with my sweats and slippers, I would have looked like something out of a bad pajama party!