I'm Officially Training for an IRONMAN!

My heart skipped a few beats when this reminder popped up! :)

April 13th was exactly 24 weeks from race day, and 24 weeks is the length of the Matt Fitzgerald Ironman training plan that I'm following. As I am typing this up on a Sunday night, I can kick my feet up, relax and welcome tomorrow as a well-earned "rest day", after having completed my FIRST week of Ironman training :)

I woke up dark and early Tuesday morning and headed to the pool at 5:00 a.m. to get in a swim before work.  I was a little nervous about swimming because I took about 6 months off from the pool (I know, I'm kind of embarrassed and ashamed to admit this!).  I did fine and did not forget how to swim, thank goodness! Swimming is one of those things that I never say "Oh, I really miss swimming, and I want to go swim right now!", but once I do drag myself to the pool, I am reminded that I actually enjoy it and can't believe I neglected it for so long. 

This is where we'll be swimming race day!

 I am still adjusting to balancing life, now that training is in full swing.  You can tell by the current state of my house.

The dining room is filled with my bike bag, gym bag, swim bag, running shoes, and a bored puppy

The living room--isn't this what desks are for???

The view from the bike trainer ride...a sad looking bored dog.
I'm going to get A TON of these looks from Lupa in the coming months!

On Saturday, my friend/training buddy, Kimberly, and I went up to Chattanooga to meet with a small group of fellow Ironman Chattanooga registrants and rode some of the bike course.  The route isn't marked yet, so we were following cue sheets that were posted on the race website.  As we were rolling out, it became apparent that no one REALLY knew how to get out of town to pick up the course, and we each had planned to be a follower.  :)

We did end up finding our way and rode about 72 miles total including some detours.  On race day the loop will be done twice to total 112 miles.  We were planning to do one loop on Saturday, but somehow we missed a big section on the way back in and detoured a longer route.  From what we rode Saturday, I can say that the first 25 miles or so is pretty fast with only mild rolling hills.  You hit the first big climb before turning onto Hog Jowl Rd.  Someone told us that if you miss the sharp left onto Hog Jowl, you end up riding into the gaps of the North Georgia Mountains and hit a 7 mile climb.  We didn't miss the turn!

The remainder of what we rode was very hilly and extremely windy.  There was a storm blowing in with such strong winds that my bike jumped to the side a few times. Luckily it only rained lightly on us near the end.  A few people had ridden out there before and said it normally isn't that windy.  You never know what will happen on race day though, so it's good to train in all sorts of conditions!

I'm interested to ride the ENTIRE loop and get a feel for the elevation on the last section.  This is the description on the Ironman page:

The bike course takes riders 11 miles south of town before beginning two 45-mile loops in north Georgia. Athletes can expect incredible views as they parallel Lookout Mountain on this rolling course with great road surfaces. As athletes near the end of the loop they will get the opportunity to ride through historic Chickamauga. The 112 mile course has approximately 3400 feet of climbing.

 

(Originally from: http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/chattanooga/athletes/course.aspx#ixzz2zZO9aFYn)

 

I know it's going to be a challenge to ride 112 miles on those hills and then run a marathon, but it CAN be done and WILL be done.  :)  The mountain countryside scenery IS absolutely beautiful, so at least that provides a little extra boost of positive energy and enjoyment!

The riverwalk is so nice!

Post-ride. Cleaned up and ready to EAT!

It's always great to meet new people and to see more familiar faces on race day!  I'm so grateful we got to get in a good ride with such good people! :)

Bring on week two!!!

My Triathlon Journey--A look back at the past 4 years

I have been a little quiet on here lately and haven't been writing much about the "big race" that's happening later this year.  Believe me, I think about it EVERY day and am very much aware that some serious training is about to take over my life!

April 13th kicks off the official 6 month training plan.  For the past few months, I have been actively building my running and cycling base back up, as well as strength training.  I still haven't been hitting the pool, but that will come soon enough.  :P

After having an actual winter, including two snow/ice storms, the Georgia sunshine is finally shining upon us.  This past weekend I got in a wonderful 7 mile trail run with my favorite four-legged running buddy, Lupa.  Then yesterday I rode about 48 absolutely beautiful miles with 2 friends.  There were a few climbs on the route which forced me into the granniest of all granny gears and took my breath away, but I loved it! Riding alongside farmland and hearing all the noises of nature around us, reminded me how much I love riding out on country roads.  It changes the whole cycling experience when you don't have to worry so much about getting hit by cars or honked at by road raged drivers.  It was refreshing and peaceful...except for the time some dogs ran out to chase us...but no one was hurt, and we just got a little adrenaline rush! :)

Now back to the title of this post "My Triathlon Journey--A look back at the past 4 years".  As many triathletes do who have registered for their first Ironman, I have been thinking a lot about how I got to where I am today.  I decided to make a little youtube video, which you can see below.  Enjoy! :)

13 Photos for 2013

Since I am a visual person and love photography, I decided to choose 13 photos to summarize the highlights of this year.  After writing up the list of what I accomplished, it's no wonder my body needed to take a month off from hard physical activity (like running)! 

1.) Completed the Chattahoochee Challenge Half Iron Distance Triathlon in the Spring

2.) Joined my first official ladies' group ride to gain confidence riding on city streets.

3.) Completed my first Century ride (that's 100 miles!).

4.) Started trail running--solo and with my dog, Lupa, on shorter distances. 

5.) Completed my first official trail race--Red Top Roaster 9.9 mile run

6.)  Completed (for the 3rd year in a row) and set a new personal record for the Richard B. Russell State Park Olympic Distance Triathlon.

I call this my Prancercising to the finish photo :)

7.) Completed the 6 Hours of Dauset Trails Endurance Run and ran about 24 miles of trails!

8.) Completed my first 50K trail race! FATS 50K

 9.) Registered for my first IRONMAN! Ironman Chattanooga, September 28th 2014!!

10.) Spectated and cheered on friends at Ironman Flordia 2013.

It's always fun to dress up for races :)

11.) Took an amazing vacation to Nepal--Reconnected with old friends, made new friends, and trekked some of the Himalayan foothills.

12.) Helped my rescue dog, Lupa, find her inner wolf. I discovered that Lupa thrives on the trails, and nature therapy is good for us both.   I adopted her in November 2012, so this year has been filled with milestones as she works through various issues with fearfulness. 

Her inner wolf is in the shadow :)

13.) Another photo from Nepal, which I think symbolizes looking at life with a positive attitude and filled with hope.

May the new year bring you a positive spirit and inner strength to reach all that your heart desires!