Kicking off the 2011 Season - Ready to race!

After a season full of great racing, yet riddled with injury, I took 7 weeks off from running after the Baystate Marathon, in hopes of healing up and sustaining an injury free body in 2011.  During this time I still biked and swam, and came back strong and ready to go.  I began my first stage of base training in December.  I also decided, and made a promise, that I was going to listen to my coach this year no matter what. 

I got a power meter towards the end of last year; people were not kidding when they told me that it is the way to get to the next level with cycling.  In fact, now that I have it, I'm not sure how I got through last year without one.  Funny how you go without something for so long, yet once you have it you feel disabled without it.  I've also been working with Craig Lewin - Endurance Swimming, and have made significant improvements in my swim.  I'm still not where I'd like to be, but I am confident that as long as I continue with Craig's coaching, paired with the effort that I've put into swimming for the past few months, I will get there.  In two and a half months I have swam over 100,000 yards - that is almost half of the distance I put in for the entire year last year.  I'm still not happy with my times, but through many time trials in the pool I have seen quite a bit of progress.

This post is not about cycling or swimming, however, it is about my love out of the three disciplines - running.  As I said, I have been listening to my coach and doing exactly as told. I have spent most of my time running on a treadmill this winter, controlling my pace and keeping it at a nice an easy pace between 8 and 8:30's.  Everything has been feeling great - until two weeks ago when I was outside for a Sunday 13 miler and all of a sudden my knee had a terrible pain.  It was so bad the next day that it would bring me to tears when I would try to bend it.  My first race of the season was in two weeks, and I was more discouraged than I had been in quite a long time.  I had been doing everything the way that I was supposed to - stretching, icing, babying my achilles, back, tibial tendon, plantar faciitis (I could continue for a while here) - and all of a sudden I get yet ANOTHER injury.  My running was going really well and I knew that if I wanted to run the upcoming race, I had to stop running immediately and rest my knee.  I took a week off, went to my sports medicine Doc, got into PT, iced, massaged, took a prescribed anti-inflammatory... long story short, I was able to get the knee under control and was back in the game to start my season off with a fun race.

On Thursday, I flew down to Jacksonville and landed at my good friends, the Kagiliery's, beach condo.  It was so nice to get out of the miserable cold and snow that we've had for months now, and get into the nice warm south.  Friday morning I went out for a short 30 minute run in shorts and a tshirt.  A man on a bike, dressed in full winter gear, said as he rode by "aren't you freezing?" I replied "I'm from NH! This is awesome!" And it really was. It was probably only low 40's, but to us in NH, waking up to 40 is like heaven right now. 

Saturday morning the alarm went of at 5:15.  It was early, I was tired, but I was so pumped that I was about to run my first race of the year, and I was feeling good.  My plan was to start out slow, keep around 7:40's for a few miles and if I was feeling good, pick it up to 7:30s for a few, and then if I was still feeling good, maybe finish with some 7:15's.  I wanted to be conservative - I have to remember what Kat and I always tell each other, "Remember the big picture".  My big picture right now is IMCd'A, not a 15k.  I headed to Aronson and Jim's house, who were both running the race, and all headed to the venue together.  The Gate River Run is the 15k National Championship - there were going to be some fast runners there, and there were going to be a lot of runners there.  The first 5000 runners were seeded, and I was able to secure myself # 1275 with a submitted previous race result.  There were 14972 runners, and I have to say that for the amount of people there, I have never seen a more organized race.  It was fantastic.

It was 49 degrees, chilly. But not NH chilly.  I was going to run in a tank top and shorts.  There were people there in long sleeves, hats, gloves - we sat in the car for a while staying warm, and Jim said as soon as it hit 50 he'd run without gloves. We also decided to stay in the car until it hit 50.  Around 8:10, it was 50 degrees, and we all got out and headed to the start.  I ran for a few minutes to warm up, and my knee was a little sore, but I massaged it and hoped that it would cooperate with me. 

The top elite women were starting 5 minutes before everyone else - so the National Anthem was sung, and they took off.  5 minutes later, the cannon was supposed to go off, but instead we were signaled with a voice over the PA system saying "The cannon isn't working - Go! Go! Go!" And we were off.  I was far enough up that I had no problem getting out of the start and settling right into my pace.  I did use the side walk a few times to run around big groups, but all in all it was not a problem to break away.  First mile was flat (wait, we were running in Florida, it was all flat), and I had a 7:29 pace. I was feeling really good, I knew I could go much faster.  Second mile consisted of a "hill" (it was a bridge, but they consider those hills down there).  Mile 2, 7:06.  Mile 3: 7:05, Mile 4: 7:09. I was still being conservative - I couldn't believe how good I felt, but didn't want to push too hard and risk hurting my knee.  Mile 5: 7:04, Mile 6: 7:00.  I only had a little over a 5k to go.  I decided that if I felt this good so far, there was no reason not to pick it up a little bit.  Mile 7: 6:56, Mile 8: 6:50.  Mile 8 was another big hill (bridge), which many people struggled to get up.  I think the total elevation gain on my gps said like 78 feet for the entire race.  I was at the 9th mile, and still feeling good. I started smiling like an idiot, although I had been smiling throughout the whole race.  Mile 9: 6:56.  Only .3 miles to go, and I dug deep. I passed I don't know how many people - and tore across the finish line with a smile and a happy heart!

Theres me - to the left of this dudes big head.

The race was awesome - there were 4 or 5 bands along the course, and the streets were lined with people yelling and cheering the entire way. It was one of the best races I have ever run. I will definitely go back next year and do it again.

I ended up finishing in 1:06:01, 7:05 average pace (faster than I had planned, yet I still could've gone much harder!).  I finished 610 out of 14972 people, 19 out of 1234 women in my age group.  Anyone that knows me knows that I wouldn't be happy with that - however it was the 15k National championship, so there were some incredible runners; and that mixed with my knee make it okay that there were 18 women in my age group faster than me, and 609 men and women overall faster than me.  Well, that's what Jon tells me anyway.  Hopefully these results are a good sign for what's to come this year! 

After the 15k was a kids 1 mile run - which I ended up running with Anna and Julia Kagiliery.  they said go, and boy did those girls go!  Anna took off like a rocket and I had to pick it up to a 5:43 pace to catch her!  I didn't get exact times, but I ran with Anna and after we crossed the finish line went back and got Julia and we ran in - my garmin said 8:50 for the entire race, including going back and running in a second time.  Those are some future stars!  (Watch out Aronson and Jim!).  Up next: Devilman half in NJ May 7. And then.... Ironman Cd'A June 26! I can't wait! I'm ready to race!

Third time's a charm! (subtitle: NOW my season can be over)

October 2008: Baystate marathon, 3:32, crushed my marathon PR and qualified myself for Boston.  Ran back to the hotel and registered immediately for 2009. 
January 2009: Training begins for Boston in April.  Tough time to start marathon training in New England, but I'm tough as nails.  April 5, 2009: Great Bay half in Newmarket.  I'm going to run to the venue (2 miles), run the half (13.1 miles) and run home (2 miles) for a 17 mile run, final "long run" before Boston, then it's time to taper.  I'm going to go easy, hold a slow and steady pace, this is just a training run.  Great Bay is a very hilly course.  About halfway through, I felt a sharp pain in the back of my ankle.  I did what any (stubborn) runner does, I finished the race (with a little limp) and jogged home.  Monday morning, wake up and can barely walk.  Call my sports medicine Doc for an emergency appointment.  Schedule an MRI, and start PT right away.  I have a slight tear in my achilles - I'm not running Boston this year.
It's okay.  My race in October qualified me for 18 months, so I'm good to go for 2010 as well.
Pull out my old road bike and start riding once my ankle feels a bit better.  No running for me for about 8 weeks. But when I did come back, I came back stronger than ever.  The first 5k I ran after my injury I set a PR for myself.  And then I ran a 10k and PR'ed as well.  I was back.  September rolls around, PR in a 5k once again (my pace is now down to 6:50's for 5k) and run a second 5k 6 days later. 
This time it's my heel.  I couldn't walk after the race.  What did I do now?  Emergency visit to Sports Medicine doc the next day, he squeezed both sides of my heel, I jumped out of my chair and squealed.  He told me I had a stress fracture and I left in an air cast and on crutches!  He scheduled me for an MRI a couple days later.  The results of the MRI came back and it wasn't a stress fx, he diagnosed plantar faciitis.  (Achilles and PF issues closely related).  Off my feet for a while again, spent more time on the bike. 
December 21, 2009: Decided to get into triathlons, but I was going to run Boston in 2010 and be done with marathons for good.  Begin training for Boston.
February 27, 2010: In the middle of an 18 mile run on a slushy snowy day, sudden stabbing pain in my right groin area.  Long story short on this one: spine/hip issues, out of Boston once again.
So I registered for Baystate in October to once again qualify - and this was how I justified it to myself that it was okay. 
Bring on the triathlon season.  I had a great season, and my running was better than ever. I set a half marathon PR of 1:41 in June, and then my 70.3 half marathon time PR'ed me again at 1:40. 
Baystate was 5 weeks after my 70.3.  I had been in half ironman training all summer, not marathon training.  A few weeks before my 70.3, my achilles started talking to me again, and this time my posterior tibial tendon joined in.  So I didn't have a chance to run anything longer than 14 miles pre-race.  After Pumpkinman, I had 5 weeks to train for Baystate.  I was able to get in a 15 mile run (very painful, way too soon after 70.3), a 20 and an 18. And that was IT. And trust me, it was not enough.
Two weeks before Baystate, my achilles was in a lot of pain.  I decided that I was going to lay off almost completely up until race day.  I did three runs in those two weeks, a 5, a 6 and a 3. And that was IT.  I went back and forth with whether or not I'd be able to run; on the days that I thought there was no way, I was very depressed.  But the day before the race, I was ready to run.
Now... after that long intro.... race morning.
5:00 am: Alarm goes off.  I'm up and ready.  So ready.  I'd been training for this marathon since January of 2009. 

6:00 am: Head down to Lowell.  Rock tape on ankle, compression socks holding everything together.  Fuel belt with 3 bottles of nutrition.  Visor, sun glasses, gloves... ready to rock.
8:00 am: Marathon start. There were a ton of people - I started my garmin as soon as I went over the start line, and it was 1:30 after the race started.  So it was jam packed.  (I was so far back that I didn't realize what had happened - but the singing of the National Anthem was supposed to start, and most of the crowd was singing it - I later found out that when they said that the National Anthem would not be sung, everyone joined in and sang it anyway.  Pretty cool) I started out slowly, and broke my way out of the crowd.  I got out to the side and started passing people. And I was feeling GOOD. 

Mile 1: 8:15.  Okay, this is okay.  I wanted to keep around an 8:05 pace, finish in 3:32.  I'd be happy with that.  I could even go a little higher than that - really as long as I finished under 3:40 so I could qualify I'd be fine.  That is, if my achilles holds up.
Mile 2: 7:56.  Okay, still okay.  Ankle is feeling good. I'm feeling good. I'm gonna do this. 
Mile 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10: 7:56, 8:02, 7:53, 8:03, 8:00, 8:00, 8:02, 8:05 Still feeling GREAT.  Nutrition every 20 minutes, just like I'd trained.
Mile 11, 12: 7:58, 8:02
Now I'm coming around the bridge for the second loop.  I see my Mom, tell her that I'm doing okay - my ankles has twinged a couple times, but so far so good. I'm gonna do this.
Mile 13: A little slower, 8:12.  Mile 14: 8:10, 15: 8:12, 16: 8:08, 17: 8:15, 18: 8:08... still feeling good... 19: 8:15, 20: 8:18, 21: 8:18... starting to slow a little bit... 22: 8:22, 23: My legs start screaming "F YOU AMANDA - WE ARE DONE!!!"  From my toes to my heel to my calf muscles, to my knees, to my quads to my hamstrings... it all HURT.  And I don't mean just a little. It hurt BAD.  (This is where those long runs would've come in handy).  Mile 23: 9:14.  Okay, I can still do this.  I have plenty of time.  I could even  run 11:00 miles right now and still come in under 3:40.  I'm okay. Just take it easy....

Mile 24: 9:23.  Thoughts of "I can't do this" went through my head.  Then I said to myself - this is ridiculous. Your achilles is fine.  This is a little pain. it will be over soon.  You CAN do this.  And so I pushed on.  Mile 25: 9:26.  I was still working it out in my head as to how much time I had to play with.  And the pain kept getting worse and worse.  When I got to mile 25 and knew I only had 1.2 miles to go, I was able to kick it in a little.  Mile 26 was 8:50, a little faster.  Once I reached mile 26 and heard the crowds in the ball field and knew I was almost home, I forgot the pain.  And I ran.  I looked down at my watch at one point during that 285 yards and saw 6:20.  I was cookin'.  I heard a couple friends yell to me as I approached the finish.  And I tore around the bases and crossed that finish line with everything I had left. And then I smiled for the camera. I had NOTHING left.

I finished with a 3:38, slower than my previous time on this course, but I had also not trained like I did in 2008. I had a different focus this year. And next year, I will have a different focus as well (Ironman). So I will not run Boston in 2011.  BUT, it is in my head to run it in 2012. Who knows - anything can happen between now and then. But for now, what is important, is that I finally got to run another marathon. And it only took me two injury filled years to do it.  But I'm happy, and now I can rest.  (Sub-sub title: I used to have pretty feet)

Am I really cut out for this?

My first tri season is over.  I raced 5 tris, including an olympic, three sprints, and a 70.3.  Not bad for my first year.  One more race to go... a marathon in ten days... and then I can really put my feet up (literally) and take some much needed time off. 

As I sit here, with a painful lower back, achilles tendonitis, plantar faciitis, and something going on with my tibia - most likely posterior tibial tendonitis... I wonder, am I really cut out for this?  My love is running. Biking is okay, swimming not so much.  But, because of running, I have been dealing with injuries since February. And that's just this season - prior years have been riddled with injuries as well. 

Sometimes I wonder if I will ever like swimming, if I will ever be good at it, if I will ever look forward to going to the pool.  It seems very doubtful at this point. On one hand, I think: I hate swimming, I will never be good at it, maybe triathlon just isn't for me.  But on the other hand, I think - man, if I could only swim like I can run... maybe I'll make some major gains over the winter... just imagine if I was competitive in the swim portion of triathlon... stick with it.. it will get better.  Depends on the day, depends on my mood.  As I said in a previous post, it is human nature to like the things we are good at.  Maybe I will like it more when (if) I get better at it.  

I am looking forward to next season.  I have already lined up two 70.3's and a full Ironman.  I certainly hope that I get better at swimming over the winter.  I'm a little sad that this season is over... however I'm really looking forward to being able to take it easy for a bit, heal up my leg injuries, and hopefully be even stronger for next year.  My coach told me that the entire month of December is to be spent in the pool.  Literally.  No biking, no running. Just 6 days a week in the pool.  I guess it's one of those "make friends with the enemy" deals.  Yikes.  But maybe, just maybe, 6 days a week in the pool is what I need.  Maybe I'll have one of those "breakthroughs" that everyone talks about that I have yet to see.  Let's hope for a miracle...  

Pumpkinman 70.3

My first half ironman is complete.  All week I felt like I was going to throw up whenever I thought about it, and now it's finally over.  I had an absolutely awesome day - didn't hit the numbers that I was looking for, but it was my first, and considering that this was my first tri season, it ended well.  I finished with a strong run and a smile on my face.

3:45 am - Alarm goes off.  Up like a little kid on Christmas morning.  (This is a trend with my races, I'm always super excited and have no problem getting up early).  I also have no problem sleeping the night before - I went to bed at 8 and slept like a rock.  Turned the coffee pot on, started to get together everything I was going to need for the day.  I am not a night-before packer - I like to get up with a clear head and think everything through for the day the morning of.  My plan was to be at the venue by around 5:30, race started at 7.  By 4:30 I had drank two cups of coffee, eaten a clif bar, and had everything I would need in the back of my truck.  I started thinking - I could've slept another half hour :)

I was really excited about the day.  My mom was volunteering on course, my best friend was the race director, and my boyfriend was one of the assistant race directors - as well as tons of other people that would be there racing and cheering.  It was going to be an awesome day.  I didn't feel nervous at all until I got to the venue, and even then it wasn't too bad.  I parked, got all my stuff out, went to get my timing chip and to get body marked, then went to transition to set up. 

I decided last minute that even though I've been having shin splints in my left leg, I was not going to wear my compression socks on the bike and run, because I had completely forgotten about the ankle band-chip, and decided that would be too much of a pain. So I bagged the compression socks and used regular socks.  I also got to meet Dot and John M, fellow ontrier's in transition, so that was really nice. 

A couple trips to the porta potty - hi's and hug's and kisses to Mom/best friend/boyfriend - and a couple little pep talks, and I was ready.  I put my wetsuit on and headed down to the water. The swim waves were pretty big - mine was all females 39 and under.  I made the decision that I was going to just start way in the back, to the left.  I knew that even if I was in the back, I would start my day better than if I was getting kicked and punched and swam over... and I was so glad I did.  Saw a bunch of friends down on the beach (racing and spectating) - my friend Matt was down there to take some pictures of me looking like a deer in headlights as I looked at the pond and thought about the swim.  I had been swimming in this pond at least once a week all summer, so it was nothing new.  I knew the course, had swam it many times, and really knew what time I could expect. It was gonna be slow, but at least I was prepared for that and had told myself that no miracles were gonna happen out there. 

The waves start... my wave is called to the water, and we're given the signal to start.  I was the very last person, and just got right into my groove and swam very comfortably.  Very uneventful - didn't get kicked or punched - I did get swam over by a couple of elite males as they lapped around - funny that no one else did this.  Apparently their so focused on finishing that it's too hard to see someone right in front of them and they end up on top of you.  The swim was a two loop course, and in between you had to get out of the water and run across a timing mat.  I got out, ran across, back in the water for my second loop. Uneventful again.  I was able to pee a couple times (yes, in my wetsuit) which was good because I didn't want to have to go on the bike (that backfired).  Out of the water in 49:43. Oh well, it is what it is.

From the water to T1 was a "hill climb challenge" - it replicates a local ski/sled hill in the town called Powderhouse hill. They have a seperate challenge for the fastest climb out of the water, and there are people that actually have the goal of just winning that challenge.  I was just going to take it easy, I didn't want to aggravate my achilles or shin splints.  Took my wetsuit off at the bottom of the hill and trotted up.  1:32

Into T1.  socks and bikes shoes on, helmet and sunglasses, grab bike and go.  1:17

Onto the bike.  I had ridden the bike course a few times before as well, so I was pretty familiar with it.  Hilly.  I was pretty far to the back of the pack, so I didn't get passed at all, but I did pass a few people.  I felt okay on the bike, but in the end I had only averaged 18.1 mph, I had hoped for faster.  I did have to pee starting at about the half way point, and try as I did, it was not happening. And I certainly wasn't going to get off my bike and lose any time. I need to practice peeing on the bike, I guess - cause no matter what I did, it just didn't happen.  Again, lots of familiar faces volunteering and cheering along the bike course - good stuff.  The wind picked up towards the end and made it a tough second half.  3:05

Came into T2 and saw my Mom standing there flagging people in. That was pretty cool. I gave her a high five and said something, don't remember what. But it was nice to see her.  Bike shoes off, running shoes on.  Helmet off, visor on.  Now here's the tricky part: I wanted to run with my fuel belt, and I didn't want a race belt as well, so I bought these little things that can attached your race number to the fuel belt. Only thing is, you have to close the velcro before you can attach one of the sides (unless there's another way that I haven't figured out yet).  So as I ran out of transition, I fumbled with trying to get the elastic through the hole in the race number and then the little plastic thing on.. as I ran by my mom I said "this was a really bad idea!" but it didn't take long, and actually worked out great.  T2: 1:07

Ah, the run.  As I went running out, I remember what my coach had said "it's going to feel really easy - BACK OFF" and I looked down at my watch and saw 5:59 and said whoa! and slowed down.  I tried to keep it at around an 8 minute pace for a couple miles, but I was still a bit under.  So as I get about a quarter mile down the road, all of a sudden two of my friends are running next to me - not runners - in their jeans - it was hilarious.  Apparently Chris had said to Derek "if we see her we'll have to run with her", not thinking they'd see me right away - so off we went! It was awesome.  Really pumped me up. They ran with me for about a mile, and then turned back.  Very cool.  I felt fine for a couple miles, and then a few miles into the run I was hurting. I was keeping around 7:43 pace - my achilles was hurting, my back was hurting; I had that terrible thought go through my head of "oh crap, I'm not going to be able to do this" - and then I crushed that thought and started thinking positive. I knew I had to turn the focus away from my aches and pains or I wouldn't make it.  So I started telling everyone that I passed "good job" and "looking good!" with a big smile on my face. and it worked. I was fine after a few miles. Then I started putting it down.  7:30's, 7:09, 7:42, etc.  The run course was kind of a loop also - out and back twice with a loop at the end.  My dad and step mom had positioned themselves on the course so that I ended up passing them four times. That was pretty cool.  Derek and Chris made their way to one of the places that I'd pass on the course, before going to the finish line to see my finish.  And there were a bunch of friends cheering for me along the way - that was great. 

It also helped to boost my spirits to hear "wow - you are flying!" constantly.  And.. I was.  Jon drove by in a truck at one point, and was along the course at a few different places to cheer me on.  It was awesome to have him there, really motivated me every time I saw him.  First loop done, back out for the second.  As I approached the final hill, I saw a girl ahead of me with a 31 on her leg.  In my age group, she's mine I thought.  So I flew past her on the hill. Into the chute and across the finish line.  Run: 1:40.  7:39 pace.  Sweet.  My Mom, Jon, Kat, Derek, Chris, Mia, Tom were all at the finish line when I crossed.  It was awesome. 

Oh, and I still hadn't been able to pee. So I ran over to the portapotties.  I felt great - a little sore, but really good.  Final time was 5:39.  Sixth in my age group.  The swim killed me.  I was shooting for 5:30, didn't happen. Oh well, next time.  I think my run split was one of the fastest out of all females, but I haven't looked at all the numbers yet. I wish I could swim and bike like I run!  Overall fantastic day - quite an experience.  Now I get to rest for two days, and then back at it for my next events.  Amanda DeBlauw, YOU are a PUMPKINMAN!

Taper Day No. 2, 5 days out, Nightmare No. 1

Taper week - everything changes. The workout hours (obviously), the way you eat, the way you sleep.. your whole body dynamics.  I have to be careful not to eat like I have a 3 hour workout, and at the same time, eat enough to keep my body going.. find the right balance, which I am not good at.  I need to keep my body in a schedule, even though there is no need to wake up super early for a long workout, I need to make sure not to throw myself out of whack. 

Last night I awoke at about 2 am feeling paniced.  I had been dreaming (let's call it a nightmare) that I showed up to Pumpkinman, finished the swim in a great time (that part is awesome, hopefully that's a premonition) and then got to T1.  T1 was a small cabin, you had to stand in line single file and walk your bike in to cross the timing mat.  The line was about 50 deep and moving at a snails pace.  As I got to the cabin and picked my bike up to lift over the wall that you had to climb over, my seat fell.  As I examined it closer, it had these weird things on both sides that needed special tools to raise it and tighten in place. No one in the cabin had a tool for this. I tried to do it with my fingers and got covered with grease. 

As I made it through T1 and out onto the course, it was a loose, gravelly, road for a while, and I tried to ride with the seat in the fallen position, but it was like riding a little kids bike.  There was a bike shop on the side of the trail, so I went in to find a bike mechanic - there were three fat old guys that were smoking and very rude and told me that there were many other athletes that were there first...although I didn't see anyone.  I tried to mess with my seat while I waited, and finally they got to me, and no one had the tool to fix my seat.... and then I woke up.  I think I need to eat less protein today.  Lord, help me make it through hell week!

Taper.... aka Hell Week

I came up with the perfect description of "Taper" while I was in an ice bath after doing my final 10 mile run before beginning my taper week: "The week spent convincing your body (after beating the sh*t out of it for months) that it's over, it's okay to heal... so that you can really beat the sh*t out of it on race day."  I think that sums it up perfectly. 

Some people look forward to taper.  Others, like myself, dread it.  For a type A personality like me, to go from a very structured, wake-to-the-alarm-drink-coffee-look-at-the-schedule-to-see-what-your-workout-is-going-to-be-today-and-get-out-and-do-it period of months, to all of a sudden open the schedule to find "Rest"... and to see that word planted in the schedule more than once in the course of the week...well, that's just plain torture. 

5:30 AM.  Out of bed.  Coffee maker on.  Drink first cup of coffee. Check email. Reply to email.  Drink another cup of coffee. Hmm... now it's 6:15.  What to do.  See what I mean?  Hell.  I cannot sit still long enough to watch a movie.  I am good for about 20 minutes, when I notice that the plant across the room looks a little droopy and needs water. So I get up and water it. On the way back from putting the watering thingy away, notice that I have a new message.  Sit down for a second to read the email.  It's a message telling me that someone replied to a post on facebook. Open facebook, read the post.  Then scroll through to see what everyone else is posting.  Back to email.  Link to website... etc etc.  You get the gist.  Movie? What movie?  That is my life in a nutshell. Can't sit still. How in the world am I expected to go from a 14 or 15 hour week to a 5 or 6 hour week? 

This is only halfway through day 1 of taper.  Tomorrow I get to swim.  As much as I do not look forward to swimming, I cannot wait to swim tomorrow.  And Wednesday, oh Wednesday. I get to ride my bike for an hour fifteen, and run a couple miles off the bike. Wednesday cannot come too quickly. 

Hurry up Pumpkinman.  You've got an impatient type A athlete waiting for you. 

To Tri or Not To Tri....

I'd been feeling like something had come over me for about 5 days.  I couldn't shake it.  I felt light headed, dizzy, had a terrible headache, weak, tired; if I was sitting down, I still felt like I was going to fall over.  I was scheduled for an olympic tri on Sunday, and since Tuesday had it in my head that I'd be over this and able to race.  Friday came, I went to the pool.  500 meters into my swim I felt like I was going to pass out in the pool.  I got out.  Smart move number one.  The rest of the day I drank lots of fluids, rested, did everything I was instructed to do.  Saturday I woke up feeling a little better.  Had it in my head that I was going to race on Sunday.  Went out for my shake out ride and run and felt great. Put out pretty good numbers with little effort.  Brought my bike in to get a couple of last minute tweaks and a pre-race tune up.  As the day went on I felt worse and worse.... but that night still had it in my head that I was going to get up at 4 am and get my race on.  As 8:00 rolled around that night and I could barely stay awake or hold my head up, I told myself that I wasn't going to set my alarm, but if I woke up at 4 (which is not unusual for me) it was meant to be and I would head to the race.  Sunday morning I rolled over and saw 6:30 am, and knew it was not meant to be, and it was too late to get to the race anyway.  I was fine with it.... as my A race is in two weeks and I didn't want to jeopardize anything leading up to that. 
So... I prepared a few bottles (notice I say a few, obviously had the intention of a good ride) and headed out on my bike.  Oh, I also set up a transition area at the end of my driveway, just in case I felt okay and wanted to run a few miles after.  Headed south on 125, took a left onto some unknown road, figured I'd loop back into Exeter... came upon another cyclist, about 20 minutes down the road after catching up with and passing each other over and over, I said "hey, do you know where this road comes out?" He said "I have no idea!" and we both laughed and kept on... about another 20 minutes go by, he (his name was Andy, I came to find out later) caught up again and said "Uh, we're in Amesbury Mass".  Oops.  We found our way onto 286 and into Hampton together. 
My ride turned into 60 miles, and I did a 4 mile run off the bike.  So, I feel like I could've raced... but I guess it was better to not have and wish that I did, than to have and wish that I hadn't.  Needless to say, I was feeling much better, and think I have finally kicked whatever I had come down with.  Two weeks til my A race: Pumpkinman 70.3.