Tuesday, July 15, 2014

40 days and 40 nights...

Well the countdown continues and I'm at 40 days and 40 nights until the "big" race. So it is a good time to reflect where I'm at and what I still need to achieve.
Last weekend I got over my major mental hurdle, a 2 mile open water swim. My next goal is the first weekend of August. I'm headed to a ride called Amishland & Lakes. I've lost count how many years I've attended, but it's at least six.

The first day offers a century ride which is fairly flat. Riding from the hotel should give me 108 miles so this will really help to simulate race day. My plan is to try to do it hard and fast (just like Tina Turner does Proud Mary) with very little time spent at the rest stops. There's a large group of folks going from my bike club and another local club. But I've recruited two dear friends, Barry and Mitch, to do the century with me. I'm excited as I'll enjoy their companionship for the day and the fact that both guys are very strong riders. They will definitely push me to go hard, but I also hope to try not to draft. Between the distance and the elevation gain this is as close as I can get to simulating race conditions.


Only problem with riding in Amish country are the road apples!
What I will miss by going hard on this ride is that the Amish children get up at 4am to bake goodies which they sell to the 1600+ riders that go past their farms. They use REAL butter and it is always a treat. They usually don't set prices and just ask for a donation. So every year I tell people to bring lots of singles. Maybe I can get one of the guys to stop, buy some cookies or blueberry pie and then bring it to me on my bike so I never have to stop. I don't think that is asking too much as this is done in the Tour de France by the domestiques all the time.
I've been very lucky to have hooked up with a really nice group about a month ago who swim three days a week in a local lake. We have butts in the water by 6am so that means my alarm goes off at 5am. If you know me, I'm not a morning person. But once I'm up and in the water, it is an amazing way to start your morning. Unfortunately I need a nap come mid-afternoon. There's talk of swimming around the lake on Friday. This is just over 2 miles. I hope it materializes as I really want to get the longer distance in.

I also have scheduled those all important pre and post race massages with Allison. I had a 90 minute massage with her last week. Everything hurt until she worked her magic. I have another one set in two weeks, one the week of the race and one a week post race.

Some of the issues I need to work out still are those pesky saddle problems. I may just have to grin and bare it as it is a bit too late to start changing saddles. Also having some underarm chaffing issues with my swim suit. I used Body Glide for the first time on Monday and it seems to be doing the trick. Fingers crossed. But other than that, I'm excited to get this over with. Or at least start to taper. That will happen for the bike about two weeks out from race day. I don't think I'll cut back too much on the swim.

I'm very excited to have two friends joining me in Michigan. My friend Pam and Mark. They will both be doing the Half Ironman (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.2 mile run). I get to go off an hour earlier than they do, so maybe we'll finish within an hour or two of each other. But I'm guessing they will finish first.

Seems like it was just December when I decided to sign up for this race and check it off my Bucket List. And now it's 40 days and 40 nights. These will fly by quickly.

Enjoy the ride,
Sheri




Sunday, July 13, 2014

90% Mental, 10% Physical

Yesterday I participated in the Crystal Lake Open Water Swim Race. I haven't raced there in a few years, but it was always a well run event on a quiet lake. This time was no different. It was great to see friends old and new. Some I hadn't seen for two years.

They offer a 1 or a 2 mile swim. Very interesting as it seemed like more people opted for the 2 mile this year. And answer me this...why with all the colors in the rainbow would they pick two cap colors so close together? Lime green and florescent yellow. Pink or blue...common folks.
One day I'll get a real glamor shot.

The course was an out and back for a mile and twice around for the two mile. This would be the first time I completed a 2 mile open water swim. I've swam more than 2 miles in the pool and in the lake but it is always broken up. This was going to be a good test to see first, if I could make 2 miles and second, how tired I'd be upon finishing. The MI Titanium is 2.4 miles so pretty close to judge training.

I know this was a huge mental hurdle for me to get over. I've been stressing for a few weeks. But I'm happy to say I finished the 2 mile swim. Even felt good at the end, so 2.4 should be just fine.

The first mile I didn't go that hard. I just wasn't sure how much energy I should expend to still be able to complete the second mile. But as I headed out for lap 2, I picked up the tempo.

As I swam that final stretch to shore and the run up the beach, a woman came up on my left. We were neck in neck and stood up to run up to the beach and through the shoot. Well as many swimmers know your equilibrium is off when you stand up after being horizontal for so long. I equate it to that camp game when your in a relay race. You put your forehead down on a bat and spin around it. Then stand up and try to run straight back to your team. You veer off in all sorts of directions like a drunk.

So as we both ran for the beach I slipped and then she did. Looked like I was tackling her and really wasn't sure if I caught her foot when I fell. But confirmed today with my friend that I didn't tackle her. But I couldn't stop laughing and just let her go through the shoot first. Little did I know she was in my age group and took third place by 3 seconds. Oh well, I'm fine with not coming home with some jewelry. She was half my size and if by chance I did cause her to fall, she deserved 3rd.

And the chase is on.

Letting her go first...sportsmanship
If I had to do it all over again, I'd gladly let her go first. What were we competing for? A million dollars...no a blueberry muffin post race.  In my eyes I was a winner. I overcame my anxiety of "can I do 2 miles?" and it wasn't a huge struggle to finish.

But I still start giggling to myself as I picture in my head the two of us trying to make it to the finish line and so unsteady on our feet. Must have been so entertaining for the crowd.

I think yesterday was 90% mental for me and 10% physical. But aren't all our efforts that way? Self doubt can undo all your training.

Enjoy the swim,
Sheri

Thursday, July 10, 2014

If you can't be an athlete, be an athletic supporter...

This is one of my favorite lines from the movies. Can you guess which one? It was Grease (1978) with John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. It's from the scene where the principal was making the daily announcements over the PA system and came up with this doozie.

It really is important to have a good support network as you train for your big race. Be it a triathlon, marathon, long distance swim race or even my bucket list Ironman AquaBike. Training for an event becomes an integral and routine part of your life. In order to succeed, it has to take priority over a lot of other activities, including time with family and friends. Luckily if you bike, swim or run with your friends, that's a bonus. But in many cases you need supportive, understanding family and friends who will see you less during the summer months.


I've been very frustrated because my immediate family (not my extended family) has zero interest in my quest for finishing the Ironman AquaBike. Not once have I gotten a supportive affirmation or a question about how my training is going. Sad but true. That's why I'm so thankful to have a great network of friends, fellow athletes, and even acquaintances that are consistently providing support, inquisitive about my training progress and so very understanding that my social time is limited. Even my colorist can't wait for my next appointment to hear how many miles I've ridden and how my latest bike trip went. Those little things go a long way in keeping me motivated and excited to race.


With 45 days until race day, I'll be honest, I'm stressing out. So know that the support you all are giving me means so much. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and my very tired body.

Enjoy the ride,
Sheri