I have proved one thing to myself over the course of the last 22 weeks..I am not a consistent blogger..hahaha. So here is a snapshot of the last several weeks (insert camera here).
It was a whirlwind of swimming, biking and running mixed with working -- and that concludes the snapshot.
Fun facts about my training (fun is relative here)
- I have swam 108750 yards = 61 miles = 47hrs = countless prayers = sore shoulders = approx. 1gal of pool water in my belly..yuk! = ready to swim 2.4 miles
- I have biked 2006 miles = 138hrs = countless prayers = major saddle sores = two moose sitings = two deer sitings = one coyote siting = countless blue heron, white geese, pelicans and ducks = ready to bike 112 miles
- I have run 310 miles = 65hrs = countless prayers = 2 calf muscle pulls = 10+ amazing sunsets = many stops to pet dogs = two deer sitings = countless lake breezes = Lord willing ready to run (or walk) 26.2 miles.
Now, other than some crazy pain in my left knee, I am ready. The weather can do whatever it will do because I have trained in all kinds of wet and dry weather. So far it has been warm enough here to bring the lake temp. up to 62 degrees. Last year on race day the temp was 58, so we are all pretty happy about this. They changed the way the swim start will work this year, which I think will make for a much nicer experience over-all. I do wonder what it would've been like to be part of a 2500 athlete mass swim start; however, I have heard many bad stories and will count it as God's grace that it changed the year I am racing. Anyway, I have done all the upfront work. I am ready to race and I am thrilled to be only days away from completing an eight year dream that I really never believed I would be capable of.
I will post again after the race with details. So thankful to all of you who are participating with me in this journey. In another life I will be a more consistent blogger, but thanks for hanging in with me and my sparseness!
All prayers between now and June 23 will be most appreciated. If you have questions about anything please feel free to ask.
When you hear from me again I will have heard these words "Samantha, you are an Ironman" spoken by the one and only Mike Reilly (IM announcer).
To God be the Glory!
Monday, June 10, 2013
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Week 12 - Half-way
In my last blog I told you I would answer the question, "Why do I do this?" As I have thought about it I found the question more challenging than I expected. Really, why would anyone intentionally chase after a dream that requires potentially 17 grueling hours of working out. Then while I was out on my 40 mile ride today, Resurrection Day, I found, at least, part of the answer - I have also been resurrected! I am a new person and the old me is passing away, ever so slowly ;). I've been told I can accomplish anything Jesus calls me to do, so I guess in a way I'm holding Him to his promises and training for the Ironman is my way of saying "Jesus, I believe you." That's why I do this! And there are so many other benefits that keep me moving forward, but that's for some other day.
Over the last twelve weeks I've had lots of time to reflect while biking for fours hours or running for two, and something I've wanted to do is thank some of the people for the impact they have had on my life. In a variety of ways these people inspired me, challenged me, directed me, encouraged me, taught me, waited for me, and so many other things. My deepest thanks to each of you for being part of my journey to IM before any of us knew if I would really do it:
Vivian Churchill-Browne: I remember going on a run with you and several others my first year of Explore. It became clear within seconds I was not going to keep up with the group, but I trudged on hoping I would be able to complete the entire loop before class started. Alas, I realized it was impossible so I turned around. I remember fighting the feelings of embarrassment, anger and shame for not be capable and being left alone. Then out of nowhere you showed back up. You finished the entire loop with the group, then you came back to finish the run with me. It meant the world to me then and it still does today. Thank you for continuing to circle back to me even today!
Kayleen Offringa: The list is long, but two stories stick out to me. The first was running my first 5k with you by my side the entire way and providing conversation and incredible encouragement for me to accomplish something I'd never done before (BTW, I've still not run 5k as fast as I did that day). The other big impact was our walk up the road to Siegel pass that started at 5:30 a.m. On that walk you said, "Samantha, you believe if you can do it anyone else should also be able to. But that's not true because you are stronger than you realize. Not everyone/anyone can do what you can do." Those words echo in my head two years later and remind me I'm strong. You are such a dear friend to me.
Reuben Stratford: You asked me if I'd be interested in helping clear a trail for mountain biking. I told you I didn't know how to mountain bike and that I was not so sure I would do well. Over the next couple years you taught me how to bike, waited for me when I was walking my bike uphill and many other times, made sure I came along anytime I wanted to regardless of whether I would or wouldn't be good at it. Because you gave of your time I gained a confidence that has made me a competent rider and I still ride with your words rattling around in my head "Look at where you want to go, not where you don't want to go; roll through it, don't put your feet down." Thanks!
Tara Hearing: You have an unshakable belief in the abilities of others and over the course of 13 years you have never failed to be the one who believes I can do anything I want to do. The quote you put on the water bottle are the words that stick with me: "Always remember: You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think." You're belief in me moves me to believe in me. Thank you!
On a personal note, please pray if you think about me. I have been dealing with fear and a general lack of motivation. I've been getting in training, but not as much as I have planned. I want to be faithful in the daily grind when my body or emotions are trying to get me to do otherwise.
Thanks for reading, and Happy Jesus is Risen day!
Over the last twelve weeks I've had lots of time to reflect while biking for fours hours or running for two, and something I've wanted to do is thank some of the people for the impact they have had on my life. In a variety of ways these people inspired me, challenged me, directed me, encouraged me, taught me, waited for me, and so many other things. My deepest thanks to each of you for being part of my journey to IM before any of us knew if I would really do it:
Vivian Churchill-Browne: I remember going on a run with you and several others my first year of Explore. It became clear within seconds I was not going to keep up with the group, but I trudged on hoping I would be able to complete the entire loop before class started. Alas, I realized it was impossible so I turned around. I remember fighting the feelings of embarrassment, anger and shame for not be capable and being left alone. Then out of nowhere you showed back up. You finished the entire loop with the group, then you came back to finish the run with me. It meant the world to me then and it still does today. Thank you for continuing to circle back to me even today!
Kayleen Offringa: The list is long, but two stories stick out to me. The first was running my first 5k with you by my side the entire way and providing conversation and incredible encouragement for me to accomplish something I'd never done before (BTW, I've still not run 5k as fast as I did that day). The other big impact was our walk up the road to Siegel pass that started at 5:30 a.m. On that walk you said, "Samantha, you believe if you can do it anyone else should also be able to. But that's not true because you are stronger than you realize. Not everyone/anyone can do what you can do." Those words echo in my head two years later and remind me I'm strong. You are such a dear friend to me.
Reuben Stratford: You asked me if I'd be interested in helping clear a trail for mountain biking. I told you I didn't know how to mountain bike and that I was not so sure I would do well. Over the next couple years you taught me how to bike, waited for me when I was walking my bike uphill and many other times, made sure I came along anytime I wanted to regardless of whether I would or wouldn't be good at it. Because you gave of your time I gained a confidence that has made me a competent rider and I still ride with your words rattling around in my head "Look at where you want to go, not where you don't want to go; roll through it, don't put your feet down." Thanks!
Tara Hearing: You have an unshakable belief in the abilities of others and over the course of 13 years you have never failed to be the one who believes I can do anything I want to do. The quote you put on the water bottle are the words that stick with me: "Always remember: You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think." You're belief in me moves me to believe in me. Thank you!
On a personal note, please pray if you think about me. I have been dealing with fear and a general lack of motivation. I've been getting in training, but not as much as I have planned. I want to be faithful in the daily grind when my body or emotions are trying to get me to do otherwise.
Thanks for reading, and Happy Jesus is Risen day!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Week 10
I'm part of an online mentor group with 10-12 other people who are training for various types of races. But most of them are triathletes. The other day a guy asked the group "Why do we do this?"
First it might help if I painted you a picture of what 'this' is. Each week I have talked about specific training rides or runs I completed, or I have told you the amount of miles I covered. So today I'll give you a breakdown of my week, day-by-day.
Monday-Friday I work from 7a.m. to 3p.m. A perk of my job is having my meals provided by the facility so I don't have to eat before I get there or pack a lunch. Which means I usually don't wake up until 6:45a.m. I really like that :)
Monday: this is a medium distance bike ride for me. Currently that is 25-30 miles and will take me around 2 hours to complete. After that I will eat some dinner and then watch t.v., read or spend too much time looking at facebook or some other such website.
Tuesday: this is the day I do my long run. Currently 13 miles. By my last big training week I will be running 18 miles on Tuesdays. I'm not a fast runner, and the longer the runs get the harder it is for me to maintain my normal pace. So at 12mph it takes me...a long time. By the time I finish this run I'm usually hungry and head home for food. I'm really into salad these days. I've decided to make myself eat orange peppers so I will learn to like them. They are good on my salad.
Wednesday: Today is a short run and a short swim. Ideally I will get up before work to complete my run, which will be around 2-4 miles. I haven't actually gotten up in the morning to do a run yet, but I keep planning to. Then at 5:30p.m. I head for the gym for a swim class I signed up for. If I didn't get my run done in the morning I have to do it after swim class because I had a meeting right after work that prevented me from running then. Somewhere in between or after all that I eat. Then sleep 8 hours or more if possible.
Thursday: Medium run of 4-6-7 miles. I also have a short bike ride of 15-20 miles to accomplish. Hopefully I did my run in the morning. Another option would be to do something called a brick workout. That's where I intentionally do a back to back training session so my body gets used to going from the bike to a run, since that's how it works on race-day. For biking I usually can maintain a 15mph pace; except when I'm going uphill, then it's more like 8, or 7, or 6mph...hahaha. I also eat and sleep.
Friday: I try to make Friday my swim only day so my legs get some rest. It is my long swim which is averaging between 3500-4000 yards, and yes I get bored swimming lap after lap.This year I've learned the value of drills to break up the distance so I don't go crazy. This workout takes me around two hours. Eating and sleeping are happening at some point.
Saturday: I do my long bike ride on saturday because it takes me a long time to finish it. I'm up to 65 miles this week, which is about 4-4.5 hours. Then I have a medium distance run (6-9 miles). I usually sleep in a bit and I love to drink coffee and eat breakfast sitting in the dining room looking out the window. It's quiet and relaxing.
Sunday: I finish my week with a medium distance swim (2800-3000 yards) and a medium distance bike (25-30 miles). The church service I attend is at 8:30a.m. which get me moving early and I appreciate that.
I don't get a day off. I can't eat whatever I want because I don't have one of 'those' types of metabolisms. I'm not a type A person who loves getting up every day and taking on all the training and then some. I was never an athlete. I don't like getting up in the mornings. I don't like following a schedule or being committed to accomplish something everyday.
So "Why do I do this?"
...stay tuned!
First it might help if I painted you a picture of what 'this' is. Each week I have talked about specific training rides or runs I completed, or I have told you the amount of miles I covered. So today I'll give you a breakdown of my week, day-by-day.
Monday-Friday I work from 7a.m. to 3p.m. A perk of my job is having my meals provided by the facility so I don't have to eat before I get there or pack a lunch. Which means I usually don't wake up until 6:45a.m. I really like that :)
Monday: this is a medium distance bike ride for me. Currently that is 25-30 miles and will take me around 2 hours to complete. After that I will eat some dinner and then watch t.v., read or spend too much time looking at facebook or some other such website.
Tuesday: this is the day I do my long run. Currently 13 miles. By my last big training week I will be running 18 miles on Tuesdays. I'm not a fast runner, and the longer the runs get the harder it is for me to maintain my normal pace. So at 12mph it takes me...a long time. By the time I finish this run I'm usually hungry and head home for food. I'm really into salad these days. I've decided to make myself eat orange peppers so I will learn to like them. They are good on my salad.
Wednesday: Today is a short run and a short swim. Ideally I will get up before work to complete my run, which will be around 2-4 miles. I haven't actually gotten up in the morning to do a run yet, but I keep planning to. Then at 5:30p.m. I head for the gym for a swim class I signed up for. If I didn't get my run done in the morning I have to do it after swim class because I had a meeting right after work that prevented me from running then. Somewhere in between or after all that I eat. Then sleep 8 hours or more if possible.
Thursday: Medium run of 4-6-7 miles. I also have a short bike ride of 15-20 miles to accomplish. Hopefully I did my run in the morning. Another option would be to do something called a brick workout. That's where I intentionally do a back to back training session so my body gets used to going from the bike to a run, since that's how it works on race-day. For biking I usually can maintain a 15mph pace; except when I'm going uphill, then it's more like 8, or 7, or 6mph...hahaha. I also eat and sleep.
Friday: I try to make Friday my swim only day so my legs get some rest. It is my long swim which is averaging between 3500-4000 yards, and yes I get bored swimming lap after lap.This year I've learned the value of drills to break up the distance so I don't go crazy. This workout takes me around two hours. Eating and sleeping are happening at some point.
Saturday: I do my long bike ride on saturday because it takes me a long time to finish it. I'm up to 65 miles this week, which is about 4-4.5 hours. Then I have a medium distance run (6-9 miles). I usually sleep in a bit and I love to drink coffee and eat breakfast sitting in the dining room looking out the window. It's quiet and relaxing.
Sunday: I finish my week with a medium distance swim (2800-3000 yards) and a medium distance bike (25-30 miles). The church service I attend is at 8:30a.m. which get me moving early and I appreciate that.
I don't get a day off. I can't eat whatever I want because I don't have one of 'those' types of metabolisms. I'm not a type A person who loves getting up every day and taking on all the training and then some. I was never an athlete. I don't like getting up in the mornings. I don't like following a schedule or being committed to accomplish something everyday.
So "Why do I do this?"
...stay tuned!
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Week 9
It's been a few weeks since I wrote. So much has happened during the time it's hard to know what to write.
The whole point of this blog is to keep people updated on my training journey to Ironman, but so much more is happening. The short answer is - I'm still training! Whew!
There is always way more to learn in life than I have the capacity for. I find myself often wishing I could see some awesome spiritual parallel between what I'm doing and what God is doing only to feel like I fall short in that area.
Two verses that have been important in my journey:
Hebrews 12:1-2 - since I am surrounded by such a great group of witnesses, run my race with endurance. I must throw off all the things that try to hold me down and back. I must look to Jesus who is my perfector. (my paraphrase)
Romans 5:3 - "...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
You are my great group of witnesses and this is my attempt to run with endurance in demonstration of the work Jesus has done in me. And you can pray for me as I suffer that the character Paul is talking about would be produced in me. (I hesitate to use the word suffer. I want to recognize that I have no idea what it's really like to suffer the way Paul is referring to.) So I say suffer as I laugh to myself because I chose to inflict this on myself...bahahaha.
Here are the totals for mileage-to-date for 2013:
The hardest training session I've had so far was biking 56 miles, which took me 4 hours, on an indoor trainer.
FYI - questions or comments are always welcome!
The whole point of this blog is to keep people updated on my training journey to Ironman, but so much more is happening. The short answer is - I'm still training! Whew!
There is always way more to learn in life than I have the capacity for. I find myself often wishing I could see some awesome spiritual parallel between what I'm doing and what God is doing only to feel like I fall short in that area.
Two verses that have been important in my journey:
Hebrews 12:1-2 - since I am surrounded by such a great group of witnesses, run my race with endurance. I must throw off all the things that try to hold me down and back. I must look to Jesus who is my perfector. (my paraphrase)
Romans 5:3 - "...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
You are my great group of witnesses and this is my attempt to run with endurance in demonstration of the work Jesus has done in me. And you can pray for me as I suffer that the character Paul is talking about would be produced in me. (I hesitate to use the word suffer. I want to recognize that I have no idea what it's really like to suffer the way Paul is referring to.) So I say suffer as I laugh to myself because I chose to inflict this on myself...bahahaha.
Here are the totals for mileage-to-date for 2013:
| 2013 totals | ||
| Bike: | 41h 09m 59s - 583.04 Mi | |
| Run: | 18h 45m 18s - 94.73 Mi | |
| Swim: | 15h 42m 58s - 34350 Yd | |
The hardest training session I've had so far was biking 56 miles, which took me 4 hours, on an indoor trainer.
FYI - questions or comments are always welcome!
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Week 5
Wrestling -
Balance is what I yearn for these days. A sense that everything is okay; a sense of knowing my life is in balance regardless of what I feel or the lens I see life through.
So I work and I train. I'm so thankful for my journey to IMCDA. I guess I have to admit the timing is perfect. I have a goal I am committed to following through on, which is quite rare for me. Setting goals and achieving them, when commitment is required and there is no reason to do it other than my own desire, is not something I am notoriously good at. For some reason I can't explain - I want this. Some days I want it more than others, but I have a drive to complete this goal. I often find myself day dreaming about race day. I picture standing at the starting line in the crisp morning air. I feel the cold water on my feet and the anticipation builds in my every fiber. The excitement of the crowd and the other athletes rubs off on me. I see myself coming out of the water at 2.4miles with a victory smile on my face and I run to transition. I feel excitement as I transition to the bike portion. I feel the wind blowing and it's cold because I'm wet and the cold lake penetrated my core. But the crowd is so encouraging. Every one I pass is cheering for me though they don't know who I am, but that's okay. How many people have I cheered for during IM and it didn't matter that I didn't know them. I was so proud of what they were accomplishing. As I press on pushing my bike and my body I picture myself out there alone with my thoughts. I hear myself saying how awesome it is to finally be accomplishing this goal. I also feel my body start to respond to the effort of covering all the miles and all the hills. I know tiredness is coming. I see myself getting close to transition and I look forward to getting off my bike and starting the run. For a reason I can't explain I love the thought of running after biking 112 miles; not because it will be easy, but for some reason it feels right. That just what happens in a triathlon. Part of what I love about triathlon is doing three very different things and I look forward to the point in the race where I get to change what I'm doing. The run is probably the part I look forward to the least. I've heard from so many people that the real challenge comes on the run - the real mental battle. Where I will have no more physical strength to keep me going and I will have to fight to keep taking steps forward. I don't look forward to that and when I am daydreaming I find myself fighting off the image of quitting at some point on the run because it gets too hard. But that is a battle I face everyday in my life. Will I keep going or will I quit cause it's hard. Then I move on in my daydream to the grand finale. The final stretch down Sherman Ave. where an epic crowd awaits all who cross the finish line and Mike Reilly (IM Announcer) will be waiting to say "Samantha Purcell, you are an Ironman". When I think about that moment tears fill my eyes nearly every time. Just like tears filled my eyes the first time I watched others cross that finish line.
My daydream keeps me moving forward and making the daily choice to swim, bike and run. I want to cross that finish line. I will cross that finish line!
What am I learning? I don't really know yet. Except how to go in a straight line for a very long time :)
This was the first week of my second build phase. My arms are complaining about the amount of swimming and my legs decided to have a small temper tantrum after my long run, but overall it was a successful week. I missed two runs, but completed all scheduled bikes and swims.
Weekly totals:
Until next time!
verb (used without object) to contend, as in a struggle for mastery; grapple: to wrestle with one's conscience. (Dictionary.com)
Thoughts crowd my brain. Questions. More questions than answers. Constant wrestling.
Balance -
noun: mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc.
Balance is what I yearn for these days. A sense that everything is okay; a sense of knowing my life is in balance regardless of what I feel or the lens I see life through.
So I work and I train. I'm so thankful for my journey to IMCDA. I guess I have to admit the timing is perfect. I have a goal I am committed to following through on, which is quite rare for me. Setting goals and achieving them, when commitment is required and there is no reason to do it other than my own desire, is not something I am notoriously good at. For some reason I can't explain - I want this. Some days I want it more than others, but I have a drive to complete this goal. I often find myself day dreaming about race day. I picture standing at the starting line in the crisp morning air. I feel the cold water on my feet and the anticipation builds in my every fiber. The excitement of the crowd and the other athletes rubs off on me. I see myself coming out of the water at 2.4miles with a victory smile on my face and I run to transition. I feel excitement as I transition to the bike portion. I feel the wind blowing and it's cold because I'm wet and the cold lake penetrated my core. But the crowd is so encouraging. Every one I pass is cheering for me though they don't know who I am, but that's okay. How many people have I cheered for during IM and it didn't matter that I didn't know them. I was so proud of what they were accomplishing. As I press on pushing my bike and my body I picture myself out there alone with my thoughts. I hear myself saying how awesome it is to finally be accomplishing this goal. I also feel my body start to respond to the effort of covering all the miles and all the hills. I know tiredness is coming. I see myself getting close to transition and I look forward to getting off my bike and starting the run. For a reason I can't explain I love the thought of running after biking 112 miles; not because it will be easy, but for some reason it feels right. That just what happens in a triathlon. Part of what I love about triathlon is doing three very different things and I look forward to the point in the race where I get to change what I'm doing. The run is probably the part I look forward to the least. I've heard from so many people that the real challenge comes on the run - the real mental battle. Where I will have no more physical strength to keep me going and I will have to fight to keep taking steps forward. I don't look forward to that and when I am daydreaming I find myself fighting off the image of quitting at some point on the run because it gets too hard. But that is a battle I face everyday in my life. Will I keep going or will I quit cause it's hard. Then I move on in my daydream to the grand finale. The final stretch down Sherman Ave. where an epic crowd awaits all who cross the finish line and Mike Reilly (IM Announcer) will be waiting to say "Samantha Purcell, you are an Ironman". When I think about that moment tears fill my eyes nearly every time. Just like tears filled my eyes the first time I watched others cross that finish line.
My daydream keeps me moving forward and making the daily choice to swim, bike and run. I want to cross that finish line. I will cross that finish line!
What am I learning? I don't really know yet. Except how to go in a straight line for a very long time :)
This was the first week of my second build phase. My arms are complaining about the amount of swimming and my legs decided to have a small temper tantrum after my long run, but overall it was a successful week. I missed two runs, but completed all scheduled bikes and swims.
Weekly totals:
S:
7250.00 Yd
3h 16m 52s
B: 75.50 Mi
5h 23m 30s
R:
14.00 Mi
2h 47m 55s
Until next time!
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Week 3
Hello again my friends!
I've been asking myself for the past week how often I plan to update this blog. When I started I figured it would be a weekly thing, then I missed a week and was left without an answer to my own question. My goal is weekly, fyi, but reality is, clearly, that may not always happen.
Did I accomplish every training session I had planned over the last two weeks? No. Did I spend more time doing things that were not necessarily getting me closer to my goal? Yes. Is this normal in my life? Yes. I've been pondering this reality since I can remember. The training life highlights this question for me because I believe there is significant value in having a balanced life, but I don't really know how one goes about accomplishing that. What I have realized is how imperfect life really is and how I will consistently face peaks and valleys in training and in life. Why is this perspective so important to me? Without it I would quit. My sinful nature screams at me to quit, to give up, to throw in the towel and walk away from all of it. The 'old man' in me still fights for life. Right now I don't understand so much of my life and relationship with God, but I know every day is new. Maybe I don't have the strength to face this day, but tomorrow comes with new mercies and joy. If I'm going to be successful I must take it one day at a time.
Highlights from training:
Ran 6 miles at 10:55/mile - very fast for me over that distance!
Found a swimming coach and learned what to work on to improve my swimming technique/speed.
Distance for week 3
I've been asking myself for the past week how often I plan to update this blog. When I started I figured it would be a weekly thing, then I missed a week and was left without an answer to my own question. My goal is weekly, fyi, but reality is, clearly, that may not always happen.
Did I accomplish every training session I had planned over the last two weeks? No. Did I spend more time doing things that were not necessarily getting me closer to my goal? Yes. Is this normal in my life? Yes. I've been pondering this reality since I can remember. The training life highlights this question for me because I believe there is significant value in having a balanced life, but I don't really know how one goes about accomplishing that. What I have realized is how imperfect life really is and how I will consistently face peaks and valleys in training and in life. Why is this perspective so important to me? Without it I would quit. My sinful nature screams at me to quit, to give up, to throw in the towel and walk away from all of it. The 'old man' in me still fights for life. Right now I don't understand so much of my life and relationship with God, but I know every day is new. Maybe I don't have the strength to face this day, but tomorrow comes with new mercies and joy. If I'm going to be successful I must take it one day at a time.
Highlights from training:
Ran 6 miles at 10:55/mile - very fast for me over that distance!
Found a swimming coach and learned what to work on to improve my swimming technique/speed.
Distance for week 3
S:
5200.00 Yd
2h 02m
B:
60.00 Mi
4h 11m 36s
R:
6.13 Mi
1h 07m
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Now that introductions are over I will start with some details.
January 7th, 2013 was the official 6 month kick-off of my training for IMCDA. My training repertoire will consist of 3 swims per week, 4 bikes per week and 5 runs per week. Something I didn't anticipate, since I've never done this before, is that 6 months means starting out with low miles and building up, which seemed obvious after I thought about it; however, I was not anticipating 1.5 mile runs or 6 mile bikes. You will not hear me complain about this!
The way a training plan works: I will increase my mileage every week for three weeks, then week four is a recovery week. Mileage increases over 6 months at approximately 10%/week. After I set up my 6 month plan I took a look at the last big month; the month where my mileage will reach its peak in all three disciplines. I have to be honest, I'm pretty intimidated. Biking alone for that month is 815 miles. There will be days I will spend 8 hours on my bike, or 4 hours running or 2 hours swimming. What I look forward to is seeing the progression in my ability to accomplish this mileage. Training is all about the daily accomplishments that bring me to the place where I can cover serious distance. It's something I love about what I do.
My first week will wrap up today when I finally get the gumption to run 2.5 miles. I'm also scheduled for a long swim 2700 yards, but I putting that off this week. Why am I choosing to do that? Good question. Putting off long workouts is a bad plan. My 2.5 year online triathlon mentor, Steve, says never miss a long workout and I work hard to follow his sound advice. But on Wednesday of this last week I was introduced to a swimming coach named Chris. It turns out he coaches people specifically on swimming technique, which happens to be the type of coaching I have been looking for the last couple years. So I decided to put off today's swim in lieu of learning proper technique starting this coming Wednesday.
Today I was reading a book called "10-Minute Toughness" by Jason Selk and the lesson was all about self-talk. The author was highlighting the difference he saw in athletes who spent their time having negative thoughts vs. positive thoughts. He asks the reader to come up with a 'Performance Statement', which is a quick one or two sentence saying that can be repeated to help direct your thoughts in a positive direction. It made me think of pointing positive or when scripture says to renew your mind. Basically it's all the same. It made me think back to my Half-Ironman in September. I had just finished the bike portion and was heading out on the run. Vivian, my dear friend, yells to me "You are a runner; this is what you do!" We had talked about it earlier and I had mentioned to her that saying those words to myself has been helpful to me in my training, so when she remembered and yelled it out to me I was filled with peace. I knew I was going to make it. I was ready for this because I had trained for it. So my 'Performance Statement' is "This is what I do! I swim! I bike! I run! We (being my body) are trained for this!"
This is long winded and random. I hope to get better at sharing highlights and having continuity as I continue writing, but as I said before I'm not hoping to write an amazing blog. Just sharing the journey with friends.
The Lord bless you and keep you!
Current week actual distances:
Upcoming week planned distances:
January 7th, 2013 was the official 6 month kick-off of my training for IMCDA. My training repertoire will consist of 3 swims per week, 4 bikes per week and 5 runs per week. Something I didn't anticipate, since I've never done this before, is that 6 months means starting out with low miles and building up, which seemed obvious after I thought about it; however, I was not anticipating 1.5 mile runs or 6 mile bikes. You will not hear me complain about this!
The way a training plan works: I will increase my mileage every week for three weeks, then week four is a recovery week. Mileage increases over 6 months at approximately 10%/week. After I set up my 6 month plan I took a look at the last big month; the month where my mileage will reach its peak in all three disciplines. I have to be honest, I'm pretty intimidated. Biking alone for that month is 815 miles. There will be days I will spend 8 hours on my bike, or 4 hours running or 2 hours swimming. What I look forward to is seeing the progression in my ability to accomplish this mileage. Training is all about the daily accomplishments that bring me to the place where I can cover serious distance. It's something I love about what I do.
My first week will wrap up today when I finally get the gumption to run 2.5 miles. I'm also scheduled for a long swim 2700 yards, but I putting that off this week. Why am I choosing to do that? Good question. Putting off long workouts is a bad plan. My 2.5 year online triathlon mentor, Steve, says never miss a long workout and I work hard to follow his sound advice. But on Wednesday of this last week I was introduced to a swimming coach named Chris. It turns out he coaches people specifically on swimming technique, which happens to be the type of coaching I have been looking for the last couple years. So I decided to put off today's swim in lieu of learning proper technique starting this coming Wednesday.
Today I was reading a book called "10-Minute Toughness" by Jason Selk and the lesson was all about self-talk. The author was highlighting the difference he saw in athletes who spent their time having negative thoughts vs. positive thoughts. He asks the reader to come up with a 'Performance Statement', which is a quick one or two sentence saying that can be repeated to help direct your thoughts in a positive direction. It made me think of pointing positive or when scripture says to renew your mind. Basically it's all the same. It made me think back to my Half-Ironman in September. I had just finished the bike portion and was heading out on the run. Vivian, my dear friend, yells to me "You are a runner; this is what you do!" We had talked about it earlier and I had mentioned to her that saying those words to myself has been helpful to me in my training, so when she remembered and yelled it out to me I was filled with peace. I knew I was going to make it. I was ready for this because I had trained for it. So my 'Performance Statement' is "This is what I do! I swim! I bike! I run! We (being my body) are trained for this!"
This is long winded and random. I hope to get better at sharing highlights and having continuity as I continue writing, but as I said before I'm not hoping to write an amazing blog. Just sharing the journey with friends.
The Lord bless you and keep you!
Current week actual distances:
S:
3600.00 Yd
1h 35m 25s
B:
51.37 Mi
3h 35m 26s
R:
7.80 Mi
58m 08s
Upcoming week planned distances:
S:
6900.00 Yd
2h 31m
B:
67.30 Mi
4h 30m
R:
12.40 Mi
2h 31m
In 2006 I was sitting next to my friend, Tim, watching athletes cross the finish line at the Coeur D Alene, Idaho Ironman (IMCDA), when he leans over to me and asks "Doesn't this make you want to do one?" The only response I had was, "yes!" I didn't know why I said yes; other than watching the athletes brought tears to my eyes because I was in awe at the discipline I knew these people had in order to accomplish such a goal. At the time saying yes was more of an emotional reaction than me actually believing I wanted to do such a thing. Who really ever says "I want to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, then run a marathon (26.2 miles) in 17 hours or less?" (More people than I would have thought.)
It's been seven years since I said a very emotional "yes", and let me tell you something important...be careful what you say yes too..ha!
Since that day God began changing me. As I reflect back I see His work, his gentle leading and guiding. The people He placed in my life who would provide me with the encouragement, coaching, and challenge I would need. God took me at my word -- and when I said that very emotionally charged "yes!" He heard the deeper cry of my heart. The cry to be a person who chose to be disciplined; to not be the sloth or glutton Proverbs talks so much about. The conviction to be the new me, in Christ, was already in my heart; He had prepared me. He was now providing me with the tools to fulfill the desire in my heart - to train and participate in IMCDA.
The date is now set for June 23, 2013, and the purpose of this blog is to share with you the final six months leading up to the big day. I don't intend to write the most amazing blog with all the bells and whistles, but I do plan to tell you about my training, my thoughts, the challenges/successes, what I am learning, memories relating to this journey that pop into my mind and, most importantly, I want to show Jesus working in my life. I know my journey would have ended before it began if I weren't being perfected and made new through my relationship with Him.
I hope you enjoy sharing this journey with me as I enjoy sharing it with you.
Here are a couple youtube videos to check out:
This is a video of the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wZFo10F_Cs
This one is 30 minutes long, but I know several of the people in the video. Derek Garcia taught a swimming class I took - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgzM5wVErb0&list=PL20BC1CE57ED6ED71
It's been seven years since I said a very emotional "yes", and let me tell you something important...be careful what you say yes too..ha!
Since that day God began changing me. As I reflect back I see His work, his gentle leading and guiding. The people He placed in my life who would provide me with the encouragement, coaching, and challenge I would need. God took me at my word -- and when I said that very emotionally charged "yes!" He heard the deeper cry of my heart. The cry to be a person who chose to be disciplined; to not be the sloth or glutton Proverbs talks so much about. The conviction to be the new me, in Christ, was already in my heart; He had prepared me. He was now providing me with the tools to fulfill the desire in my heart - to train and participate in IMCDA.
The date is now set for June 23, 2013, and the purpose of this blog is to share with you the final six months leading up to the big day. I don't intend to write the most amazing blog with all the bells and whistles, but I do plan to tell you about my training, my thoughts, the challenges/successes, what I am learning, memories relating to this journey that pop into my mind and, most importantly, I want to show Jesus working in my life. I know my journey would have ended before it began if I weren't being perfected and made new through my relationship with Him.
I hope you enjoy sharing this journey with me as I enjoy sharing it with you.
Here are a couple youtube videos to check out:
This is a video of the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wZFo10F_Cs
This one is 30 minutes long, but I know several of the people in the video. Derek Garcia taught a swimming class I took - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgzM5wVErb0&list=PL20BC1CE57ED6ED71
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