foto friday - footprints

For runners, it all starts with our feet hitting the ground first (with any luck) and everything else follows. By blogging about your adventures, it's like you're sharing your path with us, we follow your footprints.

If you've been reading running/tri/cycling blogs for awhile now, surely you've been inspired and/or motivated by various posts and bloggers. Perhaps someone opened your eyes to something new, or gave you something to think about.

Has someone left their footprint with you, their mark, something powerful that you'll always remember or cherish?

I'd love to hear about those moments... comments, stories, posts or bloggers that have left an impression on you. In future posts, I'll try to share some of the stories with everyone, because there always comes a time when we need to be inspired.

Thought I'd share my footprint with you... I took this picture while on vacation last year... it reminds me of one of those mind-trick pictures. Notice that it looks like my foot is raised? Coming up out of the sand? I only saw it when I uploaded the picture to the computer. Weird eh?

If you want to participate in Nikemom's Foto Friday, head on over to her blog so she can link you up! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

wonders of tri

I'm realizing that triathlon is an amazing sport.

With 3 disciplines, it's amazing how they all affect each other! Seems that we each have our favorite, a weakness, a strength. I love it! We're all vulnerable at some point, and confident at another.

In our group, I've seen swimmers that can swim till they're told to stop, constant laps, but are weaker on the bike.

I don't yet have my endurance in the water, but can swim faster than others in short bursts, feel strong on the bike, but running is my struggle, my weakness.

Others run fast and strong, but are weak in the water. Keep in mind, these are all relative, we're all new, and learning. If I was in a regular field of triathletes, I'd be slow in all 3!!

With a group of over 40 people, it's outstanding to see how different we all really are. During a discussion last night after our ride, we commented on how no one really had the complete package -- no one really stands out as being good at everything. While this is an individual sport, the support and encouragement you get from those around you, giving you that extra push, when all you're trying to do is keep up with someone stronger than you, is unbeatable!

I initially joined this clinic in June to accomplish a few things. I wanted to learn how to change a tire, get more comfortable in the water, and make sure that my swim stroke wasn't totally horrible, making sure effort matched productivity. I also wanted the social aspect for a ride, having others to ride with, going longer distances without worrying about venturing too far alone, in the event that I'd have a mechanical issue and need help.

I recently found out that this group starts getting together in April, or when the weather is conducive to a ride, and continues after the triathlon clinic until snowfall or it's too cold. In a little over a month with this clinic, and less than a month to go before our goal triathlon, I've gotten everything out of it that I had hoped, and a lot more! The people are awesome, the sport is amazing, my confidence has boosted, I've learned a lot, and hell, I've even worn a wetsuit! Who woulda thought!

A few of us went out for a bite to eat after our ride last night, and I said something aloud that kinda shocked me, and may some of you as well. It's something that has been in my mind for a while now, but there's something about speaking the words, especially to others that make it more real.

One of the group members brought out a friend last night, a Boston marathoner, who was asking me questions about my running history, why running, and now why triathlon. As I was responding to his questions, I explained how I started running in May 2007 as something to do to shed a few pounds. As training continued, distances increased, my motivation and end goal was the elusive marathon. It was the dangling carrot. The pie in the sky.

Well, 2 years after I started running, marathon day came and went, and while I have a 'marathon story', it wasn't with the ending I had hoped, and at the end of that day I couldn't say that I 'became a marathoner'. I talked about my recovery, which lead me to triathlon, and how my goal has been a moving target.

Marathon, which at one point was my focus; what I thought I had to do (not because of pressure from anyone or anything, it just seemed like the natural progression and thought it was something I needed to validate myself as a runner) is less important to me now. If it happens, if my training allows me to build to that distance again without recurring injuries, then bonus. If not, running has certainly been a stepping stone to bigger and better things (for me) and opened my eyes to new challenges. Let's see where this goes! :)

Things I learned today...

• Mother Nature seems to insist on resistance training (wind) for our group ride on Tuesdays, and often threatens rain. Today, however, she delivered.
• Sunshine doesn't guarantee no rain
• Straightening my hair is pretty useless if humid and rainy -- i looked like a drowned rat after the ride
• drafting on the rear wheel of another rider is great -- EXCEPT when it's pouring rain. You will get the spray coming off the rider in front of you.
• Also, keep mouth closed -- especially if chewing gum, so that the spray doesn't make your gum gritty
• Rain and sweat sting the eyes; it sucks when you have contacts in
• Wet roads, slick tires, cornering too fast with an oncoming tractor is a perfect recipe for a spill. Thankfully, it wasn't me, and the other rider is ok. Sore thumb, and a bit of road rash on his knee and elbow
• Really big rain drops and possibly small hail make a really distinct sound as it bounces off your helmet
• Slick tires + wet pavement + sloped road + potholes + rain = white knuckles while holding on tight!
• I think drivers purposely search out large puddles to splash you as they driving by. When you're already wet, who cares.
• White socks won't always stay white
• Wet cycling shoes feel like wet running shoes. Heavy and squishy.
• Post ride coffee has never tasted better!

By the tone of most of this post, you might think I'm whining or complaining... I'm not. It's amazing how a run or ride in the rain can make you feel like a kid again! :D As long as you're careful.

Tomorrow will be a run and a swim!

where did that 'wind' come from?

Nope. Not talking about a headwind or a tailwind, or even someone letting out some wind. Saturday night after dinner with friends, we came home and saw a bunch of our neighbors outside, who invited us over. This was at about 10pm, where we stayed and enjoyed a few way too many drinks. When they realized the cooler was empty, we noticed that it was 3:15am. Until I started being this active, this wouldn't be an issue because I'd be using the morning to sleep in recover. An early morning ride or run no longer allows that time, especially when you factor in time to get my stuff ready and drive 30 minutes away to where we meet!

Same hilly route as the week before, same group of boys that I normally rode with, but I felt like I was in a different body. I was sluggish, slow, powerless, yet my effort felt much greater. I was certainly feeling the effects of poor fueling the day prior, alcohol and lack of sleep. I had picked up a pack of Gu Chomps a few weeks ago, the first time I saw sold up here, this would also be my first time trying them. Whether psychological or not; so badly wanting to feel better, I finally recognized some of "me" coming back, got past the worst of the hills, flat stretch before a scenic hilly tour of the lake. We stopped for a few minutes to wait for another group to catch up at which time I took off my long sleeve layer from under my jersey; I was overheating a bit, which wasn't helping with the crappy feeling.

Not sure what contributed to my second wind or where it came from, but the ride back was awesome, and ironically, it turned out to be my fastest ride yet!

Back at the store, switched up my shoes, gloves off, took off for a 2k run. Got about 15 strides in, and realized I still had my helmet on... ugh. Turn around, helmet off, laughed with the others that noticed at the same time I did. Gotta remember that. LOL The run was better than the week before, but it's still a struggle for me... more on that in another post.

As I was at my car packing up the bike and putting things away, one of the clinic instructors come up and asked me how it was. I let him know that it was tough, I had to dig deep, but got it done. When I mentioned my concern about the run, he said I looked good starting the run (where I had crossed paths with him as he was coming back from a shorter ride...) and said that I'm kickin' ass on the bike! One of the other guys came up and said that he was thankful for traffic lights and stop signs so he could could catch up. Tee hee. Hopefully my bike can help me make up some time that I will inevitably lose while on the run... but realistically, time is irrelevant to me. If I finish 'later that same day' I'll be happy.

After an extremely frustrating day, I hit the pool for a 2k swim tonight to burn off some negative energy, I'm now ready for bed to wake up for a 'fresh tomorrow'. Good night.

can i consider myself a 'mock triathlete?'

Alternate titles options are: Exploring Ontario, Why the Hell Can't I Breathe, Where are the Walls?, Where are the lines?, Holy Crap I did it!

Woke up this morning before 6am, anxious but ready. Thankfully I had packed everything up last night - it's unbelievable how much there to think about and remember to bring! All I had to do before leaving the house was eat, have my cup of coffee, and make sure to empty the bladder as much as possible. Sports bra on, followed by the tri suit, crap, forgot the heart rate monitor, tri suit half off, heart rate monitor on, tri suit back on. Ready to go.

I hate being late for anything. I'd rather leave early to give time to any adventures, including but not limited to getting lost at the airport lol. Windows open, music playing loud enough to keep me awake on an otherwise dreary looking morning, foggy and misty, wondering what I'd do when I got to the water, waiting on everyone as I'd be super early... again. Then nothing but red brake lights. Damn. After crawling along for what seemed an eternity, I changed the radio to the news, weather, traffic station, and was alerted about this fatal accident. Seeing the tractor trailer still perfectly balancing on the guardrail several hours after the crash, and the mangled car gave me chills as I drove by. So sad, and the victim so young. I finally got to the beach to find that only a few of us had made it on time, most were probably stuck in the traffic from the accident too.

I was happy to see others had brought wetsuits too, so we settled at a picnic table to get started with getting them on, evoking quite a few laughs among us. We then realized that we had an audience... a bunch of people, sitting in their cars, likely waiting for friends or groups, entertained by watching us wiggle our way into the neoprene tightness.

We then set up our transition areas, and into the water we went. It wasn't long before I realized that I made the right choice about renting the wetsuit... while not as weedy as I expected, thankfully, the water was cold! (uhhh, global warming? really? Obviously not here...)

Told to do a warmup until everyone was in the water, 150m to the lifeguard tower and back... this may be where the panic set in. I'm now horizontal, starting my swimming stroke, face in the water, goggles on, eyes are open; I can't see the bottom and there are no pool floor lines to follow, no walls to reach for. It was also at this moment that I realized why we did those sighting drills in the pool as I found myself going diagonal a few times. :/

Warm up over, we were instructed to swim to the end of the markers, 400m, a little longer than our race distance. Not sure if it's because I wasn't relaxed like I normally am in the pool, but my breathing was way off. I'm used to the bilateral breathing with every 3 strokes, but soon it was just about continuing to breath and staying afloat, fighting to relax. I flipped onto my back to do the backstroke a few times, and stood for a brief moment to fix my goggles, but I made it.

We grouped and chatted for a few minutes, and soon I was comforted knowing that everything I felt, even the slight dizziness as I went from swimming to standing, everyone else was too. Round two, swim back to the start; a much better swim this time. I only flipped onto my back once, and didn't stand or stop at all! Once I realized I was running out of the water, I lit up knowing that it was time to run to transition, the swim was done, and time to get onto my bike... once the wetsuit is off (which is a lot easier than getting it on)!

Felt strong on the bike, only riding a few short kilometers until the bike trail ended and back, dismounted, running shoes on, short run out 'n back. One of the clinic instructors was there taking pictures of us like the paparazzi coming across the mock finish line, now feeling like a mock triathlete!

To think that I was on crutches and not even able to get to my kitchen without pain 2 months ago, I'm so incredibly proud and feeling amazing right now. :D

Getting back home was an even bigger challenge because the highway was still closed, and I was in an unfamiliar area. Thankfully I had the map application on my iPhone, so I was able to get onto an alternate route. A few wrong turns, a road closed sign, and another detour, I finally knew where I was to get home.

******************

While I didn't reach the 77 comments... it was still fun to read everyone's comments. Shazza offered a deal of posting a pic of her when she gets her wetsuit (gonna hold you to that!!), Leana and Velma reminded me that they have already posted their wetsuit pics, and Stuart reminded me of his before/after pics for P90X sans shirt... so fine, here's mine.

Thursday, Terron came with me to pick up the wetsuit and had a good laugh. He was actually the one that asked if I'd be posting a picture on my blog... so asked me a few times throughout the day to put it back on so he could take the pics. Most came out a little blurry from him moving the camera, lol, but this is one of the better ones. Yes, my hair is a mess, it's a workout to put it on!!

(He insisted on taking the pic with my bike.) One of the girls this morning snapped a pic of me in the wetsuit and swim cap while setting up my transition, and am sure that since she "surprised me" taking the pic, it won't be a good one, so we'll stick with this one.

There. I did it. I did a mock tri today, and posted a pic I never thought I would. LOL

Now I'm sitting down being inspired by the Kona Ironman on tv. Have a great weekend. :)

ohhh, you may be sorry.

so Marlene secretly wished that her 205 would just die already so that she could get a new one, which it did later that day... and now you're requesting pics of me in the wetsuit!?!

Now, I could go ahead and make this easy and just post a picture... (I have the wetsuit, but no picture yet... I think my limit of putting one on is once/day, and today is supposed to be my rest day lol) but that wouldn't be any fun for me!

Let's be clear. I'm not in a complete "happy place" when it comes to my body... but it was nice to get an unexpected compliment while I was pretty vulnerable. There are certainly things I'd change on myself if I had a magic wand, but I've learned to be happy in my own skin. I am who I am, and have to deal with the genetics handed down to me.

So I'll start a petition of my own... and calling out any of the lurkers out there too! Knowing my personality, I can't even believe I'm contemplating this to be honest with you guys... but knowing that I won't see most of you face to face may help lol. I will post a picture of me in the wetsuit IF I reach 77 comments on this post by the time I'm back from my open water swim on Saturday.

Yes, I'm born in 1977, 77 is a fun number, it's a reminder to me that I need to respond to Run To Finish's Seven tag, and it's a high enough number that it may or may not be reached. But knowing all of you bloggers, I know that when you set your mind to things, you get it done. Gah! Any form of flattery or convincing will certainly help with my comfort level... LOL.

So there you have it... but consider yourselves warned, be careful what you wish for! :D With any luck, my next post will be Saturday, if I return safely from my open water swim, with or without a pic lol.

In the meantime, good luck to any Lake Placid Ironman participants, wow! Also, San Francisco Marathon runners, good luck!! I'll be in SF for the Nike Women's HM in 84 sleeps! (more on that in another post soon...) Can't wait!!

Not what I expected to hear!

After everyone's comments about either loving or hating the wetsuit, our unseasonably cooler summer (more than likely colder water temps), and rain in the forecast for Saturday's first open water swim, I decided to rent a wetsuit to try it out. What if I'm like those that can't stand it, I don't want to find out on race day!

Jay came with me to the running store on Sunday to check out what they had and figure it all out. Based on my height and weight (yes, I had to publicly disclose this information to not one employee, but two, and they wrote it down on paper!!) only one of the two options was available to try on. So I did. Jay stood directly outside of the change-room, and laughed as he overheard me trying to pull on the tightest article of clothing I will probably ever squeeze into. Even I had to laugh! Once done, I felt like I had done a proper workout.... after doing that, now I'd need to do a triathlon!?

I wasn't going to come out from behind the safety of the cloth curtain, but figured it would be better to show the store employee to ensure a proper fit. Deep breath, slide the curtain to one side, and Jay says, 'wow, you look great!' Ummm, I'm in a wetsuit, and it's tight, wtf are you looking at??! I then caught my own reflection in a mirror and noticed that my thighs didn't jiggle as I walk (cuz they can't!), and my stomach, it was flatter (yes, it also had nowhere to go!)! Hmmm! Jay commented that if he could walk around in a wetsuit everywhere to achieve a flatter side profile and not be laughed at, he totally would!

The employee however said that the forearms were too loose, as well as the neck area, but being that this was a unisex suit, he wasn't too surprised. The other of the two options is a women's cut, so he preferred that I try that one on, which I'll go do today. Never thought I'd be willingly getting myself into a wetsuit, knowing I'd be wearing it in front of complete strangers. lol. This triathlon stuff must either be messing with my head, or perhaps giving me a bit of confidence that I've never had!

Monday was a short 3k run, finally finding a pace that I wasn't totally disappointed with, followed by a swim. Tuesday was a 30k group ride (rode easy for the first half, opened up for the second half) during the threat of rain, thankfully it didn't deliver anything more than a drizzle. Wednesday was the first time running hills since my injury, 2k warm up and 3 hills was the plan, but I only ran 2 hills, not wanting to overdo it -- even though there was no pain.

I've been trying to break in a new pair of shoes to rotate in with my favorite pair that are getting close to retirement. Despite slathering my feet with Body Glide, and using my double-layer Wright socks, I still managed to get a blister on my left heel! Ugh. While stretching I noticed that my leg was slightly tender near the site of my "supposed" stress fracture ("supposed" because I never bothered to redo the bone scan, MRI isn't until Sept 30th -- so never really got a confirmation if it was muscle or bone), even though we treated it a stress fracture. Today, nothing. No pain. At all.

For those of you who have read my blog for a while, know my susceptibility to injury, and worry that I'm 'doing too much too soon' with running, let me put your mind at ease, and put it into perspective. Since June 26th, the day I got the go-ahead to run, I've run 29.97k. TOTAL!! In almost a month! I've run more than that at one time! My approach has been measured and with caution.

Off to the pool after our run last night, and I did the distance of the Try-a-Tri swim in a consistent set! YAY! Now I know it can be done... by me! :) Now I'm really looking forward to Saturday's open water swim!

Once I finish the cross-training of trying on a few wetsuits, today will be a rest day. ahhhh

I know this was a long post, if you made it this far, thanks for sticking with me... see what happens when I'm too busy to post for a few days! :D

Remind me...

Remind me that I'm recovering from injury.

Remind me not to apologize for what I might consider insignificant... thanks Glaven.

Remind me that I'm putting my body through more of a physical challenge than ever before.

Remind me that my mind is also along for the ride.

Remind me that there was an 'old me' that wouldn't have the courage to try any of what I'm doing.

Remind me that things have a way of coming together.

Remind me not to expect things to be easy.

Remind me that speed isn't the only determining factor of greatness; effort, perseverance, determination all count for something.

Remind me that pushing my limits is good... but they are my limits. If everyone had equal abilities, the world would be a boring place.

Remind me that the cross-training is better for my body and great for my mind.

Remind me that there are days we feel powerful, others powerless.

Remind me that goals are individual.

Remind me that the whole world isn't watching and judging.

Remind me that we all start somewhere.

Remind me that the life I now life is a bonus.

Ego

We all know one, right? Someone who may or may not have money, but has the best of everything. (Jay admired both his car and bike when he joined me on a group ride a few weeks ago.) Likes to show off, has to be first, is super competitive when no one else is competing. Meet who Jay and I affectionately refer to as Mr. P(enis). (oyyy, wonder what kind of hits I'll get on with this post!!) Had never really spoken to him much other than a polite nod and smile if we bumped into each other in the group, but he just perspires over-confidence and ego.2 weeks ago was my first longish, hilly ride, and I happened to be feeling particularly strong that day. By the turn around point, I had caught up to the lead pack. Obviously, he was a little surprised that I was there. "oh hi, I don't even know your name, never seen you up here with the boys". Unamused, we exchanged introductions. Now a little distracted, I moved ahead of him, and stayed there for a bit -- until his ego kicked in, where he charged ahead, and said "... can't let a girl do all the work for too long." He tired quickly though each time he did this, so the rest of the ride back was a game of cat and mouse. After the brick run, still on his heels, he high-fived me on a great ride. Jay and I had a good laugh at the dialogue on the way home.

Noticed he's like that with anyone that passes him, male or female, seems to burn him up. It's funny to watch.

Wednesday night's group swim in the pool, we were doing drills. During a 250 meter continuous set, Mr. P(enis) was standing in the deep end of the next lane over (yes, it's that shallow), and says "You're making it look easy Mel..." A little surprised that he'd offer little 'ol me a compliment, I thanked him, but let him know that it was a first for me, and I was feeling it! It wasn't easy. I'm pretty sure I had smiled until my set was finished, giggling to myself that must have proven "worthy" of his compliments rather than smug, egotistical comments (I was never offended, btw, it provided me with some entertainment lol). It was nice to see that he had a human side after all.

As the group gathered this morning for a repeat of the same hilly route from a few weeks ago with an extension, he found me in the pack, and said "see you up there with the boys today?"

I replied back saying it wouldn't be fair for the boys to do all the work..."

We chucked, and had a great ride.

Have a great week everyone!

One turned into two... boo

Seemed easier to fit in a rest day when it was all about running. My legs told me I needed one. I now find that I have to force myself to be a little more conscious to ensure adequate recovery, as my body isn't feeling the effects of constant pounding. Typically, I've been doing the following:

Monday - Swim

Tuesday - Bike

Wednesday - Run & Swim

Thursday - Rest

Friday - Run

Saturday - Clinic (activities change weekly) & occasional swim

Sunday - Bike & Run Brick

With travel for the funeral, busyness for work, and having Terron home during the day, I've let the TriPower workouts slip a bit in the last 2 weeks, but plan to get back on track with that next week.

Thursday I was sad that it was my rest day, I really wanted to 'do something' but thought better of it, knowing that I needed the rest. I went to the hospital to see my friend and her newly born baby after going out for coffee with a good friend that I haven't seen for a while -- a very pleasant distraction.

After work yesterday, I ran out to do a few errands, and once back, jokingly said to Jay that I was going upstairs for a nap instead of getting started on laundry. It was 5pm, I crashed hard, and woke up at 7:40pm, with Jay right next to me, asleep as well. CRAP!!! Haven't yet done my planned run, woke up super hungry, one rest day had suddenly turned into two. I had an ounce of a guilty feeling knowing I wouldn't get my workout done, but got over it quickly knowing that I obviously needed it.

But my nap posed a bigger problem... I now had a surge of energy, and a 7am group swim about 30 minutes away from home. I tossed and turned till roughly 2am, alarm set for stupid o'clock to eat and be at the pool on time -- a very short sleep.

Why is it that I can wake up so early on a weekend without much difficulty to ride, run or swim, but am miserable waking up an hour or two later during the week? Hmmm.

Our clinic instructors had rented out the entire pool for this morning's session, various drills, shoulder to shoulder swimming, no lanes. Then it was time to simulate an open water swim, 3 laps along the pool walls, roughly 300m. Certainly different than regular lane swimming, and good practice before next weekend's open water swim!

The mind is so powerful. When I got back in the pool last year for recovery, I struggled to do 50 meters without stopping and feeling like I'd die. Swimming in a pool, with a shallow end to stand up in, walls to push off of, it's so easy to take a break. My mind tells me I can stop and rest, so I do. Since swimming has, in my mind, been my biggest challenge in the triathlon hurdle, I've been spending a lot of in the pool, working on endurance. It's great what a little bit of focus, determination and persuasion can do. I told myself that I wanted to swim without the rest, no touching the bottom when in the shallow end, and I did! Such a confidence booster! 300 metes straight! (I know this might seem so insignificant to you triathletes out there, but it's a huge milestone for me...).

Thank you for all the feedback on about the triathlon distances. While I'm flattered by those that think I could do the Sprint right away, I've decided to stick to my original plan of doing the Try-a-Tri first, and will consider the Sprint for September. Now, for those that have done a triathlon, I have another question, I know, I'm so needy eh?

We will be doing two practice open water swims before the triathlon on Aug 23... only 5 weeks away!! About half of the group said they will be wearing a wetsuit, and half won't. Instructors say they're not necessary, but we've had an unusually cold summer, so the water won't likely be very warm. While the thought of the cold water isn't pleasant, it's not my biggest fear. Things touching me in the lake is. I hate weedy water. I'm hoping for a good 'first experience' with the open water swim so as not to get discouraged...

A local store here rents them out for a weekend, and if you decide to purchase one in the same calendar year, the amount of one rental will be taken off the purchase price. Being in Canada, cooler water, and my hate of weeds touching me, I'm thinking my own wetsuit would be a good investment, eventually; if I fall in love with the sport of triathlon as much as I have training for it. Trying one out first is a bonus. Is it worth renting a wetsuit for at least next weekend's practice swim to see what it's like before the event?

TIART - Running is Like...

This week's TIART at Runners' Lounge is what running is like, what does it most resemble in your life? When I first read it, I thought it would be easy to answer, but running really is a few things to me.

Running is like mornings. Difficult, painful and awkward, but once I'm up and going, I feel alive. I'm not a natural runner, this is something I picked up in my late 20's (29 if you must know... lol) in an effort to 'do something'. Never thought that 2 years later I'd still be running.

Running is like my scale; up and down, never constant. Maybe that's part of the reason I haven't gotten bored and thrown in the towel. I've come back from runs feeling like I can conquer the world, while I've also come back from runs feeling like the world has conquered me. Achievement vs. injury.

Running is like my doorway. Running was my closed door. It was running and running only. I made friends, felt better about myself, got a few race medals, started blogging, why change anything? Except that with being injury-prone, recovery time was no longer unfamiliar territory. Running now became an open door, it started my journey to healthier and happier living; allowed me the 'view' of cycling and swimming, and led me in that direction, showed me a path that was once hidden.

Running is like my Ativan (no, I'm not addicted and don't need an intervention. It's been years since I've needed them lol). When I at my worst with the seizures, sometimes having 30+/day, I would take an Ativan to try to subside them. Once the tiny pill was under my tongue, slowly my body would begin to relax, and I would drift off into a comfortable sleep, a sense of calmness, and I'd finally have some relief from constant seizures. While the act of running sometimes feels as difficult or frustrating as a seizure, the effects of running are like my Ativan.

As I mentioned above, I've met many wonderful people through running, and many I'm proud to call friends. Marlene sent me a thoughtful gift after my difficult week last week, and I had to laugh that it of course came in a running shoe box! :D Thank you so much Marlene, you are so sweet, and it totally made my day.

much to learn...

... but I'm soaking it all up!

Chatting on the bike last night with one of the newest members of the tri clinic, we laughed that neither of us even knew the three disciplines in a triathlon until recently (relatively speaking) and now, our lingo has expanded to include the words cadence, transitions, and drafting, and I can use them in a sentence without sounding like a moron!

Speaking of drafting, has someone been ordering wind in the forecast for Tuesday nights?? We've certainly been getting some wind-resistance training on our last few Tuesday evening optional group rides; flat, less traveled roads, wide-open fields, nothing to break the wind.

As we set out last week, I was second in the paceline, riding on the rear wheel of our leader, D, who is bigger than I. :) Nice easy ride, until we turned the corner... into the wind. Time to pick up the pace a bit, I charged ahead. D yelled ahead and said that it wasn't fair that the only way he'd be able to draft me is if I lined up 21 of my friends and formed a wall in front of him. LOL There were times when I thought for sure I'd be going backwards, and no one opted for a second loop that night, I headed to the pool instead. Last night was only slightly less windy and I led the paceline for most of the first loop, and a much more conversational pace for the second loop. So much fun.

I think it's natural to be one's own toughest critic. Harder on yourself than anyone else. Possibly setting the bar too low or too high. I need your help!!!

Jay asked me last night what the distances were for Orillia:

Try-a-Tri - 375m swim, 10k bike, 2.5k run -- Registered

Sprint - 750m swim, 33k bike, 7.5k run.

He shook his head and asked why I continuously sell myself short, I had ridden 4 times the amount needed, and that I wouldn't have an issue with the swim and run. (He's also the one that encouraged me to sign up for the marathon after my 30k race, saying it was only another 12k (obviously not a runner eh?), and ya, we all know how that ended.)

I reminded him that I have yet to do an open water swim, and I've only returned to running in the last few weeks, still building that up slowly, and thought that the Try-a-Tri would be good practice to go through the transitions and stuff. He feels that I'll be disappointed at the end, will regret not having signed up for the Sprint, and that I should change my registration and go for it. A few people in my clinic have said the same thing to me, but I've maintained that it's the run that has been holding me back.

Here's the thoughts swirling in my head...

Option A

• stick with the Try-a-Tri on Aug. 23 to get the experience
• register now for a Sprint Triathlon as a second one about a month later. Lakeside has one Sept 19th. 600m swim, 20k bike, 4k run!! a 4k run for the Sprint would be easier to manage than 7.5k!! (Another Sprint option would be Guelph on Sept 5th - Swim 750m, Bike 30km, Run 7km)

Option B

• upgrade to the Sprint and skip the Try-a-Tri, with the only goal being to finish, hopefully 7.5k run won't be an issue by then (Aug. 23)
• can still do a second Sprint distance the month following if I want to do another

I'm sure there are many other possibilities, but what are your thoughts? Anyone local know about the courses at Lakeside or Guelph? As always, your thoughts are much appreciated and thanks in advance!

whoa, it doesn't bend that way!!!

First, thank you all very much for the support and kind words from the last few posts. I know they were downers, but you all helped me tremendously. Thanks for sticking with me.

I really needed to get back into a semblance of routine; it's already enough of a challenge being a single mother, juggling being a girlfriend, a mother, working full-time, and now not only running, but also fitting in cycling and swimming (happily, I must add). Regardless of how difficult it is at times, I need it in my life.

After a fairly heavy dinner, and taking the kids (and Jay) out for ice cream, I headed to the pool for a swim, really hoping that I wouldn't sink to the bottom. For those on Facebook that cheered me on, (and reminded me about the beer I consumed this weekend!) thanks, LOL.

Doesn't seem to matter which pool I go to, they seem to always be busy during lane swimming in the summer. Winter, not so much. 3 double lanes, slow, medium, fast. Already a few doing breaststroke in the medium lane, so I hopped into the fast lane and while still hoping I wouldn't sink to the bottom, I now also hoped I could keep up. Eventually there were about 8 of us in the fast lane, and if you read JoyRuN's post, you'll know that I'm not the only one that finds circle swimming irritating. Finally, one guy asked if we could split the lane in two, swim out on the outsides, and back on the insides. Everyone agreed, and it ended up being boys vs. girls, 3 of us on the left. It worked much better this way, but I'm not used to having to stay so close to the rope, especially on my left. Normally you'd swim counter clockwise, but our side was clockwise, 4 abreast. Well, I did such a good job staying close to the rope that the pinky finger on my left hand jammed into the plastic lane marker, and got bent pretty awkwardly. Throbbed quite a bit for a few minutes, but I have full range of motion, and don't feel a thing now, and no swelling or bruising as yet. Is it only me that can manage to hurt myself during lane swimming? Other than that, it was an awesome swim, I'm really feeling stronger in the water!

To the lady standing in front of the mirror in your t-shirt, undies and sandals, drying your hair, and obviously quite oblivious and unaware, you're welcome. I only hope someone would do stop me the same way before leaving the change-room before getting fully dressed. :)