My First Half Ironman Reort

"Wow, it's done!" and a day I will never forget! Here is how it went....

On Saturday June 21 Ivan and I headed down to Victoria to pick up our race packages and drop off our bikes at transition. Ivan was so excited and I was clam but excited. We got there at about 2:30 in the afternoon and took in some of the talks about open water swimming and got our bikes racked in our spots, also did a walk through of how we were going to enter and exist transition on race day, making a mental note of where my bike was. It was three racks down from the first one on the far end. See I still got it he he..

After that we booked into our room across the highway from the race, how nice is that. Then went for dinner.. We looked for a good place that would have rice on the menu. We found one and found out they were all out of rice for about a hour, but boy were we hungry and had potatoes instead and so good.. That's just Murphy's law ha!

Anyways we got all organized for race morning and hit the pillow at 8:30 pm and I went straight to sleep. Ivan was just to excited so it took him a while.

Our alarm went off at 3:50 am and we were up and having coffee and breaky. I was still so clam hmmmmm strange. Ivan well you know getting more reved up he he..

We were out the door at 5am and heading for the race site to get a good parking spot. and we did, right close to the main area. We stayed in the truck until body marking started which was 5:30 am and then we were able to go into transition and set up all our gear.

I couldn't believe how fast time was flying by before the start. Before I knew it I was kissing Ivan and sending him off into the water for his start, which they started all the men at 6:45 and Women and teams at 7 am. The water was choppy and that made me a bit nervous but still pretty calm. I watched the guys head out after getting scared to death by the huge boom that came for the army cannon.

I stood out there with a special friend who came out to see us do this event. Monica I love you!! We also had some good friends in the event as well and that made all this so much better to.. Soon it was my turn and I remembered some advice a girl gave me.. Thank-you Shaunene! and that was to stay in the center but to the back and let the others go and then you go.. That is what I did and it worked perfectly! At the beginning I got one little slap in the face but that was it. I got into a rhythm and stayed on course, may be a little wider then I needed to be on the way back but mostly on course the whole way, with a few mouthfuls of water because of the waves.

I came out of the water in 46 minutes and stayed with the middle of the pack swimmers.. By the time I got to transition my time was 47:36 so happy with that and happy I lived through the swim. My future goals is to still improve on my swimming.. I know I can!

I wasn't to worried about my transition time this time so I kept calm and hey I didn't even fall over because of dizziness either.. Got out on the bike and waited until about 10 minutes into it and started to drink Gatorade.. I felt great. I wanted to do this ride in 3 hours or better. They did extend the ride a bit this year which was great. So I was riding strong and was passing many other riders and I have to say all my hill work on the bike paid off because I was so strong on the hills and did a lot of passing on each one. This was a beautiful course very scenic but boy were there some good hills.

I continued to drink every 10 minutes, water and Gatorade. After about 45 minutes of riding I was eating my bar. I was averaging 28 kms and still feeling great. After my first loop I was at 1:30 for 43-44 kms so I was right on track. I continued to stay strong but I felt the need to pee now, so I was thinking a head about where I could go and every time that spot would come up I would change my mind and wait until the next spot and you guessed it I didn't go until after the bike.. not great he he.. hard to do while riding.. but still felt strong until the last 10 kms and then I started to get cramps in my upper knee and quad area, that scared me.. I took in some salt and more fluilds thinking maybe that would help, but nope they were there to stay so I slowed it down a bit until the dismount line. Three girls passed me at that point but I was ok with that I just wanted to be able to run now. I also finished my bike ride close to my goal time at 3:07:30....

My T2 went smooth again and off I went on the run and the cramps went away but boy did I need to pee! So I knew where the first potty spot was so I headed there quickly, also passing one of the gals that had passed me on the bike. Got to the first bathroom and you guessed it! "locked" someone was in there. So onto the next one.."open" thank goodness.. I think that had to be one of the longest bathroom breaks in a long time he he.. Off I went again feeling even better now.

I got into a steady pace and was looking at my watch thinking I want to finish this in 6 hours or better so I knew I had to keep this pace and hoped my Achilles would let me do it. The first lap was a breeze stopping at every aide station for a drink. I did the first lap in 51 minutes and I figured I could do it again. My tummy started to turn on me a bit so I stuck with water only and backed it off a bit when it would get rough. I also got a stitch in my side so had to run with hand over head and pushed my fingers into the stitch and that helped relive it. Back into a steady pace I went.. Then the Achilles started to talk to me but not loudly but enough to remind me to be cautious. I did slow a bit on the last half but knew I was going to finish this in under 6 hours and I was crying at about the last 2 kms of the run. There was my Monica and other friends cheering me on and I finished strong.

I did it! I finished in 5:52:35 and overall I was in great shape. I was looking for Hubby and found him quickly to give him a huge hug and kiss and tell him how proud I was of him for his amazing race. We both met our goals of 6 hours or better and to finish strong! What more could I ask for!

Another thing I have to mention was someone was looking down on us that day because the sun was up and the temperatures were perfect the whole time. This is a day I will never forget. All our hard training for 20 weeks was worth it and the timing of our peak and having the right amount of tapering was also perfect. All our other friends as well had a great day! So happy and proud of them as well.

Here is my stats:

79/220 females 13/32 in the 35-39 age group

Swim 1.9k 47:36 Bike 87k 3:07:30 Run 20k 1:52:07 Overall finish time 5:52:35

Pictures later..

This is it!

Well it's 9:26 am Saturday morning and I am rushing around getting packed for the race but I had to blog on last time...

First some bad news.. I have been having pain in both my calfs that seems to be going into my achilles and I don't know how I did it other then my steel toe boots I ware at work but it is really bothering me this morning so I am very concerned about my race performance! I am going a head with the race but if the pain becomes too much I guess it will be over for me.. I am thinking positive.

I am not very nervous yet but could be later.. I am very very excited though.. Hubby and I don't ever want to forget this day and are hoping for all to go well.. This is our first so just to finish and finish strong is our main goal. Oh and to live through the dreaded swim he he..

Ok, wish us luck and I will give a full report after our race so hang onto your hats...

Here we go............. :0)

Final stretch.....

"This is it! the last week until our big day!" I can't believe it, it's almost here!!!! Now do I sound excited or what! lol.. Yes maybe a little..

Ivan and I went down to Victoria on Saturday to pre-ride the course and to run the trail. The bike route is very scenic but I find it to be very hilly and curvy. I am thinking though while the race is on it will be ok cause of all the other riders and less traffic. When we were on our ride there was a lot of traffic and it was very intense at times because many of the areas are with out shoulders and some cars did not give us any room.

The run was awesome though because it brings back so many memories of my many ultra marathons I have done there. After the run I went into the water up to my knees and it was so warm. I hope it stays that way till after our race or longer if it can.

We are now in full taper which is great so some of my nagging pains will heal and I will be good and ready.. I am just wanting to take in the whole day, every second of it and to feel great the whole time.. Now that's not asking too much is it? he he.. Oh and one more thing.. just to make it out of the swim portion alive! he he..

6 more sleeps now.. I will post right before the race to let you know how crazy I am going and then it will be race report time!

Going down the final stretch now....

It's been a while since my last post but all is going so well for me right now! Let's see we have been doing some long bike rides lately and I have been surprising myself with how good I feel after almost 4 hour rides and how my butt is finally getting tougher with the seat he he... You know how that can feel! I have gotten my fluids down pat and eating more on the rides as well, so what a difference it has made in energy throughout the whole ride and how I feel after a long ride.

I did a brick workout yesterday of a 2 hour bike ride with loads of hills and then off for a 1 hour long hilly run on our back trails and I felt full of energy and could have gone on forever! I love that feeling.. I believe all our training has paid off and is right on track for a proper peak so all should go really well in 2 weeks time.

My only complaint is our crappy weather right now. It is very cold and being so lean I become very very cold while swimming and after it is very painful! We are supposed to swim the lake today and we will but we are waiting to see if we can get above 12. I just hope that the day of our race June 22 that is isn't 30+ because we have not had the chance to train is warmer temps. Hmmm I hope I didn't jinx myself by typing this right now he he..

My swimming is improving in the lake as well. Ivan and I have been swimming some long distances in the lake and my times are getting faster. I was suffering with bad calf and shin cramps but they seem to be subsiding, thank goodness!

We now are entering our half taper week so we will be feeling even more energized, I look forward to that. I am so excited for this big event! I can't believe it's almost here.. I am also going through the RCMP application process and it has been progressing while all my training has been going on so my life is so full right now. I am now waiting for a phone call to set up the polygraph test so things are moving alone.. How exciting! So I am going to enjoy this race because if all goes well in my application process I will be off to Regina for 6 months and then starting my new career, so my racing days will be over just temporary for a while and then when I get settled in my new life I will come back to my new exciting sport.. I am falling in love with this sport!

Shawnigan sprint report

I was very very nervous about this sprint because it would be my first open water race. I didn't get a lot of sleep the night before but I had everything packed and was ready to go.

At 4 am the alarm went off but didn't really need it cause I was up he he.. I had my favorite breaky and Ivan and I got the truck loaded and we were off at 5 am.

We took the shuttle bus to the race site which was kind of neat cause it reminded me off being a school kid. I took a bus for years while in school.

We went straight to our bikes to get our gear all ready for T1, the whole time I kept looking at that water and wondering how all this was going to go. It was nice to see some friends there who came by to cheer us on. Plus our Tri Guy was getting ready for his half ironman, so got to be there for him as well.

The big cannon went off for the half ironman at 7 am and they were off. I was watching intensely, thinking to myself,"hey that doesn't look to bad!"

Well shortly after that we went up to our bikes to get our wet suits on and headed back for the beach. I put my feet in and found out it was pretty cold but I could do this. I went for a short warm up and I felt great! Perfect stroke and everything. Our gun went off at 7:40 and I was near the back and felt like I was ok there. I started swimming and at about 100-200 meters in I was being swam over and boy did that scare me! I took in a lot of water so when I came back up for air all I could do was choke and bob up and down. Then I tried again.. I was kicked in the face and hit in the head with some elbows, so again I was choking. The one volunteer was coming towards me and I too was thinking;"this is it, it's not worth it!" I wanted to quit, but I am very stubborn and I talked myself out of it. I carried on but I could not get my stroke back so I took single side breath's and even with that I did pass many other swimmers. I sure did not want to be the last out of the water. I made it to the beach and was proud of me for sticking it out.

I ran to my T1 knowing I had a lot of time to make up cause that swim was almost 12 minutes and I know I could have done it in 10. Anyways I was getting that wet suit off just how I was taught and it was going well but all of a sudden I got really dizzy and fell over. I had to sit there until the dizziness was gone. I finished with a terrible T1 time but got out of there and knew I could do some damage on my bike!

I started off not to good, I thought I was clipped in but wasn't so had to try to get clipped in again but no big deal. My legs felt great so I picked it up. I was looking down at my speed and I was clipping a long. I got to this one hill and had just passed a gal and my chain dropped so had to pull over to the side and put it back on. I was thinking may be this was not going to be a great race for me. Also the Gal passed me while I was fixing my chain. I got back on and was determined to fly pass her and make up some more time, and I did. I also drank every 10 minutes mostly Gatorade and boy did that work. No sugar lows at all. At one point I looked at my average and I was averaging 31.75kms, my fastest ever for a average! My bike was overall awesome! I had one of my fastest rides ever and passed many people.

My T2 was so much better then T1. I also have to thank Hubby for my quick laces in my running shoes.. time saver, big time! I couldn't believe how good my legs were still feeling. No heavy feeling at all! so I started my run off with some zip. I knew I had to make up more time. I ran pass a few people and when I was just about at the turn around and there was Hubby looking strong and we high fived each other. I picked it up after the turn around and passed about 3 more people and headed home. I flew to the finish looking at the time and was very happy with my time.. 1:24:46. I also still had so much energy.

I was 57/96 overall, 19/42 out of all the females and 8/15 in my age group, so not bad for a beginner. I have alot of work to do in transition and I really need to get over my fear of the swim, cause I am terribly afraid to do it again but I know I will. We now are only 4 weeks out from our first half ironman! I will be ready!!

Better late then never....

It's been a few weeks since my last post, sorry about that! I have been very busy in the application process for the RCMP. I am very excited to have made it this far.. which now I am finishing my paper work and sending it away. I did my fitness test on Friday and couldn't have imagined how hard that was going to be!I was thinking, yea no worries I am fit, so no problem! Nope not like that at all.. Very tough.. I am pretty light right now because of all the training for this half ironman so I had nothing to use to push one of the machine's around, but with Ivan's voice cheering me on and my determination I did it and I passed! "whoo" Two days with a sore back and bruises all over my legs he he.. worth it!

Ok so onto the training.. well it has been a bit rough because Ivan and I both have a nasty cold. For me this is the second time.. no fun :( and with all the RCMP stuff it's been pretty draining but I am continuing on.. We had a great ride with all our tri buddies on Saturday of 76 kms and then after Ivan and I took off for a 7.3 km run and that went great. Which was surprising after riding that far. That just shows me that our fitness level is improving.

We have done one open water swim and boy was that cold! No one told me that your body will respond to cold water in a negative way.. I had what's called "divers response" that means my body was trying to protect my lungs from getting water in them by constricting my chest. So I could not breath. Little short breaths was all I could do.. I called it a day after only 500 meters.. Yup I was pretty scared of not being able to breath, but we are thinking by Friday of this week we will give it another go. Having warmer temps that the weather man has been promising makes it a bit easier, I would think! lol....

Good news is my back/hip is now so much better. I love my physio lady!

We now are entering peak phase so I am going to stick to the plan and give it all I can because we are only 6 weeks out from our big day. I want to have a great race because if I get into the RCMP I may not have another big race for a few years, until I am settled into a routine. One day though I plan to do a full Ironman and can't wait for that day.

I will try to be more faithful on my posting.. I promise :0)

End of week 11 and my first sprint of the season

This week was pretty challenging for me because on Saturday of last weekend I strained my lower back... Yes just before my first race of the season! What do they call that? Oh Yea "Murphy's Law!" lol... My back was just the effect of lot's and lot's of training with full time work of lifting bending etc..... I know it's not too serious but will require some physio and not going full out on training until I am better... I am happy I can still move though.

So let's see, Oh yea I told myself I would have a better week of swimming and I did, it's in the mind for me he he... we did a bit less distance this week just for a bit of a taper for the race which was good for me.. We worked on some speed and I did very well at that. My leg cramps seem to be disappearing and I owe that too the glutamine, I'm sure....

We backed off the gym this week as well both because of the taper and my back.. good thing I feel.. Our running was good at the track we did 10x's 1 minute of speed with active recoveries with equal time. I felt great doing those but after my back said, "I don't think so!" So some good drugs for that day.

My back loves the bike... We had some good hill repeats and some steady rides this week.

Ok onto my race day...

I was very nervous about even doing it because that morning my back was very tight and if someone had said to me, "you better not!" I would have ducked out because I was very concerned.. but I am bull headed and I promised myself that I would not race and if I felt pain I would stop because we have 10 weeks of training still to do and this is not my race!

Ivan was so excited that it helped ease my mind and focus on him... He was like a little kid in a candy store.. At 6am he pumped up the volume on the stereo in the truck and had AC/DC playing loud.. hmmm ya 6am not good! lol.... but I was into his excitement! I think all he needed that morning was a bit more sugar! "not" lol.... Too cute...

Ok so I was in my tri suit and ready for my swim.. I was in heat 2 and I figured it would take me 17 minutes to swim 700 meters and that would be faster then last year so I was hoping. I was in lane 2 with 3 other guys. I was in position 3. I listened to the guys talking about how fast they could do this in and I told them hmmmm I can't swim this that fast so when you need to pass me tap me ok. Well off we went and after 50 meters the guy in front said go ahead your much faster so off I went and I felt so strong and I felt like I could do this for ever.. So I had 2 guys behind me and the front guy was just a head for about 50 meters but he was much faster then the rest of us and got some distance so I had no draft; "darn!" I still felt strong never having to single side breath and never felt like I was drowning.. All my training is paying off! The first guy behind me never did catch me and him and the other guy got all my draft hmmm not fare! lol... I saw my red board in the water and sprinted on the last 50 meters and looked at my watch and looked again and found out I had just gotten a PR of 3 minutes faster then last years time, it said 15:29. Very happy gal! The only gripe I have is as I was lifting myself out of the pool the guy just behind me pushed me onto the pool deck and I scraped my knee pretty good. Karma will get him!

Very Very cold in T1 so made it hard to get my top on and shoes but did it and off I went.. Oh wait have to tell you this one... I was putting my socks on, yes it was that cold! and for some reason my left foot was not going into my sock.. well when I looked down I soon realized it was my glove I was putting on my foot! lol... Yup what a day so far..

On the bike started off ruff because my legs were so cold that they felt drained and no juice but I knew I had to go easy any how because of my back which was ok at that point. My legs got better and got into a grove. I was passed by a guy which drove me to pick it up a bit to stay with him. I passed him on a incline and then going down a hill he passed me.. As I was passing him again on a hill I looked at his number it was #28 and I was #27 so I had to comment on that! he he.. I told him this makes a lot of sense he laughed. We continued this way until I got up the biggest hill on the course and didn't see him for a while. Now I messed up bad and learned a big lesson.. No it's not normally this cold at this time of year but I didn't wear my full fingered gloves which I brought! and just wore my shorties and my figures became so painful that I was groaning and having one hand in my mouth and one on the bars the whole rest of the ride. Killed me.. My #28 caught me near the end and was worried about me because my fingers were hurting so bad.. What an awesome guy!

I made it back just after him and my T2 went very bad because I hurt so bad I could not move my fingers.. couldn't tie my laces and couldn't get my hat on etc..... so I just put my hands under my arm pits and waited until I could move them.... Hey this made my back better cause I couldn't feel it he he.. Well I finally left on the run with loose shoes and still pain in my figures.. I just went out very easy.. I saw my guy again who was on the way back and I was still about a km away from the turn around and he was happy to see me still moving.. I got to the turn around and felt so much better (oh yea, you will be proud of me, I wore my full finger gloves on the run he he) I picked it up and passed a few girls and caught my guy again who was shocked to see me... I passed him and headed for the finish.. I saw my Hubby flying up the hill looking so strong and I was excited for him cause in my heart I knew he was having a great race. We high fived each other and I flew to the finish where I looked at my time and found out I finished with the same time as last year.. Now how does that happen? Too funny....

I am happy my back let me train at the race and love the massage therapist after the race who put my back, back into proper position and treated my tight muscles that really helped and I am making an appointment with physio today.

Ivan made the day complete with his amazing performance and excitement that I could not feel anything but happiness.... Lot's of goose bumps for the rest of the day! I can't believe this guy is my husband! How lucky am I to have a truly talented man as my Husband! Oh for you who don't know he was over 6 minutes faster in the end over last years results! and placed really well over all!

Well time to heal and look forward to more training and our next sprint in May with no back issues and warmer temps. Now I wonder how we will get in some open water swimming before then hmmmm it's snowing outside right now as I type this! "crazy!!!! Please Spring come back!!!!

End of week 10

"See I can do all three sports at the same time!" LOL....


It's done! Week 10..... Let's see, I would have to say my high light of the week was my cycling.... I am feeling stronger and stronger on the bike. I did 75 km's last Sunday and I averaged 27 kms all the way even with head winds and then this weekend we did a brick workout and road for 35km's on a hilly course and averaged 28.82 and it did not feel hard. The Vo2 max work and hill repeats are working like a charm. I am pretty excited about this.

My Swimming this week was not as good as it has been. I just don't seem to have the energy or spark I had for it last week. I think it just goes that way some times, but I have told myself that this week will be a good week for swimming and I know it will. Sunday, I'm not sure if it's all the training or if the change in temps this weekend had anything to do with it but I was so bagged that I slept in till 8:30 am which I don't do and after a good run I fell back a sleep for just over half an hour. So my swim after my nap was terrible, well not totally cause I still did 2300 meters but in 100's and 200's.

Running is still going well.. I feel strong when I run so that's good. I miss the good old days where I had fresh legs though he he.. Hey but on Wed's early mornings I have fresh legs he he but the body is not a wake yet!

Training is really going well over all and I can't wait until Sunday for our first sprint of the season. It will be our hard brick workout and I love the idea of that! "Can't wait!"

I do have one small issue right now and that is my lower back has gotten tight so I am a bit nervous of that but I am stretching and taking it easy on it by not lifting heavy things at work and around home. Hot water hitting my back feels great as well as some Advil. I am hoping it will work it's self out before the sprint. One nice thing about back pain or tightness is that it likes to be in motion....

This week is pretty heavy but we will be cutting back by Friday so we have a little taper before the sprint and then our recovery week "yea" Will be needed by then he he..

End of week 9

Wow week 9 is over.... I can't believe it! When we start week 10 on Tuesday we are half way "crazy" This week was a great week for training minus one swim on Friday night but over all very good.

Our sessions on the bike, swim, and runs are now getting longer and some fast Vo2 max work so I sleep well at night too... We have these 5 minute hill climbs to do on the bike which we do on our trainer because it really feels more like a good workout. Plus try to find a hill around here that goes on for 5 minutes at a hard pace hmmmmmm "not" Hey and there is less traffic in the basement he he..

The track work is pretty intense but do able. Now our biggest challenge is trying to figure out which workout to do early in the morning and which to do after work because there is just not enough time for both and it's pretty hard on the body to fit both in after work. We don't seem to have enough time in the morning's to get a full swim workout in so we have tried running in the morning instead and Ivan and I seem to like that the best and then swim at night. We will figure it out. I can't wait for warmer weather and lighter days so we can swim in the lake and have more day light which is improving every day.

My biggest news is about today.. I know I am stuck on my swimming but today I did my longest swim ever of 2500 meters all free style! and I have chaffing under my arms to prove it! lol... Oh I also road for 2:50 on Saturday which was 75.36 kms and I averaged 27 km all the way even with the head winds all the way back. I am very proud of my accomplishments this week and hope week 10 is just as good.

I am also looking forward to our sprint on April the 20th which isn't to far away.

Until next week.....

Week 7 and I am a swimmer!

Another great week of training... We started with some intense hill repeats again on the bike but this time a lot more of them 11 to be exact and I was feeling full of energy so I gave it a bit more then before so I felt it when it was over. All good!

Wed night was track night again, my favorite with 13x's 30 second speed play with 2 minute active recoveries. Boy the calf's felt that! Then onto my swimming and boy has it come a long way this week.. I am very happy about this. We did 11x25 meter sprints that really tested me but I did it. Also we did 800 meters pretty much straight and I did that too and well, even with the traffic and the massive waves going on around me because of the exercise class that was going on. I did end up getting leg cramps after my main set but I understood where that came from and called it an evening.

I had some good bike rides also with again dry roads with the odd little spit but over all so far we have been so lucky. I have been feeling pretty strong on the bike too. I do have to admit after Wed's night workouts my legs are pretty cooked come Thursday.

Saturday was a big bike ride of just over 61k and it went so well, I found a happy pace and held it for the whole ride and felt great. It's so nice to see signs of spring too, with the flowers blooming and smelling so nice and to see all the trees coming to life. Those darn Robbins though were playing chicken with me! Silly birds...

OK my biggest news is.... I can now swim 2100 meters non-stop ok with two little sips from my gatoraide he he..We did a total of 2400 meters on Sunday. I am so happy about this.. I feel my stroke has really improved and my endurance is now there for swimming. The secret for me was to find my pace and that I did. I am not winded so I can keep on going like the energizer bunny.. The only thing I need to really work on now is my kick but that to I know will come. It's funny how with swimming it just clicks one day and your off. I will be doing another 700 meter timed swim soon now that I can do it with less difficulty and with all the speed play we have been doing I should see a better time... I can't wait!

Now onto week 8 tomorrow which is recovery week so all should go well. I am so excited about swimming on wed! "I can't believe I just said that!" LOL...for some one who didn't like swimming...

Week 6 is history......

Well another week done! Boy time goes fast! It was a great week really for all the training sessions, more energetic then the week before.

We started with short hill climbs again with the bike and that is going really well. I sure can feel the effects of this type of training when we go for a steady ride that includes hills, they just don't feel as hard. Good sign.

Swimming hasn't been as good this week but I will be getting my focus back and work real hard on it. Swimming is my weak sport and I must get better with it. I know my down fall is my kick so I am going to put more work into that this week.

Cycling is going great! We did hit some rain this week while out there but didn't get soaked to the bones.. got to like that! :0)

Been hitting the track with some of the runs and boy it makes me feel a live when I can step it up a bit. I do miss running on fresh legs. I understand what Coach is teaching us and that is how to run well on tired legs, cause I am sure this is how they will feel after 80k on the bike and hey if I do any kicking while swimming hmmmmmm.....

I have this one running race(Comox half) that I have done in the past, two times and it is a cursed race for me.. now get this last time I tried to run it I got the stomach flu while running it and lost 5lbs in one night. Well this was the weekend of that race and Sunday the day of the race I got sick! No I wasn't racing it but I believe it still has me under it's curse! I may have to break it one day by racing it and doing well. May be that would work cause I can't keep getting sick on the weekend of this race! lol......Here's hoping this cold bug goes quickly.

Now I brought this up because Saturday went well for our brick workout which I love doing and having coffee afterwards with our Ironman, but I did feel a bit of a scratchy throat coming on and by Sunday I was sick. My swim was well not good, I gave up and watched Ivan and now Monday I am home drinking my ginger root tea.

Now onto week 7 which will be a great week I know it!

Last weeks training

I know I'm bad! I didn't post well you see I have to study study study..... so it's getting in the way from my important stuff he he....

Ok last week was tough again.. Both Ivan and I were feeling all this training but we hung in there and this week has been much improved! I will post about this week on Sunday.. I promise :0)

I have to say it was my swimming last week that needs to get the spot light cause it has been the most improved. Sunday March 9th I swam my longest swim ever of 2,300 meters. "I did it!" The run afterwards was Prof I did it because my body or should say my legs were like two big rocks that were very hard to lift and keep them going he he.... and my lungs felt like they were going to blow up he he....

We have now gotten into the track work for our running and now I can say I love the running part of training cause I love track work......

Our bike rides have been nice too cause we have been able to ride outside with the sun on us. Oh we have started doing hill repeats with the bike and it's quite the workout! First I had to get over my fear of un-clipping on a hill and to go back down and come back up 10-11 times... All good stuff.

Well short and sweet. Will be back on Sunday with some more fun training experiences.....

I love recovery week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's over but what a great week it was! everything was scaled down to give some recovery to our poor over worked little bodies... and I mean little bodies! Ivan now has a small butt and I have hip bones he he...

Let's see our week started with some power sprints on the bike Tuesday 45 minutes total and I felt great and gave it all I had, afterwards Ivan and I did some chest and tri work with of course some core. Wed night was a run of 6x's 30 second fartleks a total of a 40 minute run. I felt so good I really worked on kicking up my heels and standing tall through the all out effort. Great run, then onto the swim, a small one but a good one. Now this was funny Mr Ivan got to the pool and realized he had forgot his head condom and googles so he had a bit of a tantrum and said for get it, "Tammy you go a head". I tried to talk him into going home a getting his gear but I think he needed a break any how and I have to be onset he can afford to have a swim night off cause he swims like a fish anyhow! I had the whole lane to myself so I took full advantage and did my small session of 1300 meters and felt like a million bucks.

Thursday I ducked out of work 1/2 hour early so I could get in a road ride with Ivan before it got dark. We had a great steady ride but on the way home I was looking at his back tire and thought "boy has Ivan gained weight or what?" cause it looked kinda low. I told him to pull over and sure enough he had a flat. Now I'm the one who needs a flat because I still have not used my co2 thingy yet and I need the practise cause what I have heard is the New Balance Half is famous for getting flats on hmmmmmm, makes me nervous. It only took Ivan may be 5 minutes or less to change it and we were on our way again. Just making it home before sun down. We were a bit bad cause we missed out gym workout that night only because dinner sat so nicely in our belly's and you know what happens after that!

Friday morning, early morning we did another early swim and it's hard to get going but once you do you are glad you did! We had a great swim of 1600 meters. After work we went out for a nice steady run of 40 minutes and headed straight to the gym to make up for Thursdays missed workout. We worked our legs and got out of there.

Saturday was a great sunny ride. We headed to Chemainus and back and I felt like I could ride forever that day but behaved because the plan only called for 1:30 so that is what we did. Ivan had sore legs which was great for me so I could feel big cause I road in front most of the ride he he.....

Now today was a full day! and my best day so far! We started with an endurance swim but because we need to sign up for the Sooke sprint I need a estimated time for 700 meters and I really don't have any clue what to put down so we started out with a timed 700. This was a big mile stone for me too cause at the pool I have been only able to swim 300 meters straight before having a 5-10 second break and today I was able to do 700 meters straight! "yea" I also did it in 17:15 for me that's a pr! I didn't go full out because I knew we had to finish a 1700 meter swim and I wasn't sure if I could swim 700 full all at once. Now I do have to admit one thing my tummy said that was an effort take it easy on me now! so I did.

When we got back from the swim we got on the bikes and did a quick 1 hour ride and threw on the running shoes and took off for a run. My legs were a bit heavy at first and then they came back to me and I took off and had a great run. To end the day, I turned on the yoga DVD and stretched good!

One other note.. I talked to our coach and found out that my running is not in jeopardy and he said.... There are two reasons why the runs aren't longer: first, because it's really the combination of long rides, and long brick workouts that will give you the endurance you need to go the distance. So I trust in his plan and after seeing the improvements I have been making in only one months training I will be faithful.

Now onto week 5 starting Tuesday and here's hoping I don't whine a lot lol......

Week three

Well it's done! and boy was it tough! Every work out was ramped up so the body was feeling pretty toasted by the end of this week. My biggest accomplishment this week was my swimming.. I am now able to swim 2100 meters fairly well. Today I was able to swim 300 meters a few times non-stop then only taking 5 second breaks in between which is what you are supposed do after every 100 meters so I am pretty proud of myself. I thought I would never be able to swim more then 50 meters non-stop, I love this. I can see how this program does have you advance in your progress perfectly. It's working like a charm for me. I now look forward more to my swimming workouts.

The cycling is going great as well. Having the sun shinning and the roads dry while being out there really gets you motivated and so very happy he he... Ivan and I have been able to sneak in a few cycling workouts outside right after work now because it is lighter longer now, so that has been great!

I am worried about my running only because I feel I am not running enough and I feel my swimming and cycling sometimes takes away from my running but I believe in this training program we are doing and it's only been 3 weeks now so I have to give it time. I also know that this is all very new to me and my body has to adjust and I believe it will all come together in the end.

I am so looking forward to our recovery week now and even more looking forward to coming home after work tomorrow and putting on my PJ's and doing nothing! Awwwwwwww life is good! :)

Oh one more thing today Ivan and I ran west wood lake twice and the lake was so beautiful because it was very still and at the back end of it, it had some ice still on top and in the back ground with the sun shinning bright a man in a canoe was fishing.. Oh if only I had my camera with me. This is why we are out there!

Well it's done! Week 2

Oh my gosh, what a week! All good but tough... This weekend was great, Ivan and I got to do our first brick workout. Saturday we headed out for one hour bike ride and I have to say having dry roads and a little sun shinning through the clouds was awesome! Right after the bike ride we headed out for our 20 minute run. I was surprised with the lack of heaviness I normally get in the legs right after getting off the bike and right into a run, it's a good sign I'm sure. I was full of energy so I went out on the run with a good pace right to the end.

Today was the day I was pretty nervous of cause we were supposed to swim 2000 meters and I was worried about that distance. Well at first my legs were doing the twinge thing that said, be cautious I may cramp on you, so when I would feel that I would kick harder to shake it away and said to myself, "no way, not today!" and it didn't happen. "Pheff" that was scarey! I did it, I swam all of it. I do have to admit though on the last 300 meters of the cool down I was so worn out that I used a pull boy but I figured it was a cool down so it can't be cheating right? Total swim today was 2100 meters. After getting home I threw on my running cloths and headed out in the sun shine (love that) and ran for 52 minutes.

I watched Ivan swim at times and he swims so graceful so I hope to be able to swim like him one day. He is amazing and I am very proud of him!

Monday is a day of rest which I look forward too and then we start week 3 which is going to be the toughest yet because everything gets ramped up a bit more and then week 4 is recovery week "yea" so we just need to hang in there.

I got to watch Iron man Kona this saturday and it really inspires me to see those age groupers out there plus people who have their own personal hurdles to overcome enjoying this sport. It makes all this training worth while! and makes me feel lucky to have a chance to be among people like them.

Wed and Thursday workouts

Wow the last two days have been again very challenging! Wed night was a 40 minute fartlek run so 8x's 30second sprints with steady running in between. The night was clear and so nice, this gave me a lot of energy so this was not a hard workout for me just enjoyable. Poor Ivan was suffering a little with very sore legs from his weights the night before. He's just not used to it yet. He did great though.

We headed to the pool right away after the run and we did 1600 meters total. I am feeling more and more relaxed now. Still a tough workout though. The kicking is still my weakness so will keep working at it, but the endurance part is getting better and better. Good workout at the pool, very happy!

Tonight was a steady ride on the bike for 1:15 and that's what I did. Legs are tired, I can feel it now. I did some good yoga afterwards to help relieve my poor quads, and it helps a lot.

Every time I think about how close our half ironman is now, Well I get butterflies in my tummy and goose bumps every where! Oh and let's not forget the nervousness he he..... "I can't wait!"

Week two

I can't believe we now are in our second week of training! The first week of training was tough at times but it can be done if you want it bad enough and I do! Having the chance to do all this with my Hubby is pretty incredible too!

Well tonight I worked out with Coach Troy on the bike and I did a lot of high cadence work which is still the toughest part of cycling for me cause I am a bit of a grinder but it is coming along. I cycled for 1:10. Then it was off to the gym to work my legs and boy did I do that! There is not much left of them now he he....

Time for bed now so I have some energy for tomorrow's hard work out of swimming and running.

Saturday's ride... Day 5

I woke up this morning after having a bit of a sleep in; cause last night we went to a benefit concert for a little girl who has cancer. My little sister in-law Stephine Lang put it together and boy was it good and for a great cause, but a late night for me.

Well back to running to the window after I got up and looking to see if the roads were dry for a bike ride. They weren't but it wasn't raining so I got Ivan up and said we are hitting the roads today and not the trainer downstairs! He agreed, so we got ready and hit the roads for 1:45 steady ride and boy did it feel good to be out. This was funny though, I was behind Ivan once we got onto the highway to draft a bit and all of a sudden I thought the rain had kicked in cause I was being pelted but quickly relized I was getting Ivan's mud off his back tire "nice", my glasses were hard to see out of and my yellow jacket was now brown he he...

Great ride around our Yellow point loop. We both felt strong the whole way. We road 42.60 kms.

Later in the evening we headed down stairs for our chest and tri workout with core and some yoga. Perfect training day.

Don't you love it when Hubby tries to make our photo unique! This is us after our bike ride.. I love the yellow shades I wear "not!" lol.....

Here's me giving it on the bike tonight... Always looking my best lol.....

Day three and four

Yesterday was quite the training night! Hubby and I headed out for our fartlek run but little did we realize how the weather was going to be. I thought it was a warmer night so I headed out with my thin gloves, well I found out I was wrong and boy was it cold! My hands hurt so bad, I almost went back home to get warmer gloves but Ivan said hold on and here take mine, that helped a lot. Thank goodness for him! It was snowing with freezing rain and incredible winds, sometimes at our back and of course right in the face, "intence!" We did it though, 6x's 30 second speed play, went good, was a 40 minute workout.

Off to the pool right after that with frozen body parts and everything. My stroke is getting better and better so that made me feel more at ease. I swam so good tonight. I did 1500 meters which I haven't done in a long time and no shoulder pain "yea"

Now tonight well I just finished my steady ride of 1:00 and that's about all I needed cause I am feeling all this training, plus it's been slow at work so it seems to drain me. I am about to go back down stairs and work my back and shoulders when Ivan is done his ride. I am sure I will live through it.

Looking forward to a night off tomorrow, then back at it saturday.

Day two

"Wow what a night!" First my leg is all better now.. what a relief! So tonight was bike night onto my trainer downstairs I went I did some high cadence with anaerobic threshold work for 1:10 and I gave it all I had so when I got off the bike I had some strange shaking going on he he no good workout on the bike!

Then it was straight to the gym and Hubby and I worked what was left of our legs and I added some bi's in there, and of course our core. We played on the stability ball and wobble board all good stuff.

Tonight was a perfect training session.

Day one of our 20 week training program

"Oh my gosh it's finally here!" Ok here is how day one went for me... First I need to talk a bit about yesterday. I went to Nanaimo pool to practice my stroke after getting some help from a coach. I had to wear fins so I could just work on my stroke and that's it, well that worked like a charm but after 45 minutes of fins my legs were going to talk to me later I found out. At 3:00 am in the morning I was awoken up by one leg aching. Then at work today it would go through moments when it would ache again, this made me nervous about running tonight.

Ok so now back to today, so I came home and was suposed to run an easy 40 minutes at a easy pace but decided to rest my legs instead, I hope I made the right choice! We also were to go to the pool and do a workout which I did do. Now the pool was a bit crazy tonight. When we first got there, there was only one gal in there so perfect. Off I went to do a easy 300 meters to warm up, which I should mention I felt like I was drowning at first but then found my stroke and it got better. When Ivan and I were doing our 100's we had 8 people in one lane, I know insane!!! One gal got cranky and left.

Oh well you make do and carry on right? I did 1400 meters tonight and my stroke is improving "yea".

Well this is it training only get's better from here!

Until tomorrow....

Two more sleeps

This is Hubby warming up his legs for the real training to come. I will post me when I get a good shot of me.

Well two more sleeps until we offically start our 20 week training for our very first half ironman! Hubby and I are very excited. I will post how are training is going. This will be quite the journey for us!