I went for my 2nd ever 112 mile bike ride on Saturday with Melinda (the last one was last July 26th when I became an Ironman). It was a really tough day but I did it. It was sooooo hot out - the air temp was in the high 80's, the headwind was hot and uncomfortable, and it was humid. It was such a hot day and we saw tubers in the river and contemplated taking their tubes and leaving them with our bikes. We also contemplated drinking margaritas since the Cliff Blocks flavor that I saw at the store was Margarita! The first loop was rough. The second loop my calf started to hurt. I knew it was my last long ride so I was taking in fluids like my life depended on it to see what I thought I would need on race day but all I wanted was water and I ran out of water and it was sooo hot out that all of my other fluids were extremely warm and I just wanted off of the bike so I stopped drinking appropriately which wasn't a good idea. The ride took 15 min too long for me and I am expecting that on race day I will be better since I will have water being handed to me on the course, oranges and bananas all the time on the bike, and maybe, just maybe, it will be a little less hot and humid out. Good news, I completed the 112 miles, I rode with my new bike shorts which were fabulous, and I felt like I could go out for a run after! Bad news - my bike seat was definetly shot, my time wasn't what it needs to be, and I need to rehab my calf badly before the race.
Since that ride, I have bought a new bike seat, tried it out on a 45 mile bike ride (was supposed to be 55 mile bike ride), and felt like someone was stabbing me in my sits-bones - on the positive side, during yoga I have trouble finding my sits-bones and now have figured out where they are. I have broken my speedometer/odometer and am waiting for another one. On the same ride where I felt like I was being stabbed by my bike seat, I broke my aero bars (luckily I didn't fall of the bike when I did this). So, this means that 2 weeks and 2 days from Ironman I have a brand new Fizik Vitesse Tri saddle which I am breaking in, have had to reposition my bike to accomodate said bike seat and new (almost exactly the same aero bars), and have no idea how far I am riding because my GPS refuses to keep a signal when leaving from Keene Valley to go for a bike ride. On the positive side, my calf hasn't hurt at all this week during the bike or run - Yippie! The weather on the other hand isn't very nice out. The heat is unbelieveable. We set a record high this week. I don't remember the last time it was like this in the Adirondacks. I go out for a run and get only a few miles before I am completely dripping in sweat and dieing for a drink. On the bike yesterday, at least the bugs couldn't land on me because I was soo sweaty that they were just sliding off (again the positives of the day). On the positive side, we live next to the river so when you are done running or biking, you jump in the cold river and feel fabulous for about an hour before you want to go back in again. AND, because it is so hot outside, the swim has been wonderful - except when you are putting on your wetsuit in the 90 degree heat and sweating like crazy but once you are in, you don't want to get out.
Today, I went for a short, hot run then went to try out the bike seat with Joe in tow in order to put my bike seat in the correct place. In the 20 miles I ended up doing, it was a little sore sometimes and I think it will take some getting used to and breaking in. I hope the breaking in session will not be too long as the other option of going back to the old seat is so terrifying that I can't image doing that. My old seat hurts me so much that I hurt to wear underware and pants/shorts after I am done riding - this is not what I feel like with the new saddle. I feel almost exactly as I did last year at this time - tired, sore, excited, and antsy. My strategy for the next few weeks is to think positively (had a little breakdown this morning in that positive thinking - took it out on my wonderful, supportive husband who bought a new bike seat and moved on with his life easily). I will look for the positives in the taper that I have left and know that I can become and Ironman again. That there is something wonderful and amazing about hearing the words "Kelly Sullivan you are an Ironman!" I am in love with this sport which likes to kick my ass but I will kick back don't you worry!
I am excited to have finished the 2009, 2010, and 2014 Lake Placid Ironman, 2016 Ironman Mont Tremblant, the New Jersey Marathon, Rock n Roll Arizona and San Antonio Marathons, ING NYC Marathon, Mohawk Hudson Marathon, and the Vermont City Marathon. I have also run lots of other running races and several 70.3 races. I love racing and triathlons. This is a blog about training and racing!
About Me
- Kelly
- I am a biology teacher by day but a crazy triathlete and runner at all other times.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Tupper Lake Tinman
Saturday, June 26 - Tupper Lake Tinman
Had to work on Friday then we left for Keene Valley after packing up some of our stuff then to Tupper Lake to get our numbers, take a swim, and basically have all of the things we needed to pack up our things before the race. I was mentally not in a great place before the race. I was concerned with my training, my bike times getting slower instead of faster on the course, my calf pain, my right upper ab strain all contributed to my craziness. Joe has come to the conclusion that I have an anxiety disorder when it comes to racing - after watching Obsessed on TV, I concur. We get to the race site and are about to go swimming but I decide not to go as the lake was completely choppy, my ab hurt, and I didn't want to mentally destroy myself. Joe gets his wetsuit on and realizes he didn't bring his goggles with him to the camp at all. Wetsuit off, we go in search of new goggles. Go home, pack, get some sleep for a 5 am wakeup.
I get up and choke down some breakfast but feel like I am going to puke. The feeling lasts all the way into Tupper Lake and even before we get into the water. I am surrounded by a father of a former student of mine who has done 10 Ironmans, Joe, and our friends Melinda and Christine. We are laughing getting ready for the swim and my anxiety is slightly lessened. The swim starts and I am in a real groove until we pass where the sprint tri leg turns and I can't see the next bouy. Follow the hats in front of me. Then I see three bouys only one is off to the left of the others and I have to stop to make sure I am sighting in the correct direction (I see at least 10 others do the same thing). Yup, I am sighting correctly, but the 2nd bouy has drifted out of alignment so we have to do a V like course on the out to make sure we are within the bouys. It is pretty obvious at this point that Tupper Lake Tinman is not being run by athletes as they would have given up more bouys to sight from and made sure they were in alignment before the start as they would have thought about the swim from a swimmers perspective not a boaters perspective. On the turn I see a guy who is breast stroking pretty quickly so I watch him and figure he is looking straight at where we should be going so there is no need to sight for the rest of the swim. Swim time was 43.01 - fast than last year.
Transition goes well - someone starts to talk to me and I am tuning her out and focusing on me, not trying to be rude but I need to focus while in transition.
Bike does not start well. My knees are aching and I can't get comfy on the bike. My feet are numb, my traps hurt, I am pushing though. I finally get into a groove at the halfway point but realize that I am pushing hard and still have to run a 1/2 marathon. I keep pushing though. Liquids are going in fine but solid foods and gu blocks are not being tolerated - I can't even swallow anything solid except oranges. I finish the bike in 3 hrs 51 min which is 3 min slower than last year.
Transition again goes well. I head for the potty and then out on the run. My legs are protesting and I contemplate just not doing the run but know that I need to do it. Then I get into the zone. I felt like I was doing so well. I just kept running taking in gatorade and water and when available oranges. I walked 2 short but steep hills and 2 aid stations. My stomach is sloshing but my mind is saying drink more, I need more fuel. I keep pushing through. I probably walked about 1/4 of a mile total but that is it. I ran the 13.4 miles (yes, that was 13.4 miles) in 2:26 which is fantastic for me. My finishing time was 5 min faster than last year in a 7:06. Wow!!! That is a moral booster. During the entire run, I could feel my legs being chaffed and when I finished Joe realized that I was bleeding. I cut my legs pretty badly from chaffing. Joe looked at my legs in the med tent and said "You took a chunk of skin off. Oh, wait, there it is on the other leg!" It hurt but I was so happy with my time and my running performance.
Things seem to be lining up appropriately for Ironman. I did my last long run of the training today 17.1 miles in 3 hrs 20 min. It sucked but I did it. I did the same distance before Ironman last year in the same time too. On the run all I could think of is how people think I love every minute of this training and that it is easy to those of us who do it. Not so. It is such hard work both mentally and physically. I just know that feel of the finish line is worth every second of pain and every moment of the craziness.
Had to work on Friday then we left for Keene Valley after packing up some of our stuff then to Tupper Lake to get our numbers, take a swim, and basically have all of the things we needed to pack up our things before the race. I was mentally not in a great place before the race. I was concerned with my training, my bike times getting slower instead of faster on the course, my calf pain, my right upper ab strain all contributed to my craziness. Joe has come to the conclusion that I have an anxiety disorder when it comes to racing - after watching Obsessed on TV, I concur. We get to the race site and are about to go swimming but I decide not to go as the lake was completely choppy, my ab hurt, and I didn't want to mentally destroy myself. Joe gets his wetsuit on and realizes he didn't bring his goggles with him to the camp at all. Wetsuit off, we go in search of new goggles. Go home, pack, get some sleep for a 5 am wakeup.
I get up and choke down some breakfast but feel like I am going to puke. The feeling lasts all the way into Tupper Lake and even before we get into the water. I am surrounded by a father of a former student of mine who has done 10 Ironmans, Joe, and our friends Melinda and Christine. We are laughing getting ready for the swim and my anxiety is slightly lessened. The swim starts and I am in a real groove until we pass where the sprint tri leg turns and I can't see the next bouy. Follow the hats in front of me. Then I see three bouys only one is off to the left of the others and I have to stop to make sure I am sighting in the correct direction (I see at least 10 others do the same thing). Yup, I am sighting correctly, but the 2nd bouy has drifted out of alignment so we have to do a V like course on the out to make sure we are within the bouys. It is pretty obvious at this point that Tupper Lake Tinman is not being run by athletes as they would have given up more bouys to sight from and made sure they were in alignment before the start as they would have thought about the swim from a swimmers perspective not a boaters perspective. On the turn I see a guy who is breast stroking pretty quickly so I watch him and figure he is looking straight at where we should be going so there is no need to sight for the rest of the swim. Swim time was 43.01 - fast than last year.
Transition goes well - someone starts to talk to me and I am tuning her out and focusing on me, not trying to be rude but I need to focus while in transition.
Bike does not start well. My knees are aching and I can't get comfy on the bike. My feet are numb, my traps hurt, I am pushing though. I finally get into a groove at the halfway point but realize that I am pushing hard and still have to run a 1/2 marathon. I keep pushing though. Liquids are going in fine but solid foods and gu blocks are not being tolerated - I can't even swallow anything solid except oranges. I finish the bike in 3 hrs 51 min which is 3 min slower than last year.
Transition again goes well. I head for the potty and then out on the run. My legs are protesting and I contemplate just not doing the run but know that I need to do it. Then I get into the zone. I felt like I was doing so well. I just kept running taking in gatorade and water and when available oranges. I walked 2 short but steep hills and 2 aid stations. My stomach is sloshing but my mind is saying drink more, I need more fuel. I keep pushing through. I probably walked about 1/4 of a mile total but that is it. I ran the 13.4 miles (yes, that was 13.4 miles) in 2:26 which is fantastic for me. My finishing time was 5 min faster than last year in a 7:06. Wow!!! That is a moral booster. During the entire run, I could feel my legs being chaffed and when I finished Joe realized that I was bleeding. I cut my legs pretty badly from chaffing. Joe looked at my legs in the med tent and said "You took a chunk of skin off. Oh, wait, there it is on the other leg!" It hurt but I was so happy with my time and my running performance.
Things seem to be lining up appropriately for Ironman. I did my last long run of the training today 17.1 miles in 3 hrs 20 min. It sucked but I did it. I did the same distance before Ironman last year in the same time too. On the run all I could think of is how people think I love every minute of this training and that it is easy to those of us who do it. Not so. It is such hard work both mentally and physically. I just know that feel of the finish line is worth every second of pain and every moment of the craziness.
Monday, June 21, 2010
How did I do this last year??
I really don't know how I did all of this training, worked, kept my house semi clean, and made us dinner on a nightly basis last year. Come to think of it, I don't think I kept the house clean or made dinner 1/2 as much as I should have last year either. How did I have time to do all of the training last year? The thing is, I exceeded my training time and miles in May of this year as compared to last year and am on my way in June to do the same thing. Last year I was sick every 3 weeks and this year I am not so I am taking that as a sign that I am training smarter than I did last year (boy I hope that is what is going on). I am craving the end of the school year just so I can get some much needed sleep which I hope will improve my recovery time - there is nothing like having a normal breakfast in the morning, going for a workout, eating lunch, taking a nap and then doing another workout, eating dinner, sitting with your legs up reading a book and then going to bed at 10 so you can get up at 8 the next morning - this is the situation where Ironman training becomes easier!
My body is suffering. It is supposed to be now that I have 2 weeks left of hard training before my taper. I am having a calf problem on the bike that is slowing me down in the later miles of the ride. My bike times on the course keep getting slower - I am hoping that the taper will help that. I keep saying that the Lake Placid bike course is inviting me in, chewing me up, then spitting me up and laughing at me saying "No, you are not conquering me today". This weekend on my 100 mile bike I passed a woman who was crying her eyes out as she road and knew exactly how she felt but at least I was able to continue on and not lose it. My swim is still off balance but is going well. My running is getting so much better but not after the bike - my knees actually hurt when I am running after getting off of the bike and running. My body is tired but it should be at this point in training. My dad told me last year that I trained correctly if I felt like I was beaten up right before taper. I am well on my way to that feeling.
Mentally Ironman is kicking my ass. I need a sports psychologist. I am really excited to take next year off from racing as I am exhausted from all of the self doubt that Ironman training allows me to feel. I have my positive mantras that I keep saying to myself "I am MORE than capable", "I am strong", and "I feel no pain". I have to do an open water swim this weekend at Tupper Lake Tinman and have started to visualize the situations which I could be in to help me cope with the terror of flailing arms and legs and I will start with Ironman visualizations after Tupper is over to help mentally prepare myself for what is to come. I can do this! I just need to trust in my training.
Only two weeks of training to go - long run tomorrow, Tupper Lake Tinman this weekend, another 100 mile ride 4th of July weekend, with my last long run that weekend as well, then I taper. Taper is looking really good right now although I keep wondering if 3 weeks is too long to taper (I always question this but last year 2 1/2 weeks wasn't enough time). I am hopeful that my bike times will come back to where they are supposed to be (this will be my downfall on Ironman day if they do not). I am trying to rehab the legs a little as we go over the next 5 weeks and hope for the best. At least I keep getting on the bike or going for a swim or run and not just giving up, which has been really tempting some days. I have to keep remembering that last year at this time I was in a mental state where I thought I couldn't finish Ironman and was scared to death that I wouldn't be able to do it. This year I can feel the finish line and know I can do it, my bike practices just need to show me that it is possible again. I know it will soon. I have faith in my abilities and my training.
May Stats (a little late but still good)
Swim 7.13 miles
Swim time 4 hrs 48 min
Bike 291.67 miles
Bike time 21 hrs 43 min
Run 71.86 miles
Run time 13 hrs 28 min
Total mileage 370.66 miles
Total time 39 hrs 59 min
My body is suffering. It is supposed to be now that I have 2 weeks left of hard training before my taper. I am having a calf problem on the bike that is slowing me down in the later miles of the ride. My bike times on the course keep getting slower - I am hoping that the taper will help that. I keep saying that the Lake Placid bike course is inviting me in, chewing me up, then spitting me up and laughing at me saying "No, you are not conquering me today". This weekend on my 100 mile bike I passed a woman who was crying her eyes out as she road and knew exactly how she felt but at least I was able to continue on and not lose it. My swim is still off balance but is going well. My running is getting so much better but not after the bike - my knees actually hurt when I am running after getting off of the bike and running. My body is tired but it should be at this point in training. My dad told me last year that I trained correctly if I felt like I was beaten up right before taper. I am well on my way to that feeling.
Mentally Ironman is kicking my ass. I need a sports psychologist. I am really excited to take next year off from racing as I am exhausted from all of the self doubt that Ironman training allows me to feel. I have my positive mantras that I keep saying to myself "I am MORE than capable", "I am strong", and "I feel no pain". I have to do an open water swim this weekend at Tupper Lake Tinman and have started to visualize the situations which I could be in to help me cope with the terror of flailing arms and legs and I will start with Ironman visualizations after Tupper is over to help mentally prepare myself for what is to come. I can do this! I just need to trust in my training.
Only two weeks of training to go - long run tomorrow, Tupper Lake Tinman this weekend, another 100 mile ride 4th of July weekend, with my last long run that weekend as well, then I taper. Taper is looking really good right now although I keep wondering if 3 weeks is too long to taper (I always question this but last year 2 1/2 weeks wasn't enough time). I am hopeful that my bike times will come back to where they are supposed to be (this will be my downfall on Ironman day if they do not). I am trying to rehab the legs a little as we go over the next 5 weeks and hope for the best. At least I keep getting on the bike or going for a swim or run and not just giving up, which has been really tempting some days. I have to keep remembering that last year at this time I was in a mental state where I thought I couldn't finish Ironman and was scared to death that I wouldn't be able to do it. This year I can feel the finish line and know I can do it, my bike practices just need to show me that it is possible again. I know it will soon. I have faith in my abilities and my training.
May Stats (a little late but still good)
Swim 7.13 miles
Swim time 4 hrs 48 min
Bike 291.67 miles
Bike time 21 hrs 43 min
Run 71.86 miles
Run time 13 hrs 28 min
Total mileage 370.66 miles
Total time 39 hrs 59 min
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
March stats and April Break
March actually went well. I am still not getting rid of any weight but I am working out more. By the last week of the month, running didn't hurt (so exciting - new shoes seemed to make a huge difference), swimming was actually faster than it has ever been (not sure why), and my bike was still on the trainer throughout March (too cold outside). I realized this month that I can't keep looking back at last year and trying to replicate it or exceed it as I ended up injured and was sick every 3 weeks last year so that isn't worth replicating. I need to go at my bodies level and continue on my journey with the idea of being healthy throughout this journey.
April started out really well as I was on vacation for the first 11 days of the month and had fantastic weather. I was out on my bike which is just awesome. I started as a mentor at Fleet Feet for their No Boundaries program which means I am able to run before, with the new athletes, and then again after with friends. I am enjoying the idea of training with others especially while running and I have found a few people who are training at my pace which is so exciting. The pool has been great too. I have been doing such tough workouts in the pool so that I can be mentally ready for the swim and be faster in the water - I just want to be slightly faster everywhere to make sure I am giving myself more time during the bike and hopefully get back to the oval before 5pm this time around. I do need to get back into yoga. I just have been so excited to be home at a normal time that yoga has taken a back seat.
I have also decided what my goal is for next year. I have decided that the Country Music 1/2 marathon is my destination next April and then I will do one olympic distance triathlon in late summer!! I also thought that after NYC Marathon this year I may just take off a full month of working out just because I have been working so hard for the past year. Hey, you never know what I will end up doing but I want to feel healthy and happy entering the new year and need to plan to make sure that happens. I say that I want to not workout but who are we kidding, I don't ever see myself taking that long off from working out. My joints would just yell at me!!
Only 15 weeks until Ironman!!! I can do this!!! I will be an Ironman again!
Stats for March:
Swim: 4.01 miles
swim time: 2 hrs 45 min
Bike: 171.41 miles
Bike time: 13 hrs 5 min
Run: 40.31 miles
Run time: 7 hrs 27 min
Total miles: 215.73 miles
Total time: 23hrs 17 min (almost a full day!!)
April started out really well as I was on vacation for the first 11 days of the month and had fantastic weather. I was out on my bike which is just awesome. I started as a mentor at Fleet Feet for their No Boundaries program which means I am able to run before, with the new athletes, and then again after with friends. I am enjoying the idea of training with others especially while running and I have found a few people who are training at my pace which is so exciting. The pool has been great too. I have been doing such tough workouts in the pool so that I can be mentally ready for the swim and be faster in the water - I just want to be slightly faster everywhere to make sure I am giving myself more time during the bike and hopefully get back to the oval before 5pm this time around. I do need to get back into yoga. I just have been so excited to be home at a normal time that yoga has taken a back seat.
I have also decided what my goal is for next year. I have decided that the Country Music 1/2 marathon is my destination next April and then I will do one olympic distance triathlon in late summer!! I also thought that after NYC Marathon this year I may just take off a full month of working out just because I have been working so hard for the past year. Hey, you never know what I will end up doing but I want to feel healthy and happy entering the new year and need to plan to make sure that happens. I say that I want to not workout but who are we kidding, I don't ever see myself taking that long off from working out. My joints would just yell at me!!
Only 15 weeks until Ironman!!! I can do this!!! I will be an Ironman again!
Stats for March:
Swim: 4.01 miles
swim time: 2 hrs 45 min
Bike: 171.41 miles
Bike time: 13 hrs 5 min
Run: 40.31 miles
Run time: 7 hrs 27 min
Total miles: 215.73 miles
Total time: 23hrs 17 min (almost a full day!!)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
February Stats
I have finally gotten back in the pool - Yippie!!! I am so happy with that. Not only am I back in the pool but I feel like I am training appropriately for Ironman again. In all but one week this month, I was working hard and getting in workouts that I should be doing. My ability to recover has also improved which was half of my problem before. My bike miles are up, my run is coming along although not quite where it should be. I am thrilled with my athletic progress right now. I am not exactly where I was last month but I am close by (only 7 miles difference between last year and this year). I have faith in my abilities and my determination.
On the other side of this, I am not taking off any weight. I am working out hard, I am watching my food intake, I am drinking a lot of water, but I am not changing at all. This is one thing that scares me - I do not want to be carrying around this much weight on Ironman day - it was hard enough when I was 10lbs lighter. I don't want it to be harder being heavier. I will continue to work on this and hopefully, I will see change.
February 2010 stats:
Swim: 2.09 miles
Swim time: 1hr 25 min
Bike: 172.27miles
Bike time: 14 hrs 1 min
Run: 30.66 miles
Run time: 5 hrs 44 min
Total miles: 205.02 miles
Total time: 23 hrs 10 min
On the other side of this, I am not taking off any weight. I am working out hard, I am watching my food intake, I am drinking a lot of water, but I am not changing at all. This is one thing that scares me - I do not want to be carrying around this much weight on Ironman day - it was hard enough when I was 10lbs lighter. I don't want it to be harder being heavier. I will continue to work on this and hopefully, I will see change.
February 2010 stats:
Swim: 2.09 miles
Swim time: 1hr 25 min
Bike: 172.27miles
Bike time: 14 hrs 1 min
Run: 30.66 miles
Run time: 5 hrs 44 min
Total miles: 205.02 miles
Total time: 23 hrs 10 min
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