May Stats - UGH!!! Allergies

Here are my stats for May - they suck!!! I have been sidelined twice during the month of May because of my allergies. (It has been a really bad allergy season here in the Northeast) Due to my allergies, I have not done as much swimming as I wanted to because when I am feeling allergic the chlorine in the pool generally kills me. Plus, with this sinus infection for the past week, I haven't been able to workout for 4 days in a row and then really light workouts for two days in a row. 8 weeks left and I am going for it!! I have faith in my next few weeks. Everything will be great!

Run distance: 46.4 miles
Run time: 8 hours 13 minutes
(FYI - my average pace was a 10:37 which is really fast for IM training)
Bike distance: 293.2 miles
Bike time: 21 hours 41 minutes
Swim distance: 6.7 miles (yuck)
Swim Time: 4 hours 29 minutes
Yoga - 1 hour
Total workout distance: 346.3 miles
Total workout minutes: 35 hours 23 minutes
Total calories burned: 19,034

Allergies and Sinus infections

I have been sidlined twice this month due to allergy issues. I am on a 3 day non-exercise binge because of my allergies and a sinus infection. I have not felt well since Saturday when I was out on my bike with the extremely high levels of pollen. I am hoping to get out on my bike tomorrow and run in Freihofer's Run for Women on Saturday. (I know I have exciting plans, right?) I have not felt up to doing anything other than keeping my head on a pillow and listening to the TV (no, not watching - that hurts too much). You know you are not doing well when your students ask you why you came in to school and telling you that you should be at home. Usually, they don't notice if you are sick, hurt, or upset but when you are really sick, they notice. Maybe I will be able to sleep tonight instead of keeping myself awake because of coughing and stuffiness! I just want to train!!!!

Self Doubt and my first century ride

This weekend was the first weekend up in Keene Valley. Usually that is a great thing. This weekend was interesting though. We got to the camp on Friday night after stopping in Lake George at a Mexican restaurant. We made an early night of it because of the century ride on Saturday. We got into bed and I smelled something mildewy but thought it was just my crazy sense of smell and went to bed. By the time I woke up in the morning, my throat was scratchy but I wasn't too concerned with that because I had a 100 mile bike ride to do. We got up at the normal hour of 6:15 am, got ready, and left the camp. We got to the Price Chopper in Lake Placid where we were dropping off our car and then heading down to the start place. We got to the start where we learned that they called it the HILLY 100 and found out that it was actually 103.8 miles. Mentally, I was concerned but was excited to get out on some hills. We started and everyone was immediately a long way ahead, oh, and by the way, we started uphill. The first 19 miles were on the Ironman course - a part that I haven't been able to ride before. It was so nice to go on that part and experience the hill and then descending the hills (so much fun). As I was going down the hill, I noticed a thumping noise/feeling everytime I hit the breaks. I couldn't figure out what was happening. I got to the first aid station and had some oranges, cookies, and pretzels - I love long distance biking since I get to eat all day long when I do it. I left and got to my parents camp where I filled my water bottle and had my dad look at my break but couldn't figure out what was wrong. I left and headed up the hill to Chapel Pond and then to Elizabethtown where I was looking forward to my second rest stop. On the way to Elizabethtown, I ended up being run after by 2 dogs. I couldn't believe this was happening again. I yelled at the dog and crossed the street - it didn't follow. I kept looking for the rest stop and I couldn't find it. Joe later told me that after he left the rest stop, he saw the person manning the station pack everything up and drive past him on the course, so there was no rest stop for me because I was so far back. I thought I missed it and was confused about where I was so I stopped to ask a resident if they road I was looking for was coming up and as I was asking, the SAG vehicle found me and showed me the way and let me get food from the truck. I had done 40 miles by myself at this point. I kept going and that is when I saw it - the biggest f-ing hill I have ever seen in my entire life. I averaged about 3 mph up this thing while I was breathing as hard as I possibly could. It was a beast. I made it though and went down the hill to the road that connects Keene and Elizabethtown where we started a 4 mile long climb which was gradual but was where my legs just stopped working on the hills. I was now having problems staying in my middle gears because the chain kept sliding down when I was in the middle area of my gears. Still thumping when I was breaking too. Once on the other side of the hill (and enjoying the descending too much) I headed to the next rest stop at mile 60ish. I got on the road to Jay which was great and also a part of the Ironman course and looked for the rest station. I didn't find it. It wasn't there. 60+ miles alone on a bike at this point. I stopped once I got to the turn and ate my sandwhich and stretched. Rode up a massive hill on Trumble Hill Road and then another wall of a hill. Felt like I wanted to stop but I really wanted to do 75 miles so I kept going. I got to another road and got chased by another dog - why don't people keep their dogs on leashes or have fences??? I don't enjoy getting chased by dogs. The SAG vehicle went by and really wanted me to say I was done but I said no. I got to mile 75 and had some cramping in my left calf so I made the decision to get off my bike every 5 miles until the end in order to keep myself from cramping up too much. That worked for a little while. I got to the last aid station and got told that I was way back from the others and that they thought that I was the last person but at least I got food. I remounted the bike for the last 14 miles and immediately started uphill - at this point all hills were tough but flats were ok. I was averaging 4mph on the hills which is really bad. After 4 miles on the bike, I had gotten a text from Joe and called him. I was at my breaking point. I just didn't see how I could continue and make it back. He told me that I was close and I hung up on him - I was almost in tears at this point and frustrated by my bike problems. I got back on my bike though and thankfully I hit a short downhill and knew the rest of the course pretty well. There were a couple of hills but they were nothing compared to the other hills I had already done. I finally got back to the starting point where I finally got off my bike where no one remained because I was so much slower than everyone else. (We had expected this because Lake Placid is known for its good cyclists and triathletes) I drank a coke, ate some pasta salad, and then quickly packed everything away in order to get my bike down to Placid Planet to have it fixed. At the end of the ride, I was convinced that this was the worst ride I could have done for my confidence. I was doubting my ability to complete the Ironman course in the amount of time I needed to do it in. I was convinced that I couldn't finish Ironman at all. I was a mental case. I am glad that I did the ride though because I will probably never see hills like that again and if I could do those hills, I can do any hill. Plus, it was good training. I have spent the last 2 days convincing myself that I can do Ironman though because the course isn't half as bad as what I did on Saturday. I am looking forward to my next 100 miler because it has to be better than that one was and it is Tour de Cure with great rest stops and lots of help if you need it and hopefully it will be a self esteem booster. I just want my confidence back though - it isn't quite there yet.

Placid Planet looked at my bike and figured out that I had warped my tire when I got my flat last week - one flat in six years and I break my wheel. $300 later and I have new wheels for my bike which can now allow me to break appropriately. I also had my bike tuned up so that it wouldn't slip in and out of gears. Yippie! I got to spend more money on my bike - not what I had planned on using my money on.

Slept on Saturday night and was not feeling well. Woke up on Sunday feeling horrible. Took a 3 hour nap because I was feeling so badly. I went back to sleep for about an hour later in the day too because of how I was feeling. Went to bed and slept ok. Woke up today and felt better than I did Sunday night but still really bad. Went to pick up my bike and go for a run on River Road in Lake Placid. Felt ok on my run considering how I was feeling - acutally my nose cleared on my run so I felt better. As soon as I stopped, I was stuffy again and then my lungs started to hurt. This is where I am now. Feeling horrible because of allergies. Really between the mildew and the huge amounts of pollen in the Adirondacks, I just got hammered from both angles. Now I am just trying to feel better. Hopefully, I can recover fully by tomorrow.

So, this week is an easy workout week but I have the Coldplay concert on Wednesday night, a school event on Friday night, and Freihoffers on Saturday. Then 4 hard weeks in a row then 1 easy week, 1 hard week,and then I taper. Ironman is almost here. I keep telling myself "I think I can! I think I can!" but I am feeling more like "I hope I can!" I need to get to "I know I will" in the next two weeks. Why can't I be more mentally stable when it comes to endurance activities and stop doubting myself. I am normally much more confident in myself but when it comes to triathlon I doubt myself all of the time.

Foot Pain and bruising

I get attacked by a dog on Sunday on the ride. It got me enough to leave a bruise on my left ankle. It didn't penetrate the skin so I am ok. Yesterday at school, I ran into something with my right foot which really hurt. Today I went for a long run and my foot fall was a little off and my foot was a little sore but I didn't think anything of it until I took off my shoe and saw the bruising. Now my little toe and the surrounding area are a nice purple color and my whole foot is sore. Not sure if it was bruised before the run - I didn't look but now it is bruised. Why is the universe trying to hurt me? Icing and taking Advil tonight to make it feel better. Tomorrow is a biking day and Thursday is GHI Workforce Team Challenge. I am excited about the new course. Hopefully my feet and ankles will be better.

I am afraid of dogs in general but especially when I am on a bike!

Lets start with last weekend then get to the dog....

Sunday, May 10 - Ran with my mom at the Mother's day race. I went out for a 20 minute warm-up and then got ready for the race. It was cool (around 50 degrees) with a little wind but not too bad. I got to the starting line and took off. It felt like the longest mile ever but it was under 10 minutes by a lot which was what I wanted. The next 2 1/2 miles went about the same way but I was getting faster. It is so hard for me to run that hard for that long. I am more of a distance runner - find a pace and keep it for a very long time and then, if you feel good, go faster and pass a whole bunch of people. I ran a 32.18!! I PRed. It felt good. I ran a little after (total of 1 hour 15 minutes) and then got to go to Tulip Fest and got to hang out with my entire family at dinner.

Monday and Tuesday - I had great workouts and felt really good.

Wednesday - Day off - I just didn't feel very good and I felt very tired. Felt like I had legs of lead. Better safe than sorry???

Thursday - Swim and Run. I felt like I couldn't get into a rhythm and couldn't find my balance. The entire short time I was in the pool, I was getting frustrated. I also had a run to do. My mom's work does a run at the Crossings on Thursday night so I went. It was supposed to rain and it did on cue - as soon as we decided to start running. I started and didn't feel too bad but within a couple of minutes the legs of lead returned. I ran for my hour but it was really difficult. Oh, well - maybe it was the weather, maybe it was the day off. Not sure. Not worried either.

Friday - National Ride Your Bike to Work day!!! - I got up at 5:15 am and was out of the door by 5:45. It was extremely foggy!!! Fog is scarry to ride in! Not so excited about this. I had major issues the entire time. I figured it was because I hadn't eaten breakfast yet and figured I would get better on the way home. Not so. I got on the bike and immediately felt my legs of lead not wanting to work. I got about 1.5 miles from home, had the option of hitting sand and going down, getting hit by a car, or hit a hole. I hit the hole and immediately knew I had a flat. I pulled over, worked to change the tire (had a couple of questions which my dad answered over the phone) and then went to fill it with my carbon dioxide canister. Then as I thought I was being successful, I hear a BANG!!! It sounds like a gun firing. No more tire. Called Dave and had him come and pick me up since my husband was out on his own bike ride and I had to get to prom. Nap time was completely obliterated by my hour of dealing with a flat tire and waiting for a ride!!

Saturday - got home at 1:15 am from prom - day was wasted. I was exhausted.

Sunday - went out to Stillwater to do the 63 mile course. I was so tired still from Friday night and getting up earlier than I was prepared to this morning that I fell asleep on the ride from Joe's Mom and Dad's house to the high school. Got to the high school and felt ready to go. It was a little chilly (55 degrees and windy). Got started and wanted to just be - not try to hard - prepare for the IM course and not pushing at the beginning. Got out there and had some hip and groin problems but I wasn't too worried. Got to eat my PB&J uncrustables at an hour and a half and was excited. Struggling but ok. Upper back was sore and my "undercarriage" was suffering from the bike seat (I really can't figure out how to stop both of those things from being annoyingly sore while I am riding). Got to the place where the 63 mile course was supposed to turn and rode passed it. Turned around and found my way back to the right place. Kept riding and then got to the end of a road without an arrow and didn't know which way to go - I picked the wrong way, of course. As I am riding on this unknown road, I hear a dog barking. This little white haired dog starts running down toward the road. My first though is "There must be an invisible fence." My next though was "It won't cross the road." My next thought while I am yelling at the dog is " Oh s%$t, what do I do - keep riding faster or stop." As I am telling the dog to stop it is nipping at my ankle and barking. At no point was the owner visible or yelling for their dog that is attacking me. I was convinced I was going to be bitten by that stupid dog. I am already afraid of dogs and when they come at me while on my bike, I get even more afraid. I pushed it into another gear with the help of some adrenaline and got up to 24 mph while on a slight uphill telling the dog to stop and go away. That was a fast little sucker though - he/she followed me up to 19 mph. I was afraid of the dog running into my back wheel and me falling too. It was not nice. After the dog was gone, I realized I really was not on the correct course, had no idea which road I was on, and knew I wasn't going back the way I had come as to avoid another introduction to the dog. I called Joe to see where I went wrong but he hadn't taken the same course and couldn't help me. I continued down the road and found a road that looked familiar but I didn't know which way I should be going - of course, I picked the wrong direction. At least it was on the 50 mile bike course so I just turned around and followed the arrows. At this point, my legs were tired, my upper back hurt, and the wind was just not fun. 20 miles left to go. Kept on truckin' though. It was a slow battle with the wind. It was not fun at all. Had another sandwhich which didn't effect me or my mood. I finally got back to the high school 60 miles later. Another workout that didn't feel good. Something really has to change before next weekends 100 mile ride.

GHI Workforce team challenge is on Thursday night. I am in-charge of our team at school with 27 people. It should be a good time as long as my lowerback pain and my groin/hipflexor muscle pain goes away by then.

I just don't understand why I could feel so good 3 weeks ago and then now feel like such crap!!! Maybe this is how training goes but I don't know. People keep asking how training is going, am I going to be ready but I don't know. I won't know until race day since I haven't done this before. I am a little frustrated now though. Hopefully, all will get better this week!!