Monday, July 15, 2013

I Had a Miniature Breakdown, But It’s Okay

I know I’m only in my third week of Ironman Florida training, but I keep having to remind myself to relax, not take myself so seriously and to not get hung up on perfectionism.

I’m also having to be more vulnerable and ask for help, which is a bit out of my comfort zone. You see, I had no clue I was going to be doing the Ironman until a month ago, and I have not much time to train, so things went from zero to one hundred in about a millisecond.

And, we are just getting started.

This past week was only 12+ hours hours of training (as if 12 hours is measly or something) – but the BULK of it was done over the weekend, leaving me fried. Coach Sharpie told me if I wasn’t using the “F” word every time I spoke her name (F$cking Sharpie!) then she was doing something wrong. You can see why we are a good match.

Sunday was the first day that I was on the bike muttering “F$cking Sharpie and her f$cking workouts.” I had done a 60 mile ride and 6 mile run Saturday, then bright and early Sunday it was back on the bike for 4 1/2 more hours, which included major climbing and intervals.

From the minute I got on the bike, my legs were heavy and I just didn’t want to be doing it. I was alone and in a bad ass mood. I wanted to join Ken on a trail run or to sit on the couch with the paper and coffee. Boo hoo – First World Problems. Not even my Honey Stinger waffles made me smile. Then I somehow lost my $10 bill and ran out of water and food and thought I would have to rob a 7-11, but I didn’t. I can’t do the Ironman if I am incarcerated.

I kept reminding myself, this is what it is all about. You are going to have many times when you don’t want to do it. Shut up. Do it. Power through. And the goofiest thing was that in my head I would chant “Beth Risdon, you are an Ironman!” (with a vagina). That might seem totally asinine, but keeping my eye on the goal is the point, right?   On November 2, I want to feel how I did in this picture (70.3 Boulder):

beth703

So, in all I did another 63 miles of hills, wind and intervals.

Here’s how the week shook out:

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Total time = 12 hours, 18 minutes.

You can see it was predominantly time spent on the bike. Not every week will be that bike heavy – lots of times I will have long runs instead.  (Oh, running, I miss you! But, there will be lots of running this week as I have the EPIC Relay this weekend).

For the week:

Bike total miles: 133
Run total miles: 12
Swim total yards: 4,300 yards

ALL of my workouts are aerobic and done at very low heart rates. This is because the Ironman will be all about endurance and being in an aerobic zone. If I don’t do that and fuel properly, I will die.

I did have a miniature breakdown on Sunday. I was tired and questioning if I could really do this thing. Ken and Sharpie pep-talked me back on track. Sharpie said, “That’s mine to worry about. You just do what I say and you will finish.”

Then I got this today and my faith was restored in how cool this whole thing is (it’s hard to read the fine print, but it basically is a press release about this cool team I am on). I do feel truly honored and lucky to be part of this.

 

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If you want to read more about my exceptional team mates and who makes up our X2PERFORMANCE Ironman Team, go HERE. Yes, we have our own website!! Too good to be true, really.

Would you ever consider doing an Ironman? Why or why not?

What is your next big race goal? Are you scared/excited/anxious – all of the above?

SUAR

50 comments:

  1. Didn't you just lose $20 in Monterey? Sounds like you need a good system or safe place to store your money on your workouts! I hardly ever run with cash and I just hope I have enough fuel to keep me going.

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    1. YES! You have a good memory. I do need a better system. This is getting expensive!

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  2. Quit being such a hero! No, don't! Keep up the good work. You are such an inspiring individual. And so real... I mean you even drink wine! :)

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  3. Ooooooo, Honey Stinger Waffles are my fave! You must have been REALLY cranky if those didn't cheer you up! Love your coach's advice about just following her directions. You can do this!

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  4. I am not a crier, at all but I cried more than I ever have while training for IM Arizona last summer. I think it's par for the course but I didn't cry once, well in a bad way while racing my Ironman. I know the same will be true for you. You are going to do great! Training is tough and long but keep your eyes on the prize, it's so worth it!

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    1. Thank you. I am relieved to hear that crying is normal :)

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  5. I haven't had a chance to read the blog in a while, so if you've already seen this I apologize, but it's so damn funny.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B03dFMG8nR4

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  6. Doing an Ironman is on my bucket list for sure!! First I want to do a half first! I love reading about your journey!

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  7. I will never do a full Ironman. I know that other have done it with Type 1 Diabetes, but at this point in my life, I can't ever imagine wanting to juggle that sort of blood sugar/carb intake/insulin intake math for almost 17 hours. I can absolutely envision myself finishing a half Ironman though.

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  8. I'm having insomnia issues tonight so catching up on the blog :). You'd think as tired as I am, I'd quickly fall asleep. Not so much.

    Damn woman, you don't have time to go get a beer or lunch with me. You are NAILING this training and I am super stoked for you. It will all pay off and you will reap the rewards when you cross that finish line - trust me on that one. I had a serious, "I am OVER IT ALL" about three weeks prior to Leadville...but it's fun to lie to ourselves when the going gets tough. I think if you don't have those little moments, then you aren't afraid of your goal...and if you aren't afraid of your goal, then it's not really that exciting.

    I will let you do all the full IMs, Beth. I'll be your biggest cheerleader though.

    Miss you! Hope we can get together soon...squish me in on one of your Wed workouts (as long as it's not a kick ass bike day).

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  9. I am considering an Ironman actually! My sister is doing one this fall, and I feel a little bit like I'm missing out. I've never done a tri at all before though, so I think I might start with a half Ironman next summer, and then do a full the year after.

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    1. You should start with a sprint, then a few olys, three or four halves....and THEN an IM. Will work better. And get in a couple of century rides and marathons under your belt too.

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  10. You’re totally going to kill this race. Reading these updates are seriously keeping my simple marathon training in perspective. It’s all just simple and relaxed running in comparison. Happy Training…or at least productive training if that’s not possible. You can be happy in Florida.

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  11. You're humor will get you through! Keep rocking it! Congrats on your addition to the tri team!

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  12. I have Ironman Wisconsin in about 8 weeks and I'm pissing my pants already. I've been training since January. I think I've averaged about 14 hours weeks. I have three kids so that 14 will have to be good enough. AND, the bulk of that 14 is the long bike and that 2-3 hours run.

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    1. BEST of luck. Cannot wait to hear how it goes for you. I will look to you for inspiration..I think 14 hours/week with three kids means you are superwoman basically.

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  13. I've done two Ironmans. The first one was amazing - one of the best days of my life. The second one was pure misery. Got my period race morning, it was pouring rain and 14 degrees, froze my ass off & got totally dehydrated on the bike and then my stomach started giving me problems. Spent the entire first loop of the run visiting every single porta potty. The only positive was that we were racing in Zurich and the run course was 4 loops that were jam packed with crazy loud spectators and a DJ so even though I felt like a sack of hammers, I still managed to salvage some enjoyment in the last part of the race.

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    1. I ran a rim to rim to rim on my period...good thing there were nice views.

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  14. You can do it! I think it's healthy to be a little afraid and overwhelmed. It's an f-ing Ironman! It also means you respect it enough to know you better train so you don't die. Keep working hard!!

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  15. I am currently training for my second Ironman, and I love the training! Your training is going great, don't worry you WILL finish. Let me know if you ever want a ride buddy, I often ride up in the Boulder area.

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  16. I AM IRONMAN
    ButI'vegotgirlypartsdooowwwwnthere

    I'm going to be singing that all day.

    Also, I never want a Coach Sharpie. I'd cry and binge eat a lot.

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  17. Awesome, Beth. You're a mf'ing Iron-gina.

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    1. Best comment ever. I am going to get a tattoo that says that when I am done with this whole thing.

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  18. You rock. I can't imagine trying to go all out on an Ironman at this point. Someday I'll get there - I've just gotta work my way up to it. My next big focus is doing a full marathon. 3 HMs this year, a 26.2 or two next year, smaller races in between. Baby steps here. :)

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  19. You are rockin' Beth!

    I would love to do a tri but I can't swim more than 25 yards without stopping. I keep thinking one of these days I'll get a coach to help me swim. My next "big thing" is trying to BQ in November. I think fear is what keeps me going some days. I have never really "trained" for a marathon before. Usually I just increase my mileage about 8 weeks before a race, get up to a 20-miler, then call it good. I have to knock 55 minutes off my PR to do it.

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  20. Here's a hint.....everyone who's done an Ironman goes thru this. Peaks and Valleys in training. Some days/weeks are great and others suck butt. These bad days where you push/stick it out will help the mental aspect on race day.

    Trust me.....now Shut Up and Run (or bike or Swim)

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    1. I LOVED my IM trainings- no valleys for me!

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  21. I'm loving your posts about the Ironman training. My husband just finished his first Ironman in Coeur d'Alene. I definitely have the bug to do one, I just need to break my running addiction enough to fit in the swimming and biking!

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  22. You're doing great Beth! And I too am loving reading about your training. I think it's natural to be scared/pissed/nervous when undertaking something of this magnitude. If it was easy, everyone would do it. And I think your chant is the PERFECT motivator - that's what you're doing this for, right?? So you can be an Ironman (with a vagina). :)

    Although, you're not making it easy on me. I'm taking a few weeks off after angering my ITB so I haven't run and you're making me want to. :)

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  23. I can't imagine doing an Ironman, but I admire anyone who does; I'm still trying to figure out how to do a tri when I don't like to swim and don't have a bike. You're doing amazing; I have no doubt you're going to rock that IM.

    Next big race for me is Ragnar Northwest Passage this weekend; I did a half marathon on Sunday and managed to trip and fall, face first, so I'm sporting a lovely cut lip, bruises and scrapes plus a few more aches than normal after a HM. Hoping everything heals up sufficiently so I'm not the slowest on the team!

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  24. I love your blog! I cannot imagine training for a Ironman, I thought marathon training was tough! One day I hope to do one! My next big race is the Marine Corps Marathon!

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  25. You are amazing. Can't say I will ever do an Ironman. I'll stick to my sprint triathlons.

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  26. Never say never ...

    I just don't have the desire right now. Maybe that's a sign I've run too many ultras?

    You are a rock star, Beth. Especially because you had a meltdown, shared it with us, and just kept going.

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  27. Where do you ride 60 miles? I ride to Lyons and back and it's only about 32 miles.. Would like to add more miles. ( I live in Longmont too)
    You can do this Ironman- I am 60 and in awe.... you are showing us the "human" emotional side of training plus the physical effort and we are right there with ya. You inspire me to push myself.And for that I thank you.

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    1. Peg - I ride everywhere you can imagine. From my house down Nelson to Lefthand Canyon and up to Jamestown, then down and over to Lyons. I also go up to Carter Lake. The 60 mile ride this weekend was north on 95th to 56, through Berthoud, over to Johnstown and Milliken. Check out Map My Ride for more ideas!

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  28. Even after reading this, I like the idea of an Ironman. Except for the swimming part.
    Next race? I am actually going to run a sanctioned marathon. I did my first with friends around NYC after cancellations due to:
    1. A Natural Disaster (NYC)
    2. Illness (Miami)
    3. Being broke (NJ)
    I cannot wait to run 26.2 with a tremendous amount of people. That being said, running it almost solo was epic.

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  29. I will never do an IM, but I love hearing about yours! I can do a sprint Tri with a pool swim, but open water swims are SCARY for me! My scary race goal--BIG SUR! I registered yesterday, the race is 9 months away and I'm already crapping my pants!

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    1. Open water swims are DA BOMB!

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  30. I've done 2 half Ironman races and have thought about doing a full Ironman but have a hard time thinking about the time commitment to train properly. And I think about how tired I would be all the time. Not ready to go there yet. Next big race is Marine Corp Marathon. Looking forward to hearing all your training stories!

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  31. For some reason unknown to any sane person, I have decided to train for a 50 mile run the end of November. It will be my first ultra marathon... I haven't even talked about it to most people because it just sounds so ridiculous in my head that I am even going to attempt it! But your insane commitment to IM makes me feel less crazy so I can at least talk about it on here! lol ;)

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    1. Not ridiculous...many do ultras. me too.

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  32. have already done two Ironmans (Canada and Arizona)- training now for a NON IM 70.3 and am doing the same mileage as you did last week for my half. And I am not into heavy training yet either....
    I hope your coach is including some shorter faster stuff too as long and slow leads to racing slow and long.
    Third IM hopefully in 2014 or 15. Haven't found the race I want to do yet.

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    1. Yes of course she is including those things. She is a pro triathlete and knows what is involved.

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  33. OMG you and your coach are a perfect match!! I have a deep down secret idea that a half ironman is coming, but I've not put those words out to the light of day yet :) I need to feel a good solid year of healthy and then I will probably go after it.

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  34. Ironman is on my bucket list but I've got to get my running faster to finish in a reasonable time. Someday...

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  35. I just do the Ironman Strength exercises prescribed to me by Dr Metzl. That's enough! Power through! You're such an inspiration!

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  36. Okay, so I have to ask because...um...I have this friend who wants to know: How do you keep from getting yeast infections with all that time in swim suits and sweaty bike shorts? My friend just can't believe she's the only female athlete who worries about such things, but if it's too personal and/or too gross of a question, I understand. I mean...my friend understands.

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  37. Thanks for honestly sharing your training! I'm looking at tackling my first sprint tri next year and am eating up all things tri/ironman. I'm really impressed you are going for it!

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