Monday, April 14, 2014

Who Needs Ambien?

I just finished week #4 of Ironman training, which means I have 16 weeks to go until IM Boulder (if I can count).

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My training hours were only 10 for the week, but apparently this is right where I should be for now. Here’s the breakdown.

Swim: 7,800 yards ~4.43 miles
Bike: 75 miles
Run: 16.65 miles

Total miles: 96.08
Total time: 10 hours, 5 minutes
Total # of workouts: 9

Total bowls of peanut butter Cap’n Crunch consumed? 40

While training for an Ironman, or really any triathlon, you have to be super OCD organized. This is because there is so much damn gear required. I am usually pretty good about having my stuff together. I have found that the trick is in planning everything the night before from laying out clothes, to putting the coffee on self timer, to taking my morning dump (just kidding, that would defeat the purpose – plus I never poop at night unless I have food poisoning - TMI).

On Sunday, I had an early morning swim, which was to be followed by a simulated duathlon (some of my team mates were racing, I wasn’t). This meant that Saturday night amidst a few glasses of wine  and episodes of Mad Men, I organized my crap for MSS (Multi Sport Sunday). I failed miserably at this task, and I’m just glad I wasn’t racing because I would have been naked. And crying.

I got to the pool at 6:30 a.m. It was 32 degrees, sleeting and starting to snow.

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I once again wondered why I do this crap. There are few things in life I hate worse than to be cold. Okay, I hate vomit worse than being cold. Good thing I didn’t vomit in the cold water.

After swimming with my group for 1.25 hours, I stopped in the hot tub then quickly dressed and headed out for my next round of workouts. I was planning to drive to the gym and do a run-bike-run sequence for about another 1.5 hours. That is when I realized I had my running shoes, but no shorts, shirt or bra (fail #1). I could have gotten in the treadmill in my one piece bathing suit and running shoes, but I don’t think my  Mizunos go with this:

Mirror-mirror One Piece Monokini Swimwear Swimsuit Bathing Suit - ...

I talked Ken into bringing my stuff to me. My view while waiting in the car was beautiful (I spy with my little eye something beginning with the letter “f.”).

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After my run-bike-run I learned an important lesson (fail #2). It is possible to dry oneself off completely after a shower with a hand towel. Yes, I forgot my towel, so I used those little ones they give out to you for when you sweat. It was kind of like mopping up a spilled bottle of beer with a postage stamp. Or, something like that.

Regardless, the workout got done in plenty of time to come home and fall asleep on the couch while watching the Masters because that is what golf does to me. Who needs Ambien or Melatonin when you can watch golf?

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Have you ever forgotten something important on race day? Yes, once when doing a 70.3 I forgot socks. Funny story HERE.

What’s worse for you when working out? Being too hot or too cold?

SUAR

31 comments:

  1. That's a tough one I'd say being too cold. I am so sick of cold weather but ask me again in a few months once summer hits :)

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  2. Being too cold is by far worse for me. I actually really enjoy running in hot weather.
    I've been running for 7 years and have yet to forget anything major for a race. Pretty sure I just jinxed myself. :)

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  3. For me, being too hot is worse. Hot flashes and all.

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  4. I am so obsessive about checking and rechecking my gear for a race. I hope I never forget something as essential as socks!

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  5. OMG I hate being cold. I'd rather over dress and be warm than to be cold while out for a run. Is that really an outdoor pool??? You swam outdoors in CO in April?? #crazy

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  6. You say naked like it's a bad thing. For you and many other's, it's not. In case you were wondering. I've seen people on the treadmill in a swim suit and running shoes, so no biggie there.
    I've got to the pool a few times and found I didn't have my swim suit. Once I "borrowed" a lost and found, once I figured I was running late so I showered and went to work, and once I had a back up pair of shorts in my bag.

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  7. My Dad was a lifelong golfer and loved watching golf. Some of my best Sunday afternoon naps were taken to the sound of a golf tournament.

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  8. So cool that you train for ironmans. That is quite an accomplishment! I love the heat! I'd rather be hot than cold any day. I agree with you on golf....so boring! During my travels this week I packed every article of clothing so I could run in any type of weather. Unfortunately I forgot the most important piece. A sports bra! Good thing our hotel was next to Burlington coat factory!

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  9. I hate, hate, hate being hot when I run. This is especially unfortunate because I live in Texas. :(

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  10. Too cold…at least with too hot you can sweat a bunch and feel hard core. Too cold…yep I can't think of anything good from it. haha Golfing is definitely a melatonin replacement for me! I can't believe how quickly I get tired from watching it! I love playing Put Put because it short and quick. I respect the sport of Golfing because it is hard, but I just can't stand watching it for long.

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  11. I forgot my iPod on my very first race!

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  12. There is nothing worse then being cold!!!!
    Just yesterday I forgot my water bottles (both of them) when meeting friends for a long bike ride. Luckily, one of them had an extra but I don't think it had been cleaned for some time. Oh well. I didn't get sick...yet.

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  13. I've gotten down the street and realized I had no running shoes. Luckily I've never made it all the way to the race missing something important!

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  14. I teach aerobics, and let me tell you ... there is nothing worse than realizing you forgot your sports bra when you're a bigger busted gal. :-( And you'd think once would be enough to help you remember, but it seems every 6 months or so I need a reminder.

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  15. On my first IM, I forgot to add my second water bottle on my bike and took off luckily with my aero drink, but man I was missing that nutrition!

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  16. I forgot my knee brace for a half marathon, 3 weeks out from a really bad injury, I should have walked back to the car and gotten it, but I'm lazy as sh*t. Long story short, I ran like a 2:05 half because I was so scared to run it, and break my leg in half or something.

    Just yesterday I got to masters swim with the Tri Club, and realized I forgot my suit. So, I passed off the bottle of bourbon I brought my coach (my coach is awesome and loves Bourbon, and since I'm from Kentucky and practically have bourbon in my veins, I bring him bottles of stuff he hasn't tried before), and went home to get it. 2 hours later stuck in traffic, I headed to LA Fitness to swim in the cesspool there, literally.

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  17. Too cold. Much, much worse. I hate the cold.

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  18. I couldn't get past that you swam outside in 32 degrees. That kind of toughness has to give you confidence come race day.

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  19. As much as I hate running in below 20F i hate hot weather run even more. I'm slower and always feel sick and sluggish. Not sure I'd wanna do that swim though.

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  20. A good workout will put me to sleep regardless of what's on TV.
    And I HATE the cold.

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  21. this gave me a good laugh. You should've run/bike/run at the gym with the swim. they also have big towels - ;)

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  22. Last year I paid to park in a garage downtown (pittsburgh), got out to walk to the start line of a 10 mile race and realized I was wearing Uggs! . Luckily I only live a few miles out of town, drove 75 mph back to my house, grabbed my running shoes, drove 8 mph back into town, paid to park AGAIN, and made it to the start line with seconds to spare completely stressed out! I had everything laid out the night before, but put my Uggs on to take out the dog, like I do every morning, and never took them off!

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  23. Make that 80 mph back to town, not 8!

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  24. Luckily, I have never forgotten something important for a race but I am known to forget important things in my gym bag. I've gone to work without underwear, a bra, without socks... The best one was when I forgot leggings for under a too-short-to-wear-without-leggings dress. I hid in my room all day.

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  26. For working out I hate being hot. I figure I'll warm up eventually. But that is for running. Swimming I much rather be warm! In daily life I HATE the cold. Also, I think I found someone that hates vomit as much as I do! Any advice on how you got through it with having kids? I am most afraid of: #1: being pregnant and getting morning sickness, and #2: having the little kiddos throw up everywhere and being home alone with them and being forced to clean it up and #3: having them throw up ON me. I shudder just thinking of the possibilities.

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  27. I love your blog! You are hilarious! Most important forgotten item... My inhaler! I still ran the marathon and did okay. And I hate...HATE....being cold (I live in Alaska).

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  28. Your IMF compadre fan here. There are too many things to comment so will be brief (try): 1)fell off chair seeing you were Sherry’s cousin. I had mutual acquaintances with her and we all hoped and prayed for such a different outcome. 2) see you’re knee deep in IM2 training. Congrats. I had a friend that asked if I wanted strings pulled to do the Boulder IM since it was sold out and I said, “are you nuts?” 4) I did see the story of your friend Claire’s niece and it was so sad and tragic, 5) very sorry but happy your coccyx is all healed up, 6) you still make me laugh out loud. Thank you for sharing all your experiences. Sorry for the long thread-I need to check in more often because you are too prolific.

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    1. PS. second IM certainly deserves tat.

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  29. The worst I have forgotten was my race belt, not a huge deal. My husband forgot his goggles at his first Olympic length tri. Trying to find an open drug store to buy any old pair of goggles was interesting.

    I would most definitely rather be cold than hot. :/ I unfortunately live in a desert, summer's are tortuous.

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  30. I am a completely incompetent morning gym bag packer. This month, on separate occasions, I forgot: a shirt, shower flops, and, yes, my towel. Totally bought the $3 sweat towel- perfect. No shame!!

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