Timberman 70.3 - 13 days and Counting...

It seems really hard to believe that in 13 days, I will be in New Hampshire, and getting ready to race at Timberman 70.3.  I still can't get my head wrapped around this... I keep flashing back to a year ago, when I was barely swimming 25m without a rest break, or running 1 and 1's for 10 sets... and trying to remind myself that I'm different now.  My brain hasn't quite caught up yet...

Yesterday, I went out for (what I think was) my last long ride before the race.  I say 'think' because, clearly, I have no real clue what is really going on... and at the moment I'm kind of too tired to really care... I just follow directions.  LOL! 

I would have thought that by now, after 10 months of training, that I would 'get it' and figure out what is going on... but obviously not... it still feels like a magic trick when I pull off a good training day!  Yesterday's nearly 4-hour bike ride on what turned out to be a very blustery day was a complete surprise:  I felt good!  I didn't know I could do that!!  LOL!  I know, you'd think that with all of the training and consistency I've been maintaining for 10 months, it would be a no-brainer but once again - MAGIC!  ;) 

This has been an amazing journey of self-discovery unlike anything I've embarked upon before.  I still find it completely fascinating that my body adapts to the training demands and keeps getting stronger (next year, I will hope for 'faster'...) and carrying me forwards when my brain seems to think that it's game over. 

I'm still not sure if I'll be fast enough to make all of the various cutoffs at the race.  I 'should' be able to make them... barring any unforeseen circumstances (that's life, right?) but I have to keep reminding myself that I CAN DO THIS.  Whether or not I can do this within an allotted time, I'm still not sure... all I can do is TRI... ;) 

So now I guess the tapering begins - or soon, anyway... I'm a little nervous.  The mood-swings alone are enough to make me question my sanity.  Last week, in a period of 24 hours I experienced nervousness, panic, apathy and extreme excitement - oh great... now I'm turning into a bipolar pixie... wonderful!

At least this week, I have the task of baking and decorating about 100 cupcakes for various functions.  That should keep the brain occupied...

Happy Training, Everyone!  Summer is not yet over!!!

- Sue

Who Are YOU and What Have You Done With My Husband?

Well, as of yesterday, Misery Boots moved out... Village Idiot made a brief appearance (which I dutifully ignored) but now, in place of both of these, it seems that THE HAPPY PIXIE has moved into my house.  It's an improvement, believe me!! 

• ... it dances
• ... it sings
• ... it tra la la's countdowns to Ironman race day... Sunday July 25th ( in days and hours)
• ... it makes me wonder about the wonders of pharmaceutical sedation...
• ... it stays up late, watching YouTube videos of (what else?)  IM races...
• ... it sends me email links to videos above... saying 'Wow - look how    motivating!!!!' 

I'm not sure which part is the most motivational for me:  the guy puking on the bike as he rides; the people collapsed and seemingly unconscious in the middle of the course; the guy carrying his bike on the bike leg; the people being taken out on stretchers... the girl hooked up to an IV... the list goes on... yes, mighty motivating!!  LOL!!  At least no one filmed swimmers getting attacked by sharks or anything...

Strangely, The Happy Pixie doesn't wear elf boots or jingle with bells ... it looks like my husband and yet... it is not... it can't be... ?  The Pixie behaves like a 4 year old waiting impatiently for Santa Claus to arrive...

As exhausting as it is having a pixie living in my house... I'll take it!!  ;)



Countdown to IM Lake Placid: 

5 days and several hours... (I'm not mathematically inclined...)  

GO ERIC GO!!!!!!!!!