Easing back in...

I'm easing back in to running, but its hard mentally. A 30 minute run feels like nothing, but I know I can't just start running ridiculous miles and expect to not get injured. My running volume came way down during IM training and I've definitely gained some weight in the last month of laziness. I've got to ease back in before increasing my mileage, because there are many things that could cause an injury.

I ran for an hour last night. Then today I did a 30 minute run today, even though it felt like nothing. I wanted to throw down an hour or hour and a half, but I knew that would be a bad idea. I'm going to try and get in an hour tomorrow but keep the pace really easy.

Happy New Year to all!

Terrible Run

I'm using my time in Texas to try and get back into the mental mode of running. I got out of the habit while taking a break after the IM. Then it got cold and all my motivation disappeared. I went out for a 30 minute run today and it felt awful. That's motivation enough. I feel ridiculously out of shape.

Ironman World Championship

Its on NBC right now.

I'm watching and now I want to do another Ironman.

That didn't take long...

A week later

Its been slightly over a week and I haven't done much healthy. I ran for the first time last night though. I only put in a little over 3 miles. I didn't feel terrible, but I definitely didn't feel "right." I'm currently on my way to Portland for NXN, so I should get in some good runs while out on the west coast.

I'm still riding a bit of a high from the race. 11:46:09, and I couldn't be happier. I've been working on the race report, but its taking a long time. Its VERY long. Right now, I'm about 1/3 done with the cycling leg. As soon as I finish the race report, I'll get up posted to the blog.

I'll try and get some stuff up over the next few days as well as we showcase the Spike Bus at WHQ and NXN.

KMF

KMF...Keep Moving Forward. That's my mantra for the swim. I went back out this morning and it was a little easier than yesterday. However, I have no crazy delusions that the swim is going to be easy. I can swim all day in a pool, but put me in open water and I have issues. I can and will tackle the swim tomorrow, but it isn't going to be easy. I'm going to be slow, but the plan is just to keep moving forward. Once I'm out of the water, I have a long day ahead of me, but the "hard" part will be over. I'm sure I'll hit some lows on run, but I have the mental toughness to gut out the run.

The Ironman...140.6 reasons/dedications, sort of...

the goal was to have this posted tonight, but it has become apparent i will not finish this before i need to go to bed. So, i'm posting what I have. It was much harder to come up with the full list than I had expected.

Swim

Mile 1 - is for my parents. Without your support over the years, I'd never even be at the starting line.
Mile 2 - is for Francis and his patience. Thanks for working with me at Coney Island to get over my open water anxiety. I can't thank you enough
Mile 2.4 - is for Shay. Thanks for the wetsuit hook-up.

Bike

Mile 1 - is for Texas 4000 and all my Tx4K crew. Without you, I would have never discovered my love for cycling. We've got 2.5 months of memories that will last a lifetime.
Mile 2 - is for Jonathan Cane. I can't even begin to thank you for everything, but I'll start with "thanks for answering the million emails I send."
Mile 3 - is for my friends who don't understand my obsession with this stuff who have hardly seen me in the past 6 months. Its almost time to get my life back.
Mile 4 - is for my people at mktg. Paul, Ross, DC, Shaun, Christina. You've all helped me out in some way on this journey. Giving me a day off, subbing for me, offering encouragement, etc. Thanks.
Mile 5 - is for anyone who rode even a single mile with me during training.
Mile 6 - is for Central Park. I can't even begin to count the miles I've logged there.
Mile 7 - is for the Spoon in Nyack.
Mile 8 - is for Bunbury in Piermont.
Mile 9 - is for 9W. I'd go crazy if I couldn't get out of Central Park. Thanks for many great out-and-backs.
Mile 10 - is for my iPod. You've distracted me for many, many miles.
Mile 11 - is for Race Across the Window and the entire team. Thanks for kicking off my training.
Mile 12 - is for anyone who ever doubted me. Thank you. You only serve to fuel my determination.
Mile 13 - is for everyone who believes in me. Thank you. You fuel my determination.
Mile 14 - is for Sam. You may not have realized it, but when you were pouring me a beer and telling me how you didn't want to get another email from me saying I hadn't reached my goal, it motivated me.
Mile 15 - is for crossing another item off my list.
Mile 16 - is for the Health and Fitness forum
Mile 17 - is for Kickrunners
Mile 18 - is for the thousands of training miles I did when no one was watching.
Mile 19 - is for Universal Sports. All those hours of coverage from different IMs helped keep me motivated.
Mile 20 - is for Pat West. Texas 4000 may have ended 5 years ago, but every mile I ride is still in your memory.
Mile 21 - is for Lloyd Curington. Texas 4000 may have ended 5 years ago, but every mile I ride is still in your memory.
Mile 22 - is for MC Leipard. Texas 4000 may have ended 5 years ago, but every mile I ride is still in your memory.
Mile 23 - is for Joanna Osborne (Watson) - Texas 4000 may have ended 5 years ago, but every mile I ride is still dedicated to you. Congrats on kicking cancer's ass.
Mile 24 - is for bonktown. Thanks for all the cheap gear.
Mile 25 - is for Accelerade.
Mile 26 - is for BodyGlide. Where would we be without you?
Mile 27 - is for Lawrence Towle. I miss you.
Mile 28 - is for Eula Prenger. I miss you.
Mile 29 - is for the pool at Bally. We've spent a lot of time together.
Mile 30 - is for Kelly. You've always believed in me and always encouraged me endlessly.
Mile 31 - is for tackling the Ironman in year 31.
Mile 32 - is for the 1999 Houston Marathon. 4:52...I'm hopefully going to beat that time in the Ironman.
Mile 33 - is for Tempe Town Lake. I WILL conquer you.
Mile 34 - is for Francis. Thanks for letting me borrow the trainer.
Mile 35 - is for Terry. Thanks for all the advice on AZ.
Mille 36 - is for making it to the starting line healthy.
Mile 37 - is for my Trek. Just b/c you didn't get to make the trip out for the race doesn't mean I don't love you.
Mile 38 - is for Aggie Football become bowl eligible (even if it will be a craptastic bowl).
Mile 39 - is for (hopefully) no flats.
Mile 40 - is for the gorgeous Arizona weather.
Mile 41 - is for carbo-loading.
Mile 42 - is for Bev and her unending positivity.
Mile 43 - is for getting my life back soon.
Mile 44 - is for my nephews. Sorry I live so far away.
Mile 45 - is for balega socks. best. socks. ever.
Mile 46 - is for Pam Reed. Thanks for having me at badwater and thanks for the last-minute tips for IMAZ.
Mile 47 - is for my wetsuit. Tomorrow we are teaming up for a successful swim.
Mile 48 - is for NSQ and her absolute insanity. And I mean that as a compliment.
Mile 49 - is for all the texts, calls, voicemails, emails, and messages I've gotten over the past few days. Thanks to everyone.
Mile 50 - is for the Finger Lakes 50 miler. You helped me push my limits and proved what I could accomplish.
Mile 51 - is for Jim. That 42 mile training run last year was as unforgettable as they get. Thanks for sticking it out with me.
Mile 52 - is for the finish line. I saw you the other day. I will see you tomorrow.
Mile 53 - is for Endurolytes. Please help me keep the cramps away.
Mile 54 - is for the gorgeous desert scenery.
Mile 55 - is for powerbars. I don't really like you, but we'll have a truce for a day.
Mile 56 - is for beer. I miss you.
Mile 57 - is for the very unhealthy food I can't wait to eat after I finish.
Mile 58 - is for City Coach.
Mile 59 - is for Tiffany. Thanks for all the positivity. Thanks for pacing me last year at the 60K.
Mile 60 - is for the Knickerbocker 60K. Sucks this won't be the 4th straight year, but maybe I'll be back next year. Good luck Stephany and Claude!
Mile 61 - is for Worku. We'll miss you when you leave.
Mile 62 -
Mile 63 - is for Mt. Dew. I'll be looking forward to you in my special needs bag at mile 63.
Mile - 70 - is for arriving in Anchorage on the 70th day of TX4K.
Mile 93 - is for my bib number: 393.
Mile 100 - is for running 100 miles. It will happen.
Mile 112 - is for my bikes. We may not always have perfect days together, but at least you will never break my heart.

Run

Mile 1 - This one is for you Dad. Because we never got the chance to run the Marathon together, I know that was a tough day for you. I'll always look back on that 5K with great memories though. However, Freebirds was a bad choice that day.
Mile 2 - is for my sister, Jamie. Raising 4 boys is more difficult than anything I'll ever accomplish in my athletic life, yet somehow you've been getting up and running in the mornings before tackling your life. That is inspiring.
Mile 3 - is for Boston. You're next.
Mile 4 - is for the NYC Bridges. I've run you guys countless times and I never tire of the views of the city you provide me.
Mile 5 - is for RUN NYC. You guys keep me going.
Mile 6 - is for Roz. Thanks for the cookies. Thanks for the GU. And thanks for always being happy.
Mile 7 - is for all my JackRabbit people. For 2 years, you guys fueled the fire and kept me motivated.
Mile 8 - is for Tessa. Your helped restart my passion for running when you asked me to get you ready for the Queens half marathon back in the day.
Mile 9 - is for my 9th marathon, even if it is part of a bigger race.
Mile 10 - is for Roctane.
Mile 11 - is for Jene and all the miles we logged back in the day. Long live Tour de Bridge Challenge!
Mile 12 - is for the NYC Marathon. You change the city for a day and motivate thousands.
Mile 13 - Chris Bergland. Thanks for all the motivation you gave me, even if you never knew you were giving it.
Mile 14 - is for Katie. This one is for you since you had to miss NYC.
Mile 15 - is for running the Brooklyn Half after knocking out 56 miles on the computrainer.
Mile 16 -
Mile 17
Mile 18 - is for November 18, 1999: Nathan Scott West, Christopher Lee Heard, Bryan Allan McClain, Christopher D. Breen, Jamie Lynn Hand, Chad Anthony Powell, Lucas John Kimmel, Miranda Denise Adams, Michael Steven Ebanks, Timothy Curly Jr., Jerry Don Self, Jeremy Richard Frampton. We will never forget.
Mile 19 -
Mile 20 -
Mile 21 -
Mile 22 - one is for Jen and Erika. Because we are connect by November 22. Kick Philly's ass and just remember when it gets tough, just know you have a lot shorter day than I do. I expect nothing but PRs from you two ladies.
Mile 23 -
Mile 24 -
Miles 25 & 26 - are for Greg. These miles are for your last two rounds of chemo. Cancer sucks, but you are kicking its ass. These miles are for you b/c you've been robbed of running this year.
Mile 26.2 - is for me. I don't know how I'm going to greet you .2, but its been a long time coming. I might laugh. I might cry. I really don't know.

Checked in

I went down to the athlete village and got checked in, bought some swag, got my bike etc. Snapped a few pictures while I was down there...

After I picked up my bike, I went out for a 40 minute run. I took it super easy, but still seemed to by pushing 20 mph with little effort. I rode through some fairly scenic areas just north of Tempe before heading back to the hotel.

After getting back to the hotel, I put on my running shoes and went out for super easy 15 minute jog. Everything feels really easy and loose right now, which is good. This evening, my dad and I went back down to the park for the mandatory athlete meeting. On the way down there, we passed by the athlete's village again and they were setting up the finish line, so I snapped a quick picture of that as well.

That's all for today. I'm just going to veg out for the rest of the night...

Open-water Anxiety

I went down to Tempe Town Lake this morning for a quick swim. Its a good idea anyway, but I did it for multiple reasons. I went to see what the water temps felt like (its cold), and I went down there to see if I was going to have issues. Of course, I did. It took me about 10 minutes to get settled down and control my breathing and then I was fine. I swam for about 20 minutes. I'm going to go back in the morning for another 15 minutes or so just to give myself a little more piece of mind before sunday. I don't know why I have these problems, but its really annoying...Its all in my head, but I've yet to purge it permanently. Luckily, I know it passes. I'll be slow on the swim, but I'm ok with that.

I'm headed down to the athlete village in a little while to look around and pick up my bike. The weather is awesome here. I'll post some pictures later today.

Arrival in Arizona

I made it here...and all my gear made it. I was ridiculously paranoid my bag would get lost. Last night I meticulously divided all my gear into two groups:

1) carry-on - anything that was deemed 100% necessary to the race (pedals, tri shoes, etc)
2) checked back - anything that wasn't necessarily needed, but would REALLY suck if I didn't have.

Luckily, everything is here. I'm going to head down in the morning and get a swim in. I have a feeling that's when everything is going to really hit me, b/c it hasn't yet. I had a much easier time wrapping my head around running 50 miles than I have with the Ironman.

The camera is charging and I should have quite a bit of down time, so I have a feeling this blog will see a lot of action over the course of the next few days.

Btw - I am bib #393. You can track me on sunday on the Ironman Website.

Less than a week...

There's nothing I can do now. The work has been done. I just have to stay loose and try and shake this head cold I've had for the past few days. I also need to try to not forget things I need to take with me. My bike is on the way, so that's a big one.

I did an easy hour and a half on the trainer yesterday. Today will be an easy run and an easy swim.

I honestly can't believe this race is less than a week away.