Ummm... Should I...

I just got back from a HIP happy hour and I left early to clean my apartment as Mom and Dad are on their way. Instead of cleaning, I am thinking.

See, S (I didn't ask to use her name) asked me if I would ever do another Ironman. This is the first time someone asked me and my first reaction wasn't "NO!!". I thought about it and said I would if I had someone to train with. Well, for some reason I wasn't expecting what she said next - but sure enough, we started talking about 2010.

So now instead of cleaning, I am thinking about another Ironman. The first subject I wrote out for this post was "Ummm... Could I..." but I know I can. I already am an Ironman. But there are a lot of other issues. Would my foot handle another Iroman, my knees, my shoulder, my back? I keep thinking I want to move - but can I keep putting things off for this phantom move?

There is some time. We do need to give it some serious thought... I left with a more than 50% yes - I want to do this again. But, there are a lot of factors.

We shall see...

Okay, Fine

Well Tuesday night was karting and I really didn't think I would feel anything. I was fine when I woke up and through out the day. Didn't feel a think anywhere from the karting 'workout'. That is until I went for my swim...

I wrote a workout for the club to do, and 2 x 1000 straight for my self. I eventually got into the pool (I talk a lot to delay the process of getting in - especially when it's really cold) and started. About 650 into my first 1000, I started to feel it in my triceps and lats. Dang - I was surprised. I stopped to check on someone having wet suit issues (and yes, we know you aren't supposed to wear wet suits in a chlorinated pool, however it was a must try on for Sunday's Bay swim) and it was a good excuse to stretch out a bit. I started up again and did the rest of the remaining 350 and next 1000 straight. Needless to say, I am a bit worried about Sunday. There is little I can do now - just need to go and do it.

And it doesn't help that this years logo is uglier than last years - which I didn't think was possible.

Interesting "Workout"

Monday was a swim. It was okay, not too bad, but no Michael Phelps.

I wanted to go for a run yesterday, but my meeting schedule didn't cooperate. 11-12:15 and 1-3 doesn't leave a lot of gym time. And the thunderstorms in the morning weren't very helpful either.

My plans last night were to go Karting. It was a belated birthday present that I kept putting off. However, Tuesday came and off we went. It wasn't as scary as I thought after watching some videos and doing some other types of car/track riding. I also didn't hate as I thought I might.

However, I did laugh when people called it a workout. Yes, I did sweat, but I can sit in a sauna and sweat and I don't call that a workout. But, I also wasn't driving as fast as the other, and therefore didn't have to 'control the kart' as the others did.

Overall, I did have a good time and it was an experience. As for a workout, I am still not sure. Maybe I will tell after my swim.

And Sunday's Post

Slowly catching up. It helps that I write these in my head through out the day...

Sunday's drive out to Sandy Point State Park was one of the best drives I have had in a long time. The sun was fighting through the clouds and haze in a way that made everything look like a black and white picture - with touches of green. It very much reminded me of one of my favorite moments in Ireland this past fall - this is a color picture on the left and one of the most beautiful places I have even been.

Anyway, I was hoping this would be a good sign for things to come.
Not so much.

There were 9 of us for the swim. We chatted as we got ready and headed to the beach. I of course had my special sparkle wetsuit bag and shared my big butt story - all of which I hope made a few people a bit more comfortable. We picked out a course of buoys and we were on our way. It was a good swim, but I remembered that ear plugs are very necessary. I did get a bit dizzy, but was okay. I am definitely nervous for next week as the bridge is SO FAR!!
Anyway, 6 of us headed out on a bike course. Now lately I have been doing okay on the bike, or so I thought. I don't know if it was the lack of sleep, eating queso as my primary food source, or just riding with really REALLY fast people. I was SMOKED!

It started off okay, I think mainly because we got a bit lost and there were a lot of turns. The cue sheet wasn't the best, especially with the mileage counts. So there was a lot of stopping, checking the map, and even using the iPhone for GPS help. Once we figured out where we were, and the correct route, we were on our way - a lot faster. About 12 miles into the ride, there were two larger hills; I totally bonked after second and was left in the dust by everyone else.

I was mad at my self for not eating well last week, not going to bed early enough, sleeping instead of showing up for Tue/Thur HP rides (and not even putting Carlos on the trainer to make up for it) and over all just disappointed in my self. It was a hard ride with a good lesson learned.

Things need to change. I need to do better. I WANT to do better. I don't like just getting by, or just having okay rides. I joke about being the excuse Queen, but it really does need to stop. I didn't realize this fast enough for a great Bay Swim on Sunday, but hopefully enough for a good Half Ironman in September.

Saturday's Post

I knew it would be a weekend of early mornings, but I thought I would have some time to post. Not so much. So, here we go with the recap.

5:15 am. BOOO!!! It was a very early morning. I hopped into Marcus and headed off to Dunkin for coffee/donuts for the volunteers at the DC Training tri. After a few wrong turns and heading down the wrong way on some one way streets (due to the road closures for the Race for the Cure) I made it to Hains Point.

Overall, a very successful training tri. We learned some stuff to do better for next time, but overall, I think it went pretty well and people had a good time. I also hope it was fun for Diane to watch and learn as she preps for her first tri coming up in August. Unfortunately for her in between cheering for ME, she had to deal with me yelling at her as my bike finish time helper.

The day ended with some Nat's vs. Mets baseball and delicious stadium food. I mean, I volunteered at the training tri, which is just like doing a tri, so I felt justified. Also, because I don't know how to read a map of the ballpark when I was buying the tickets, Arin and I were directly in the sun for the first 3 innings. But, I had a great time and it was nice to see the Nat's actually play like a real professional baseball team.

Good times.

Thinking of the Weekend

I am finalizing my weekend plans as Mother Nature appears to be giving us in the area a break from rain. The ONE think I really HATE about my plans is they involve setting my alarm very early (and glad my alarm is not a penguin with cymbals).

Saturday is the first DC Tri Club Training Triathlon. It's a great event for our club and I am happy to volunteer. However, I have to be there between 6 and 6:10. With coffee and donuts. The only Dunkin that opens at 6 is on the other side of town, which means an even earlier wake up time. But I am happy to do it - or so that's what I tell my self.

Sunday we are doing the Sandy Point swim/bike - take 2. Because of the thunder, lightning, rain at 6:00 am last week, we cancelled and then it became a beautiful day. This weekend, we are going no matter what!

So as I strive for balance, this weekend is heavily one sided. Early nights and very early mornings (earlier than I get up for work...) but it's my choice. I like to do this stuff and know as I work towards a balance between tri stuff and more social stuff, it all does work out in the end.

It's Thursday

You know what that means.

No, not Hurricane Thursday, it was Speedy Thursday!! I was hoping to get out of it as I had a 1 o'clock meeting, a 2 o'clock meeting and a 3:15 eye doctors appointment. That doesn't leave a lot of time for a treadmill workout with Charles. But, he stopped by at 10:30 - asking if I wanted to go.

I was tried from last nights swim, a bit sore from weights class (yes, I went to weights class as well yesterday - I rock) and Charles had his personal training session. Between us both being tired, and my meeting schedule, I was sure there would be no Speedy Thursday. However, some how by 11:30, I was on my lunch break at the gym, on a treadmill. I never really woke up, my foot hurt a lot, but I think I am getting better.

It has been raining, still, and after paying someone to poke me in the eye, I had a headache and just wanted to stay home. ME and I discussed, and cancalled yoga. About 30 minutes later, warmy and comfy on my coach, I felt this stragne feeling... it was guilt. So, I let ME know I re-signed up for yoga. And by 6:45 pm, we were on our yoga mats, focused on our breathing.

Again, it felt good and I am glad I went. Of course this was celebrated with a cider and the purchase of more queso. See - i have this very unhealthy obsession with queso from Whole Foods. It's all I want to eat, and it's ssssssooooooo good.

Is It Safe To Swim In The Rain with Lightning??

Just wondering. Back in my lifeguarding days, in an indoor pool, if there was lighting, we cleared the pool. Around here - not so much.

Okay, maybe I really didn't feel like swimming. It was a long, tough workout. And I know, I wrote it. I kept stalling by talking to everyone, just to avoid getting moving. But about 700 yds into the workout, we could see flashes from the lightning. I asked the lifeguard and she said it was fine, she swam threw lightning storms - but I could get out if I didn't feel comfortable.

Blah, what type of "DC Tri Club board member in charge of training" would I be if I quit. So I kept going. It never felt great (except for the straight 500) but I am glad I kept going. And there were some really great people I was swimming with, so that helps.

This Bay Swim is coming up way to fast and I need to get in these last few swims. Good thing I didn't electrocuted today in the pool. That would have stunk.

At Home Workout

I am lazy. We all know this. So, instead of working out tonight, I decided to work on my tire changing skills. Now I know I can change the tube so I really wanted to focus on the CO2 cartridge. My first try, completely wrong. FAIL.

So, for try two, I decided looked up the directions. I did EXACTLY what it said and it still didn't work. BOO! I am annoyed and really scr*wed if I get a flat on a course. Yes, this is something I should have learned long ago, should have down and be able to do really fast - but I just don't. I ran out of cartridges to keep practicing, and they aren't cheep. Oh well.

Tomorrow I am going to try and pick up Blain before swim practice, so hopefully I can pick up a few more, and maybe new Inflator as well...

Yesterday's Run

Charles and I were actually on the same meeting-less schedule yesterday and were able to go on a run around The Mall. Charles is one of the few people I will 'run' with. He knows my pace, is okay with it, makes me go faster, tells great stories to keep me distracted, looks good without his shirt, and helps me up Capital Hill.

Usually we get to The Mall and he takes off while I trot along eventually meeting back up to do some hills (okay, 1 hill, but it's a really big one). Yesterday Charles decided to stick with me. Both good and bad. I had to keep the pace up - which is both good and bad :-) At one point he did leave me to run around a patch. He literally ran a circle around me, going more than 3 sides of the square while I did one. I drew out this sketch on the right so you have a better idea of what I am describing. I ran the pink part while Charles ran the blue part. All in the same amount of time. He is really fast.

But like I said, he knows what he is getting into when we venture out for a 'run' together. An entire blog post about him.