April Challenge Marky Mark...

So, as April begins (23 weeks until Ironman), my coach Blake created this challenge for all of his athletes:

For the month of April I want each of you to think of TWO things that you would like to do differently. Sometimes it's a bad habit relating to diet, LOGGING YOUR WORKOUTS, sleep, beating your workouts, or perhaps procrastination of getting them done. What I would like each of you to do is post your bad habits/challenges below by creating YOUR OWN TOPIC. You can post updates below and have your own space. I will check in mid month and then again at the end of the month. If you miss a day or two, just keep on rolling. Part of the challenge is also staying focused and reset every single day. Remember that the focus is on the process.

Well, I could have probably listed 6 or 7, but went with 3 instead :-).

1) complete all workouts as written by prioritizing them each day, so I don't run out of "time". This past week was a classic example with the kids being on spring break. I ended up swimming 3 days in a row ... Needless to say, my upper body was torched. I am starting to get back to the early morning workouts if it is a day when I have two different sessions to do, one is already done before anyone has woken up!

2) log all of my training on TP. I currently log my workouts elsewhere but need to make the effort, so I can see a pattern and Blake knows where I am at. This is important for me to do. Blake is phenomenal about communication. I need to do my part so he can coach me effectively by letting him know how each training session went, what my sleep is like, etc.

3) Not be on the go ALL the time. I need to make sure I take some down time to relax and just BE. This is hard for me to do ... It seems like I always have "something" that I HAVE to do or somewhere that I NEED to be. I am truly going to make a conscious effort in the month of April to do this. Things can wait, and slowing down and appreciating life is something that I need to embrace more.

Tonight, I'm planning out my week, to get my training sessions prioritized and figure out what I need to accomplish on the work front. We have the Chasing Chad spin-a-thon for brain tumor research on Saturday at the club, so I have quite a bit to accomplish before then. Let the lists begin ;-). There definitely WILL be time to just BE this week as well.

This week I will get to see my Oncologist, Dr. Mark Burkard (a/k/a Marky Mark) twice. The first time, is for fun :-). He will be speaking at the Komen Pink Ribbon Celebration dinner. It'll be good to see him there as well as all of the ladies at Komen. Miss them. On Friday, I have my 6 month check up with him. Always makes me a little nervous, but you can't worry about what you can't control right? I truly appreciate him as my Oncologist. He hasn't ever made me feel silly for the questions I ask and always takes as much time as needs to be taken with my appointment. That leads into yet another good thing that has come from cancer ... I am a much better at waiting in the waiting room. I have come to realize and appreciate that every patient is just as important as I am and they may have a lot of questions or issues that they are dealing with and need to be addressed. It's one of those things that I cannot control, so why stress about it.

I still remember when I was going through treatment and waiting in the chemo waiting area ... we were on about hour 1 of waiting for my name to be called. It's always busy there which makes me sad :-(. My dear friend Terri was kind enough to hang with me that day. Well, we started calling people out like they were on the Price Is Right when their names got called. It definitely lightened the mood and everyone got a good laugh. After waiting for over two hours, yes two hours, we were happy when we got called to "come on down" because at that point I knew my drugs were ready to go, and we would be one treatment closer to being done :-).

Exciting stuff after my appointment with Marky Mark ... I am going to meet my friend Dawn that started Effcansah and try on samples for my tri kit!! Saw the mock ups and they look pretty sweet! I will proudly be wearing it at all of my races this season, so look for the blue :-). All of the proceeds of the swag that is on her site (www.effcansah.com) go directly to Marky Mark's breast cancer research. Dawn is a survivor as well and is a patient of his too. small world huh? We will hopefully be having Team IronMichele Wilkinson/Effcansah shirts made for Ironman race day that will be able to be purchased on her site...I'll post more information once we get closer...they will be nice and bright so I can spot all of you out on the course that day :-).

I hope you have all had a wonderful holiday weekend! We were able to spend it up north with with one of my oldest and dearest friends, Barbie. It was fun to have her there with the 4 of us and get to experience the northwoods. Good times had by all :-). Back to reality. Make it a great week everyone and may it be filled with some fun and adventure. Remember, life is good. Enjoy it, love it and be kind to one another!!! Until next Sunday!!!

An Interesting Week and Only 24 Weeks to Go...

The week was not without it's ups and downs ... Both physically, mentally and emotionally. Life can be a challenge, and I am taking the time to figure out what I want and need out of this life and this sport. I'll get there. I know I spend a lot of time thinking about that ... as at times I tend to over think, but I just want the best life for me and those around me that are important in my life. I will leave it at that :-).

Another weekend away at the cabin was just what the doctor ordered. It it so peaceful up there. Full relaxation seems to set in once we hit Wausau and the mind takes the opportunity to settle. I was able to catch up on some much needed sleep, AND I actually read 2, yes, 2 books!!! I haven't been very good about taking the time or make the opportunity to just sit and read when I am home. That needs to be more of a priority. I know life is going to get busier over the next 6 months, but doing things that I enjoy and that are relaxing are important, as is taking time to just BE. Again, a work in progress.

We had some great family time, playing a wicked game of Pictionary ... So fun to have everyone connected without electronics, cellphones and iPads there to distract ... I actually put my phone "the binky" away ... I know, shocker. We also managed to get out to snowshoe on Saturday (perfect weather for it - I am attaching a picture of the view of the lake from the cabin), do a little shopping and make a trip to the Honey Bear for one of their AMAZING Bloody Mary's. Sunday morning, was a trip to the Tone Zone for my run. It went well and felt good to feel good.

As I'm typing, we are heading back to the reality of life and a new week ... Ready to take it on :-).

I also did the math this morning and determined that this amazing race that I am training for is coming up in just 24 weeks!!!! Ack!!! I am FINALLY well, and feel like I can get back to it full force. Looks like it's good timing as the training schedule that Blake has set out for me will be a challenge over the next couple of weeks. Let the planning of the days and training begin! :-). There are times I question my sanity in choosing to tackle another Ironman, but I love the sport of triathlon, and love the people I have met that take part in this incredible sport along the way. I also love introducing people to triathlon enjoy seeing them get as excited about it as I am. It's awesome to see them succeed by making it to the starting line and to see them cross the finish line!! So fun!!! That fuels the fire within my soul.

I do ask you to see if i have changed my mind when we hit July/August ;-). The sentiments may not quite be the same ;-). The 100 mile bike rides and 3 hour runs can and will be tiring, but as of now, I am excited for them, the nice weather when I can train outside (yes, I am a delicate flower and don't like to train outside in the snow and cold weather). B did say to me over the weekend, that he won't be jealous of the heavy training schedule once summer hits. I am thinking that if I have a cup of coffee waiting for him on an early-ish Saturday morning, that he MAY NOT MIND kayaking next to me out on the lake while I go for a swim in the lake up at the cabin ;-).

So, 168 days and counting ... the journey continues!!!

Make it a great week! May it be filled with some fun and adventure. And remember, life is good. Enjoy it, love it and be kind to one another!!! Until next Sunday!!!

Recovery and Improvement...

Well, I am actually getting better!!!! After a long 12 weeks, this old bod is FINALLY moving in the right direction...it is nice to be able to breathe better (still not 100%, but a vast improvement from last week) and do something that resembled training. This week is a recovery/testing week, so besides the testing days, the week will be manageable. :-).

The week consisted of getting the workouts done in a comfortable heart rate zone to keep me working but allowing me to still recover. I did take a second week off the pool to allow the lungs to continue to recover as well. The chlorine does not like my asthma when it is not at its best. This week I will be back in the water swimming like a little fishy :-).

On Thursday, I went to Michael's Cycles to get my bike fit tweaked (we think we got it), then down to do some pedal stroke efficiency work ...I did learn this, my pedal stroke needs A LOT of work. When pedaling, your pedal stroke shows up on the computer and should look like a circle, not like a peanut ... Mine looked like the latter. I did manage to get a few circular strokes in there and I did improve on my single leg drills, so that part was a win!!! Going to try again in a couple of weeks after doing some work at home on the trainer and see how I am doing. Only way to improve is to work at it, right?

The week ended on a high note, going up north to the cabin with one of my dearest friends to celebrate her kicking cancer's ass :-). A fun time was had. Great food, great company and a lot of laughs! Before we went up, I took care of the long run so we could enjoy the time up at the cabin without having to worry about getting to the Tone Zone to get a run in :-). On Saturday, we did go out snowshoeing to enjoy the beautiful northwoods! Just amazing out there and so picturesque! I have attached a picture of the woods to give you an idea as to how awesome it is ... Gotta love to be able to walk out of your driveway to some rockin' trails. :-)

Good to be home tonight with the family as I always miss them terribly when I am gone. Got to take Ted for a walk with B and going to enjoy a quiet evening at home before the work and training week gets started.

So, here is to an amazing week ahead!! May it be filled with some fun and adventure. And remember, life is good. Enjoy it, love it and be kind to one another!!! Until next Sunday!!!

Well...On the Bright Side...My House Is In the Best Shape It's Been In...EVER

So ... I was thinking that after my doctors appointment on Friday ... 9 days ago, armed with a myriad of prescriptions, that my asthma and illness "issues" would be taken care of. I, apparently, was mistaken.

By Monday morning, my breathing was absolutely terrible and I couldn't get a sentence out without coughing. Talked to a friend that was supposed to be my lunch running date...he said, um, no...we are not running and that I sounded awful. Called my doc...her response...go to the emergency room...NOW. I listened and went. Got to UW Hospital and didn't have a long wait to get checked in. The nurse and I talked about my symptoms and he said, it sounds like you have been sick "all winter" like everyone else has been :-(. Super.

Got back to a room pretty quickly and what do you know...I knew both the volunteer and nurse, from Harbor Athletic Club (where I used to teach), that were working in the ER. They were both really sweet and it was nice to catch up.

Doc came in...ended up with a hospital grade nebulizer treatment and left with 3 more prescriptions. I feel like a sick person with all of the drugs on my bathroom counter. At this point, almost 6 days after the hospital visit, although, I am a little afraid to say it...but, I THINK things are moving in the right direction and I THINK I am actually getting better. I am just SO ready to be well.

On the training front (why you are all here), I will say this. I AM really missing the training, the planning of the workouts, the schedule and the challenge of the workouts themselves. I'm missing my friends and training partners that have been amazing since the beginning ... missing it ALL. Hopefully, this next week, I will be able to do everything planned that's on the schedule, but keeping the effort/heart rate relatively low, just to ensure I am not overdoing it ... We will see. If I DO need another week of rest, then it is what it is...I definitely still have time and it's EARLY as far as the whole grand plan goes. After this upcoming week is a recovery week, so hopefully, HOPEFULLY, I will be fully ready to rock by the 25th, when the next training block starts. Gotta love the twists and turns that we call life ;-).

Onto the house ... as I stated in the title of my post...my house is in the BEST SHAPE it's been in, in a REALLY. LONG. TIME. It is cleaner than it has been (thanks to Hope and Wendy for getting the ball rolling), it's organized, and everything is caught up. Ahhh, the beauty of the steroids and training down time :-). Hoping to continue on this organized roll as my house is much less stressful and I am happier in general...so, being sick does have an upside!!

Let's keep our fingers and toes crossed that I continue on the upswing and am back in full force and ready to spread the triathlon love again :-). I teach a Triathlon 101 class that starts in less than two weeks and am really looking forward to spending that time with everyone that is coming back as well as getting to know the new participants!!! It's always a good spark igniter and inspiring to see all of the athletes excited and ready to reach for the stars with their goals :-). Cap View here they come!!!

So, enjoy the rest of your Sunday evening...if you are so inclined, ask yourself the 3 questions in the attached photo :-), and sweet dreams! Life truly is good. Until next Sunday!!!