Towels, Training, Birthday and Cabin..

I'll start with towels...Now with my rockin' streamlined shape...the only complaint I have with that is that (and the women reading, you know what I am talking about) when you get out of the shower, towel off, and, if you aren't wearing a robe, you wrap the towel around you, above your boobs...The towel actually sits there quite nicely and stays right where it should :-). Well, when you take the boobs out of the equation, the towel doesn't sit so well!!!! I had a little incident when I was getting ready to head to Madison on Monday. I will say this...It doesn't really work to rush around trying to get a few things done when only in a towel and there is nothing to hold that bad boy up...LOL. So glad the neighbors can't see in the house ;-).

Training has been ok this week...a little rearranging going on and a missed bike and swim session...I, again, have a cold...My wish is that if people are ill, please stay home, recoup, recover, do not spread your germs to the rest of us. :-). I don't want to wish the winter away but I AM looking forward to being able to open the windows and get all the gross stagnant air out of the house.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a rest day but switching that to Sunday so I can run at the Tone Zone. Can't get there very early on Sunday, so this will have to do and NO, I will not be running outside. Have I ever mentioned that I am a delicate flower when it comes to running outside in the cold...BRRRRR.

Recovery week is over, just hoping this cold is gone by then. I may have to adjust my rest day again, as on Saturday, the hubcap and I are heading to Madison to celebrate my 44th birthday!!!! Ack! Really...am I going to be 44? I don't feel 44!!! Speaking of advancing in years, the funniest thing about the visit with my Dad the other day was when I told him that he and Mom would be turning 80 this year....his response...NOOOOOOOOO!! Then he threw up his arms and laughed hysterically. I absolutely love that man and it was so good to be able to have a great visit with him. So, my point is, I shouldn't be complaining about 44...It's all good...I am healthy, strong, vibrant and am lovin' life. My actual birthday is on Monday and should be big fun...I will share what is happening on the actual day...I know the suspense will be unbearable ;-)...and it may not be "big fun" to the rest of you, but I am excited about the day from beginning to end :-).

Cabin - We are off to the cabin this weekend...looking forward to another little getaway. No real projects to do, so that is nice. The kids each have brought a friend with them...should be a fun time! The car ride has been interesting with Ted on the floor of the front seat with me (I am attaching a picture). It IS supposed to be WICKED cold up nort' this weekend so there may be some bowling or other indoor activities happening. I DO know, that a fire will be lit within 15 minutes of our arrival. Can't wait to sit back and relax and enjoy the Northwoods.

Enjoy the weekend and stay warm!!!

A Hodge Podge...Training, Incentive, Loss, Dad and Miscellaneous...

I put my original post out there this morning, but pulled it down. For some reason, it just didn't feel right. The day started out well....I had an amazing lunch and conversation with a friend of mine. It was one of those days, that if I didn't have other things planned, I could have stayed and talked all afternoon. After lunch, I headed to see my Dad... I am always a bit apprehensive when I go to see him as I don't ever know what I am going to get. It was day two of seeing him and yesterday was as good as it could ever be with him. Today was more of the same. He laughed, he knew who I was, the family, was tracking pretty well and was animated...I haven't seen that in a long time...I cried right there in his room...we had a great hug and I told him how much I loved him. I know one day this will end, so I am embracing the great days when the come.

When I left my Dad's, I got some really sad news. My childhood friend, high school soccer teammate and breast cancer mentor passed away this afternoon. My heart is broken for her family...none of this makes any sense to me, and I don't think it ever will. We all know our time is limited...it makes me think a lot harder about what I am doing with this life and how I want to live it. I do know that I want to make the most of it.

Here is part of my original post...some of it may seem trivial...but some of it isn't :-).

The past week was good, ending on a high note. My Sunday started with a 60 minute run with some of the running buds. Happy to report that, it went well! You know when you are working and the conversation becomes short fragmented sentences :-). Came home and got the house cleaned!!!! Finally tackled it and am so happy to have this done. I still don't like to do it and I haven't ever claimed to be good at it either. The hubcap and kiddos definitely helped make this happen :-).

That evening, I headed up to Madison to go to the Team BBMC kickoff party. Had a great time and was able to meet some of the group. Such an awesome bunch of people. Looking forward to training and "racing" with them. It's going to be a really fun season!! It definitely helped spark the training fire even further.

This week is a recovery week...recovery weeks are good :-). Yesterday, a 40 minute swim...AND, guess what...I was able to pretty much figure out the flip turn!! (Still have work to do, but hey, i did it!!). Haven't done one of those since I was on the swim team at 10 years old!!!! Can you tell I am excited!! Yes, these are the things that make me happy. A short run after the schwimmy. I forgot my HRM...again, should have had that thing implanted in me ;-).

The day finished off with the Gill's for Gilda swim meeting. I will be swimming across Lake Mendota with 11 other swimmers on June 21st to raise funds for Gilda's Club. It's going to be an amazing day...we will swim from the NauTiGal to the Union...about a 10k swim!!! How is that for a productive Friday?!?! Can you say "tasty beer" when we are all done?!?!

I am just so happy to be able to tackle Ironman again...hiring Blake, meeting new teammates, reconnecting with old friends and training with current friends and the hubcap really is what will make this season SO FUN!!! Also, with round 2 of ironman training, the chemo is completely out of my system (yay for that) and I will be training with only on one cancer fighting drug. I'm looking forward to see what my body can accomplish. It's going to be an interesting nine months, another journey. I have goals for myself, and my incentive to do as well as I can, isn't only for me, but for those that are still in the cancer fight, for those that haven't made it, and for those who have won the battle. I know they will DEFINITELY all help me get through training and for sure on race day. I look back at where I was a little over 4 years ago, and think of where I am now. An incredible time to say the least, both good and bad, but part of what makes me, ME.

A new friend and I were talking a little bit about my cancer journey and I shared a news story that was done about me, my cancer journey and Ironman 2010. I hadn't watched it recently. Again, always brings tears to my eyes, and whenever I see it, it makes me grateful for my life, my health and that I have been able to inspire even just a few of you. If you didn't know my background, or part of the reason why I made the decision to tackle an Ironman in the first place...AND if you have 3ish minutes to spare, take a look...and check out those curls!!!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm86aod7S9Y

Enjoy the night...love life, embrace it and make your dreams come true.

Training and Life....

Which first, training or life???

I'll go with training since that is why you are reading this in the first place :-). I know I am not quite 2 weeks into the "plan"' but I have to say, I actually have liked being told what do do...please don't share this with Brendon as he doesn't read this :-). He lives it, so why read it :-). It has been nice to look at what I have coming up over the course of the week as far as the swim, bike and run goes and not have to make a plan for myself as to what I need to do with each session.

Is it lame that these are the things that I am excited about? I am excited that I don't have a swim in Friday and that when I swam yesterday, the best part of it was the 2 x 500 pull with paddles and a pull buoy (If I could do that every swim, I would be in heaven). The worst part was the tube swim...but, I am getting the hang of it and will figure it out and do it well one of these days in the near future. It is quite hilarious to see the looks on the life guards faces when the see me trudge along with that thing around my ankles :-).

Tonight, I did my hour ride at Michael's Cycles. It was nice to have that time to just focus on the ride and nothing else. Got my bike heart rate zones from Mike too...Wow, with those new ranges, I need to become more comfortable being uncomfortable. I DID also learn that I have A LOT of work to do on the bike. The isometric leg drills gave me that proof. I was very clunky...a/k/a not a fluid pedal stroke. So, more work on my own bike as opposed to always the spin bike is what I need to be doing. A goal for this year is that "I can't suck on the bike". Again, confirming one of the many, many reasons why I hired a coach.

Onto life...I need to get my happy balance figured out. Some things I can get done or prioritize with no problem...others, not so much. What ends up taking the back seat, is the house...If I could find a cleaning fairy AND a laundry fairy, life would be so much easier. I look at the laundry and go...seriously!!! How can there be so much already? The house...in general, always picked up, except for Sparky's room, of course, but to get to the nitty gritty cleaning that I do not enjoy is hard to prioritize. In my dreams, we would own a house about the size of our cabin - T.I.N.Y. There you go, here is a brilliant idea...We should buy a smaller house...In my dreams...Could you imagine throwing a move into this whole mix of life and training right now...lol, now THAT would be funny!

I am looking forward to a quiet weekend filled with a beverage with a girlfriend, sleeping in on Saturday, then cleaning...unless the cleaning fairy comes before then, and Sunday, a run and the Team BBMC kickoff.

Have a great night and weekend! Monday, I will have info about the upcoming Chasing Chad Spin-A-Thon on April 6th at the Janesville Athletic Club Express. All proceeds will go to brain tumor research...so, put that in your calendars!!!!

Sleep...I Need More of You...and Comet Too...

Well, week two is going well training wise except for the sleep part. I have needed to get up earlier than normal the past couple of days, AS IN 4:15am-ish. I think that in the back of this melon of mine, I was worried that I wouldn't wake up or my alarm wouldn't go off. Something silly like that. Anyway, I fall asleep right away, but have been waking up at 3:30am and not able to fall back to sleep...huge buzzkill :-(. Tomorrow, no early workout, but a run and a swim later, so hopefully I can catch up a bit tonight.

I also got this cool gadget (this relates to the sleep part of the post too, so don't worry that I got off track) from my two SIL's for my birthday (not for a couple of weeks), but they gave me the Jawbone UP. Pretty amazing little piece of technology. You wear it on your wrist and as it tells you how many steps you take throughout the day. It also buzzes at you if you are inactive for more than 30 minutes. It also tells you what your sleep pattern is. At this point, not sure if I think it's cool or if it is stressing me out. When I got up this morning, I synced it and it told me that I slept for 5 hours and 34 minutes, 3 hours and 22 minutes of that was deep sleep and 2 hours and 12 minutes was light sleep....it actually sounds about right....I would like more sleep tonight...PPLLEEAASSEE.

So, that's my sleep deal.

Onto Comet...it was not a good day yesterday as I had to take him to the vet to put him down :-(. I miss that little guy. He was my snuggle bunny when I go to bed. It's a little different to have a 90 pound golden try to snuggle with you as opposed to a 10 pound shih tzu. Comet did have the last laugh though...when I got home from the vet, I realized that he took a huge dump in the middle of the family room (when I took him to the vet, he ran right to me, so I didn't actually go into the house). I had to laugh, because that is something that he would totally do. He could be a pain in the ass, but he was my little pain in the ass. I don't like that the house has been SO quiet. I'm not used to that. He was definitely the noisy one between the two. Ted isn't too sure as to what is going on. He keeps looking for him both inside and outside the house. Makes me sad for him. I am not ready to get another dog. Maybe in a year or so. We have always had two dogs so this will be a definite adjustment period.

I am attaching one of the few pictures we have of both Ted and Comet close to each other...Comet was NOT a fan of Ted.

Nite all! Sweet dreams and sleep well!!!

First Week Complete...and Next Week

A few thoughts and reflections on the first week of training.

1) It was not my brightest move to start with formal training while up north on vacation and while the kiddos were on Christmas break. There was some juggling that needed to take place. I did my best to keep the first week from getting too overwhelming, as I don't do we'll with that. With being gone for the first couple of days this past week and the kids having school for only 3 days and trying to get back into a work groove, it got a little hairy. I didn't want to move any of the workouts around, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. I did get all of the training sessions in that were on the plan so, YAY ME!!!

These are things I have figured out early on:

The swim...well, that is a work in progress...It has been such a long time that I have swam on a consistent basis (that won't be a problem now). But today, I had a swim "lesson" with Blake and it went really well. I learned a lot and definitely have some things to work on, but manageable fixes and I am hoping to see results from the work I will put in over the next month :-).

The bike, I need time in the saddle to suck it up and enjoy it fully again. The rides have been been both challenging and interesting, so I am embracing what is planned for me and how it will make me a lot stronger. I did not get on my bike at all in 2011, and rode about once a week for most of 2012...Here is where I am at now. It feels good to be back on my bike, I am already excited to get outside and ride, and I even incorporated one of my training rides into my spin class...so all good :-).

The run...as of now, the run is my love (I never, ever, thought I would say that, but I really do enjoy it). Some of my running buds were nice enough to join me for the scheduled 60 minute run. Yowza!!! That was definitely challenging, but we did it and all did well!!! These runs are forcing me to push the envelope, which is a good thing. I have been a "runner" for almost 10 years now, and in the last four years, I have always been good with being the turtle; running with friends who like being the turtle with me, facebooking during races (yes I do), stopping for pictures on the course and all that good stuff. The goal has always been to finish and have the most fun possible!! This year, I still want to still do that, just at a quicker pace. That is part of the reason why I hired a coach, right?

2) Coach Blake. I am so happy that I first, decided to get a coach and second, I am extremely happy that I decided to work with him. The swim session today with Blake sealed that deal. I was his priority during the time I had my one on one. With every email I have sent, he has responded to my questions and concerns promptly and has been really encouraging. Some of the workouts, I haven't understood, as some of the lingo with the swim and bike are new to me and he has taken the time to help me understand. A big WIN in my book. AND, I really feel like he wants me to succeed, which is huge for me :-). Another win is the other individuals that Blake coaches. I know a few of them, and got to meet a couple more peeps from Team BBMC today, I am really looking forward to getting to know the group as individuals and as a whole in the months to come!

3) Sleep. I need to be consistent and make getting to bed at a reasonable time and getting adequate rest a priority. I don't typically burn the candle at both ends (some of you may disagree), but at times I know I am not getting enough zzzz's and need to S.L.O.W. D.O.W.N.

4) Weight. I know I have shared this before in a previous post, but being at my optimal weight when more intense training starts will be key. I am heading in the right direction, so that is good and will keep that focus of fueling my body with the right things. The goal is to keep the waist smaller than the chest area...at this point, I am good. :-).

5) I need to add massages into my race budget...simple as that. In oder to keep myself healthy and injury free, I think it will be an important piece. there is a local guy that everyone keeps telling me to go to, so going to check him out in the next couple of weeks.

I do have to say that after my swim session today, I am SO EXCITED for this upcoming race season and can't wait to see what my potential really is :-). Not winning anything, but I definitely am going to do all I can to reach my goals :-). Sidebar, but I am crying again... I am an emotional and passionate person, what can I say...some may find it endearing, others not so much, but hey, that is part of what makes me, me :-).

Now, moving on to next week...I already have my swim and run scheduled for tomorrow. I should be done with both of them by 9:15. That will be a good thing as my day will take a not so fun turn at 9:40am. Our dog Comet will be going to the big dog park in the sky. He is a sick little guy. I had the discussion with the vet, and we both decided that it was the best decision for him. I remember him as a little 1.5 pound peanut. It absolutely breaks my heart, and I know there will be some sad days ahead. I am hoping Ted (our Golden) won't be too lonely. Ted has always liked Comet a lot more than Comet has liked Ted (Comet does not enjoy Ted AT ALL), so we will see.

I have quite a few things to get done at work this week and plenty of training (but not too crazy) so that will be helpful in keeping my mind occupied...and we have another up north weekend coming up...SO WOOT WOOT on that!!

Hope you all had a good weekend...go Pack!! (Do I admit that I really don't watch football??). I am excited to take a hot shower, get into my Jammie's, snuggle up and watch the season premiere of The Biggest Loser...then fall into bed and catch up on some needed rest. Be back in a couple of days :-).

Swimsuit....LAST time, I promise!! :-)

Short but sweet. I got the swimsuit I ordered from Title Nine today. It is awesome and fits perfectly! It may sound lame but I can't stop crying tears of joy that I found a suit that fits this boobless wonder!!! And I think it looks really cute too! It is little things like that, that make what some people may think was a crazy decision on my part, SO worth it!!

(Self talk moment here) ... I am beautiful without breasts...frankly, I feel so much better about myself now that they are gone. I am not "faking" anything for a lack of a better term and this is who I am. Cancer has taken my breasts but not who I am at the core of my being.

After I confirmed the perfect fit, I called Title Nine immediately to give them kudos for all of their help and kindness with my swimsuit order. And now I know what to get when the new spring catalog comes out!!!

I am still crying ... I am so happy :-).

Enjoy your weekend! I'm sure I will have a post after my hour run and swim session with Blake over the weekend. These training sessions are kicking my ass but in the best possible way!!!

Training Has Officially Started!!! And Swimsuits...AGAIN!!!

SOOOO, Training officially started this week. First day, Monday, December 31st...packed up the car and headed to the Eagle River YMCA .... No dice, they were closed... Fortunately for me, I was resourceful enough before we headed up north and found a gym that was in Eagle River. No pool, but I would take what I could get. The Tone Zone here we come! Got all checked in and found my treadmill...they even had a group fitness room for me to do my drills that were in the plan :-). It was a nice place and they have sweet Keiser spin bikes for those days I need to ride while we are in the north woods while it is still wintery out!!

Our New Years Eve evening was really nice...relatively quiet...I, of course did NOT make it to midnight. We went out in the lake with the neighbors for a crazy huge bonfire. Big fun, but a little scary. As soon as the flames went down, it got cold, so we went home and watched CNN's New Years Eve with Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper. Poor guy doesn't get a word in edgewise :-). I absolutely love that he laughs like a school girl at her jokes. Makes me smile. When that ended, this Chica was done...off to bed for me. Jack (my oldest) made it up later than I did, talking, yes actually talking on the phone, to his girlfriend until who knows what time.

Back to training...New Years Day. Took care of all of my strength work before most everyone got up. Sparky (my youngest and actually named Parker) was my timer for everything that I needed to do. Gotta love that girl! Got home later than we wanted to, but there was still time to watch part of the BIG GAME (bummer that it didn't go so well for them), or watch a little bit of the game if you were me. Got down to the lower level to get started on the bike ride, and what do I forget...heart rate monitor (I now need it for all of my bike and run schtuff). I should just wear that thing all the time...I keep forgetting about it. I have a bunch of them, so am going to start leaving one by my bike, by the treadmill, keep one in my gym bag and keep one in the bathroom so it is just there. Here is an idea...I should have had my surgeon implant a monitor in my body...that would have been perfect!! So, I toddled upstairs, came back down and off to riding I went. It was a challenging ride that's for sure (I love my bike, I love my bike, I love my bike). First trainer ride...EVER. I know, lame, but I have always either ridden outside or on a spin bike in past years...another new challenge for this chica!

Today, run and a swim...my friend Deb was nice enough to agree to do the run too. Great to have the company and fun to show her what I am doing. We got a few interesting looks while on the track with a couple of people asking WHAT EXACTLY we were doing. I said, I am doing as I am told. Can't believe that actually came out of my mouth ;-). I did find out that I am faster than I thought I was...the heart rate monitor doesn't lie and tells me when I can push harder than I think I can...damn technology ;-).

This afternoon, a swimmy was on deck. I was hoping to get to the pool by 1:00pm...um nope, didn't leave work until 1:30...then I had the discussion with myself. Do I go tonight while Sparky is at swim team or go early tomorrow...I convinced myself that I should JUST DO IT (nice Nike slogan huh) and I will be done for the day. There are several times I wanted to turn around on the way to the pool...I will explain this...in Milton/Janesville we do not have access to pools at anytime of the day that are 25 yarders. the pool at the club where I work is 18 yards and the one at the Y is 20 yards, so I go to Whitewater. Not a terrible trip by any means, but not really convenient either.

I get there, get into the pool area and finally get in the water...all was going well until I got to the 4
50 yard swims where you tie a bike tire tube around your ankles so you are unable to kick while swimming...I need to get a picture of it and post it as it is pretty interesting to see and funnier (at this point in training) to watch. Off I go with the first 50 of the set thinking, this cant be too bad can it??? First 25 went pretty well, second 25, um not so good...I kept feeling like my lower body was sinking and I'm sure I looked like I was flailing/struggling in the water. The lifeguard stuck close to me during those 4 sets :-). I did make all 4 sets of 50 yards and finish out the rest of my planned swim, but man, I need to work on that part!!!

And here is my random swimsuit sidebar...the suit that I wore last year with "foobs" still fits the same without them...mmmm...Frankly, I thought it would fit better, but no dice, just as tight as it was before...luckily it still fits, or there would be other things to discuss.

When I finished the swim, I was so happy to be done and gave myself a little pat on the back for making the trip :-). As training continues, the drive won't matter and I will be so used to being back at the pool that it'll be fun to go. Once I do get in the water, I always say to myself, why don't I swim more often? I won't have that problem now and will embrace the pool :-).

Looking forward to the remainder of the week and a fairly mellow weekend with a rest day thrown in :-). Sunday, swim analysis with coach Blake...we will see what I all need to work on. Should be fun!

Oh, and this has nothing to do with the sport of triathlon, but I have to share...I am a sharer If you all haven't figured that out yet. My son's girlfriend got him the cutest Christmas gift. A t-shirt that says Thing 1 on it...she got the other one that says Thing 2. Adorable if you ask me :-).

I cannot wait to get into my Jammie's tonight and SLEEP! Nite!!