Week Before My First Half-Ironman!

So we are nearing the end of the training for the half-ironman I signed up for. I have to say I feel good about going into it. About a month ago, I didn't think I would make it off the bike to run. But I got those issues worked out and discovered more issues with the IT Band in the right leg. I'm seeing two drs for the problem that have put me through more pain than before. I have to remind myself that it is a good pain and it will help me get through the long run on this half-ironman.

After all the training I've done, I have to say that I'm not at all nervous or scared just yet. I don't know that I will be. I know that I only have one goal at this point and that is to finish and to finish with grace and comfort! That means, don't fall off the bike at the dismount line(did this at Galveston)and hopefully not have any pain in the lower back or in the leg.

Last Week of Hill Repeats with a fall off the bike to start it...

So last week, I went out to do hill repeats with a few peeps. We get down to the bottom of Lost Creek and get ready to turn around to do our first hill repeat. Well I turned but not all the way and hit the pavement. Man, did I fall. I get up and see that I'm not bleeding, THANK GOD, and then realize that my freaking elbow and arm are killing me. I start to cry and walk my bike to the stop sign. For me, I don't want anyone to see me cry. So I get on my bike and ride and cry some more. I didn't stop crying until about half way up Lost Creek. I tried to go down into areo's and it hurt to bad to do so.

We make it to the top and continue to do more hill repeats. We were scheduled to do 5 and well after 4 I let go of the handle bars and a cramp forms in my left hand from the fall. At that point, I'm done. I waited at the top for everyone to finish.

A few days passed and elbow as a little tender but my upper arm was killing me! I guess I hit harder than I thought. Finally a week later and the pain is gone.

Dang hill repeats are more painful in more ways than one.

Livestrong Challenge

So this weekend I participated in the Livestrong Challenge. I was asked to ride with another woman for her team here in Austin. I said what the heck, I've never done this before and I like what the Lance has done with and for this foundation, so I signed up and raised my money.

I show up that morning and get ready to ride my 10 miles...I only could do 10 miles since I had and Ironman meeting that morning at 10am. So I get to our marker and wait and wait. I finally see the team I'm riding with and take a few pictures before we start.

At this point I'm thinking well I will ride with the team and just enjoy this. But once we got to the start it was already 8:30am and I'm clear out in Dripping Springs. And to top it all off, there are a lot of inexperienced riders and kids on the 10 mile ride. All I can think about is getting it done and hope that a little kid doesn't jump in front of me while I'm cruising at 18 mph while trying to pass them.

So I dropped it in to some harder gears and took off. I just wanted to get done and get on with it. I passed I don't know how many people as they either stopped at the first rest stop or were just enjoying the ride. I make it to the finish line and I think I was the first one to cross as they were all standing around not expecting any one to cross in about 30-35 minutes.

I grabbed my towel and headed to the car. All in all I would totally do this again and do a longer ride. There were a ton of people out supporting the cause on Sunday.

TV Shows I watch...and why...

So the other night Discovery Channel came back with another great show we like to watch...Storm Chasers! We watched this last season for the first time and loved it. Pretty much they film tornadoes through the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Kinda cool to see our small towns own TV.

While watching this we came across an advertisement for a new series, The Iditarod! I don't know why this fascinates me but for some reason but it does. I think anything in Alaska and on TV I will watch...Deadliest Catch should say it all and Ice Road Truckers! Back to the Iditarod. At first I didn't think I could watch because of something happening to a dog, but man, these dogs love it. There is a woman on there who had breast cancer and has been doing this race for 26 years! She wears all pink and has all her dogs in pink harnesses also. Kinda cool to hear the stories.

So today I got online and researched this race and found out that it is $4000 to enter the toughest race in the world! I don't know that I would pay this to freeze for 1000 miles, risk breaking something, risk my dogs lives, risk my life, and did I mention it was freezing cold!

Anyway...just one more TV show I for see me being addicted to in the future. I have to find out who wins!

Saturday, October 18th Bike Ride

Since I didn't get home until about 1 am and from NKOTB and had to be up at 5:30am I was tired starting this what should have been 70 mile bike ride but ended up to be 50 miles in the end.

My best friend Alison was along for the ride this morning. We started out and it was a little on the chilly side. Oh well...we have to get this done. No waiting. We got all the gear rounded up and headed out.

I lost a water bottle at some railroad tracks and didn't realize it until about 10 miles later. I just wanted it to be there when I went back. They are expensive. And it was there on our way back!

As we made the turn at mile 25 Alison says "that horse over there looked like a bear for a minute." I was laughing and wondered what she had been smoking...not really but just funny to hear on a bike ride.

Then she proceeds to tell me she is counting roadkill today. I think the count end at 10 or more. I didn't count she did. I guess what ever gets you through a ride then you will do it.

All in all for me it was a good ride today. My lower back is not hurting any more and my legs feel great! Now if I can only get the IT band problem fixed, I'm good to go!

New Kids on the Block!

I know, I know. Most of you are shaking your head and asking why would any ever go and see these guys after how many years? I guess when I was about 10 or so they hit it big and every girl was totally in love with them and probalby had every poster, shirt and big button of theirs. They were the first "boy band" I grew up with. They never came close enough for us to go see them and I don't know that my parents would have taken us if they had come close enough.

So Friday night I lived out my childhood dream of seeing the first time ever. And let me say, it was the best chessiest concert ever. Donnie Wahlberg was "bedazzled" on every hat, bet, pants, and shirt he wore. There was more crotch grabbing and video of Donnie Wahlberg grabbing his than with Michael Jackson. Joey is still the cutest and Jordan still tries to hit the high notes and this time, he needs to not try.

They sang every one of their old songs and a few new ones.

I loved every minute of it and would go see them again in another 15-20 years if they decide to come back.

Month 5 of Half-Ironman Training

Here we are again. Another month down and only a few weeks left to go. I'm finally rounding my last week of long rides and runs. Well long rides at least. This last weekend I started my run and got to mile 3 or so and started having bad knee pains. My assumption...IT band problems again but now in the opposite leg. So I came home and iced, used the foam roller, stretched, took some meds and nothing. Monday I swam thinking I could "work" it out or something. Tuesday night I went to spin and talked with PT Vicky. She met with me after class and threw down the pain! OUCH! I am tender to the touch today but I can at least move and walk with no problems. I went to see my chiropractor for more work on it and it hurt like hell. So no running this week says the two Dr's. Fine by me. I just need this fixed by November 9th or its an aquabike for me.

I've worked so hard and logged many hours to get to this point and I really, really don't want to do an aquabike unless I have to. What a disappointment that would be after all I've done.

Month 5 has started off a little rough but I think we can have it back on track in a week or so.