T - 14 Weeks till Ironman Chattanooga

It's hard to believe that Chattanooga is 14 weeks away! 

Not my leg... just an FYI for some that will ask. :>) 

People keep asking me how my training is going.  It's going pretty good so far.  But I tend to not talk too much about it in depth.  This may sound weird to some, but I'm almost afraid to talk about it too much or get too excited.  It's like I don't want to get all pumped up to just be let down.  All the hard work put in last year and then a week before the race to have a wreck that put me out of the race really took a toll on me.  Maybe it was also the loss of a father-in-law and a step-son during this same time.  

They say writing down your feelings help...  I've been dealing with a lot of mix emotions that I've been keeping inside.  I know this is not good.  What we push down inside will eventually explode like a volcano.  I have so many WHYS....  Why did God allow me to have that bike wreck?... Why did God take Drew who was only 40 and had 3 young girls? Why do I have friends dealing with cancer? ...... Why do I have friends that are grieving a child? ..... Why.. Why ... Why...  I feel as if I can't talk to my husband about all of these Whys...because he has his own Whys and is going through his own grief.  It's not fair for me to throw mine at him too.  So I've been just pushing all those emotions deep down.  And let's face it... I've always been a type of loner.  I keep many things inside.  I only share the deep stuff with a select few.  If you are in that group, you are someone I trust deeply.    

God works in mysterious ways.  I just came across this new book that I started reading and boy has it spoken to me.  The title is "Run the mile you are in".  

It's a book about an Olympic runner with a deep rooted faith in God.  I can't begin to tell you how much I'm enjoying this book and I'm only half way into it.  Ryan, the runner, had many, many let downs in his running career.  But God would always remind him that he was still there.  Ryan talks in details about his personal relationship with God. I know in my heart that God is always with us whether it is good or bad stuff we are facing.  I just haven't been leaning on that faith as much as I should be the past 2 years.   In the book, Ryan talks about his struggles when he thought God didn't show up during a race.  He says he realized that he would never understand why God sometimes says yes and other times he says no.  He had to be learn to be okay with that mystery and trust God, who is the ultimate Father and will always do what is best for his children.  He went on to talk about one of his races where he fell way behind the lead pack.  He was not known for encouraging others.  Matter of fact Ryan says it isn't typically done at all among elite marathoners.  He was out for that medal and HIS win.  But during this race when he left awful.. he was so behind....  God told him to encourage the other runners.  He said as he begin to encourage each runner he ran beside that it was like he forgot about how poorly his race was going.  He forgot about how tired he was and even though he knew only a miracle could bring him to the finish line with a win at this point, God was performing a miracle inside of him.  God was using him to bring his kingdom into the Olympic Marathon.  He said he experience the truth.. when we encourage others, we find ourselves encouraged.  "The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered," Proverbs 11:25.   WOW.. just WOW... I can say from personal experience that the races that I've taken time to encourage other runners, have been the races I enjoyed the most. 

I could go on and on telling you stories in this book.  You should grab you a copy.  It has made me think long and hard about myself.  I want to be that person that encourages others.  I want to be that person that trust God fully.  :>)   I'm human and I would like to say that I'd never battle frustration or discouragement again, like my bike wreck where after a year of training I could not race, but I know that's not true.  So I must trust and have faith.  God is a good father who always has my best interests at heart. :>)

 

So how is my training going you ask..... well, some days it's HARD and some days it's not as hard....  This past week I had 4 brick workouts within 7 days.  I thought I was going to die on the 4th and longest one.  It was soooo HOT and HUMID.  Even though I was drinking, I was sweating so much that I was soaked and when I tried to go to bathroom I had no pee.  I was literally sweating out everything I was drinking.  I felt like warmed over road kill.  I just wanted to be done.  I kept asking myself how in the heck am I going to make it in July & August in this heat.  The heat really takes a toll on me.  I'm toast the rest of the day after a long hot workout.  I go home and crash while thanking Jesus I have air conditioner. 

HOWEVER, I have been getting some good hills in on the bike.  I was really concerned with me not training with Jason this year as to whether or not I'd be able to bike some on hills.  There are just not many areas that I would ride in especially if I was alone.  The place where I purchased my bike has group rides almost every Saturday.  They ride in the Hattiesburg area off the trace mainly in neighborhoods full of hills.  I've started riding with them when I can and it's been good for me.  They are a great group of riders.  Matter of fact their bike shirts, which anyone can purchase in their store, has one of my favorite bible verses on it! Philippians 4:13 

Check out these hills on the last ride I did with them.

I don't believe my garmin's data on max speed.... ha  there is no way I did 51 mph!  Jenn's said 32 and the week before that's what mine said too so I think my speed sensor must of lost signal or something for just a little bit. Hee Hee

The week before bike stats:

I've enjoyed the group rides.  I can't hang with the A group (they are super fast!), but I am still getting in a great workout. :>)  I can feel my body getting stronger.  The first week I went with them the hills almost killed me.  Then the next week it felt much easier.  They say practice makes it better. :>) 

Had my first really long swim this go around of training last week.. 3,200 yards.   I survived.  LOL  It really wasn't that bad.  Just keep thinking .... just keep swimming.... just keep swimming....  Got 3,500 yards later this week. :>)  building to that 4,400!

Running... My foot isn't bothering me like last year... PRAISE JESUS.  This time last year I did the Kona marathon and really didn't think I would finish due to that dang PF in my foot was so bad.  Took like 9 months for it to stop hurting.  Now I will say after a long run my arch of my foot will be sore BUT, it's nothing like last year.  So I just keep stretching and stretching most every day.  I know I have that cyst on my foot so I can expect some soreness from running.  But as long as it ain't the PF hurting, I can manage. :>) 

My goal is ... one day at a time.  Don't sweat the future.  Just take one day at a time and keep moving.  If it's God's will this time, I'll finish the race and then take a nice REST... I mean NICE REST... Like COUPLE WEEKS :>)   There are many others things I want to do beside this ironman, but when training for an ironman there isn't much time for anything else.  LOL  My husband and I were talking this weekend about the fact that he wants to take a vacation to Yellowstone.  I do too and guess what???  there is a half marathon there next June.  I told my husband and figured he'd be like oh man that is all you ever want to do... but instead he said let's plan it.  I was THRILLED!  He rarely goes to races with me and to go do a race there and see the country side... oh man.. I can't wait!  Let the planning begin! :>) 

I hope if you are reading this and you are training that your training is going well also.  And if you are not training but going through something in your own life.... Let's take a deep breath and just take one bite of the pie each day.  Focus only on today and trust God.  Run the mile you are in... no more. :>)  Find God in every step. :>) 

Team Run4TheKids Annual Race

Hard to believe this year is the 6th year we've hosted a local race to raise money for St. Jude! 

Our shirts were awesome this year!  We've had so many compliments on them.  The Print Press in Laurel always does such a good job for us! 

This year we decided to only do a 5K instead of trying to do a 5K & a 10K together.  Our 10K registrations were extremely low last year.  Which our overall race numbers were low last year so I really didn't know how this year would go.  Some years we've had up to 300 runners and then last year we barely made it to 100.  There seems to be so many local 5Ks around and it's so HARD to find a date that doesn't compete with another race.  We finally picked a date and at the time there were no other races listed in Hattiesburg.  However, about 2 months prior to our race I noticed the Blue Line Challenge was going to be the same day.  That's a pretty big race in Hattiesburg because it supports the law enforcement.  So I worried even more about our race.  

I didn't need to worry though.  God had it all under control.  I really need to learn that when I pray that I need to just leave it there at God's feet and not worry so much.  Our race was a huge success!  We had 180 that were pre-registered by race morning.  I was super excited because typically we have anywhere from 20-50 more register on race morning.  We ended up with slightly over 200 signed up.  Thank you sweet Jesus.  He had us the whole time. :>)  

 Some of my family that came and my niece who was the cutest little superhero! 

Nestor with his son, who was part of the group from PBP Couch to 5K!  So glad they joined our race! 

I can't thank the people enough that came to our race.  Some may actually understand how much the money we raise helps the families at St. Jude and some probably don't.  I never really fully understood until I visited St. Jude children's Hospital 7 years ago.  It light a fire deep inside of me to raise money for these precious families.  :>)  So if you were participating at our race.... THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!  And a BIG thanks to KOHLER that volunteered to have a table at our finish line with drinks and snacks for all the runners!  How awesome is that for a business to get involved on race day!!!?? 

I also want to thank the team members that came and worked the race! 

Ronnie and Be had a great 5K turn around table! They even brought an aunt to help them. :>) 

And THANKS to Southern Race Timing for always doing our timing and helping us raise money for St. Jude! Renee & Dennis are the best! 

Our team is smaller this year.  We have several that are taking a break due to either being busy with small kids or life in general.  I often tell people not to worry about taking a break whether it's due to kids or personal reasons.  I understand that life is busy.  But I plan to keep this team around for a long time so feel free to come back anytime and join us. :>)  A big thanks to Nestor, Ronnie & Be, Charity, Sunshine, Erin, Krista, Jennifer, & Jane that all worked the race!  I couldn't have done it without your help!  And a SUPER BIG thanks to Sunshine that makes our homemade medals every year!! This allows us to raise even more money for the kids because we don't have that extra cost for medals. :>)  What a blessing it is to have a team member like Sunshine willing to make medals from her own money. :>)  

I love this team and what we do!  I also love that my daughter is involved and goes to Memphis with me each year to do the 5K with my mom.... but this year I've talked her into the half marathon!  Gonna be a great December! 

Me, Erin & boss (aka the dog)

If you ever have a chance to help St. Jude, do it! So far our small team has raised almost $9,000!  Looking forward to see what we raise by December.  Here's our team link if you'd like to make a donation:

http://heroes.stjude.org/_R4TK

There is great joy in running for others! Just ask us. :>) Thanks Team Run4TheKids

Gulf Coast Half Ironman 70.3 (5-11-19)

Back to Panama City Beach, Florida to hopefully complete the full distance.  Back in 2017 when I did the race they canceled the swim on race morning.  We still did the full bike and run and even received our medals, but I never felt it was a real 70.3 race.  That's probably how the people felt in Chattanooga this past September for the full ironman when the swim was canceled.  It just kind of makes it not feel as real.  So this time I was going back in hopes that all 3 events would take place and I'd have me another 70.3 under my belt in preparation for my full coming up in September.  Just so happen the race was going to be on Mother's day weekend so what better way to spend Mother's day than by taking my mom and daughter with me to be my sherpas. :)  

We left on Friday arriving at the beach around lunch time. 

It was HOT and MUGGY.  It started to bring back memories of my HOT run 2 years before for the event.  I took my mom and daughter with me to the expo because it wasn't quite time for us to be able to check into our room.  My mom went with me on my first half ironman so she was familiar with all the bikes and people you'd see.  This was my daughter's first time.  Let's just say I think she learned a lot about what all I go through to do a race like this. :)   I  believe she was amazed and probably also thought I was a tad crazy. Hee Hee

 Packing and checking my list.  Thanks LISA for a nice list!

Lisa wanted me to do a short bike check, leg check, and swim to test the body out.  So after picking up my bib, I went to check my bike in and walked pretty far on my legs stretching them out from travel. 

Then we headed to the beach for me to test the waters.  I noticed it was RED FLAG and everyone was looking at the water trying to decide if they were going to test swim or not.  I decided I needed to if the waters were going to be like that on race day.  I was literally beat up by the waves.  When I came out my daughter said I looked like I had gotten beat up. :)  Here's a picture mom took of me walking back up the beach.  I was thinking to myself... Oh .. sh@t.... this will be bad tomorrow.  Not only did we have the waves, we had chop and a current pulling us north.  It was going to require a lot of sighting to stay on course.  I was very worried about making my 1 hour 10 min time limit in these conditions.  

Needless to say I was very unsettled the rest of the evening.  Even tough we went to eat at Olive Garden and I had a nice time with mom & Erin, I was worried deep down about the swim.  When we got back to our room I googled videos of how to swim in chopping ocean waters.  I'm so glad I did because Saturday morning while swimming in the race, I kept telling myself so many things that I heard on the videos and one bible verse I kept quoting over and over....  "I can do all things through Christ who strengths me". 

Race morning came early with a 6am swim start!  In the previous year the race started at 7am.  I guess they changed it to try to beat the heat.  I was calmer now.  I ate and left the room to go to transition to fix all my stuff by my bike.  Mom & Erin would come later closer to 6am to see me swim.  The two ladies next to me in transition said this was their first half ironman.  They were very nervous about the swim.  We chatted for a minute and all told each other we would survive the swim and complete the race.  I love how encouraging TRI people can be!  The water temp was 78 so that meant it would be wetsuit optional.  I heard so many people saying they were still going to wear their suit due to the water conditions.  I also wore mine!  I wasn't getting out in that rough stuff without mine.  I knew I wasn't there to try to win anything... my goal was to finish.  The wetsuits started last so we got to watch as people entered the water and fight the waves just to get out far enough to try to swim.  The waves were bad.  They were knocking people down as they tried to walk out to deep water.  The pros started coming back in and were cussing as they exited the swim.  I knew then it was going to be a tough swim.  When it was my turn, I took a deep breath and said let's do this.  As I saw many people raising their hands for the people in the boats to get them out, I kept also telling myself I was not a quitter.  I tried to remain as calm as possible and just keep moving forward.  It was hard to swim the proper way.  Here's a picture posted by a news paper of the water.   

The chop was rocking me every where and when I'd tried to breath the wave would hit me with a mouth full of water.  It felt like I was in a washing machine being constantly shaken and rocked all different ways!  I kept spitting out salt water and telling myself not to panic.   By the time I finished I was so beat.  It seemed like it took me 10 minutes to get out of the shallow water to get to the shore with the waves beating me.  And then your time didn't stop until you ran up the beach in the sand a little piece and went under the arch.  I kept telling  myself don't stop until you get under that arch.  You've got to make the time.  My daughter was standing there and hollered at me smiling.  I figured that meant I had made my time, but I still wanted to see it.

  I tried to fix my watch so I could see the time, but my fingers were a mess.  I didn't see any wetsuit strippers so I had to pull that thing off myself and get to the showers to get the salt water washed off me.  When I made it to the showers and guy was there that was sick.  He was throwing up.  He said he had swallowed so much salt water he didn't know if he could go on.  I told him he'd make it just don't quit.  

I finally made it to my bike where one of the ladies was also just arriving.  We were both on a high from finishing the swim and chatted for just a minute while getting on our bike gear.  I wished her luck on the bike and went to the porta potty before heading out on the bike.  I didn't see my mom.  I was wondering where she was at because I didn't see her with Erin when I came out of the swim.  I got on the bike and hoped I'd see her soon.  

The bike out was GREAT.  We had a nice tailwind.  It was like I barely had to pedal to maintain a 18-19 mph.  I felt great!  When I reached the half way point to turn around my pace was 19 mph average.  I was grinning from ear to ear and then it hit me... oh crap... head wind going back. LOL  And boy was it a head wind! and it also seemed the whole way back was uphill.  It's a flat course except for 1 overpass bridge and another hill so I knew that wasn't the case.  It was just the headwind making it feel that way.  I came into the finish line and there my mom was hollering at me.  Boy I was so glad to see her and Erin waiting on me.  They were cheering and taking pictures.  Mom later realized she just thought she had pictures of me on the bike.  The sun was so bright she couldn't see that her phone was not taking pictures. :(  Erin got a couple from a distance of me inside transition putting bike up. 

By this time the sun was blaring and it was heating up.  I knew the run was not gonna be fun.  I got changed into my bike shoes and stopped for the volunteers to spray me down with sunscreen.  I felt like my body was on fire.  Heading out on the run. 

We had 3 loops to do to complete the half marathon.  I had planned to stick to my 5 min jog / 1 min walk program, but after almost 2 loops... I had to walk a lot more than I wanted too.  However, I looked at my total time on my watch and knew I would beat the 8 hour 30 min time limit so I didn't stress over walking.  I was still doing this thing. :>)   I talked with several other participants while walking on the run.  Heck it seemed everyone was walking off and on.  There were no fast runners zooming by me.  The heat was getting to everyone.  Not to mention we all had worked hard to finish that swim.  I talked with one guy that lives there that has done the race several times and he said that was one of the toughest swims he had done.  That made me feel better with him actually living there and doing the race several times.  Soon I finished my 3rd loop and was heading in.  I felt so great to be finishing!  Mom & Erin were at the finish line waiting on me.  I couldn't have asked for better sherpas!  I'm so glad they were with me!   

My time wasn't a PR.  My first halfiron man was 7:12 and I had just finished this one in 7:17.  However, my bike and run was faster this go around.  It was the swim that killed my time.  I swam Augusta halfiron man in 33 minutes 56 seconds (now that's a downstream river swim)... vs this ocean swim of 1 hour 1 minute.  Can I say how much I like a downstream river swim :>)

I told mom and Erin to let me get cleaned up and rest and then we'd go out to celebrate Mother's day and me finishing!   They spent the afternoon sitting on the beach and I stayed in the cool hotel room.  I didn't want to be hot or sandy again.  I was over the heat for the day. :>)   The water was beautiful that afternoon and even looked much calmer than that morning although the red flag was still up. 

We went to a nice restaurant that night for dinner.  The food was awesome and the company even better.  We toasted each other and celebrated.  

The drive home the next morning was not so nice.  He hit heavy rain.  You could barely see the road.  I was so glad once we got that 5 hour drive over and I was able to relax at home.  I can't express enough how much I love my mom and daughter!  I'm so blessed they were with me on this adventure.  My daughter did tell me while we were eating dinner after the race that she had googled the full ironman ..... and she was like ... that's double what you did today.  I was like yep... :>) She said that's ALL day into the night... I was like Yep.... Lord willing I'll complete that also.  AND the plan is for my hubby, my mom, my daughter and my son to all be with me on that day! :>) 

 

So glad I had on my bracelet that says Philippians 4:13 the whole race. :>)  I'm a tad tired today.  Usually that 2nd day after a race is worst than the day after for me.  Too bad I have work. LOL  But at least Lisa has me on a recovery week so I'll get a couple of days of rest. THANK YOU LISA! 

Natchez Trace Bike Ride 5-4-19

Natchez Trace Bike Ride 5-4-19

Another training day for me.  This time in Jackson on the Natchez Trace.  I really love this course.... when it's not raining.  I'm so glad that this year I was not doing the 100 miler again because last year I rode 80 of the 100 miles in complete rain.  The forecast for Saturday's ride was 100% rain starting around mid-morning.  Lucky for me it was taper week and I only had the 25 mile ride on tap.  

I kind of hated driving to Jackson just for 25 miles, but I had other plans too.  I was in a need of new running shoes and wanted to go by Fleet Feet to use my discount card I had gotten at a recent race.  When buying good running shoes I need all the discounts I can get. :>)  

It was an early morning at 4am getting up and heading out.  The drive was nice and quiet being it was just me.  Again... my friends all had other things going on or wanted to skip due to the forecast.  I was shocked when I arrived that the parking lot was already slam full.  The rain did not deter people from coming out to ride.  It was a full house.  The 100 milers left out at 7am.   The shorter distances left out at 7:15am.  I saw my friend Sonya and we talked for a few minutes and then we were off.  The weather was nice.  Just a tad humid.  It felt great to be riding.  My body felt great.  I begin passing several people.  Soon I was way out ahead with 7 guys.  They were all drafting and hollered at me and told me to hang with them.  I just laughed and told them I didn't like to draft.  One of them hollered back and said, "oh you superwoman and want to do all the work yourself".   I just smiled at him.  It's in no way that I want to be superwoman.  I just get very nervous when drafting and all the bikes are like 6-8 inches apart.  If one little thing goes wrong, the whole bunch can go down... I've seen it happen.  

I couldn't get way in front of them because they were going pretty fast so we kept going around each other several times.  I was so glad when they told me they were doing the 50 miler because when I turned at half way, I was rid of them. LOL  I will say they did keep my speed up by me trying to prove to them I could ride like them. ..... you know..... that crazy inside voice telling you to prove them wrong... LOL

Anyway, it was a great ride.  I was very pleased with my time.  I can tell my body is getting stronger.  I actually came in first.  It's not a race, so they don't give out awards.  Heck the didn't even have a timing mat or anything.  Just a finish line.  However, they do give out nice finisher medals. :>)  We got some nice swag too...

 A bag & a shirt.

Here's the finish line.  I had some random stranger take the picture since I was alone.  

Here's my time:

As soon as I got my bike loaded, the rain started.  I was thrilled to be done!  I headed to Fleet Feet and got me 2 new pair of shoes and 3 new pair of socks.  Cost me a small fortune, but I've learned that our feet are so very important.  We have to take care of them.  They take the full load of our bodies on them.  Fleet Feet is a great store.  They will put you on a machine that tells them what shoes work best with your type foot.  If you haven't had that done, you should go get it done if you are a runner.  It's free at most running stores.  

Well, that's a wrap on another training bike ride.  This coming up weekend I have a BIG race.  I've tried not to think or talk about it.  Been just taking it one day at a time.  Everyday I just pray for God to let me complete whatever training is on my schedule or race with no injuries.  The race is a half ironman.  It is also training leading up to the full ironman later this year, however, it's a race... which means I'll get NERVOUS.  And the swim is in the ocean!  Last time I did this race the swim was canceled due to the rip tides.  I'm praying for smooth waters on Saturday this year.  My mom is going with me since it's Mother's Day weekend.  I'm very excited that we get to spend the weekend in Florida together.  

I'll be focused on this Bible verse for my race:

Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.