NEW SITE!!!

Hi everyone! I'm here now:  www.lifeofirone.com

Quick note about SHOES

In the last few weeks, I've learned a valuable lesson about the "heel to toe drop" in shoes... specifically running shoes. H-T drop is how low your toes are in comparison to your heel. I am a heel-striker, so I do better in shoes with a higher drop because I'm used to absorbing more of the shock in my bones. If you are a mid-foot striker, a lower drop is better because you absorb most of the shock in the muscle. For reference, barefoot = zero drop. Got it?

I have been running in the Asics GT-2000s and absolutely love them. I was bad & ran well over 300 miles in them before switching, but still never experienced a problem. I decided on the Asics Gel Lyte 33s for my next pair, because to me, Asics = Asics.

NOT TRUE. 

The GT-2000s have a 10-12mm drop and the Gel Lytes have a 4mm drop. I was about 60 miles in on the Gels and started having really bad calf pain and shin splints. I couldn't figure out if this was happening because of the increased mileage or continuous training, but when my coach found out about my shoe change, he told me the reason for all the pain was because the two shoes were so different. The lower drop was causing more strain on my achilles and calf muscles.

I wish I would've known about this before I invested in a new pair of running shoes. If you are not an avid runner, I don't think that this would make a huge difference. However.... if you are doing track/speed work and running 25+ miles/week, changing to very different shoes is a great way to get injured and frustrated. It is possible to change your stride and the way you run, but I don't recommend it when you're training for a big race... like an Ironman.  :)

I'm now back in the GT-2000s and there is a bit of residual pain (because shin splints take for freakin ever to go away), but my legs are so much happier with a bigger drop and my running is almost back to normal. So relieving and frustrating to know that shoes were the culprit. I've very happy that there isn't a bigger underlying issue and that I don't have to ice & stretch like a maniac every time I go for a run now.

Lesson learned: know your shoes before you buy them and/or stick with what you know and what works for you!

Happy Running!

PS - still working on getting my new site up & running in all my "free time"

I have an announcement!

Usually people wait until 3 months in to make a public announcement, but I can’t wait that long. *ahem* In exactly nine months from now (11.16.14), I will get to meet Ironman Arizona for the first time.

NO, NO, and N-O. Just expecting the race of my life (sorry mom), plus so many other people have been making big announcements lately & I’m feeling a little left out, okay?

Now that we've all suffered mini heart attacks & I have your attention, I can talk about current training issues like “does NormaTec have a payment plan option?” and “It’s possible to chafe… where??”

I won’t go into that either. I’m sure this is just the tip of the iceberg anyway of new “fun” issues that arise during IM training. Instead I’d like to focus on my current level of motivation and inspiration. Somewhere along the line, I have learned to enjoy (at least parts of) swim practices, long runs and climbing hills on my bike. My coach would probably be happy to hear this… but don’t tell him I said it!

I have to be honest… my new Garmin + uploading everything to Strava has definitely been a great tool for a data junkie like me. I have more to analyze and together they keep me & my workouts honest! It’s also fun to see grand totals of swim/bike/run mileage J. “Well according to Strava I've biked like, 500 miles, so I can totally eat this cupcake right now.”

But seriously. That will happen… and possibly has happened already.

For the next 9 months my new normal will be soreness and hunger. Some days will be better… a LOT better… than others, but all of that will get me to the finish line and I will feel proud knowing that I've earned the right to be called an Ironman. I've been deeply inspired by this quote from Marianne Willamson:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Right away I associated this with Ironman training. I know there are many other facets in life to become powerful & shiny in, but I suppose since training has become such a huge focus for me I can’t help but relate everything to a race or workout. My take away from this quote is that IM is definitely an opportunity for me to shine, to find power, to inspire and grow (in more ways than one). The biggest Pro and Con is that I’m fairly new to the sport. My first triathlon was 2.5 years ago, so I’m still able to consistently see big progress in all 3 sports, but it’s definitely a bit intimidating and frustrating to not be as good as a REAL Ironman. Sometimes I feel like such a faker & that I’m way out of my league (this might be true, but don’t tell me if it is), but other times… most times… I just feel really awesome that every single week I can honestly say “this is the most fit I've been in my life”.

The feeling of this progress and constantly breaking down the mental barriers of “I can’t do this” or “I’m not good enough”, and maybe a little Avenged Sevenfold in the ear buds, carries me through the hard runs & steep bike rides. The determination provides reprieve when I see “EVERYONE” on Facebook having “SO MUCH FUN ALL THE TIME” and provides energy at 5:30am to get my butt in the pool.

I’m attempting to stay social between my job and training, but I may only make it to events in the afternoon. The window of opportunity is slowing closing between the time I finish a workout and the time I need to be in bed! But… I really love it. For me it’s definitely a time to shine & prove to myself & others what is possible and why I choose not to play small.

I can't move my legs

Where has the time gone? Less than 300 days to go (293 days & 13 hours to be exact) & Ironman feels less real to me than ever. The excitement of signing up has worn off, & I’m stuck in this weird middle area where I’m training a lot but don’t have any end goals on my radar. Training hard six days a week prompts a lot of people to ask what I’m training for or when my next race is, and I feel discomfited saying “well, I have a race 11 months from now…”.

Training seems like a light switch: I’m either super motivated & pushing myself all week, or I’m going through a whole week grumbling & barely accomplishing what’s on my schedule. Both swimming and running have felt a lot easier and I am noticeably getting better at both. Not great, but better. The longer distances & intensity levels feel motivating now instead of exhausting. I really hope that trend continues throughout the year!

I’m only riding once a week (around 40 miles) and it feels ROUGH. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m not on my bike enough, or if I’m riding the day after a long ride, or… something else? All of the above? When I’m on the bike all I can think about is how I’m going to race (not just survive) for 112 miles?? I guess my one saving grace is that I do have a good amount of time before race day to train & play around with nutrition options.

Another great thing is that I finally bit the bullet & bought a new super fancy watch (Garmin 910xt)! I haven’t worn it in the water yet, but now that I have a heart rate strap and can upload all data into Strava, I've reached a whole new level! I love having so much data to look at & analyze, not to mention the watch keeps me honest since anyone is able to see my workout detail J.

At this point I’m feeling pretty challenged & am appreciative of any days off as well as eating the right food(s). I’m still meat free and feel like my body is handling it ok… will see how I fare when my training doubles! Also hoping I can stay motivated more often than not! I'm happy I had a great and FULL weekend of training so I can fully enjoying lounging on the couch watching the Grammy's. And maybe eating some Thai food..