I had a French teacher in high school, who upon seeing us trying to cram right before a test, would say "Feel the peace in knowing that it is too late." I feel a little unprepared, but then again, I always do!
Here we go; another race. Can't really do anything now except pack, not hurt myself and not pig out on pizza and alcohol.
I have iron deficiency anemia! strangely enough, I'm happy about this because this explains my fatigue over the past few months and it has not been due to poor athletic ability or mental burnout.
I have been REALLY tired the past 2 months. So much that I haven't been able to wake up to go swim in the mornings. Also, feeling pooped out during some of the longer rides and runs. Also, I have been freezing in my office - July in Texas and I'm using a space heater. this may explain some of my irritability/moodiness as well.
The biggest clue for me, which led me to get tested for this, was that I developed pica. I've had it before and it usually does indicate iron or some other mineral deficiency. Basically pica is craving and eating non-edible items; for me, it is dirt; yes, really. Specifically, I crave the dirt on the skin of unwashed potatoes. But pica can also involve craving sand, chalk, ice. Yummy.
My only concern now is I'm going to try to do an Ironman while anemic. I have 2 1/2 weeks, which is some time to get it up, but iron stores really don't replenish for about 6 weeks.
Anyone up for some steaks?
I feel a grawing jealousy when I read how fast other people are. Like Yvonne going 18 mph and running 9 minute miles. (love you yvonne! you're just a more natural athlete than I am). In my better moments, I think that I'm thankful I can do this, know I can go the distance, but still....
I want to be fast, dammit!
My little bitty Kang legs, miniscule Kang muscles and big ol' Kang head (more drag on the swim) does not equal an athlete's body. However, it's a great body for sitting on my butt and studying for 8 hours straight, so whatever. And for winning Book Bowl.
I'm grumpy 'cuz I ate pizza last night and should not have. Although wow, Eastside Pies is a great place in my neighborhood.
Until full Vineman. My attitude about this is rather relaxed, maybe too much? Uhm yeah, I have an Iron distance race soon....
I weigh 126 and would like to get a little lighter for "race weight", so no more alcohol, donuts or potato chips for 3 more weeks. Might drop the pork too, which is my favorite meat.
I'm a bit worried about the weather. I know California, Sonoma County has great weather, but last year there was freak heat wave with people racing in the 94 degree weather. I joked to my teammates "you just brought Texas with you!"
I was explaining to someone that I just love Ironman race day. Something about all the family and friends, the excited volunteers, the crazy distances. Also, I'm of the pace that it is always dark druing the marathon, and it is very nice to run at night (cooler too).
I'm going to approach this race a little differently, try some new things. For the swim, I'm going to wear my tri top, but boy swimming shorts instead of a full bathing suit. It's a pain to change complete in T1 and the hardest part of the race is getting on a sports bra when you're wet and cold! Change only the bottoms - my Assos shorts! During the bike, I'm going to take deliberate breaks, probably at mile 40 and 80. I discovered serendipitously that breaks really help, despite the "time lost." During rides when I got a flat tire, the time it took to change it and not riding, really made me feel more refreshed. I'm going to eat Paydays on the bike - found out that I needed a little protein. The run - will try to run the whole thing, with walk breaks only at the aid stations, but we'll see. Never know what will happen, and again, my advice is to always plan it so one can walk the whole marathon, if need be. Oh yeah, and wear a running skirt!
I'm quite thankful that I can do this - physically, emotionally, financially. It's fun too! oh that reminds me - need to buy a fresh boa!
Ironman training - a good distraction from life's ups and downs? an essential part of my life? a distraction to living life? I think I do all three. I can see the addictive nature of Ironman training (or any endurance sport.) And the basic nature of ALL addictions is to avoid feeling, avoid relationship, conflict, life. Do I have an addiction? It makes me feel better, but liquor does too, to an alcoholic. Training and racing, with all its complications, is still alot more straight forward and predicitable than this thing we call life. I can see myself doing one race after another just to hide. Just how many Ironmans can one do in a year? Then there are Ultras which are a whole another level of craziness.
I know a lot of endurance athletes (triathletes especially, but also ultramarathoners, cyclists) with a background of drugs, alcohol, smoking, eating disorders. Says something, doesn't it?
My sister's friend had a canned good labelled "fish assholes." When you shook it, there was obviously something in the can. I wonder what it was....
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