Another six weeks is coming to a close!

So, here's how this whole thing works: you're given a 24 week training schedule, which is broken up into four six-week increments. I'm just finishing up the second one. All four six-week increments (or phases) have names. The first is the "Adaptation Phase" which gets your body used to exercising that aggressively. The second is the "Aerobic Base Phase" which is the one that I will finish tomorrow. The third phase is what they call "Pre-Competitive Ironman Specific." I like to refer to it as the "Are You Freakin' Kidding Me Phase!" This is the one in which they warn the "real"training will begin...what have I been doing since June 5th? Hmmmm...

This past week has been a recovery week and man, have I needed it! Today was a 40 mile bike ride and a short 20 minute run. Tomorrow is a short six mile run and then I prepare for next week!

Thanks for reading!

A Lesson in Patience

Sometimes physical improvement is imperceptible. You think you're making gains--running faster, going longer--but it's difficult to really tell. And, if you're anything like me, you want immediate gratification. I've never been able to wait for anything; I remember when I was a kid on Christmas morning...I would wake up at about 4:30am, sneak out to the living room, see what Santa had brought us (gifts from Santa were unwrapped) and then have to endure three hours of nothingness, sitting in the dark waiting for everyone else to wake up. It was torture. And so is waiting to increase your bike speed...one measly mile per hour or running a mile thirty seconds faster. Patience, I keep telling myself.

During the past four months I have had my greatest lesson in patience; something that has taught me to do that thing that is hardest for me--wait. In May, I suffered an unexpected loss, the kind that blind-sides you, like being sucker punched in the head. For those who know me, you know what I'm speaking of; for those of you who don't know, let's just say that it's the kind of loss that feels akin to being hit with a baseball bat in the back of the knees. I had to learn that faith, trust and patience were going to pay off for me. And it did. With time (and a ton of patience) positive things began to happen...and I know they will continue to happen.

Oh, and so you're wondering....how does this fit into an Ironman training blog? As I mentioned in the beginning, my improvements in physical strength and endurance are small, almost baby steps and I have to be patient as I wait for them to reveal themselves. I have faith that they will.

This week was a tough one (training-wise). Yesterday I ran 10 miles and today I biked 63 miles followed by a 30 minute run. The improvements that I'm waiting for did NOT reveal themselves today!

This is kicking my ass!

Okay, so today was a 3.5 - 4.5 hour bike ride followed by a 30 minute run...you'd think I could handle it right? You'd be wrong! By the two hour mark I had ridden against a head wind the whole time, sweated in 90 degree heat and hit every red light along the way. I was so frustrated that I actually had to get off my bike and walk around for a little bit. I made a decision at around mile 35 (the ride was 56 miles) that I would take a different route home because it lacked what was ruining my ride--traffic signals! The trade-off was that there were two pretty decent size hills that I would have to climb first; and I was so happy that I chose that route! The last 20 or so miles was enjoyable and fast. When I got home I threw on my running gear and ran out the door for my 30 minute run. It was easier than I thought it would be, but when I got home I had to pour a bottle of water over my head and lay under the ceiling fan for about 15 minutes!

Here's my thought for today: BUY NEW BIKE SHORTS IMMEDIATELY!

A New Fund Raising Machine!!

In 2009 I finished Ironman Arizona in 16 hours, 45 minutes and 51 seconds. This year, I plan to do it under 16 hours! In 2009, you helped me raise over $7,000 for The SamFund!! This year, let's kick ass and raise over $8,000!

Please help me raise money for The SamFund, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping young adult survivors of cancer transition into their post-treatment life--which can be filled with mounting bills, rent to pay and daily economic struggles.

To donate please visit my NEW fund raising page:

http://www.crowdrise.com/suesi​ronodyssey2

Gotta LOVE a recovery week!

Every third week in this training is a "recovery week," which means I get a well deserved break! This was one of those weeks and it could not have come at a better time. I was SPENT last week! Yesterday was a very easy 3 hour bike ride followed by a 20 minute run and today was a 75 minute run....easy! Next week we start getting serious; the workouts will begin to get progressively longer and more difficult. Next Saturday is a 4.5 hour bike ride and the run on Sunday is close to 2 hours!

Thought for the week: Dessert is much more delicious when you only have it once a week!