Ironman Triathlon Motivation

I'm sharing these because I've been sick the past week and my training has been really kind of sucky.  I mean, not just the usual sucky, but really, really sucky.   I did my first real, non-treadmill run today since the race the Sunday before last and I'm feeling very weak.

Luckily, I have plenty of inspiration out there on the Internet to keep me going.  I did have to laugh at myself today as I was thinking about signing up for a 500 mile bike race that is in April.  I mean, REALLY!!

I think I better concentrate on getting well and then actually getting on my bike and riding for an hour first.  Doing a century ride would be next since I haven't done one in two years.

Where do I get these crazy ideas??  And make them STOP!!

What About That Kona Slot Lance?

Dear Lance,


It really makes me sad that you have been most likely lying all these years about using performance enhancing drugs.   I  was one of those who felt that if you did use drugs, then it would have shown up in blood tests all these years.  I didn't really understand why the anti-doping agency kept harassing you.  I am still very angry at them for being so mean to you, even now.   I had faith in you, Lance.  You were my hero.


Unfortunately, I have doubts now.  Well, I had doubts back then, but a negative test is a negative test, right?  And if you said you weren't using drugs you weren't using them, right?  


Wrong!  Apparently you used drugs to mask the fact that you were using enhancing drugs.  Is this true, Lance??  Say it isn't so, Lance!!


I am very disappointed, Lance.  And to think I just got an email from you a couple of days ago inviting me and a guest to come ride with you in Austin. Remember sending this to me, Lance?

Dear Kristy,       We’re organizing the biggest bike ride Austin’s ever seen, and I want you to be there             with me.  If you register by June 24, you and a friend could help lead off the Team       LIVESTRONG Challenge Austin with me on the starting line.       Register for any Team LIVESTRONG event today and you and a guest could ride        with me in Austin.       See you at the starting line.       Lance And what about that chance to race with you at the Ironman World Championship in Kona this October?  For a mere minimum starting bid of $40,000, I was offered a slot in the race, a new bike, hotel accommodations and a training ride with you. Of course, you realize I could've gotten one of those Kona-Inspired racing slots for free if you had just voted for me and shared my awesome video with all your followers.  It may sound like I'm a little bitter about that, but I'm really, really not.  I'm good.  Really! Well Lance, looks like neither one of us will be at the start line in Kona this year, but it least I get some complimentary Yurbuds. What did you get? Yours truly, Konabarbie

My Kona Inspired Contest Entry

Click here to watch my Kona Inspired entry.   Please be sure to vote at the bottom left hand corner. Thanks!!

A couple of months ago, Ironman started a contest called Kona Inspired which would allow regular athletes, who may not be fast enough to earn a Kona slot because of busy lifestyles or physical challenges, to tell their story of how they live the Ironman mantra "Anything is Possible".  From the entrants, they are picking 8 to compete in Kona this October.

I immediately started working on my own video to submit into the contest and tell my story of how I live the mantra "Anything is Possible".  Believe me - around my house ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

I finished the video and then was afraid to submit it because I set the video to the song "Beginning and the End"and after all the copyright issues popping up and all, well, I didn't want Sony or any other music group coming after me.  And I wanted to do the right thing (of course)

(I was really just afraid of Sony)

So, I decided to send an email to the group's manager, who then directed me to the correct place to go (no, not there) which was Provident Label Group,  a division of Sony.  They said I needed to get a master license and needed some information from me.  I filled out the request they sent and waited.

And waited.

Finally, last week I hear back from them telling me that they approved my request.   They probably got some good laughs and some"who the heck is this person" as it was tossed around like a hot potato or stuck on some unlucky person's desk.   Nobody knowing exactly what to do with it.  They were very nice and polite about it though and apologized for the delay saying that this was such an "unusual request" and had to go to many different levels.

I love the song and had decided that if it didn't get approved, I wouldn't enter the contest.  None of the other things I tried with the video seem to mean as much to me as that song set to my story.  

To me the song which is about life having beginning and end is very much like an Ironman, which has a beginning and an end.  In Ironman, just as in life, sometimes in the middle of it you have to dig deep and find the strength to keep going, pull yourself through the rough patches, to finish strong and never, ever give up.  To me that strength comes from my faith in God.

I am just glad I finally have approval and it didn't end up in the garbage. 

So anyway, here it is so please vote for me!  Take pity on me! 

I'm slow, but qualifying for Kona has been a dream of mine since I did my first Ironman in Florida back when I was faster.  Faster, but still not fast enough.  I would have to take almost 4 hours off my total Ironman time to even have a chance to get a Kona slot.

Vote for me!

Pictures Of Kona 

Runner's Ailments

Yesterday I met the Running Nazi at 6:30 a.m. to do a long run.  We had planned on running 13 miles which usually ends up being almost 15 miles, but  I knew she was sick when she stepped out of her car.  She had that glazed over, feverish kind of look and her voice was raspy when she tried to talk.

The bottle of chloraseptic spray in her hand was another dead give away.  She took one good spray down her throat before she put it back in her car and we set off for our run.

She admitted that her husband tried to talk her into staying home that morning and canceling on me.  She knew I would totally understand.  It's not like I've never canceled on her at the last minute before.  That's what friends are for.  I'm very understanding.

She said she hadn't run much this past week so she really needed to get in a long run.  I understood.  I'm the same way.  I told her we didn't have to run 13 miles.  As long as I get in 10 to 13 miles I'm happy right now.  I haven't signed up for a marathon yet and it might be Fall before I do another one.  This summer I might only stick with sprint tris. 

The RN must have been really sick because we ended up running only 11 miles.  I told her she needed to go home and take some advil, eat some chicken soup and spend the rest of the day in bed.  I don't know what she ended up doing, but I do hope she got some rest.

We ran for 2 hours and during that time we shared our many ailments.  I'm pretty good at self diagnosis, but the RN has me stumped.  Either she has several things going on at one time or it's a really mysterious, big something that she has.

 I couldn't even come close to a diagnosis which is really surprising.  After all,  I have a Fashion Merchandising degree, a Real Estate license and have been a mom for almost 20 years.  You'd think I could come up with something.

Although the kidney stone totally had me stumped.  I was thinking more on the lines of gall bladder.  The symptoms seemed similar to mine when I had gall bladder trouble after my first Ironman.  Who knew??  We both drink more fluids now during our runs.

I told her to see a real doctor and get some strong antibiotics and maybe some steroids.  That always works for me when I am sick and then my asthma acts up.

Of course, she doesn't have asthma so I don't know if the doctor would give her a round of steroids.  Don't know what else steroids are prescribed for, but I do know they calm the immune system down.

She does need something stronger than chloraseptic spray.  Hope she got some rest yesterday.

Finishing What You Start

I came across this you tube video as I was surfing around the internet today.  Being an Ironman and experiencing the overwhelming emotion after crossing the finish line, I know what these women are going through.  It reminded me of why I do these races, both long and short, but especially the Ironman races.

Triathlons, biking and running have been my outlet for stress, depression, you name it, over the past 15 years.  The Boy once made the comment that whenever things went wrong his dad would yell and his mom would run.  I ran ALOT over the years.

Today was a very rough, emotional day for me after the weekend with The Boy.  Some of the things that he said to me really hurt.

 I've seen this famous finish line crawl between Sian Welch and Wendy Ingraham before, but today it touched me more than ever.  Not just because qualifying for the Ironman World Championship is always at the top of my mind, but because it made me once again realize that no matter how hard or tough it is, you have to keep going to the finish.  It's all about sticking with it and finishing.  Never quit.

I got The Boy through high school and now into college and I will be there for him to the end.  If he says he hates me.  Fine.  If he says I annoy him.  Fine.  If he says his life would be better off without me in it.  Fine.  He can say what he wants, I know he needs me.  He wouldn't have made it this far without the sacrifices I have made gladly through the years.  And I'm in it until he truly doesn't need me anymore and goes off to make his mark in the world.

The most rewarding thing in world to me is being a mom.  It is also the most painful.  But I'm no quitter.  He may be 20 years old next month, but he needs me now more than ever.  I might be limping, but I'm hanging in there.

And one day I will cross that finish line in Kona, Hawaii even if I have to crawl on my hands and knees.

Ironman Florida and IronKids

I came across some old racing pictures this weekend of me competing in my first Ironman triathlon, Ironman Florida about 8 years ago.  I think I was much thinner back then.  What happened??  Too many almond pillow cookies from The Fresh market or adult beverages maybe...  I've cut back on both as I am trying to get faster so I can one day qualify for Kona World Championship.  My run has gotten faster, but I've still got some work to do on the swim and bike.  I need to run faster too.  Anyway, I've got a LONG way to go!

The Ironman Florida 2.4 mile swim is in the Gulf of Mexico in Panama City Beach, FL.  It is two 1.2 mile loops, but I always get off course so my loops were probably about 3 miles each as I floundered around trying to find my way back to the shore avoiding any sea creatures that may be out there.  I'm in this picture somewhere getting kicked in the face.

Ironman Florida Swim

 I looked a little worn out in this picture.  I think I was just coming out of transition off the 112 mile bike ride and about to start the run.  The run is two 13.1 mile loops in Panama City Beach, Fl.  It starts at the Boardwalk Beach Resort, goes out to a loop in St. Andrews State Park and back.  I had run that 13.1 mile run at least a dozen times at the Gulf Coast Half Ironman, which is in May.  It's flat and HOT!   Doing it twice was tough though, hearing the announcer calling out finisher's as they were crossing the finish line, knowing I had to go back out and do the entire loop again.  I watched the sun go down as I headed back out toward St. Andrews State Park.

Back in those days, I even got The Boy to do a kids triathlon or two.  This one was about 10 or 11 years ago in Panama City Beach, FL.  It was part of the Ironkids Triathlon Series that several elite athletes, including Lance Armstrong got their start.  Back then I think he had to swim 100 yds in the pool, bike 2 miles and run about a mile.   I've still got that red Finisher line tape that The Boy ran through at the end of the race.  I was amazed The Boy agreed to participate and even did the swim to bike transition fast and put his shoes on by himself.  And he ran like crazy when he got off the bike.  I was so proud!!

Missoni

I have been wearing these new Missoni over the knee socks whenever I can since they were delivered last week.  No, they aren't compression socks, but they are much cuter and just as comfortable.  I got three pairs of them from Zappos last week and love them.  I am even thinking of getting some pink ones as well.  I bought them to wear under the Jeffrey Campbell lace up boots I recently purchased online from Free People.  Didn't really think I would wear them all that much otherwise, but they are great to hang around the house in when I'm not in the compression socks.

The Running Nazi and I did our long run yesterday morning in the cold rain.  Thirteen miles in the dreary cold at 6:30 a.m. so she could get to work by 10:30.  We were out there for 2 1/2 hours and were soaking wet by the time we finished. The only ones out there running in that weather were the hard core runners and the freakishly insane.  While The Running Nazi might fall into either one of those categories on any given day, I was only out there because I have a marathon coming up and I am trying to stay on the training schedule.  I never want a repeat of the way my legs felt while running in the Pensacola marathon last Fall.  Yes, I can finish a marathon without properly training for it, but I never want to experience that much pain again.  Just because I did an Ironman the year before meant nothing.  My legs didn't remember it at all, but they didn't let me forget the pain I put them through afterward.  From now on, I'm doing the proper marathon training.   It was great getting back home and into these warm socks.  My legs felt happy.

The Murph kept making fun of my outfit and thought I was wearing these colors in honor of Mardi Gras.   He kept laughing at me and followed me around taking pictures.  Now I know how old Boo feels when we come after him pointing the camera.  Don't worry, I'll get some pictures of my own of the Murph.  I'm still waiting for my new Runlove Compression socks to be delivered.  Keeping my fingers crossed for them to be delivered today.

Triathlete/Runner Amnesia

This time last week I was carbo-loading at Lillo's, an Italian restaurant in Pensacola Beach and wondering why the heck I had ever signed up for the Pensacola marathon that was the next day.  Why do I put myself under this kind of stress when I don't have too?  Why did I ever think I wanted to run a marathon in every state?  What's wrong with me?

When the alarm went off at 4:30 marathon morning, the first thing I think of is do I really want to do this?  Can I just stay in bed?  I was wide awake so I got up, got ready, ate a power bar and a banana and went to the bathroom.  I just thought, ok, let's just get this thing over with so I can come home and eat lunch with Boy and sit around wrapped in my snuggie for the rest of the day being extra nice to the Murph for putting up with me.

There were several times during the race when I really, really wished I had only signed up to do the half marathon instead of the whole thing.  I wondered now why did I want to run a marathon in every state.  Why did I want to run THIS marathon?  Did I ever want to run another marathon at all?  Maybe I would just pick the marathons that I wanted to do, which only involve about 4 or 5 states and just forget all the other states.

By mile 20 I was thinking maybe this would be it for me.  No more marathons.  Why even run at all?  Is it really that good for you?  I wasn't feeling that good.

After the race I could barely walk.  My calves have been extremely sore all week.  I tried to run for the first time today and my calves felt tight and still hurt.  I felt like somebody punched them with their fist.  I told the Murph that I thought it was not a good idea for me to run the Ruben Studdard half marathon that the Running Nazi wanted me to do with her tomorrow.

He said "I thought you had already decided you weren't going to do that. "

"Well I was only 99% sure I wasn't doing it, but now I am 100%."  He just shook his head.  He doesn't understand crazy, but being around me he's getting use to it.

It's funny how you forget the stress and pain of running marathons and other long, endurance type events (such as the Ironman).  You forget how the training takes up most of your free time and rules your entire life and everything you do and eat and sleep revolves around the training for these events.  You forget the anxiety before race day and the worries.  Do I have everything?   Did I train enough?  It's gonna hurt!

I'm not much fun to be around the days before the race and especially not race morning.  I don't handle stress very well.   Ask the Murph.

So anyway, today I've been thinking about which marathon in which state I am going to tackle next.  Maybe I should even sign up for at least one 1/2 Ironman too.  No full Ironman triathlons next year though.  Definitely not, no, well, probably not, at least not next year.

Triathlete/Runner amnesia, crazy or just plain dumb?

Need Some Distractions...

Well here goes nothing....  my first blog posting!  Who would've thought I could ever figure this high tech stuff out. My son went away to college recently and suddenly I have all this extra time on my hands despite the fact that I am planning a wedding (hopefully in January) and my usual obsessive/compulsive work out schedule. Swim, Bike, Run... not that much swim right now though.   My ultimate goal is to qualify for Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii within the next 4 years.  How?  I have no idea.  My times for Ironman Canada and Ironman Florida were so slow that a 70 year old would've gotten my age group slot before me!  One day I am going to get fast enough!  I have four years so no pressure.

I am trying to use this blog to distract myself and keep busy.  Otherwise, I would be calling my son every five minutes bugging the heck out of him.  He's already ticked off at me for sending him the same email twice.  I just wanted to make sure he read them.  Cafeteria hours are important!  Clubs are important!