It is day 5 and I’m still sick. The last time I was sick with the stomach bug
was at least 4 or 5 years ago and all my boys were still in elementary
school. There has been zero running,
biking, or swimming. I’ve attempted a
yoga class and barely survived. I feel
it’s been hard to get in a quality training groove this whole year. First, it was finding a routine that worked
for me and my family. Then when I came
back from Hawaii my hamstring/glute was inflamed and very tight. I took all speed work out of my training. Now, when I’m starting to feel better I get
the stomach bug. There hasn’t been a
whole week where I’ve nailed my training as I’ve planned. Yet…that is!
For me, my IM training doesn’t start until June. I’m not letting my mind go to “that place”
until June 10th when I officially start my IM training. The tri season can get long both physically and
mentally. I need to put in my best hours
on my bike, in the pool, and on my treadmill come September. Not now, not
today. A big part of racing an IM is dealing with all the situations that come
up over the course of the day and learning how to react in a positive way will
have a huge impact on finishing time. I can only control my reactions to the
situations which are in front of me now.
On a more positive and fun note…I had my most enjoyable half
marathon to date in Nisswa at the Run for the Lakes half marathon. Four of my boys decided to run. Three of them decided two days before the
race they wanted a challenge and they went for it. They had a goal of being under 2 hours and
they all made it 1:52 and 1:54. My
oldest, Mitch, said he wanted to run too, but had a hockey game calling his
name. We’ll see if he is up for the
challenge next year. I think the 4 boys
who ran it may need some more time to forget how the felt on Sunday morning after
the race when they couldn’t walk down the stairs before they run it again. They had zero run training, except gym class
at school, and they all blew me out of the water by how they just kept on going
and never once did any of them say I want to quit. They even had their Grandma there who told
them if they got tired they could stop by her and she would give them a ride to
the finish line. No one took her up on
the offer. No quitters allowed on TEAM
ANDRES. They were so many kind and
supportive runners and spectators who cheered for the boys which really helped
to push them to keep going. After the
race we all went for breakfast and chatted about how the race went and then hot
the Chocolate Ox for some treats. It was
the most fun I have ever had running a half marathon and I won’t ever forget
rounding the corner and crossing the finish line with them. One of my boys, Riley, says he is doing IM
when he turns 18.
Bike seat issue has been solved! I had my seat re-covered with new leather
instead of getting a new seat. I’m so
happy I was able to keep my old seat.
There is just way to many memories for me to get rid of that thing.
I’m so looking forward to having enough energy to be able to
run even a mile and so looking forward to being able to eat and not worry if it
will be coming back up. Being sick is no
fun. Maybe being sick along with this
late spring is both blessings in disguise.
The chances of me getting burnt-out from over training get less and less
when there isn’t much training going on.
The Arcadia Brute is less than two weeks away and I have ridden
my bike outside 1 time for 20 minutes since I came back from Hawaii. Today is a beautiful day and I would love to
be able to get outside, but my attempt at yoga this morning is about all my
body had energy for at this point. I’m
not too worried about riding the 200k and finishing; I’m worried about my descending
down some of those hills. I will be breaking
down the hills at Grandma Speed.
Kona is a little over 5 months away. I’ve started organizing my head, my clothing,
my training, and everything else I can think of that relates to the IM World
championships. For me, this is a once in
a lifetime experience and when I cross the finish line no matter the time on
the clock I know I will have no regrets because I will have put my heart and soul
into the race and did everything I could to have the best race on that day!
