7 weeks ’til #IMWI: the tropics

The theme this week…so this is what it feels like to live in the tropics!!

Monday:

The plan was to get up Monday morning and ride for 3-4 hours up into Minnesota and back to my parents house, but we were EXHAUSTED! Who knew taking care of twin 8 year olds could be so tiring?! We instead opted for a rest day. We packed up our stuff, drove home, unloaded everything, took a nap, ate some dinner, juggled our schedule for the rest of the week, and had an early to bed to reenergize ourselves for the rest of the week.

Tuesday:

We started the day with the a 2000 meter time trial in the pool. It was a BEAUTIFUL morning for a swim, but that was all about to change. The Iron Hippie had the day off of work, so we went home, ate some breakfast, and then opted to get on the trainer for our 90 minute bike ride. It turned out to be a very good decision…about 20 minutes into our ride, we saw thunder, heard lightening, and the rain started to fall. After our ride, we went to the gym for full body strength before cleaning up and heading to Kyle’s Bikes in Ankeny for a bike fit for each of us. It was about this time when it actually stopped raining…perfect timing to take our bikes inside without them getting wet 😉 Thanks Kyle for always giving us the best treatment and bike fit!! Your expertise is hands down the best!! When we got back to Ames, we picked up our CSA and met some friends for sushi for dinner. It turned out to be a pretty amazing day!!

Wednesday:

I woke up with LOTS of pulling for breakfast and it felt so good! I met a client at 8 am, ran some errands, put some food in the crock pot for dinner, and did lots of house chores throughout the day. The plan was to meet The Iron Hippie on the other side of town after he got off work to ride for 3 hours, but when I went outside to load the car, it was a heat index temperature of 110F…WHAT?! We opted to not get heat stroke or heat exhaustion and rode on the trainers for 3 hours in our air conditioned living room. Don’t worry…we still sweat…A LOT!!

Thursday:

It was still gross outside at 5 am, so we hopped back on the trainer for our 45 minute ride, but ran 15 minutes outside in the heat and humidity…GROSS!! I met with a personal training client at 8 am, ran a few errands, and then hibernated in the house for most of the day…I did some house chores, blogging, and colored. It was another HOT & HUMID day! At 3 pm I went to city hall to do a video taping session on TRX for the City of Ames Parks and Recreation. I also topped off the day with TRX…full body strength and core work tonight. The high feel like temperature today…116F…YUCK!!

Friday:

AND…the heat and humidity continue! We had an hour run and a 50 minute swim on the schedule. Typically we would run after the Iron Hippie gets off work and swim in the morning before he goes to work, but with the weather we’ve been having, we opted to get up and run at 4:30 am to run for an hour before going to the pool to swim. It was GROSS!! When we got done running, I looked like I had been swimming!! I was really looking forward to submerging myself in a cool pool for my swim, but was sadly disappointed that the water had warmed up a bit thanks to the ridiculous temperatures the last few days. When I got done swimming and stepped out of the pool, the breeze hit me and I was finally cooled down. AH…Refreshing!! After swimming I took the dogs for a walk, cleaned up, ate a breakfast…or two, and met a personal training client at 10 am. I followed this up with another TRX class…all upper body and core work today. After lunch I met another personal training client at 2 pm, met the Iron Hippie in Slater to drop off a car for our century ride tomorrow, showered up for dinner, and met some friends for some Mexican yummies for dinner. The heat index today…110F.

An awesome, yet hot & humid run with friends is a great start to the day! You know you love swimming when your bubbles even make a heart! It helped to get coached by this little critter on my lane line as well!

Saturday:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my FAVE!! The Iron Hippie wanted to ride a 100 miles on his birthday, so we woke up early and started at 6 am since the predicted heat index was supposed to be over 100F again today. The first 55 miles were on the roads with 2 other friends. It was very humid, and we sweat a lot, but it wasn’t too hot since the clouds kept the sun from shining on us…thankfully! We met up with more friends in Slater and rode an additional 47+ miles to give us a total of 102.44 miles for the day in the saddle. The heat index when we were done was 103F with full cloud cover. Thankfully the pool in Slater was open, so we took a plunge before changing clothes and grabbing some food at a local bar and grill. It was super fun to ride with friends, not push the pace, but still get 100+ miles in on one of the hottest days of the year. Once we arrived home, unloaded the car, and showered, we spent the rest of the evening relaxing in the air conditioning 🙂

Sunday:

We started the day with our 1 hour trainer ride of 3 x Ladder intervals and followed this up with a 90 minute endurance run off the bike. We were so lucky to have my #solesista join us on this HUMID and warm morning!! After refueling, an epsom salt bath, and doing some much needed laundry, we opted for an afternoon nap. Boy did that feel good! After our nap, we prepped food and then went to have dinner with my #solesista and her family. It was a fun evening to celebrate the Iron Hippie’s birthday and enjoy time with our chosen family!

Weekly Totals: 20 hours & 56 minutes

Swim: 7983 yards
Bike: 191 miles
Run: 17.1 miles
Strength Training: 2 hours & 30 minutes

Quote of the Week:

“Passion is a huge prerequisite to winning. It makes you willing to jump through hoops, go through all the ups and downs and everything in between to reach your goal.” ~Kerri Walsh

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Sole Sisters Rock the Du

Sunday morning I was blessed and lucky to get to race our first ever duathlon along side my sole sister! She inspires me, believes in me, and encourages me to be the best version of myself everyday! I am forever grateful that our paths crossed and can’t imagine my life without her in it!

A 4 am wake up allowed me plenty of time to make the breakfast of champions (cream of rice with raspberries and Pure Clean Beet Powder and a Karma Kombucha), pack up the last of my race day essentials, load up the car, and be ready to leave by 5 am. The Iron Hippie was volunteering, so he rode with us to the race venue.

Breakfast of Champions!

Once we arrived to the race, I could tell Tonja’s nerves were really starting to kick in. While she has participated in every running distance from 5K to Marathon, she has never participated in a duathlon or triathlon and had no idea what to expect. Heck, she has only been on her bike once this year, and it was last Wednesday morning before our race. I kept reminding her that there was nothing to be nervous about…we were there to have fun! We unloaded the car, got her race packet, set up transition and then relaxed in the car to warm our toes until race start.

Matching tats and socks…Tonja must be my #solesista

Bikes are racked and we are ready to race!

At about 7:30, we decided to check our transition one more time, hit the kybos, and ventured to the start for the pre-race announcements. Tonja was REALLY nervous by this point, but I knew once we got going the nerves would subside. We decided we were going to run the first 0.9 miles together and exit transition together. My role was to prevent her from going out too fast on the first run. She was going to try to keep me in view on the bike, but we both decided to race our own race once out on the bike. As we lined up at the start, we gave each other a hug, a few encouraging words, and we were off.

Lined up and ready to start! Thanks to the Iron Hippie for all of the photos throughout the day!

The first 0.9 miles were on cinder trail, grass, and dirt. Not ideal footing, but we ran side by side and I occasionally reminded T to hold back on this run to set ourselves up for a solid bike and another run. We ran out about 0.45 miles, ran around a cone, and then ran back to transition. Run time = 7:47 (8:39/mile average pace)

T1 time = 1:42

The bike course is 15.5 miles that consists of 3 loops of just over 5 miles each. Once we passed the mount line, we took off! Tonja and I separated pretty quickly, but that is only because I have a LOT more experience on the bike. During the first loop, I went hard, but my main focus was to figure out the bike loop. I learned where the hills were, where the Iron Hippie was cheering/volunteering, where the out and back was (cheering Tonja on as we passed each other…she was doing great!), where we go onto the 2nd/3rd loops or return to transition, where I could drink, where I had to be careful on a turn, etc. On lap 1 at the out and back section, I counted the ladies doing the duathlon that were in front of me (there was also a triathlon and aqua/bike race going on at the same time)…there were only 2 ladies in front of me! #courageovercomfort The 2nd and 3rd loops were so much more fun and I pushed myself even harder on these loops. Now that I knew what to expect, it was time to put the hammer down. #courageovercomfort #courageovercomfort #courageovercomfort was repeated over and over and over in my head while I raced. By lap 2, I could see the 2nd place lady in front of me. #courageovercomfort As we started the 3rd lap, I passed the 2nd place lady and made my way comfortably into 2nd place. Thankfully there wasn’t much wind on the ride, but I knew that wouldn’t be good on the run since the sun was out and the day was heating up rather nicely. Bike time = 50:19 (18.5 mph average speed)

Thanks to the Iron Hippie for taking pics while I was riding!!

T2 time = 54 seconds

As I exited T2, the 3rd place lady (the one that I had just passed) had just come into transition. I told that she had a nice bike leg and thanked her for pushing me to work really hard on the bike. The last run was a 5K run (3.1 miles) and I was right…it had heated up quite nicely. The first mile was mostly on cinder trail, grass and dirt and went the same direction as the first run that we started the duathlon with. There was an aid station at mile 1, which is where we exited the grassy area and started running on the roads…straight up hill. It was at this point that I was passed by another lady participating in the duathlon. I told her she was doing awesome and to keep working hard as she passed. I knew I was now in 3rd place, but this only made me work harder. #courageovercomfort I could see the first place duathlon lady and knew that I could catch her. My goal was to catch her by mile 2, which is where the Iron Hippie was volunteering. I ended up catching her at about mile 1.5. I told her she was doing great and that it was super hard to catch her! I encouraged her to keep going hard and finish strong! When I saw the Iron Hippie just past the 2 mile mark, he told me I was 40 seconds behind the 1st place female and to give it all I had. Little did he know I was already pushing as hard as I could. At this point, we were back in a grassy area with some cinder trails all the way to the finish line. There was VERY LITTLE shade, it was hot, and I was giving it EVERYTHING I had. #courageovercomfort I was so happy to finally see the finish line!! Run time = 26:48 (8:39/mile average pace)…I guess you can say that I was consistent 😉

Overall Finish: 1:27:29
1st Place Age Group
2nd Place Female Overall
11th Place Overall

These lovely ladies made me work for this AG win!!

Tonja got 2nd place in her age group at her first ever duathlon!! So proud of her!!

This race challenged me in many ways, but was also very fun!! I consider anytime I get to run and bike while racing and encouraging others a win!!

19 Weeks ’til Ironman Boulder

Preparing for the coming week in my Believe Training Journal…19 weeks ’til IMBoulder

19…there is a #1 to start this week…eek!! With spring break behind me, that leaves only 9 weeks left in this school year…only 9 weeks left until summer break. I will survive 9 more weeks 😉

Monday:

I slept in, completed an hour of strength training, met with a personal training client and then went to the pool for 2600 yards of #swimlove. After a quick shower, I loaded Mojo into the car and went to Kyle’s Bikes in Ankeny for a bike fit by the best…Kyle himself 🙂 He put me in new bike shoes, made a few minor adjustments to the height of my saddle and sent me on my way. When I got home, I hopped on Mojo in the backyard for some single leg drills. It was 85F, sunny and VERY windy, but boy did it feel good to ride outside in the sunshine!!

4:30 plank…I’m getting SO close to holding plank for 5 minutes. I know I can definitely reach 5 minutes by the end of March!!

New shoes 🙂

Tuesday:

I slept in again this morning. When I got up, I eventually made my way to the pool for some more #swimlove swimming…there wasn’t much love with this workout. I was tired. So tired I thought about skipping my run workout. I knew Basil could stand to burn off some energy, so I changed into winter running gear (yes…the colder weather returned). I wasn’t holding out a whole lot of hope for this run, but I surprised myself. Can you say SERIOUS #runlove?!?!?! This run turned out to be AMAZING and my #FaveWorkout this week!! After cleaning up, I ran a few errands before getting beat up having my legs massaged for a whole hour…OUCH!! Dinner with a girlfriend was a perfect way to cap off the night!!

Wednesday:

I woke up early so I could get some #bikelove in before heading to Kansas City for an overnight excursion with my #solesista. When we got to Kansas City, we had an amazing lunch, did some shopping at the plaza, relaxed in the hot tub at the hotel, went out for dinner and ended a very late night at a dueling piano bar in the Power and Light District. Relaxation, lots of fun and amazing company!!

Thursday:

After a very short night’s sleep, we got up and ran in a cool, drizzle before cleaning up and heading back home. We listened to Iowa State crap the NCAA basketball game down their leg while we drove home…seriously boys…you have to show up and actually play ball to win. UGH!! When I got home, I was so tired that I took a 2 hour nap. I followed this up with a brief walk with the dogs and the Iron Hippie and called it a night at 6:40 pm.

Friday:

Hello spring!! I slept in, met with two personal training clients, had some active release therapy done to my left hamstring (OUCH) and spent the afternoon alternating between ice and heat on the hamstring. I also played frisbee with Basil this afternoon and got some special deliveries today…

Coeur Sports Love!! #stylishspeed #noangrykitty #heartandcourage

Osmo Nutrition…#womenarenotsmallmen

Saturday:

I woke up tired, so I went back to sleep and slept in, which meant I didn’t get to the gym in time to start our practice 70.3…so, I went to the gym for one hour of strength training. I followed this up with a 2 hour nap. The late night Wednesday was WAY MORE than my body can handle. We capped the evening off with a sushi dinner and great friends who are moving to Delaware. I am sad to see them go, but very happy for their new adventures and super excited for a chance to go visit them 🙂

Sunday:

I woke up tired again. Lesson learned…late night outings need to be avoided so I can keep myself somewhat regulated. I slugged through my brick workout, but got it done. After cleaning up the house a bit, doing lesson plans for the week, taking the dogs for a walk and mentally preparing for the week to come, we made dinner and hit the bed early to hopefully be well rested for the last big push to the end of the school year…only 9 more weeks, but who’s counting 😉

Weekly Totals:

Swim: 5000 yards

Bike: 60.5 miles

Run: 12.3 miles

Strength Training: 2 hours

Total Duration: 10 hours & 12 minutes

How was your week of workouts? When you get off of a regular sleeping routine, how long before you’re recovered and back to “normal?”