Biking Brrrrrrrr

This was my first non-trainer bike ride of the year and it was great to be outside!! Temps were in the 30's, so I put on 4 layers and broke out the hand and toe warmers. This was the Davidsonville ride--one of the team's "flat" rides with some hills thrown in at the end to keep it interesting. Riding with a cast on is pretty annoying, making it a bit tricky to shift with my left hand. Two more weeks and I can take this thing off -finally!

My "Waterproof" Cast, Ha Ha

Did I mention that I fractured my arm two days before Christmas? Yeah. Nice. And I told the doc that I needed a "waterproof" cast so that I could still get my swims in. And it had to be a cast that would give me no problems biking and running either. Sure, he said, like he had heard that one before.

So tonight, I took the cast for a spin in the pool. Let's just say that the "waterproofness" of the cast is in question. In fact, it got quite waterlogged and the velcro straps kept coming loose. Velcro and water don't mix. Nevertheless I was hell bent on getting back in the swim of things and proceeded with my laps, velcro straps flying in the air and all.

The "waterproof" cast is now in the dryer....

Coach Melissa

I have a coach! Yes, I'm on Team Z and we have awesome coaches on the team....but given that I'm trying for two major goals this year --Kili and Ironman, both firsts for me-- it seemed like bringing in some extra help was in order. Yep, I need all the help I can get!

So today was my first "in person" visit with Coach Melissa (who, by the way, is an exercise physiologist and a US Tri Champ, not to mention just all around awesome). She put me on the treadmill for a VO2 Max test and a running gait analysis, then went over a few strength workout exercises I've been doing at the gym to make sure I have proper form, etc. Strength training is a huge focus for me now so I can develop more power on the bike.

It's great to have someone who is focused on my progress (because it's all about me, right? :) and on figuring out what it will take to get me to the summit and the finish line. Between Melissa and Team Z, how can I possibly fail?!

I need to get a 20 pound vest to wear for hiking; Melissa says it will help simulate hiking at high altitudes where the thin air makes the going extra tough. That should be interesting.And by the way, when am I supposed to have time for hiking? IM training is time consuming enough. Perhaps on recovery weekends....

Big Year Ahead

My 2011 calendar is packed with adventure, challenge, and change. Actually, that's a bit of an understatement. This is the year I will climb Kilimanjaro and take on Ironman Arizona -- two huge undertakings that will require many grueling hours of training and mental preparation. And it's also the year I hope to make a major career transition.

As I sit here on January 1st, the big question is:  can I do it? Will I make it to the top of the mountain? Will I cross the finish line in AZ? One year from today I will no doubt take a look back at 2011 and have the answer.

Having never hiked above 7,000 feet I have no idea how I'll respond to the high altitude on Kilimanjaro. I know I'll be physically and mentally prepared, but altitude? That's the wild card, a big unknown. Barring any major problem with altitude sickness, I'm confident I'll make it to the top.

Ironman AZ, while only one day of suffering instead of a week's worth, will be tougher. Going the distance is one thing, making all the cutoff times and crossing the finish line in 17 hours is quite another...and it's a long shot for me. Believe me, my expectations are firmly rooted in reality.

I'm certain of this much:  I'm going to give it my all. Let the training commence!!

A look back at 2010

2010 was the year I...
   - got a new bike! (Felt ZW 5 carbon road bike)
   - finally did the full Savageman Oly (no relay)
   - ran my fastest marathon yet (Shamrock)
   - had my first DNF (Musselman 70.3)
   - did my fastest Oly swim yet (Savageman)
   - finished my masters degree at Georgetown (woohoo!)
   - traveled to Nova Scotia
   - added a second beagle to the family :)
   - broke a toe and fractured an arm :/
   - signed on to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2011
   - launched Triathletes Hiking Kilimanjaro with an awesome friend and raised more than $12,000 for Africa's AIDS orphans

2010 Races:
January - JFK 13.1 
March - Shamrock 26.2
April - Rumpus in Bumpass Oly
May - Kinetic Aqua Bike 70.3
June - DC Tri Oly
July  - Musselman 70.3...missed the bike cut off by 4 minutes! Would've made it with 28 seconds to spare if the race had started on time.
August - Run Amuck mud race, Luray Oly
September - Savageman Oly
October - Warrior Dash mud fest - Craziest Frickin' Day of My Life!

Bring on 2011!!

Taking the First Step

Crazy me. I signed up for Ironman Arizona! The first question is....why? Why would anyone want to put themselves through a grueling year's worth of training, in all kinds of weather, for one day of suffering through a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, 26.2 mile run? All of that, plus the risk of not making it to the finish line by the stroke of midnight.

Well....it's complicated. Perhaps over the course of the next 300-something days I'll be able to explain it. But the surface answer is that I have a big birthday coming up in 2011 and it warrants a big challenge. My original plan was to hike up Mt. Kilimanjaro that week, but that plan changed when I got an offer to make the trek with a group of people in February (more about that in future blog posts). So the question then became, what will I do for my birthday, which isn't until December? Ironman Arizona is just a couple of weeks before....and it's definitely a huge challenge, so IMAZ it is!