The last week was 'hard' and left me exhausted - so much so that I skipped my Saturday group training as couldn't drag my body out of bed. Sleep seemed very important. Not wanting to have a few disastrous sessions to "do my head in", I opted to stay in bed and get some sleep.
Sunday bunch ride was cancelled due to awful weather - so went for a run instead. For some reason, I just couldn't face a long windtrainer session. I don't usually mind doing time on the windtrainer, as I am used to it - but last weekend I did for some reason. Never mind - had a great run instead!
So got about 95% of last week's schedule completed .... with this week being an easy week - YAY! Easy weeks are becoming an exciting thing to me (now that is getting sad, isn't it?).
Now, I do have to brag about a success I had last week. My long swim was the best yet. I had to do 3km, (the 2nd one to date) and wasn't really looking forward to it. But, I just seemed to get into a rhythm that has been lacking to date, and did it in 15 minutes less than my first 3km attempt. Now it wasn't fast, but for me I was rapt. It took me 1:15, so each km took 25 minutes. After weeks and weeks of doing no better than 30 minutes per km, I couldn't believe it. It was a great boost to my morale, as you know I am a beginner swimmer and am finding it a huge challenge. Trouble is, I have to keep this up now, or I'll get depressed!! You just can't win, can you.
Running still going well, and looking forward to the Taupo Half Marathon. No doubt it will be very cold, so will pack lots of thermals.
The Tour de France coverage is great - very inspiring. They make it look easy climbing up those mountains at great speed - just incredible. I can't believe the average time per stage for the mountain stages ... makes my average speed seem miserable!
A big thanks to The Port of Tauranga for supporting me in the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman in January. So I am now committed to this Half Ironman as my first Half Ironman as an individual, as I have been in teams for the past 2 years. Oh boy .... The Port of Tauranga sponsors Shipping Company teams and it is great to see "OOCL" entering a team (with just a little encouragement from me...). Go Hamish, Peter and ?? Wendy maybe? Just because I have abandoned the post doesn't mean you can slacken off!!!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Righty-O,
Last week was a bit of a disaster due to getting a viral headache from hell which lasted from Friday to Wednesday, so lost a good 5 days and then took it slowly for the next couple of days.
But did manage to get 2 runs, 3 bikes and 1 swim in this week so not totally lost.
This week is a harder week with 3 swims, 5 bikes and 4 runs planned, along with pilates, stretches etc. The amount of hours this week will be approx. 4 hours of swimming, 4 hour long road ride, plus 5 hours on windtrainer, and around 4 hours running.
I feel quite refreshed after the forced rest, so looking forward to getting back to normal.
After the last blog, I went off to do my 3km swim session, and got there (just). I didn't do 1 metre more, as my arms were pretty tired. There is another one scheduled in this week, so hope that one goes better.
Today a few of us (8) started a new bunch ride with girls in mind, but boys are welcome, as long as they don't want to go at race pace, and are prepared to wait for the slower riders ... something that the boys are not well known for! It is good to find a bunch of like minded riders who want to get together and do a long ride on a weekly basis. Thanks Liz for being the leader.
Running seems to be improving ... since my spinal fusion my speed has decreased, and I suffer some nerve damage in my right leg. But the perseverence is paying off with the leg getting much stronger, and I am running probably better than I was in 2003. I have been trying to do plenty of hills and undulating runs, which is really paying off. Some routes which have brought me to walking at various points due to the hills, I am now running up and not stopping at all. Although still slow, this is a great joy to me, as I did not think I would see this amount of improvement in my right leg - it almost feels 'normal' now - which I am so excited about. This is also helping me in my cycling, as it is not tiring anywhere like it used to.
Next event is the Taupo Half Marathon .... hope it isn't too cold this year (5th August).
All these small victories are important to boost up one's spirit and belief in the achieving the goal in mind.
Oh yes, yesterday I did something very brave .... I submitted my entry for the NZ Ironman 2008 which has been accepted. The butterflies were swarming and flying in circles, I can tell you! But it is done, so one more step towards getting to the start line on 1st March.
I still don't really believe that I will be competing - it just seems too surreal. Isn't it something that really fast, fit athletes do? Well yes, I suppose so, but a lot of ordinary, everyday 'athletes' do it too - and SO AM I!
Last week was a bit of a disaster due to getting a viral headache from hell which lasted from Friday to Wednesday, so lost a good 5 days and then took it slowly for the next couple of days.
But did manage to get 2 runs, 3 bikes and 1 swim in this week so not totally lost.
This week is a harder week with 3 swims, 5 bikes and 4 runs planned, along with pilates, stretches etc. The amount of hours this week will be approx. 4 hours of swimming, 4 hour long road ride, plus 5 hours on windtrainer, and around 4 hours running.
I feel quite refreshed after the forced rest, so looking forward to getting back to normal.
After the last blog, I went off to do my 3km swim session, and got there (just). I didn't do 1 metre more, as my arms were pretty tired. There is another one scheduled in this week, so hope that one goes better.
Today a few of us (8) started a new bunch ride with girls in mind, but boys are welcome, as long as they don't want to go at race pace, and are prepared to wait for the slower riders ... something that the boys are not well known for! It is good to find a bunch of like minded riders who want to get together and do a long ride on a weekly basis. Thanks Liz for being the leader.
Running seems to be improving ... since my spinal fusion my speed has decreased, and I suffer some nerve damage in my right leg. But the perseverence is paying off with the leg getting much stronger, and I am running probably better than I was in 2003. I have been trying to do plenty of hills and undulating runs, which is really paying off. Some routes which have brought me to walking at various points due to the hills, I am now running up and not stopping at all. Although still slow, this is a great joy to me, as I did not think I would see this amount of improvement in my right leg - it almost feels 'normal' now - which I am so excited about. This is also helping me in my cycling, as it is not tiring anywhere like it used to.
Next event is the Taupo Half Marathon .... hope it isn't too cold this year (5th August).
All these small victories are important to boost up one's spirit and belief in the achieving the goal in mind.
Oh yes, yesterday I did something very brave .... I submitted my entry for the NZ Ironman 2008 which has been accepted. The butterflies were swarming and flying in circles, I can tell you! But it is done, so one more step towards getting to the start line on 1st March.
I still don't really believe that I will be competing - it just seems too surreal. Isn't it something that really fast, fit athletes do? Well yes, I suppose so, but a lot of ordinary, everyday 'athletes' do it too - and SO AM I!
Friday, July 6, 2007
A couple of friends have suggested that I expand in more depth my background and specific challenges that I have to tackle. So here we go with some probably boring story of my journey to this spot.
I was fairly sporty back in my teens and early twenties - then took up being a couch potato which I perfected pretty well. Then in my thirties I moved to Auckland and met Mike (who I married) and he was the opposite of a couch potato. He was the most energetic, lively, on the go person I have ever met.
Well, in 2001, after Mike had completed his first NZ Ironman in 12 hrs 30 mins, we went back to the finish chute at 11pm to cheer in the remaining competitors. When the last person crossed the line, and being in tears with the hugh emotions that Ironman has, I turned to Mike and said the following without thinking of the consequences - "If they can do Ironman, I can do something." Before the last word spurted from my mouth, Mike found energy to jump up in the air and say "Yes, you can do the Taupo Half Marathon in August!" I knew I was doomed and to remember to think carefully before ever making any such statements in the future!!!
So when we got back to Auckland, Mike had me at Shoe Science for running shoes, and wrote me up my running programme to get me to my first Half Marathon. I won't bore you with the details of my training then - but there was a lot of swearing and cursing, complaining about sore bits that had never been sore before, but I did get to the finish line.
So since I had started on the running phase, I soon got a little bored, and blurted out that I might like to take up cycling as well - again Mike didn't waste time for me to change my mind, so off we went to buy my bike.
Things progressed well on both fronts, until early 2004 when I ruptured my disc between L5/S1 - which resulted in me having a spinal fusion in December 2004.
In February 2005, I was advised by my surgeon and physio that swimming would be a good thing to do. So, despite my fear of deep water and not being able to swim found a coach to teach me. I persevered for several months not making much progress - then went back to work and never got back in the pool again. I slowly got back into cycling, then running again instead.
Then, after Mike died in January 2006, and while taking time out in Europe I kept thinking about Ironman and the journey of getting there. For the 7 weeks I was away, it was a daily thought and I just knew that it was something that I wanted to do - if my body would hold up.
So upon getting back to Auckland, I told people of my intentions - which started the commitment - then put the plan into action.
Now I had to tackle the biggest problem of swimming. I only managed to struggle to do 100m freestyle when I gave up swimming in 2005 and here I was planning on doing a 3.8km swim in an Ironman event. Just a bit of a gap I think.
With the encouragement of my coach Tony O'Hagan, and my swim coach Liz Goer they took me on and were confident they could get me to the start line.
So putting my 'fear' of swimming out of my mind, and getting into the pool I am determined to get there.
In January I started on my swimming again and I could only do 1 length of the 25m pool and had to rest for 1-2 minutes before attempting another one. I tried not to "think" too much about the Ironman distance, and instead just focussed on what Liz + Tony had put in my programme for that session. It is easier to visualise and achieve small steps. The end goal is a little daunting at the beginning (and still is!). For the first month, I was lucky to get through 500-700 metres in a session.
Things have progressed, and to date my longest session has been 2.85km but this is due to be overtaken as have a 3km target for this week and next in my longest swim sessions.
Now, you are probably thinking that I have this sussed - but there are a few details that you do not know about. I have a huge fear of deep water. The minute I go into deep water above my head, I panic and can't swim. I am slowly working on this by swimming at the Tepid Baths which only has a short distance in deep water. My next step is to move to Newmarket pool which is a 50m pool, of which 25m of it is DEEP! Stay tuned on that one.
Then of course, I have to venture out into the sea - oh boy - I am trying not to think about that just yet. More fears - deep water, tidal currents, salt water, waves, things in the water ... the list could go on forever. But, once I get there in early Summer, I will be much more confident with my swimming, and a wetsuit will make a huge difference. So the power of positive thinking will get me through (and the help from lots of friends who know of my fears).
Now you know what the challenges of the swimming section of Ironman are for me. If I can do this at the age of 45, then so can you. I am completely outside my comfort zone, trying to overcome life-long fears, but the power of the mind is incredible and if you set your mind to it you can achieve whatever you want. Dream it, visualise it, then act on it.
On that note, I have a swimming session to do shortly - yes my 3km swim.
I was fairly sporty back in my teens and early twenties - then took up being a couch potato which I perfected pretty well. Then in my thirties I moved to Auckland and met Mike (who I married) and he was the opposite of a couch potato. He was the most energetic, lively, on the go person I have ever met.
Well, in 2001, after Mike had completed his first NZ Ironman in 12 hrs 30 mins, we went back to the finish chute at 11pm to cheer in the remaining competitors. When the last person crossed the line, and being in tears with the hugh emotions that Ironman has, I turned to Mike and said the following without thinking of the consequences - "If they can do Ironman, I can do something." Before the last word spurted from my mouth, Mike found energy to jump up in the air and say "Yes, you can do the Taupo Half Marathon in August!" I knew I was doomed and to remember to think carefully before ever making any such statements in the future!!!
So when we got back to Auckland, Mike had me at Shoe Science for running shoes, and wrote me up my running programme to get me to my first Half Marathon. I won't bore you with the details of my training then - but there was a lot of swearing and cursing, complaining about sore bits that had never been sore before, but I did get to the finish line.
So since I had started on the running phase, I soon got a little bored, and blurted out that I might like to take up cycling as well - again Mike didn't waste time for me to change my mind, so off we went to buy my bike.
Things progressed well on both fronts, until early 2004 when I ruptured my disc between L5/S1 - which resulted in me having a spinal fusion in December 2004.
In February 2005, I was advised by my surgeon and physio that swimming would be a good thing to do. So, despite my fear of deep water and not being able to swim found a coach to teach me. I persevered for several months not making much progress - then went back to work and never got back in the pool again. I slowly got back into cycling, then running again instead.
Then, after Mike died in January 2006, and while taking time out in Europe I kept thinking about Ironman and the journey of getting there. For the 7 weeks I was away, it was a daily thought and I just knew that it was something that I wanted to do - if my body would hold up.
So upon getting back to Auckland, I told people of my intentions - which started the commitment - then put the plan into action.
Now I had to tackle the biggest problem of swimming. I only managed to struggle to do 100m freestyle when I gave up swimming in 2005 and here I was planning on doing a 3.8km swim in an Ironman event. Just a bit of a gap I think.
With the encouragement of my coach Tony O'Hagan, and my swim coach Liz Goer they took me on and were confident they could get me to the start line.
So putting my 'fear' of swimming out of my mind, and getting into the pool I am determined to get there.
In January I started on my swimming again and I could only do 1 length of the 25m pool and had to rest for 1-2 minutes before attempting another one. I tried not to "think" too much about the Ironman distance, and instead just focussed on what Liz + Tony had put in my programme for that session. It is easier to visualise and achieve small steps. The end goal is a little daunting at the beginning (and still is!). For the first month, I was lucky to get through 500-700 metres in a session.
Things have progressed, and to date my longest session has been 2.85km but this is due to be overtaken as have a 3km target for this week and next in my longest swim sessions.
Now, you are probably thinking that I have this sussed - but there are a few details that you do not know about. I have a huge fear of deep water. The minute I go into deep water above my head, I panic and can't swim. I am slowly working on this by swimming at the Tepid Baths which only has a short distance in deep water. My next step is to move to Newmarket pool which is a 50m pool, of which 25m of it is DEEP! Stay tuned on that one.
Then of course, I have to venture out into the sea - oh boy - I am trying not to think about that just yet. More fears - deep water, tidal currents, salt water, waves, things in the water ... the list could go on forever. But, once I get there in early Summer, I will be much more confident with my swimming, and a wetsuit will make a huge difference. So the power of positive thinking will get me through (and the help from lots of friends who know of my fears).
Now you know what the challenges of the swimming section of Ironman are for me. If I can do this at the age of 45, then so can you. I am completely outside my comfort zone, trying to overcome life-long fears, but the power of the mind is incredible and if you set your mind to it you can achieve whatever you want. Dream it, visualise it, then act on it.
On that note, I have a swimming session to do shortly - yes my 3km swim.
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