Six Week Checkup

Welp, I’m six weeks in.  

I’ve survived my first major freak out and I haven't drown yet. Thank you to all y’all who emailed, text or called with advice.  Mostly y’all said, “Just  calm the heck down, TPG, you can do this.”  I appreciate the faith, I do.  After my Ironmelt, as one of y'all coined it, I cut out some of the “optional” workouts and lo and behold, it all started to seem manageable. Apparently, you aren’t supposed to do ALL of the optional workouts. Who knew?

For now, I feel like I’m once again on top of things.  Getting away from it all to refocus certainly helped.  My house is, relatively, clean.  Thank you Karen for pointing out the paper plate option.  I honestly never considered that but bought a package last week.  And last weekend I cleaned my house top to bottom, even vacuuming the ceilings and vents.  So, I’m starting the new year in a clean space.  Now, if someone would stop messing up the kitchen…oh wait, that’s me. 

Not really sure HOW my kitchen gets messy when I "cook" things like this.

I’m also committed to fiercely guard my down time.  Post long workouts on the weekend, my freshly showered pink butt is on the sofa with two warm cats and the iPad.  I’m getting reacquainted with my old friend Netflix.  I’m determined to get through this without it completely taking over my life.  Ask me again in another six weeks and I’m sure I’ll laugh at my naiveté! 

I have one hooded sweatshirt. And I wear the tar out of it. Yes, I got it at the thrift store. 

 I need it to cover mah wet head when I leave the gym.  Don't hate.  

Training is going well.  I’ve made some realizations and some tough decisions.  The 50K that I so love to run in February won’t be happening for me this year.  I’m still coming back from an angry @ss after Chicago.  When I run long or fast, that little niggling pain in my butt reminds me that it is not time to race for 31 miles.  And I’m listening.  Train to your weakness, I am told.  Running is my strength and I don’t want it to become my weakness. I’ve got nothing to prove.  

I’m really enjoying the pool save for the fact that it is the culprit in the hives sitch.  I’m using special soap and special lotion but I’m still itching like a mad woman but it is what it is.  I’m finally getting faster by the clock and feeling (slightly) more powerful in my stroke.  Not bad for the girl dressed like wonder woman who has NO clue how to swim.  

I forgot to pack flip flops the other day and had to wear my work shoes out to the pool.  

Cause there is NO WAY I’m going barefoot through the locker room, eeeewwww.

I’m making friends with the trainer.  Installing the cadence meter on my new(ish) bike has really helped.  I can pay attention to my pace and really push it when I need to.  Without the fear of traffic or, you know, falling.  Streaming Biggest Loser while I spin helps.  I imagine that Jillian is shouting at ME and hello, if 300lb contestants can bust their tails, so can I. 

So sweaty, I need two towels.  Two long sleeve shirts and a spot under the heat vent are helping me stay acclimated to the heat.  

It ain't gonna be cold on race day.

Sadly, I really miss running.  I only have two “real” runs each week; the others are just itty bitty short runs after a ride.  I miss the high mileage to disconnect and think things through. 

I miss yoga.  I just cannot seem to make that work.  My studio closed earlier last year so I had to change locations. The new one is not so convenient.  I know that I need to go. The heat, the peace, the strengthening, the stretching – all so very good for me. But right now I’m just not making it out there.  I’m very tempted to suspend my membership but that would be admitting defeat.  Surely I can cram once a week in there, yes?  Yes.

What has surprised me most?  I knew I’d be tired.  Early mornings wipe me out.  But I’m really surprised at how physically tired I am.  I thought I was in better shape than this!  Joke is certainly on me.  The cycling more than anything makes my, uh, bootay tired.  I’m working muscles I’m pretty sure I’ve never used before, ha ha!  Swimming makes my back tired and I’m looking for good stretches to work those traps.   

But I'm feeling better about this.  This Pink Nutria is actually enjoying her training and looking forward to the challenges ahead.  You might even say that I'm loving it!  Training is almost the best part of any race.  You gotta love the training - race day is but one day, a few hours.  But the build, the hard work, the lessons learned...that's why we do this!

What surprised you most when you first started training for something big?  

This has nothing to do with anything but lookee at how huge this Brussels sprout is!  Nom nom nom