All Things Ironman

As much as I try to deny it, or not think about it, or pretend like it's 'just a race'. It's not. It's a bit consuming. And irritatingly so at times. Yet, also exciting and energizing.

Ironman Wisconsin will be #6 for me. I feel like one of those people who can't remember how many kids they have or how many years they've been married. "How many Ironmans have you done?" "Let me think." No, kidding. But, it is funny how time flies and the numbers add up.

This will be my 3rd crack at IMWI. #1 and #2 were there and I'm super excited to get on with it this year. But until then, I'm slogging it out. What's that mean? Nutrition, training, and sleep. I really don't know if it's in that order of importance. It varies throughout the week.

Nutrition
A few years ago I did the caffeine purge before my big race. I couldn't really tell if it helped. I do remember loving the Coke when I got to it on the run and I did have a great race. Last year, I skipped it. My Ironman races in 2010 went fine as well. This year I thought, 'what the hell'. Throw in a little more self-torture and wean off the caffeine. So now, I'm off all afternoon coffee. In a week, I'll cut the am coffee in half. Then about 2 weeks before the race, I'll dump it ALL. Besides, I drink too much of the brown stuff anyway. A couple of cups a day is plenty, not SIX! Plus, I'm trying really hard to keep the things that I put into my mouth to be of nutritional value. TRYING to lay off the sweets. Alcohol is completely gone. My homemade yogurt with LOTS of probiotics is also a mainstay right now. What I eat or drink needs to serve a purpose.

Sleep
Have I ever mentioned that I'm a terrible sleeper? I have a brain that will not SHUT OFF! After a few nights of little sleep, I'll finally crash and sleep a good solid night. Then the cycle seems to repeat. Now, I'm trying aromatherapy with lavender oil. It's supposed to be relaxing. Ha, right! Also, I've done some reading on melatonin. I've tried that a few nights. Not a big help, AT ALL! Then there's the occasional doxylamine (over-the-counter sleep aid) that I'll occasionally try. That works but for only about 4 hours. But, when I'm really tired, those 4 hours feel great. People that CAN sleep do NOT have any idea how irritating it is not to be able to sleep. All that crap about 'just relaxing', meditation, deep breathing, blah, blah, blah is lovely. But NOT THAT EASY and something we nonsleepers hate to be lectured about. If we could sleep, don't you think we would?

Training
Yes, here's where the rubber meets the road, literally. I've been putting in the long miles and at times, I think I might die. Last Saturday's 116 mile ride left me with my head in the toilet as I had dumped down way too many fluids on top of a midride fatty/high protein granola bar that I knew I shouldn't eat but looked too good on the convenience store shelf, so I ate it anyway. Yes, but after hurling up my guts I felt 10 x's better and was able to get in my 5 mile T-run in mid 80 temps. The weekend prior, I pulled a similar training number but this time it was on the run. I way underestimated my fluid needs on this hilly, sunny, hot, 2.5 hour run. I finally caved and started to walk on the side of the road out in the country. That's when I was happy to have my RoadID bracelet. Even though everyone in my town probably knows I'm the nutcase in question, it's nice to know my name and phone number are there! So yes, I've had some rocky training recently. But, I'm confident these are all lessons to be learned and I'll get it worked out before 9/11/11.

OH well, all this too shall pass. Ironman will come and go and life will settle down. Right now it's on at full steam! And truthfully, I love it.

Even though right now, my life is filled up with family, work, training, etc, there is some other really fun stuff happening with my Evotri team. An announcement will be coming soon, but I'm excited to say there are some new things on the horizon!