All Checked In!

This morning, Cindy and I drove over to Lake Menona to do the Gatorade swim. I guess on Wednesday, some guy drown out there and they hadn't recovered the body yet...so we were hoping that we didn't happen upon him out there. I swam one loop of the course (1.2 miles) to get my siting down and see how it went. Swam comfortably and loose - and ended up doing a 35 minute swim, which is consistent with my 1/2 Ironman swim times. So I was happy. After the swim, I ran into Pam, Kim, Jen, Val, Mimi, and Jeremy...which was good to see them out here. Then I ran back to the hotel to shower up and Jake dropped me back off at the Terrace to check in and get a look around at the merchandise shop & expo. 

I got all checked in at the expo (after standing in a few lines), where you sign waivers, get weighed, get all your stickers and bags, get picture packages, etc. At the store, I ended up getting quite a bit of stuff...IMWI bike jersey, tri outfit, a couple t-shirts, visors, and a hoodie/pants that were really cute. That plus the picture package put a small dent in the pocketbook. But I knew that was coming. After all that, met back up with Jake and had lunch with Noelle & Cindy. Then headed back to the hotel for a nap. Tonight is a banquet at the Terrace and athlete meeting. Then I will probably go back to the hotel and start putting all my transition and special needs bags together before hitting the hay.

Heading Out to Madison!!!

Well, yesterday had a few minor melt downs while sitting at the house - packing, thinking, stewing, etc. I made a physical checklist for my bike and for on the run (printed out and taped up with packing tape for water-proofing), so when my mental capacity starts to falter out there - I can pull these cards out and have a contingency plan to feed my mind with the key rules that I'm following for the day (e.g. If you get weepy or sad - EAT!!! Your body is telling you it needs fuel!) and all of the positive thoughts that I am sure that I will be faltering to remember in the midst of this long day.

 

In addition I made on the back a little 'playlist' of all my favorite training songs that I can sing to myself...otherwise I will be singing the same Lady Gaga song to myself for double-digit hours. I wish that iPods were legal!!! But...that would make me break one of my rules: Enjoy this day and take it all in - every second. This day is technically my "Super Bowl" (to put in a football reference since that season starts on Sunday too)...capping off the season that I've been working very hard for. I want to be able to take in all of the volunteers and fans that are going to be out there, the scenery, the athletes, and all of the excitement that this event brings. It is totally indescribable unless you've been out there to experience it. There will be 2500 others out on the course with me on Sunday, going through the same thing that I will be - and I want to take that all in.

So, after lunch here - I will be packing up the truck so Jake and I will be heading out of town when he gets off from work. Man there is a lot of stuff that needs to go with us! We should be getting into Madison tonight - just to unpack at the hotel room and probably crash. Tomorrow morning I plan to swim (on the course) and get a little warm up out there, then I do the athlete check-in process and may then have to check out the Ironman merchandise shop (retail therapy has been prevalent this past month for Jen).

I'll post an update tomorrow on the day's activities out there. Goal is to leave Andover with a strong and positive attitude and enter Madison ready to enjoy the weekend (no stressing!!!). Yeah right!

Thank Yous...

So, before heading out tomorrow to Madison and getting caught up in the whirlwind of Ironman events out there...I wanted to express my thanks to everyone that has made this journey of mine over this past year possible. Without the love and support from my family and friends, I'd definitely not be where I'm at today...less than 4 days away from this crazy event! I won't go into major detail, as I hopefully will have expressed these thank yous to everyone in person - but wanted everyone who is following this blog to know that there are MANY people that have made this possible for me to get even this far...

Jake: My wonderful husband has been so greatly supportive throughout this season, putting up with my crazy training schedule, my lousy moods, aches and pains, and lately my stress & emotional outbursts as I get closer to the race. It will be his lovely face that I'll be thinking of throughout the race and searching for the second I cross the finish line! Thank you honey for putting up with me and I love you so much! 

Mom & Dad: You guys have been my biggest cheerleaders since I started sports in 7th grade...So, even when I'm 30-something, it means the world to me to see you guys at every race cheering and smiling! Thank you for all your love and support (and worries)...I promise I'll tame things down after this event and make sure I'm healed up. I Promise! 

Family / Friends, Cheering Crew & Followers: To all my friends and family (you know who you are) that have showed up at my races this season to cheer me on and/or have been following me on this blog...I really appreciate your enthusiasm, support and encouragement. I also appreciate the consideration to all of those that have had to put up with my hectic schedule, for when I couldn't meet up for events or functions, due to early morning training rides or races. (I swear! I will re-emerge again! Soon... I promise!) 

Ironman Jim / Ironman Heidi: Thanks you two for getting me into this crazy mindset/mentality to attempt this Ironman event. Instilling that seed that I could actually do this event was the first step, but helping me through every day over the past 9-10 months with pep-talks, strategies, mindsets, and pushing me beyond what I thought possible (4 hr marathon? You are still crazy!!!) has been instrumental in getting me here today. Don't worry, I'll still be cursing you on the race course on those hills - but only because I've been threatening that all year! 

Jonny J: Without the hours and hours of workouts that you've put this body through, I'd definitely not be ready for this race like I feel that I am. Your instruction, technique, and experience has been key in getting me ready for the big day! Thanks a million! Pink Lightning thanks you too... Nicole: A huge thanks to Nicole for the strength training and nutrition plans that she's kept me on over the past year. Her help has helped in getting my body to the optimal shape to endure this race and I'm very thankful for her help and support during this process. 

Mr. Sholund: Not visible during this season, but a special thanks to my high school swim coach - for the skills and training he put me through WAY back then, making this part of my race (the swim) one of my strengths and the least of my worries (besides getting punched or kicked in the head by 1000's of flailing arms and legs...details)! 

Dr. Dave: Thanks so much for all your help in getting my body back into whack throughout this summer and all my little injuries. I curse your deep tissue work, but it all seems to have worked out in getting me set for the big day! 

Noelle / Cindy: To the girls that roped me into this....thank you for all the fun, training days, and support that you've given me. Racing this year with you two has been great and I cannot wait to see you two out on the IMWI race course with me. You guys have worked so hard and deserve everything that Sept 13th has to give us that day! 

Jen / Val: To "the team", you guys have been so great to train and race with this year. I am so glad that I got roped into this race and spin class to get to know you guys better. I hope to have the positive attitude of Val come race day and enjoy the whole day that I've worked so hard for (as much as my body will let me), and I will be looking for the other IronJen "burning up the race course" out in Madison! Go Team! Mazel Tov! 

Run Club / Spin Class Peeps: All you guys in both these groups have been motivational and inspirational in all your training, events and all of the sweat and pain that we've gone through together! Thanks to everyone!

Update: MN Tri Series 2009

Today was pretty uneventful, with no major panic attacks or revelations. Just a day. Hopefully the next few days will be similiar and low-key. I had my last appointment with Dr. Dave this morning and things are looking good...for the race. Still have some reflex issues - but, we'll deal with that after the race. Overall, progress has been made. Yeah! After work I dropped by spin class to send my well wishes to the crew heading out to Madison. Was good to see some of them prior to getting out there. Erin got me a card and some "Lifesavers" for a minty kick on the run when we're out there. So thoughtful! Lastly, thought I'd mention my final standings for this season in the MN Tri Series. As you may, or may not recall, last season in this same series I finished in my favorite placement - 4th! And this year? Drum roll please..... 4th place again (click image above for details)! So, funny! I'll take it...based on the whole 3 races that I did. Ha ha!

Packing and Getting Ready...

Yesterday, Jake and I went down to have dinner with Matt & Beth - all you can eat sushi & hibachi. Was really good! Got my carbs in! Yum! Then we went and met the newest edition to their household - Josie (pitbull). She is a handful! All day long I was thinking to myself thoughts like: one week from now, you should be on your bike...one week from now, you should be on the run....one week from now, you will be DONE! Can't believe it is almost here...Augh! This morning Jake and I went to the gym. He lifted and I went and ran outside for about 5 miles. Leg/foot/back felt good after the warm-up. Is still a bit "ghost-like" and tingly when I start running. But I'm guessing next week I'll have lots of fun feelings when I actually start to run off the bike. Forecast still looks like we're gonna get wet. Now all the days surrounding race day are peppered with rain, so I'm guessing we won't catch a break. We'll see. So this afternoon, I went and picked up my "special needs" and "transition" bag snacks and treats. Between events and then half-way through the bike & the run - you will have bags that you can put stuff in - if you need them (extra clothes, food, drink, etc). Because I don't know what I'll be feeling like having at these times, I picked up a wide variety of things to consume, including:

• Nutter Butters (required, as these were my staple for century rides this summer)
• Pringles & Cheeze-Its (something salty - am told that all the sweet stuff you inhale gets pretty bad during the day)
• Jolly Ranchers & Gummy Bears - some sweet/sour things to suck on.
• Small Gatorades (blue kind, my favorite) - as I'm sure I'll be about ready to hurl with all the other flavors of Gatorade they will have on the course.
• Small Cokes - Note: Cokes on race day are permissable - and they are not "diet" coke, so I'm not breaking my anti-diet Coke rule (I've been clean since December!!!)

Now, I'll probably only grab one thing and stick with it...but better to have options, than none at all. Right? I also started going through my packing check-list and putting things together. I cannot believe all the crap you need to haul over there..."just in case"! You'd think I was racing for a week, not less than 17 hours! Tonight, Jake and I plan to put together our 'bike rack' for the back of his truck and get that all situated and set up. Hopefully that will work out good. We shall see!

Spa Day For Pink Lightning

  

Today was a big day for Pink Lightning...in preparation for race day (1 week away!!!). I slept in this morning, as I am attempting to get 10-12 hrs of sleep on days that I can here, prior to IM. Rest and sleep are high on my list of priorities this week & next. After getting up and having my coffee and breakfast, Pink Lightning and I went out for a ride. As I have been pretty 'light' in my rides over the past few weeks with my back and leg/foot deal, I decided to bump it up a notch today and see how things felt. We went out for about a 25 mile ride, and the plan was to keep aero for the ride and spin at a nice high cadence, keeping the legs moving fast - but not grinding. The first 10 miles I took out in my small chain ring (warm up) and I was just cruising! I was holding 19-21 mph in the small ring. Then I kicked her up into the large chain ring for the remainder of the ride and kept my high cadence rolling. Still holding 19-21 mph, even into the wind. This ride gave me a bit of a confidence booster going into next week that the back/leg/foot is holding up and my fitness level has not seemed to drop during this disc injury & extended taper. Whew! After the ride, it was time to pamper Ms. Pink Lightning. We went out on the patio and had a little 'spa day'. Time for a bath! P.L. got washed up good, degreased, and given a little TLC. She's gotta get me through 112 miles of hilly terrain in a week - so she better be lookin good and well rested too! Then after the bath, we drove down to see Jonny. He was nice enough to do a little "pre-race tune up" for us. Jonny proceeded to tighten things up on Pink Lightning, get her gears shifting smoothly, tweaked her brakes, rotated her race wheel tires (yes...we rotated her tires), put on new handlebar tape, lubed up her chain, and topped 'er off with a teflon polish finish! I think that she should be set! We'll go out for a spin on Monday or Tuesday and ensure that all her adjustments are kosher and that we don't need any last minute tweaks before we head out to Madison. Tomorrow, Jen gets pampered...as Suzie is coming over for a little 'fluff & buff' massage to limber things up before IMWI. No deep tissue stuff, so should be semi-relaxing...unlike most of her massages. Can't wait...but need to go to bed soon to get my exorbitant amount of sleep.

Go Team Go!

Last night Jonny took 'the girls' (me, Jen, Erin, and Val) out for dinner to regale Ironman stories from Val (just did Louisville) and himself (Canada) - and to instill the "ins" and "outs" of the things that us "first-time IMWI'ers" need to remember come race day. This was really great to hear, since tension and stress has mounted amongst the group heading out there. Plus his little pep-talks to us all, instilling confidence that we all can finish the race based on the training that he has seen us do this year, (let me re-phrase...that he's made us do this year - usually whining and griping) really was calming and much needed by the crew.  

Was a fun evening hearing all about the races (Val's was stellar in almost every way (great weather, feeling good, great splits, etc.) vs. Jonny's was really tough (95 degrees, 40 mph wind, smoke from forest fires making it hard to breath, upset stomach, ending up in the med tent). Which just goes to show you that each and every race day brings a new set of possibilities and/or obstacles to overcome. Most of which, we cannot control. I wonder what I am in for?

Oh don't worry, I've already started scoping the 10-day Madison forecasts. Currently, some sites claim 30% chance of showers and some don't (just mostly cloudy). Most are consistently putting the day at temps from a low of 50 degrees, to high of mid-60's. So, I think we're in for a cool day. I can handle that - regardless, I don't think we'll have the horrible conditions that we went through when we rode the course out there at the beginning of August (pelting rain then hot and windy)...so we should be good.

Tonight I met Lindsay for a swim at Lake Ann after work. We swam about 2 miles and called it good. I feel bad that her IMWI'ers are soon to be dropping off and she's gotta train for another 2.5 months for IM Arizona without the crew. That would suck! I told her that she may be able to talk us into some sympathy swims until it gets cold out. We'll see.

Fair Day & Race Number

Yesterday morning I met up with Nicole to do my monthly measurements and to see where I 'landed' as I go into Ironman. Since I had not been doing any 'core' and no running for the past 1.5-2 weeks, wasn't sure where I was going to end up. However, my weight had dropped a smidge, due to nerves and appetite starting to decline.

Interestingly enough, I dropped 2% body fat this month! Largest drop in the past year. Yeah!!! I dipped under the mark I wanted to race at and really haven't been this lean since 'bridal bootcamp' prior to our wedding 4 years ago. So, that was great news. We chatted and planned out taper nutrition and the days leading up to the race.

Then, I went home and decided to try out this whole 'running' thing I was allowed to do again. I did a loop by my house for 5K. Leg/foot felt good after it got warmed up and my pace was really good. Ran sub-8:00 for the first mile. Then threw in some 'walks' for good measure for the last 2 miles and averaged 8:27 min/mile for the entire run.

Jake and I then hit the fair for the day...so that I could consume more calories and 'bad food' after my great news from Nicole. ha ha! I ate (shared) the following: scotch egg, pickle-on-a-stick. pork chop, nitro ice cream, cheese curds, some sort of sausage wrapped in a bisquet deal w/ asian sauce, Sweet Martha's cookies and a chocolate dipped banana. Was fun to just walk around and people-watch, not be at work, and not be stressing about Ironman. Was a fun day.

Today, I got the message that Ironman race numbers have been posted. Jen's number for the day is.... 2258! I'll post this next week with a link to the athlete tracker for people to be able to follow me on race day via their computers.

No Needles For Jen Till October!

Yesterday I had my appointment with Dr. Dave, and my foot/leg numbness had been getting better all weekend (pretty much has gone away for the past 1.5-2 days, with minor twinges). So, with that good news - we decided to fore go the cortisone injection we had tentatively planned to do had things not progressed. Yeah!

 

Additionally, I was told I could start running again - just a little. Pending that it doesn't aggravate anything. So, that was some good news. I got some more exercises and a burrito (I mentioned to Dr. Dave that my appetite was starting to wane, so he sent me home with one of the surplussed Chipotle burritos that the office had acquired that day. They had 6 extras he was trying to pawn off. ha ha).

Today, I think I got slammed with my first major panic attack(s). Just sitting at my desk, minding my own business I all of a sudden felt like I was punched in the stomach, couldn't catch my breath, and started welling up with tears. FOR NO REASON! I've read and been told that once into taper and with the race drawing near, that high emotions and attacks of this nature will sneak up on you out of nowhere and for no reason. Isn't that just grand? Anyways, Jake talked me down from my hysterics and I think that really helped. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that he's going to have to do that a lot in the next 12 days.

Tonight at spin, Val stopped by to tell us about her awesome race in Louisville. She looked SO happy and I am very proud of her! She had such a strong race and dropped 2.5 hrs from her IMWI time last year (granted...it was different courses and conditions). But she did great (13:31:33)! I can only HOPE to finish near that time and be that happy after all of this is said and done.

Lastly, I made my appointment today with Lucky, the tattoo artist, that I will be getting my M-dot tat from when I finish this race (Note: I used "when" in that sentence, not "if"). I couldn't get a consultation for working on the design until October 1st! So, I guess I'll have to wait a few weeks to get the actual ink...but I guess that is OK. I have a pretty good idea of what I want and where. So I guess I will have some needles in me, technically. But not until October!

Tomorrow, after getting measurements and a nutrition session with Nicole, Jake and I are headed to the fair! Yeah! Glad my measurements are first before I get to all that food! Hopefully my appetite will show up for the fun.