Memphis Velo and other updates!

Well I did it! I finally joined a team. So excited to be part of the Memphis Velo team. I thought long and hard about the commitment and came to the decision that I was ready. I am happy to be part off a fun, enthusiastic group of athletes. Excited to learn more about racing and thrilled to have a team to look to for support and encouragement! Even though I am just starting my training for my ironman, I hope to find a road race or time trial to incorporate into my training...once I talk to my coach:)!
The weather hasn't been to great for riding or even running but spring is on it's way. I love the outdoors and so ready to be in some warmer temps. I'm also very focused on nutrition and strength for my lower body. It seems that I was lacking in both areas. My swim yards YTD came in at a whopping 38,900!!! That makes me smile! I feel like a little fish with nose plugs! Anyway, my family has been a big support to me and behind me all the way. I love them!

Fist visit with Dr. Lendermon

All I can say is wow! Dr. Lendermon was great. I have been dealing with right side knee pain for months now. Been to a couple of Ortho doctors but nobody could seem to figure out what was wrong. Or maybe they just didn't take the time to understand...me. Today was my first time seeing Dr. Lendermon. I was referred to by Chris and of course was ready for the change in doctors. I needed someone to understand my goals and to help "fix" me. Today was an eye opener at how much the other docs were missing. Not only was she nice and took her time but she really listened to me.  Found out today that it's not just over training but my knee isn't tracking right due to some muscle imbalances in my quads and hams! The X-ray shows it plain as day! She have me a steroid shot, some anti inflammatory meds and a prescription for PT with an "ironman" woman physical therapist! Excited to meet her! Today was a good day! I am so ready to be back training normal again!

First group ride of 2014

Yesterday was a beautiful day for a group ride! Rode about 37 miles with the Hightailers group that meets at the old Factory Outlet mall. Such a fun day. We didn't push to hard and just had a nice ride. I have been riding with this group for a few years now and have grown to love them.  My knee feels good today. I am feeling stronger but still scared to run on it. Why does running have to be so difficult for me. Maybe I should just give up? Maybe I should quit running? Those are the things that went through my head last week until I talked to Chris. He gave me the name of a doctor who also is an athlete. He said Dr. Lendermon will understand my issues and will want to help me get back to running as soon as possible. She won't just tell me to quit or give up on this idea of an ironman. I am so excited to meet her tomorrow and talk to her. I know she will completely understand me. I have only heard good things!!!

Yoga is my friend!

After every swim, bike or run I try and stretch to help prevent injuries and to keep my muscles loose and ready for the next training session. It has helped some but I still feel extremely tight in my calf, hip and hamstring area. So this morning I woke and searched on YouTube for yoga for runners. Wow! In just 20-25 minutes I did poses and stretches that felt great! Although I could not hold each pose or even get in each pose the way the instructor did, I was still able to do them in moderation. I am going to continue this each morning. I already feel better today. My muscles feel looser already. I can't imagine what they will feel like after a week, a month, a year etc....

January Totals

Well January was I one long, cold month with very few days to ride or run outside. And in dealing with a knee injury and working to recover my bike and run totals are not even worth mentioning. But I did good with my swims and didn't even do all that I should have. Ended up with a grand total of 19,900 yards of swimming. I'll take it:)!

Stronger

Another great swim today! Also a 30 minute interval spin to test the knee. So far so good. I feel stronger each time I go.  Staying focused and moving forward!

Healthy Fear

So, I talked to my coach, Chris Bowers, yesterday about some fears and worries I have about this Ironman. I have never been scared of a race. I usually do really well going into them. I even do fine going into something new. No huge fears on the long century rides or other tri's I have done although they were very tough! I still didn't worry about those like I am about this Ironman. Scared I won't finish, scared my body will give out, scared I have told too many people and now if something happens I will be a failure.  But as he talked to me, I began to realize and understand first, that it is good to have a healthy fear of this race. It is a big deal. It is tough! However, once we talked about specifics and cut off times he made me realize that I can do this even in a worst case senerio. I also realized that this is about more than just crossing a finish line. Each week that comes and goes I am seeing that this is not just a physical journey but a spiritual one as well. I am learning more about myself. I am learning how not to just rely on myself but to trust God, trust my training and trust my coach. I guess I am also learning that I am a little bit of a control freak:) Last night I got back in the pool and had a great 2,000 yard swim! 1,000 warm up and 1,000 best effort. My best effort came in at 17:57! I feel good about that time. Coach says it was a good swim too! Anyway, I have a long way to go before I conquer all of these things I am working on but I will get there. One day at a time...mile by mile!

Back in the saddle!

Well today was the first time I have been on my bike in a while. It all started after my car accident in September 2013 when someone pulled out in front of me. I hit them going at least 40mph fracturing my hand and causing trauma to the palm of my hand. That was a bad day. Everything hurt for days! I am still dealing with a messed up hand. But since the accident I haven't quite been able to get my groove back in cycling.  Did some 5ks and bumped up mileage and ended up with patellar tendonitis. So it was just swimming for a long time. I will say that it was good for me though because I have been able to just focus on swim. I am getting faster! Anyway today was the first day I was back in the saddle and I loved it! Just did a 30 minute ride to ease my knee back into it and I plan on going again tomorrow! Oh...and bought me some pretty cool Rock Tape that helped too! IM2014!

Was just thinking...

...that my swim workout this morning was only half the distance of my ironman swim! Ahhhh!

Motivation?

This winter I have been less motivated to swim-bike-run.   Several injuries and the weather have kept me indoors more. I do not like being indoors. I love fresh air. I miss my group rides on Saturdays and how I feel after a good 60 miler.  I know that spring will be here before I know it but it can't get here soon enough. Life is good though so I cant really complain about much. I'm thankful for these winter months because they make me appreciate warm sunny days that much more!!!

Bone density results...

Do not limit your prayers to what you THINK God can do for you!! Pray BIG!!! I have been praying and hoping all year that my bones will at least be the same and not worse. Today, I woke up and realized that I needed to pray bigger and that is what I did. And in my one prayer this morning,  I prayed for better bones and good results and that is EXACTLY what God gave me today. I can hardly contain my excitement!  I have waited 5 years to see better test results. Today was the day! My hips went up by 3% which is a significant increase!!! This doesn't mean that I am completely healed but it does mean that things are better and for that I am truly thankful!!! God waited until just the right time to show His greatest to me in this situation!

Proverbs 16:24

"Gracious words are a honecomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Proverbs 16:24.  Today is my yearly bone density test to check and see how my old bones are doing. About 5 years ago the doctors discovered that my bones were that of a women in her 60's.  I am only 35!  Since then I have been tested for everything you could imagine and still no answers. So I have resolved that this is just me. This is the way I was made and I will move forward and deal with it the best way possible. It has not stopped me from doing the things I love although many people told me I should stop running and racing. However, I am more caucious because I don't want to be stupid about things. I do want a healthy body and pushing myself past my limits isn't smart.
Anyway, today is the day I am tested again. I have been praying for my bones to be the same and just not to have gotten worse but that is limiting God's power. I need to start being bold in my prayers. And be willing to except the answer I am giving. So, each day I will strive to be a source of encouragement to others, I will strive to have gracious words come out of my mouth as the Bible verse says. Not just because it is 'healing to the bones" but more importantly it is "sweet to the soul."

Goodbye diet coke!

I guess now is a good time to stop. A few years ago I stopped drinking sodas then slowly they crept back in and now I drink one a day at least. Even though it's diet, if is still not doing me any good. I need to let them ago. I know they have no health benefit. Actually they are really bad for me and my bone condition. So, today I will stop. This year I am trying to focus on being healthier. I don't need to lose weight and I feel healthy in general but there are things that need to change. Putting down the diet cokes can only benefit me. So, here goes....this should be fun.

Its a new year!

2014 is here! Wonder what it has in store for me? I am hoping one thing that it will hold is the finish line of my first ironman 140.6 in Lousiville, KY! Although, I guess I need to get my first Olympic distance and half iron under my belt too!  I am truly excited about this year and all that it will bring. I know there will be ups and downs and some road blocks along the way.  That is just part of the training life. Right now I am just trying to maintain my disciplines and will start real training in March. Yesterday I did my first run of the new year(3miles) and today was the first swim(1800yards)! I am feeling pretty positive about things right now. Focusing on good nutrition, quality training and proper recovery! I can do this!!!