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!!!