The Worst Day

Today started like no other training day, got up, prepared myself for an 80-100K ride with my friend Krista, Christine and Geoff.  

I met the gang at Bragg Creek and from there we road east on 22X towards 37th (we were going to tackle Road to Nepal). The first 35K was wonderful, no issues with my back and was down on my aero bars for most of the 34K and I was rocking my nutrition (today it was working for me).

We stopped on the corner of 37th Street for a little rest, and then it happened - I did not see who was at fault but I saw this...

I had just stopped at the corner when we heard a loud bang.  

We looked up to see the biker thrown into the air, the van swerved and the biker hit the ground. 

 

Strangers rushed to help.

The biker was crumpled and not responsive. I was surprised at how calm everyone around the biker was, including myself. We just all did what we had to do.

Three of us called 911.

My friend (Christine) was at the bikers side along with another man who were stabilizing the bikers head.  

Someone yelled, "ambulance is on their way, they said don't move him".

Christine yelled for blankets in case the biker went into shock. I ran across the road to the guy selling cherries, he gave me two coats. I ran back to Christine who covered the biker.

A nurse/paramedic came to the bikers aid (I think she was a biker).

Some people were at the side of the road, a young woman on the phone to 911 who was shaking (I hugged her to calm her down). Another young woman, the passenger of the van who hit the biker, was crying and said "we did not see the biker, he just came out of nowhere". I asked her to go back to her van and clam down and ensure the driver stayed calm as well (as calm and they could get).

Christine asked if someone could go to the corner of 22X and 37th and flag the ambulance down...it's hard to run in bike shoes but off I went. The fire truck was first to arrive and I waved them down. the ambulance was right behind them.

At this point I walked over to the van where the driver and passenger were sitting, the driver was shaking... and I mean shaking. I felt so bad for her, she kept saying that she did not see him, he just came out of nowhere. We talked, I hugged her, she calmed down.

A police man came to the van - "do you need a paramedic" he asked. I left her.

It seemed like forever....then the biker was on a stretcher.

They put him in an ambulance.

STARS was called they were there very quickly.

Again, it seemed like forever, they were getting the biker ready for the trip...

FINALLY they were off to the Foothills Hospital!
We waited till everything cleared up, we were all upset. We choose to ride home. 

 

I don't know how the biker is but I pray he is fine.

Please be safe when riding 22X or any other busy road and ensure you pay attention.

Maria Wilson, You Are An Ironman

This past weekend while Calgary was under water Jeff and I drove to Coeur d'Alene (CDA), Idaho and volunteered for the Ironman.

We drove to Creston, BC and visited with my mum and dad Friday (arriving in Creston around 11:30 p.m. Thursday night due to the flooding), the Saturday morning drove to CDA to pick up our volunteer t-shirt for our shift Sunday at 5 p.m. as catchers at the finish line.

Ironman Morning

Jeff and I woke at 5 p.m. and drove from Spokane (where our hotel was) to CDA to watch the start of the Ironman - the swim (my favorite party of IM).  It was a very organized swim start by age group and not the mass start you see in most Ironman events http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lity-YTZaRE

 

Once the swim was over it was off on the bikes (sorry forgot camera at the hotel).

 
After the bikes we went back to our hotel to rest for 2 hours till our catching shift started. 

Catcher at the Finish Line of Ironman

Well, when the athlete crosses the finish line at Ironman he/she is exhausted.  Some need help stopping as they have been moving so fast during the race they have a hard time coming to a full stop at the finish line and some need help after they stop just keeping upright.  It is a very rewarding volunteering job and the athlete is very appreciative thanking you over and over again and in some cases giving you a hug. 

Jeff and I started our shift at 5 p.m. and must have caught about 40 athletes between the two of us, that does not sound like a lot but there were about 30 catchers at the finish line at any given time and it takes you about 10-15 minutes to take care of each athlete.  In fact, Jeff volunteered till 11:30 a.m. catching and I worked till 8 p.m. - at 8 p.m. I was asked to help the announcer in the tower calling out the names of the athletes as they crossed the finish line, you know the guy who says "you are an ironman".  Well as the athletes crossed a certain section in the race, about a 200 meters before the finish line, their bib number came over a screen and I had to punch the number onto a computer so the announcer could read out their name and whatever info he had on this athlete.  It was really great cause I had the best seat in the house, I could see all the athletes as they came in and crossed the finish line.

The Best Part of the Ironman

Now the best part of the volunteering was during my catching shift.  A friend of mine Jennifer was in the race and I was hoping to catch her but, what are the chances?  Well pretty great actually, she came in under 12 hours and I heard her name as I was finishing up with another athlete, when I heard "Jennifer you are an Ironman" I booked it to the finish line to catch her.  We both broke down and cried, I was so happy that I had caught her it truly was a special moment for me.

11:30 PM

At 11:30 p.m. Jeff and I stopped our volunteering duties to join the party at the finish line to cheer in the last athletes in the last 1/2 hour of the race. Being at the finish line of an Ironman event is like not other finish line you have ever been too.  The spectators stay to cheer on everyone till the bitter end in Ironman, it truly is an inspirational moment in time as you can see from this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfm-lwhnjz8 

Ironman 2014

Well you guessed it, the day that I have been writing about finally came.  I signed up for Ironman 2014 on Monday morning @ 9:30 a.m.

I can honestly say that I am excited about this next adventure in my life!  I can't wait to cross that finish line on June 29, 2014 when the announcer says:

Maria Wilson from Calgary, Alberta

YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!

 

"Until you face your fears, you don't move to the other side, where you find the power."

I believe the quote above was from Mark Allen - IM champion.

 

Yesterday I did the first 1/2 Ironman of the year (next one is in July).  The race I did was the Chinook 119.1 (1/2 Ironman). 

 

I would be lying big time if I said the race was easy, but I did PB (personal best) in this race.

 

Swim was 2k and I loved it.  I warmed up 10 minutes before the race, stayed at the back of the pack and finished in 51:56 minutes (last race was 56:34).

 

Bike was 96K (most 1/2 IM bike distances are 90K).  The bike route was very hilly and I had a head wind out to the turnaround point - the first 48K took 2:12.  On the way home I talked with my legs, rather screamed at them out loud and advised them they needed to work harder.  So, the ride home 48K took 1:38 with another head wind.  The ride home was slightly more downhill so that did make it easier.  Total time on the bike 3:49 (last race was 90K and took 4:12).

Run was 21.1 and I hated it.  I started out the run doing a 6:38 pace for about 3K then realized I could not keep this pace up. It was on the run that I fought back and forth with myself about signing up for Ironman next year.  I was so tired on the run, I keep running and stopped once in a while to stretch (my back hurt from the ride) and really just wanted to stop for good.  I was ready to give it all up and get a DNF but I just keep going. 

 

The run was two loops of the same route, through Midapore and then down through Fish Creek with a hill at the end of each 10K up into Midapore to the finish line.  It was really mentally tough to do my first 10K then have to run past the finish line to do another 10K. 

 

Finally after 2:53 I finished the run and crossed the finish line.  (last race was 2:47 so it took my longer this time). 

 

Transitions - T1 & T2 total = 7:16 (in my last race T1 & T2 total = 5:21).

 

 

When I look back on it I don't think I ate enough on the bike and should have eaten more in my transition before the run so I would have more energy on the run.  I might try gels next month in my transitions and will def. eat more on the bike.  As for transitions I am going to try to get my T1 time down to 3 minutes - I took way to long in T1 this go round.

 

My overall time for this race was 7:42 (last race was 8:00) that is a difference of 17 minutes. 

 

How do I feel?

I was tired last night and am tired today, but feel better than I felt after any marathon I ran.  Today I mowed my lawn, weeded my garden and did laundry, but I also had a nap and had trouble getting up and down the stairs.

 

This weekend I'll be going to coeur d' alene to sign up for Ironman 2014 - yup you heard me correctly I AM SIGNING UP FOR IRONMAN 2014. 

 

 

 

 

 

It Is Finally Here....

Yes my bike is finally here, I can't believe it!

TCR called me this afternoon and my crank came in!  I rushed down this afternoon after work to see it and take a photo  - I don't pick it up till Friday @ 4:30 p.m. - but it is beautiful, I mean it is really beautiful and will kick butt on the road.

This is the bike I will ride in Ironman, this is the bike that will help make me an Ironman, this is the bike that will help me realize my dream and this is the bike that will let me tick something off my bucket list.

Getting Crankie

My new bike (which I am sure no one believes I am getting) is still at the shop waiting for a new crank.

My patience is wearing thin.  Soon I will start getting angry.

Uninteresting Events Leading Up To IM - Event #1

What Happens If I Get A Flat?

 

 I guess during Ironman if I get a flat I could hope that some kind individual will pull over and help me change my tire...but I am not counting on it (what do you think)?

 

This evening I had my first lesson in changing not only my tube but my actual tire on my bike wheel.  It looked difficult but I muddled thru it just fine with the help of my better half. 

 

The old saying "patience is a virtue" comes in very handy when changing a tire and of course you must not be afraid to get dirty and break a nail.

 

While I am feeling pretty good about the fact that I managed to change my first tire I am not 100% convinced of my tire changing abilities while in a race.

 

So, to quote another saying -  "practice makes perfect" - guess what I'll be doing every weekend.

 

 

 

 

Last Spin Class

Since September of 2012 our Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings have been reserved for spin class at Speed Theory with Trev Williams of The Doctrine, Mike and the new friends we made at the class.

These spin classes are really fantastic and Trev makes you work hard!  When I first started the class I could not stand for more than 30 seconds at a time - tonight I stood for 8 minutes on the bike!  A PB! 

Tonight was the last of the spin classes (till September) and I now have to remove my trainer tire (got to figure out how to do this) and get ready for biking outside starting this Saturday when "apparently" we are suppose to have nice weather.

For those of you out there wanting to keep in shape during the fall/winter/spring check out Trev's website and sign up for his spin class this September - you won't regret it.

"....because I can".

I have been told, by a very good friend of mine, that I don't "blog" often enough - apparently some people actually read what I post on my blog.  So, I'll try to be better at updating my blog starting with this one.

April 21st and my friend and I ran the Spring Trio.  I did the 10K and my friend did the 15K.  I was trying for under 1 hour but ran it in 1:04:56 - came third in my age group (there were 7 in my age group) and 48th out of 66 people who ran the 10K.  I think my average pace was about a 6:38 which is much faster than I am use to, not sure if I'd be able to keep that pace up in my first 1/2 IM but I am going to try (this would then reduce my 1/2 marathon time in a 1/2 IM from 2:50 too about 2:15-2:20 which would be great!).

In the next month I am hoping to get my new tri bike - it has been at TCR for the past 3 weeks waiting for its components, needless to say I am getting very anxious.  I know I can't ride it outside and it's hard to explain but once I get it and its actually in my possession I know that my training for IM has begun and there will be no turning back.

As for my current training it is going well, I am training and there is not much else to say about it right now.  Just waiting for the warm weather to appear so that we can start riding out bikes outside (I am so tired of riding my bike indoors - as I am sure many others are).  

Anything above the shoulders is ok...

Should you workout when your sick...."A neck check is a way to determine your level of activity during a respiratory illness," adds Neil Schachter, MD, medical director of respiratory care at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. "If your symptoms are above the neck, including a sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing, and tearing eyes, then its OK to exercise," he says. "If your symptoms are below the neck, such as coughing, body aches, fever, and fatigue, then it's time to hang up the running shoes until these symptoms subside."

For the last week (since Tuesday of last week) I had what I thought was food poisoning, but from what I have read food poisoning does not last for a week, conclusion stomach flu.

Working out has been an issue cause if I jiggle I might up-chuck whatever is left inside of me and as my stomach is upset I don't eat much (toast and portein shakes) so I have no energy. So for the past week I have taken it easy only working out when I really felt good which was Sunday when I did my bike class of 75 hard minutes (that was fun) and a 1 hour run (a brick).

Its Monday night and I am back on my sofa with that nauseating feeling I have gotten use to this week (although today it isn't so bad) and have decided not to go swimming (which was only suppose to be 45 minutes easy).  I hope the rest of the week is better cause I can't afford any more time off!

The only great thing about being sick this week is I am trying lose 14 pounds and I am quite sure that just this past week I managed to get rid of 5 of them.

What is a Guru

Yesterday I went to TCR and put a deposit down on my first Tri Bike made by Guru.  Cory from TCR spent 2 hours fitting me for my new bike taking my measurements, checking flexibility, adjusting seat position/height, aero bar position and padding all to ensure that the bike I am purchasing will fit me to a T and make me super fast.



Maria's Super Fast Guru

The frame of this bike will be custom made just for me and then I"ll choose everything else, aero bars, cranks, drive train, seat, tires etc. how exciting is this?   This will be my bike, the one I'll be riding this year in both my 1/2 Ironman's and next year when I do my first Ironman in coeur-dalene.

This is a big step for me, buy purchasing this bike I am committed...or maybe I should be committed (not sure). 

Anyway, when I get my new Guru in April I"ll make sure to take a photo and post it on my blog.

Chow for now everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 



I Want to be an Ironman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B03dFMG8nR4

Right now this sums up my life...but I dont' get up at 4:00 a.m.

Merry Christmas

Just sitting here enjoying my 1 1/2 hours of quiet.

Jeff has taken up triathlon and is at swimming class tonight leaving me with some Enya, a cup of tea and peace.  It is the only time I get these days to spend to myself, we (Jeff and I) spend a lot of time together training - don't take this the wrong way but sometimes you just need to be alone with your thoughts. 

All is well at my end of the world, pretty busy with tri training (see below) and work:

Monday - Run Home (45 mins)
Tuesday - Cycling class at speed theory - a killer class (1 1/2 hrs)
Wednesday - Bike/Run (short brick) (35 mins of each)
Thursday - Bike about 1 hr
Friday - Swimming class (1 1/2 hrs)
Saturday - Cycling class (easy) in morning 8:30 a.m. (1 1/2 hrs) then afternoon speed class (2 hrs)
Sunday - Cycling class at speed theory in morning 8:30 a.m. (1 1/2 hrs) (another killer) then swimming (1 hr)

I need to be really organized (even more so than before) now that Jeff is also training. I love the training, but boy do I do a lot of laundry and on the weekends I spend a lot of time making crock pot dishes that are healthy for during the week so I dont' each crap if I get home late from a workout.

I have registered for two 1/2 Ironman's next year already and my I see a new tri bike in my future.  As for Ironman 2014 I am have chosen to participate in Ironman Coeur D'Alena which happens in June(http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/ironman/coeur-dalene.aspx#axzz2EKtivKez).   In fact, I have already booked my coach for Ironman training commencing June, 2013.  

As for friends, I am not sure I have any left - you guys still out there?  I hope that in the new year I'll be able to sluff off a day or two to see you all.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Maria

You Gotta Be Prepared

I can't believe that last time I posted anything was July 23rd, just after I finished my first Half Iron(man).  Since then I have done pretty much nil in the way of training.  I have kept up my running base but other than that NIL, yup I got lazy.  (Ok, I did a bike race and I still do my running but just short distance to keep my base).

My goal when I completed my first Half Iron(man) was to sign up for Ironman ("IM") in Pentiction for 2013, but to be honest once I finished my race I had already made the decision to wait another year before attempting IM. The race proved to me that I needed to get more mileage under my belt before attempting IM.  And, as most of you know IM won't be held in Penticition anymore, this year was the last year and a new place has yet to be decided upon - but I hear Vernon is a front runner. 

Where I do my first IM is not important to me I just want to do it (but I would be very happy if it were Vernon as it is closer to Calgary and Jeff and I have very close friends who live in Kelowna who we could stay with the week before IM and during IM).

I was at IM Canada this year watching my friends race and volunteering at the finish as a catcher -if you ever volunteer at IM choose this job, you get to "catch" the athletes at the finish and they are so grateful.  They cross the finish line and are very disoriented, you take them by the arm (catch them) and lead them to water, food and rest and stay with them until you are sure that have regained all their faculties - be warned thou there is a chance you might get barfed on.

I was glad I went to IM this year, I was worried that I would sign up for next year to do IM but to be honest after watching these athletes work so hard to get to the finish line I knew that my decision to wait one more year was the right one.  I need to be in the best shape of my life (physcilally and mentally) to ensure I complete IM and it will be hard!

NOW...well now my training begins (again).  But this year I plan on changing some things:

• I will be cycling indoors twice a week as opposed to the once a week I was doing (staring Sept 25th for 6 months) with a group at Speed Theory with a goal in the summer to bike at least 200K a week;
• I will be swimming 3 times a week so I can shave 10 minutes of my swim time;
• I need to get some strength training in at least once a week, someone suggest I try the TRX so will be purchasing that and doing strength training from my basement each week;
• Grant from Vitalize will be coaching me but only every 3 months;
• I will get in more LSD runs (last year I slacked in that dept);
• I will be following my training schedule more religiously this year; and
• I will try to drop my weight to 140 pounds (last year I only got to 146 so I'll have to really work hard at this).

All this with the goal of shaving 1 hour off my current 8 hour Half Iron(man) finish time.

So...there you go.  There is an IM in my furture but not till 2014.  Like the Scouts always say - BE PREPARED!

Maria's Half IM Finish

Sylvan Lake Half Iron

Well the big day finally came, the day that I have been training for since October of last year. 

Before The Race

Saturday evening I meet my friend Cathy at the rec centre in Sylvan Lake for our pre-race meeting.  The meeting was quick and informative - good thing I went because we were informed of changes to our swim and run route.   The swim was originally going to be a 1 loop 2K swim but they changed it to a 2 loop swim - each loop being 1K.  The run was originally a 10.5K out and 10.5K back route but due to some flooding the route was changed to a 4 loop run each loop consisting of 5.5K. 

That evening we went out for a light dinner (which did not sit well in my stomach) then it was back to the hotel to get ready for the race.  Like any other race I got all my gear set up for the next day, once over done on the bike, food ready for the bike/run, water with eload ready, after race drink ready etc... I was pretty nervous about the swim, in fact I was freaking just a bit but Jeff calmed me down and said he was confident that I would complete it as I had already done 2K in the lake that week under 1 hours.

Race Day Morning

All 5 alarms went off at 6 a.m (wanted to make sure I got up).  Didn't shower - what's the point. 

Took me 15 minutes to get ready then Jeff and I were out the door to the swim start/T1 (Transition 1) where I would park my bike/gear and get my chip and body markings.  Our hotel (Best Western) was within walking distance the start. 

We got there a bit early so I did not have to stand in line for markings - bonus.  I had time to choose the spot I wanted for my bike and unpack my gear and organize myself.  Once I was unpacked I walked around for a bit, saw some friends (had 45 minutes to kill still race start) and then went for about a 10 minute run to warm up (something my coach taught me).  I then went back to my bike, sat on the curb and relaxed for 10 minutes till it was time to squeeze myself into my wetsuit of which I am now a pro at putting on.

2K Swim

We started at 8:00 a.m. and we only had 1:10 minutes to swim 2K (2 loops of 1K and that looked like a long way when I was actually in the water). 

We were asked to keep the buoys they had placed for us on our right hand side at all times. The lake was warm and very shallow - so we were only swimming in hip/chest deep water most of the swim.

About 200 of us were in the water and I ensured that I seeded myself at the back of the group.  I wasn't nervous just happy that I was there.  I had a plan and that was to do the first 250m nice and slow and then just keep swimming. 

Next thing I know we had started and I stuck to my plan - the first 250m was nice and slow, warmed my body up and then just kept swimming.   At one point I looked at my watch and it read 24 minutes - I was doing well.  I was smooth in the water and actually enjoyed being there.  My breathing was great, I didn't bump into anyone and I sighted pretty well only going off course once or twice. 

Finally I was done the swim - 56 minutes. Whew I made it, I would be allowed to go on to my next event - 90K ride.  Was this a good or bad thing?  Guess I would find out.

90K Ride

Everyone had 4 1/2 hours to complete the bike course, all riders had to be off the course 1:30 pm or you were disqualified.

Getting out of the water was slippy, the race director "Joe" helped everyone out of the water - thought that was really nice.  My hubbie, mum and dad were there yelling "Go Maria Go".  As I made my way to my bike I heard the race announcer say "participant 117, Maria Wilson has just go out of the water in a time of 56 minutes.  This is Maria's first 1/2 Iron".  I was proud.

Got to my bike, changed into my riding gear and I was off. 

We started on HWY 11A which is slightly uphill...from there we were on HWY 766, a somewhat flat ride with rolling hills ....next we turned onto Township Road 400 another slightly uphill route till you got to the first aid station at about 40K at which point you got to go downhill.  At this point in the race I had not seen another ride since 15K - I was all alone.  So, I decided this would be a good time to fart - yes I had to fart so I stood up on bike and let one rip - at which one another ride blew past me. How embarrassing! 

Then the turnaround.  But guess what, you had to turn around and go up the hill you just came down - NICE.  I went back down Township Road 400 to the dreaded HWY 12.  We warned to save ourselves for this part of the ride as it is hilly and they weren't joking and not only that but the HWY was in need of repair, I was lucky I didn't get a flat. 

Again, I was all alone.  No one in front of me, no one behind me.  I was tired, fed up and my neck and back were killing me.  I wanted this to be done!  I kept look at my watch to ensure I was on track with my timing, so far I was ok.

I came to the next and last aid station about 65K and 2 hills done and behind me.  Took some water from a really nice volunteer and was told I had 2 more hills ahead of me before it was all down hill to the finish.  So, off I went climbing hills and making my way to the finish. 

At about 80K I saw a truck picking up cones from the race course, it was the bike race course director.  I stopped and I think he could see the panic in my face, I was the last bike on the course and I didn't have much time to get to the finish.  He calmed me down, said I was doing great I was almost there but I had 1 more hill, and 2 little hills in my future.  OMG

I don't remember much after this but what I do remember is that I need to boot it to the finish...I only had 45 minutes or so left could I do it?  I was in tears...I thought if I was to get a DNF it would be in the swim not the bike.  Up, up, up the hill I went - down the hill I went - up the next smaller hill I went - down the hill I went - up the last smaller hill I went and finally down.  Next thing I know I saw the sign "2K to Vulcan"  so I booted it. 

I made it to the finish line with 20 minutes or so to spare all my family and friends were there cheering me on (Jeff, Mum, Dad, Syd, Sarah, Donovan, Greg, Tina, Phil, Eric, Michelle and Ken).

I made it to stage 3 of my race - the run.  I was proud.

The Run

You had to be finished your run by 4:30 p.m. our you would be disqualified.

As I said earlier this was a 4 loop course, I enjoyed it for several reasons:

1. You did not have to worry about distance, just how many loops you had.
2. You hit the same water station 1/2 way thru each 5K run so you did not have to carry water and the volunteers at this station got to know what I wanted each time I passed by - 1 water, 1 Gatorade and ice to put down my bra.
3. I got to see all my family and friends at the turnaround - 8 times - they were the loudest cheering section there - I was proud and happy they were all there.
4. People had their sprinklers on for us which I got to run thru 8 times.
5. A wonderful lady had a hose out and she would spray you with it - she stayed for all my loops and soaked me each time I went past.  I loved it!
6. My friend Matt, who ran the race and is doing IM in August, passed each other 6-7 times (he was ahead of me) and we kept giving each other high fives.\

My last loop at the turnaround I heard the announcer say "there is 1:10 minutes left in the race and runner 117, Maria Wilson, has 5K left to go".  I was tired, but continued on.  There were only 4 people left on the course (me being 1 of them) and I finished with about 1/2 hour left in the race.  

I had been on the course for 8 hours and I was done.  I crossed that finished line with pride and yes I cried as I hugge one of the most important people in the world to be whose paitent and support helped get to the finish line - Jeff my hubbie.

My actual times for this event were as follows:

Swim: 56:34
T1: 3:30
Bike: 4:12
T2: 1:47
Run: 2:47

Overall a great first Half Iron, but hard, hardest thing I have every done, but as the saying goes...

"if it were easy everyone would do it". 

Thank you to my family and friends who supported me on the days leading up to this race and on the day itself.











 

Two Days Left to the Big Day

Yup, there are only two more days till my first 1/2 IM in Sylvan Lake.
I"ll be half way to becoming and Iron Woman.

Yes...
I am nervous
I am exicted
I am anxious
I am packed
I am ready to do this!

I have been practicing my run to the finish line of the race, big smile on my face and holding back the tears of pride as I cross the finish line seeing all my family and freinds waiting to cheer me on.  I can't wait!

And to those of you coming this weekend to support me - THANKS your support will be need greatly on Sunday.

"A" Race Just Around The Bend

If I said I was not a bit worried I'd be lying.  My race (Sylvan Lake 1/2 Ironman) is only a week away and a lot of questions are going thru my head:

• Have I trained enough?
• Should I do another 90K ride just to make sure I can do it?
• Is tapering really a good thing?
• Can I swim 2K in 1 hour and 10 minutes?
• Will I fuel adequately to get me thru this race?
• Will I have the courage to start?
• Will I have the strength to finish?
• What will everyone say if I don't finish?
• Will I cry when I finish?
• Etc...

In my heart I know the answers to all these questions, but my head right now is not so sure.

In any case my race comes up pretty darn soon, July 22nd to be exact in Sylvan Lake.  My agreement with my hubbie is that if I don't finish this race I don't sign up for Ironman in Penticitoin next year - so there is a lot riding on this race for me, I really want to sign up for Ironman next year.  Heck I need something to keep me busy in 2013 besides work.

A few of you have shown some interest in supporting me at this race and if you would like to come out I would really appreciate it.  My hubbie, my parents and I will be driving to Sylvan on Saturday, July 21st  and will be staying overnight. 

Sunday, July 22

2K swim starts at 8:00 a.m - I have 1 hr & 10 minutes to swim 2K - I hope to do this swim in 1 hr = 9:00 a.m finish 
 For Swim Route Click Here

Transition from swim to bike 1 minute 30 seconds

90K bike - I have 4 1/2 hours to do this ride in and I'd like to do it in 4 hours = 1:00 p.m. finish

For Bike Route Click Here

Transition from bike to run 1 minute 30 seconds

Last but not least....and I am already tired.

21K Run - I have 3 hrs to do this run in & I'd like to do it in 2:45 or the full 3 hrs =

3:45 - 4:00 p.m. finish
For Run Route Click Here

Estimated total finish time 7:45 - 8 hours?  Lay your bets now, will I do more or less than I estimate.

Your support is more appreciated than you know.  Maria

20 Days & Counting...

Only 20 more days till my "A" race - Sylvan Lake 1/2 IM.  The total amount of time alloacated to do this race if 8 hours 30 minutes and it is broken down as follows:

2K Swim you get 1 hour 10 minutes
90K Ride you get 4 hours 20 minutes (including transition)
21K Run you get 3 hours

Ideally I'd like to do:

2K Swim 1 hour
90K Ride 4 hour
21K Run 2 hours 45 minutes
Total time: 7:45

PLACE YOUR BETS NOW!!

I Am Too Positive.....: Longest Ride To-Date

I Am Too Positive.....: Longest Ride To-Date: My race is just weeks away (July 22) and in order to mentally prepare for the bike portion of the race Jeff and I went for a 74K ride today....

Longest Ride To-Date

My race is just weeks away (July 22) and in order to mentally prepare for the bike portion of the race Jeff and I went for a 74K ride today.  We parked at Westside Church (great parking spot for bikers) then rode to Bragg Creek.  Great ride, hard and we were tired when we were done.