“We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
This week has been so busy that I've hardly had time to jot down my reflections on what was a pretty big weekend for me. Work, always getting in the way of fun! However, since it affords my triathlon habit, I'll let it slide.
Saturday we met up with some folks from Team FC and headed back up GMR. After the last two failed attempts at finishing this ride, I was determined to see it through. I was able to understand the first time as my shoulder was a bit of a mess, and the second time I made some bad choices, but the third time had to end in success! Sure enough, I felt comfortable winding my way up the first nine mile climb and enjoyed the benefit of actually knowing the ride. Being aware of where climbs are and where landmarks are really makes a difference on a ride. I can gauge my energy expenditure because I know what lies ahead. I felt good at the half way point and was overjoyed to tell anyone doing the halfway sweep to the back that I wasn't the last person in our group. What?! Me? Not last!? Awesome!
The second section of the climb up GMR is harder for me than the first. There's a steep 4 mile climb or so that seems worse than the initial 9. I was glad to have company as I passed the spot where I turned around the last time. To my surprise, just over a little stretch of climbing, the ride turns into a relatively flat cruise! I was overjoyed to make it into the village. The ride back was swift and enjoyable. I am gaining confidence in my downhill abilities. When I began cycling I was nervous and hesitant of going downhill fast. I'm learning how to lean my body, slow down on the straights (if need be) and to corner safely by picking a line and sticking to it. I'm still the last one down the mountain, but I'm much more comfortable than I used to be. The first time I descended GMR I was terrified, so that's a big improvement!
Sunday we set out to swim a few laps of the buoys at CDM with a group from Team FC. I was looking forward to getting back in the ocean again and getting some good open water swim time in. I let Adam know he could go ahead and swim his own crazy pace and that I would be fine sticking in the back of the group. Somehow, I took off too fast and wound up swimming the first section in the middle of the group. I felt my heart rate was a bit high and noticed I was short of breath. Usually, I just slow down and/or flip over and backstroke a bit until I regain my breath. Worst case, I usually just stop and hang out for a bit until I am ready to go on. I'm not sure what happened Sunday, but I started wheezing a bit and felt like I just couldn't get a breath. My wetsuit felt tight around my neck and my concern grew into a full blown panic as I couldn't seem to catch my breath. I've never had anything like that happen. I'm usually level headed and can remain calm even in the most nerve-wracking circumstances. I opted to swim into shore as best I could since there was no one else around me.
I still don't know what happened out there, but I'm going back out this weekend. I'm going to have Adam swim with me for a few laps to help set my pace. I think I got carried away sprinting right off the beach and then was unable to reset. I swim a comfortable 1.5 miles every pool session during the week, I know it's not for a lack of practice. I just need to stick to my pace and re-emphasize my exhalation and breathing pattern in the open water. I'm determined to put that issue aside this weekend and I'm grateful I've got Adam to plod along next to me as part of his warm-up.
I feel really focused in my training. I feel like for once I am present in the current week of training as opposed to thinking far in advance at what I need to be doing in a month. All of my energy is directed at executing each week's plan and I feel like I'm pushing myself (in a healthy amount) to do my best every single time and not slack. I'm chipping away at my weight, my paces and working on my mental strength. I'm still surprised that in a little over a month I will be doing my first Half Ironman! It's been an amazing journey so far, and I am looking forward (day by day) to what happens next.
Sunday we set out to swim a few laps of the buoys at CDM with a group from Team FC. I was looking forward to getting back in the ocean again and getting some good open water swim time in. I let Adam know he could go ahead and swim his own crazy pace and that I would be fine sticking in the back of the group. Somehow, I took off too fast and wound up swimming the first section in the middle of the group. I felt my heart rate was a bit high and noticed I was short of breath. Usually, I just slow down and/or flip over and backstroke a bit until I regain my breath. Worst case, I usually just stop and hang out for a bit until I am ready to go on. I'm not sure what happened Sunday, but I started wheezing a bit and felt like I just couldn't get a breath. My wetsuit felt tight around my neck and my concern grew into a full blown panic as I couldn't seem to catch my breath. I've never had anything like that happen. I'm usually level headed and can remain calm even in the most nerve-wracking circumstances. I opted to swim into shore as best I could since there was no one else around me.
I still don't know what happened out there, but I'm going back out this weekend. I'm going to have Adam swim with me for a few laps to help set my pace. I think I got carried away sprinting right off the beach and then was unable to reset. I swim a comfortable 1.5 miles every pool session during the week, I know it's not for a lack of practice. I just need to stick to my pace and re-emphasize my exhalation and breathing pattern in the open water. I'm determined to put that issue aside this weekend and I'm grateful I've got Adam to plod along next to me as part of his warm-up.
I feel really focused in my training. I feel like for once I am present in the current week of training as opposed to thinking far in advance at what I need to be doing in a month. All of my energy is directed at executing each week's plan and I feel like I'm pushing myself (in a healthy amount) to do my best every single time and not slack. I'm chipping away at my weight, my paces and working on my mental strength. I'm still surprised that in a little over a month I will be doing my first Half Ironman! It's been an amazing journey so far, and I am looking forward (day by day) to what happens next.
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