Thoughts

This weekend I rode 100 miles with one of my dear training partners. Well she is more than a training partner, but we were training together when we had an interesting conversation.
In 2009 we both did our first Ironman - she did FL and I did AZ.
this year we are both doing our second - CDA.
But this year doesn't seem to have the same spirit. Has training for an IM lost it's charm?
It's such an intense time in our lives no matter how many times we do it.
Our workouts are no longer filled with "firsts".
We have gotten then hang of how to pack for a long ride.
At IMAZ I had am amazing sense of pride at the finish line. I can only hope that I do again.

I don't know if my anxiety with training this time around has taken out some excitement. But should that really matter?!
I am not a strong open water swimmer.
My bike isn't where I want it to be. I had some problems with the bike up until a few weeks again and I just don't feel as "fit" as everyone else.
My run is well my run. I have had more leg problems this year than in 2009 when I was also recovery from invasive surgery.

BUT...
I rode 100 miles yesterday with an amazing woman.
And I even ran (well run/walk) for 30 minutes afterwards. that's HUGE
and today...I "ran" for 2:45.
1:15 in the pool, 0:45 on the elliptical, and finished with run/walking 45 minutes on the treadmill!!!
that's right. I ran. two days in a row! I haven't done that in months.
So while my workouts aren't filled with the same challenges as the first - the excitement of being challeneged with a new distance at almost every workout, this year I am challenged with my mind. Overcoming the challenges on the bike. Overcoming my injury on the run. and dammit overcoming my open water swim ability.
Yes, this Ironman is just as exciting in its own way.

and speaking of injury, I would like to take a moment to thank my team of experts...who you will hear about more and more.
Karen Holloway - my head coach. she won IM Canada. such a badass. and she lets me whine (calls me whineypants). she is patient with my frustrations and my injury when it comes to constantly twekaing my training plan along with my stubburn-ness.
Rusty and Camille - aka Bob and Jillian. my personal trainers working to make my arms and abs look tough. ironman is all about a strong core after all.
Liz and Tina - the nutritionists that are helping me and my sensitive stomach.
Rob Green - my chiropractor doing magic Active Release Technique (ART) on my leg.
Laure - my super open water swim teacher.
and last but not least...
IronGreg. I love you oodles of noodles.

Happy Mother's Day to all my friends out there.
To my mom, who raised me and my siblings by herself after our dad passed away. and I think we turned out alright, too. Hats off to you. God picks special people to show such strength.
To my sister, don't tell her this but she is an awesome mom. I have learned SO much watching her raise to her amazing boys.
to my mother-in-law, you raised one heck of a good kid.
to my Grandmothers, your love leaves me speechless.
to my friends, you are such amazing women. I've seen you conquer the challenges that life has brought to you. and you have succeeded and overcome with such grace. you are the women that should be on the cover of magazines. you are the women people should look up to.
I can only hope that one day God blesses me with child(ren) that would allow to stand beside you on this day and that I can be half the mother that you are.