An Honor just to be Nominated??

So after another week of lots of riding and swimming and NO running (thanks, doc), I was ready to head out to Chicago for what was to be my 9th (if you count the practice tri's) and final tri of this season. My week of training was nothing too exciting. Sunday after the race I rode a fairly easy 45mi ride. Monday was a spin on my trainer in the am and then my strength/endurance class (I've started going to the evening class which doesn't include all of the plyo's that the am class has...given my tender achilles situation); tuesday swim; wed OFF (tapering, ya know..); thurs swim and then bike in the evening; friday OFF. Saturday I started the day early with volunteering at the 'Go Girl' Eagle Creek race..which is the same race that I did the week before and in June, but this one is limited only to the ladies...kind of a cool atmosphere w/ LOTS of nervous 1st timers! I got to do body marking, which was fun to talk to the racers and wish them luck. Then I directed on the bike on/off point (ladies can be very literal! "dismount here" doesn't have to mean RIGHT there in front of me?! goodness..) and then to the run finish...good times! Then a short 'leg loosening' ride around the park, load up in the car and head up to Chicago! The Chicago race is the 'Worlds Largest Triathlon', so over 9,000 people, I think? I always get stressed out over traffic and things, but I do love this race. Even though I had to get up and be there to set up my transition area at 4:15am (!!) and then my wave of the race didn't start until 9:40am (!!)...it was still a good race. Luckily my friend, Ginger, from TNT, was in the race and started just after me, so she had a hotel room in the host hotel just up the street and after we set up our gear, we headed back that way for a nap! It's very strange to be waking up from a nap and heading to start your race...and pass lots of others already with their finishers medals and enjoying the post-party stuff... But off we went. I had another amazing swim in my new pal, Lake Michigan. It was chilly (73 feels a lot cooler than it sounds), but felt SO good after standing there dripping sweat in our wetsuits in over 90 degree heat.. Which brings me to the HEAT. Yikes! Last years race was super cold, and the race the day before in Indy was cold...so I was kinda thinking it might at least be chilly to start the race? Not so much. Super hot, sunny and humid. That's what I had going on.. So I had my great swim, 35-ish minutes, I think? It was a long swim..Olympic distance is 1500m, which is just shy of a mile, so not much shorter than Steelhead..so it felt like it was taking a while, but I felt like I had a great rhythm going on and was passing folks..good stuff! Added bonus, the swim is point to point (kinda...there's a little 'out and back' for the olympic distance) all along the shore, so I actually could see Matt and Mason (in stroller) walking right along beside me for almost the whole way! Very cool (this time... Last yr as I flailed around just hoping to finish the darn thing, didn't so much love that people were right there watching me so closely.. But this yr, as I Michael Phelpsed my way through the water..I was delighted to see my 'team'!). So anyway. Out of the water for the looooooong barefoot run transition... Now off on my bike! This coarse is FLAT..all along Lake Shore Drive, so the only 'hills' (which do kinda start feeling like hills after a bit..) are the on ramp and over-passes.. So I cruised along. I hit a bit of head-wind a few times on the 'back' part of the loop, which we do 2x, but all in all, it was great! I averaged 21.2mph! WooHoo! So back to my gear, shoes on and head out to run. Oh, the run. My achilles was fine, believe it or not... But man, I was SLOW! You see, as I mentioned before, it was super HOT. By this time, it's around noon... There is NO shade on the entire coarse... so it. was. HOT. Even though I SO wish I had been able to run faster, I know there was nothing I could have done differently. I gave it my all... I didn't have to walk at all, which was good.. I actually passed a lot of people and still wound up placing 14th out of 250 in my age group, so that just shows that everyone was feeling it... So it was a tough finish. I came in at 2hrs 48-ish minutes, which is interesting because I was 8 minutes off of my estimated time... and 8min slower in the run than I anticipated... So I know where that time went! Anyway, it was fun and I am happy with how it went... Especially since that 14/250 finish put me in the top 6% of my age group, and qualified me for Age Group National Championships!!! So...still not quite done, yet, with this season. Again, after much debate, we decided to make the trip down to Tuscaloosa, AL for the big race on sat, 9/25. I know...it's in the midst of vacations and I 'should' be no longer running on my achilles...but it's kinda like qualifying for Boston...if you qualify, you just DO it. Even if it won't necessarily be my 'best' race...it'll still be a great experience.. Plus, my friend, Ashley (who was the one that told me about nationals...I never even knew it existed! Let alone that it was something I could qualify for..), from TNT, will be joining me! So...I'll keep ya posted!

not quite done yet...

So post Steelhead.. I decided I would make a quick switch from the long, endurance training that I was doing for the 1/2IM and change to short, fast speedwork and interval training to get ready for my sprint race (500m swim, 10mi bike, 3mi run) at Eagle Creek on 8/21. This is the same race I did in June..they do 3 races in a series in the summer and it's a nice way to track improvements through the season. SO. I took on the speed work head on.. fartlek (speed play) run, pace loops on the bike, FAST intervals (3mi bike in a pace line going about 25mph, then transition to a 1mi run, which I approach as 1mi repeats...do this 4x through), speed work in the pool, bike hill repeats, run hill repeats, mini sprint tri repeats (200m swim, 3mi bike, 1mi run..FAST!..now go again)...oh, my! I did work a long saturday training in there, which was fun.. I met up with my Y Tri coach, Todd, for a 45mi ride in the wee early hrs of the morning (5am...which seems earlier now, since it's not getting light out until about 7a these days), then did a speed work swim for about an hr, then met up with the group to bike hill repeats for about another hr or so... Good stuff! By this time, I had already started to realize the damage I was doing to my already ailing achilles (hurting since last Oct in my last long training run before the marathon). I did truck on over to the walk-in clinic at orthoindy..mostly just to make sure it wasn't fractured..which it wasn't! I thought that was a good thing, but the doc was still so grim.. He said the pain in my heel was indicating that I have degenerative (chronic) achilles tendonosis (used to be called tendonitis, but they now don't consider it inflamatory? or something... thank you, google search!) and that if I don't rest it, I'm risking rupture.. Well, I certainly don't want that! But...I still have these races... Doc recommends 4mo with NO running! So after much debate, I decided I would lay off the running in training & I'd just do my best (& hope for the best!) in the races. So race #1 (AMA..against medical advise) comes... Eagle Creek. I felt good. Even though my time didn't reflect much improvement in the swim, I felt great and DID manage to shave a few precious seconds from that time. Then off to ride and I was De. ter. mined to finally average over 20mph..no more of this 19.something... I did it! I pushed hard and averaged around 20.3mph (ish? I don't memorize these things..you can check tuxbro.com if you want exact details..)...finally! Then off to try the ol' achilles out on the run... I felt good! Not great, but good! I think I averaged somewhere in the 7:40min/mi range. And then...wait for it... finally, mu 1st place (age group) finish! I came in at 1:06:something, which was about 3min faster than my June race. 3min doesn't sound like much...but in a sprint race where you go ALL OUT and every little second counts, a 3min improvement ain't bad! I'll take it for sure. Extra fun for this race was that Tom & Sue (Matt's parents...aka 'grandma and grandpa Blunck') were in town and got to come along for the festivities! Thanks so much to them and my usual 'team Blunck' crew, Matt & Mason, for coming out to cheer me on. I didn't see much of ya (I was looking, but just going too darn fast, I guess!..yeah, right..), but I knew you were there and it always gives me that extra boost to know my support crew is out there. So, Yay! Sprint Tri down... Now on to the next...

NOW what??!!

WOW!! After many months and many, MANY trainings...Steelhead is officially in the books! I guess I'll get right to it... Taper weeks went well...as much as everyone thought tapering (cutting back on training) would be tough for me.. I think I nailed it! I was able to do short, but efficient efforts to keep myself moving and strong, but also fresh and ready to go on race day.. So race weekend arrived. Matt, Mason and I (aka: Team Blunck!) loaded up the car and took off on the 3hr journey to Benton Harbor, MI. We got there around 11a and met up with the team, had a quick lunch and then I took off with the crew to hit registration and then head down to rack our bikes and take a quick dip in the lake. Registration...I won't bore you with that, but woah. Definitely the one low point of the event..the line was crazy & about the last thing I wanted to do...but we made it. Got our goods, kept a happy face and good attitude...and took off for the race site! The transition area was big and we had little personalized spots designated for our bikes, which was a delightful touch, I thought (it's the little things that really matter, ya know??). There wasn't much 'set up' to do..just put the ol bike in it's spot..the rest will be done tomorrow before the race. So off to put on the wetsuit and check out Lake Michigan. Ah...Lake Michigan.. The last time she and I tangoed, I must say...1 point for the lake and a big 'ol goose egg for moi (at Chicago tri last August...it was cold and my 1st time in the wetsuit...I made it through, but it wasn't pretty!). But not this time, my friend.. The lake was a balmy 76-ish degrees (wetsuit legal...that's all we need to know!), but it was quite nice! Fairly clear, for a lake...we could see the sandy bottom..I think this is going to be OK! So then back to the hotel, get ready for our pasta dinner (which I don't normally eat pasta the night before the race.. but I didn't think it'd really be a big deal to have it..and it wasn't. It was fine) as a team where we high fived and congratulated each other on our fundraising and training and all that good stuff. Most importantly, we were reminded of our cause when our assistant coach, Dea, got up with her elder daughter, who is 11, and gave a speech about Lauryn's fight with Cancer. A lot of it I have heard before through training with Dea, but it is ALWAYS emotional to hear it. (lots of tears in that room!) I think I've said it before, but something about being a mom and thinking about how hard it would be to see your child sick or to have to think about the unthinkable...gets me every time. So anyway, motivation firmly in place...we head back to the hotel for a short meeting (and gag gifts.. I was honored with the 'tatoo' for the season...a lovely 'Born to Rock' or something like that.. I tried to wear it, but I think my sunscreen ruined it.. Oh, well..thought that counts) and then to set out our gear, try to get some sleep and prepare for our EARLY morning!
We met with the group at 4am (yes....4am! I actually woke up before my alarm at about 3-ish) and then took off for the race. We arrived in the pitch dark (obviously)...but I was a little surprised to find really NO lighting in the area?? I managed to squint my way through setting my gear up...juuuuust in time....to feel the 1st rain drops. So I grabbed my trash bags and covered what I could cover (most importantly my shoes! soaked shoes and socks are a big bummer!) and took off for some cover with my team. Finally, just as the rain was letting up a bit, it was time to make the trek down to the swim start.. a 1.2mi walk in the sand. I totally knew about this walk and didn't feel as though it was anything to be bent out of shape about...and it was fine.. But it definitely took longer than I thought it would. But it was actually a nice time to chat with some buds (Joe and Shawn... Ashley was marching off ahead with her 'game face' already firmly in place!) and take in a bit of the scenery. I got to the start probably 10 or 15min before time to take off, so got situated in my wetsuit and got my pre-race dip in...lined up with the rest of the 30-34yr old ladies...got a few quick song & dances in! (ask Ashley...I think I even broke her 'game face' for a bit when I broke out my moves!). Not til we were finally called in and standing by the water waiting for the start call did I finally don my game face. I was ready..plotted my route and placement in the water (not sure why I bother..it's always immediately irrelevant and just turns in to 'just keep swimming, look where you're going')...and we're off! Let me just say (as I cut this dramatic story down a bit), the swim. was. amazing!! Best swim EVER (so far)! The current was delightful. The temp was perfect. Course was marked with perfectly spaced bouey's (that looked like sail boats!..actually..they were just triangles, but looked like sail boats to me!). I was actually passing people!! not usually something I experience in this leg of the race... So by the time I exited the water (about 35min later), I was elated!! I was all smiles. And then I started my looooong 'bay-watch-eat-your-heart-out' trot up the beach til I FINALLY reached solid ground!
1st Transition (T1 to those 'in the know') was fine.. nothing special.. As usual, I was chatting to the gals around me.. Mostly about how great the swim was, have a good day..that kind of stuff. I think my T1 time was around 3:30. Not fast, but not too slow.. Nothing I would change, really.
Now off on the bike. Here we go! I feel like the bike is really the 'meat' of this tri sandwich.. We're out there for the longest time & I think it has the most opportunity for things to go awry... So here we go... Well. I felt great!! I was cruising along on my purple piece of high tech equipment (I love my bike...but I have a feeling it gets a little jealous of those around it while it hangs out in transition.. Chin up, Buddy! We do just fine out there, you and me... We pass those fancy schmancy tri bikes with NO problem!) feeling like I could go for..at LEAST 56 miles (isn't that lucky??). Honestly, I thought the coarse was really easy. It actually felt like there were more down hills than up, though I know that's not actually the case.. But any hill that was out there was a long, gradual thing...never a sharp "we're going up THAT??!" kind of thing. No head wind that I had heard all about... All in all, delightful! The rain that had worried us all before the race and then sparked up a tiny bit in the swim was long gone now. I had a bit of cloud cover for most of the ride, so it was great! My goal time for the bike was 3hrs and I came in just under that..somewhere around 2:55 or something?? So pretty good! If there was any place that I was going to be tentative during the race, it was the bike.. I wanted to make sure I had some good legs left in me for the run, so I never felt really winded or like my legs were burning during the ride...and that's how I planned it! So far...so good for Steelhead and I!!
T2, again..nothing special. In and out in around 3:30....and we're off for the run!
My plan for the run was to start the 1st few miles at around a 10min mile pace.. Well, the 1st mile included the main uphill of the race...and I still came in closer to an 8:30 mile?! But..I felt good, so didn't sweat it. The next few miles were around that pace as well (estimated...I wasn't wearing my Garmin, but just used my trusty ol' Pink Polar watch that I just use to keep my total race time...no splits or anything special like that. I try not to get caught up in all that mess) & I was still feeling good...so I quit worrying about pace and quit looking at the watch...and just did some good old fashioned running! The volunteers at the aid stations were awesome & definitely helped us through. After that 1st hill and mile-ish out, we start in on our 2 loops out through a neighborhood and then through the whirlpool campus. The campus, I thought, was delightful! There was part of the run on a trail through some woods, which offered some nice shade.. There was 1 more hill, which we met up with 2 times in the loops, that we got to take on. Lots of folks were walking...but I just charged on (don't get me wrong...I'm sure it was closer to a shuffle...but I wasn't gonna walk it!). Loop #2 still felt pretty good! I actually like having the 13 miles broken up into the out/back and the 2 loops...helped to mentally check through the miles and be ready for the next thing ahead. I chatted with a friendly Canadian for a bit...and then another gal as we entered our final mile of the race.. I couldn't believe it was almost over! Couldn't believe what I had taken on...and what had seemed like such a crazy idea way back in January...it was almost over!! And I was still feeling good. That's crazy! Now...don't misunderstand...I was tired and my legs were a little sore... But all things considered...I was feeling GOOD! So I trucked on for what seemed like a long time...everyone saying I was "almost there" and it's "just around the corner"...finally...I round said corner and there it is...the big finish!! I still can't believe it. It felt so great. I was scanning the crowd looking for my boys...my team Blunck. I saw lots of TNT supporters and friends that had come up to watch..I smiled and high fived... Big finish... where's my guys??!! Well. I guess this is my fault. I had said for months, basically since I started training for this thing.. My goal finish time was 6hrs. Could I do it? I'd be OK with just over 6hrs...but maybe I'll be just under 6hrs.. So this is what Matt was planning on.. So when I cross the line at 5:35...he was with Mason on the swings??!! OH, NO!! No big deal...they came right up and it was great to see them. Matt was amazing keeping Mason entertained through that whole race... Mason was loving the beach and the water and the playground...he was loving all the action! He was excited to see his Mommy..and I was thrilled to see them...
Wow. Like I said... I STILL (even as I write this almost a week later) cannot believe it's over.. But it is! And it was a great success...from start to finish. From joining TNT, to the fundraising and having a great cause to inspire me...to the friends I've made...and to the amazing feeling of meeting and surpassing all of those goals that I set for myself. I would also like to say thank you SO MUCH to everyone for your support. I could NOT have done it without you. A HUGE thanks to my husband...thanks to my parents, aunts and uncles, in-laws, friends...your words of support gave me such a boost! I will cherish those notes forever.
So now what?? Well... I keep trucking along, of coarse. I have a sprint tri in 2 weeks here in town. Then the next weekend I head up to Chicago for an olympic distance race. Then...well...that's still up for debate.. But whatever it is that I do, I'll be doing it with my 'team Blunck' by my side!!! For those still craving more info about my racing and training and family stuff...I'll continue on with my blog...so fear not!! Thanks for listening... Oh, and I'll post some pics... our computer is working super slow right now & I just don't have the patience.. But I'll get 'em up soon!

the Taper begins!

So...this week was the start to our tapering to get us rested and ready for the big race day. This week our taper just meant a little less volume, but still keeping the same intensity going... Next week will be more cutting back on volume and more 'slow and easy' type workouts.. and then the next week will be mostly resting and travel up to event weekend! So this past week...nothing too exciting to report, really. I did get back to my usual monday 'strength and endurance' class this week.. Which I'll do again next week, but definitely will skip it the week of the race. This week we had another gal teaching... Our usual gal is tough and ALWAYS gives a good workout, but this gal was rough, too! I was sore for a few days, but I always love that! Monday, tues and fri I got my swims in. Wednesday I had an early 6mi run (soaked again from the humid mornings) and then we had a long 45mi ride scheduled, so a few from TNT came down to ride the south side that evening for that one. It's been really HOT still, so it was warm..but I felt good for that ride. Thursday was just a shorter spin with my friend, Melissa, whom I met through TNT, but she also goes to the Y with me and trains with that group...her 1/2 IM is this sunday...so good luck to her! Saturday we met up with the group (our crew for group trainings is dwindling, for sure! It's been a long season, but I still really enjoy getting together with the team and coaches for a good workout) for a 40mi ride and a 3mi run. I don't think I took it as 'seriously' as I maybe should have... It's tough to really gear up for a relatively shorter workout after something as tough as the practice last weekend. I felt great on the ride, but I don't think I ate or drank enough because I REALLY felt the heat on the run. BUT, we managed an 8min/mi pace, despite the heat...so, as always, another good day! Tomorrow I'm planning on getting in my 8mi run (not sure of location yet..hilly or flat? with people or alone? decisions, decisions..) and then meeting up with some folks for a swim in the lake! Again...we're still getting some good miles in, but taking it a bit easier.
On the 'honored heros' front... Lauryn got her chemo port taken out last week! Her mom, who's also our asst. coach, Dea, brought it (sterilized, of coarse) to swim practice for us to see...it was quite heavy, actually, and crazy to think it was in that little 6yr old's chest for so long. Luke, our other tri team hero who's also 6 yrs old, has also finished his last round of chemo and should be getting his port out soon, too! So things are looking good there. Their families are very relieved to be done with treatments, but also nervous about possibilities....but they can only be positive! And they are... They really are. It's amazing to see the strength of these moms and kids and families... I can't even imagine what they've been through and for them to come through it all with smiles and determination is really something to see. I'd also like to thank all of my supporters, family and friends again for helping me to surpass my fundraising goals and for staying tuned to all of my trainings and racing. I really appreciate you ALL and could not have done this without you. It's not quite over yet, but I'm feeling a little like this 1st chapter with Team in Training is coming to a close and it has been truly amazing. If anyone out there is contemplating joining TNT for a race...please let me know if you have any questions or anything I can help you with. I HIGHLY recommend joining in the fun for yourself because it is SO rewarding. There are all kinds of events they are involved in, so there's something for everyone! And they really can take all levels of athletes through the steps and get them to where they need to be for their event... So please...if you have any desire at all, you should check it out and give it a try! (or 'tri'...ha ha) I promise you won't regret it. SO. I'll continue to update as we near event day... Thanks, again, for your support and for checking in!

week in review...and finally some pics!

Hello! Well...it's been another great week of training. I guess a quick re-cap of the 'highlights'...After our journey to St. Louis, I went on a leisurely bike ride with a few friends from the Y group on sat evening. Then sunday I did a 'run focused' brick, so did a quick 20-ish miles on the bike followed by a HOT, humid (only way I know how to do it these days, I guess..), hilly 9mi run... overall, I felt OK for that...and very thankful for that sprinkler re-fill for my water bottle about 1/2 way through the run! Then...on monday, which was a holiday for most (4th of July observed?? I'll take it..), I met up w/ some TNT buds, Shawn, Ashley and Joe, (who have kinda been my partners in training this season and have been great support through these past months) for a looooong 80 mile bike ride (route and support courtesy of CIBA...Central Indiana Bike Association... a great crew that hosts longer rides every weekend and training rides around the city during the week)! Definitely the farthest I'd ridden in 1 stretch, but overall...I think it went well. My shoulders were sore (new aero bars...still getting used to it) and my legs felt it the next day...but it was good! Tuesday was just a swim, wednesday a long, early 9mi run and then an evening 25mi ride with my Y buddy, Todd, thursday just a long, early swim...friday OFF to prepare for....our Practice Tri saturday bright at early! This was our chance to really prepare and practice our nutrition, hydration, set up, what we'll wear, etc for the big day... We met out at a teammates parents lake house (which, incidentally, was in the city?!) early, and set out for about a 1mi swim, 50mi ride, and 9mi run. All in all, it took me about 4hrs and 50min, which my goal was to be 'around or under' 5hrs...so met that. I did cross the big finish 1st, but it wasn't set up to be a 'race', really...the ride we had to stop at usual stop lights and signs, etc...not to mention that several of us took wrong turns at some places or got off route a bit (everyone was present and accounted for at the end...and most of our mis-steps were quickly corrected and we were escorted back on track by our 'sag wagon'...it's tough to follow neon green road markings that have been rubbed off by rain!). I ran most of the way with my usual partner, Ashley.. I just happened to have a stonger desire to finish once we pulled toward the end, and ended up coming in a touch in front of her... But, again, all in all...a good day! I feel really good, after that practice, about how race day will go and what I need to do to keep myself feeling good and trucking along for what I'm estimating will take me about 6hrs to finish. A long day, for sure, and I'll be tired at the end, but really...after yesterday, I'm understanding that if you pace it right and keep hydration and nutrition under control, it's not so bad! (no...really!) I think it's all in just training the 'machine'..putting in the hours and the work to get stronger and, most importantly, to build that endurance...and you're set! Anyway...the past few posts I've made mention to pictures and then didn't deliver (due to our apparant determination to lose our camera? finally got it back from where we left it in KC only to leave it in St. Louis!...so quick before we lose it again)...so here goes some pics:

Here's my special boy sporting his major award after his 1st 'fun run'! They had a kids run during the Terre Haute tri that I did in May and they let Mason run it! It was hilarious...last one to finish after a few distractions, but he did it!

Don't I look fast?? Me at the 'big finish' at Terre Haute...3rd place!

Ah...doesn't he look refreshed?? Mason got to run through the fountains at Crown Center in KC while I ran the Hospital Hill 1/2 Marathon...which one of us do you think was having more fun??

Well, it might be a close one, but I think Mason wins this one for having more fun in his run... I enjoy my runs, but the freedom of running like a 2yr old?? I don't think anything beats that

Wow, what a Wednesday!!

So a few weeks back while we were in the hospital with Mason when he got a scary case of croup, Matt's grandmother passed away... So tomorrow, we head to St. Louis for a couple days to spend time with family at her wake and funeral. SO, what this meant for my wednesday??...packing in about 2 days worth of training! We started the fun with a 5am track workout... Which I must mention was made MUCH more enjoyable by the company I had. I didn't think I'd get any takers on a tough, early speedwork run, but I thought I'd at least mention it to the Y tri team coach, Todd, and the team and see what would happen... Well, thanks to Todd and his crew and 1 of the team members, Sarah,...there were 8 of us out there before sun up going round and round (and round and round again..) the middle school track! I felt really good the whole way. It was a 12 x 800's workout, which I figured I'd execute on 5min intervals (run in 4min or under and rest 1 min between sets)... and I'm happy to report that I did each set at about 3:45's and finished my last set in about 3:30! So that was fun. Given that we're going to be gone a few days and I had the long trainings and some work to do, we decided to have Mason go to Miss Debbie's (day care providers house) for the day, which he was plenty happy about!... So I took him over there and then headed off to my next part of today's training... an hr long strength training class. I did fine and it was good. My legs were a bit sore, but all in all, so far so good... So head home for a bit of a rest and lunch, and then off for a 40+ mi bike ride! It was a gorgeous day... I was probably a little slower than my usual pace since I was a little sore and tired, but I made it! So now...rest... I do plan to do a swim workout and maybe a little bike before we head out tomorrow, but after that, rest for about a day and a half! And as much as funerals aren't ever exactly 'fun', it'll be a nice chance to get together with family and celebrate the long, happy life that Dolores Blunck lived. She will be missed, as all of the family held her in high regard as the matriarch of the family... May she rest in peace as she joins her husband that passed many years before her.

I Was Running

So this week was quite 'run heavy', as I like to call it. It seems that with training 3 sports, you inevitably end up with some weeks where you ride and ride and ride...and other weeks where you get lots of time on the ol' dogs, hitting the pavement for mile after mile...and times when I feel like I spent all week in a pool or a lake?! So this week...was a running week...and my achilles/heel is feeling it! I don't think I've talked about this injury in this blog...mostly because I hadn't really had a problem with it for quite some time now, but I have some achilles tendonitis/plantar fascitis deal going on. I did PT for it a few weeks back and it's been pretty well contained with the use of a brace that I sleep with on my foot to keep it in the 'flexed' position, which helps with the pain and scar tissue and things a LOT. This had all started way back in October when I was training for a marathon... Really the only thing that's going to make it 'better', will be when I eventually let it rest... But now is not that time. Anyway, so I ice and advil it up and hope for the best! This week included an 8mi HOT and MUGGY run on wednesday morning (even at 5am I was SOAKED!), then a fairly long brick of 30 miles ride and 5 miles run on thursday, I did a longer brick on saturday with a 50 mile ride and 6 mile run (plus I was all done with that by 8:30am! I had a birthday date with my little boy... turned the big 2!)... And finally... a 12 mile hilly, HOT run sunday morning. Luckily I had some company for that long run because it. was. tough. But here we are! Another week closer to the big race day. We're really starting to wind down here. I'm feeling good (despite my sore leg...it'll be better in a few days, I'm sure... I'll just focus more on the swim and bike this week!). Feeling strong. Feeling PSYCHED about the big day. And, of coarse, reminding myself of the REAL reason that I signed up for this race this season...for our honored heros and all those effected by blood cancers. Our tri team had a bit of a 'roller coaster' deal over the past couple weeks. Our teammate, known as 'Grampie', who is the grandfather of our team's honored hero, Lauryn, and the father of our asst. coach, Dea, successfully finished his race at Elkhart, which was the Olympic distance...but noticed a headache throughout the race and wasn't feeling well... He learned he had a torn thoracic aorta and needed emergency surgery?! But he's doing quite well now, so we're all thankful for that. But his strength and determination continues to inspire us all. So.... here we go to another week!