IMTX Block #3 - You Learn

Well hello there!  Two blogs in a week?  I'm on a roll.  (Or something like that)

So, just to mess with me, Block #3 for IMTX was a little different(c'mon mean dude!) - rather than the standard three weeks build, one week recover, this was a two week build and one week recover.  Which means, as I write this, I'm on block 4 already (Yes, still alive)- but with the insanity that this week has brought, I'm a little behind (apologies). 

Block 3, again, was wild - by this point, some things are second nature - I rarely have a day off, but one day a week is only a swim, which works perfectly.  I'm used to HR training, and the different style of nutrition and increased bricks seem to be working out rather well. I literally have never been on this aggressive of a calorie input during cycling (did you guys KNOW you needed fuel to do fast shit??  I KNOW).  In other words, I'm hitting all of my deliverables - and at the end of a build week, set a new 5 mile PR (and a 5k PR nestled in- woot!) for road racing!

What could possibly go wrong?  Duh, it was time for a mental breakdown! Naturally, when everything is working, the next step is to start dissecting why it can't possibly BE working, right?  With Texas a little more than a month away, at this point in the training game, I reverted into every Type A bullshit triathlete tendency - to pick apart WHY it wasn't working. WHAT we needed to change.  WHO was saying it looked wrong.  In other words, I became my own worst enemy.

First and foremost, I'll start off by admitting that my own little world outside of training, quite frankly, is a giant mess right now.  I won't get into details, but at some point, I'll address it more fully- but for brevity, in 2023, it seems as if the only thing I can hold together decently is this damned training. That's not a pride thing. And for what it's worth, I've debated pausing this Ironman more times than I care to admit - but it wouldn't fix anything I have going on outside of it. (This is not meant to be rainbows - I'm being real - it's not perfections and unicorns). So what do you do when you can't change something?  You change the way you look at it.  And in my case, I dealt with it a few ways - and the first one had nothing to do with multisport.

So, anyone that's anyone got an earful from me this past month. That's not necessarily a bad thing -   I've simply said what's on my mind. I think...I just got very tired of keeping everything inside and opted for that whole "20 seconds of courage" state that led me to some very wonderful and some very stupid places. (Note that I don't regret either).  I opened up to people and shared what was going through my head and what I was struggling with (hello, brave post) and honestly - I am so damned glad I did. 

I have a few relationships that are stronger for it, one that's hopefully on that path, and a few that...might not be.  But as I am fast learning, you can't dodge turning 40 and all that proverbial bullshit that goes with it - seems to be that mid life crisis will show up in one way or another. (Damno).  Why not do it fully? And so, I'm jumping. Maybe sometimes off of a cliff....Some of my world has been rocked, for sure, but at the end of the day, I'm feeling so much stronger and so much more ME than I have in awhile. And that is damned awesome. 

I also found out this cycle who is NOT in my corner, which was foreign to me.  I'd never really thought about the fact that some people....might not be what they seem.  Or might have an agenda. Or be on my side.  Et Tu Brute?  And I'll tell you....while some of those individuals did not shock me, some of them holding the knife after stabbing me in the back shocked the shit out of me.  I still shake my head at it, but I'm learning to deal with it and move on.  You can't win 'em all. And at the end of the day....I'm stronger for it. 

With that....I cannot even fathom the people that have caught me during this cycle.  It has been wild.  I never....ever....realized what a crazy strong group of amazing friends I've had....and this cycle taught me that all around. That I don't always have to kick ass.  Or be strong.  And that it's okay to admit it.  Mean Dude is one of them - this guy barely knew me four months ago and has just been so in my corner I thank my lucky stars every day our paths connected (and even though I won that race bet, I'm aware this dude is gonna need alcohol and therapy for the shit he deals with.  I'm on it.)  As far as "training" goes, its a mix of Mean Dude's vision and some key players that made this block kick ass. 

What, we need to talk about triathlon in an Ironman post?  Fine.  Let's do it. 

It starts with the swim.  There have been a few key differences in my swim that had me concerned, and after making the pivotal mistake of trying to compare my new plan with my old plan, I fell down the rabbit hole of doubt because of the differences.  So, of course, I whined to Mean Dude, who, the amazing guy he is, listened and offered two things - rationale and compromise.  What a damned coach. Have I discussed how freaking awesome he is?  He listens, explains, and even caught me crying this time around.  And he hasn't run yet.  Damn. 

  Right after that conversation,  I swam a TT best for the 2000 and told him I was a fucking idiot.  He laughed at me (that was the point) and we had a good conversation about what it looks on the outside, the bigger picture, and the WHY of my current plan.  Point taken.  It's really hard to trust when there is so much on the line, and ever since I have started working with Mean Dude, there is zero reason not to trust.  This re-affirmed everything I needed to know, and even though there will be more mental game as we get closer, I feel much better. 

 I also have been caught....both in the pool and out of the pool...by my new friend Bear more times than I can count this month - someone I just met last summer has become such a wonderful addition to my life, whether its 5am smiles at the pool, a burger and a beer and chatting about life, or surprise treats to cheer me up as I navigate a tough time.  I still don't know how some people cross my path, but I am forever grateful for it.

The bike has been a constant here - the biggie on the bike has been nutrition.  Mean Dude has me on an aggressive intake, which was foreign to me but is working SO well.  I am running strong off the bike and I hope this translates well to Texas! All the long rides are so structured and timing for HR and nutrition, that I am never bored.  I rode 5 hours during this block with only music and it went by so damned fast.  Even though my outdoor rides ill be limited this time around, the goal for block 4 is to get some short and sweet rides in to work on handling, putting on my aero helmet correctly (whistles innocently) and not biff it in T2 (Whistles even more innocently). 

The run - continues to be amazing for a few reasons.  I'm getting faster, feeling stronger, and I have my crew.  The dumpster crew.  God these guys are amazing.  Whether its a group Dumpster run through the mountains of Fairport with Dave leading the call, or a post 100 mile off the bike T run with Laura keeping me sane - the pickup line of "Get in loser, we're going running" is strong.  I've laughed during these runs.  I've cried during them.  I know all their shit and they know mine.  And these are from people I just met last year.  I cannot believe how vested they are in me as a person and athlete and I am so incredibly grateful.

It's been such a full year already, and I have no idea where it will take me - but I am feeling so strong.  I love every minute of it - and continue to post all my dumb shit on Instagram and Facebook so y'all can laugh and follow along - not with the numbers, which will be important on one day - April 22 - but for the WHY.  The WHY is strong, and even though I've got support from places I never expected...I am so incredibly grateful for it. And that might be the key this time around.  For years I have felt like an

imposter and now...I don't.  I feel like I belong.  And that I'm ready....for whatever life brings. 

Aside from the SBR, there's all my other wonderful friend that have helped address that "headcase game" this time around.  For my older sisters...the one that talks me off a ledge regarding my stupid decisions and the one that offers to drop everything when I'm falling.  For my twin....that will let me ramble about training and life ad nauseum and remind me to kick ass....damn.  And for that 3am that reminds me who the eff I am when I need it - and exactly what that means.  I Am. So. frickin lucky. I don't think about that enough.  But I recognize it. 

As I write this, race day is less than a month away.  I have no idea what that will look like, and it for sure looks a hell of a lot different than I thought it would even four months ago. And you know what?  I'm gonna roll with it and bring it. 

Because.... I want it.  And I love it.  And I'm ready.  Bring it, Texas!

Running of The Green 2023: Take You On

And with that, we have officially kicked off the 2023 racing season!  Woot!  Last weekend was "Running of the Green" 5 miler, formerly known as "Johnny's", not formerly known as Prince. This race is pretty much accepted as the start of the Rochester race season - we have a few winter races aptly named "Freezaroo" for the idiots brave people (that's not me), but St. Patrick's day (ish) has always been our season opener where the running community all gathers to celebrate running, beer, and and partying! (maybe not in that order)

I have done this race several times dating back to 2005 - I hit a huge PR back in 2019 when I decided to actually be an athlete (I know, jury is still out) of 35:24 - and have been itching to break it since.  2020 and 2021 we don't talk about (though we did do a pretty sweet "Dirty Leprachaun" race in 2020 - and ahem, that was about as fun as the name implies). In 2022 I was ready to drop the hammer - and had a complete dumpster fire of a race that ironically, led me to one of my new running besties, aptly named "Dumpster Fire"! (Why do you people read about my life??)

So, here we were, 2023!  This year was again off a build week in a prep for Ironman, where last year taught me - you can't race speed if you don't train it.  Turns out, I don't listen very well (are you surprised) so I set my goal  the same as 2022 - to break that 7 minute mile, which was a sub 35 (depending on course length.)  My 7:01 pace from 2019 irked me in stupid ways - I never thought I had any business running that fast, but here we were, and of course, I wanted more. By at least 2 seconds a mile.  Sights set for this year - a 6:59 pace, whatever that was by race distance.

According to Mean Dude, it was a 34:59.  Deal.  Mean Dude runs a lot faster than me, so we made what he considered a fair bet for the race - I got a 6 minute "head start" so if my time was less than six minutes off his, I won.  More, and he won.  The stakes were high here - a dollar and a beer.  Woah.  We are big players! (With serious race faces).

Leading up to the race, I had a big build week, much like 2022 - Thursday I did a 100 mile ride and an hour run off the bike, and was working with increased volume as Ironman is the real goal here.  Friday was light (way to stack the deck, Mean Dude) and Saturday I had some pretty legit instructions that poor Mean Dude tried to give me both pre race and day of.  I was completely listening the week of and not at all the morning of.  He'll learn. 

If you know me at all, the concept of "super serious" is usually not my MO race day, especially with local races - at least until I toe the line and pretend to be an athlete. I've pretty much made friends with dozens of runners through the craziness of our sport - and continue to meet new ones every time we get together to party race!  I repped the Roadkill team this time around, but hung out with the RATs, Grim Reapers, Wolfpack, RWB, and my fellow dumpster runners.  It was a total social hour and poor Mean Dude finally gave up on me being a serious athlete (does he not follow me on social media??)  about a half hour in, but he at least talked me into a warm up...but not out of my fuzzy green mustache that I donned pre race. (Win some, lose some).  

After prancing around like an idiot and meeting a bunch of new people (Blake Landry where have you been my whole life (he wore the stache better)) I finally got down to business and headed out to line up. The weather was so so - slushy, cold and slight wind that would make the trip back tougher, but nothing crazy.  The course was new for the year - a little more elevation, more turns, but fair.  I had explicit instructions from a few friends that my only goal was to beat Mean Dude, but I forgot my rocket shoes so the race was on!

Mile 1: 6:23

What in the ever loving shit was that??  My instructions were to not go out too hard, and according to my inner perceived effort, this did not feel hard (note that I would find out WHY in about 20 minutes LOL) but the fact that the second fastest mile of my life - ever- was at mile 1 was a little concerning.  I felt great, though - and what do we do when we make bad decisions?  Well, we own them with pride and move the hell on!

Miles 2 and 3 were pretty uneventful, at 6:50 and 7:04 - I passed the Fleet Feet cheering section just before mile 2 and was informed I was 2 minutes back from Mean Dude (apparently this was now a thing!- I also got my update at 4 miles in (4 minutes)) and saw the dude himself before I hit the turnaround.  He looked awesome.  I was totally faking it.  As I turned, a headwind hit me in the face and now I understand the speedy "out" portion of the course - whoops.

I hit the 5k in 20:42 which was another PR - I'll take it but slightly concerning in the fact that I had almost two miles to go....have I made a grave mistake?? (possibly) (yes). 

The back portion was fun only in the fact that I got to see all my favorites as they killed this course - I had four athletes racing and they all netted some pretty sweet times, two of them PRing and the other two surpassing their goals!  Me?  I was hurting.  I was running low 7s and the only thing that kept me going was this random Roadkill girl I kept leapfrogging with - I want to throw some kind words her way but there were none.  Hit mile 4 in 27 and change and knew that if the course was 5 miles (it wasn't) and I dug deep, I would hit that sub 35.  

So I did what I do best right now - I amped it up and figured if I went down, it would be swinging.  My concept of pain has been really redefined this year (I'm not sure its a good thing, but in this case it was!) so I've gotten much better at battling it.  Roadkill girl passed me with a half a mile to go, and I stayed on her heels, almost biting it at the last left turn on some slush (graceful, I'll never be).

The last little bit weas all uphill, and I could see the finish line ticking at 34:15, 20....and my coach was absolutely losing his shit on me to move my ass (in the sweetest was possible!)  Of course, I gunned it in - and crossed the finish line in 34:42 - for 5.07 miles and a 6:51 pace.

I'd like to say I threw a party at this huge PR, but instead I tried to throw up as Mean Dude and the Dumpster fire team congratulated me - I took a few minutes to become human again and found Roadkill girl, who's name is Alexi and now we are running buddies (funny how that works).  She is training for the mile.  I'm training for Ironman.  This is perfect.

Caught up with Mean Dude who posted a 29:30 which means - he is a badass - and also - I WON THE BET.  HELL YEAH!  I was doing my little dance (and Mean Dude was probably seriously questioning my energy post race) when one of my favorites called my name - IT WAS BARRY!  Barry, a fellow Grim Reaper (I told you, I join every team) and I have an excellent history with beer and this race, and the awesome dude that he is, cracked a cold one for me right at the finish line.  Awww.  (Poor Mean Dude was a little sad in the background he lost - but super happy as a coach!)

I hung around the finish to cheer on the husband and my athletes, who all did great.  A quick results check - and holy crap - I placed!  3rd in my AG out of 78 and the top 5% of women - and I'm blown away.  Last year was such a crap show that I couldn't believe I had found my zooms for this race, and I'm super happy with the result - there were some speedy women as this was a USATF prize purse race!

We hung around and ate donuts he size of our faceand socialized with new friends - the husband wasn't feeling great and disappeared for a bit (poor guy - don't worry, I played chauffer and got him into bed when we got home) but was good enough to hang so I could get my super fun pint glass and socks as an AG award.

Team Dumpster Fire took it home with AG awards, and Mean Dude won his AG - it was such a good day - good racing, good party, good friends.  

And you can't ask for more of a season opener!  The day after the race Dave (Team Dumpster - left) took Laura (Team Dumpster - right) and I on a 16 mile long run that included Loud Rd - with almost  1000 feet elevation gain total. So glad we took it easy. Ooof.  Because....what's next?

Oh just some little race in Texas :)  5 weeks, baby!