31 days and counting . . .

31 days left until IM LOUISVILLE. I'm excited, nervous, terrified . . . .etc. Mostly I am ready for the race. Maybe not training-wise, but I am ready to have the time / energy to clean the house again. I am ready to sleep in on a Sat. morning. I am ready to do more yoga and less gotta get it done training. I'm ready to be an Ironman, again!

This is not helping . . .

Last night I was watching 20/20 or whatever news show that was on ABC w/ Diane Sawyer. The program was a tribute to Randy Pausch, the author and Carnegie Melon professor. He recently passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer. It was a very touching show, I had to turn it off before it stared talking about his kids.
His wife was being interviewed before his death and one thing really stuck out in my head. She said that a therapist taught her to stop and tell herself, "This is not helping." when she started to go to the really dark place. Now loosing your husband to cancer is a whole different ballpark than an ironman but I think I will use her thoughts (and think about her strength) with my training.
It's easy w/ training to go to the dark place. I think I often go to that place when I am not performing as well as I expect of myself. I start to beat myself up and do that horrible negative self talk. This morning when I was getting dropped on the group run I tried it. I asked myself, Is this helping? The answer was no. So I let go and just ran.
So, in your training and in your life when it gets negative or low stop and ask: Is this helping? If not you need to make a change.

RE-Evaluating Goals

So I looked back on goals that I set for myself before mono:
Goals
I have to say, they haven't changed that much.
-I think I have had more balance this year than last between home life & training. There is still work to be done, but I am a work in progress so I'll take progress.
-I have done better on the bike & had many more miles in training than last year. An hour off of last year's time might be a tad ambitious, but I am an ambitious gal.
-Hmmm, 30 - 45 min. off the marathon time might not happen, my running has been the most affected by the mono but again, shoot for the moon, right?
-I placed 2nd at Smith Mountain Lake this year. That was my first time placing at this event so I felt great about that trophy!
-Anna did her kids' tri 2 weeks ago and had a blast. It was a very positive experience. Training for the bigger race (Rambl'n Rose) is coming slow, but it's coming.
-As for the long term goal, I'm going to focus on this year and just let the future be in the future.

I found my 'intention' that a training client wrote me for last year's race. It was:

I see myself & Paul easily & effortlessly completing the Ironman in our perfect time. I see us relaxed, having fun & remembering every second of the experience. This or something better now manifest in our life & so it is!!
I think this year's intention is:
I see myself completing the Ironman in MY perfect time. I will dedicate my day to Garrett, give this race my all and that will be enough. This or something better now manifest in my life & so it is!

Saturday Mornings

This week I got my long ride in on Friday while the kids were with my sister in law. We did a crazy all over town 70 mile ride followed by a 6 mile run. It was a lot of fun but some of that might have been delerium setting in around mile 50 of the bike.

Because of the long workout Friday I got to sleep in today (sleep in on a Sat.?! It's almost unheard of) & have breakfast w/ the kids (grits for me, whole grain Pop-tarts for them - yeah, I know, it's still bad for them but a little bad is o-k with me) then cake baking w/ my son. We are trying out a new Gluten Free cake mix in preperation for his 6th birthday on Tues. If I find a gluten free mix that is yummy I can start sharing in the birthday cake at family celebrations!!