Y’all, Ironman Texas training is DONE!! I MADE IT!
(If you missed the first three updates they’re here, here, and here.)
Back in January, a friend asked me if I was excited about the training and I honestly replied, “No, I’m actually kinda dreading it.”
Blunt, but it was the truth. I was dreading it, and around the time of Big Bend, I was having a pretty serious case of buyers remorse. It was unknown. It was scary. I didn’t really want to do it. But I was registered; I didn’t have a choice.
The hardest part of training was actually near the beginning of March. My body wasn’t getting enough rest and I was struggling to consume enough calories. Once I figured out that I needed more sleep, and I abandoned the notion that all food going in my body needed to be healthy, things started going much more smoothly.
Apparently, there are times in life when it is okay to eat four bowls of Lucky Charms in a single sitting. This is one of those times.
The process of training changed me more than I could have imagined. Not only physically (we’ll get to that later) but emotionally also. Forcing myself through early morning swims that I didn’t want to do and spending 6 hours on a bike that was going nowhere worked my mental muscles as much as it did my physical ones. I am stronger now than I ever was before, both in my body and in my mind…not to mention, my time management skills ROCK.
Who knew you could spend nearly 24 hours working out in a single week?
| AM | PM | Total Training Time | Calories Burned | |
| Monday (4/2/18) | 3000 meter swim (10x100m & 10x50m intervals) | 4 mile trail run | 3 hours | 3,137 |
| Tuesday (4/3/18) | 2 hour trainer bike ride (3×5 mins fast) + 1 mile run | 12 mile run (3×5 mins fast) | 4 hours | 3,069 |
| Wednesday (4/4/18) | 3000 meter swim (4x400m intervals) | REST! | 1.5 hours | 2,239 |
| Thursday (4/5/18) | 2 hour easy trainer bike ride | 3.1 mile swim! | 3 hours | 3,009 |
| Friday (4/6/18) | 114 mile bike ride!! + 1 mile run | 8 hours | 3,776 | |
| Saturday (4/7/18) | REST | 26.2 mile run | 4 hours | 3,626 |
| Sunday (4/8/18) | REST DAY!!!!! | |||
| TOTAL | 23.5 hours | 18,856 | ||
The hard work is done. The hay is in the barn.
Yadda, yadda, yadda…all those things.
I. AM. READY.
Even more, I’m ready for some rest.
Body Composition
Last year, when I was peaking for Boston, I weighed 122 pounds and was 20% body fat. Right now peaking for Ironman Texas, I’m also 20% body fat – but I weigh 134 pounds. I’ve put on 12 pounds of muscle in the last year.
You think that running is a full body exercise? Nope. I’ve got 12 pounds of muscle to prove that it’s not.
All you runners, go cross train!
| Pre-Ironman 7/27/17 |
IMTX Week 11 3/8/2018 |
IMTX Peak 4/9/2017 |
+/- | |
| Weight | 128.8 lbs | 132.4 lbs | 134.6 lbs | +5.8 lbs |
| Upper Arms | 10″ | 11″ | 11.25″ | +1.25″ |
| Chest | 33″ | 33.5″ | 33.75″ | +.75″ |
| Waist (around hourglass) | 27.5″ | 27.5″ | 27″ | -.25″ |
| Waist (around bellybutton) | 33.5″ | 31″ | 30.5″ | -3″ |
| Hips | 37″ | 36″ | 36″ | -1″ |
| Thighs (at largest) | 22.5″ | 22.5″ | 22.5″ | same |
| Thighs (3″ above knee) | 17.75″ | 17″ | 17″ | -0.75 |
| Calves (at largest) | 14″ | 14″ | 14.5″ | +.5″ |
Prior to peak week I was actually 136 pounds for a total weight gain of 7.2 pounds. But despite my best efforts to eat enough, I lost a little over a pound during peak week.
Oh yeah. I promised y’all pictures…
BEFORE (taken 7/27/17)
AFTER (taken 4/9/18)
Different swimsuit, and you’ll have to forgive the fake smile. It was about 55 degrees outside. Burrr.
My shoulders have broadened noticeably, my legs have gotten even more muscular (I didn’t know that was possible!), and HOLY ABS BATMAN! I feel like the Incredible Hulk.
Here they are side-by-side.
Looking Back
I love seeing growth and accomplishment – regardless of what that accomplishment is.
When I started swimming a little over a year ago, I hated the pool. I hated everything about swimming. Being underwater felt claustrophobic. But, as training progressed my attitude toward the pool changed. A couple of weeks ago when I jumped in the pool for those first few, very cold laps, I experienced something new. The cold water felt GOOD. It was soft and silky as it engulfed my body. I could feel it gliding over my arms and torso as I swam. It was a feeling I’d never had before. I was actually happy to be in the water.
16 months ago, I couldn’t swim a lap without stopping. Last Thursday, I swam 100 laps, and my feet never hit the ground.
Proof that you can do anything given enough time and determination.
Final Thoughts
I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t scared, and I’d be lying if I told you I haven’t thought that I COULD be getting on a plane to Boston this week. I was thinking about that on my long run Saturday. Not knowing if I’ll ever get to go back to Boston, but knowing full well that I passed up a chance to go this year was weighing heavily on my mind. It makes Ironman Texas all the more important. I gave up something BIG to get there. I gave up Boston. I’m gonna make it count.
Regardless of how the race itself goes, I can be proud of the work I put in and the crazy things that I’ve trained my body (and mind) to do. Much like Boston, there’s no guarantee that I will get to do it again. Life happens. Circumstances change. All this I know. I’ve put everything I have into it. I’ll give it my all, and be proud of the accomplishment.
The next two weeks will be spent resting, healing, maintaining the fitness level I’ve worked so hard for, and trying not to go insane. Keyword: trying.
18 DAYS PEOPLE!! BRING IT ON!