Reunited

GOOD MORNING!! And it is a Good Morning! After 5 busy days of no planned exercise (I don't count paddling around my brother in laws above ground pool exercise), I went running this morning with my friend JT (AKA Bike Mom). We've been working on running with the help of Ease into 5K. This week we're on Week 4 Day 2. (5 min warm-up, run 4 min, walk 2, run 6, walk 3, run 4, 5 min cool down) It was great! We actually went farther today than we did last Wednesday do the same times. 2.20 miles in stead of 2.06! Woo Hoo! The Peaches and Herb song, Reunited. Keeps going through my head! I usually don't like running until I finished, and I'm sitting on my couch with a snack but today "it feels so good!"

Cutoffs

I was talking to my hubby (Big Man) about the cutoffs for the Tempe Ironman. I knew it was going to be the longest day of my life but I don't think I understood how long it was going to be.

The cutoff for the 2.4 mile swim is 2 hours and 20 minutes. With a mass start, that means I wont even touch the water for 5-10 minutes if no longer (I don't want to be elbowed in the head!). That gives me about 2 hours to finish the swim. If I don't, goodbye $675 entry fee, time to go home! The cutoff for the 112 mile bike is 10 hours and 30 minutes from the official start. This means that if it takes me 2 hours to finish the swim only have 8 1/2 hours to finish. That means I have to go 13.2 mph. If I don't, BahBye! You are NOT an Ironman! The cutoff for the 26.2 (a Freakin' Marathon!) is 17 hours or Midnight. If I don't make it the lights turn off, everyone goes home, Mike Reilly WILL NOT be calling my name. That's the ultimate goal to hear those 5 words!

Awkward

The other day, I posted about my new awesome, super amazing tri suit that I just LOVE! And I still LOVE it!! But there is one slight problem. While I was swimming, my suit got tight around my body, legs, and back.(Ooo Nice! Like a hug while I swim!). When the pool closed I got out, showered off, and was walking to my locker and that's when I noticed. The nice swimming hug was actual the suction of the suit to my body, which isn't a problem except around my...umm... posterior.

It wasn't too bad for me (like I said, a hug while I swim) but  don't know how others feel about seeing my spandex clad bottom (which is pretty small and cute for my size) in all its suctioned glory! I don't know how I'm going to remedy this situation (I'm not buying a new suit that's for sure!) but hopefully when race time comes, no one is watching my bum jiggle!

Mentally Tough

Today was a LONG day (I'm writing this post on Friday but not posting until Monday just because I can! Ha Ha!)! My sister is blessing her baby on Sunday, we had Big Man's family reunion tonight (he and Mr Man are still there camping out while I type), there has been child tantrums, and mommy break downs. When I finally get home and put Little Man to bed (2 hours late), I pull up Meredith at SwimBikeMom's blog and read today's post. Its about a post she read about 7 habits of mentally strong people.

HA! Mentally Strong! I didn't even want to read it! I DO NOT feel mentally strong today! I feel beat and broken and weak! We all have day like I've had today where you have 100,000 things to do and at a specific time to do them and no enough energy or patience to get them all done. If I wasn't so tired I'd be drowning in the tub of freezer burned Cookie Dough Ice Cream that is sitting in the back of my fridge. But despite my poor picked on me attitude, I read Meredith's post and I even click on the original post that she read.

The things that I learned today, even Bad A, Ironman completing, Rock Stars crash and say choice swear words as they pick themselves up. And that being Mentally Strong is a journey and we all crash along the way and say choice swear words as we pick our selves up. I'm not ready to pick myself up. I ready to sleep and hopefully in the morning I will be my happy chipper self.  A few things that I'm taking away from the Business Insider post that will help me in the morning (the last most of all):

-"Pray as if God will take care of all; act as if all is up to you"

-Focus only on Impressing Yourself

-Count your blessings

I am truly blessed and I thank the Lord everyday for my wonderful family, my physical health, for my mental ability, and for the Love of my Savior. I hope you all have a wonder night! I'm going to bed to rejuvenate and replenish my pep!

Pearl Izumi

After a long and intensive search, I finally found a Tri Suit!! Oh My Goodness people! Can we just say horrible! I finally found a couple of one piece suits that I was able to try on (the nerd that I am, I almost wrote "Tri on" I know! I'm a nerd but I refrained myself this time! Feel lucky cuz I wont next time). I went to Elite Tri Sport and they had some Desotos and those were nice and then I went to UtahRun had some TYR and Peal Izumi. I tried them all on and decided that this one was the one for me!!

Pearl Izumi Elite In-R-Cool

I love it! Its soft in the shoulders. Tight but not pinching. I can't say enough about it! Just the best! (By the way- This is NOT an actually picture of me but I wish I was that skinny and tan!)

So I found it and because I'm cheap, I couldn't just buy it there. I came home did a bunch of research found the best price, checked reviews, and thought about it a lot. I finally took Big Man and the boys back to UtahRun to make sure BM thought it was as nice as I did. After getting the Ok I decided to take to the manager about the price. I would much rather buy local but I found the same suit online for $40 cheaper. Luckily, UtahRun price matches so I was able to go home with my suit!! I can't wait to try it out!

Complements

I have never been on a swim team. I've never had a swim lessons. I just love to swim! I usually just kick and flail my arms to try and propel myself forward and usually it works fairly well. Now that I'm training for Triathlons, I've decided its time to get better. I've been reading articles and watching a lot of YouTube videos. Some days, I feel like I'm a swimming rock star. Other days,  feel like a wet dog trying to tread water. Today was one of those days. I just wasn't feeling like I was in the zone. I swam my quick 400 meters, then I started in on my slow and steady 1/2 mile. When I finished (20 minutes later) I was ready for a breather. I hit the wall and took a deep breath, and took off my swim cap. Then I hear her.

 "We are jealous of you!" Who? Me? What? I started talking to lovely lady and her 2 friends. "You most have been on a swim team!" No. "You're so smooth in the water and your elbow are in the perfect form." Really? Wow! "And I the way you breath is amazing! You turn almost perpendicular and you breath on both sides!" I just did what the YouTube video said to do.

This women and her friends made my day and turned a flailing dog day into a swimming rock star day! They even asked me how I do it and asked for pointers! Me! Like a actually know what I'm doing! It's amazing what a few complements from a stranger can do for your self esteem. Thank you sweet lady and your lovely friends. You made my day!!

Shopping

I hate shopping! I know, I know! Most women say that but the truth is I do! I have been, as my mom says, "Big Boned" my whole life. And now I'm on the hunt for a Tri Suit. If you don't know a Triathlon Suit is typically a full body skin tight suit made of a moisture wicking material (similar to a swimsuit) that has a pad in the short for cycling. Examples. These are but for your "typical" triathlete (Insert size 2 Perkies). I am not excited about the prospect of biking and running in a swimming suit but to cut time, I will do just about anything! Even go running (with all my rolls) in a skin tight suit.

Where I live in Utah, almost everyone is a runner. I have checked every running store within an hour of my house and have found no more than a total of 5. Most in Small. (NOPE) There are 2 actual Triathlon stores near me. They carry mostly 2 piece suits. I have no hips to keep the shorts up and I don't want to have to worry about tops riding up and shorts falling down. I was actually told by one store that the 1 pieces are out of style (apparently even in the tri world I'm not in Vogue!).

Next stop, Google! I have found lost of Tri suits online but that poses another problem. Which one do I order? There are at least 10 major brands. All of which have different patterns, fabrics, size charts, colors, inseams. Yeah! Inseams- 5 in, 7 in, 9 in! I didn't even know you can have that many options. I just want to find a store that has a variety of brands and sizes so I can decide which I like best. You know how you can have 5 pairs of pant, all the same size, color, cut, fabric but 1 just "feels" better? I just want to make sure I love them. I'm not going to spend this much money if I'm not absolutely sure! Let's hope I can make this choice soon! The Murray Tri is quickly approaching!

Murray

I did it! I've signed up for my first Triathlon in 2 year! The Murray Youth and Family Triathlon is a super sprint Triathlon. A 200 yard swim, 5.4 mile bike, and 1.2 mile run. I did this Triathlon in 2012 and finished with a 47:55.6 time, 27 out of 41 women, 5 out of 9 in my age group. Not a bad finish for my first Triathlon. I'm hoping to cut at least 7 minutes off my time (I would cry tears of joy if I could get it under 30). Who wants to do it with me? I know you'll love it!!

Tempe

7 years! That's how long I've giving myself to complete an Ironman. 7 years before I the longest day of my life! OK! I picked the when now there where. I got on the Ironman website and started watching videos of each race and location. And then I saw it! COZUMEL, MEXICO- White sand beaches, bright blue water. It's not a race, It's Heaven! and then I read "three-lap bike course in Cozumel is pancake-flat, taking competitors along the spectacular coastline of beaches and resorts."

Did they just say the best words I've every heard? Pancake-flat?! That is the holy grail to my incline hating body! I can picture me now, cruising along the coast, sipping from my water bottle (could I sneak a Virgin Daiquiri in there?), enjoying the sun! Perfect! This is the race for me!  I watch me videos of the Cozumel Ironman. Apparently because the island is so flat, there are horrible cross winds is you are late on the bike but I'm awesome! I wont be late...Will I? White Sand beaches!! This is the race for me! Now I have the when and where, maybe I should start planning on raising the money for the race.

 I look it up. $675. WOW! Ok! Pricey but I've got time to earn it. No problem. If I'm doing the race, I'll want to go at least 3 day early to get a feel of the course, test out the water, etc. And I wouldn't want to leave the next day so I'd be there for 5-6 days. Hotels are from $70-150 a night ($350-750). WOW! Ok! Lots of time to earn it. Its fine! No problem! Plane tickets $800-1200 per person. My hubby (Big Man) has to come (He has no choice but he'd still pick to come cheer me on). Ok! Cheapest options $2,625. Pricey but I can raise the money! That's all I need. Oh wait! It's in Mexico! Do I need a passport? No Yes No Maybe! Ok! Maybe I should really check to see if someone has done actual research into which Ironman is the hardest.

I found some awesome charts on RunTri. Cozumel is 9th hardest Ironman. There is a race in St. George (just 3 hours away); #1 hardest Ironman! We'll that's not going to happen! I keep scrolling and there is a chart:




All of the North American locations are doable but far, except Arizona. IRONMAN TEMPE- "A flat, fast, spectator-friendly course with a mix of urban charm and desert scenery."  There's my favorite word again! FLAT! It's also a single loop run instead of a double like Cozumel (who wants to run past the same things?). Registration-$700. Hotel-FREE (I've got family there) Plane-FREE (11 hour drive with a stop in Vegas to pick up my Dad and Stepmom). Total $1,000 (includes gas money and road trip food!) This is much better! I can do without the white sand beaches and blue water!

Mark your calendars! November 2021 Tempe Arizona, Ironman Competition!

Inspiration

In my last post, I said that I didn't know where the idea came from to do an Ironman. Well I lied. I had come a crossed a blog that inspired me. I don't remember how I found the Swim Bike Mom blog, maybe I had searched too many 5k's and Sprint Triathlons and my internet cookies decided THIS is the blog for her! Who knew! Anyways! I found Meredith's website/blog and fell in love! She is sassy and feisty and sometimes hates working out. She wrote what I was thinking! I have read a bunch of tips and articles about triathlons and training and most (insert ALL) of them are written by size 2 "Perkies" that never eat cookies and spend 23 1/2 hours in the gym (the other 1/2 hour is spent looking perfect). But Meredith is a plus sized momma like me. After a night of cyber stalking and speed reading her blog from the beginning I told myself, "Just because I'm a luscious curly mom, why can't I do an Ironman? Meredith is a big girl too and look SHE can do it and so can I!" And that ladies and gentlemen is when this crazy idea implanted itself into my brain and it has no intensions of leaving!

Ironman

I got this idea in my head. It's a crazy idea but its there and I cant get it out. I want to be an Ironman! I'm 29, 5'5 1/2' (Ok! 5'5" but one time I stretched really hard and was 5'5 1/2"), 175 (WooHoo!! I've lost 17 lbs in 3 months), and a mother of 2 boys (5 and 1).  I do not look like a Triathlete. I am not a size 2 with perky boobs. I'm a top heavy size 14 momma with no hips and a wicked love of Peanut Butter M&M's.  I hate running and being hot. I love swimming but loath bike rides that are longer than my driveway. How in the world did this idea creep into my head? I've been watching videos and looking at pictures and the idea keeps getting implanted deeper! So I say here and now I pronounce it to the internet: In 7 years I will hear Mike Reilly say, "Jessica! YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!"