Friday, May 8, 2015

A weekend training in Coeur D Alene, and some other stuff

On the trip back from my Coeur D Alene and Blue Fire Ironman training camp I decided to think of three things that I got out of the weekend that I would not have gotten other wise. Then it ended up being five things then I thought I might as well go to ten.

1. I learned about nutrition on the bike and run legs of an Iron distance triathlon. Coach Mary was great at making sure we (LIAnne and Barb, and I) were thinking about what we would eat on the bike and on the run. I have to be aware ahead of time where the nutrition stations are located and what they will offer. I need to make sure that I stay on schedule with what I will eat and at what times. Use in training what you will use in the race!
***I also will stick to my normal smoothie in the am before a race and watch what I eat the day before.

2. Learned about pacing with the bike on an IM course.

3. I am excited to do Canada Ironman at Whistler! I already did know that. Whereas, Coeur D Alene IM is not making me as enthusiastic as IMC.  It was fun training on it and being there along side other athletes riding or running for whatever race they were getting ready for.

4. I seem to be snoring a lot when I sleep. It is allergy season and I must remember to take my meds. I also realize that I should invest in Breath Right strips. I am not breathing very well at night and this forced me to sleep alone. Sorry Mary.

5. I learned that I need to be more mindful and take into account the wind direction for when I do a farmers hanky when I am on the bike and someone I like is biking behind me. Sorry LiAnne.

6. Mary discussed with us all the drop bags that an athlete will have to put stuff in and have access too at various points in the IM race. A bag to take bike stuff out and put wet stuff in. One for run stuff and to but bike stuff in. Even a couple of bags to put special stuff in to wear, eat or apply mid bike and run! I am going to come up with a special treat to put in those bags that will help boast my spirit during the race.

7. I have learned this weekend that I am starting to become a good climber of hills on the bike. I am usually the last in a group to get to top of hills. I've been working on being consistent with my peddling and to not spike my heart rate.

8. One thing I have learned this weekend has made me a better biker. I got four flats. It may have been five. First time was coming back into town at about mile 55ish. Got 20 more miles then it was one after the other. Came to be that the first flat left a big whole in the outer tire! Thank you LiAnne for holding my bike, giving me your extra stash of flat changing and helping me get that darn back tire on. Your an angel!

9. I learned that even a homeless man on a beautiful day can make your day more delightful. At my turn around on my run a homeless man asked me if I had been told that I was beautiful today. I said no. So he told me I was beautiful.

10. The last on my list of what I had learned in Coeur D Alene is something that I already knew. That Coach Mary is the best and I am happy to have her as a coach and as a friend.