Practice...Practice... Practice...Practice will make you better...

Where have I heard that before?? Duh... I have been hearing this phrase since the fifth grade.. I know you all ask.. " How can that be Eling?? You said you were never an athlete when you were younger".. You are correct, I wasn't a runner or cyclist when I was younger.. I was, however, a band geek and I played the flute since the fifth grade.. So, yes, I have heard this since the fifth grade.. I was told to practice to make the middle school band in the fifth grade, so I did. I was instructed by Mr. Higdon and Mr. Baker to practice  my scales, practice my music.. over and over again, repeat the scales, repeat the music.. the more I practiced, the better I got and the more music awards, I got. So, I practiced.... In high school, I practiced and practiced and listened to Mr. A. I wanted to do well in Marching Band, Symphonic Band and Orchestra.. I did.. We had a great band. So, I practiced marching and playing my flute and I got better. It all stopped in College... Instead, I studied and studied to succeed in College.. I succeeded, I graduated from college, but I stopped practicing my flute.. I stopped practicing, I stopped following my the phrase I had heard since fifth grade...

So, what does this have to do triathlons.  Well, it has everything to do with it. This past year, I have been telling myself to  keep on swimming, keep on running and keep on biking... I have been practicing and practicing and getting better. What I have learned is that practicing = being consistent. I am looking back at my early upbringing and I want to thank my music teachers for what they have given me because I now know that to get better, I need to be consistent. I need to practice. I need to tell those evil voices that talk to me early mornings ("the bed is really warm..don't get up to swim or run.. you will feel a lot better if you stay in bed") to go away because I need to practice..

I am becoming a stronger swimmer, a stronger runner and a stronger cyclist. I have been telling my coach that I am trying to stay consistent and she told me that I am not trying.. I am succeeding. I am getting myself healthy and stronger.. I do fall off the bandwagon a lot.. gosh, I did that in high school.. but I got back on and kept on moving forward and kept on practicing. I am getting better and better..

Happy Training,
Eling

me playing the flute in high school

Running 10 miles.....

Today was the second Memphis Runners Road Race Series 10 miler.. This race is at Shelby Forest and it is called the beast by the local runners. I was a little nervous but I was really excited to run this race today..

Two weeks ago, I had run the race the day after I had done my first metric century ride (64 miles). At that time, it was a beautiful morning in the 60's and I was running through this beautiful forest enjoying the beauty!! I had a great run at that time too.. I ran the 10 miles in 2 hours and 6 minutes.. Not bad for a Speedy Turtle, who normally would take FOREVER... to run 10 miles... I make the most of my races... At that race, I encountered the Beast of Shelby Forrest.. Yes, it is called the beast. You see, this race has some hills and more hills... and then at mile 9, there are switchbacks. These aren't just your normal switchbacks... These are killer uphill almost 90 degree incline switchbacks.. ( a little exaggeration but it is really steep).I actually really liked this run! I felt like a runner and I loved running again!!

So, here we are this morning... We, the hubby and I, got up early and got dressed.. We looked at the weather and the temperature was 39 degrees.. by the time we would run, it would be 40 degrees and not get warm the whole time.. Brr... I do not like to be COLD.. So, I bundled up (see picture). ... That is me at mile 3.5 having fun.. This time around the run may have been cold, but I had fun.. We got to the race a little late, so I was one of the last runners to cross the start line.. This was the first race that I started to pick off runners.. I would look ahead and tell myself, go catch that person.. you can catch that person.. and away I went.. It was so much fun.. My little legs and feet, just kept on moving.. I didn't have any music, so I could hear my cadence and my breathing and away I went. I caught up to the group of people, I have seen over the last few months in front of me and fell into a groove. I was having fun! I was becoming a runner!!  I walked the water stations and eventually took the gloves off and the ear muffs off..I got hot.. and there it was.. the switchbacks... I looked at them and said..."HERE we go!!" So I took one step at a time and conquered the Beast!! I walked sideways to stretch out the hips and it felt great!! I got closer to the finish line and saw the time 2 hours and 3 mins... remember, I started late.. so I knew I beat my time two weeks ago!! I crossed the line and felt this huge amount of accomplishment!! I  finished the race in  2 hours!! I may not be fast, but I am meeting my goals and getting better...  I am soo excited for the next triathlon season.. my off season has been busy training but this is my journey and I am enjoying it!!  There are no excuses and it is almost time for bed.. I have to get up early again tomorrow... I have a master swim class at 5:30 am..

Happy Training!!
Eling

There is no "Off Season"

Over the last couple of months, I have been training harder in the off season than when I was training for my Half Ironman and Olympic races... How is that?? Well, after my last race, I talked to my coach and I asked her to make me faster in my running... I want this next year to be the year I build a solid base... So, what do I end up doing?....I am running and running and running... I am swimming and swimming and swimming and I completed a Century Ride... Yes you read this correctly... One weekend I completed a metric century (64 miles) and then 100 miles.. Why, do you ask?? I wanted to be a good friend. I am a crazy person.. Anyway, I had a lot of fun on the 100 mile ride..

As a Speedy Turtle, my friend needed someone to ride with her as she trained for IM Florida. I didn't want to have her go by herself, so I went along. We met on Saturday and we took off. My husband wished me good luck and we took off.. It was a beautiful day when we took off..My coached stated that I didn't have to do this and that I needed to listen to my body... well, that is what I did. After 50 miles, we got back to my house, got fluids, nutrition and a bathroom break. This time, we completed loops around my house. I took each loop one at a time. As I completed each loop, I asked myself, could I go on... I answered Yes and away I went.. three loops later, we made it to 100 miles... What an accomplishment.. I don't think I will do that again for awhile, but I am glad I did it. While we were riding, Elaine and I got to become better friends and I am thankful for the time we spent together..The next day, I went to my running group and I trained with more of my friends. My other friends sent me messages throughout the day asking how I was doing... I am so thankful for these friends..

The friendships that I have made since starting my Journey has been so special and I know I will continue to have these special people on my journey during the Off Season and in Season. We will support each other and encourage each other as we conquer or accomplish our many goals and fears..

Friendships are a gift from God and I have been given a great gift over the years!! Thank you to all of my friends for helping me on my journey!!

Happy Training,

Eling

Starting a new 30 day Challenge

Sorry it has been awhile. I have been busy working on my running and starting to really enjoy it! With October coming up, I had a fellow Speedy Turtle send out a 30 day Challenge to one of her friends on Facebook and I wanted to join in. Her Challenge was 30 Day Challenge of lunges. I thought I would up the ante and suggested let's do a 30 Day Challenge of planks too.. Low and behold, Eat Drink and Be Skinny was, also, holding a 30 Day Plank Challenge.. So, thanks to Melissa, I  will  be completing  two 30 day Challenges that I will be starting tomorrow.  The running has helped a lot  and I have finally broke through my weight plateau that I have had for the last year. I hope that doing these two challenges, I will break another plateau. If I don't, I know I will have a stronger core for the next Tri Season.

So here is a Big Thank you to Melissa for the Challenge and I am ready to take it!!

Happy Training,

Eling

P.S. Here are the links to the Challenges:

• Plank Challenge - http://eatdrinkandbeskinny.com/30-day-plank-challenge-starts-october-1st/
• Plank Tracker: http://eatdrinkandbeskinny.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/30-Day-Plank-Challenge-Calendar.pdf
• Lunge Challenge - http://beta.active.com/fitness/Articles/30-Day-Lunge-Challenge.htm?cmp=17-7-5277
• Lunge Tracker: http://eatdrinkandbeskinny.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/30-Day-Lunge-Challenge-Calendar.pdf

Guest Post from the Iron Turtle (aka Speedy Turtle's Hubby)

Hi all, 

Most of you know that on 25 Aug 2013, my hubby completed his first Ironman! I am so proud of him!! Here is his race report!

Ironman Louisville by Don Gaines
“You can do it…I will be there 100% of the way!”  I can still remember the day.  I was sitting at work and I was talking to my lovely wife (aka Speedy Turtle) and we were discussing the upcoming year’s schedule.  The conversation had somehow turned to doing a full IRONMAN.  I had said something to the effect of how I would like to do one some day and my lovely wife asked why I wasn’t going to do one next year.  Well…full time job, full time dad and working on my Master’s sort of took up my time.  Then she told me the magic line; that she would be there 100% of the way.  I sat there on the phone for a few seconds and then clarified what she meant by that.  That with work, studies and training that time together was going to be very limited.  Without a second’s delay, she said that she understood but that this was something that she knew I wanted to do and was willing to support me any way she could.  As I continued to waffle on the idea, she finally told me to sign up and quit being a wimp.  She practically dared me to sign up.  As much as I love her, there are times she can goad me into things I normally wouldn't do.  As soon as our conversation ended, I got online and looked at what was available.  Well, there was Coeur D’Alene, Louisville, Whistler, and Wisconsin.  CDA was just too soon for my taste and WAY too hilly.  Out.  Whistler…even Hillier…Out.  Wisconsin…while the bike looked like a good challenge the last part of the run was uphill…out.  So that left two options.  Louisville or volunteer this year to do it next year.  Well, volunteering was out.  Wife just DARED me to sign up and calling her back to say I needed to volunteer this year was like saying I am afraid but might find some courage at a later date.  So…that left Louisville.  Reading the write up is like reading a traveler’s brochure.  Beautiful scenery, rolling hills and a flat run at the end. Oh...and it could be a warm race.  So there I was forking over a WHOLE lot of money to sign up.  Once I got the E-mail saying I was signed up, I sent it to the Speedy turtle as a way of saying “Dare me will ya!?!”  I got a call back from her congratulating me on signing up.  Wait...what did I just do? 

                In November, I with my new coach, Lesley, decided that I would start up in May, which would get me about a 20 week plan.  So I guess I COULD have signed up for CDA.  I remember Lesley looking at me and asking why I chose Louisville.  When I explained my reasons I asked her why she was wondering.  “Because it is in Kentucky in the middle of Summer!  If you can do this race you can do any of them! It’s a hard Ironman!”  Oh…yea…I didn’t even think about that.  Just how hot could it get? A quick look on Google gave me the answer.  Average temp in Louisville at the end of August is between 86 to 95 with humidity in the mid 60%.  Yea…hot.  ¼ of the people who signed up for Louisville the year before didn’t finish the race.  Yea…hard. What did I get myself into on this “dare”?   Here is my coach who did IM Texas and did it so well that she qualified for Kona and she is telling that I signed up for a “hard” IM?!?”  You ever get that pit in your stomach that tells you that you may have made a mistake? 

                Flash forward to the end of May and the start of training.  Up to then, the training was nothing really long.  A couple of hours on the bike, an hour run here and there and some swims.  As soon as Memphis In May Triathlon was done, I remember looking at my wife and saying, “here we go.”  I got a smile and a hug and her famous smile.  Without a word, she gave me her approval and understanding.  For the next 20 weeks, it was like a whirlwind.  Between work, school and my training I really don’t remember much of this last summer.  I know that EVERY weekend was spent on my bike or on the road.    After work was a run or Computraining at Biomeckanics with Billy.  In the morning was swimming.  All my runs were in the afternoon.  I figured that I would run at the time I would expect to be on the run during the race.  It didn’t matter how hot it was, the run was in the afternoon.  I kept the motto, train like you fight, fight like you train.  Through it all was my wife.  I always got a kiss as I went out the door to workout.  On my 20 mile run, she was my SAG, refilling my bottle and giving me something to snack on every 5 miles.  If I was late on my ride, I would get a phone call asking where I was.  She even came out looking for me  once when I didn’t respond to her call.  Of course I teased her for looking for me like that but I was happy that she was concerned.  When our son needed to go out of town for a swim meet, she took him so that I could stay home to train.  She did it all and never got upset. She even got my areo helmet painted as a present for my race.  For the last 20 weeks, she kept her word.  She supported me 100%.  Like I said earlier, the whole summer was a blur of work, school and working out.  Before I knew it, it was the middle of August. 

                We left on Thursday to head up to Louisville.  I was pretty good during the ride and tried to just enjoy the drive and got up to Louisville but missed checking in by 15 minutes.  Oh well.  We decided to get some dinner and go take a look at where the finish line was going to be. After dinner we went to “4^th street live” and saw where the finish line was going to be which was also where the halfway point was; 100 feet apart from each other.  I kept thinking “what sick bastard made the half-way point on the run so close to the finish line?!”

Friday my mom and Aunt came in to be part of my cheering crowd and did a group ride for the first 12 miles of the bike.  I also checked in for the race this day.  I am sure anyone who has done any triathlon will agree it isn’t real until they put your race bracelet on.  I will say that it got REAL at this point.  Saturday turned into a busy day.  First thing was a swim in the river.  Actually the water was great.  Not too hot and not too cold and I felt really good in the water.

Underpants Run

Underpants Run - the family!

Underpants Run - part of the crowd

  After the swim was the Louisville underpants run!  Yep, a 1.2 mile run in little more than your underwear.  I even had Speedy Turtle and the boy join me on the run!  It was a nice break and the run was for a good cause.  The afternoon was spent turning in my bike and run bag as well as turning the bike in.  After a nice dinner with the family I was off to bed. 

                Believe it or not, I actually got some sleep the night before a race. Probably first time ever.  I was fully expecting to do nothing but toss and turn and I actually got a pretty good night’s sleep.  



Up at 3:45am and got a PB&J sandwich, a banana and a protein drink.  At 4:30, Speedy turtle and I headed out to get to the transition area.  My mom, aunt and the boy were going to sleep in a little longer and be there in time to see me get out of the water.  The walk from the hotel to the transition area was a good way to wake up and relax a little.  Got to the transition area and took one more look at the bike and headed to the swim. 


 After a mile walk to the swim start (no kidding…a mile walk) I sat there with the speedy turtle until about a half hour before the start.  I then headed over to wait in line for the swim start.  After yet another mile of walking before I found the end of the line.  Before I knew it, I heard the cannon goes off.  Game time. Nothing will quiet a group of people more than knowing that it is now time to put up or shut up.  The walk back to the start line took over a half hour but it seemed like a pretty quick 30 minutes and I was in the water. 

                Unlike most IRONMAN events, the Louisville swim starts is a time trial instead of a mass start.  There is a really good reason for it.  The start of the swim is in a narrow protected channel.  That channel is a couple hundred feet wide and about ¾ of a mile long and then slowly opens up to the mile turn marker.  That ¾ mile swim was pretty much a combat swim.  At least this is what I envisioned from discussion from all my SEAL friends.  I had people all around me and trying to even get a little swimming room was difficult.  About the ¾ through the channel I finally got tired of the same guy climbing on top of me.  First time, I gave a gentle push.  Second time…a more forceful push.  Third time…a shove and when he popped up to look I gave him a punch in the nose.  Not a tap…not hand in the face…A PUNCH IN THE NOSE!  To my defense, I will say that I was tired and tired of getting clobbered in the water but not one of my better moments.  The mile swim had me at 38 minutes.  Not bad having to fight my way through most of it.  Once we made the turn we were fully into the Ohio River and everyone opened up into their own swim lane.  The next 1.4 miles was the same time as my first mile. So a 1:16 for the swim.

Right after the Swim!

 Not too bad and I was feeling good.  Saw Mom and my Aunt and gave them a hug and kiss and headed into the transition area. 

I would love to say that I was in and out in a matter of a few minutes but not so much.  I swear there was some space time continuum where I thought I was in the tent for a few minutes and found out that I was in there for 15 minutes.  I swear that I didn’t make any calls or take a nap or anything but the clock had me at 15 minutes.  Oh well.  T2 will be faster.

Off on the ride and I was feeling good and for the first 5 miles or so, I was doing great.  Then my right arm started to shift downward and I needed to stop to see what was going on.  After a little quick maintenance I discovered that the screw that held my arm rest to my areo bars was missing.  Not sure how it happened but it did.  I started thinking about what Lesley said, “no matter how well you prepare SOMETHING is going to happen and you are going to have to deal with it.”  Some quick thinking and I took one of the screws from my arm rest and used it to try and hold my arm rest to the bar.   The good thing…the screw I used appeared to be the same size.  The down side….it was long enough to hold the arm rest but short enough that it was going to work its way out eventually.  ‘Eventually’ turned out to be about every 20 miles or so.  Yes, it was frustrating to have to stop every hour but it was also a blessing in disguise.  Having to physically stop and fix my bike also gave me a chance to get a drink and also keep my heartrate down.  What could have been something that caused me to become frustrated and angry turned out to help keep my body in check.  There was a scare on the ride.  About mile 40 I was heading into town and saw a cop yelling to go left.  I thought he was trying to tell the driver in the car that he was next to go left but I guess that call was for me.  As I went right, the driver suddenly turned hard right and I was laying hard on my brakes to try and stop.  Luckily I was able to stop in time and avoid becoming road rash. Bless the spectators!  I got praise for my quick actions and the cop and driver got chastised for being on the road in the first place.  No kidding, they were more upset about the cop’s action than I was!  I was just glad that I didn’t become a hood ornament.  At mile 70 (which was almost the same spot as the near miss) I got to see my family cheering me on!  A great morale booster even though I only saw them for a few seconds.  Besides that, the ride was pretty nice but good Lord was it hilly!  DO NOT BELIEVE THE BROCHURE!! Picturesque rolling hills means steep climbs with breakneck descents around open fields.  Going up at 9 miles an hour and down at 40 turned into the norm for the race.  The only flat part of the bike was the first and last 12 miles.  On top of the “gentle rolling terrain” was the constant climb of the temperature.  The bike ride started in the low 70’s and was in the mid 90’s when I got off.  Yea…good times there.  On the way in I saw a number of people sitting on the side of the road trying to get the energy to ride back in.  It was obvious that they pushed too hard and their day was done.  Did I say how my mechanical issue was a blessing? It really was!

Transition 2.  Once again I entered into the space time continuum tent and changed out of my bike clothes and into my running gear. Honestly, had I known I was in the space time continuum, I would have looked for Dr. Who and gotten an autograph.  I have a lot of friends that are big fans and they would have thought the world of me for getting that for them.  One thing to note.   As I changed out, the guy next to me was there before me and would be there after I left.  The whole time he didn’t move or look up or anything.  All he did was sweat.  A lot. This wasn’t some misty “hey I just ran 5 minutes and now I’m sweaty” sweat.   It was like pouring out of him.  It was like waterfall sweat.  That kind of sweat you see in those commercials for some super-duper strength arm deodorant where they are playing some vague sport and sweat dripping off their nose.  The whole time the volunteers in there were trying to get him to drink something…ANYTHING!  Nope.  All he wanted to do was sweat. A lot.  I changed and left the man to continue to water the grass underneath him.  Out of the tent and a quick stretch and off on the run.  I even got a chance to give my sweetheart a quick kiss, a high five to the boy and a quick hug to my mom.  Surely I wasn’t in there for more than 5-10 minutes.  Surely faster than my T1 time.  Close.  21 minutes.  Damn space time continuum.

2.4 mile swim. Check.  112 mile bike ride. Check.  All that’s left is this pesky little run.  OK... a marathon.  Do you know the history of the marathon?    The legend states that Pheidippides was sent from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in August or September, 490 BC.  It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping and burst into the assembly, exclaiming "We wοn!" before collapsing and dying.  I can relate. It’s August and I have been doing battle all day with the heat and the hills.   The start of the run was in the mid 90’s but I was feeling good.  I mean really GOOD.  I was smiling and thought, “Hey, I just might do this!”  I was that way until about mile 7 or so.  Before I knew it, my stomach felt like it got flipped upside down.  Running simply made my stomach worse and by mile 10 I was thinking that everything I took in today was going to find its way to the outside if I didn’t slow down.  Now, “slow down” is a relative term. I was running a 11-12ish mile pace or what many know as the Triathlon shuffle.  My shuffle was now restricted to a walk.  About 5 minutes or so my stomach would settle down and off I would go again.  5 minutes later…stomach ache and back to a walk.  And this was how I completed my first marathon; a slow shuffle to a walk back to a slow shuffle.  Yes…I had not done a marathon up to this point.  My thought was that if I did a marathon before an Ironman I would know how hard that is and I would not do an Ironman for a number of years.  This way, I would know how hard an Ironman is and just think that the marathon was hard because of the swim and bike.  Yea…crazy logic but it worked! Mile 12 was turning into a dark place.

 I wasn’t feeling well and I could hear the crowd but knew I still had another 14 miles to go.  Just when I thought I was going to just really hit rock bottom, lo and behold a familiar face.  THE BOY!!  And he was wearing shorts, my team “Droopy” shirt, sandals and Mickey Mouse hands!  For the next mile, we ran together and I watched him high five people with those silly hands.  Nothing made my spirits rise more than to spend that mile with my son and watch him enjoy the moment with the crowds asking for high fives from him.  As we turned for lap two, there was the speedy turtle waiting for me at the special needs tent.  There I changed into a new pair of shoes, socks and a new shirt.  As I did that, my lovely bride gave my bag to my son and asked him to take it to my mom.  She then took the hand-off from my son and off we went to start the next 13 miles.  About a mile into it, I was starting to feel great and told my wife that I was ready to take off alone again.  After a quick kiss and hug I was off again. 

 I got up with a few people here and there and ran with them but after about 2 more miles, the stomach started up again and I was back to the shuffle/walk routine.  I took my routine as still progress forward.  I looked at the watch a number of times and kept moving forward.  There were a number of people out there to keep my spirits up.  The priest that rang the church bells and quoted scripture on strength and courage.  The guy playing 70’s metal music.  The young girl holding a sign that said “Run like you F’ing stole it!”  Little things kept me moving.  At mile 20 a whole new issue came up.  Suddenly my feet felt like I was moving inside my skin.  Great…blisters.  By mile 22 my feet were starting to become painful and swollen.  By mile 23, my left foot felt like I was wearing a shoe two sizes too small and getting worse.  I really wasn’t sure if I could make the last 3 miles.  I stopped and stomped my foot on the ground as hard as I could.  I quickly felt the warm rush of fluid on the bottom of my foot and the pressure went away.  The new issue was that if I ran, my feet actually felt good but my stomach got upset.  If I walked my stomach was good but the feet hurt.  My solution was to run for as long as my stomach would let me and them walk until I couldn’t stand it on my feet.  This went on for a mile or so and then I needed to find something to focus on.  Okay…my disclaimer.  I was REAL tired and I REALLY needed to find something to focus on and…well…I’m a guy.  My focus was the very attractive lady who ran by me.  As she took off, I followed behind her and, let’s just say, I found my focus.  We made the left hand turn and the I could hear the crowd getting louder and louder. 

 As we made the right hand turn about 200-300 yards later, I could see ‘4^th St. Live’ and see the crowd.  Every ache, Every blister, my stomach, EVERYTHING suddenly felt fantastic!  My pace started up and I was ecstatic! I started to high five people.  I’m not talking one or two people.  I mean everyone who had their hand out I was greeting it.  I was on top of the world and I couldn’t believe it.  As I ran across the finish line and my hands were above my head, I realized I did it.  I was an Ironman!!  Through my wife’s dare, I completed one of the most grueling and most labor intensive events one could dream up.  15 hours, 6 minutes and 44 seconds to have bragging rights forever.

As soon as I crossed the finish line I was caught by a guy named James.  Great guy.  He kept telling me to keep moving but I had to sit down.  I needed to sit down and told him that if I didn’t sit down in the next 5 seconds I was going to pass out.  He took me to the first chair he found and I sat down, put my head between my legs and everything that was inside my stomach was now outside.  I sat there for a few minutes and felt hands on my back.  As I looked up, I saw my wife, Mom, Aunt and Son all looking at me.  I sat there for a few more minutes and started to feel better.  I then got the medal, the hat and shirt and met my family at the end of the chute.  The two block walk back to the room was somewhat daunting but it felt so good to be with everyone.  Once in the room, I took the shoes off and laid on the floor trying to recover a little.  As my wife sat there, she smiled and said that she was proud of me.  All the aches and pain are always worth a little support from my family.  Believe it or not, I talked to my coach about a ½ hour after getting to the room and she asked how I was.  Even though my stomach was torn up and I had huge blisters all over my feet I told her to add me to the list for Chattanooga for next year!  That run through the chute is unlike anything and I can’t wait to do it again.

Lessons learned –  Remember that no matter how well you plan, SOMETHING will happen.  Deal with it. Take all challenges as opportunities.  No bitching…the run hurts…guess what…it hurts everyone and complaining about it will get you nowhere. Remember that it is a race but it is an endurance race.  Going all out on the swim and bike will make for an early day. Thank those around you. Fight like you train and train like you fight. 

The #1 thing I learned.  You may race alone but you need a team to succeed.  Lesley was awesome and got me physically ready to get through the race.  She also helped me find the mental strength to get through it.  It was family that was amazing.  My mom and Aunt were fantastic and seeing them time and again was awesome.  My son was great to help me get through that half way point and seeing him through the race was great.  He was always yelling and cheering me on.  My wife was the bomb.  She was Sherpa extraordinaire!  Start to finish she was there.  During the race she was REALLY EVERYWHERE!  It was great to see her and have my morale boosted.  She took care of me after the race and I will always be grateful.  To those of you thinking of embarking on this adventure, I say “Do it!”  It’s not easy.  It’s not for the weak and it will tax you like nothing else.  But is anything worth trying supposed to be easy?   

Tribute to my Amazing Husband!!

 This is for my amazing husband! Tomorrow he will be embarking on his final celebration of his training to becoming an Ironman. For the last 40 weeks, I have watched him train, follow the advice from our coach, and enjoy this journey that he has embarked on. He has ridden his bike several weekends in a row to ride his 100 mile rides, refueling at home and at the mini mart on base..I was there to help him with his 20 mile run and every time, he had taken off on his training run, ride or swim, he has come back with a smile and a kiss  for me.

During this time, he let me train and complete in two half ironmans and encouraged and cheered me on everyday. In all of my races, whether or not if he completed  them, he was always there.

 Tomorrow it will be my turn. I will watch him take off at the swim and the gather up the family and make the trek to LaGrange, Ky (25 miles away) to watch him and cheer him on the bike. He will definitely need it. We rode the bike course the other day, and I will NEVER do this race.. the vertical climbs are a killer... I only saw this in a car.. I can only imagine what it would be like on a bike.. my quads would be on fire... People at home, if you think of the last hill on the Herb Parsons loop, over and over and over, and over and...again.. That is what the hills are like. The bike course is beautiful!The horse pastures and the farmland is amazing.. Once we  see him on the bike and have lunch in LaGrange, we will head back to Louisville and get situated by mile 13... Mile 13 is the beginning of the second lap of the marathon and is about 100 feet from the finish.. A lot of people will get demotivated and I want to be sure I am there to cheer them on.. I hope to see Don at that point too. I  have already told him that if he needs me too, I will run with him/ do the Eling Shuffle... to make it to the finish line. I am soo excited for him and can't wait to see him finish.... He is one amazing fellow! Not bad looking too.. :) I love this guy and I am so proud of his accomplishment.

The family just before the underpants run

So this is a tribute to my amazing husband! I love you and whatever happens, you will always be my Ironman!!

Happy Training!!
Eling

Running... sometimes I love it and other times it is so hard to do..

So, now that my triathlon season is over, it is now time for me to start working on the events that I would like to get better at... This fall, I have decided to really concentrate on my running.. There are days that I love it and then days that it just seems so hard to just get out there to run....

Here I am having fun running.

 I have started running with the local Memphis Women Walk/Run group and I ended  up in the advance group. I really do love to train in this group but I am the slowest one there.. During our warm-up runs, I am running a speed where I can't even talk because I don't want to lose the group and then when we start the hills, I am forever running. The groups start out with group 1: very fast group, group 2: second fastest and then group 3: the group I am in.. we take off, up the hill I go run, run, run... I am the last one and turn around... get back to the start and catch one breath.. and off we go.. I feel like I am back in high school swim practice doing intervals and never making the intervals and I just keep swimming.. well here it is the same with running... I am always running to catch up..Some of my friends are saying I am no longer the speedy turtle, but I am.. I am still learning to run my own race and not get frustrated with myself.. Tonight, we ran and I started to really get frustrated with myself until one of the coaches told me to relax and run my race. It was so nice for her to come up to me and tell me this is my time and I need to enjoy the run.. So, I tried.. I still got frustrated and now I am venting..

I know this is helping me to get faster because my last 5 mile race it showed and I finished in a faster time than my goal.. It was a really humid wet morning, but I had so much fun doing this race.. I was running with a good friend Becky, one awesome person.. and she paced me  the entire race..I hope to run like her one day.. I will need to find friends to run with to make sure I run faster.

Finishing the race with a smile. 

The running will get there.. I guess I just wish I was 25 again and running a 9:30 pace.. but this will take time.. I am slowly getting faster and one day, I will be fast like Becky and pacing someone to get better. I feel better and I need to remember to run my own run and not get frustrated.. tomorrow, I am going to run without the Garmin and just run like a kid...

Happy Training...
Eling

End of the Season!!

Wow! I still can't believe that yesterday I finished my last triathlon for the season. What a season this has been!

I owe a lot to my coach, Lesley and my family for the amazing season. Here is a breakdown of my season of triathlons:

• April 2013: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans PR by 45 mins for a 70.3. My last 70.3 was in Austin and it really is hard to compare races, but my time dropped. 
• May 2013: Memphis in May Olympic distance PR by over 23 minutes from the previous year
• July 2013: Ironman 70.3 Muncie PR by 10 mins for a 70.3. Same disclaimer above, you really can't compare races but my time dropped and the run was harder than New Orleans.
• Aug 2013: Annie Oakley Super Sprint PR by 12 minutes from the previous year. This was the triathlon that started it all. :)

First ride after my bike crash

 I have had a lot of encouragements from my Thunder teammates and now from a very special group that now calls themselves the Speedy Turtles.. Everyone has cheered me on and just have been an inspiration to me. My triathlon family is very special and I know we will all continue to grow closer each year!

Training this year has been really amazing and I truly want to continue this training. I am really enjoying the new lifestyle of not giving in to the excuses in my head.. though I really want to and they work very hard to talk me out of working out..

Upcoming goals??? I am starting to really work on my running speed. I would love to continue getting faster, so this off season  I will be training for only a half marathon.. Trust me.. just running is brutal on the joints, so I will still cross train in swimming and biking..

I am still contemplating on what the next season will bring.. I have some of my tri buddies asking if I will do IM Florida.. WOW... that is a big decision.. I am not sure yet. If I am to do 140.6, I want to be able to finish by midnight.. right now on the best of conditions I would just make it with no room to spare.. I will have an opportunity to watch my husband complete his ironman this month.. These last three weekends of watching my husband train during his long runs and rides.. mmm, my answer is a big resounding NO.. but I have to say, I  have been known to not listen to myself and sign up for a half ironman the first year of doing triathlons and I hadn't even done an Olympic.. Who knows what next year will bring?? I know I will do a few 70.3 races. I seem to really like those and I really want to get under 13 min/miles for the run..

My journey of a better life is still ongoing and I will keep on trying to work at it.. It gets hard at times but I must not beat myself up.. I have to race my race and believe..

Happy Training!

Eling

Just before the swim...

Hey look, I look really skinny!! Love it!

Hello Asphalt!! Meet Speedy Turtle...

 I had been resting and recovering the last week. On Monday, I start back to running and run with the Memphis Women Walk Run group and I had a great run. I kept up with hill repeats and couldn't believe how fast my feet were moving.. On my way back to my car, I roll my ankle and had a sprained ankle. Not too bad.. I have had worse ankle sprains than this. I walked, ran back to the car. I rested, iced, compressed and elevated my leg for the next  day. I was back.. I went swimming and had a great swim..I went on a 3.3 mile run on Thursday and had a great run! My average speed was 12 min/mile.. Yeah!! Speedy Turtle is starting to get faster...

Now come today.. I was going to meet with a few of my turtle friends and  go for a 25 mile ride. I was so excited.. I was ready for a great ride! We started off great! My legs felt great, the weather was great and then I saw a car in front of me.. I yelled back to let my friends know that a car was coming and my front wheel turned into the grass... This is not a good thing.. I tried to straighten out and  knew that wasn't going to happen. I knew I was going to crash... I just didn't know how much it was going to hurt..but I knew it was going to hurt... down I go... Thanks to Elaine and Kat, they were there helping me out, calling a ride and making sure I was ok.. I couldn't have planned a perfect crash.. both Elaine and Kat work in the ER as a PA and NP.. I had the best care ever!!

So, I thought I just laid my bike down.. hit my head and face on the road... NOOOO.... I made decided to make it look good. Kat said I did a flip over my bike and landed acing the opposite direction.. I didn't realize that until she said.. look at your bike... OMG!!! I freaked out inside... You know I could have broken a collarbone, ribs and had a concussion.. I am so glad I have a hard head.. Elaine's husband came and took me back to my car to my car where  I met my husband and son.. Yes, they were called to come get me because I wasn't sure if I could drive home..

I am now home and resting.. I am going to have quite a shiner this week. I am so glad I work from home.
I will be getting back on my bike again this week.. I have a mini sprint tri next weekend.. I am not going to stop me from continuing the change in my lifestyle... In the past, I would have done this, but not this time. Tomorrow is the RRS 5K, if my body is up for it, I will go run it. I will keep on moving forward and I will keep on training..

Thank you to Kat, Elaine, John, Don and Donnie! I am really lucky to have some great friends and family..

Speedy Turtle is on the mend..

Happy Training!
Eling

Ironman 70.3 Muncie 2013 Race Report

Where do I begin???? This was my second half this season and I had an amazing race. Actually this year has been an amazing year for racing for me..I guess I will start at the beginning...

On Thursday morning, we packed up the car and we were off to Munice, IN. This was the first time that we didn't turn back a few times in the neighborhood because one of us forgot something.. maybe this is a good sign. We had an uneventful drive. When we got into Anderson, IN (all of the hotels were booked in April in Muncie). The hotel was amazing! The hotel changed their breakfast to 4:30 am for race day and we  all were given a care package at check-in. The next morning we went to the convention center and got our race packet. Race packet pick-up is pretty much the same for all ironman events. The Expo was really good. I walked around and I was able to sample new products. Just a Disclaimer: My opinions on the products are my opinions only and I have not been endorsed by the companies. I was able to try out Huma Gels and Core Power Nutritional drink.  I will have to say, I LOVED both products. The  Huma Gels tasted like real fruit jelly or preserves, just not as sweet. They tasted very similar to the squeezable applesauce. All I can say is YUM! The Core Power drink was so good. I love the honey milk. I am not a milk drinker and I liked this a lot. I actually drank some after the half and felt really good.. After we picked up our packet, we went to the race venue. This was the first time that I actually rode my bike for 10 minutes and then went for a run. I am glad I did. I got a feel for the roads. The weather the day before was gorgeous! The temperature was in the low 80s and the weather on race day was going to be a low of 66 and a high of 85.. The water temp was 76.0 degrees.. Yes... this was going to be a wetsuit legal race!! Whoo hoo!! I was so excited! I could have a great swim!

The next morning, we got up at 4:45 am. All three of us were doing something with the race. Don and I were going to race and Donnie was going to be a lifeguard on the swim course. I was so happy that he could do this! What a relief to a mom to know that the race officials would ensure my son was looked after.. I know he is 16 but I still worry. He was a great help on race day.. We had breakfast and headed out to the race venue, which was over 30 minutes away... About 15 miles later, I look at Don and said " I forgot to pack my wetsuit!" Panic started to set in. I have never swam a half without a wetsuit. What was I going to do??? I had planned my last few swims with the idea that I would be swimming with a wetsuit... Ughhh!!! I had no one to blame but myself.. Just before I took off in my wave, I told myself, that I would be fine and to just swim and think of Dori... This time, we took off in time and we were off. I was in a wave start and it wasn't as bad as last year's wave start at Hy Vee. The water was great! I was actually warmer than the pool at St. Georges. I put my head down and sang my song.. "Row, Row, Row your boat (breathe) gently down the stream (breathe), merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily (breathe), life is but a dream (breathe)" Each word was a stroke for me. I kept on swimming and made the first turn and then made the second turn. As I was swimming, I took a breath to my right and saw Donnie on the surfboard. That was so cool to see him. He told be good luck and that he loved me.. I don't know if I will ever have that experience again.. I continued to swim toward shore but it was really hard to sight.. we had the sun in our eyes, so I kept hoping that I was swimming straight.. After awhile, the guys behind me started to try to swim over me, kick me and pull my legs. I was getting a little mad when all of a sudden, I get a tap on my shoulder... In the water, there was Don. He caught up to me, spotted me and gave me "I love you" before he swam on.. Now I know that is an experience that I won't ever get to experience. I got to the shore and I encountered my first hill. I had to run up a hill to get to T1..so off I go.

Getting on the bike, I got to my bike and started to take off. As I was about to exit, there were volunteers slathering sunscreen.. I had learned my lesson, I forgot to put on sunscreen, so I asked the volunteers to slather on the sunscreen. I am so glad I did. The bike was amazing.. The course was relatively flat and they even closed down a major highway. My average speed was 16.9 in the first half and 17 mph on the second half. I met my goal for the bike. I was on my way to finishing under 7.5 hours.  Knowing that the run had rolling hills, I made sure I kept up on my hydration and electrolytes.  I came in on the bike into T2 and got ready for the run. Off I went, I tried to make sure I didn't take off too fast because I was going downhill.. So, I held back a little.. only a little because I had a goal of running faster.. There were water stops every mile on the course. It felt like I was running into the next aid station after finally getting into a groove. I was doing great on the first half. I pushed up the hills, like I had learned and gave 100% effort. I didn't beat myself up if my speed was 14 min/mile. I just kept telling myself  keep on running, keep on running.. At the turnaround point, the run started to get hot! The sun was beating down and I was trying to keep cool. I am so glad I brought an endurocool towel. That was a lifesaver and the cold sponges. I was wearing down but I kept on running.. There were times that I would want to walk but I didn't. I actually tried to walk only through the water stops and then shuffled.. As I was coming up the last hill, I felt like I was the Bionic Woman running.. my arms were moving but my legs were going REALLY SLOW... you could almost hear "NANANANANANAA".. I got to the top of the hill and ran down the shoot to the finish line! What a feeling to see the time under 8 hours 30 mins on the overhead clock! I knew I had finished under 7.5 hours and I had a smile on my face..

Looking back on this race, it was one of my best races ever! I saw my son on the course as a lifeguard! I saw my husband on the swim, bike and run! This was a great race! I know we were lucky to have great weather for the race but I, also, know that all of my hard work has finally paid off. Lesley helped me with keeping me motivated and just always being there when I needed her and working Billy on the computrainer just gave me the strenght to maintain my speed on the bike.. This was a great race and I know my triathlons will keep getting better..I have one more mini sprint this year and I will be concentrating on the road runner race series..

Speedy Turtle is starting to get faster!!

Happy Training!
Eling

Still training... One week to Ironman 70.3 Muncie

Well, it has been over a month since I last posted.. I have been keeping myself really busy.After Memphis in May, I went back to training for another half ironman... I know you are thinking...."ARE YOU CRAZY!!!!" Yes, I am crazy.. but I think I am starting to get addicted to the training... That is a good thing right?! I started to run intervals with the Bartlett Rec Center and I started Computrainer sessions at BioMechaniks.. So... I am busy pretty much everyday of the week. Monday = run, Tues = computrainer, Wed = Swim, Thurs = computrainer, Friday = rest and Saturday and Sunday long rides and run... In between the training, eating a sleeping, I have been stuck playing Candy Crush...

One advice to anyone who reads this...if you have not started playing Candy Crush.... DON'T...  It can consume you.. So, I have made a pact to myself to limit myself on Candy Crush... We will see how far that goes..

Anyway, back to triathlon training... My training has been quite the adventure in Nature.. Today on my last Brick, on my bike ride, I saw a deer.. The deer just stood there and watched me ride by.. What a majestic animal..near the end of my ride, I saw a turtle in the middle of the road.. I had to save the turtle.. I moved the turtle to the other side and made sure it was  safe...finally, while I was running, I saw a baby frog hop past my feet.. It is amazing how much you can see when you stop to enjoy your surroundings and not just trudge through your workout.. I have had some bumps and bruises while riding.. During our 4th of July ride, I lost my balanced and fell.. I fell in front of the whole group... I was more embarrassed than hurt.. I cleaned it with water and had one of the best rides ever..

This looks worse than it really was.. I thought, well... I have a race in a week, so something had to happen.. :).

I am getting nervous about the race in Muncie but it will be fun. I will be doing the race with my husband and my son will be volunteering as a lifeguard.. How  cool is that! My goal is to finish faster than New Orleans (7 hours 29 min) but I will be happy to finish and feel good about my race.. Always need to finish with a smile and know that I did my best.. Who knows... if all goes well, I may look at a full next year.. but that is not a decision to make right now...

Until then... I will be going into my race week... I will know that I have been consistent with my training and I will continue..

Have a great week!

Eling 

Training again in the heat....

Well, the last time I wrote it was Mother's Day and I had a wonderful day.. the very next week, I had my next race which was Memphis In May Olympic Distance. This is a great race to participate in every year and I thought I was ready, cause I had just finished HIM New Orleans and I have been staying consistent.. So how did it go??? Let me tell you...

So, my experience at Memphis in May  was not as great as I would have liked but I did finish with a PR for MIM of over 23 minutes. Being consistent in your training really works and when you see results, you just want to keep trying harder.. 

My swim was the best swim ever.. I was soo happy about that.. I got out on the bike and I loved it! The winds weren't as bad as New Orleans and when I finished the bike, I could have gone another 20+ more miles.. I think I blew up on the run.. I was not ready for the heat and lack of ice on the course.. but I was not going to walk.. I only walked through the water stations and continued running, even if it was a 13-14 mile/hour.. I was not going to walk.. my stubborn self..   As I was finishing up the race, my husband and my son started jogging with me  and cheer me on because I was so mad at myself.. I wanted to run so much faster.. I came in and I saw my time and realized that I was under 3 hours and 30 min, my goal. I actually cheered up when I found out that I had won Athena Master.. I never win, so it was so great to take home bling!...Actually, both my hubby and I won. He won Clydesdale Masters. We were able to get a picture together with our awards...  So, what was the take home message from this race??? I need to acclimate to the heat.. That is what I have been doing... My next Big Race is Half Ironman Muncie in Indiana on July 13.. that's right in the middle of the summer in the Mid West...Last year, they cut the distance of the bike and run to an Olympic distance due to the heatwave.. so we will see. I am actually looking forward to racing this because I want to see what else I can do. I think I have become hooked on my training...So many times in the past, I would "think" I was training and I didn't do very well, so I would just give up.. Not this time!! I have been following my schedule and I keep on going. Today, I finished my long brick - 40 miles on the bike followed by a 4 mile run and I ran faster than that I had during the Olympic distance two weeks ago.. acclimating in the heat is important. I have also started working on the nutrition again for the race distance.. during the half in New Orleans, I started to cramp in my quads, and I think it was due to not having enough electrolytes in the system, so I have started to add that to my nutrition and I will be adding salt capsules.. so many things to remember. I will have to start keeping a  list.. 

I have added new training items to the schedule.. I am now working on the computrainer twice a week and I have added some intervals.. Last week, I had 3x 1 mile intervals and I actually ran.. I didn't jog the intervals.. Yeah!! Once Muncie is done,  my next goal will be running the St Jude Half Marathon. 

Speedy turtle is trying to get faster, slowly but surely... 

Until next time... (maybe I will write about the laws of thermodynamics and how it relates to me and my triathlon training)..

Eling...

P.S.. I was just sent the Movie trailer for Turbo.. I can't wait to see it.. 

Happy Mother's Day to all of us Moms that try to do it all!!

Today was a really great day! As I think back to when I first became a mom, I was soo scared. How was I going to be able take care of a baby.. on top of that, my husband was just starting out as a Naval Aviator and was just about to go on deployment...OMGoodness...How was I going to do this?!?... I had many days, when I would go for a run or to the gym and feel guilty about leaving him with a sitter or with my husband when he was home.   I would drop everything to take my son to his theater class, little league and swim practice.. I have spent a lot of hours watching him grow up to be a great kid who is a honor student. I couldn't have asked for a better kid....It was hard back then when he was little, but  with a lot of help from friends, family and many time outs for mommy.. yes, I gave myself timeouts :) I was Donnie's mom..

Fast Forward to today.... My son, is 15 and will be 16 next month and he is my biggest fan and supporter for my training and my triathlons and my eating habits! He has told me not to feel guilty about training... in fact, he has encouraged me to go out and bike, run or swim..He watches what I eat and always encourages me to eat protein after a hard workout! He is, also, at the finish lines cheering me on to do my best!

Today I got the best gift ever from him... he posted a picture of me on Instagram and thanked me for being his mom.. What a great son I have! In addition, to the Thank you post on Social Media, I got a set of arm coolers for my triathlons! I know.. some moms would love to get flowers and chocolate.. I was really happy about arm coolers.

So, today's post is for all of us Mom's who try to do it all... We do not need to feel guilty about taking care of ourselves because what we are doing is setting an example to our kids... they love us and want us to be happy.. They know if we are happy and healthy, they work and strive to be just like us!

Happy Mother's day to all!
Eling

Donnie age 15, New Years 2013

Donnie when he was three 

Post Race Report and reflection

The  Ironman 70.3 New Orleans race was amazing. This was my second half ironman and I am hooked! The venue was great venue and the course is really nice too. I would recommend this to anyone who ever wants to do an early race.
Ok, the race. So, I woke up at 4:45 am to get to the swim start and transition area before 6:45 am (this is when the transition area is closed). I laid out my gear..(I checked and triple checked my gear the night before and I still forgot one item - sunscreen). Over the loud speaker, we get the water temperature: 64 degrees...BRRRRR... I am so glad I brought my wetsuit..We walk over to the corral area and I waited for over 2 hours. The coolest thing was to see the Iron Nun, Sister Madonna Buder take off on the swim! She is 82 years old, she started triathlons when she was 52. She was three people in front of me. She jumped into the water just like a pro.. I should say, she dove into the water like a pro.. Then it was my turn...I jumped in the water and my face was immediately cold.. I looked at the buoy and started swimming and I was knocked off course.. there was a current pushing us to the left, so I zigzagged back in line. I usually sing 99 bottles of beer on the wall but I wasn't getting into a rhythm, so I sang "row, row, row your boat." Great little song. I swam to the next buoy and made the turn.. I looked around me and I wasn't the only green cap around... there were many in front of me and many behind me.. Sweet..I wasn't last..made it to the next buoy and I started to swim.. About 800 yards before the swim exit, I heard a "scream for help".. OMGoodness... I didn't know what to do.. I panicked, "do I stop and help her or what".. I saw that someone else had stopped to help her, so   I just trended water until a boat came to her. You read so much about people getting scared and freaking out but I had never seen it before. So, I continued swimming and crawled out and up the stairs. At the top of the stairs, there were wetsuit strippers! Yes, someone to help you take of the wetsuit :)  I looked at my watched and was a little bummed..52 min (ten minutes slower than the last time I did this...oh well, I didn't want to mope.. I had the rest of the race to complete.
T1 - got my bike and took off.. I heard " Go Thunder!" What a great sound.. I took off and headed right into a head wind! I am so glad I practiced in the rain and wind.. I was able to maintain a speed of 13-15 mph.. I passed a lot of people on the way out.. One of the newest things, I started doing this year, was follow the nutrition from the "Feed Zone". I made me a rice cake. This was great! At about mile 20, I ate some stinger waffles and then had some of the rice.. Talk about getting a good boost of nutrition. I was not starving when I came off of the bike. I, also trained with Perform, so the drinking the Perform was not bad at all. During the bottle exchanges, I stopped and exchanged my bottles. I will need to learn how to do bottle exchanges, to help with time. I just did not want to risk a crash. Continuing on the course, I passed more people. I made the turn around and I was going 18-20 mph. I saw the beauty of the marshes and can totally understand why people wanted to live here. The area was beautiful! The breeze on the way back was soo nice.. I rolled into T2 and ran to my gear and racked my bike and I took off..
Oh boy, I could feel the sun now.. I ran out of T2 and saw sunscreen, what a relief.. I slather some sunscreen on and took off.. The one thing I forgot was my sunscreen. I need to remember this for my next race. As I started running,  I kept singing to myself, "put one foot in front of the other".. That helped because my goal was to run all the way and only walk the water stations. Running along the lakefront was soo beautiful. I saw all of the nice homes that have been rebuilt and the levee locks. I just maintained my pace and tried to make sure, I kept my feet moving.. At about mile 10, everyone I kept seeing, were telling me, you are almost there. After awhile, I stopped believing them because it seem like FOREVER....Finally, at the last turn, I heard my son yell "Go Mom Go!!!" I looked up and there he was smiling at me and my husband was talking to me to speed up.. and  he yelled " I am going to run faster than you".. I told, yes you are! I then said that I think I will make 7 hours and 30 mins, that is when he yell" Get your butt moving!" So, I tried to pick up my legs a little bit more to get faster..ouch.. that hurt. I turn the corner and I had the biggest smile on my face! I looked at my watch and I had beaten my stretch goal! What a feeling! It is a feeling of accomplishment that you can do anything! I am still slow, compared to the other Thunder teammates that were there, but I know one day I will get faster!
All of us has this within ourselves to do this! I am still a turtle, I am just becoming a speedy turtle, who is getting stronger. I plan to complete another half ironman this summer. Goal will still be 7 hours 30 mins.. My husband and I are going to do Ironman 70.3 Muncie in Indiana in July.. (a little hotter). After that, I will be watching my husband complete his first Ironman in Aug in Louisville. Who knows, I may end up signing up for an Ironman next year... We will see..
Reflection... I now know that to succeed, you must train and train consistently. In addition, believe in your training. I really focused this year and it has paid off. Going into the rest, my biggest worry was not finishing under 8 hours. I had worked so hard but I wasn't sure if I could do it. I just kept saying " believe in your training" Lesley knows what she is doing. My friends and family believed in me and knew I could finish under 8 hours..  I just had doubts... Once, I started the race, I started to believe..After this race.. I became a believer!

 I know there will still be days, that I will start making up excuses to not get out there and train, but I will have to ignore those thoughts and move forward.. 

Time to keep on training and getting ready for my next race in May.. Memphis in May Olympic distance..

Happy Training!
Eling 

2 Days and 9 hours and 25 min....

My second half ironman is on Sunday 21 April 2013.... I have ran, swam, and biked to prepare for this race.. Do I have butterflies?? Yes.. I do!

 I know I have completed this distance before but I wasn't as prepared as I am now. I tried to be dedicated, I tried to have NO Excuses this time... I worked hard and I have been consistent.. Now I need to BELIEVE IN MY TRAINING...

I have been thinking about the swim and I have in my head going, don't cross your arms pass your body, think of pulling your arms along the black line...Nutrition on the bike, eat and hydrate... run..remember to run... walk through the water stops...

Finally, I need to remember this: Focus on how far I've come and not how far I have to go...

 I will remember this and have fun...

I will not give up!

Happy Training!

Eling...