Fatigue Lifted, I'm Ready for Action, I'm Injured....

...Or I'm getting old!.  Jan & Feb came and went and I was longing for coached workouts b/c all I seemed to be doing was working long hours and being hit and miss at the gym - not good.  Ready to commit in March - my race calendar set for the summer (Wasa Sprint, Calgary 70.3 (on a relay team as the swimmer) and my "A" race - Canmore Exterra Sprint!!).

Off to the pool I go in early March, shoulder sore post swim, no big deal. Next week same thing only it doesn't go away and gets progressively worse!  2 weeks in I'm very concerned as now I have a numb arm, that I can't move away from my body in any direction & a sore neck - thinking it's my neck due to numb arm - I hit up physio for some neck traction and all will be well. Attempted that with no success - physio works 2 days a week - then off on vacation for 2 weeks.  By now I'm off work b/c not only can I not move my arm or sleep, I can't reach the keyboard on my computer; or hold onto the steering wheel of my car, use the blinker or drive safely.

Dave at Tower is obviously my next stop as my plan of traction did not pan out.  Dave sorts me out in a couple of sessions - obviously where I should have started! It turns out my neck is not the primary source of all this pain - it's my shoulder.  Back to Dr and a req for an ultrasound - not good news - calcification in my rotator cuff muscles (bone growth in muscle is a bad thing, hence the pain, inflammation and just general irritation to me and my shoulder!!)  So used to my knee giving me grief this is a new and unexpected outcome.  Options are available, but since the calcification is minimal surgery is not recommended (thank goodness), and with race season approaching other options (cortisone injection, barbitage, short wave therapy all have recovery time involved).  Not sure what to do with this, but will have the discussion with Dave....

In the meantime - running is my best option!! The irony is not lost on me. I'm having difficulty weight bearing through my arm on the bike b/c of my shoulder and I haven't been in the pool for 6'ish weeks b/c of my shoulder. Short stints on the bike and running are my best options at the moment!!

The other thing that has happened - Cathy asks me yesterday if I'm in the Monday brick session; I say yes - well apparently it started 2 weeks ago, which also means strength and conditioning has also started!!  Good God, I'm loosing my mind!

On a  more positive note... we had our first outside ride of the season on April 18 - to Bragg Creek; I was slow and tired by the end. I took hwy 8 back to avoid the rollers on Springbank Rd - not the best choice as the shoulders had a lot of gravel on them; Springbank Rd was much better.

Ciao and happy training,
Cindy

The Fatigue Fog

I just re-read my Race Report (for the hundredth time) and I realized I missed 5 HOURS on my time!!!) Real race time 16 hours, 18 minutes 20 seconds).... Now that's a testament to fatigue fog and wishful thinking. Oops - perhaps a Freudian slip?  I have corrected said entry, sorry to have mislead everyone!!

It's been a month since my race (Nov 16).  I haven't turned into a pumpkin or gained a hundred pounds b/c I've taken time off (thank GOD), but I was really surprised at the amount of fatigue I dealt with - a lot of it not recognized until after the fact.  There was certainly the post race high that lasted for well over a week, which I think is pretty normal and exciting.  I accepted congratulations from many which was great.

The revelations about my fatigued didn't come to me until about a week ago when I went to my Sat bike class and thought - oh, my legs are back.  I thought back to the previous weeks - multiple missed appointments, late for work b/c of sleeping in, not having much motivation to get to the gym, completing an hour or so of a coached work out and then can't get out of my recovery zone (E1).  Just wanting to sleep and not have to set my alarm.  I certainly had training days like that, but I seemed to recognize those and be able to talk with Elmar and adjust my workouts.

The mental fatigue was there too.  Didn't seem to be able to accomplish a great deal at work, but struggled through the days.  At least I was leaving work on time....

Coming home at 5-5:30 pm is weird.  I have all this time and can't seem to occupy myself with much beyond the TV and computer.  I think it's a true sign that I'm ready to go again.  Looking forward to having some time off between Christmas and New Years.  Was hoping for some snow to get in some cross country skiing or snow shoeing, but a brown Christmas is what it appears to be at the moment (YUCK!).

My goal for the new year is to continue to chase a podium finish in a triathlon (hee hee).... Changing tactics a bit and I'm going to complete an Exterra triathlon (swim, mountain bike, trail run); haven't decided if I'll do a sprint distance or olympic distance, but I'm going to focus on mountain biking a bit more this year.

You know what that means??? - a NEW BIKE!!!  (hang on - there's some debt to take care of in there too..... better not forget that - being a grown up is not always all it's cracked up to be).

Ciao and happy training,
Cindy

Race Report - Ironman Arizona

Alternte titles:

1. The year that kept on giving (or was it taking??)....
2. OMG - I DID IT!!
3. Happy birth YEAR to me
4. What was I thinking??  (this one actually lasted a long time - pretty much up until post Challenge 1/2 Ironman in August)
5. Easy ways to accumulate debt ....and lots of it!

Nov 16, 2014, in my 50th year, when I heard the words "Cindy Pittman - You Are An Ironman!!" I did it, I really did it.  (3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, 42.2 km run - my time 16:18:27). Best finish I've ever had in a race - actually ran across the finish line, smiling like crazy!!

I didn't have superstar times like my teammates, but we all crossed the same line successfully, which was my goal.  The day itself was great.  I was calm in the morning and thought as long as I keep moving it will be a good day..... and it was!!  Elmar assured me I could complete this race in the time allotted....

The swim started out well.  I started near the back of the other 2600 people in the water; as I looked at my watch at the half way point, I was on schedule.  Then the swells were coming at us head-on and I was ~10 minutes slower out of the water than I intended.  And, I swim crooked.....

The bike got very interesting very quickly.  The 3 lap course consisted of 30 km into a 40km/hr headwind out and 30 km with a tailwind back.  I thought I did well on the first lap, slacked off the 2nd lap and had to push it on the 3rd lap. There was a 5km climb coming up to the turnaround on each lap that was hard, but it was sure fun coming down that 5 km with a tailwind doing 50+ km/hr. I tried to keep the back half of each lap >30 km/hr. My nutrition plan of eat/drink every 20 min worked well.  Saw most of my teammates who shouted out hellos on the bike - so much fun.  Fast bike course with the 3 loops - you were never on your own, but you had to pay attention b/c you were never on your own.  I saw 3 ambulances picking up racers and heard about a 4th - not good....

I wasn't panicked about the run, which is kind of naive given my longest run going in was 16 km.  I felt I had enough time to walk it if I had to.  Enter the best race crew ever!! Jenn and Heather said they'd be my support crew and I thought that was extremely generous of them - expecting to see them a few times along the route as it was two, 21 km loops.  What I didn't expect was for them to complete the whole marathon with me!!  Jenn made friends with multiple other racers as she walked along beside me (I think she was walking really fast!)  Heather came and went - also walking really fast or slow jogging beside me.  I was RUNNING!!  In fact I may have repeatedly said to them - "I'm a runner" hahaha.... just like a 6 year old with a newly acquired skill.  I want to say they didn't have to prod me too much, I did keep an eye on my watch.  I started my intervals with 2 min walk / 4 min run, then thought that might not be enough.  Then I went to 7 min run / 3 min walk, again feeling good, but I kept coming to an aide station in the middle of a run interval.  I finally settled into a run between aide stations, walk the aide stations - drink/salt tab, eat a little and keep moving.  I was still peeing, so I was good with my hydration.  The other thing in my favour was that the temperature was ~21'C while the sun was out. They had mile markers on the course, but they just confused me. It was much better watching for the signs that Jenn and Heather had put up along the course.  Then suddenly I had 5 km left and decided I better see what I could do as it was approaching 11pm (race ends at midnight after a 7 am start).  

It was so amazing running down the chute to the finish - going side to side giving high fives to people.  Then I saw MY PEOPLE - Felix, Jane, Nikki, Faizel, Jenn & Heather.  I wanted to stop and hug them all I was so excited to see them!!  But then the announcer said "it" - Cindy Pittman, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!!  I pumped my arms and ran across the line ecstatic and smiling.  

There's always something in retrospect:

• Best pre-race meeting ever - Ed's race prep talk!!  I can report that the pothole around the manhole cover by the gas station has been fixed.
• I don't often stay up 16 hours in a day, never mind being in perpetual motion.  I wondered if I could do it.
• Best meals - La Bocca Restaurant; Poncho's Mexican Restaurant - we ate with el Presidenti, Bill Clinton, circa 1999

• You want a disgusting swim, this could be it, minimal visibility - you'd take a stroke and your arm would land on someone's back, then it would kind of stick, wetsuit to wetsuit, and you'd have to pick it up, sight and go again.
• Practiced in/out of the water at the swim exit 7 times (yes, I counted) 
• Great to see everyone after the practice swim to have a group photo of Talisman Tri Club members and wish each other well.
• Weird to have spectators calling you by name on the run course - finally turned my race bib around b/c it was weirding me out.
• Bacon on the run course!!
• Best sign on course - "Dig deep, like a kid picking boogers" (gross, but funny)
• Jenn got the life story of a guy behind me she was chatting with; someone else kept admiring her coat, out loud; I think she was texting Elmar frequently too - how did she know I was supposed to be doing 7/3 intervals???
• Heather kept it light and is an inspiration to me as she's completed a gazillion Ironman races and was such a positive influence all year!!
• Can't say enough about handicap height toilets post race - my quads are forever grateful...
• Umm, perhaps 9 pair of shoes was a bit of overkill - especially when 2 are the exact same runners - 1 new pair, 1 old pair => wear 1 new (left) and 1 old (right) on race day!!
• Over the course of the year I decreased 1 clothing size; moved up 2 notches on my watch; lost 15 lbs;  had 3 pair of runners on the go at one point.
• I never did make it to the top of Edworthy standing (I was thinking about that on my 3rd bike lap though)
• Best race finish: 4 medals and 4 finishers!!

Felix Rooke, Jen Begg, me, Jane Wong

• Logan and I have a new conversation - it has evolved from, Guess where I'm going? To the gym?  Guess what's going to happen? They're going to try to kill you?  Now I just say - "Want to watch the video?" 
• http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/coverage/detail.aspx?race=arizona&y=2014#axzz3KVLWKDC7  (scroll over to 8:50:00)

Huge thank you to all the people who had faith in me and wished me well throughout the year - you all made a difference and I thought of you all on race day at various points.

Ciao & happy training,
Cindy

It's Getting Close to Go Time

Officially 2 weeks out from Ironman Arizona......

I'm feeling ready and excited!!

It's been a great year of training with lots of ups and downs.  Started out with a few glitches that a change in coach took care of.  This lead to some running issues that set me back a couple of months - cue up the water running and elliptical, but then a new Sports Med Clinic at COP with no waiting list was a gift.  I proceeded to get an injection of Durolane in my arthritic knee which was very successful in managing the pain and a gradual return to running without pain.  My bike went through a pretty good overhaul with no residual issues and continues to be my faithful partner.  Swimming has been hit and miss due to some neck issues.

Wow, that paragraph doesn't make this sound fun at all!!  But it really has been a work in progress. And it's actually one of the reasons I like triathlon - if something is broken you can still train something else.  That and the fact it's all in a straight line and less stressful on my knee?

I was so looking forward to a 3 month cycling trip to India at the beginning of my 50th year, but when the stars didn't align for that one, I still felt I needed a significant physical challenge.  I may have taken on more than I bargained for, but I have been consistent in my training and I've got a great team behind me: Coach - Elmar Heger, Physio - Dave Holmes, Massage Therapist - Christine Leslie and all  my training partners - we have shared many long rides together, compared notes in the locker room and supported each other along our journey to the start line.  I may be the weakest link in this group, but I've put in my time and will do my best to complete my race and here "Cindy Pittman - you are an Ironman" before midnight on Nov 16.

I know I have lots of family and friends rooting for me and I'm looking forward to racing with my training partners and having Alan and Pauline, Jen and Heather their for support.  There will be a crew from the Talisman Tri Club on hand too, and it will be so exciting to see them on the race course - perhaps someone will have packed a cattle prod to keep me moving?!

My race number if you're interested in following on race day is 1607.

.......SWIM BIKE RUN - and CROSS THE LINE!!

You know you're training a lot when....

1. Your laundry pile of everyday clothes is smaller than the pile of workout clothes.
2. You arrange your chores around work outs. 
3. ...Or it takes you over a month to change the light bulb, even when you already have said light bulb.
4. You ask your dad to cook for you in an effort to reduce meals in restaurants and potentially lose some more weight before race day.
5. You realize you have the best dad ever, because he does make dinner for you, to help you reach your goals!!

Fall Riding

Jane and I on the Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A)

Beautiful fall colours and brilliant colour of the river

Being able to ride outside is something I really enjoy this time of year, as the weather around Calgary can be so fickle....  We did have a nasty snow storm 2 weeks ago that caused trees with leaves to loose huge branches.  

September 20 I took part in the MEC ride up Highwood Pass from the south end.  Started in Turner Valley - Black Diamond - Longview and then headed west to Highwood Pass.  Supposed to be 160 km, but due to a bridge being out (or under construction? - presumably from the floods last year) we completed 140 km.  Still a fabulous ride and beautiful fall colours in the rolling foothills leading up to Hwy 40 and into the mountains.  Saw lots of horse outfitters getting ready for hunting trips into the mountains.  We are so lucky to have this gorgeous scenery and be able to ride and tour around to enjoy it.  (Oh wait - it was a *hammerfest*, I'm training for Ironman after all).

I must say this ride was incredible value for money - paid $35 for a fully supported ride - aide stations manned by paid MEC employees, Boston Pizza individual lasagne for post ride food along with some munchies.  Isn't it amazing what you can offer when profit isn't the point of the whole thing?? Kudos to MEC.  Well organized and great venue. 

This past weekend Jane and I ventured out on a pretty chilly morning from Canmore to the Bow Valley Parkway.  It was cold on the feet and hands with a bit of a headwind on the way out.  That was totally worth it for the return trip in the bright sunshine, warmer temp and best of all - tailwind!! We didn't see many heading out in the am, but by the time we turned around, lots of people out riding.

The perfect weekend....

Happy training
Ciao, Cindy 

Change-Change-Change.....

• Snow storm in September = work out in the gym
• Profile room is completely gone at the gym
• Mezzanine is under construction, so no bike trainers available = sore tailbone from stationary bikes with nasty seats
• New equipment with no time limits!

And most important of all - attitude change!!

Challenge Penticton Half had some good aspects and bad aspects for me - much of it due to my attitude.  I was very unsure of the run going in. Heading into Ironman Arizona, the run will be walk/run intervals for me, which I knew would be the case when I signed up.  Even though I was miserable during the walk at Challenge, I'm going to take it in stride and keep things in perspective at Arizona.  My goal is still to finish. The more time on my feet between now and race day, the better. As long as I'm moving forward --> it will get me closer to the finish line!!