Two weeks ago there was a slight plot twist in my training, fun right? Saturday morning started out normal. My usual battle with the alarm clock, lots of snoozing, and then jumping out of bed when I realize I’m late. Pack up like if I’m heading out for the Tour de France and head over for our long ride with All4Cycling. Start up our warm up, talking about the new USA shows (mixed reviews to be honest) and all of a sudden I’m heading straight for the asphalt. The guy in front of hit a reflector on the street and took his wheel out, seriously these things are and apparently out to get me. No time to react, just enough time to hit the brakes. The whole thing was in slow motion and never ending. The second he hit the floor I knew I was eating pavement. With all the finesse in the world I took a little air and landed shoulder first, bounced a few times (people wear your helmets)…and may have possibly rolled sideways, I really can’t say cause I was focusing on the pain shooting thru my arm. All I heard was a bunch of noise cause my thoughts were just screaming. In real dramatic fashion, being Monica and all, I swore my Ironman career was over. Siting in someone’s driveway waiting to be picked up, cause of course I wasn’t allowed to continue riding, gave me a few minutes to calm myself. So it pretty much meant taking a few days off, thrilling. The next morning I felt like I had been severely beat with a metal object, but just to be sure, I got on the bike. I lasted a good 1:15 before my shoulder said what the hell were you thinking! Pissed, I packed up and went back home to get back in bed and catch up on the Tour and ice. Side note: TDF, full of plot twist!
Fast forward two weeks later, eleven pounds of ice, a few tears of frustration (I got stuck in my clothes a lot), a new hate for potholes on the bike, a few painful runs and I got back in the pool for the first time this morning. My shoulder wasn’t thrilled but good enough to know I can make it thru a 2.4 mile swim tomorrow if necessary. What I was most upset about, deferring Huntington Triathlon, I was so hoping to get my first podium. Small races are my only hope…for the time being J The good thing is I was confident enough with my training the last few months to know that taking it easy for a few days wouldn’t really do much harm. I think it was actually beneficial cause I felt like I was starting to burn out. I was so mentally drained, I ran without the soles of my shoes. Yes, no soles….just kind of forgot them at home.
Spectating does have its perks 🙂
So, it’s August 1st, Ironman month…countdown begins! It felt so far away when I started training for it, it’s kind of surreal that it’s actually here. I was relatively calm until I woke up and my phone said August. If it didn’t feel real, it just got real. The prep work starts now… list of what goes in each bag (a lot of sunblock and Vaseline), tune up for BABS (my bike), touching up the final details of my nutrition plan (seems like life or death for this race), mentally prepping myself for the longest day of my life (longest.day.ever). Taking deep breaths. Practicing my ironman trot. Picturing my shoot finish (prepping for the pictures of course). But I can say with all certainty, I am ready for this. I have never felt so excited, yet so scared for something in my life ~ AddingMoMiles
AddingMoMiles 