Back to Normal Life

"I can't wait to have my normal life back again!" I said that multiple times a week during training. Every time I said that it was after turning down a happy hour after work, a night out downtown with friends, a weekend away... At the time I meant it. I was counting down the days until I could do all of that stuff again. I basically stopped drinking alcohol for 6 months. It was too hard to drink and wake up at 5 am the next day for training. Have you ever tried to run for three hours or bike ride for 5 dehydrated? It sucked constantly turning people down, but I had to. I couldn't wait to finally be able to say yes! While I have thoroughly enjoyed  reconnecting with all the people I care about the last few weeks and am looking forward to more this next week... I still just miss training.  It's a void that I haven't figured out yet how to fill in the next 6 months without training.

I've started running in the mornings again, for about an hour or so at a time, which has been enjoyable. I still find myself checking my tri watch after a 20 minute warm up deciding what intervals I should run. Would it really hurt to throw in some sprint intervals? I have to remind myself to just get back in touch with the simple joy of running - with no agenda, no set workout, no heart rate goals, just running. Simple, free, mindless. I never thought that would be so hard! I'm taking a break from my trainer. I got on the bike last week and realized how miserable spinning for hours on that thing is when I don't have a goal immediately in front of me. I have yet to get back into the pool, but will next week. Since I'm a pretty decent swimmer, it's still going to be fun to hop in the pool and get in a couple miles. Also, I need all my lap swim friends to see my new swim cap... Probably going to have a lot more lane cred (like street cred?) now when I'm leading our fast lane in the morning.

I'm already starting to research how to get faster for my next Ironman. I know I need to improve on the bike and actually push the marathon. I'm happy with my swim time, and that will work great for next year. I found this article on how to get faster for your next Ironman, perfect.

Found this list of "you know you're an Ironman when"...

20. You see a 26.2 sticker on a car and you say to yourself 'That's all? How cute'

19. None of your friends will train with you anymore.

18. You find yourself saying 'Mike Reilly says so'.

17. You spend more money on your bike than your car.

16. When you say to your friends, 'it's JUST a marathon!'

15. You have more workout clothes than work clothes.

14. You've peed on yourself two to three times that day. And that's just on the bike and run. Swim start peeing doesn't count. (I do NOT pee on myself on the bike or run....)

13. When you stand looking out over a beautiful lake, and your only thought is ... I'd like to swim that!

12. The tattoo is done!

11. You no longer think of a brick as a masonry construction term.

10. When you find yourself saying things like 'I'm busy tomorrow, I may only get in a five-hour workout.'

9. When you wear your finisher's hat and medal with an Ironman T-shirt and flipflops to a 'coat and tie required' steakhouse after the race and they gladly let it slide.

8. When your perfume/cologne is chlorine.

7. You book a race on your first wedding anniversary by mistake. All the while your spouse knows and supports and encourages you signing up.

6. When your FB profile picture is of you finishing an Ironman, and you've decide not change it until you finish your next one.

5. You start wearing tri shorts as normal underwear.

4. When you have little to no toe nails left.

3. You get goose bumps every time you watch one.

2. When you race for the ones that can't.

1. You smile and understand every one of these comments.

Below is the video from our race day. No one on my team made an appearance unfortunately, but it makes me laugh how hard they tried to NOT show footage of the pouring rain, because  they want this to inspire people to sign up for next year!! Also, the whole first minute is footage from the year before - there was no sun like that!!!

As I'm working to embrace normal life, outside of running quite a bit, I've added in 3 yoga classes a week (which I love) and some circuit/tabata/lifting. It's nice being able to lift what I want instead of lifting to focus on tri muscles!

Lots of exciting events are coming up - I leave for Hawaii in a little over a week. I'm looking forward to exploring Kauai. I've never been there. I'm hoping I connect to it like I do Maui. I'm looking forward to running all over the island, getting lost a few times, and doing something new every day. No set plans, all spontaneity. I'm proud of Isaac, who is a serious planner, for going along with this idea. Then I'm looking forward to geeking out on Kona. We're staying right by the swim start for Ironman World Championships! Might go for an ocean swim at the swim start... ALSO, the whole reason we're going, I'm obviously looking forward to watching two incredible friends tie the knot.

I'm looking forward to lots of live music next month. Bumbershoot is happening Labor Day weekend, Seattle's biggest music festival in my front yard. My favorite part is discovering new music I'd never find on my own. Last year at Bumbershoot the highlight for me without a doubt was Panic! at the Disco. I love them. I still listen to them on most of my runs (lately, the video below has the perfect beat for my runs and I love this video). I'm bummed they won't be there this year, but I'm looking forward to seeing The Weeknd, Atmosphere, Zedd, Brand New (throwback to high school), Bassnectar, Ben Harper, and in the next month discovering more new bands. I'm also looking forward to my sister being home again. She'll be home for the whole festival.

A lot to look forward to in the next month. I guess all that will fill the training void for now. 192 days until I start training again. Never, ever thought I'd have a countdown to START training again. Funny how things change.