One Week, Two 18 Milers and 2 Ice Baths

As I sat home on a Friday night, cleaning and mentally preparing my my run today I thought who else might be in too.  I thought of some friends, of course my training partner in crime and other buddies I ride/race with.  I thought of my crazy friend biking across the US, wondering where she was sleeping that night :)  These athletes are all amazing, and I continue to be inspired by them and am truly blessed to have them in my life as friends now.  


I read some of The Art of War.  Chrissie Wellington read this before her first IM so naturally it seems logical to do the same :)  This was in the intro and I had to crack a smile:

"The Art of War is quintessentially Chinese: wise beyond its pages, cryptic, simple, wonderfully profound - and at its root, pacific.

How fitting and I know everyone will enjoy that.  I love being Asian (as do so many of my friends love that I am haha).  


Had another shocking good run, my second 18 miler just 6 days after the first!!!  This is a huge personal accomplishment for me - as my longest run prior to this training was 14-15.  As my coach told me, no need to run a marathon during training unless you want.  And I didn't.  I wanted the first marathon I ran to be at the end of my first Ironman!  Call me crazy, but that is the truth.  Was tired during at the end of course, but refueled twice and tried to drink and eat enough.  Felt nauseous as I started my final 4.5, that wasn't pleasant but subsided in 2 miles.  Saw some familiar faces along the way, always helps give a boost.  Finished on a high note, and feel good about it. 


Best part was as I neared Manayunk and saw all these kids biking and telling me "on your left" (not doing this fuels my riding rage).  Then I see adults coaching them and the kiddies running.  I run to catch up to this one little girl (let it be noted she was ahead of me but I was running significantly slower since this was only mike 10 and I was conserving energy!).  I ask what she's training for and she tells me a youth triathlon.  They were so stinking cute, and made my turnaround there extra fun.  


The only bad thing was the need for a bathroom break 6 in so my first pit stop was a little longer than I wanted it to be.  My stomach failed me again.  Rats.  Playing with what I can eat before a long run has been frustrating, but now i know to KISS - keep it simple, stupid.  Eat white and it's alright.  No wheat, no raw veggies, no spice, limited fiber and protein.  Bland.  Fun.  I envy people with steal stomachs, those were the days.  


Mental prep for a training run, something that probably doesn't make much sense to many I understand.  But it's necessary for me, to keep nerves down and build confidence during these last few tough (most challenging) training weeks.  I rolled out my legs and convinced boo boo to rub my left hammy that I somehow pulled this week on a ride.  Excuse to grab some ass? ;)  Seriously, it is pretty awesome that we both know about the body and muscles for this kind of crap.  It is also nice to have company these weekend nights I feel a little lame with bedtimes of 10-11 and having 1 drink.  Prank texting other friends we know are drunk has been amusing though.


Tomorrow is another big day, a century.  100 miles.  Not my first, but certainly much hillier than MS and a lot different on tired legs from today.  But it is an organized ride, French Creek Iron Tour, and I get to be with friends.  So we'll take the pace as needed, enjoy the scenery, and hope that my butt and groin hold up as this saddle is not feeling so hot.  Had no time to switch/replace it either this week, unfortunately, time to suck it up.    


The end is in sight, just need to stay the course.  Follow the training plan, and start making the race day plans.  Trust the work.  Keep trusting your coach, he does know what is best.  These are my mantras.  


This is the stuff champions are made of, right?  :)