Back to the Gym

After a seeminly long absence from the gym, I finally went back to the gym for a short swim.  Break time is over, I can't use finishing an Ironman as an excuse anymore.  That being said, there are still some exercises I cannot do, due to the bicep tendon tear (resulting in some shoulder pain) and the IT band irritation.  But I got back in the pool for a short, easy swim - to ease back into a work-out routine.

Just 1000 meters, which at one point sounded like a long swim.  Now, having done training sessions of over 2 miles in open water and many sessions of over 3000 meters in a lap pool, 1000 meters did not sound difficult.  However, getting into the water for the first time in weeks felt foreign.  The natural grab and pull of the water felt a bit different.  I didn't feel as smooth and I felt like my technique has gone to crap.  Did two hundred meters' worth of drills, but I think I'll be doing more drills soon.

If that wasn't enough of a sign that I need to get back into the gym, another sure sign that it has been far too long is the fact that I nearly forgot the combination to my lock.  After standing in front of my locker trying different combinations of the three numbers I thought was the correct numbers, I finally got lucky - only after realizing that the three numbers I originally believed to be the combination weren't correct!

Yes, it's time to get back into the routine.

Falling Apart: The Knee

Knee pains have bothered me since the beginning of training and right through Ironman Arizona.  Usually appearing only during long training runs, the pain is pretty sharp, on the outside bone of the knee.  Yes, I'm lacking any actual medical terminology, but then again, I'm not a scientist.



That's not my butt



A visit to the physical therapist, who advised me that the knee pain is actually due to my Iliotibial band (IT band).  Anti-inflammatory medicine should help - which is great since I already have a stash of 800mg ibuprofens. 

Unfortunately, even after complete rest for nearly two weeks, the pain still comes back during training runs.  Yesterday, an attempt at an easy few miles was cut short when the pain hit just past mile 2, and forced me to stop when the pain continued to get worse at mile 3.  This is not a good sign, as the pain usually does not occur so early. 

It's time to start doing IT band stretches and being more careful with it.  Even though Ironman Arizona is behind me now, Iron Sherpa is still sherpaing.  She already bought me an IT band/knee brace which has garnered multiple positive reviews for being helpful.  I'll have to try it soon.

Post-Race Time; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

One of my friends competed in Ironman way back in 1982 - well before the Ironman series became such a large commercial success, and raced with the Ironman legends (Dave Scott and others).  He warned me of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (in a lighthearted way, not to make light of the real Post Traumatic Stress Disorder affecting many of our nation's soldiers).  He jokingly tells me about dreams/'nightmares' he gets about the Ironman still.

Last night was my first one.  Details, as usual, are fuzzy now though I remember somehow losing both tires (along with the inner tubes) and wondering how I was going to get through the rest of the ride.  Many nonsensical scenarios in my dream, each of them making it difficult to finish.  The loss of the tires is probably related to my flat and other issues I ran into as a consequence of my early bike crash during Ironman Arizona.

But other than one dream, post-Ironman Arizona has been relatively stress-free.  Finally went to see a physical therapist for injuries sustained during an October bike spill while training.

Not only has my schedule been stress-free, but it's also been mostly exercise-free.  Other than a 9 minute high-intensity stair climb (up 50 flights of stairs) as a part of a benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, I've done very little.  The itch is back to start swimming, riding and running again.  Weather has not been cooperating but that's a weak excuse.  It's time to get back on the horse again.

Ironman Arizona: The Best Part [Part 2]

Pre-race Sherpa facebook posts are here.  And now we continue with her posts during the race!

Beginning of the swim.  At this point, I've been in the water for 15 minutes already, waiting for the cannon to signal the start of Ironman Arizona.  She's posted up by the swim finish, camera in hand and ready to cheer me on.  And yes, I agree.  She's the best Sherpa ever.



My first Sherpa sighting!



As I get through transition and on the bike, she knows she's got a bit of downtime while I go about making my first loop on the bike course.  She later tells me she noticed my first bike split was rather slow and was a bit worried.  What she didn't know at the time was my fight with the street sign and my flat, both of which are reflected in my slow first bike split.



She's got her timing down, estimating when I would pass through our pre-arranged cheering spot. 



Off to the run!  Two thumbs up on the outside, but my knee was already hurting by this point.  Didn't want to show the pain though.  Guess I covered it up pretty well.



Figure-eight course allowed for lots of places to see Sherpa.  Which meant I knew at those points I needed to look strong and as if nothing was bothering me!  I can tell my coach my knee hurts but Sherpa, I don't want to worry her with such things.  It's already been a long day, and I'm glad she's having fun.

 

Always thinking ahead!  What would I do without her?




Mile 23, I remember you.  At that point, I was telling myself "all you need to do is a 5k run. You've done plenty. You do one (and more) nearly every morning. This is nothing. Let's get 'er done."  And all through this, Sherpa is still running around like a maniac.  Some say I'm crazy for doing an Ironman. I say she's crazy for putting up with me doing an Ironman.



Done! Sherpa was right at the finish line.  I didn't see her, but I heard her yelling and screaming. :)
I did find her a little later as a volunteer led me a few steps away from the finish line (so others can have their moment too).



Even I thought the kiss was salty. :p

  What a day.  As much as I accomplished that day, Sherpa was obviously one busy girl all day too!

Many thanks to Sherpa for all of her support, time, effort and sacrifices.  Many thanks to all of my (and her) friends who commented and liked the posts and otherwise showed endless support on our successful Ironman endeavor!

Ironman Arizona: The Best Part [Part 1]

It's been just over two weeks since I finished Ironman Arizona.  I've had a chance to blog about the experience a bit, talk with a number of people, both who have done Ironman event in the past and family and friends who wanted to know more about my experience.  I also had some time to reflect on the experience - and it was definitely a good experience.

Among the most frequently asked question is "What was the best part?"

Many times the question is asked with the qualifier, "not counting the finish..."  But I don't even think the finish was the best part.  Maybe second best.  Crossing the finish line, rather than a sense of accomplishing a once-in-a-lifetime achievement and feeling on top of the world, I felt more relief.  Relief the race was over, that I did (and can tell people that I did) what I had set out to do.  It was relief that the time, energy, effort, money, and sacrifices was for something.

But the best part?  The best part was walking back to the hotel room after everything was done and having Iron Sherpa tell me about her day.  Running around like a maniac (my words, not hers) to make sure she saw me as often as possible and live facebook-blogging my entire race.  Then getting to the hotel room and her telling me to get on the computer and take a look at all the facebook activity that occurred through the day.

That was the best part of the day.  Take a look.  Below each of Iron Sherpa's facebook post includes a link to my corresponding blog post.  Kinda neat to get insider her head too.

Arrival in Tempe.  So many friends cheering me on from afar!



Thursday before IMAZ.  Biggest decision of the weekend... strip club or zoo?



Friday night before IMAZ, the energy and electricity of Ironman is enveloping us.



Ironman's Eve.  Is she just too cute or what?!  And it's true, I really did/do
appreciate hearing from and seeing posts from so many friends.



Still Ironman's Eve.  This is the post that was visible to me. Sneaky girl, that one!




Our super-early morning, day of Ironman Arizona.  I think she posted this up when I went off to
get body markings.  Not sure which one of the two of us was more nervous about the race...

 Next up... Iron Sherpa's facebook posts during the actual race.