IM training... and the beat goes on..

[Running Mommy]

Dentist went ok, root canals are never fun..
I received my new selle strike saddle so I put that on the road bike to try her out. I think she's going to work out fine but I need to fine tune the position a bit. I still have a few sore "areas" from last weeks 100 miler.. ugh. Gotta love saddles and that tender soft tissue..
My hammy is fine today, but of course I didn't run, so we'll see tomorrow. Actually we'll see thursday- my long run day. Tomorrow is 1-2 hours in the saddle and an hour swim.
Thanks for checking in with me. I can't wait to meet you in person! Just over a month away! OY!!! Next week is the Bon Jovi concert and I realized that it's exactly one month from IMAZ. - Did I mention that I'm a HUGE Bon Jovi fan??!! Jon Bon Jovi mmm mmm mmm- he's one fine specimen of a human being...
Oh- also got wind that they are changing the run course from two loops to three. It will be more spectator friendly thats for sure.

[Lise]

Gotta agree about Jon Bon Jovi...

I am so impressed that you are not sore after that big ride. When I ran the marathon, I came home and soaked in a hot tub, even though I'd been told not to. What a mistake. Cool water. Really. You've just proven that point for me! Today I was thinking that "the race" is what we focus on, but the training is an amazing achievement in itself. You do so many more miles in training than on the big day itself. Be proud of yourself. What a great life. L.

[KSH]

Oh... and I added two pic's from my ride today on my photo page, though I'm not happy w/ my big ol GUT hanging out!

Well, if you ask me... you look healthy! Like an athlete.

What has really surprised me, is that all triathletes do NOT have the same body type.

Just because you (general you) aren't stick skinny, doesn't mean that you won't kick some skinny gal's butt.

It's all about training and what your body can do.

And, let's face it, even when you (not you directly, a general "you") don't have a *perfect* body, training makes you feel lighter... and a couple of extra pounds don't matter... because you (general "you") know that you can kick butt!

Congrats on all the training! Sounds like you are going to a great job! You will FINISH!

[Lise]

What has really surprised me, is that all triathletes do NOT have the same body type.

This is what shocked me into trying triathlons in the first place. I went to cheer for a friend at the Accenture Tri here in Chicago, and I saw old people, heavy people, unlikely triathletes. My favorite was a fat woman in a clown suit, who carried a sign on the run that said, "Don't Take It Too Seriously!" I have always wondered if she wore the clown suit on the bike, or if it was part of her transition set-up. Well, it would help you find your bike! I love it that so many different kinds of bodies are out there, doing the tri. L.

[Running Mommy]

Love that tag line Lise.. Of course I had to finish the verse!

Yeah I'm an "unlikely" triathlete, but I don't think thats all bad.
IMNA (Ironman North America) sent me an email asking if I wanted to become part of the "adopt an Ironman" program. You basically go into schools and talk to kids about IM and being active and such. Of course I jumped at the chance. In my email back to the lady I explained that I'm prefect for it because I don't look like the typical Im athlete, and that my line to them is "it doesn't matter your size or shape, what matters is that your active and healthy". Hopefully they pick me for the program.

[Lise]

Oh, I hope they pick you! That would be so cool. I am daydreaming about how my childhood would have been different if a Denise/RunningMommy-type triathlete had come and talked to my class. Wow. To have that image as part of "what's possible" for a girl like me would have been profound. Even if you don't do it as part of that program, maybe you could go to your son's school and do a presentation anyway! The kids would love the wetsuit, and your bike is the coolest.

I ran this morning with a friend. I was having trouble waking up this morning, and kept falling back asleep and dreaming that Tracy, from this board, had flown to Chicago to go for a run with me, and I couldn't seem to get it together to go running. Couldn't find my shoes, had the wrong keys, stuff like that. It was a relief to just get up, get dressed, and go run for real! It's snowing here, sort of drizzle-snow, wet, cold, and grey. I pulled on my bright red Nordic walking shoes, which are great for running in wet, icy conditions.

As we ran, I told my friend about you guys. She's run a marathon before, and done one "mini" tri (I keep correcting her, "SPRINT" not mini!). She totally surprised me by saying, "I want to do an IM. But I suppose I should do something more than a mini tri first." Wow! The things you find out about people! She's a short little woman--we sprint the last block of our run, and with my long legs, I always finish 1/2 block before her. I know she'll be very inspired by the IM stories here.

Rest up, Denise. I know the feeling of exhausted but can't rest. Maybe go for a lesiurely walk if you're too keyed up to couch surf. Take it easy. Get the body off high-alert. I'm thinking cherry pie thoughts for you. I keep a can of light cherry pie filling on hand, to eat on top of my low fat frozen yogurt, or on graham crackers. Not the same as pie, but not bad, either.

Enjoy some well-deserved recovery time! Remember, you're building muscle when you rest. L.

[KSH]

Love that tag line Lise.. Of course I had to finish the verse!

Yeah I'm an "unlikely" triathlete, but I don't think thats all bad.
IMNA (Ironman North America) sent me an email asking if I wanted to become part of the "adopt an Ironman" program. You basically go into schools and talk to kids about IM and being active and such. Of course I jumped at the chance. In my email back to the lady I explained that I'm prefect for it because I don't look like the typical Im athlete, and that my line to them is "it doesn't matter your size or shape, what matters is that your active and healthy". Hopefully they pick me for the program.

Yea, that would totally ROCK if you could go into schools. It will let kids know what they can do and encourage them to try it! You could even discuss with them that there are tri's for kiddos too!