Thinking of pulling out of IMAZ...sigh...

[Running Mommy]

After once again not being able to "git er done" when it comes to my long ride, I think it may be time to pull the plug on IMAZ version 3.0...
I've been about killing myself trying to get my training in, but it's just not happening.
I had planned on doing a 100 miler today, but I only managed 50. Not exactly what I needed being less than 5 weeks out from race day.
It was a bit windy out where I was riding and I just hit a wall. I developed a headache with about 30 miles on, and I just crumbled from there. I think I was dehydrated.
I was able to run fine off the bike, but I have to face facts.
There's no faking an Ironman. You either did the training or you didn't. And at this point, I haven't.
I'm going to give it one more shot next weekend, but if I'm not able to pull it together then I'm going to pull the plug.
The shop has been crazy busy-which is a good thing, and I need to focus on that right now. Ironman will always be there. The shop is our livelyhood.
Sigh.... but it will be VERY HARD not to race this year. Esp. after my heartbreaking dnf last year.
But facts are facts. Here is where I'm at...

Swim: I'm fine. Those I have been getting in, so I know I can do the swim.Slow as it is, I know I can do it in 2 hours like usual.

Bike: longest ride so far 90 miles, and I haven't felt nearly as strong on the bike as I did last year.

Run: longest run has been 2.5 hours. I usually run 3 hour runs once a week.

Bricks: I usually do big bricks off my long rides, those haven't been happening. They have been mostly 80/6 or shorter.

So yeah, not very good.... sigh.... I guess we'll see how this week goes...
ugh...

Oh- and a side note... I should have known my ride was going to be bad today. Two miles in I was riding up a hill. There was a car coming down the hill towards me. A squirrel ran into the center divide and when he saw me got spooked and ran the opposite direction, right into the path of the car. And yeah, he was squished...
When I rode back him on my way home I apologized to the poor little guy..

[KSH]

Denise, your shop comes first. Ironman second. And if you can't race because of the shop, the so be it.

Only you know if you are trained and ready. If you don't feel ready, then that is OK.

Or, maybe you train as much as you can... and go race as much as you can. If you DNF, then you DNF. You paid your $500, might as well use some of it, right?

Good luck in making your decision. *Hugs*

[Veronica]

Or, maybe you train as much as you can... and go race as much as you can. If you DNF, then you DNF. You paid your $500, might as well use some of it, right?

You might surprise yourself with how well you do on race day.

V.

[Fredwina]

RM,
I'm the same boat > I signed up to do the Casa Grande 400K to Arivaca this Saturday and came with a cold. I t looks it going away, but I have still have put 4 10hour shifts under our office's wonderful HVAC system

[Mr. SR500]

You might surprise yourself with how well you do on race day.

V.

+1 the bike can come back fast, maybe not as fast as you like, but you can do the mileage. 5k is about all I run so can't help you there, but if you've got the swim, your legs remember the bike, just dial in the run.

[Wahine]

RM - I'd have to agree with V and the last part of KSH's post. I think you should race. You may not have the training in and you may DNF, but you'll know that you tried and you put your best foot forward under the circumstances. If you don't do it, will you regret that decision long term, always wonder what could have happened on that day.

Let you expectations go and just do the race for the fun of doing the race. you may not finish. You might decide to stop halfway through. You might decide you don't want to head out from T2. But start the race and take it as it comes.

I don't want to push you to do something that is unhealthy for you. I want you to understand that I would want you to stop if it was too much physically. But if I've learned anything from my adventures in this last month, it's not to let your mind limit you when your physical body is capable of more. Like I said, you may not be able to finish, but you know that you can start and get through at least most of the bike if not all of it, and a good chunk of the run. Go for it.

I'm rooting for you.

[Tri Girl]

I agree with the others, RM. I say at least show up to the starting line and see how the day goes from there. Last year I was seriously undertrained for my first race of the season, and although I walked the whole run and came in almost dead last , I was still glad I made myself go to the race.
You have TONS of experience from which to pull. You know your body and what you're capable of. Try it and see how it goes. If on loop 2 of the bike you decide you're done, then so be it. If you make it the first mile of the marathon and want to take a nap- go ahead and catch some zzzzz's.
Your shop is the most important thing right now, so train smart like you know how, race as much as you can, and be content with knowing that you are an ANIMAL for attempting an IM the year you opened your own business. I know it takes tremendous strength do even do one of those, let alone both simultaneously.
You do what you know is best for you, and no matter what you decide, you know we're behind you a million percent.

[crazycanuck]

Denise-I'm not an IM chickie but understand the amt of training required to get there. YOu've been training so you at least have something to be proud of. Even if you DNF, you're still a cool chickie.

(((RM))

I'll be following your progress again this year!!!

PS-if you're still comin down for IMWA 09, we could celebrate then

[Running Mommy]

I think Wahine nailed it on the head...

Last year I spent MONTHS after the grand IM DNF wondering "what if". And you know what? You are all RIGHT!!
If I don't at least attempt the race then I WILL regret it. I know myself. I'll beat myself up for MONTHS over it just like last year.

You know I was talking to a couple of my good customers today, and they all told me just to go TRY (heh heh get it.. TRI... TRY) to do it.
Our new mechanic even volunterred to ride with me to get that 100 mile monkey off my back.
Actually he told running hubby to go drive me out a hundred miles from home and drop me and valentina off! heh heh heh

So I think I know what I'll do. I will keep plugging along, and take all the pressure off myself. That bike course is easy peasy. It's just the distance that's daunting. But my legs have done the distance before. They know what to do. So I'm going to go for it. And whatever happens- happens.
I'm confident that if I'm off the bike by 4:30 I can make it even if I have to walk. I'll be another "last minute finisher" but I can make it.
I really DO need to get that dang DNF monkey off my back.
So now lets just pray that the wind stays away this year. 2006 was nice. Some said it was windy, but it wasn't anything I'm not used to. Phoenix ALWAYS seems windy in spring.

Well, off to bed. THANKS FOR THE BUTT KICK!!!!! I needed it!

[crazycanuck]

RM..remember your nutrition plan. You mentioned it in last year's report..Don't foiget k..

[Running Mommy]

Ok, so I just went back and browsed at last years training logs that I posted here.
Seems a few things stand out. I ALWAYS bonk at 50 miles, but if I give it a minute I can push through it. So I guess I just didn't give it enough time today.
Also, I didn't train any harder last year than I am this year, except in the long ride/brick dept.
So heck, maybe I WILL surprise myself??
Who knows??

[rocknrollgirl]

YEA!!!!!

I was so bummed for you when I read this thread. GO FOR IT!!!! If you pull out, you pull out, but at least you will have tried. I think the TE team is right. You might just surprise yourself....

[JmcG]

I agree and think you should definitely try for it. You have (at least) 3 years of a great base built up so even though you might have "slacked" on your training this year, I'm sure you can pull from the base you've acquired over the past several years. If this was your first IM, I think I'd be scared for you, but since it's your third (right?) your body knows what to expect, knows how the distances feel, and I think at this point it might be mind over body anyway. Good luck with the rest of your training - just don't kill yourself 2 weeks out from the race b/c you're trying to catch up.
(This coming from a 2007 FL IMer who's taking this year off to rest. Congrats to you for keeping up the spirit year after year!)

Let us know how it's going and if you need more support. If I lived near you, I'd come out and ride those 100 miles with you! Sometimes that's all it takes - just someone else to give you a little push when your mind/body is trying to fight back.

[KSH]

That's the spirit RM!

Just go out there and try. If you can't finish... then so be it. But if you do, then woo-hoo!

Here's how I see it... you paid your money... and if you don't try to race then it's like throwing money away. Use up that $500 lady!

[Wahine]

RM - I am soooooooooo glad you've changed your mind set. You really can do this and if you don't, at least you will have tried. I have a feeling that you'll do great.