Canada vs Italy

If I get to the finish line in Italy on September 22, it will be a different ending for me this time than Canada was. 


From July 2015-July 2016, training for Ironman Canada helped me give my husband and daughter space to nurture their relationship - and giving me something to do for myself.  When I crossed the finish line, I made a T with my arms so my hubs would know I was thinking of him. He was that special to me - that my finish line moment included him in the only way I knew how.   

When I got back to my Whistler condo that night, I had a cute text from him.  I felt his support, encouragement, admiration, and I felt hope for our family.  We had lunch the week after and it was meaningful.  We spent some quality time together over the next few months and I really believed our family was still in the running for mending.  I held onto hope for the next 18 months privately nurturing a connection with my husband, but in the end, he appeared conflicted on how to bring our family back together again.  The signing of our divorce papers was actually a very tender evening.  We had dinner, we cried, we held each other a long time, it was kind and respectful and loving. I believed that if I continued to show him support and unconditional love, that eventually, he would have capacity again for me in his life - without outside forces working against us. 


I don't regret giving him my Canada finish moment.  It was hard to not have him there with me.  But as I look ahead 10 weeks from now, I know my Italy finish line needs to be about me honoring myself.  I'm looking forward to a very different picture.   


My Italy finish line picture will honor myself. 

what's going on...

Where have I been? 


I've been training nearly every day since January and it is killing me. My body really aches and it's a lot of logistics to keep track of. 


My goal of blogging this second journey - has gone in the toilet - because frankly, I just don't feel drawn to do so.
 


I may shift direction and start writing into the WHY I am doing this second IM.  Training provides a lot of time to do deep thinking and I've been waiting a long time to get everything written down so maybe my brain can have a rest from all the ruminating questions that I have been left to sort out. 


I am not doing this IM for fun or even for health - I'm doing it to stay alive - it's that simple.  I signed up so I could find something to focus on and a reason to get out of bed. 


According to the calendar, I've been grieving for 51 months - but it really only feels like a month.  My heart is tender and raw - and the love I have for them is every-bit-real as it always has been.  Without them, my world feels very incomplete and I am sad every.single.day.  The pain is so immense, I don't even have words to describe it.  I don't know how to make sense of this journey. 

First Track Workout

Today, I just planned to run some laps and loosen up my legs, but once I got started with the warmup and drills, I kept on going.  My body totally held up for me, I can't believe how well I ran after so much time off.

We did a total of 3.5 miles in the pouring down rain!

warmup run
quick feet drills
2 laps to warm up
3 laps at 70% followed by 1 min break
2 laps at 80% followed by 45 sec break
1 lap at 90% followed by 30 sec break
then reverse
1 lap at 90% followed by 30 sec break
2 laps at 80% followed by 45 sec break
3 laps at 70% followed by 1 min break

I got a lot of atta-girl, good-job girl, looking good girl, lots of positive feedback - with a few reminders to let my shoulders drop.  My coach seemed pleased with my first workout.  I did not know I had it in me to get through this, so happy. 

Met my coach today

I met my coach Rocky Ursino today in person.  We discussed our communication styles, his expectations, my goals, and a 9 month plan to get me ready.

I want to beat my time from Whistler; ideally, I would like to be under 15 hours.  I want to get faster and I need to lean out. His specialty is running, so I'm hoping to get over my long time plateau of being a 10 minute miler.  

We're going to partner well together. So far, I'm his only team member doing an Ironman this year. He's a pretty accomplished fella, check out this write-up about him.

https://www.prperformance.net/hire-triathlon-coach-seattle-bellevue-kirkland-redmond

Infared Sauna and Light Therapy

I knew I would wake up sore, so I scheduled a 6:15 am sauna to give me a reason to get out of bed and walk next door to the Hot Yoga Experience.

140 degrees for 30 minutes, helped me sweat, loosen up the body and drink a lot of water!

Italy - are you kidding me? YES!!

Two of my most admired friends asked me to join them this year to do Ironman again - but this time in Italy.  The course description prevented me from saying NO - I'm so excited!


On the coast of Emilia-Romagna—one of the most famous Italian regions in the world for nature, art, and food —sits Cervia, an ancient fishing village, nicknamed the City of Salt.


SWIM: The course starts from the wide and central beach of Cervia. It’s a single loop with an Australian exit on the beach after 2.5 km.


BIKE: The course starts on the promenade of Cervia and curls for two laps along the charming countryside of Romagna. It leads the athletes through the picturesque Natural Park of Salt Pans, where it is possible to appreciate the view of pink flamingos in their natural habitat. The course goes ahead through the pretty streets of Forlimpopoli and continues towards Bertinoro, "the balcony of Romagna". It crosses the vineyards of the famous Sangiovese and follows the so-called street of wine and tastes of Romagna. After passing the hill of Bertinoro, the course descends back to Cervia. The total elevation gain is about 700 m.


RUN:  The course is four laps of 10 km each; the completely flat course reveals some characteristic views of the touristic Cervia and Milano Marittima. After reaching the port canal, the course leads through the main streets of the nearby Milano Marittima. Continuing, athletes will benefit from the shady area offered by the "pine wood". Then they enter in the heart of Cervia across the square of the historic Salt Warehouse, icon of the city. After crossing the medieval city walls, the view opens on the charming Town Hall Square.

So, here we go again..

T-minus 261 days until #IMITALY - I can't believe it, feels surreal to be starting this journey again

My body is completely out of shape, starting from the ground up again.  This first month is going to hurt the muscles A LOT, but I am looking forward to routine and getting physically tired.

Tonight - just starting with an hour of hot yoga to loosen up!