My Tri Journey Week 5..Count down to race day!
Hello world!
I can't believe I made it to 5 weeks of training! I sit here typing my blog feeling a bit emotional. I'm starting to worry and wonder will I be successful? Will I be ready for race day? It's been raining so bad here in south Florida. For a week straight we experienced non-stop rain that caused floods throughout my neighborhood. All the cyclist on facebook were all in their feelings! We wanted to train and there was no way that we could! I couldn't get in the water. I couldn't get on the roads or go to the park. I couldn't run! I workout in the gym but to be an effective triathlete you have to get in the water, you have to get on your bike and you have to train your body to run after doing those 2 specific events.
So let me bump a bit to June 3rd ( I don't think I talked about that day) So I planned on doing a 5k race. This would be my final 5k race in preparation not only for my triathlon but my half marathon that I plan on embarking on in Oct. Why? Because this girl plans on getting out of the sprint life style and getting more involved in the full throttle of triathlon races (everything takes time and practice). It was hot as hell and honestly I didn't want to PR. So many bugs too so that didn't help at all! I brought my bike because now I have allowed myself to consistently think ahead. If I was going to run I was going bike. This was now my knew found habit, now to get some swimming in...
During the 5k, I was pacing about 10 min miles. Another friend of mine huaina is an amazing runner shes almost an 8 min mile pacer and i'm simply a 9:30 min mile pacer. Her daughter was with her so we both were like "were defiantly not PR'ing today". After the first mile I started to pick up the pace a bit because I can't seem to run slow for too long. Mile 2 was more 9:50 pace mile 3 9:30 (I wanted to get it over and done with) My thought process again wasn't a win or anything. I wanted to get to my bike and start riding lol. I finished the race at 32 mins and thought ok cool...whatever. However a bit later I and Huaina thought to look at our ranking (just for the fun of it) I got first place! Now, at this moment I busted out laughing. I from that point did not view it as a competitive race but a fun race with crazy results. After the awards ceremony I went to my car got changed ( I surely did change my shorts in the car) and prepared to bike. I was able to keep pace at 12 mph and completed 10.5 miles that day. I then proceeded to do a 1.5 mile run afterwards. I have to get my body prepared to transition so it was necessary.
School was finally out for the summer!! I was excited, my daughter spends the month of June with her dad and my son is preparing to head to Atlanta. This means I can focus more on my training without having to worry about rushing home and ensuring I give them the quality time that is needed. It's been pretty tough with my son. He's a teen and a loner. I love that kid but sometimes I want to smack him in the face so hard that his brain changes and he becomes more respectful, selfless and no longer has the character of being super lazy! Having a teen son as a single parent is not easy. You think being a in a relationship with a man and him making you feel like crap is good? Well, what would you say about your son with whom you carried at times doesn't appreciate you? how would you feel? I was young when I had my son. Yet, I took my responsibilities head on. It wasn't about me or my goals it was all about him! Then my daughter came and that's another story but I didn't think I would continue being a single parent. Life had other plans. Now being a single parent of two I defiantly couldn't do anything for myself. Not that it wasn't possible, I could've been neglectful. I could've been irresponsible and made life all about what i wanted. But I didn't. I didn't want to do that!
This is why the past 2 years (now that they are older) I've re-vamped my entire process into slowly getting more in gear of reaching goals I lost a while back. I don't want to get too much into my story but for a long time I focused on my character and my self-image. I wanted to get out of allowing negative thought patterns rule my life. I knew that I was a good person, I was working so hard on my relationship with God and I wanted to do things I told myself long ago that I wouldn't. So...here I am embarking on becoming a triathlete, marathoner and one day an Iron Man! Who in the heck would have thunk that? It's amazing when you start to believe in yourself, when your faith is rekindled where life takes you and the people it brings you to.
Monday rolled around and so did the storms. All the planning to swim this week, was all washed away. The first 3 days were tough yet I decided to workout Thursday morning at OTF and go to the doghouse later to get more training in. I just didn't want to discourage myself any more than I already had. This was my first time training with other cyclist who were not apart of the Bocatri crew. I was pretty proud of myself for keeping up. I was excited that by Friday afternoon, the rain was gone. So I quickly went to trade-winds to train! It was hard due to the wind but glorious nonetheless. Alex bike shop was hosting a fun mock tri on Sunday. I set out to do it! I wanted to experience this before the big race in 3 weeks. Yet Sunday rolls around and I ended up doing something different. I debated all day Saturday should I or shouldn't I? I just mentally wasn't ready and I don't know why. Why after fighting through all of my doubts did i get back to square one? I worked out then headed to church. that afternoon was needed. I needed to spend time among someone to encourage me and relax. I had an amazing time hanging with my friend Tenisa. Sometimes that's what we need, it's to check out and be around those who can encourage you even if it's for a moment.
I am determined this week to get in the water some way some how. I see different people doing different things together and I find myself stuck feeling alone in a sense. Like I don't belong apart of any "crew" that i'm set apart. It's one of the worst feelings in the world when your training...to do it alone. Then I think to let go of those thoughts and that it's ok! It's worked out in the end and it will continue to work out moving forward. I have leilani who is incredible and we've planned to train together this Saturday. I have more training with the Boca-Tri crew so that's something to look forward to. This is all great! but I still feel I am all alone in this...did you ever feel that way? I can be among a variety of groups yet I look and see that I'm not as close to any of them as I would like and that kind of sucks. I look at women like Lisa who is a go-getter. She does not care what she does by herself she gets up and goes! What an inspiration! I can do this! Heidi popped up in my mind again because she is tough as nails she has the character of an amazon warrior...NO Seriously! I think of Huiana who couldn't really run before and she is pacing at an expert level...I am reminded of the women I am surrounded by who have triumphed in some way. I have been doing things by myself for a while I certainly can tackle pushing myself besides I have the best partner in Christ to push me past negative thoughts and ideas. He reminds me where I was and where I am now. I choose to make this week a time of purpose! My focus wont only be on physical training but mental training as well. I pan on deepening my relationship with God, I plan on getting in the water at all cost! I have a goal, and I'm not slowing down now. Not by a long shot!
So let me bump a bit to June 3rd ( I don't think I talked about that day) So I planned on doing a 5k race. This would be my final 5k race in preparation not only for my triathlon but my half marathon that I plan on embarking on in Oct. Why? Because this girl plans on getting out of the sprint life style and getting more involved in the full throttle of triathlon races (everything takes time and practice). It was hot as hell and honestly I didn't want to PR. So many bugs too so that didn't help at all! I brought my bike because now I have allowed myself to consistently think ahead. If I was going to run I was going bike. This was now my knew found habit, now to get some swimming in...
During the 5k, I was pacing about 10 min miles. Another friend of mine huaina is an amazing runner shes almost an 8 min mile pacer and i'm simply a 9:30 min mile pacer. Her daughter was with her so we both were like "were defiantly not PR'ing today". After the first mile I started to pick up the pace a bit because I can't seem to run slow for too long. Mile 2 was more 9:50 pace mile 3 9:30 (I wanted to get it over and done with) My thought process again wasn't a win or anything. I wanted to get to my bike and start riding lol. I finished the race at 32 mins and thought ok cool...whatever. However a bit later I and Huaina thought to look at our ranking (just for the fun of it) I got first place! Now, at this moment I busted out laughing. I from that point did not view it as a competitive race but a fun race with crazy results. After the awards ceremony I went to my car got changed ( I surely did change my shorts in the car) and prepared to bike. I was able to keep pace at 12 mph and completed 10.5 miles that day. I then proceeded to do a 1.5 mile run afterwards. I have to get my body prepared to transition so it was necessary.
School was finally out for the summer!! I was excited, my daughter spends the month of June with her dad and my son is preparing to head to Atlanta. This means I can focus more on my training without having to worry about rushing home and ensuring I give them the quality time that is needed. It's been pretty tough with my son. He's a teen and a loner. I love that kid but sometimes I want to smack him in the face so hard that his brain changes and he becomes more respectful, selfless and no longer has the character of being super lazy! Having a teen son as a single parent is not easy. You think being a in a relationship with a man and him making you feel like crap is good? Well, what would you say about your son with whom you carried at times doesn't appreciate you? how would you feel? I was young when I had my son. Yet, I took my responsibilities head on. It wasn't about me or my goals it was all about him! Then my daughter came and that's another story but I didn't think I would continue being a single parent. Life had other plans. Now being a single parent of two I defiantly couldn't do anything for myself. Not that it wasn't possible, I could've been neglectful. I could've been irresponsible and made life all about what i wanted. But I didn't. I didn't want to do that!
This is why the past 2 years (now that they are older) I've re-vamped my entire process into slowly getting more in gear of reaching goals I lost a while back. I don't want to get too much into my story but for a long time I focused on my character and my self-image. I wanted to get out of allowing negative thought patterns rule my life. I knew that I was a good person, I was working so hard on my relationship with God and I wanted to do things I told myself long ago that I wouldn't. So...here I am embarking on becoming a triathlete, marathoner and one day an Iron Man! Who in the heck would have thunk that? It's amazing when you start to believe in yourself, when your faith is rekindled where life takes you and the people it brings you to.
Monday rolled around and so did the storms. All the planning to swim this week, was all washed away. The first 3 days were tough yet I decided to workout Thursday morning at OTF and go to the doghouse later to get more training in. I just didn't want to discourage myself any more than I already had. This was my first time training with other cyclist who were not apart of the Bocatri crew. I was pretty proud of myself for keeping up. I was excited that by Friday afternoon, the rain was gone. So I quickly went to trade-winds to train! It was hard due to the wind but glorious nonetheless. Alex bike shop was hosting a fun mock tri on Sunday. I set out to do it! I wanted to experience this before the big race in 3 weeks. Yet Sunday rolls around and I ended up doing something different. I debated all day Saturday should I or shouldn't I? I just mentally wasn't ready and I don't know why. Why after fighting through all of my doubts did i get back to square one? I worked out then headed to church. that afternoon was needed. I needed to spend time among someone to encourage me and relax. I had an amazing time hanging with my friend Tenisa. Sometimes that's what we need, it's to check out and be around those who can encourage you even if it's for a moment.
I am determined this week to get in the water some way some how. I see different people doing different things together and I find myself stuck feeling alone in a sense. Like I don't belong apart of any "crew" that i'm set apart. It's one of the worst feelings in the world when your training...to do it alone. Then I think to let go of those thoughts and that it's ok! It's worked out in the end and it will continue to work out moving forward. I have leilani who is incredible and we've planned to train together this Saturday. I have more training with the Boca-Tri crew so that's something to look forward to. This is all great! but I still feel I am all alone in this...did you ever feel that way? I can be among a variety of groups yet I look and see that I'm not as close to any of them as I would like and that kind of sucks. I look at women like Lisa who is a go-getter. She does not care what she does by herself she gets up and goes! What an inspiration! I can do this! Heidi popped up in my mind again because she is tough as nails she has the character of an amazon warrior...NO Seriously! I think of Huiana who couldn't really run before and she is pacing at an expert level...I am reminded of the women I am surrounded by who have triumphed in some way. I have been doing things by myself for a while I certainly can tackle pushing myself besides I have the best partner in Christ to push me past negative thoughts and ideas. He reminds me where I was and where I am now. I choose to make this week a time of purpose! My focus wont only be on physical training but mental training as well. I pan on deepening my relationship with God, I plan on getting in the water at all cost! I have a goal, and I'm not slowing down now. Not by a long shot!
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