IM is no joke

Well this week, I had a pretty big awakening to what I signed up to do. This is nuts. I mean absolutely crazy, and I have a whole new appreciation for anyone who has ever trained for and competed in an Ironman event.

Friday, I went to the NAT to do my swim and the pool was closed. So, I just said screw it and I decided that I would do my first OWS. It was definitely a lot tougher so I am glad that I started sooner. The water temp was about 57 degrees and the water was so green it looked like lettuce. Ironically, two of my classmates were there right before I got in the water so I got some awesome pictures thanks to them.

Saturday was a really long work out - I rode my bike for 4 hours and covered about 80 miles and then did a 30 minute recovery run right after. It was intense, I felt pretty crazy afterward and that is also when I just thought..this is insane, can I really do this? Does working out for this long ever get any easier? To be continued with that thought.... I also started to play with my nutrition a little bit during the long ride. I had one of hammers products and it seemed to really help me not die, and since I'm addicted to caffeine not have me get a huge headache.

Sunday - I did another OWS but this time on the IM course infront of the monona terrace. It was the nicest water I found yet. After that, I ran for 2 hours covering about 16 miles. For the first time since I can remember, I had to walk. I haven't had to walk since I first started training for long distances about 4 years ago. I'm hoping to look at it like a new challenge. I honestly don't know if I can actually do this which is EXACTLY why I need to do it.

The other part of this that I don't think anyone talks about is how much you EAT. Sunday, I probably have 4 dinners...including a huge breakfast (pancakes, eggs, fruit, cottage cheese), 3 brats at brat fest and corn, qdoba burrito and a sandwich later that night. I mean honestly, that is so much food!

All in all, I am proud of this passed weeks work out but am still wondering, can I really do this?

5/22 Brick Day

BRICK DAY - 1hour bike and 20 minute vo2max run dipped into 5:49 min/miles! Softball tonight too haha

I'm a pool cramper

Did 10 hill repeats for about 45 minutes in the warm weathEr-my favorite kind of a run. Swam 2000 - couldn't finish the last 350 because I got really really bad cramps. It was awful. I just kept thinking, if this happened in open water what would I do. Lesson of training: always swim first.

50 miles in sunshine!

I had my first really great bike ride in warm weather with no wind today. I also hit a squirrel on my bike-the strangest things happen while you are out there. I did a part of the IM loop-figured the more times on there the better. It feels great to finally be able to work out when I want to and not have to worry about studying. Hopefully my posts will be more regular now.

Jaw Update: I officially have a retainer to wear at night to try and take off some of the stress on my TMJ joint. I also have been going to see an OT who was great. We did ultrasound and massage today and it helped me feel a lot better. I go back in about two weeks to see how this helps and if it isn't better-I will get an MRI of my jaw to make sure the joint isn't degenerating.

5/2-5/4

I had my first what I would call really intense work out of Ironman training this passed weekend. This included swimming and running on Friday (2 hours),  Biking 60 miles on the Ironman loop and running 30 minutes Saturday, and yesterday was a 1.25 mile swim and a 13 mile run at a pretty descent pace. I am really enjoying the new challenge of a triathlon. It's funny, I'm sore in places I never thought I could/would be. Today is a rest day thank goodness and I am hobbling around like an old man.

Arthritis Update: After a lot of back and forth with my doctor and insurance companies, I finally found a clinic and a physician who will see me at the UW Hospital for my TMJ problems in my jaw. I am excited and nervous to see what they will have to say. I also am hoping it is a quick solution and not something more drastic. The doctor is unfortunately retiring so it won't be a quick fix, but at least I will be able to make sure I am not doing more damage than good.

Surround yourself with people who provide you with support and love and remember to give back as much as you can in return.

Karen Kain