Taking a "Vacation"

I've decided to take today off.  Many people would refer to this as what it really is in normal life -- a rest day.  However, to me, this is like a miniature vacation.

There has been a lot going on lately and my decision to do so was based out of concern for both physical burnout and my own sanity.  I decided to take a breather today and ban myself from anything resembling "work" (which I've been arguably successful at doing thus far).  No hard training (I did some yoga and mobility work...well, I couldn't just do NOTHING, could I?) and no business stuff.

Part of me feels guilty, like I'm a slacker.  And then there's the other part of me (yes, the rational, trainer part) that knows I need this in order to continue successful and motivated training.

This is the rub with being your own client.  As a trainer, you KNOW what you need to do.  As a client, you think you know better and want to do what you want anyway.  For today, I am listening to my inner trainer and relaxing.  Or at least doing my best at it.

Hard training resumes tomorrow -- along with the countdown!  Nine more weeks!!!

Meltdown Aftermath

Okay, so I might have had a teeny-tiny, eensie-weensie meltdown yesterday.  Just a culmination of a lot of stress, both good and bad, and the increasing demands of Ironman training.  Don't get me wrong, my points and emotions were valid.  But today I'm re-approaching things with a level head.

I am doing Ironman, so there is no getting around the training requirements.  So I pushed the reset button today.  I am no longer tracking my pace or times.  I am just getting the required mileage done.  If I have to go slower on some days (like yesterday because of the stupid friggin' wind that won't go away), that's the way it is.

I also reminded myself that I am very lucky to even be able to do something like this.  Some people CAN'T run, swim, or bike.  I am fortunate that I can even tackle this challenge.  Not only that, but I am fortunate for the improved health and fitness that working towards this goal has brought me.  I feel better now than I can ever remember, and it's because of consistent hard work and making healthy choices to support my training.

Today I had a great run.  The weather was perfect and I decided to enjoy being outside and taking in my surroundings.  I'll try to keep this positivity going throughout the rest of my training.

Why Did I Sign Up For This???????

The training sessions are getting long.  Very long.  Mind-numbingly long.  I'm beginning to feel as though Ironman is starting to take over my life.

My days consist of five activities only:

1. Working
2. Training
3. Eating
4. Peeing (all the time.  ALL THE TIME.)
5. Sleeping

This was a fun, meaningful pursuit just a few weeks ago.  Now it's beginning to feel like drudgery.  My brain was totally unmotivated during today's bike ride, despite the beautiful weather.  I feel like a kid in the backseat during a long car trip:  "Is it Ironman yet?  Is it Ironman yet?  Is it Ironman yet?"

I've got about seven more weeks of hard training left until the taper begins.  I cannot WAIT!  I am never friggin' doing this again.  And if I ever consider it in the future, remind me that I wrote this.

Off to do #3 above.

I Need Thicker Skin...Literally

Going into Ironman training, I wasn't naive enough to think that I would escape it without some kind of physical malady.  Mine has been surfacing over the past several weeks.  Pulled hamstring?  No.  ITB Syndrome?  No.  The dreaded Plantar Fasciitis???  Thank God NO!

Quite simply -- my skin has decided it doesn't like Ironman training and is going on strike.  And I'm not talking about the usual endurance-training skin afflictions.  I'm accustomed to raw patches, skin burns, blisters, and bruises.  In fact, I've become like a battlefield medic in terms of treating these minor injuries.

There are three brand new, more annoying issues that have reared their heads.  I am sharing, not for the sake of passing over the line of "Too Much Information" (or TMI), but to let others know that these things are (relatively) normal...so you don't freak out like I did and go on WebMD for five hours wondering what is wrong with you.

1. Saddle Sores - This is when your crotchal region decides it doesn't like having a bike seat jammed into it for three hours, and rebels by becoming raw and (if you're super lucky) developing painful abscesses.  The symptoms are walking bow-legged and crying because you have another bike ride tomorrow.  Unfortunately, there isn't much to do except keep them clean and pray they go away.
2. Blood Under the Heel - Very similar to a blister, this is when blood and fluid collect in an irritated spot on your foot.  In my case, my sock was bunched up at my heel while I was running and, rather than fixing it, I decided to ignore it and finish the run.  I was prepared to lance and clean the blister...however, the huge callous on my heel made the skin impervious to needles.  So now I have a nice little dark patch on my heel that I hope takes care of itself.  It doesn't hurt anymore, luckily.
3. Ripped Callouses - The good news is my strength has increased to the point where I can do about double my pullups, hanging ab exercises, and kettlebell work.  The bad news is that all of these require lots of grip strength, and the callouses on my palms have decided to start tearing apart after strenuous workouts.  Which is very painful.  And the Band-Aids won't stay on because of the location of the injury.  It's a whole thing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm lucky that none of these things are major problems.  But they are pretty friggin' annoying.  Hopefully my skin gets with the program soon and realizes it has to adapt to the training like the rest of me!

Halfway: 12 Weeks Down, 12 to Go

So I've reached the halfway point to Ironman.  And so, far I'm off to a good start.  I feel myself getting progressively stronger.  The workouts feel about the same level of difficulty each time, but my training mileage has increased substantially.

In addition, on a more personal level, I'm on track to being in the best shape of my life -- both performance-wise and aesthetically.  Since starting in January, I've dropped from 29.7% body fat to 20.9% measured today.  Quite a nice improvement!  And I feel so much better without the extra weight (about 14 lbs. of fat).

Here are a side-by-side photos of me in January (blue) and me today (orange).  I am only brave enough to post these now because I don't look like the January photo anymore.

I wish I could say there was one big key to this difference.  Like "Ironman" or "magic Paleo diet" or "special weight lifting secrets."  But honestly, it's consistency and focus.  I was training hard last year too, but did not put as much consistency and focus into my nutrition or my training plan, so I wasn't in the same shape as I'm in now.  This year I am tackling both with diligence and intelligence.  And the results speak for themselves.

In light of my progress, I've added a new, more personal goal to my Ironman adventure.  I'd like to get back down to 17% body fat, which is the amount I had when I was in the best shape of my life (visually).  I think I can get there with consistent effort.