It has been a hard 30 days with all the busyness of December all the extra food and sweets around and a lack of time. I have not been feeling as if I can do this race; actually I have stopped calling it a race and started calling it an event...since I am not really racing anyone but the clock.
The pool was closed for 2 weeks, so I could not swim and the ocean was not a place to be after all the rain, so I did not get my swims in. I struggled when I did get back in the pool and wanted to be farther along then I was. Last Monday I had a really bad swim, then Tuesday I had a really bad run, followed by another bad swim on Wednesday. I was really discouraged, beat down and felt defeated and I was really questioning my ability to to do the event. Since its only going to get harder.
My poor swimming habits (breathing) were making it really hard to go the distance. Holding my breath and sucking in water were not helping me go very far. I surrendered, gave up/in and prayed for help. Went online to the discussion group for the race and posted my frustration. I received a quick reply of encouragement and a few ideas, I also went to the web (everything can be found there) and watched so really good training videos with some drills. Randy was great he has been showing up and telling me I can do it, but I was not hearing him. With Randy's and Skips encouragement I set out on Thursday to try to swim without expectation and focus on doing it right even if I only could swim 100 yards. I practiced the drills and felt ok about the day.
Friday I ran with the kids from Em's class at Arroyo Verde and had a great run, then it was time to meet Randy at the pool. I was going to just do 25 yards at a time focusing on my stroke and breathing. Really when I think about it if God wanted us to breath in the water we would look more like a fish! I swam 1000 yards a bit over a 1/2 mile, 25 yards at a time. That works out to 40 laps and I did 30 very well. I ended the week hopeful. once again.
The weather was awesome on Saturday for a ride so Ryan and I headed out to Wheeler Canyon and had a great 30 mile ride.
Heard a great message on Friday about my idol (finishing the race) I forgot that without God I am not going to do it at all and I was reminded to bring him with me. Then on Sunday heard another great message about knocking out the negative thoughts and staying positive. Pastor Matt even ended the sermon with a Ironman story.
Today is Monday I had a good swim, not perfect but getting better did 1250 or .71 miles, I think I am so close to figuring it out. I tried to run holding my breath every 3 seconds and its not a good way to run. I just have to swim like I run so I can keep moving without starving for oxygen which make me tired and my stroke fall apart.
A big plus has been having people to ride and swim with. So if you want to join me on a swim, ride or run lets do it.
