Countdown begins

Ironman Texas is less than a month away and there does not seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything done.  I have gone down to working 4 days a week until ironman in order to have one day to be a wife/mother and do the cleaning and grocery shopping.  That was my plan.  So far my days off have been filled with appointments and everything but cleaning and grocery shopping.  Of course, amazing husband Glen has stepped in to take care of all the household matters so I can concentrate on my training. 

Tavis and I have been especially busy filming two shows for Roger's TV, the second of which airs on Thursday, April 26th, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. on Channel 10.  In addition, I had a photo shoot with Whitby this Week this past weekend.  I wanted to say a special thanks to Kim Gracie who has been instrumental in making the arrangements for all the publicity for my fundraiser.

If you missed Tavis and I on Rogers "Daytime", this is the link to watch the program.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xqbtdp_lisa-and-tavis-interview_lifestyle

As promised, this is my list of things I have gained by doing triathlons:

1.  The ability to open my own jars of pickles.  The Popeye arms do come in handy.

2.  Numerous scars and war wounds.  The crash in Geneva, NY left some doozers but they just make for great stories.  People are really impressed by scars.

3.  I have cut down on nail polish since I never have 10 toenails at one time.  I usually have 7 or 8 but not a full set.

4.  Great health and a butt you can bounce a quarter off.  Due to the guidance of Christine Charest-Monty, I have learned what my body needs and how much it needs.  My first half ironman I had one sports gel, 1 bottle of water, half a power bar and a coke.  I have definitely learned alot about nutrition over the years. Chris has helped me lose weight over the years but keep my muscle.  I have perfect blood pressure and cholesterol and am in really good health.  

5.  Travel.  Coming from a rural family, travel is not something you do - there are always crops to be planted and harvested, cattle to be fed, etc.  It is very hard to get away from a farm.  

6.  A well stocked medicine cabinet - pain killers, muscle relaxants, A535, immodium, band aids, polysporin, etc.

7.  An entire spandex wardrobe.

8.  The most amazing friends ever - the kind of people who make you laugh, always have a shoulder you can cry on,  are always available to listen, and can keep you smiling after 7 hours on your bike.  This is the best thing that I have gotten out of doing triathlons.

My next blog will probably be about my brother Kevin, in whose memory I am doing Ironman Texas.  This one will be a tough one for me.  As the race draws closer, Kev is always on my mind and I wish he were here to see the ironman.  He would think it was total insanity but he would also be so proud of me.

Today's picture is me and Tavis on Saturday at the Whitby Recreation Centre. This was following my 7 hour trainer ride so I am looking a little beat.  Tavis looks amazing as usual.

Lisa

I cannot believe that it has been nearly a months since my last blog.  I have honestly sat down so many times to write my blog but something always pops up.

A lot has happened in the last month.  I did Around the Bay at the end of March under sunny warm skies which was a first for this race I think.  I have done the race in snow, rain and freezing cold.  I was using the race as a training run for Ironman Texas and still managed to get a personal best time.

Training is in its final stages – Ironman Texas is only 5 weeks away.  Last weekend my bike was 6 ¼ hours and my run 32 kms.  This weekend, I will be on my bike for 6 ½ hours with a 34 kms run.  The body is holding up really well - it has become a mental game at this stage. Even though I watch movies while I spin and I chat to people, 6 hours on a trainer is a long time and it takes its toll. When you are outside riding your bike, the bike moves with you – indoors on a trainer, it does not and certain parts get awfully sore and chafed no matter how much butt butter you apply.  I find the last hour to be mind over matter.  I usually call home for a little support from Glen to get through that last stretch.

My long runs are my sanity break.  I am not someone who likes to run on a treadmill and I have been so fortunate training for Texas with the mild winter.  I can only recall one really cold Tuesday night run with the girls which necessitated the need for balaclavas.  

So running is going well, biking is going well – unfortunately, there is that third sport in triathlons - the dreaded swim.   I am not a swimmer – I usually look like I am drowning when I swim.  Coach Paul and I met last week to review my swim.  I was adamant that my left arm was straight down and that I was kicking with my legs together.  I had to eat my words when Paul taped me and showed me the video.  It was not pretty.  Paul says my problem is that I am strong and I know I can swim the 4 kms so I am not worried about how ugly it looks.  But I am also unnecessarily tiring myself out so I have been focusing on my technique in the swim and the fact that I don’t have any. 

Today’s picture is my Ironman Lake Placid tattoo designed for me by good friend Susan Typert.  The koi represent a number of things including good fortune or luck; Symbolic in the Buddhism to represent courage. Humans "swim" through the "ocean of suffering" without fear, just like a fish swims through water; and the Koi is symbolic with family.   My tattoo represents my struggle in the water.  Susan designed the adult koi in the ying yang position to represent me and my husband Glen who is my support system and the little koi are my twins Tavis and Ethan.

Next blog I will fulfill my promise to list what I have gained from doing triathlons.

Tomorrow Tavis and I will be appearing live on Rogers “Daytime” at 11:00 a.m. to talk about Ironman Texas and my fundraising for Grandview Children’s Centre so if you are around, tune it.  I am not so much worried about what Tavis will do because he is unpredictable and you just have to roll with the punches.  I am more worried about myself because I don’t seem to have a filter from brain to mouth. 

Wish me luck.