The end of the road for 2014...

This week has been an extremely hard and depressing week for me.  I had to make the decision to give up my goal of competing in the 2014 Ironman in Kentucky.  About 3 weeks ago I started to not feel well so I went to my primary and then I was sent to a specialist.  Without going into major details apparently it has something to do with my hysterectomy and body is not completely healed.  Due to the surgery and complications I had during the surgery my body is not handling the extreme exercising.  Too make a long story short if I continue on this path I would probably have to be wearing an "adult diaper" during the race.  However, when my doctor told me this I still considered doing the race...talk about a "crazy" person.  Over the last 6 weeks I have trained to full capacity and have done every workout except for two days because of getting so sick because of the issues.  After each workout I was bone tired, and all of my docs have said it is because my body has been trying to tell me you are not healed.  Your insides are forming infections and you aren't listening.  My OB did tell me at my last appointment that I needed to be careful, but once I get an idea in my head I don't listen.  I had already signed up for the race and that was the only focus I had, until the Urologist said the words "adult diaper" and possibly surgery my mind changed quickly.  On Monday of this week Steve spent the evening reminding me of all the reasons I needed to take care of myself and remember my health is my number one priority.  I don't know why I thought I could spend 9 weeks on practical bed rest and then pop up and base train for 3 weeks and then go right into Ironman training.  Actually, I do know why I thought that..I have always been able to bounce right back, but this age of 40 is sucking the life out of me.  I keep forgetting I am not in my 20's or 30's.  So what do I do now???? Well, I have emailed Ironman and have asked if they will transfer my entry fee to 2015.  The doctors all have said there are many things I need to do to get my body ready and back to normal, and if I can abide by their rules 2015 Kentucky Ironman is a very realistic goal.  These things are not hard but a little time consuming.  Gill Brooks has already been sooooooooooooooo helpful in finding me classes through Edwards Hospital.  I think one is called "Total Control" Learn how to strengthen your pelvic pyramid.  Thank you Gill for making me feel so OLD in my days of depression!LOL!  My parents are hailing Steve as a "HERO" because he sat me down and talked sense into me.  He told my parents he put his "foot down" and didn't even give me a chance to think about still participating.  He made the decision for me!  HAIL TO THE CHIEF...STEVE O'NEILL!!!! My parents told Steve I am so blessed to have married him! LOL...I know I am, but I don't need my parents to glorify that!LOL!

Right now I am a bit lost!  How does someone go from extreme exercising for the last 6 weeks to what???? 

I took the last three days off to figure out a plan.  I have made some phone calls to a couple people and they have given me some great ideas.  I am going to build my body back up to full strength but at a gradual pace.  So when January comes I will already have a great base.  Then kick off my Ironman season training.  To be honest I'm am so glad I have gotten a taste of what the training is like.  I do know that if I was strong and healthy the training would not be a problem. It wasn't so bad.  Although my running sucked I was still able to fully get through each one, I may have peed my pants the whole way through the run, but I was still running the full mileage.  My swim and bike have been strong and my TP pace for the swim has decreased majorly. Sad week for me, but also a big eye opener!   My journey for Ironman Kentucky 2014 is over and 2015 is my new goal!

Week 4 completed!!

It has been another long week!  However, I am feeling pretty good!  At the start of the fourth week I was not so good.  I had a couple issues with my body, but I found out it was an after effect of my hysterectomy.  It is so funny how doctors forget to tell a person about the after effects of a major surgery.  I ended up taking two days off at the start of the week, but I am feeling better and was right back to training after the two days.  My friend at work is helping me with some advice and tips on the perfect clothing and other stuff to help me with my after surgery effects.  Thanks J! I think my biggest hassle right now is mapping out my long rides.  GPS is NOT always right.  I have tried a couple different cycling apps and today's ride had me going in circles for a short period of time.  Of course my dumb ass kept following the route and I circled one street about five times.  Lol!  I kept thinking I was missing a street, but apparently the app/gps was not right.  My new app gave me three different options to ride to my destination in St. Charles.  I chose the ride with the shortest amount of time, but it took me completely out of my way and put me on the Illinois Prarie Path which is limestone, and today it was wet limestone...it sucked!  The other issue I have had is using my phone for my GPS and my phone goes dead after an hour of riding.  The gps drains the battery.  Steve and I bought an extra charger to charge it when my phone became low, which I did and the piece of crap only worked for about 45 minutes.  So, Steve and I are on the hunt for a GPS and tracking system for my bike.  Steve wants to be able to track me, and know where I am at all times, he is so over protective!! Lol! 

Saturdays are probably my worst days for training right now!  I have basketball camp at noon, so I have to have my workout completed by 11 and quickly jump in the shower and get to camp. Saturdays have always been my relax sleep late days and workout sometime during the day, but I have had to be on a schedule for the last 4 Saturdays.  Two weeks left of camp and then I think Saturdays will be much better. I can't wait for it to be over.  I have decided although I have a 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grader I can NOT stand instructing this age group for basketball.  I do not know how elementary teachers do it!  Seriously camp is only about 4 hours, but with training it feels like a full work day!! 

Finally, I still hate running....hate it, hate it, hate it! 

Goal for the week....

Coach Monster(I like that name considering I just saw this weeks training schedule) and I had a good discussion on Friday about nutrition for my rides and runs.  I need to figure out a gel I like and a drink that doesn't make me feel bloated but also tastes good.  I do like the sports beans but yesterday I put 4 in my mouth at one time on my ride and I almost puked!(I won't be doing that again)! This week my goal is to try different foods and gels.  I don't like anything chewy, but I also do not like something with no flavor.  It's a big task, but a task that needs to be completed..Coach Monster said I need to figure out now what makes me feel good and helps with energy.  I can't wait!! I think that's it for now...the weeks are going by fast...but I do feel I am making good progress towards my ultimate goal!

Tired...tired..tired!

So, it has been over a week since I blogged my progress and it's only because I am tired!  Last week Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday I think I was asleep by 9pm.  My husband is one lucky man!  He asked me if I was going to blog and I kept saying Ill do it tomorrow night and then the next night came and I was sleeping.  Last week's workouts were hard but doable!  As the week progressed they kept getting harder.  Friday and Sunday were both doubles and my muscles were tired.  I didn't have one day off last week and still haven't had one. On Sunday(Easter) I rode my bike from Naperville to Elk Grove.  It was a great ride.  I picked up the Dupage River Trail in Naperville, then was able to pick up the Prairie Path in Wheaton and I finished my trip with the Salt Creek Trail.  I loved the ride but I did have one accident.  I stopped for a car and forgot my foot was still clipped in and of course I just fell right over!  A couple runners and a mini van stopped to see if I was okay.  I just scraped up my arm and it was more of my pride that was hurt. 

Last week I returned the new running shoes I bought and bought a totally different pair.  I have only worn my new Brooks running shoes twice and they have felt okay, not great, but okay!  I am so weird when it comes to running shoes.  I seem to think the pair I find will make me faster and take the knee pain away, but that has not happened yet...and I highly doubt I will find a pair that can do any of that.  Coach Chris gives me my weekly schedule every Sunday and for the last two weeks in the notes section of my run days he says NO vanilla runs.  I am trying, but I feel like I am a vanilla runner.  I have such a hard time picking up the pace outside.  I was talking to my friend Kelly the other day and she said she could get out on a basketball court and sprint up and down the court a million times at a fast speed, but to run long distance she is extremely slow.  I feel the same way about myself.  There was ONE day I felt like I was getting faster, but as the days go by I feel like I am slower.  I know if I lost a few pounds I may be a bit faster, but honestly my speed has never been great!  Running is probably my biggest frustration right now.  I don't want to disappoint my coach with my vanilla runs, but right now I don't know how to become faster.  I feel like my legs won't let me and my mind won't let me either.  It's such a mental game with me.  Right now I just feel like getting through the run days are accomplishments in itself!  

Like I said earlier the swim workouts are hard and I am trying to improve my form.  I am a self taught swimmer(swim lessons when I was young).  I have a couple people from work(old swimmers) giving me some tips and it has really helped.  I also am a peeper at the pool.  When I see a good swimmer at the pool I secretly watch them under water.  I probably look like a big goof but I don't care.  Yesterday when I got to the pool I was exhausted and didn't think I was going to make it through the swim workout, there were a couple of times I thought to myself just stop and go get in the shower, but my mental mind kicked in and I stuck it out until the end.    I know I would not have felt good about myself if I didn't finish the workout.  When coach says swim 2700 meters than I need to swim 2700 meters.  There are so many times that I lose count, so I probably end up swimming more just to make sure I do 2700.

Lately I have heard a bunch of concerns about the race from my parents.  My mom and dad are worried about me doing the race.  I keep trying to tell my father he needs to remember he raised a very goal oriented person especially when it comes to athletics.  I know they worry but they both need to realize I need to do this race.  I NEED to cross that finish line.  It becomes exhausting reassuring them that I am fine and will be fine.  I told them the other day they just need to think positively and make sure they are being positive with me.  The last thing I need right now are the people closest to me questioning if I should be doing the race. I only need full support.

The other thing I am working on this week is my food. So last week and the week prior I had cut out a shit load of carbs, but have realized that my energy level for workouts last week was very low.  Now I have increased my carbs and it seems my energy level is back up, but I feel better when I limit my carb intake(lighter and leaner) it's a catch 22.  I know Coach Chris thinks I need to cut out DIET PEPSI....I can't...............I really can't.  I love it....I only drink one or two a day but those one or two pops just taste so good.  I know Diet pop is bad for me, but I don't care!ha!  Coach and I are meeting this weekend to talk about my diet and I am sure the pop issue will be brought up. Yippee..can't wait!!!!! NOT! Lol.  I have always been a person who does not eat before a workout and I am truly trying to change that.  Eating before, during and after is essential for me.  I just need to figure out what foods to be eating.

I think that's it for now...I know, I know, a ton of rambling, but right now my mind is completely focused on going to sleep and how much it sucks I have to get up very early to run an hour and a half...but I have to do it!

New Bike!

NEW BIKE!  The bike that is going to help get me to the finish line!

1st week DOWN!

4/13/2014
Well the first week of IM training is finished.  It has been a long week, and not just because of the training, but everything else in my life!  Not only did I have to make sure I was training everyday, but I still had to be a mom, do my job, get ready for career day, manage career day, volunteer(kind of) at the 50th celebration for school, get my NEW BIKE, teach a 1st thru 3rd grade and 4th thru 6th grade basketball camp(25 1st thru 3rd graders and 20 4th thru 6th graders),start the laundry(although that is supposed to be Steve's job, he is neglecting his responsibilities), clean the house, and finally spend time with my kids(I made them run and ride their bikes while I was running)! 
SWIMMING:
This week I felt like the swim workouts were the hardest.  Coach CO has me working on my breathing and holding my breath for a longer bit of time, and DAMN its hard!  I have always been that person that could get in the pool and swim a mile or mile and 1/2, but I would swim at a slow pace.  Coach CO has me swimming completely different(intervals, and keeping TP time) than I have ever done in the past, and I think I am becoming faster and a better swimmer because of it! 
BIKE:
The biggest thing I have realized this week besides trying to fit everything in, is the right fit on a BIKE MATTERS.  Seriously, if there was one piece of advice I could give someone who was starting out in triathlons it is to make sure their bike is a fit for their body!  Two years ago my husband did a wonderful, heartfelt thing for me, he bought me a new triathlon bike.  So sweet of him!  However,the problem was I was never appropriately fitted for the bike.  He bought the bike at Village Cycle in Elk Grove and with them being a huge cycling store they should have known better and told him I needed to be fitted for the bike.  I do not have your normal triathlon body, I'm an old softball player and most softball players are bulky.  Most of the serious tri women I know have no boobs, and have absolutely no body fat, well that is certainly not me, so an appropriate fitting was necessary. For the last two years Steve and I have taken the Cervelo' P1 bike to different bike shops to help it be a better fit for me, but honestly no matter what some cycling mechanic did it still never felt right. It wasn't until this past Tuesday when Steve and I took the bike to Endure It in Naperville(Coach CO told me to go there) that the truth was revealed.
Eric the manager put the bike on the trainer, I got on it, and immediately he told Steve and I the bike was way too small for me.  The funny thing was when we were at Endure it on Saturday and Steve brought my old bike in another person asked Steve if the P1 was my bike and Steve said yep, he then proceeded to tell Steve that the bike was way to small for me, I wasn't even sitting on it.  Two people in a matter of a week said the bike was too small.  I don't understand how Village Cycle and a couple of other cycling stores never said one word to me about the bike being too small.  Obviously, Village Cycle just wanted to sell a bike and did not care if the bike fit me or not.  I can not say enough about Endure it.  I did get a new bike and Eric spent a ton of time fitting me with the new bike, and he even hooked me up with other women who are doing the Kentucly Ironman.  Even from the minute he said the bike was too small not once did I feel pressured into buying a new bike.  Although he did say this was the reason I never felt comfortable on my bike and he worried if I could get thru the ride on the Ironman with the P1.  My P1 was a 51', I am now in a 56'.  That's a huge difference.  I was fitted on Saturday and left it there for a few hours while Eric put some extras on for me, and then picked it up Saturday afternoon.  I have to say Saturday was the best ride I have had in years, comfort wise! I was a little nervous because the damn thing is so FAST and much bigger, and my clips are a little different, but my hips, my butt, my knees, and back did not hurt one bit!  The arrow position was so much more comfortable for me.  I just felt like I had so much more room where as before I felt scrunched!  I rode yesterday and today and have never felt better on a bike!
RUNNING: 
You may see over the next 19 weeks a lot of complaining about running!  I hate running!  My knees hate running, my body hates running and blah blah blah!  Not only did I get a new bike I bought new running shoes.  I bought Hoka running shoes.  I went to the NRC and tried on many pairs, I am so difficult when it comes to new shoes.  Coach CO gave me one piece of advice for buying the new shoes, he said, "let the shoes pick you" and they certainly did.  Once I put them on I knew they were the ones.  Unfortunately, the shoes have not made me a faster or better runner but my knees aren't aching when I run.  Usually when I ran in the past it always felt like someone was taking a sledge hammer to my knees, but with these shoes the pain has been lessened, still there a bit, but my last three runs have been a lot better.  BTW...I will never be a fast runner, I know that, plus I take after my dad and I am unfortunate enough to have his body type, short and stocky.   My brother on the other hand rocks when it comes to running, he has my mothers physique(lucky bastard)!  For the IM I just want to get thru the run safely and make it to the finish line. 
This week I(and Steve) have realized how important equipment is!  A person needs to have the right equipment to compete and complete in an IM!  This is no joke racing!  I also said Steve because he is on this long road with me.  Although he is not doing the race he has to put up with my bitching about being sore and so forth.  I do feel very privileged to have a husband who understands that having the right equipment is essential(at least I hope he does)! HA!
So all in all it was a good week, not to hard but certainly not EASY!  This week will be just as hard and even harder, but I don't feel as nervous as I felt last week!  I can only hope this week is not as busy as last week because I am TIRED today!  Monday starts week 2!
I will post a pic of my new bike!

"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. "~Jimmy Johnson

Why in the hell would I do an IM?

Sunday April 6th, 2014

Tomorrow is my first official day of IM training.  I don't feel ready. I am nervous.  I can't believe I had major surgery on 12/31 and I am now setting off on a journey of putting my body through grueling training. I don't feel like 4 weeks of pre-training has put me in any place of being ready, but there is nothing I can do.  I need to suck it up and just get my mind focused on one week at a time!  I just looked at my training schedule for the week and NO days off this week(I feel bad for Steve)lol.  He has no clue what he has gotten himself into convincing me to sign up!  He did however, say "until death do we part" during our wedding ceremony so he can't quit on me now!

I have had a number of people ask me "WHY"???? Why, do you want to do this or put your body thru something like this.  My simple answer is simple; I just want to try something not many accomplish in their life, and due to the fact I am afraid of heights... climbing Mount Everest is out of the question. 

I have thought about the IM for a few years, I actually did a half Iron Distance which I finished in just over 7 hours(8 hours was the cut-off) and I didn't train to full potential, I followed my own training plan, not good!   For the past couple of years I have seriously thought about that day in June and thought I could have had such a better time if I had trained appropriately.  That race was grueling and hard as hell, and after I finished I thought, FULL IM...NO WAY!  My friend Kim can attest to that, she was there when I crossed the finish line, and the last quarter mile I saw her and the kids and actually said, "I don't think I can finish."  She pushed me through as well as Olivia, and Bookie running along side me telling me to RUN!  My run is always like turtle speed, but at that point I may have looked like a turtle running, but I felt like I was running lightening speed! LOL!  So for the last couple of years I have thought about it and thought about it, and then...it happened...or I should say he happened...Denis Schmitt!  I was with Steve at the K9 Olympics in Indiana the second week of August 2013.  Although the K9 officers work hard through out the week there is some sitting around.  I got to talking to Denis and he told me he did IM Kentucky, and I was like what???? YOU ARE an IM????  He laughed because I acted so surprised.  Denis is such a carefree, laid back guy, and I always just thought IM competitors were wound tight!  Denis certainly was not!  Denis and I sat for awhile and he told me about his IM experience and how his leg cramped on the run and he ended up walking a part of the marathon.  Once he muttered the words "WALKED in part of the MARATHON", the wheels in my head started to turn!  I just always figured one would never be able to cross the finish line if they needed to walk at some point during the run portion.  It goes to show you how much I knew.  So there you have it, Denis' story of his IM experience pushed me towards making a decision.  It is always so strange how people come into our lives and we have not a clue as to why they are here, but if I had not married Steve, I would have never met Denis and heard his story and I know if I had not met Denis I would not be signed up for the IM Kentucky.  Thank you Denis!  

The other person who made my decision final was my IM Coach, Chris Okapal.  When I emailed Chris about my interest in competing in the IM and had questions I wanted to ask, this was his reply;

 " Hey Corey, the answer is YES you are going to do Ironman next August!!!!  Life does not have to stop for an Ironman, way too much on here to email back, lets talk this week some time and I'll answer all of your questions! Ironman is all about the experience of becoming an Ironman...and your experience just started when you sent this email to me! :)"

After an email like that how I could I not sign up?  Chris gave me the final push I needed!  I needed someone to just tell me, YOU ARE DOING THE RACE!  We spoke later that week and the day after we spoke I signed up!  

I was supposed to begin IM pre-season training the first week of January, but that just did not happen.  A full abdominal hysterectomy happened 12/31.  That surgery came out of left field, and of course complications to follow.  I think it was like 8 or 9 weeks of doing nothing.  So now you can see why I don't feel like I am ready and how nervous I am.  The last four weeks have been hard trying to get back into some kind of shape.  I have a long road ahead of me, but a road I know is possible! Wish me luck!

"Learn from the past, set vivid, detailed goals for the future, and live in the only moment of time which you have any control: NOW" -Denis Waitley

PS..I know there are a couple Grammar Nazis out there(Gill Brooks) and you all should know I don't care if I used to or too wrong, or if I did not place a comma in the appropriate place or blah, blah, blah.  If it is a bother to you I will send all of my blogs for edit before I publish. LOL!! Love ya GILL!!!!!!!

140 DAYS!!!

Welcome to my official Training Blog for the biggest event in my life (this year)!!  I hope you follow me on this journey and I could use any and all the encouragement you can provide.

Some may call me crazy and they are probably right.  Who in their right mind would take on this challenge along with being a full time teacher, coach, mother to 5(one with special needs), a wife of a stubborn/hot Police Officer with a psychotic K9, and just the simple fact I have no idea if my knees will hold up!! For those of you who know me well challenging myself should come as no surprise to you.  I am constantly trying to prove something to myself.  This race has nothing to do with how fast I finish or impressing others.  When my IM Coach Chris and I first met, he asked me what I wanted out of this and I told him the race was not about time or how fast, it is just about crossing the finish line!  The IM race is a race of strength both mentally and physically.  I have always been that person who wants to test myself, and this is my next test!  I need to say thank you in advance to my #1 support Steve(he has already endured my wrath after biking, swimming and running tests last week).  I also want to thank my IM Coach Chris Okapal.  Chris has been very encouraging thus far and completely understands my mental and physical limits and I want to apologize in advance for my SUPER ANNOYING MENTAL GAMES I PLAY IN MY HEAD!  Finally, my friends and family who encourage me on a daily basis.  I would mention my father and brother personally, but my dad is jealous of my workouts, and my brother just competes with me and thinks he is better than me, NOT!!!!!!! Thank you DAD and MICHAEL for your support!!!! LOL!


Thank you for taking time to read my blog, let's pray for an injury free training program and limited amount of pain.  Check back soon for more updates.