The countdown has really begun, 11 days until Ironman Florida. It is almost unbelievable that it is finally more than just a date. I have learned so much about myself throughout this journey. I think the most important thing I learned is, “you can do anything if you are willing to do whatever it takes.”
At least that is what I am hoping on Saturday, November 5. My goal is to finish within the 17-hour time limit.
Read MoreMy swims are changing. My coach says my stroke “turnover” needs to get faster. There are so many things to think about.
I have more drills and fast 50s and 100s. I have mentioned the pool in town where I do most of my swim workouts. It is a community pool and I think every minute is scheduled from early morning until it closes. Generally I go early during one of the adult swim times, and another time is at noon when there is adult and senior swim.
I have started calling it a “fossil fest” where I am the only fossil swimming.
Read MorePart of the Irish Blessing states, “May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back.”
For my past two long rides the wind has not been at my back for long. I must be building strength because it seems as though the wind has been head on for the majority of my rides. On one morning the wind was a crosswind at 18 mph and gusting up to 24 mph. Tough rides!
Read MoreIt was a short training week. Each summer I spend July and most of August at our cottage in eastern Ontario, Canada. Our place is in a small fishing village called Erieau. It is a half-mile wide and about three miles long. We used to do the 1100+-mile drive in one day, but three years ago started taking two days.
Read MoreSince signing up for Ironman Florida I periodically think about some of the fears I have about competing in this race. I am worried about finishing the race in the 17-hour time limit. My biggest fear has been about the swim. Can I get through the breakers, can I finish the swim in the time limit that is set, which is 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Until last weekend I never considered that I could die in the swim.
Read MoreAfter last Sunday’s very windy, two-hour ride with a friend, who is 26 years younger, I was ready for a fairly easy week for training. Fortunately all of my training days were just that, easy!
Monday was another mostly straight 60 minute swim and weights. Tuesday was 45 minutes of running, one minute fast, one walk, which was nice. I rode for a little more than an hour, on Wednesday, with another friend. I don’t know where all the wind is coming from, but it was brutal. I guess that will prepare me for the November winds in Florida.
Thursday was a short swim and a short run, which I did on the elliptical. My thoughts were to do some weights, but another friend and I stretched and did a couple of abdominal exercises, and mostly talked for an hour.
Sometimes it is a good idea to let go of the rigidity of training that I place on myself.
Read MoreAs of Saturday it is five months until Ironman Florida 2016.
I have lots of work to do and am fortunate to rely on some really great triathletes. I love the community of triathletes and find the majority of athletes to be supportive. I belong to two groups: Freshjunkie Racing, based in Louisiana, and the Ticking Time Bombs, the local tri club on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Both groups consistently encourage each other prior to, during, and after the races.
I am lucky to be able to have a group of friends that are close to my age, as well as, the same age as our son, and younger. I have been included as one of the athletes, despite our age differences. A few don’t know what to make of this old woman in what is mostly a young person's sport. They include me in post-race parties, and dinners and treat me as an equal. Some are comfortable enough to tease me about my age, especially when it comes to the music that is played at races.
Read MoreI am thinking this week is the beginning of some of the roller coaster emotions, and workouts.
On Tuesday I was finally able to do the Bike Heart Rate test. All I have to see is the word "test," and I begin to think I should get an A. I learned that I can ride very hard for an extended period of time and my heart rate does go above 138.
Is that good or bad? Actually it is what it is.
Read MoreIt was a busy week leading up to the Crawfishman Triathlon in Bush, Louisiana, on Sunday, May 22. I love training, however, there are other responsibilities that I love doing and also need to do. Grandparents’ Day was the most important day last week. And because of Sunday’s tri I had to revamp my regular training schedule. The Crawfishman Tri had been on my radar for a few years, but changing my regular training routine is somewhat hard for me since I am so focused on six months from now and the Ironman. Did I mention I am pretty OCD about things?
Read MoreMy name is Gini Fellows. In August of 2016, I will turn 70 years old, and I am doing Ironman Florida. This will be my first, and last, full Ironman triathlon...
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