Went to Costco yesterday...

To get some meat and other necessities, simple enough - right?

Nooooo, hubby has to pick up these.

I have dubbed them - "Cinni-crack". These things are so addicting!

There goes trying to eat clean for the next couple of days.

On a positive note, the heart rate training seems to be going better - I am just going to avoid the scale for a bit.

Heart Rate Training - frustration!

I have yet to find a pace on the treadmill that I can stay at without my heart rate going over 150 bpm.

I know that it takes time for my body to adjust, but it is very frustrating just the same.

On the bike, it is not so bad - I actually managed to go up a gear on the trainer last night. This is a good thing, or my sanity would be at stake!

Heart Rate Training

New training schedule that I received from the coach incorporates heart rate training for my runs and bike. HR training is a new world for me, as I have never attempted it before.

I never knew that I could run that slow!

This is the first week and to keep my heart rate under 150 bpm, I have to run so slow - I know that it will get better as I progress, but it is kind of painful not to hit that speed up button on the tread mill.

On the bike isn't as bad, I am on the trainer already since we have had snow and crummy weather. I can keep a decent spin (90 to 100 rpm) in an easy gear, along with keeping my heart rate in check.

I am really looking forward to seeing the benefits over the course of the winter and in to next racing season - if my sanity survives that long!

Ironman Calgary 70.3 - it is official

Okay, I am officially registered for the Ironman Calgary 70.3 (Half Ironman) race on 1 Aug 2010 (August long weekend).

I am really excited to see the hoopla that is involved in an Ironman branded race.

Training starts next Monday!

Back to regularly schedule training...

Meeting with the coach tomorrow. Time to talk about goals for 2o10 and beyond, along with formulating the plan on how to get there.

I am pretty excited. I have some goals that I now know are possible, but a few years ago thought were out of reach. Yes, I know that they will take hard work but I don't mind the work - the work makes me feel stronger and more confident (I guess that is what it is supposed to do).

The only disappointment, our usual meeting place, one of my favourite coffee shops has closed down. I drove by today, taking the boy to a soccer function and the windows of the shop are covered up, no signs indicating if they are going to re-open. It sucks, they had a really good Oreo coffee cake! Alternate locaction for the meeting has been found, but I will miss that cake!

Now what?

Okay, big race is over and I did the slug thing for a month or so.

Now what?

Well, I've decided that I want to do Ironman Canada in 2012...eek.

A year ago, I would have thought this to be an impossible goal, but now I know that I can make it happen. Reading the latest round of IMC race reports has gotten me very pumped about 2012 - I do not want to do IMC sooner than this, as I want to develop as a triathlete before I take on the big one and really enjoy the experience.

In the meantime, back to some sort of training until coach gets me scheduled up for my next racing season. The plan is to do some more Half Ironmans (one next year and one in 2011) and the usual Half Marathons, with some shorter tris thrown in for fun and training.

But first, off to Sweden for work for a week. I will take my running and basic swimming stuff and see how much of either I can get in.

Success!

Okay, I know I haven't updated in forever but just to let you all know I completed my race this past weekend.

I had a good swim, an excellent bike and death march run (stomach issues and the heat) - but I finished and I am willing to do it again!

The boy was a fantastic gear Sherpa for me and had a cold Cherry Coke waiting for me at the finish line. A Mom could not ask for anything more!

Now, for a bit of down time and to get this sunburn to heal.