“Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
- Ferris Bueller
Since 2022 has been moving pretty fast, and I have tried my best (and succeeded) to pack it full of awesomeness so far, I have been anxiously awaiting the last third of the year since the moment the ball dropped on January 1st. However, since making plans are helpful, cute even, but never exactly exact, just like with writing, I’ve made some revisions.
First up, I added in a couple of local triathlons to my schedule, the Santa Barbara Triathlon on 8/27, and the Malibu Triathlon (Olympic) on 9/17.
I added the Santa Barbara Triathlon because the price, timing, and location was just too good to pass up.
Then I thought racing the Malibu Triathlon would be a fun addition to my schedule because it was a week after Santa Cruz, 70.3, the course takes place where I train (nearly) every Saturday, plus I haven’t raced an Olympic distance (0.93-mile swim, 24.8-mile bike, and 6.2-mile run) event in years, but most of all, it’s on my birthday!
*I would've loved to have run a treadmill marathon to ring in 43, but I’m sure Hillary can slug in that party somewhere else in the Fall.:)*
However, “life” popped up in late July to suggest a shift in priorities, so I decided to strike one very cool race off the list… Santa Cruz, 70.3…
My hub, and savvy and sought-after Visual Effects Supervisor, Marion en route to Vancouver last Wednesday.
The reason for that tough call was because the race acted more as an impetus to actually go on a vacation with Marion and our dog, Blueberry, than a desire to race, but Hollywood (via low Canadian tax breaks) dashed our road trip plans. Unsurprisingly, Marion will most likely still be working on his current project (that is under wraps) in Vancouver, CANADA through late September.
*Netflix will fly him home for the Emmy’s ceremony on 9/4, but after that little teaser, they’ll fly him right back to set.*
Finishing up a run last Wednesday before Marion flew up north.
I’d still love to race in Santa Cruz one day, but I am fine with calling it this year. I am worn out from a ton of travel, and am more than ready to be home for a while. Thankfully, Santa Barbara and Malibu check the geographically desirable box, and still fit the bill to help me practice for my “A” race of the year, Ironman Arizona on 11/20.
My first romp at Ironman Arizona, November, 2010.
Which leads me to where I am now, week #2 of Ironman Training!!
Moments after finishing my *first* official day of IMAZ training, Saturday, August 6th. Clearly, the excitement hasn't waned for IM training over a dozen years later.:)
I have set some BIG goals for this third go-around in Tempe, AZ, and am willing to complete *all* of the steps required to reach those goals. Yes, a MASSIVE amount of swimming, biking, and running are certainly on the docket, but also a “more than ever” emphasis on strength training (please see turning 43 above), and needful changes to my bike set up. I had been planning on altering my fit to be more aero for the flat course at IMAZ, but that desire for speed was bumped up to need for speed and comfort after a terrible run last Saturday.
The feel on Big Red has been a little “off” recently, which I believe has thrown the accuracy of my power meter out of whack, (my watts are way off), and diminished the comfort and efficiency of my hamstrings, (similar to how they felt at IM St. George, my hammys locked up for a run off the bike last Saturday). Therefore, I am taking the time now (PLENTY of weeks before buzzing down Beeline highway), to figure out and solve what is wrong with my bike fit in order to reach the goals I’m after at Ironman Arizona.
And at the California International Marathon, a mere two weeks later…
In the meantime, TODAY, August 16th, is my sister Mary’s birthday!!
My amazing BIG sister, and the founder of SisterShrub, Mary Heim.
In a nod to living our youth in the 80’s, and to the best interpretive dance performance of all time, the song and video choice this week is the SMASH hit from Tiffany, “I Think We’re Alone Now.” Enjoy.:)