Learning lesson? Failed attempt? Not my day today!

This is a hard blog to type out for me. But I feel its in my best interest to get it off my chest and it may help someone else in the future. Or maybe it doesn't?? Who knows?

Anyway, The heat wave kicked into full gear Friday. Without hesitation, Chris and I go ride our bikes for 42 miles in the heat of the day. I take plenty of hydration and I feel pretty strong throughout the ride. Sure the heat took something out of me, but I succeeded in finishing the ride strong and still have decent legs for my daily mile after I get home.

Saturday finds me standing in the sun from 8:30-11:20 am watching the pre-employment recruit PT test. I realize this is draining me of energy, but I don't give it much thought. I swim 3500 yards after the test and I can feel my energy waning. Then I'm standing in the sun for 40-45 minutes helping man the Kennard family water stop for a local race. Not a big energy expenditure, but I believe it plays into today.

I know a big workout when I'm a touch nervous about it the night before. Coach Ashlynn ordered up an 80-mile ride with a negative split 10 mile run for today. I was nervous and excited about it. This is awesome Ironman training. Big confidence booster! IF it goes well.

I was in a great mood this morning. Energy and legs felt ready to work. Chris and Steve met up with me in Xenia and off we went. Chris was feeling quite spry this morning and set our tempo from the get-go. This is what we got to do to improve. So we went to work. Road a combo of trail and roads to Trovillo and the roller coasters!! Everything was going great. I was staying hydrated ( I thought) using Infinit and water. Even added an SIS gel on the hour and 2nd hour. Life was going good. Heat was rising but the path was shaded and felt ok. Refueled at mile 40 with more fluids. Back off we go. We are cruising. About mile 60, my energy dips. I take another gel, keep drinking Infinit. Chris and Steve seem to be pulling away. I try staying consistent and not stressing about being a little slower. Around mile 68ish, both quads send "cramp" signals to my brain. They aren't happy and if I keep pushing them, I'll be hurting. I try easing up the tension. Sit up, shake out the legs. Add another gel. I keep moving forward. Chris and Steve are aware I've hit the struggle bus and await for my arrival at every turn. Mile 75, one quad is super pissed. Mile 78, right quad seizes up. All out cramp! I manage to stop my bike and stand as it kicks in. Man those hurt. Had to shake it out, eat a stinger waffle, and drink the last drops of my fluids I had left. It sucked. I bonked hard. My stomach started to hurt as well. I needed to hit a bathroom, in a bad way. I made it back to the car and made good use of McDonald's facilities. I was really happy to be finished cycling.

I changed clothes in hopes that run clothes would perk me up. Chris and I started our run, and about half a mile in, my stomach quickly made it known I needed another bathroom. This isn't good, I thought. And I was correct! Apparently, endurance exercise in extreme heat draws blood from the bowels to the arms and legs so the body can keep exercising, but the bowels then empty. Thats I gotta say about that. My stomach did calm down after a little bit. But then my hamstrings started letting me know they weren't happy. Seriously?? You guys also?? Chris and I finally make it out 2.5 miles and back to our cars at McDonald's. I change back into my tri shorts as my run shorts are soaked in sweat. I buy a large Coke. If you know me, this is HIGHLY UNUSUAL. I only have Coke at the end of races. All I usually drink is water. But my legs were hurting, and mental games wanting me to quit were being battled. I tried everything I had. I turned on music, drank caffeine, used another gel. Went back out with Chris. My stomach then directed me back to the porta potty which was a mile out. I figured there was nothing left in me at this point. We started to run again and the searing threat of hamstring cramps coursed through me. I called it. I don't even like admitting it. But I weighed the advantage of continuing on to pushing my legs into full cramps. I figured I was at the point of no return, probably only hurting myself. I encouraged Chris to get it done, but I had to walk back. After a short walk, I tried running a 30-second run 30-second walk interval. This worked a few times. I was hoping I could do this back to the car. NOPE!! Hamstrings said you better quit while you're ahead. So with my head down, I walked the walk of shame to my car. Then my shins started complaining about walking!! I couldn't win for losing today. As soon as I got to my car, I switched into dry clothes and sat in air conditioning. I made sure Chris made it back to his car.

I'm giving myself credit for 7 miles ran. After the 80 mile ride, not bad. But not what Coach ordered up. I know I'm hard on myself. I take this training seriously. So I immediately considered it a failure. Failure...practically brings tears to my eyes. 80-mile ride and 7 mile run..in 80-90 degree heat, fighting stomach issues. I had to remember some great people's failures. Michael Jordan said he succeeded because he kept failing. I've learned that we learn more from failures than successes.

Did I lose the mental battle? Did I make the right decision? Is living to fight another day a good way to look at it? Should I have sucked it up and pressed forward?? I have to live with todays decision.

What should I change? I believe I didn't take in enough water or salt. Usually I don't need Base salts on the bike. USUALLY I DON'T bike 80 freaking miles in 90 degree heat! Starting off the day with 2 packets of oatmeal and blueberries, thinking carb loading was a good idea, after having pizza the night before...I'm not doing that again! The triathlon game is tough. The longer you go, the more you gotta be on top of all the elements.

I will end this by stating Steve did a great job hanging with Chris. Chris was a ball full of energy and crushed the brick. I hope that everyone has a training partner who can help push and motivate and make sure the other athlete isn't left behind when driving the struggle bus!! Tomorrow is another day....a REST and RECOVERY DAY for me. Gotta get my mind and legs back in order to proceed. Be safe athletes.