Death Wish to the Iron Horse? Whoopsie.

Please forgive my absence over the past couple of days. One insanely important exam has been taking over my life.

To catch up on the triathlon front:

*Saturday bike training: a fiasco in getting there due to a punctuality-challenged driver and rickety bike rack, but we got there. Albeit 30 minutes late, but we got there. That's the joy about biking, I suppose... it's an individual sport and doesn't rely on the presence of others. So we got there late, started late, and ended late. We did a 90 minute ride. That was exciting. I can't articulate how much I wish I could get my hands on a road bike! I can keep up with the less experienced road bikers on my mountain bike. It makes me wonder what I could do with a road bike! I am grateful for the Iron Horse, though. She's a faithful machine that's powered through much adversity. Confession: I may have wished death upon IH. On our way to the forest preserve for the training session, my bike was the last on to a bike rack that was meant to hold lightweight road bikes. The Iron Horse is the farthest thing from a lightweight road bike possible. So for the hour drive it took to get there, my eyes were glued to the rear window, watching as the bikes on the rack bounced with every pebble we ran over. When we hit a typical Chicago-pot hole, my heart palpitated. We even went over a railroad at one point. I think I blacked out. I reached my target heart rate before we even arrived to the training site-- it was ridiculous. At one point I thought 'If my bike falls off... maybe I could justify buying a new one...' So for a couple of seconds I hoped it would fall. Then I realized that I can justify buying a new one even if it didn't fall-- I legitimately need a new bike. My issues with not obtaining one are solely due to the fact that they are crazy expensive. So I mentally apologized to the ol' girl and willed her to hang on until we arrived. By the grace of God alone we made it to the forest preserve with all bikes intact. How it happened? Divine intervention. The ride was good and I felt good about it. Afterwards I wanted to see what my legs felt like, so I ran to the end of the parking lot and back (maybe 100 yards??? ish ish ish). HOLY COW. I have heard people talk about how awful my legs will feel when I start running off the bike. I didn't expect them to be SO right! That's going to be interesting. I want to start doing some brick workouts early so I can be completely ready for that aspect. It blew my mind away. It was like my quads and calves were cinder blocks and my knees were (painful) jello trying to connect the two. Out of control! I'm excited for that challenge.
*Today was supposed to be our first open water swim, but it just got cancelled due to severe thunderstorm warnings. Psh. I guess I wasn't as disappointed as I thought I'd be... it's been a long day! I took my boards today and am kinda drained. I don't know that swimming in a large body of water would have been my safest decision... especially if it is thundering/lightening. I was quite content with the advice my mom and grandma gave: "stay close to the attractive male lifeguards and you'll be fine." I like the way they think (for once).
*As far as running goes, I've hit a wall at 4 miles. I want to get back to where I was (alternating 8 miles and 5 miles each day), and I want to get back there NOW! I am so bad at slowly building back up-- mostly due to my attitude. I guess that is one thing I have control over, though, so I should get it together. My goal this week, though, is to break through to five. =) I know I can do five, but I want to do it at a fast pace. I think I can run lolly-gag speed for a while, but at a legit pace I am good for 30 minutes. That's too short. It feels good to work hard, but is frustrating to know that a couple of months ago the workout that just killed me was my workout for an easy day. ...What can ya do-- just gotta work with what you've got.

So that's that. I have decided to make a list of things I NEED for the triathlon. I watched Oprah the other day (I've been studying really hard... promise) and they were talking about 'vision boards' (in a typical oprah fashion). On a vision board you put things which you want to achieve or obtain in your life. Perhaps if I make a 'triathlon board' I will get the stuff I need before race day. Worth a shot! So far my list includes:
*Triathlon Shorts
*Sunglasses
*Water bottle cage
*Pedal clips
*Running shoes (mine have holes... Susie will be upset.)
*A bike (can't hurt!)
*"Slicks"
*Elastic Shoe Laces
*A legal helmet (I think mine being ancient makes it illegal. ...seriously.)
*A small 'case' to put on my bike to hold a spare tube (not that I'll know how to use it if I
need it...), etc.


I'm hoping I don't need anymore than that. I guess there is one thing....

DONATIONS! Woohoo, we've come so far and I'm so honored and grateful for everyone's support. My dad has been inquiring with his company to see if this will qualify for their "Matching Donation" program (which I think it actually doesn't... but what a GREAT thought!). There might be another option though, which would be so exciting! Perhaps you have a similar program or some more great ideas about expanding the donation network. Thanks a million times over to all who have donated-- you're the heroes behind all this and I'm speechless at your generosity!
We've got a little ways more to go before August 4th, so don't stop spreading the word like wildfire. Lets cure blood cancers, my friends! We CAN do it one donation at a time!