I’m trying to restrain myself from singing “It’s the final countdown da na na na…” but, let’s face it, it is!  I’ve been in full-on final preparation mode and I think I may actually be ready to go when May 28th arrives.  I know I’m ready to race for freakin’ Team USA baby, so let’s DO THIS!
As you may know, this past week started out horribly with a major bike shipping crisis. Â However, crisis averted, thanks to my coach and several other people who offered their bikes (Allison, Deb, Bonnie, Michelle & Dawn) and other helpful information. Â Thank you! Â Here’s everything else that didn’t suck last week:
WEEK OF MAY 12, 2014
RUNNING:  I got in very few miles this past week (but made up for it on the bike!) because I was in a weird kind of tapering for the race on Sunday.  Some of my running plans also got screwed up because of my bike crisis but, when I did run, I loved it.  I was able to do some pick-ups on Thursday prior to spin.  Pick-ups are usually done on a track or other flat surface and, you slowing build speed until you’re at about 85% effort and you slowly decelerate.  I did 6 for 20 seconds each.  I cannot tell you how great a feeling it is when you call upon your speed and it’s there!
Total mileage: 14 miles, 6 of which were in a race. Â Boom!
CYCLING:  Oh so much cycling and none of it on my actual bike.  No, my beloved bike was packed up and shipped out on Friday.  I wanted to hug the box before they sent it.  Please, dear God, let it make it to Spain!  Because of CRS’ awesomeness I was able to ride her bike for a training ride on Wednesday and in the race on Sunday.  Maybe I should pray to her that my bike makes it to Spain?  Too much?  I also spent plenty of time in the pain cave riding my spin bike to nowhere.  Some would call that crazy.  You be the judge.
Total mileage: 134 miles! Â Double BOOM!
You’ve heard of d*ck in a box? Well, this is my BIKE in a box! Yikes!!!
CROSS-TRAINING: Â Racing around Target, with the hour of time I had, buying every conceivable travel device for the kids, myself, the hubs and anyone else who may be in need of a neck pillow or tiny toiletry item. Â I got ya covered.
FUEL: I’m running mostly on insanity and adrenaline these days.  I should try to box it up and sell it!  It’s better then Red Bull and mixes well with your favorite adult beverage.  Mixing is enthusiastically encouraged.
RACING: Oh hell yes there was racing baby! Â I had my oh-so-important Duathlon “warm-up” on Sunday (riding CRS’ bike!) and it went…HA I’m saving that for a whole different post. Â Unless you follow me on Instagram, Twitter or FB, then you can skip my Wednesday post…but you want to hear all the exciting details, right?
TV: Who has time? Â Besides, my life is all the reality show I need these days. Â In fact, after telling my cousin’s girlfriend about a “typical” morning in my house, that involved me threatening my husband with a rock that I found in my dryer (because doesn’t everyone have rocks in their dryers?), she said “If you had a reality TV show, I would so watch it!” Â I love that girl. Â And, don’t worry, my husband’s head avoided the rock.
MUSIC:Â My brother sent me a text that read [in part] “Do yourself a favor and download Turn Blue by The Black Keys. Â It should shave 10 minutes off your time!” Â Done.
I have to say that, after I listened to it the first time, the only thing it made me want to so was stretch. Â I think that was the point.
THINGS I LOVE:Â Racing mantras unknowingly given to me by friends and family. Â My mind is so busy when I’m racing but, little snippets will come to me like:
“Can’t stop. Won’t stop” is a classic from cousin Scott
“Push well and shake and bake” is a favorite for me and Anne
“Set your pace, run your race” Â was my brother’s advice for the Boston Marathon
“You already won” from my husband who is my tether to planet earth
And SO many others that people tell me or write on my FB page – they all are meaningful and I take them to heart. Just know, you will all be with me as I race though the streets of Spain!
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH: I’m a little worried about how I’m going to feel after the race.  I’ve been training for six months now, so intensely and with so much passion, I’m scared of what it’s going to feel like when it’s over.  Yes, I’m looking forward to relaxing for a few days, but I’m not really the “relaxing” type.  I also have races planned for summer and fall (of course!) but nothing that requires so much intense training and focus. We shall see…
RANDOM THOUGHT OF THE WEEK:Â This is best summed up in a picture I took while at the Connecticut Science Museum:
How was your week/weekend? Â
Do you have mantras or quotes that get you though a race or even just your day?
What’s the weirdest thing you ever found in your washing machine or dryer?
Shake and bake baby! Love it…do you also follow “If you ain’t first, you’re last?” 😉
I can’t wait to hear/read the play by play on Wednesday!
Gotta love that movie, right? And, no, I don’t follow that!! I’m happy to come in the top 10 🙂 Thanks Angela.
You had another great week! I am so excited for you! My favorite mantra is “Quitting is not an option!”.
That is a good one!! I love collecting mantras.
Dang I listened to that song hoping for another good hardcore spin song for class!! Cool down?!
Me too but wah wah… cool down maybe? Sorry. 🙂
So happy that yesterday went so well even after the bike issue last week. And so excited for you now that you are indeed in the final countdown. You totally got this and know you are going to rock in Spain now!!! 🙂
I can honestly say I am ready. Sunday’s race was just the confidence boost I needed. Thanks Janine!
My husband competes in triathlons (not nearly to the level at which you do), and I told him about your unfortunate bike fiasco this past week. As a fellow racer, he felt so terrible for you! Just had to let you know. Speaking of, what percentage of your training is interval-type vs. long-slow distance? Just something I’ve been thinking about lately.
That is so kind. Thank him for me! It’s nice to know there’s a whole group of people out there who get it. As for training percentages for this particular race – I’ve been doing mostly intervals with big swings in HR. Long slow distance is more for marathon, ultra or IM type training.
I am SO SO SO SO proud of you and happy for you and wow! I can’t wait to read your race recap Wednesday!!! My race mantra that has been working for me is “Strong, fast, determined” repeated over and over, or “fast feet”. Post-race depression is no joke. Hopefully you will enjoy every second of Spain and then start thinking about the next goal after you get back home.
That mantra is absolutely working for you! Congrats on your race this past weekend – we killed it mama!!!
Wow, you are SO close!! I definitely get the fear for after the race… it’s not something I expected but I did experience the post-race blues after big events. At least you know it’s normal- and hopefully you can use that time to take extra naps, catch up on movies or shows or books or whatever else you’ve been unable to do while training.
I’ve never really experienced it before but, this time, I can feel it coming so I want to be prepared! I definitely have a LONG list of books I’ve been waiting to read. Thanks Laura!
I know exactly what you mean about the fear of how it will feel when it is over. While it cannot possibly compare to all of the training you have been doing (because let’s be real here, nothing I will ever do will compare to the awesome that is you!), but when Lisa and I ran our school’s car raffle a few years ago, we went through the same process when it was over. It was almost like a mourning period. Highest of highs, lowest of lows kind of thing. Just know that everyone who reads you is thinking of you and pulling for you and hoping that this experience is everything you want it to be! :)-Ashley
Thank you so much Ashley and YES your experience sounds exactly like what I’m afraid of. You’re also right in that I can count on ALL of you to help me though, and that is HUGE! 🙂
oh my gosh!!! I’ve got all kinds of nerves for you but they were eased when I read about your DU this weekend!! YES!!!
Did you really get every travelling device from target? That worries me because target has a LOT of stuff!! lol
Do worry about what you will feel like when its over. I know for a fact you will find something new to sink your teeth into (like a little presentation at Fitbloggin?! 🙂 ) super quick. Focus now on getting there, doing the damn thing and enjoying the entire experience for what it is.
Thanks Nellie!!! And yes, I actually hit an all time high for spending at Target. There should have been balloons and sirens at the check out!
Fitbloggin is killing me because I want to have my presentation pretty much DONE by the time I leave for Spain. No pressure.
I’m definitely focused on Spain itself, and not just the race but enjoying a week with my family in a beautiful country for a week afterward. I’ll worry when I get home …:-)
Love that cross training was racing around Target!!
It really should be part of my training plan 🙂
I thought about you yesterday – sorry I should have done more than that!!
I have a perfect plan for after the race – a beach week!!!!
I’m so excited for you – you have worked hard and you are going to be great because you are you!!!
I hope that this week is uneventful and relaxing (as much as possible) for you as you get into the final days before you leave!!!
Just thinking of me is plenty! Thank you!! Trust me, after the big race in Spain, I will be relaxing on the beach in Portugal for the better part of a week. I cannot wait!! 🙂
You are SO ready!!! I am so excited for you! It is going to be an awesome experience!!!! After races…especially this…it is hard not to almost be let down or without direction…but I think you are on the right track to have a few races in mind to sign up for, and no they may not be intense but that might be the break you need with a bit of racing motivation!!!!
I think you’re right Jen! I’m looking forward to some FUN races, without all the pressure!! Thank you.
You’re usually a ball of energy so I can only imagine this is like three times the intensity. It sounds like you have everything under control!
Yes it is!! I should have everything ready to go by Wednesday and, if not, it will have to be ok!
Ok, not to spoil the fun but I saw your instagram and CONGRATS! You are one of the most amazing athletes I know (because I know lots, right!?)!! I am so seriously impressed!
Also, I’m so excited for Spain! I can’t wait to hear about every detail.
My mantra: “There’s no crying in baseball.” Mainly because I can be really sensitive and I would use this to not let things upset.
Thank you so much Britt! I LOVED your comment on my picture and, believe me, I was just as surprised as you were!!
I love your mantra, especially because that is one of my favorite movies. My favorite line? “It’s the hard that makes it great!” Love it!!
I’m so freaking proud of you and you are going to be awesome and amazing!! PS running around Target totally does count as cross-training!!!
Ha ha ha – thanks Christine! Sounds like you know from experience at Target 🙂
Ahhh! So excited for you!! I’m totally the same way, you want the down time but then when you have it, you need to find something to do. I can’t stand not being active! I can’t wait to hear all about your experience! You are going to rock it!
YES – that is totally it! I’m sure I’ll be happy training for the races I have planned, but seriously, nothing will compare to this!! Although I know you’re doing the Ragnar and that is SOOO on my list! Can’t wait to hear how it goes for you…
Thank you!
I find pens in the dryer (not good), money sometimes :), rocks (yes, thank you children), and other random things that shouldn’t be there, like little pieces of paper that end up in shreds. You are definitely not the only one. Can’t wait to hear about the race and I get the whole letdown thing, but I am sure you will find something else really cool to train for!
Oh no, not pens!! That is very bad. I think I prefer rocks 🙂
Thanks Michelle – I can’t wait to get there and do this already!!
I can feel your excitement—and it’s contagious! And now I’m ready for Wednesday’s details!
Our dryer often collects Burt’s Bees balm that I forget to take out of my pocket, and rocks that Marshall forgets to take out of his. One time I found a scrub brush in the dryer too. Not sure how that ended up in there.
Keep on keepin on!
A scrub brush? Now that is interesting! I guess all boys put rocks in their pockets!!
Love the mantra 🙂
We always find coins in our washer/dryer which isn’t weird. Definitely matchbox cars! And once that’s where a missing stuffed animal went.
I can’t believe The Rundown is now at The Countdown. May 28th is my sister’s birthday so it’s a lucky day. Holy cow, Allie!
I understand about wondering about the aftermath. There is a sort of letdown when you’ve waited so long for something. Often cool people can channel that into the next thing to look forward to, or just basking in the afterglow. I have faith in you.
Thank you Tamara!! And, you just made me feel SO much better that I will be flying on your sister’s birthday. That may sound crazy but I’m totally serious!!
Whoa!!! It’s finally here. You are a ROCK STAR!!! Six months of insane training… Amazing! Safe travels to you and your family. I know you’re gonna kick butt and represent the USA well! Cain wait to read all the details. I had to stop by to wish you many blessings!
Thank you so much Hope! I certainly appreciate it. I will make you proud my friend!!
You will rock it, girlfriend!
As for the after, I say take it easy, then find another goal to achieve, because I can’t picture you lounging around eating ice cream. Oh wait, that’s me.
Ha ha ha – you need to enjoy your time lounging because those twins are going to take that away for a time 🙂 I’m sure I’ll have another goal, but this has been such a special journey, and I don’t want it to end.
Thanks Alison!
seriously I think one of the biggest things that kept me from doing tri’s is it feels like so much extra work…shipping a bike?! 🙂 but seriously what a cool experience you are going to have!
I know, right? That’s why I love running so much – just pack your shoes and you’re off!
I know how the race went this weekend 😉 Yay for you! May 28th is my anniversary, so it’s a good, good day. Weirdest thing in the dryer? It’s too gross to mention. Let’s just say it involved an adolescent daughter and something you will never find as the mother of two boys!
Oh wow – that is awful! Sorry, and yes, thank God I won’t have that issue!!
May 28th is getting better and better. Happy Anniversary to you 🙂
Not necessarily weird, but after buying my kid a brand new wardrobe for the winter, he left crayons in his clothes. Which went into the dryer. Which melted crayon on allhis new clothes. Had to go out that next weekend and re-buy everything. Ugh.
sidenote: I messed up when trying to reach your blog today. I typed in: vitatrain4LIE
LOL, whoops! …okay, so maybe I’m the only one laughing… sheeesh.
LIES, it’s all lies!!! I’m laughing with you – but not about the crayon in the dyer. How did your son survive your wrath on that one??
ILL SING IT FOR YOU: It’s the FINALLLLLLL COUNTDOWNNNNNN!!!! 😉
Rock it out GiGi!!!
Good luck!! Be safe and have fun! 🙂
Thank you! I can’t wait to get there 🙂