Who Have I Become??

I am sorry it has been so long since my last post. The month of July has been busy but also very ordinary. It has been busy with personal things going on unlike my normal work life! I haven't been traveling at all this month for work and I have to admit it has been nice. Of course that will change this week, as I will be traveling on Thursday.

This month I have had company in town to celebrate the 4th of July holiday and other family in town while doing some college visits. I have also been doing quite a bit of dog and cat sitting for friends as they went away for summer vacation. I have taken advantage of the somewhat quiet time and I have been able to push myself physically through training and competing and I am really excited with the results.

On July 8th, I completed a brick workout; 90 minutes on the bike followed by a 20 minute run. The day was not calling for pleasant weather so I had to get the workout in between storms. It ended up being a fabulous workout and I was happy with the results. The one thing I will never get used to is the transition from bike to run and how your legs feel. I never feel like I am moving. On Sunday, July 9th I completed a 10 mile training run that also went really well. It was a beautiful morning for a run and of course like so many days this summer I was hoping for it not to rain.

 July 15th brought the Cayuga Rock n Ride, a charity ride along the east side of Cayuga Lake that raised money for the Cayuga Heart Center. I did the 30+ mile ride (ended up being 33 miles) and I saw a real change in my cycling ability.

Some people may be shocked by what they are about to read, especially my other cycling and triathlon friends who have known me for some time...are you ready? I am starting to LOVE my bike!! I know it has taken me over 5 years but I enjoy the workouts and getting on the saddle.

I love to see how I have become a stronger cyclist over the last year. I still have so much work to do but due to the fact that I don't mind getting on the bike I am looking forward to this adventure. I used to fear getting outside on the bike. I never wanted to get out of the saddle but now I attack hills and get up more efficiently by standing. On the ride I did a week ago I definitely attacked those hills and I can say, the view from the top was always worth the climb!

It doesn't stop there, when I would ride straight-a-ways I never would drop into my lower handlebar, now I am doing it all the time. It makes me a bit more aero...or at least I think I am. Sometimes playing psych games with yourself helps! I still don't love riding in the rain but if it happens, I deal with it! It's easier to ride in it than start in it.

This past Sunday I competed in the Gillie Girl Triathlon. Prior to this year I would rest on the day before a race. I would be afraid to use up too much energy prior to gun time. Oh how naive. You don't have to do too much the day before but just enough to get your muscles and juices flowing. Another perk of doing a brief workout and getting ready for the race the next day is PANCAKES!! I do love pancakes and the fact that I save them for these special occasions make them so YUMMY!

Since the surgery of course I have to be careful with how much I take in and the rate of speed at which I eat. Pancakes being a heavier meal I really have to make sure I have plenty of time to eat them. Being a bulkier food they take up a lot of space in my stomach. So I will share with you that it can take me 45 - 60 minutes to eat 3 pancakes but it is soooo worth it!! Oh how I love pre-race rituals!!

At 4:00 AM, on Sunday, my alarm went off to get ready for the Gillie Girl Triathlon. It was my third Gillie Girl but my 2nd triathlon this season. Although not my first rodeo I found as time ticked away I was getting excited and nervous to get to the start line. It ended up being a great day. For days before the race we were anticipating race, even thunderstorms during the day. Well the rain held off and it was overcast which made for great conditions! So let me tell you about my day...

I am still in shock, I had an overall PR for this triathlon by 17:10 and others I have done by 15 minutes! Finished overall 74/239 and 9/25 in my age group (my goal was top 10 in my age group). I did my run in 30:56...the last time I was that fast I was 30 years old and believe me I didn't think I was running that fast. Woo hoo!! I am so excited!!!

Thank you to Honey Stinger's energy chews...I love them and they get me through so many races and training sessions. As a post bariatric surgery patient you have been very easy on my stomach. And thank you to Byrne Dairy chocolate milk...it is always was a great perk at the finish line.

I have one question to ask ...Who have I become??