I finally imported my old Blogger blog over here to Word Press (hooray!). I started that blog in the summer of 2011, right when I first began to train for the Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon. My, how far I’ve come.
Now I have a few open water swims under my belt, can ride a bike without falling off (most the time), and, well, I still hate running. But I am now signed up to do the Iron Girl sprint distance triathlon on May 6. Am I ready? Nope. But I’ll get through it. I’ve had so many meltdowns on the way, and probably would have dropped out, but I somehow convinced my sister to do her first triathlon with me, and my parents are coming out here and basically treating this whole thing like the Olympics. So quitting was not an option. I am a little nervous, as they told my sister “Lyndsey, if you come in last, or behind a 400 pound person, we’ll be really embarrassed.” Uhhhh, chances of me finishing behind a 400 pound person, not completely unlikely. Never mind that my parents probably couldn’t bike 13 miles or run 5k, but now I know they could be facing a day of disappointment. Ahhh my parents.
The thing I’m struggling with right this moment is a complete lack of energy and motivation. My period arrived 2 days ago, and for some reason, this event knocks me on my ass. Every month. You’d think my body would see it coming and prepare, but the mighty crimson tide must be stronger than I realize. I am energy depleted and totally unmotivated. Yes, I know I need to do the workouts. I’m aware I haven’t really gotten a solid brick in (please don’t kill me coach Nancy). But right now all I can think about is how amazing my bed is, and curling up with my dogs and sleeping for 20 hours straight. The idea of doing that bike ride again makes me want to up that number to 32 hours.
Any advice? What works? I’ll try experimental nutrition. I’ll take supplements. I’ll drink strange things. Anything?
vegastrigirl 
Oh my goodness. I’ve been there, I’m so glad I’m not there at this moment though–my triathlon is less than 3 weeks away! I had a great coach who has invested so much of his time into me. FOR FREE, NO PAY. I got his expertise for NOTHING. I’ve done a couple sprints before, so this is nothing new. This one is special though, I’m doing it to honor one of my students who has Lymphoma. And, it just came back last week. He had another surgery Monday. Goodness. I can do this if he can go through chemotherapy and surgeries, and wondering what his line of no return would be. His “I can’t do this any more”. I have no excuses. If you’re doing this for LLS/Team-In-Training, I URGE you to go to Group Training Sessions and meet the honored heroes, listen to their stories. If nothing else, they will totally shame you into getting your butt off the couch.
I sat with Nick through several of his chemotherapy treatments. I watched this big, strong football player (incredibly smart History major) who always answered questions in Sean Connery’s voice and always with a “hey Boss” to me, lose his hair. Be tired. Lose his appetite. Become weary and tired. Grow to hate the smell of alcohol wipes. Spend a lot of time explaining why he always had the IV on his hand. Not get dates because cancer freaked out the women. Go through life without his family near.
I love this kid and would do anything for him. Any time I don’t feel like working out, I write his name on my hands and when I want to quit, I look at my hands.
I’m doing it for him because sometimes I don’t have the motivation to do it for me.
Good luck, my new friend. I will follow you, and I want to read that race report. Oh, and some day, you’ll be nearly 50 like me and won’t have to worry about the crimson tide. Just bitchy menopause!
If you can do a half marathon, you can do a sprint. If you’re a good swimmer, don’t sweat the swim and don’t burn yourself out on the bike – it should take you somewhere around 40-50 minutes depending on your style of bike, once that’s done, it’s only a 5k.
I’d be willing to bet you’re looking at an Olympic length within a week or two of the end of that race.
As for the last part, I’ve got an answer, but I guarantee you won’t like it (my wife allows herself to suffer from the exact same symptoms).
Let’s put it this way, if I were a complete jerk (think lots of explicatives here) to my wife, would there be any acceptable excuses? “Bitchy” is in your head and heart, not in your genes.
Thanks for the vote of confidence! I know I can do it, I’ll make it through, I just wish I could make it look easy. 😉
As for your comment about the symptoms… I wish it was in my head and heart, but it can be proven chemically that there are real changes, and they impact some more than others. I’m looking to control these through my nutrition and not use them as an excuse, but it’s an uphill battle. Imagine trying to do a race without eating for 24 hours before hand. It’s somewhat like that.
There’s no doubt there’s a chemical imbalance that occurs, but that chemical imbalance doesn’t “make” you lash out at others, it just makes you mean. I have a wife who suffers the same way – I’m not saying it’s easy, and I still head for the hills when I can see it coming.
Hahaha, I would run too!