1 month until Ironman Texas!

Super hard to believe it's only 1 month away until I go for my 3rd Ironman....May 21st in The Woodlands, TX.  It's been incredibly (and unseasonably) hot and humid here in Austin and I can imagine it's been a little steamy in Houston as well.
It's a little scary that I haven't ran in 9 weeks time (getting over stress fracture on iliac wing).  Coach Fish and I are making a decision in about a week as to whether or not I'll be running at Ironman Texas.  I am trying as hard as I can to heal this thaaang!  I feel completely amazing all around.....I just can't run!  My legs feel fresh, healthy, and overall my body feels awesome.......it's not overtrained or exhausted and feelin' good!  So, I'm pumped b/c of that, but a little nervous that I haven't been running.  Who knows maybe I'll have the best run of my life out there!  I've done 3 marathons (1 stand alone) and 2 in my Ironman races.  I really hope I get to do #4 in 30 days.  It's all a mind set.....positive thinking here!

I am blessed to have such supportive friends that are constantly checking on me and keeping my spirits high!  It is what it is and I know it could be a lot worse!  I've had a great training season for this IM even though I've been without my running for much of it.  I've made some awesome new friends and have had a blast getting stronger on the bike and in the water (we'll see if that translates to open water)!  I've done some of the hardest swim workouts I've ever done......and they ROCKED!  I've only done a handful of century rides, but I had one of the best 100-milers I've ever had last Saturday.....74 miles of it by myself.  I felt like I was in the "zone" for almost the entire ride.......feeling incredibly powerful, confident, and strong!  I was determined to get in 100 miles in 5 1/2 hours or less.  I took 3 potty breaks, had stoplights, got stuck waiting for a train to go by, and at one point had dogs knipping at my heals (funny story).  I got in 100.2 in 5 1/2 hours!  Big confidence booster!

I'm excited about a few things going into the last 30 days b/f IMTX:
-Getting in another big ride on Saturday with friends
-Running? :)
-Skeese Greets Tri on May 8th (http://www.skeese.com/pages/Info.html)
-More solid swim workouts
-Getting to experience this Ironman with so many awesome friends ;)

When?

When will I be able to run???  This is really challenging me (mentally).  BIG time!!  I'm trying so hard not to throw myself a pitty party, but this really SUCKS!  I have a stress fracture on the iliac wing on the right side.  It happened on Feb. 12th.  I ran just over 13 miles and felt something about 9 miles in.  I just figured it was a little strain, tightness and it would work itself out.  I ran hard and I ran some good hills.  I was feeling super strong and just felt overall fantastic throughout the run other than that "tightness."  How and why did it happen?  Overuse, bad running habits, dehydrated, pushing too hard, all of the above.  :(

Thought maybe it was a bad strain, but as I would try to run (and I did run several different times and knew it didn't feel muscular anymore).......felt like it might be a stress fracture.  Many people told me.......no way....not a stress fracture right there.  5 1/2 weeks went by and I finally went in to see Dr. Welsh at SW Orhopedics and he confirmed with x-rays.....a stress fracture.  So, on March 23rd he said give it 4 more weeks.  I gave it 9 days (was feeling very good) and ran on it for 3 days (just a few miles at a time).  Don't do that!  When a doc gives you instructions, follow it.  Dammittt!  I feel like I'm starting all over again.  Praying and hoping that by the end of the month I'll be healed. 

I'm giving it until May 1st and then we will create the rest of my "running" plan for Ironman Texas.  Big picture here........I want to be healthy and strong for the rest of my race season and World Championships in Vegas in September.  If I get to run at Ironman Texas it might not be pretty, but I'll get it done.  It should be an interesting day on May 21st!! 

Naturally a people person (part 1)

I am a big people person.  I love being around people, helping people, and seeing people happy!  I love having the opportunity to help others achieve whatever they want.  I think I'm pretty darn blessed to be able to do that in all areas of my life right now!  As a L'BRI skin care consultant I get to share an amazing product and business opportunity with other women and help women in many different ways.  I get to create an experience for my hostess and guests when I do home parties and share L'BRI with others.......and my parties are fun!  It makes my "job" very fun!  People naturally want to share info and ideas and I get to do that on a regular basis by sharing my enthusiasm about the products I love!!  I'm not  a guru on skin care.  I've just used the product and learned a lot from other people and their experiences with skin care and this has allowed me to build a very successful business and help others get their business up and running and become successful!  Part 2 is my love for fitness and triathlons......coming soon!  ;)