High and Dri Tri

Just when it looked like the weekend triathlon that was to be converted to a dri-tri (duathlon) the tri gods shone down on Des Moines and we are back in the swim. Now being me, of course I was bitching about the duathlon but began to envision not bringing a wet suit, not swimming in a churning pack of bodies, not being cold and wet, etc. This was starting to sound OK - I wouldn't have wet feet trying to get into my bike shoes and I had picked out a tri outfit that was more conducive to running and biking only.

So, after they said that there was no possible way the age groupers were going to swim, they do a 180 and now the swim is back in. I wore the shorts today that I will need for this weekend - so now I have to wash those. Since the weather has been cooler, I have to sweat a wet suit swim - I hate (did I say HATE) wearing a wetsuit - now I'll have to get it out and face the possibility of wearing. Although, honestly, if it's close, I think I'll swim without one. The wetsuit has not been working out for me at all.

My workout today - a mini duathlon to help simulate this weekend's race. But wait - that plan has changed!

Now I must regroup, wash my tri shorts and pray that the water is warm enough to preclude a wetsuit swim (I don't want anyone else wearing one either).

ONE MORE THING I FORGOT TO MENTION: MY HIP IS FEELING SO MUCH BETTER AND I THINK I CAN RUN AGAIN! I'm slow, but I'm running baby.

Ups Downs and All Arounds

It's been terribly long since I 've written. Mostly because I was tired of whining about my injury. It was just not healing and I was listening to the cash register cha-ching each time I went to the doctor or for physical therapy.

I made a decision to stop all the medical intervention and take over myself. Not that I have any knowledge, but the fact is that I wasn't getting any worse with doing minimal running and the PT and docs weren't making it any better either.

So I went on vacation to Destin, FL with my kids and grandkids for a week. It was truly amazing. We rented a beach house and everyone had an outstanding time. I'm also going to tell you that for now, I'm the Phase 10 master. Some goofy fun card game that I played with my kids and won - even under the influence of pineapple juice and Malibu Rum - yum yum and so good for you - well, it has fruit in it doesn't it?

I also met up with a fellow blogger in Florida and went for a nice long, hot bike ride with her. We had lunch afterwards and discussed our triathlon goals - mine of which this year have become non-existant - but more on that later.

Next up in the repertoire, is the Hyvee Triathlon which I have been looking forward to for almost 9 months. I was going to have this be my A race and then watch the pros qualify for the final Olympics slots for the Americans. But mother nature dealt yet another ugly card by bringing continuing rain to the area, causing flooding and ultimately the race has now been downgraded to a duathlon - 5k run - 40k bike - 10k run and me with a hip injury! As well, the pros have no interest in doing a duathlon and the ITU will likely change the qualifying to some statistical formula. At least my favorite, Sarah Haskins, will likely win through this method. The race site has been moved - so now instead of staying at a hotel 2 miles from the race site, it will be 12 miles and, AND, I'm not even sure if we can get there without re-routing around the flooding. At least (I hope), the schwag will be worth the trip.

Now the upside is that I did a longer run today, 6.5 miles, some of which I walked but I was able to do this relatively pain free. So maybe I'm on my way back.

Looking up, there is still one Olympic distance race on my calendar that COULD turn out to be an A race for me!! Here's hoping that by the end of August I can be back to my old painless slow self.