Week 1 of 14 complete.

Just finished the first week of a 14 week journey to Ironman Texas and have to say that all of the endorphins you get from setting the goal, signing up for the race and preparing for the first training session quickly ended after that first splash into the water for the Monday swim. It's at this point that the reality of what you have committed yourself to begins to slowly, painfully, set in. Not that week 1 was terribly difficult or pushed any limits, just knowing how big of a monster this race is and the time and physical commitments it is going to take from you.

Weekly Total Training: 10hrs 45min
Swim time: 2:35
Run time: 4:30
Bike time: 3:40

My bike time was limited by a couple of unfortunate events and should have been 2hrs longer. Had dehydration issues in the Houston Oaks race (100% my fault) and was part of a pretty nasty crash in which a rider (praying for John) was hospitalized after hitting my back tire and crashing. Lessons learned: don't have beer and Mexican food before a road race (emphasis on the beer) and don't ride in large drafting groups ever again.

On a more positive note, I benefited greatly from the bike fitting I did at Tad Hughes Custom Studio (http://www.tadhughescustom.com/). Stop reading and go there now. Not only do I feel much more aerodynamic, but there is an efficiency that I have never felt before. Better use of my quads and hips, and less pressure on my saddle and shoulders...I would highly recommend anyone who feels uncomfortable on the bike to make an appointment with Tad. Whether you have the MS150 coming up, you are training for triathlon season or you just generally hurt after riding through the neighborhood, Tad can fix you up properly! Note the difference below:

Also happy to report that I received nutritional sponsorships from Feed the Machine (http://www.feedthemachine.com/) and IgY Nutrition (http://www.igynutrition.com/) last week. Not a huge deal, but I am getting great nutritional products at very deep discounts. One lesson I have learned in this sport, nutrition is the 4th leg of the race and can extend or end your day on the course. I will make sure to post recommended products that I utilize, but I can tell you that FTM sells certain Hammer products, Nuun hydration and many other race day products that I truly believe in and have used extensively. IgY makes recovery proteins that keep you from diminishing muscle mass from extended periods of high physical activity. Check them out!

So many exciting things going on right now and I have never been happier/healthier in my entire life. We are given certain tools to accomplish goals for God on this earth, but sometimes those tools are not being used properly and must be fine-tuned. Spend time in prayer and scripture to make sure you are being the most efficient you can be in your life. What a difference it makes when you get tuned up!

Work hard this week.

Kelly