Off to the Physio

So a lot has changed over the years. One significant change is that I no longer have a coach. Stagnating in place was a waste of money and so I stopped coaching. A tough decision at the time but in a way, a huge relief. It took the pressure off. But I also lost my way. No coach though, meant also no physio as coach was both. It was ideal at the time because coach could change my program to suit the current injury or issue. But now I go by feel and train around what my body can do. There is a lot less pressure. 

A buddy put me on to this new guy. A young Italian physio who has a different approach to managing my chronic itb issues. He doesn’t hammer the fascia with hours of elbow dragging and needling. Instead he gets into the back of my calf. I can feel the tightness. Yikes!

Also, I had a frozen shoulder. Which was the original reason for going to see him. He has fixed it. But of course now the other shoulder is having troubles. But the physio is all part of Ironman and I go routinely for a treatment. 

I hope though that he can fix my hips. I put my hip out just before Christmas and it left me with some residual tightness in the glute. I think my hip may still be forward. So let’s hope for some positive corrections and so I can run again. 

Lost it….

Because no one reads this but me, I feel safe putting this here.

Where did it go? Far out. 9 years just disappeared in an instant. One minute I was an Ironman triathlete, the next…an old menopausal lady. We’ll post menopausal now to be honest. Constant itb issues ground me down, a program on repeat and try to improve, but never did, left me exhausted and deflated, and new job, lost love, study, injury and suddenly not only am I old, but grossly over weight and miserable also..

I thought signing up for Ironman again would be the motivation I needed to lose the weight. But frustratingly the weight continues to pile on because I am a closet eater. I didn’t realise until recently that I am always snacking. But also, I can’t break away from the sugar. I know I can’t drink alcohol and rarely do. My portions continue to be too big. Husband/chef is always giving me big portions and I have no will power to say stop and not clean my plate. 

While I am getting the training done, the results are not showing on the scales and it seems it’s getting worse!

We went bike packing for two days. Photos of course.

Here it is in all its chubby glory. My rational mind says, “hey Sammi, you’re 56 now and it’s ok to have a few extra pounds” of course Instagram, running with others half my age and being my own worse critic means that I am miserably unhappy with how I look. Regardless of how fit I might be - having ridden 110kms last weekend! Getting older is hard. I forget though, that’s the kicker! So today I bought….a new bike! Far out! And an expensive one at that. Shouldn’t I be winding down now? But I have inspiration. I have Mary, Susan, Angela, Sandra…. All women older than me being fit and healthy and out there. But all  skinnier than me and fit and trim. I need more inspiration from older women. A path to follow. I don’t want to give up, so I pick up my shit and keep going right?! 

Off to a Flying Start

So while the world kinda does back flips and spreads confusion and cooties, I, on the other hand am off to a flying start. I decided to change my training documenting. For years now I have kept a journal of a sorts and recorded my program, diet, outcome on training and thoughts and goals such as 'focus and process.' This year I simply bought a yearlong calendar and spent hours writing out a yearlong program.

Yep, I know. Very hard to write a program for a year and sail through it, injury and life get in the way. So, I wrote it out in pencil of course and gave myself permission to deviate under these circumstances, eraser at the ready. I have also given myself an 8-year-old kudos with stars as successful completion or application of the training. With rest days being Mondays and the year unfolding before me as a visual (stuck on the loungeroom wall) suddenly it seems do-able. With 8 stars already notched up, I'm feeling positive, ha, I know.......loooooong way to go! But there is no denying the work is there, visible to all, the commitment obvious as the days unroll and of course the multi coloured stars speaking volumes as I bank the training miles. Of course, Big Gazza has signed up as team Chef, Cheer Squad, Training Buddy and second Coach if I drop the ball on myself. I have decided to do this thing without a coach, some may say madness, but I'm feeling confident. There is a hint of a previous tried and true training program, with additional P.T, strength, balance and open water swims set by me and my love of spending time with my kid, The Amazing Waldo Pepper.

And then wham! Today we went out for an intended 100km IRL ride and I was feeling pretty good. Loads of energy. Captain was pushing the pace, so we were all out of our comfort zone pretty darn quickly. I don't get it. But anyway, I kept up and with that, blew up my knee. Worst it’s been in a long time. So, ice now for the next 2 days while we travel to Jindabyne for a training week away. I cut the 100 short, ended with 80. No point smashing it and not being able to back up on Monday with a trip up Charlottes Pass and Tom Groggins. So best intentions..... what have I learnt? Ride my own ride, don't stand up on the pedals for a while because that pisses the knee off. AND the 34-granny gear paid off for itself today as I left ol' mate behind on the hill. I know there was a moment where she was turning herself inside out to catch up. So happy.

It's a Brand New Day and a Brand New Year for Ironman

Yep, you read it here first Sammi is going back to Ironman again. Number 3. I always said I had another one in me. This time I am choosing an event, well that's flat and fast. No hills, but Port Mac I have done before Its time to change things up.

Fitz Challenge October 2018

What's the point of posting if you haven't got anything to say. And I guess from the looks of things I haven't had anything to say for about 10months now. Interesting for me considering I always have an opinion or a comment about most things - annoyingly so, some would say. But today I feel moved to post.

 

Yesterday was the Fitz Challenge. I signed up for the 105km distance with good mate Lil (de-identified of course). We had Stixxy meant to join us, but injury claimed her and very reluctantly and sadly we had to carry on without her. the 105 distance saw us travelling from Stromlo Nature Park to Tharwa Village return. Some truly stunning Aussie bush countryside with farms and rivers and trees, large boulders, livestock and a nose full of dead critters. Enough rotting stinky roos, wombats, snakes and one poor wee turtle to fill one nose for a life time. Luckily the flies weren't out in their usual millions and the magpies were fairly sedate now they have fledglings to worry over.

 

The night before the ride saw the Southern Riders Cycle Club (SRCC) indulging ourselves on pale ale and ginger beer as thick as syrup at the Canberra Bent Spoke Brewery before we stumbled across to Debacle, a pizza come Schnitty Restaurant and I had the pork ribs. With a few more drinks under the belt the team unplanned, decided to provide me with some tough love and an intervention that left me feeling a little squirmy. But nothing they said wasn't true....unfortunately. While I have absolutely no bad blood with AP10 at all. I did stall on the grid for probably 2-3 years. I have made no forward progression at all since Ironman 2013 (yes I know that's 5 years) in part due to ITB issues and the torn knee cartilage, but also due to the pressure. Perhaps self imposed, but there nonetheless. I had started to dread Monday nights, Saturday morning rides became the book of excuses and I think I was up to #1034, honestly. I stayed 12 months too long and finally when the umbilical cord snapped when work and life, study and the planets aligned, I had to let go of the white knuckle ride and let AP10 drop. Something The Onion Man and Roberto had identified well before, but what do you do when loyalty has a strangle hold. Anyway, the tough love rolled out with the momentum of an avalanche and the juggernaut continued as it gathered speed. In the end the truth was, I had waited too long, lost too much love and joy for what I was doing. I had lost my way and allowed stress to stop me in my tracks. They were all passive observers while I floundered, and to their credit each held their tongue. But now they have scooped me up into their 'club' with no judgement, only genuine care and the friendship that had always been there, and has been reborn. I feel joy again. A great feeling.

 

So, for the first time in so many years, I'm keen to train again. Saturday mornings see me jumping out of bed to start our rides. I'm not worried at all about being dropped as we each look out for each other. I feel motivated and care about the team knowing they each have my back too. Its safe here! And when we woke up in the morning to start our ride for Fitz I was super excited, but also calm and not stressed - no pressure. (and it is important to acknowledge here that the pressure was always self imposed!) but when you run with Champions, there is a great deal of pressure to perform.

 

Anyway, Fitz's was here and after a roll around Canberra's Lake Burleigh Griffin and enjoying the day with good friends, I was ready.

 

Lil and I rode out after the starters gun and made our way along the beautiful roads of Stromlo it was a great ride and we felt comfortable for the first 60kms out to Tharwa. I took my turns on the front and tried to stay conscious of the power we were putting out along the roads and hills. I stayed comfortably climbing at around 130watts so fairly good. We arrived at Tharwa as the day was starting to heat up. While we stood in the heat eating oranges, cake, lollies and filling up our water bottles, to our surprise we looked over to see Gazza jumping out of the Sag Wagon, oh dear. He had snapped a chain on his ride for 165kms. Luckily I had my credit card with me and the bike mechanic had chains available (fortuitous) and so we were three for the ride home. And that is when I fell in a hole. Hot, tired legs, no chatter, battling. Upon reflection I think the following needed to happen:

 

1. Less time on the front
2. 1 x water bidon, 1 x Electrolyte bidon
3. Drink every 10mins - set alerts
4. a lot more fuel. 1 x gel every hour as a minimum
5. Salt tablets
6. Caffeine
7. Consider changing fuel to Torq gels and Infinite or Tail Wind for Electrolytes
8. More hills at the end of our Saturday rides
9. More hill climbing during the week on Zwift
10. Sit in the shade at the aid stations if I can
11. Stretch and regular maintenance massages

The little bike went like a champion. The seat is fantastic now and the kit looked and felt great. AND I seriously need to lose some weight for crying out loud. Every kilo I lose is a 7 watt advantage!

But in the end I came back strong. At the 'Gravel Pit' aid station I downed a Gel, drank a heap, ate lollies and poured water over my head to cool me down. A salt tablet also and after 10mins, suddenly I was back and driving off the front up the final hill. It was there all along, I just needed better nutrition management and strategies for managing the heat. Funny that!

Now as I sit here typing this, I feel great. I feel happy, energetic and not completely fried. But looking forward to the next adventure which is the Alpine Classic. 200kms of climbing. Bring it on!

 

But first some more fun with Roberto and The Onion Man at Husky 1. Yes, there may well be some stress there for sure. But at least I have found a kit that fits. whew!

2018 off to a flying start......

So, September hey! Wow, I guess for me there has been heaps going on but none of it really related to triathlon and chasing the illusive black line to Ironman. The arthroscopy on the knee has taken its time to settle. But honestly, there is no hurry really.  In  a huge shift, I had to cancel coaching with AP in November 2017. I feel like I have lost my soul, my direction and my mate. I'm left flopping about aimlessly, but still busy as the study and work is all consuming at the moment. So I am left to my own devises, with no coach. I guess I know what to do to get back to fitness and the slow steps literally  means walking and so there isn't much technical program development skill required for walking. So 2018, means I'm flying solo while I try to manage all the other conflicting priorities. So for now, this blog is renamed, chasing the black line back to Sammi, the black line on the scales and the tape measure. Or maybe I should call it, chasing the black line back to Coach and AP10. I'll keep you posted.

All Green Lights........

Hey Coach, update from the bench. Dr Musgrove is very happy with the results, says if I were a pro athlete he'd play me this weekend . So I guess I'm ready to get off the bench Coach, except that I woke up with the flu this morning and very well might be dead by the weekend!

Says that my D shaped meniscus is now a C shape after he cut away the tear and he was totally surprised at the lack of swelling when he examined my knee. Says he wishes he could claim credit for that but says I'm lucky. I had a ganglion in the back of my knee he suspects from a previous injury. I think possibly when I fell last time on that knee, he says the ganglion was getting in the way so he removed it..

I'm feeling really good on the knee, better than pre op with no pain except for locally behind where the stitches were.

Dr Musgrove says back to swim, bike, cross trainer, 6 weeks look at running stuff. Of course we are in no screaming hurry for that, plenty of time. Onward and upward for the come back kid.