Training update, Health update and goals!

Getting ready for my second Timberman Half Ironman this weekend!

This summer has been a whirlwind and its crazy to say it but its Timberman Half Ironman race week! I am excited to race even though my training has felt totally discombobulated all summer. During the school year when the kids have a regular schedule it is easy to fit my training in however with the unpredictable schedule of summer and a husband who travels a lot I have been fitting training in whenever possible. This means that some workouts have been missed and some have been shortened. Rather than focusing on a less than ideal training cycle I am focusing on the fun of being able to race and am looking forward to the challenge.

During this training cycle for the half ironman I was also working through some questions about my health. In the early summer I received a Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis diagnosis. I am still trying to figure out what this means for me and racing and training. Thryoid issues can cause overall fatigue and also issues with adrenal fatigue.  I have been trying to work on listening to my body better when I am tired and sometimes just need some added rest! I am currently taking a low dose of synthetic thyroid hormone. I have thyroid antibodies present which means my immune system is fighting against my thyroid. My thyroid hormone levels are still in the normal range but not optimal. This is good news because my thyroid is still currently functioning. The thought behind taking thyroid replacement now is that it may help to slow the progression of Hashimoto’s Disease to prevent the onset of Hypothyroidism where my thyroid will completely stop working. I am currently waiting on some other test results for Cortisol levels and the ACTH test which will indicate adrenal gland function.

I am trying to educate myself more about autoimmune disease now that I am diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease. Some people like my mom have minimal health impacts from this disease whereas others struggle with the symptoms that range from fatigue, to depression, to joint pain, and weight gain. Many people recommend dietary changes to help lesson inflammation in the body caused by autoimmune issues so I have begun reading more about AIP or Auto-immune protocol  diet. I have not made any significant changes to my diet yet and if I do decide to do so I would like to check-in with a nutritionist. Being an athlete (who has always struggled with a fast metabolism) nutrition has always been a delicate balance for me to ensure that I am taking in enough calories and the right types of food to fuel my training and racing. This is especially true right now as I complete my Half Ironman training and then continue to train for the New York City Marathon.

Rather than to focus on the negatives of this training cycle I am looking forward to racing this weekend and to seeing how I can improve on my race experience from last year. For me triathlon is still so new that each race is a huge learning experience. I know that this race will present positive moments and also challenges but for me the biggest goal is just to enjoy being out on the race course and to work my hardest. I won’t have the fastest swim time but will hopefully improve on last year and hopefully won’t get kicked in the face this year (eek!). I haven’t graduated gotten my triathlon bike yet (but guess what’s on my 40th birthday wishlist, hint, hint!) so I won’t have the fastest bike on the course but my legs are stronger on the bike than they have been and my heart will be in it. I also feel more comfortable on the bike this year from spending as many miles as possible on my bike. The run is my sweet spot (obviously) so hopefully I’ll be able to crank it on the final leg.

This race will be a challenge and I will love every minute of it! After spending the past week and a half watching the Olympics I am inspired by all of the incredible efforts of the athletes and I am ready for my own opportunity to race!

Here I am on race morning in 2015 at the Timberman Ironman 70.3

What big races or adventures do you have coming up this weekend or in the near future?