Monday, February 11, 2008

Gasping for air...

...in more ways than one. This weekend was a real challenge for my lungs. It started on Friday morning around 3 a.m. when I woke up and realized the “cold” that had been residing in my head had now migrated down into my chest. I can deal with a head cold, but restrict my air ways, and I get upset. I went ahead and met Holly at 4:15 for a 14 mile run, though, and made it through it. Barely. It probably wasn’t the smartest thing to do, but I could have stayed in the bed and not been able to breath, or went on with the 14 miler and not been able to breathe. The latter actually seemed more appealing. The run went great – Holly ran her longest run to date as part of her Country Music Marathon training, and she was strong and fast as usual! When I got home I watched the clock and called the doc as soon as the office opened. I got a nice shot in butt, an antibiotic, some Allegra-d, and an albuterol inhaler to help me get back on track.

Saturday morning rolled around, and I deemed the shot a success, so I got dressed and ready to head to Chickasaw Trace MTB park. Holly and I made the trip for the beginner ride they had scheduled. If you say “beginner” and “mountain bike” in the same sentence, we are THERE. We met Angela and Mandy and got some great tips and experience on the trails there. I wanted to go for another lap, but time was limited. We had P.F. Chang’s and the Grand Ole Opry to get to. Our P.F. Chang’s meal was like $20 cheaper than normal thanks to the free appetizer and the $10 gift card that I got at RNRAZ. Sweet! We saw Mark Chestnutt, John Conlee, Jake Owens, Joe Diffie, and others at the Opry. I heart the Opry. After the Opry we went to The Stage, and I am SO not used to partying like that anymore. We left just before midnight, and I felt like I had been out all night long.

I wanted to take it easy on Sunday, but swim class was cancelled last week so I felt like I really needed to go. You know, to make sure I’m getting my money’s worth and all. So I made the hour and 15 minute trip with my new freestyle snorkel in tow. This snorkel is now required at swim class, unfortunately. I nearly drowned each time down the pool – getting water up my nose, then getting it in the snorkel and inhaling it. It was bad. As if I wasn’t already having a hard enough time breathing this weekend. Someone asked the coach the question, “What is the purpose of the snorkel?” She replied, “To help you relax, get all zen-like and really concentrate on your stroke.” HA! I started to throw it across the swimming pool. There was nothing zen-like about my state with that thing on. I’m going to get a nose clip before I have to wear it again; most people had one on and said it would help.

I have a big week of training coming up…I can smell the sand and the salt and the numbers 70.3 and 140.6. I’m also finally trying to get 2008 race schedule together. Hope to have that worked out and posted soon.

Many congrats to Michele, David, Heather, H.J., Tim, and Lee who rocked the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham Saturday!!

8 comments:

Christine said...

Lana,
If you could do a post sometime how you got started in running and tris, I think it would be AWESOME! You are so inspiring..esp for beginners. But it would be neat to hear how you got started and what your first races were like. Unless you came out of the womb biking, swimming and running...lol! Hope you feel better soon :) I gots the crud too!

greyhound said...

I think the only people who can get zen-like with a snorkel are those who already are zen-like because they already find swimming and breathing easy. Hate that stupid thing. Have never used it.

TriShannon said...

Zen-like and snorkel don't go together for me. I cannot stand listening to myself breath. I start breathing all weird. Water in the snorkel. All bad!!

Stephanie said...

I was at swim practice too, but conveniently left my snorkel at home. You're lucky you weren't at practice a couple of weeks ago when we had the guest coach. She made us just float in the water with the snorkel on. It was the most miserable practice in the history of swim team practices. I was incredibly angry because I had left a great session of climbing at Climb Nashville to go to that.

Anyway, just conveniently leave the snorkel at home next time. It was so much more enjoyable without it!

triguyjt said...

i'm lucky, i guess...
the comfort in the water is second nature..breathing etc...
don't need the snorkel..
good luck with it

Benson said...

Oh breathing, I feel your pains.
I had an asthma attack at the pool this morning and bonked badly.
I'm sure the nose clip will help so stick with it a little longer before you toss it.
Great day for a MTB ride. Picture made it look so nice.

Marathoner in Training said...

I hope the chest cold passes soon. I am so jellous of getting to to to the opera. I would love to go someday.

Tri-Dummy said...

I'm with you.

Tell em to beat it with the snorkel.