Round 2 - Back In Action (Kind Of...)

I really didn't know what to expect in terms of training and recovery following IMCdA.  As I've mentioned previously, I've never done more than one IM in a season and I've never not had the IM be the grand finale of my year.  So I was a little scared - how soon can I race again after CdA?  When will I start "training" again after CdA?  When will I feel normal again after CdA?  Of course I know all sorts of athletes (most especially pros) race the next weekend after doing an Ironman and to them it's not any different than having just done a sprint.  But that is them and this is ME. 

The week right after CdA, I did next to nothing training wise - a few easy bikes, an easy run, some swims no longer than 40 minutes and a day (or two!) off.  Dirk then sent me a schedule for the following week (which would be this week) that pretty much looked like things were right back to normal.  YIKES!  I panicked a little and told him so.  He calmed my fears.  "Take each day as it comes and shorten/skip workouts as your body dictates" he told me.  Well let's just say he NEVER tells me that so I was ready to take him up on it if needed!  But truth be told, my body was feeling pretty darn good!  I had a nice tempo type run on Monday morning, hill repeats on the bike that evening and masters swim Tuesday morning.  I was hopeful that my body really was ready to get back into the groove.

Of course my mouth had other ideas.  You see, the week after CdA I had some routine dental work that was slowly turning "bad".  Long story short, 2 crowns turned into needing a crown lengthening procedure turned into needing a root canal turned into a WHOLE LOTTA PAIN.  Ouch, ouch, OUCHHHHHHHH!  I was up most nights with an aching tooth that refused to behave.  And while Tylenol (LOTS of it!) worked at first, last night things came to a head.  Around 11 pm the Tylenol simply quit working - wasn't even TOUCHING the throbbing that was inside my mouth (and jaw and head and...).  So we actually went to the ER.  I feel horrible for going to the ER for a toothache!  This is not what the ER is for!  But knowing that all doctors offices were closed and my dentist wouldn't be in until Monday and that there was no way I was going to make it through the night without ripping my tooth out of my mouth...to the ER we went.  Sad clown!

The good news is, I now have an antibiotic, I have the GOOD pain medicine (I can see how people get addicted to this stuff) and my root canal is scheduled for Tuesday.  Tuesday can't get here fast enough!  I might be the only person that has actually looked forward to a root canal but honestly, if it permanently stops the throbbing in my mouth, I'm all for it!

So for reasons other than IM recovery, training kind of took a hit this week.  I did have some great workouts when I could get out, like a great 5 hour ride with my friend Ben yesterday (but then no run off the bike like I was supposed to because the throbbing was back in a bad way...).  This helps me to know that, once my tooth is taken care of, I'll be ready to *really* get back to work for round 2 of the 2012 season!  And I'm VERY much looking forward to it!  I have some great races planned, starting with a 5i50 in Columbus at the end of July and finishing with Ironman Arizona this fall! 

Here's to being BACK IN ACTION!  That is...once the throbbing stops for good...  Is it Tuesday yet?!?!  :)