Vacation!

i have been having a really nice time on my few days of vacation in Seattle...day one was a run along the bay...a doughnut at top pot...an exploration of pikes place market...a lunch of delicious oysters at elliott's on the pier...wandering around shopping....a moment at the spa...drinks at zig zag with an amazing bartender....and a drink called the pengu...apparently from WWII...it was so delicious...discovering gin that is not clear....a delicious dinner of grilled octopus with chickpeas to start and tagliatelle with mushrooms as an entree...yum!

day two has brought more exploring...spent some time on the bike in the hotel gym this am...then off to a local bagel shop for breakfast...a quick walk through the market just to get to the other side...and then to the aquarium...where i watched the sea otters play for a long time...and totally dug seeing into the waters around the Puget sound...giant octopus! weird....then to pioneer square where i just wandered around and found the utilikilt store....i totally want one...then to sitka and spruce for lunch...i had clams with cannellini beans and swiss chard..wow...super awesome...now just a little chillin at a local coffee shop...maybe some space needle....then sushi...

i'm loving all of the food explorations...and walking...and of course loving the fact that it has been sunny the whole time here... :D

hard to believe

it's hard to believe i am in my last week of classes for my program...at the beginning of the semester i never thought i would make it to the end of this...for more than one reason...but here i am...friday marking the last day of classes....with my last final exam on the 14th...and since every emotion manifests in the same way for me...it kind of makes me shed a tear...because i am so very happy to almost be practicing in the real world...very exciting

oh dear

i may need to be seriously restrained from signing up for IMAZ tomorrow...

E.S.Y (east side yoga)

i have been pushing my body hard this year...i started last January training for IMCdA in June...took two weeks off and trained for MCM from July through Halloween...i know that lots of other folks out there are doing multiple IMs and marathons...but with my schedule of school and internship and well actually wanting to get some sleep i know i just can't push it much past an IM and one marathon...but really the first week of November i was tired...really bone dead tired...

each night i slept hard...i slept 8-9 hour...and would wake up feeling like i had about a 10 minute nap...Starbucks was my friend...i stopped several times at the one on campus just to get me through my classes...and i am so not usually needing more than my morning coffee...and did i mention food...i was ravenous...

it was pretty amazing how abrupt the change to recovery mode was...and man i could tell...so i decided to make a change...i scrapped the race that i was going to do in early January...and joined east side yoga...which is about 6 blocks from the house...it was time to try and open up some of these muscles that have been so tight...and time to just listen to the racing of my mind...and time to breathe...

i joined the second week in November...and went every day the first week...i had forgotten how much i love yoga...and how absolutely restorative it is to me...i'm in my second week and have totally felt the difference in my whole body....my mind is more calm, clear and focused...i am more relaxed...i have been able to say no to things because i know that it will make me feel frantic again...i have more flexibility and openness in my hips...and i feel like i have restored my normal organ function with some of the deep twists i have been doing...

in one class i did a hand stand...all be it assisted by my teacher...but wow...i can tell you it's going to be amazing when i can get that into my practice...i know that i am going to start training again but i really am going to be diligent about keeping yoga a part of the mix...it is as good for my mind as it is for my body

MCM Race Report

i'm sitting here, staring at the blank screen trying to figure out what it is that i want to say about my race...i want to grab details of the day that lead logically to the end, but i can't really grasp those details...there are days when you set out on a run, a ride, walk on stage to perform, clear your throat to give a presentation and the magic just happens without you even having to think about any of it...j has described this as flow...you get up...load your power point deck...then an hour later you are getting asked brilliant questions and people are engaging with your ideas...yet you have no idea what it is you actually said...it just worked...

while there is flow...there is also its mirror image...it's a run, a ride a performance that just doesn't go the way that you practiced it ten thousand times before...there is not one catastrophic event that happens to throw the day off course...it's again some sort of magic that shifts everything a bit out of favor...you cannot point the finger at one thing...and yet it's not a total blow out either...it just doesn't work...and really you wish there was a particular reason...

i wish i did have a particular thing that i could point my finger at...i have a feeling that i can look and look and never find it...

the day began well enough....mom and dad and i walked about a mile from my hotel to the race start in the chilly dark...it was great to spend pre-race with them...watching the sun come up...watching all the runners wander in from different directions...comparing the start line with chicago last year...just seeing how the day begins...i was squished in the corral and ready to go...it all started out just fine...really slow crowded first mile...totally expected...saw michelle! wow...she passed me...and i just wanted to make sure i didn't exert too much in the beginning...hit mile one just about 9.30...ok not horrible...but also not great...there were some hills in the first section of the course and i had planned on being a little slow through there...and hopefully making up for that in the end after mile 20...

but well...it all just started to add up on me little by little...felt good through those first hills...then hit a road block at mile 6...it was a pace group...and a one lane road...literally no where to go...on the right was a wooded hillside on the left was a 4 foot tall stone wall...totally beautiful area to be running in...leaves changing....trees...park...totally pretty....but all i could do was get frustrated...and more and more pissed that i couldn't get around this group....finally made a big right turn...up a hill and i could get away...really...that really made me that upset...i was so happy to be less packed in...through a really pretty neighborhood...and recognized a few places from having driven around the day before...made up some time on a few of the down hills...and was coming up to the half feeling okay....and then i hit the half and something was going on...

i wish i knew what it was...but we were out on a point...along a road that was not shaded....sun was up...but it was in the 50's maybe at that point...but i started getting really hot...by the turn at the half i could feel myself not keeping a straight line while i ran...i knew that i was in trouble...but i kept saying it will pass... i did have a thought out there that i was going to either fall over and have my first DNF or was going to get tossed in medical after i crossed the line...

i started grabbing multiple waters and powerades at the aid stations...to make the sloppy run a little better but i ended up feeling sloshy...but just for a few minutes....then i would feel better...so that makes me think something was off with my hydration...odd for me....but i can happen...all the while i was telling my legs to pick it up...but they were not listening...and i am not one of those people who just gives up because it hurts...i was really trying to make my legs turn over but i just couldn't...i resolved to let go of my BQ...and hope that maybe the third time i try will be the lucky time...

by 16 i knew it was done...i was not even going to PR...and i just needed to stick it out and complete the race...no matter what the time was...so that is what i did...at this point miles slip by...in and out...i am aware of some...and not of others...there are a ton of spectators along the mall...but i am not looking around...i am looking at the ground...just shuffling along...waiting for the bridge from hell...and sticking with the nutrition plan as best i could...

saw jessica just after the mall...she was looking happy and spritely...i was happy that she was having a good day...i know how much she wanted a BQ...and she was going to get it...i thought to myself at that point...do i just not want it enough?...and i decided that was not the reason that i was not having a good day...and just kept running

the bridge is as bad as everyone says...not only is it like 2.5 miles long...it's up hill for  a lot of the way...and there were literal...2 marines on the bridge in the middle cheering...i did not allow myself to stop running...i kept running....and people were dropping like flies around me...finally got off the bridge and in to crystal city...

i was so happy to see something other than a bridge...and i knew i was about 4 miles from done...so i started to get a little bit happy again...i was waiting to see the pentagon...ben i thought of you as i was running on the bridge just past the pentagon...it made me smile...finally made the turn into arlington cemetery and the marine memorial...and up the "hill" at the end...yeah it's up...but it's not anything to be worried about...and then finally crossed the finish line...in 4.11...10 minutes slower than my first marathon...but much much more of a mental toughness day than i have experienced in a long time...

made my way through the masses of people back to my hotel and my family...can't thank my family enough for all of the support over the weekend....Bec and Josh had a brunch on saturday...big family dinner saturday night....then everyone was out there cheering all day for me...mile 10...16...right before the hill at the end...you guys were great...and i really could not have done it without you...it's nice to have the carrot of family at the end of the race...

so...it's been a week since my race...and all i have been doing is sleeping and eating...sleeping 10-12 hours a night the whole week after the race....makes me think i have been running on fumes for a bit now...i have been putting a lot of stress on myself for the last hmm...year...but this last three months or so have been especially bad...but i really didn't slow down to notice...again i can't put my finger on one reason why i didn't have the day i wanted but i have to give a nod to the pressure i have been under...i know that, at least, was a little contributor..

for now...i am officially not racing until 2011...time to finish the semester...exercise when i want for how long i want...and just try to give my body and my mind some time to heal and restore...a BQ will come...just not this year.

one week to go!

as i posted on FB..this time next week i will be in DC making final preparations for race day...i have gone over my race plan with my coach....i know what i am going to wear, eat, drink and think on race day (and before and after)...i know how i am going to feel before, during and after the race...i know that i am going to be supported not only by the huge crowds at the race, the Marines....and my family...both my mom/dad/bro/sis-in-law/2 nephews AND my husband's mom/dad/sis/bro-in-law!! woot! thanks guys!!

i am having a bit of a hard time getting my head around the fact that it is so soon...however i am getting excited...did my last long run this morning...it just happened to be HUMID and warm...but that is okay...race day will be what it is...and that is all i can ask for...

one way that i know i am ready...and ready to be done is how i keep thinking about mornings when i won't have to set my alarm...i know it won't last long but i hope to have a few weekends of that before i start training again..

and the pressure is slightly less in terms of Boston qualifying too...i am still going for it...for absolutely sure...but Boston is already sold out (it sold out in 8 hours)...so this is for 2012 :D

medium crappy run

(my shoes)



thursday is medium long run day...for me this means waking up at 4.15am...feeding cats....making coffee....checking email/school stuff...packing my lunch...hopefully i have packed my change of clothes the night before...getting running clothes on leaving the house by 5am and driving over to Barton Springs to get in my 6 ish miles plus 3x10 push-ups and 3x30 second strides...soak in the springs for 10 minutes...shower/change/drive home...hop on my bike and be on campus all before class at 8 am...

i really love my thursday runs because they habitually have been on my own...in the dark...and quiet of pre-dawn austin...lately though my runs have been noisy...only due to my silly overactive brain...but this week...i finally had a much more quiet mind...however...my body was speaking up loud and clear...and in totally random and weird ways...

my head hurt....i've had a headache for like a week...everyone says it's allergies...idk...my throat hurt...also attributed to allergies (i have never had allergies before but again everyone says you get allergies in austin)...my right ankle hurt (wtf...really? why!?)...i had to take my hair down out of my normal really every waking minute of the day hair style because it felt wrong?!!!...sorority girls in nike shorts and date dash t-shirts were passing me on the trail...i felt sluggish...and on and on...

my whole run i was thinking about coach amy's post about the pre-race melt down...i've not had mine yet.. (hang on baby it's coming i know)...but i kept thinking that this was the pre-race meltdown in run form...and i guess all in all i am much happier to have it now...than on race day...and to feel crappy and slow...and still pull out 9ish minute miles feeling like sh*t...but still the run in this form is no fun...

however, as i posted on FB thursday after said run...sometimes even the bad runs are good for something...and they are...for me it's about metal toughness...i could easily have cut the run short...stopped...walked it in...but no...i didn't...i did what i set out to do...and that was a good thing...

so even a medium crappy run can get you one step closer...

just a note to self

3.40 = Boston

you can do this...

i'm okay....

so i guess today is deserving of an update...i know that i have been neglecting my blog...and for the three of you that read it....sorry...i have very little time these days to just relax and reflect...i do a lot of thinking about blogging and not a lot of actually doing it....but the events of today make me want to get this up there...

anyway...you may know that i am a student at UT austin...today i was on campus during an odd situation that is the nightmare of every college kids parent....there was an armed shooter on campus...i happened to be in class....taking an exam when we got the first text message update that there was an armed suspect on campus at the library...i finished my test...and walked into the main hall of my building...as they were locking all of the doors...we could move about the building but were on lock-down...the kids who were in my class all went to the computer lab in the basement of our building...i did homework...the rest of them got on the local news sites to get live feeds and updates as to what was going on...

it was amazing to watch the news spread...one of my classmates said she got a facebook message from her friend who is on some sort of mission trip in Africa somewhere asking if she was ok less than an hour after we were put on lock-down...

the whole situation was very surreal...helicopters buzzing the buildings...cops running by the windows and tanks rolling down the street....weird...i was surprised actually that i was affected by it as i was in a computer lab about 4 blocks north of the situation...but it really just....as i put it to a friend later in the day...tinted everything a slightly different color...i really did feel off the rest of the day...

it is always sad when something like this happens...and it will draw many of my classmates closer together...and generally the whole campus...and it also makes me realize that there are still people out there not getting the help that they need...if you need help...don't be afraid to ask...it's okay

Last Semester of Classes

Today was the first day of my last semester of classes...I'm taking five....government (yeah required okay), nutrition research/writing, medical nutrition therapy II, advanced food systems management, and my first clinical/practical course that involves a 3 hour a week shift in a hospital learning the ins and outs of being a hospital dietitian...three classes today two tomorrow...and so far so good...

i am already thinking of my topic for my writing class...i'm hoping that my prof is cool with me doing something sports related...i think so since her masters was in exercise phys. so that is a good start...i actually have been trying to decide on a topic for this paper for the whole summer...and i think i have it nailed...we shall see..

so far only one conflict with my travels for MCM on 10.31...i have an exam on 11.1 that i will be missing...hoping i can work it out...if not all it means is that i will be taking the comprehensive final at the end of the semester...no big thing...but i like to avoid finals as much as i can...

keeping my internship at whole foods for about 10 hours a week through this semester as well...i think all in all i am going to be busy...which i like..but i am also going to have time to kick some school butt...and hopefully pull off another semester of university honors....

it's hard to believe that i am starting my last semester of classes...and i will be and RD in less than 11 months...werd...bring it on UT...i'm ready to kick it through the home stretch...

The Lab

Saturday was the run called The Lab...it's a race prep run...a dress rehersal for the big race...and since i am running a fall marathon...and since 98% of the road running races that happen in austin happen in the winter (much cooler!)...the lab was my first test of how my training has been coming along...so yeah i was totally nervous going into it...

i have been feeling really good lately...yes some runs rule....others are like gutting out the last five miles of an ironman...but all in all things have been going well...coach amy has taken great care of me getting me back to running while still recovering from CdA...for that i am super grateful...so physically feeling good...mentally nervous...85 degrees and about the same % humidity at 5.30 am on saturday i was ready to go...

first 2 miles were slow and a super easy warm up...the next 12 were at marathon goal pace (MGP)...my MGP is 8.23 per mile...amy's advice was this...you may not run one mile at your actual MGP, but you want your average to be close to it...the last 2 miles back to rogue were to be cool down...

here are the splits:
1+2: 20:00
3: 9:18
4: 8:49
5+6: 16:50
7: 8:12
8: 7:55
9+10: 15:49
11: 8:50
12: 8:27
13: 8:46
14: 8:15
15+16: 21:00

overall giving me 8.25 per mile for the MGP miles (3-14)...i will totally take that...i felt strong on the first 6 at mgp...was feeling the effort through 9 and had a few HTFU moments during the last segment...all in all i am proud of what i did on saturday...a much needed confidence booster...and a good mental battle too...

Wow....

I'm having a hard time coming to terms with how i felt in boulder....

i arrived on thursday...literally dropped the bags off at the hotel....the st. julien (amazing!!)...had a pit stop...washed my face and ran back down to the lobby to meet Roger, Allison and Dechen to go have some dinner...had a fabulous time over beers and veggie burgers (for me) and a huge plate of ribs (for j) chatting with my newlywed friends and there precocious little guy!

Friday morning i slept in!  6.45am! ha lol....i suck at that...saw j off to his conference planning...and was off to a local cafe for a curry bun and an Americano....Allison swung by the hotel to pick me up and we went out to Indian peaks...and hiked to about 10,000 feet....gorgeous views...and great conversation....but i think the best part was that Al had to park the car and i watch Dechen for like 5 minutes all by my self...it was amazing....i did good.. :D

Friday night was dinner with the IdxA crowd...finally got to meet Kendra...hey girl!...but they all went out to a meet up and i went back to the hotel...and tried to sleep against the background of a Latin band playing at a wedding in the courtyard beneath my window...they finally became unplugged at 10pm....so late i know!!

Saturday morning was long run day...i got up at about 5.30...and ran as far as i could along a path until it stopped...it was hands down the most amazing run i have ever done...i had a huge grin on my face the whole time....and after i reached the top of the trail and was running back in to town...i had a really hard time holding back the tears...(it's tough enough to run at altitude....then try crying, running and altitude all at once!!)...the run was just that beautiful...hard to explain...but utterly crushing and uplifting at once...

after a stretch, ice bath and several cups of coffee i met roger/al/dechen at Lucille's for breakfast...delicious despite the wait...then off to the farmer's market...where i could have shopped for the week...and gotten my knives sharpened!!

then in the afternoon we all went swimming at the reservoir...a 70.3 was being held out there in sunday...so there was a lot of activity out there...but we found a nice spot with some other friends and did a bit of swimming....a little out and back open water action...complete with boat fumes...and chop but overall a fun swim :D

saturday night was dinner at the kitchen...i was giddy...and loved every second of it...prosecco with hummus and flat bread....oysters with a shallot vinaigrette...Colorado brook trout with a fresh corn relish, Allison's duck egg!...roger's hanger steak...and a dessert that was amazing...light and decadent all at once...fresh local strawberries, bits of meringue all folded into some lightly sweet Chantilly...totally yum...

sunday....early recovery run with 3x15 push ups....then shuttle to the airport...and back to reality by 2 sunday afternoon...

hard to believe the mtns are real...hard to believe what i feel is real

Boulder!

in boulder

my very favorite sound in the whole world...water!

so totally cold! probably water temp in the 50's

view from the bed in the hotel...uhm yeah

SNOW!

Dechen and Allison!! on our hike :D love you guys!

your friends

it's a really good thing to tell your friends that you care about them...it's even better if you can show them.

good day 2x

well i guess that would be more than that since i am alive and healthy but two extra good things happened today..thought i would share...

1) after a two year battle with the powers that be at UT i finally got transfer credit for a freshman comp class! that took way too long and way too much effort

2) i found an ipod touch this morning at barton springs bathrooms...i called the guard house when i got to work and let them know...this afternoon i got a call from the owner's grandmother...we made arrangements for her to pick it up...the best part is this...the girl who lost it is 11 and from LA...she said to her gran...well i guess i am never getting that back...and her little sister who's 8 said...this is austin...you will get it back...and sure enough... :D her gran said...what a great lesson for both girls ...that made me really happy...

good day...and it's not even time for dinner!

Training Again and Stuff

After two weeks totally and completely off...full of wine and cupcakes and eating a lot...i am back to training...this time for Marine Corps Marathon 10.31.10

coach amy gave me a great (revised--as i am still on the mend from Ironman) schedule that included my very first long run back...10 miles last saturday...and as a matter of fact...i took it easy and had fun...it's always hard to start up with a group that has been running together for a few months but i met some cool folks and hopefully will find some good running buddies

so four days of running, one swim, one bike...i'm hoping to throw a core class in there somewhere but giving myself a little leniency in this case until i figure out a good place to stick that...

very excited about my new MASI single speed...i have been riding it to my WF internship and really anywhere i can...it's fun and pretty...oh the photo is not my actual bike...mine has a black chain...and a set of flat bars up front with one (rear) brake...hurray for super sale at mellow j's bike shop...what fun

other than that i have been cooking/baking and keeping up with my nutrition focus...generally keeping myself busy...and catching up on some good reading...including but not limited to Food Matters, A Homemade Life, Endurance Sports Nutrition, The China Study, New Good Food and Ratio...my summer reading list rules

IMCdA 2010 Race Report

I know it has taken me a really long time to post this...and i am going to try to keep it short and sweet...uhm unlike some others (whom i love really and won't mention!!...i'm just not that patient...i have books to read!!)..but i want to remember the details so here goes....



Pre-Race

Wednesday:
ETG and i arrived in CdA without much travel hassle and fairly easily found our house(s)...dropped our gear and headed out to explore the town and load up on groceries...arriving Wednesday and leaving Wednesday was really ideal...gave us enough time to settle out of the travel and get prepared without too much nervousness...Dustin B arrived a little later in the day...and i cooked dinner for the three of us...two more housemates arrived later that evening...and the last of those racing arrived in the wee hours...



Thursday:
8am swim with the group...water was like glass and just about 60 degrees...perfect..loved it...then off for a 15 minute run along the first part of the course...felt good...glad to get the legs moving....weather was perfect...did some stuff around the house...mostly what we did was eat...every few hours...i think Jeremiah had about a dozen bagels in the days leading up to the race...check in was a breeze...picked up bikes after eating some more...i was totally shocked at how calm i was the whole time...i think being the cook for the house made it all that much more normal for me...i was able to be in my element (in the kitchen) and not just sitting thinking...i needed that...thanks housemates for letting me cook...

Friday:
8am swim with the group...followed by a bike ride on the first part of the bike course...swim was REALLY choppy this day...which was not fun...but i did what i had to and just put my head down to swim...did a lot of hopping out of the water and diving back in to see how that was with waves coming at you...not the best...but i knew that i could do what i needed to if the swim was going to be choppy...glad to have a day like that pre race...ride was awesome...totally beautiful...i was excited to see how the rest of the course was...if i liked the first part...the rest was going to rule...more eating...then drove the bike course in the family truckster with Jim in the driver's seat...glad i was able to check it out...i was paying attention to tight turns and some of the downhill segments that actually looked more scary to me than the up hills...but i like hills...so...yeah...i know...i'm sick..

Saturday:
Am swim with the group again..and another quick run...chop was less than Friday so that was good...we were really good at swimming for like 3 minutes then bobbing in the water for a while to chat...then swimming again...drove Chrissie crazy i am sure...but a lot of fun to hang as a group in the water...again the run felt great...back to the house to eat...surprise!...then time for bag drop...again...much more calm this time around...just doing what i had to do to get ready...my bags were light...just enough for minimum transition...weather was looking on the warm and sunny side so i didn't worry about anything warm in my T1 or T2 bags...long shirt and gloves in special needs but that was it...



Sunday:
Race Day!!! woot! i was actually able to sleep...like no issues at all...so that was nice...woke up make coffee...ate a z bar...in bed with coffee...check my mail...and lazed about for a bit...toasted a bagel...jammed it up...strawberry :)...ate that...ate another z bar...drank some water...got ready...remembered to body glide the appropriate places (i NEVER remember this!!) pulled my nutrition from the fridge and off we went...i liked the little parade of us walking to the race site...did what i needed to do to my bike...added two rear bottles, filled the aero bottle...stashed clif blocks in the bento box...topped off the tires...checked breaks and was done...hmm...this all seemed too easy...but i didn't question and moved on to the next task...

dropped run nutrition in the T2 bag...dropped off the very light special needs bags...hit the potty (a real one!)...then to find Chrissie to get in my wetsuit...walked down to the beach...and walked right to the far left...right near the buoy line...i felt very uncrowded over there...i think me and etg were about 3 people back from the water...Erin, Dustin, Dustin, Joe, Miah...were all there...Erin commented on a few cute boy butts...pretty sure i did the pre race pee...and then we were off...

a few really good smashes to the face right out of the gate but i was expecting this...so i just kept swimming/fighting to get to the inside of the buoy line...once i did...it was (sort of) smoother...i actually was able to draft a bit off of a few people...i think a lot of that had to do with me actually being able to see the people in front of me...a few more good decks to the face before the first turn...i actually thought to myself at one point...hmm that will be a black eye in the morning...and then..well came the turn...

TOTAL MAYHEM...seriously...i have never seen it this bad...people actually body surfing on top of other people...crawling on peoples shoulders to get by...shoving...yelling...dunking...awesome...kayaker yelling at us to the next turn which we could not see AT ALL due to the angle of the sun...finally started to fight/swim again until that turn...got yanked a few times by the ankle...nice...then was able to get back into the inside and felt some relief...but could feel the fighting was making me tired...not much issue getting to the exit...up and around the mat...but saw the clock read 40...hmm...not what i wanted...but i also heard chrissie in my ear...don't let your swim time get to you..also recalled Noah's advice that was the same...don't let the swim time get you down he said...i knew loop two would not be any faster...but i tried my best not to slow down...

the buoy just off the beach was even worse for me than the start...but i didn't worry about it...i just did what i needed to to get to the turns...about the same at the big turn...less body surfing this time...and i was actually able to swim (under) around the last turn buoy...so that was good...cursed myself a bit as i got out of the water...6 minutes slower than i wanted...but i was not going to let that get to me...i fought the good fight out there...and i was going to kick ass on my bike...

swim: 1.26

T1:
got wetsuit stripped by some experts...and thanked them a million...loved it!...grabbed my bag...saw Chrissie and Jim!! yeah!!...into the tent i went...there were a bunch of ladies getting ready outside of the tent...i thought that strange...i walked right in...asked for help...plopped on the ground and let my volunteer help me...she dried my feet and put my socks on me (she commented on the smallness of my socks)...she read me my note card (mind over all...)...handed me my helmet and i was out the door...

T1: 4.23

Bike:
called out my number to a volunteer...but i was able to find my bike before he did...i had scouted my tree...my helping find my bike branch...(good tip...spot something when you drop your bike that is not going to move as a reference)...and was running to the exit as quick as i could...past the mount line a bit...on my bike and out on the road...gave a yell...man i was excited to be on my bike...i even called out " i love my bike...woowoo"...i really do...not kidding...felt amazing to be riding through town...i giggled as i got aero about 100 yards out of transition...remembering Joe was making fun of me for being aero all the time...and i was off...

had issues as i did in IMAZ with a bubbly stomach...but i knew it was just swallowed air from the swim so i got it out of my system any way it wanted to go...knowing this time that it's just air...made me less worried about my system...i know that this is what happens...had some thoughts about asking Chrissie about breath control...then just settled in on the bike...

i can't even tell you how much of a blast i had on the bike...wooping it up with the crowd in town..totally enjoying the views out there in the hills...totally kicking ass on the hills...and smiling the whole way...caught up with Dustin s. Amy and etg out in the hills...tried to grab brad and Dustin b out there too but they were both just a few minutes in front of my out there...kept me pushing though :D

nutrition/hydration were perfect on the bike...i know that i have issues with getting solid (or even gummy) food in my system so i had enough in my liquids to keep my calories even...but that means i needed to be spot on as soon as i got running..i had no buffer there...that would prove rough...and i kinda knew that going in...so i was trying to get prepared...i knew this was going to be hard...but i tried and tried to get those shot blocks in and just couldn't...i bike with my mouth open...to breathe...because about 99% of the time my nose is stuffy when exercising...so...if i am chewing...i am not breathing...i would rather breathe really...

bike ended as it started...me with a huge smile on my face...8 minutes ahead of my super A goal on the bike...i was so happy!!...i actually felt a ton better this time around than in IMAZ...i really didn't want to get rid of my bike at all...we had a great ride...and well it was just time to move on

Bike: 6:07

T2:
found my bag just fine...and hopped into the tent...called out for a helper...there were plenty just hanging out...not many racing girls in the tent...avoided a few chairs that were used as port-a-potties...found a dry one and had my helper dump out my bag...she read my note card (believe that you can trust that you will -love Amy...thanks Amy!!!!!) and got me into my running shoes, handed me my nutrition and hat and i was on my way

T2: 2:43

Run:
well here comes the fun part...(lol)...i knew the run would be tough from the get go...no matter how fit you are its hard to start running after a 2.4 mile swim and a 112 mile bike ride...i was ready for it though...i had a plan (f-ing run) and was going to get through it...and make the best of it...i knew it was going to hurt...and it did...but i had a plan...mentally tough...mentally tough...

headed right out of transition on to the run...this is the part we had run in prep...i knew exactly how far it was...and knew that i was just treating this part as a bit of a warm up...hit the turn around...and a potty stop for just a second...i did a little trickle on the bike to have some relief (hi mom!! i know you love to hear this part :0 )...but was happy to finish the job out here...and got back to running...i was sipping my nutrition (4h45m in the bottle with shot blocks stashed in my pockets) and could feel that i was not AT ALL wanting to take it in...got out to what Chrissie called "the bulk of the run" and realized that i needed to do something quick or i was going to bonk hard...think think think....WTF can i do to get this nutrition down...i was grabbing water and hoping that i could alternate it with the bottle and that would be easier...no that didn't do it...ran up the hill at the other side of the turn around...and it finally dawned on me what to do...really if you have done and IM you know that feeling...you have no idea what is wrong or how to fix it..then a few hours after you are done you say...wow that was totally obvious...yeah...IM brain is what i like to call that....

here was the big huge amazing solution...wait for it....


ICE...


yes really...that is all it took...i found some ice...and had the brilliant idea to squirt my nutrition into the ice...i know i am so smart...there you go...i was sucking that stuff down like it was nobody's business after that...and lo and behold my run splits picked up...duh

i knew while i was out there that i was going to miss my reach goal...but i was really okay with that...i was still thrilled with my bike time...and stoked that i had figured out the key to my run nutrition (when you are out there it feels like you have won the lottery...everything is just SO much easier after that)

saw Amy (looking super strong and cheering for me...i think i tried to cheer for her...i was doing it in my head at least)...etg...cheered as much as i could...and saw the whole rest of the crowd...Miah...we exchanged words...(in a nice way)...Joe, Dustin and Dustin, Jennifer, Erin, Marissa, Cheryl, Matt (ass kicker! sub 11 that one...damn kids)...and then there was brad... :)

we played leap frog for the first part of the run...and then i saw Chrissie at one point coming through town...she said "he's 30 seconds up"...and well sorry brad it was all over at that point... :D i found him...passed him...encouraged him...and tried to keep him behind me...sometimes this is what you need to keep you in the game when you are reaching the upper miles of the run during an IM...thanks brad!! i owe you a beer...and Jill too for cheering for me...

so then...well i was having this race in my head...just moving forward...hit the 10k left mark....tried my best to pick it up...and run and run...and not get smashed by drunk spectators...waited and waited for the "finishers far left second loop keep right" volunteer...while i waited i was feeling the blisters on both little toes from having wet feet all day (one eventually fell off...my first!)

found that volunteer and was elated...saw Jim....tossed him my hand held bottle...(SOOOOO happy to be free from that thing) and ran free as a bear can on to Sherman...and could not wipe the smile off of my face...waved my arms to the crowd to get them to cheer me on more...hear a lot of "go GIRL" out there...(never have i been cheered on that much just for being female...23% women out there that day :)and totally soaked in my time running down Sherman...dudes decided to pass me there...and you know what...if they had that much left to pass me that fast at the end of the race...i knew they didn't leave it all out there...and you know what...i KNEW i had given that race my all...and i was PROUD of what i had done that day...and i am still proud of that race...i crossed that finish line...smiling with my arms in the air...STOKED to have a 9ish minute PR...but even more excited for the athlete i have become...and the JOY that racing gives me

(yes j i am crying as i write this... :P)

Post race:
found a few folks...Chrissie, Miah, Joe, Dustin b...had a massage...which was totally surreal...shared a space blanket with Miah...was totally dazed...saw etg cross...got a photo with her...yeah!...became totally freezing and walked back to our house alone in the dark...which was perfect...showered...bundled up...ate cheese free pizza with the house mates...and crashed...sort of...

very similar post race experiences...not being able to sleep...hungry at weird times (3am etc) up early the next day...all that good stuff...and well...that was race day...

i think i will have a post race post tomorrow...

race n stuff

so i will write a proper race report when i get home...but yesterday ETG and i went down to the race expo for one last look at the finisher gear (nothing all _that_ great) and happened upon the posted results...

2097 people finished the race

i was 688 out of 2097

i was 20 out of 108 in my age group

so that made me happy...now...i hope my blisters on my toes get better soon...and my quads stop throbbing...but other than that i am a happy lil bear

and today...

we race... :D

so far so good...

CdA has been really amazing so far...lots of beautiful houses and yards with soft soft grass...great weather...laughs...nerves...more laughs...and lots and lots of eating...with a tiny bit of training thrown in...oh and lots of trips to the bathroom...mmm...hydration!!

i have been keeping my self in my realm of normalcy by taking over kitchen duties...whipping up grilled salmon and asparagus...to a dozen eggs scrambled...to orzo and peas...topped with some lovely grilled chicken...it has been fun and VERY relaxing to cook for our house full of IM athletes and sherpas...and it has been super great not to have to be eating out every meal every day...making my belly a happy beast...

workouts have been good too...day one was swim/run...glassy water and cool temps for the run...day 2 was swim/bike...not so glassy...more choppy making the swim a bit of a fight...but it's just a different style of swim...must remember that i am a strong swimmer...i need to put my head down and swim...and just keep moving forward...bike was amazing...super nice wheels (thanks again carrie)...and awesome views of the lake...

our major entertainment of the day was driving the bike course...didn't look like anything i have not done before in austin...so that was nice to see with my own eyes...though there were a couple of screaming down hills with some quick turn action that i will need to pay attention to...but wow...what a beautiful course...

now...off to bed to swim/run in the morning...cheer on my friends racing france and western states...and stay off my feet and try not to get nervous...it's almost game time...eeek!!!

Final Prep

I'm in the process of my final preparations for Ironman #2...the bike is shipped, my bags are packed...flush out massage done...motivational note cards are being written (by me and others..thanks!) and the boarding pass is printed...now it's just travel and take it easy before the big day on sunday...

i'm really going though waves of nervousness and excitement but generally very calm at the moment...i am hoping to hold on to that as we approach the weekend...i have trained well and consistently...i have made gains and moved forward in my training and in my fitness...i have found much more balance with school/friends/husband/training this time around...so the whole process has just felt a little more relaxed. less stressful and more fun...and really just ready to take that fun though my IM day

Sure i have goals that i am scared to say out loud to many people...i'm drawing a blank as to what 58 degrees feels like (the lows here in ATx have been in the high 70's)...and what it's like to wear arm warmers...but i am also excited to overhear over confident/under trained dudes brag about past races...check out all the new IM gear at the expo...and relax in what i am told is a totally beautiful area of the country...

so i will hope to keep you all (the three of you) who read my blog..posted as to my adventures in Idaho...but if you want to catch me race day it's #2210 :) let's do this!!

for my pops

today is father's day so this post goes out to me pops...

i really don't think i could be a few days out from my second ironman (with a little bit of confidence and a lot of will and mental strength) without my dad cheering me on from the sidelines since the age of 5...well probably before that too but i can't really remember much before then ! ...driving me 8 hours away to attend soccer camps and tournaments and generally (okay specifically!)telling me to follow the ball and get my head in the game...

thanks pop for all the encouragement along the way :D...can't wait to give you and mom a call a week from today after i cross that finish line for the second time!!

Here We Go...

It is the beginning of taper...the rest that comes before the big race...and the time to really start ramping up the mental aspect of the training and preparation...this is when (even more than before) i begin to visualize each portion of the race...trying to walk through all of the steps mentally...in as much detail as i can...down to the lap of the chilly water on my feet...the smell of 2000 athletes in neoprene...the sound of the water against my ears...and perhaps earplugs...the sand on my toes as i get out of the swim...and on through the race...i literally close my eyes and try to "see" where i will be and feel how i want to feel....

feel strong, steady and solid up that middle section of hills, fast and fresh as i cruise through town...smell the freshness of the not so humid air...and even a little bit of a chill on my nose as i climb the hills for a second time...attending to my own race...chomping my shot blocks, sipping the liquid nutrition...calling for water at the hand up...rolling strong back into town and through transition...watching for a second as i hand off my bike...shouting my race number...

transitioning to the run...the feel of my hand held bottle on my arm...the lift of my knees as i run, the steady breathing pattern, the breeze off the lake...head up and lifted tall...shoulders relaxed as i move into the second loop of the run...reaching the turn on the hill...the lift as i am on that last 10k...the turn on to Sherman avenue...and...those final moments...where time cannot slow down enough...where you want to stop running and listen to all of those cheers...where all of those people (physically there and at home glued to computers) are screaming for you.....and you alone...no matter if they think you are crazy...amazing...or just plain weird...

i try as much as i can to imagine all of that as i sit in line at the grocery store, or hang out at the end of the lane during one of my last swim practices, or stretch after run practice...and if it feels this good visualizing...it is going to be _amazing_ on race day...

rookie :D

in 2008 this was my very first triathlon...i did the race again in 2009 and improved my time by 2 minutes...and in 2010...i finally placed in my age group...third...but still...it's something...i was thrilled...i was even more thrilled to see the 7.09 minute pace on the two mile run...

it's these things that make me think that i am going to be okay on june 27th...(i hope)

A whole different weekend

this was one of the most bitter sweet weekends...after my trials of training last weekend i felt some sweet sweet redemption this weekend...and one very bitter bit that was kind of like a cocoa nib in the frosting...not quite smooth...but still pretty tasty none the less...

friday: 8.30am exam...that i was more than ready for...not sure of the grade as of yet...(weird totally deja vous at the moment)...but was fully distracted by j hopping on a plane to sweden for 6 weeks...i know i missed at least two just for the distraction...hey...what is a girl to do...still more in love than the day we married...i can only be super thankful for that...so school then packet pick up for saturday's ride then work then farm pick up then home...to do much neglected cleaning...and a bit of egg shell waiting for the text at 2.47am letting me know my love was safely on land...

saturday: shiner ride...about 100 miles to shiner texas (where shiner bock is brewed)...point to point ride so i had to make sure i had someone to drive me home...logan offered...and as usually did not disappoint as a traveling companion...last year there was a head wind and some nasty weather...i made sure to pack my good luck smurf (that my bro gave me) in hope of good weather...and we totally got it...perfect tailwind most of the way there...my sad sad average last weekend turned in to a 97 mile ride with a 20+ mile-an-hour average...much redemption

i hammered hard...just to test a few things...testing actually taking in less calories on the bike...and kinda testing how really pushing the legs would feel the next day...had fun...dodged fuzzy caterpillars the whole way...and just enjoyed riding my bike (thanks to zane for my re-fit)...after pulling in at the brewery i showered, recovery drink, veggie burger, and fresh beer-ed until it was time to go...a super relaxing and nice time in the (allergy full) shade of an oak somewhere in the middle of texas...it was one of those just right afternoons...and i was good and didn't let homework get in the way...

fun fun ride home with logan...he kindly kept me hydrated...and showed me the sights on the way home...(uhm not often do you see a watermelon spitting arena)...got home early evening...ate as much as i could...and promptly slept like a lump...

sunday: 5am texas time...is about noon in sweden...did a skype chat with j...so so very nice to be able to see each other...something so much better about that than talking on the phone...he's got a cute apartment...and a bike and seems to be doing well...a huge sigh of relief from me...and he was happy that brownie cat didn't want to be anywhere other than in my face :D

the off to run with etg and amy b. 18 miles for me and etg..2h45m for amy...i put it out there that we could do 18 in 2.45 and i was right ;)...very solid run...felt strong and with it...and with my head in the game...again even though i had a good run last weekend...this just kind of solidified the fact that i _have_ been training up to this point and it really might be possible to do an ironman in 8 weeks...(crap!! 8 weeks!!!!)

you know...it feels really good to have had such a solid training weekend...with solid homework after being productive and grocery shopping...and having lauren over for sunday roast chicken...

sigh...feels good....thanks friends for that...i needed to feel that this weekend...

Galveston Race Report

Swim: First of all the swim was actually going to happen (unlike the day before where the sprint and Olympic distance events turned in to du-athlons because the water was too rough)...so that was good...but it was to be my first ocean open water event...and not one that i was looking all that forward to...in the past few weeks i had been thinking a lot about the CdA swim...and how it can be rather unpredictable in terms of conditions...so i was a little focused on how my swim would go in galveston...

the wind was picking up at race start (7am) and my wave didn't get in the water to go until 8am...the wind had totally picked up by then and the water was rather choppy...but didn't look too bad from the dock...i stood on the edge of the dock for a second...and the jump was rather high...but jump i did...wow...hot and salty and brown..awesome...and well as i surfaced...much choppier than it looked on the dock...with this i was not all that pleased...swimming...well what ever it was over to the start line...i could feel my self getting a little nervous...the chop was over my head at times...then a lifeguard boat would zoom by with a triathlete on the back of it (always an unpleasant sight) and that didn't help matters...

i did manage to de-fog my goggles...get a clear and open space in the water at the front...and calm my self down...what really calmed me down was the voice of coach amy saying "put your head down and swim" and that is what i did...it was not pretty and for damn sure not my fastest...but i was a huge boost to be calm...collected and swimming the whole time...in rather rough and salty water...the first leg was ok because we were parallel to the chop but after the turn which put you on to the longest stretch of the swim the waves were hitting me head on...i only twice got a nose/mouth full of sea...and really tried to spit when i could just to get it out...yuck...i knew i wasn't going fast...but i was plodding along...finally made the last turn...and headed in to the shore...i managed to pass people in other waves and only got passed by a few caps from the wave behind me that went off 3 minutes after...

but i must say my biggest accomplishment was not freaking out...and getting through some of the roughest water i have ever been in...and there was no sea sickness either...i was very happy about that...not happy with the time...but i will take it

44.31

T1:

awesome wet suit strippers and cheering from Mo, michelle and others...thanks guys!...smooth fast transition...and i got a huge cheer from Chuck as i mounted the bike...thanks for being there chuck!!

2.47

Bike:

i just couldn't get it together on the bike...and that was really sad...my bike and i are usually really good friends...but on sunday we had a fight...before we even got out on the main road i launched my nutrition and had to stop and get it...note to self...time for new cages that don't launch bottles...got up onto the seawall and rode...head wind going out so i was really hoping for some help from the wind coming back...but that was not the case...anyway...was hitting 18ish on the way out...but started to feel my lower back complaining early on in the ride...the past few time i have been riding...especially the flat stuff...i have been getting some serious low back pain...so much so that i can't be in aero anymore after it starts...i kept forcing my self to get back down...but would eventually have to get back up and re adjust try and scoot around on the saddle to find somewhere i was not in this amount of pain...nothing was working for me...it was really tough to try and get in some hard cycling when i was grunting in pain...i managed to get my nutrition down...made the turn and was looking forward to some help from the wind...

no such luck there...the wind was exactly the same both was on the bike...no fair...we turned at 28...i started feeling a bit better as we approached mile 35/40...but what i had done was switch to a big big gear and stand up for about a minute and hammer...get in aero until i couldn't stand it anymore and repeat...finally i was hitting the 22s that i had wanted to see on the bike...so i did that the last 20ish miles...it was a real head game at that point...i knew that all my time goals we shot...and i was thinking about calling the bike shop as soon as i crossed the finish line to get booked for a fit asap...got in off the bike...and was very glad to be....

3:03

T2:
very uneventful t2

1:57

Run:

if you have ever done lonestar you know that the run is mind numbing...and that it was...4x3.275 mile loops around moody gardens...i just really wanted to focus on not loosing count of laps so i did a lot of "you are running lap two you are running lap two" in my head...

felt a little bloated/belchy coming off the bike...and of course felt all compressed in the lower back...but i tried to stand tall and find my stride...the T3 tent was right by run out...and so i would pass it 4 times on the run course...a good marker to count...ran comfortably out to mile one...looked at my split...it was 8.30something...i said well i have had a not so great swim and a very disappointing bike i might as well lay it all out here on the run...i felt really good on the run for 3 of 4 laps...there were lots of people out cheering ( a pro or two said some kind words) and lots of friends out cheering...again chuck and kristen, george and suzanne...lots of t3 peeps...and lots of blue on the course...

totally steady on the run...i was really happy at least one thing could go my way...4th loop i started getting a bit of the goose bumps...i had been carrying my hand held with nutrition and i was getting water at every stop...took 6 salt tabs on the run...but never stopped to pee...so...something was off there...goose bumps passed after i took the last salt and got down some more water...but i totally could feel the last lap was slower...logan gave me a shout as i came into the shoot and adam actually gave me a shout out over the PA...i was happy to be done...and happy with my run...

1.54
(my PR in the 13.1 is a 1.48 not attached to a tri so that made me smile)

this was not my best performance in the half distance...but i did learn a lot and feel like i accomplished a lot in this race...of course i am disappointed i didn't pr on a course known for such things...but i was able to swim in major salty chop, mentally overcome serious back pain on the bike...and pull out a pretty ok half marathon...

big shout out to my travel buddy ETG...always fun...and thanks for driving :D


again

yeah i know

i suck at updating my blog...i thought i would be so good...but i really have no time...i'm busy...

here is what i do

m-f: workout-eat-school-eat-school-eat-work-workout-sleep
sat-sunday:eat-workout(extended sessions...last week 4.5h sat 3.75h sunday)-eat-eat-homework-eat-sleep

repeat... :D

recovery week

am i training enough?

observations

my observation of my little life this week...is that sometimes the anticipation is much more stressful than the actual execution...this week is a perfect example...i had a minor freak-out last friday just thinking about everything that i had to get done...but here we are at friday...and well...it hasn't been so bad...though i made sure to be very organized...and to do the things that popped in my head when they appeared and not put them off...(like pack workout bag with nutrition etc)...mostly it can and will all get done...like this freaking early 18 mile run...happy friday :D

uhm week 7...

i can't even believe that i have been training for 7 weeks so far...seems like we just started...good week this week and a rockin' weekend...saturday ride started out COLD...but warmed up quickly and ended with sun and high 50's...had fun with the 70 miles...rode a new saddle or test rode i should say...and adamo...made a huge difference...it was a bit too wide in the nose so i am looking into if they have one that is a touch more narrow...but i am totally amazed how my body felt....open in the hips flat back and no lower back issues even on the long ride...felt much more like i was using my glutes to ride...in a good way...

sunday run was also good...15 in the books there...and i had fun...was ready to be done at the ends but never got to that really low point that happens sometimes when we start to go a little longer on the runs...i have been working on liquid nutrition for the run...this seems to be working for me...but we will see...good steady pace...no land speed records but i'm happy with it...

regular week training was good...no major issues thus far...think it's time for new running shoes...but have a lack of time this week to get to the shop for new ones...one more week on the nikes i guess...now...on to week 8!

busy!!!

not going to be long...just wanted to recap the weekend...friday was long run day since lauren was moving and i wanted to go out saturday night....5.30 am 13 miler around campus...nice steady run chatting with logan...never felt too hard...but was happy to be done....quick shower and food then off to school...home at noon then off to the internship at whole foods..interning there four days...and one with meredith...yeah!...it was my first week at wh foods...nothing too exciting...but just getting to know people and figuring out where i fit in...

saturday ride was rosedale ride...weather was warmish and misty rain...started with the 20 mile loop just to be sure the rain didn't get worse...it didn't so we headed out to do the 45 miler...me and jim were out there together...fun to ride somewhere different....last 5 miles were tough....wind started to pick up and i was getting tired...

sushi and drinks out saturday...yum...and a little too much fun...but fun none the less...

training seems like it is going well...keeping a good focus on my daily nutrition...and recovery nutrition too...doing a behavior modification for a class and will be cutting sugar from my diet starting today...keeping the training foods the same but nothing in the daily diet with more than 10g sugars on the label or sugar (or any sweetener product) in the first 5 ingredients...we will see how that goes...

now off to study for a test...we!!

rather odd week...

my poor mom has been getting hammered with snow...and my dad had been in arizona (getting his fair share of atypical AZ weather too)...and schools and everything else in the North had been canceled...so i did a lot of chatting with mom this week just to make sure she was able to get out of the house and that she still had power...thank goodness she could and did...

j flew from a conference in savannah to seattle for a meeting then back to austin mid-week...he hopped on a flight a day before the rest of his co-workers...and i bet he was glad (i know i was)about that...because everyone else got stuck in seattle until late friday...

i got a cold...and took one open water swim out of the workout schedule this week...and we were on a recovery week so hours were a bit less...that worked out really well...suffered through the sniffles but nothing too bad...great long ride and run this week...

got an internship on friday with Whole Foods...i will be working in there Quality Services department and in their Healthy Eating department doing a wide variety of nutrition related research and whatnot...i'm very excited about this opportunity...

so now i have two internships, school full time, ironman training, family, husband and two cats...oh yeah...and i have some friends out there somewhere too...i was just saying to j yesterday...i feel sometimes when i am not busy i don't do the things i need to do very well...like if i don't have too much to do i do everything lazily...weird...

ran the austin half marathon yesterday...and had a really great run....felt strong and solid the whole way...i started with the 3.50 marathon group (8.46 pace) just so i would not go out too fast...and so i could see how i was feeling....head cold is still hanging around but i am on the up and up...but you never know how this is going to hurt/help the run...toughed it out through the first 5k trying to get around the people who start way too far front for the pace they are going (read three groups of 2-3 walkers starting near the 3.40 pace group)

hit the turn down south first back into down town and started to open it up...i felt really good...and just hit a comfortable pace and stuck with it...it will be interesting to see my 5k splits...i never got bored on the course and kept thinking about how i felt running 3m a few weeks ago...i was struggling...and yesterday i was just having a blast...i really was running this as a training run...rather than trying to race it...so i guess having no expectations was good...

hit the turn for the half/full split and was still feeling strong...but this is where the hills really hit...one was just tough! my car needs to be in 2nd gear going up this hill...funny to run it :D...finished the race with a huge smile on my face....i just had so much fun...ended up running a 1.51 (3m a few weeks ago was 1.48)...with an 8.33 pace that never felt hard...i guess it helps that the day was just perfect...cool (33) ok cold to start....then sun and much warmer at the finish...

walked through got my shirt, medal and some chips and water...grabbed my dry clothes...put them on...hopped on my bike and was home by 9.15am...good way to start the day..

this week will mark some changes...mostly schedule stuff...we will see how it all goes down...

i have issues...

still i have issues with perfectionism...lame i know...i was mad at myself this weekend because i got a 92 on a test when i probably could have done better...and was ticked for a bit that i missed a question on a quiz...because my brain wasn't functioning when i got to class this morning...just having an off morning i guess...and this all put me in a not great mood today...

but all was saved by a little run practice...got there a little early to get an extra warm up in...and really attacked the hills tonight...thinking well i can get this right...

i know...i need to relax...i try...really i try

week 4

i can't even believe that we are a month into training so far...well my stomach can believe it...we are getting to the hungry phase of training :D

this past weekend was finally a good weather weekend...the week was a bit of a challenge since it just rained and rained and rained...and now is raining some more...saturday was a little chilly to start...but warmer than we have ridden in lately so that was nice...and by the end to the ride the sun was out...i had my gloves off and arm warmers off too...it was great...

i also had a really great ride...went out to do the dam loop (57 miles) with PLENTY of hills in the middle and end...(that picture really is the dam i rode over) well and beginning too...i wanted to push it on the hills to see what i had...man...it was fun...i get stronger and stronger each time i do this ride...i remember doing it at the beginning of IMAZ training and thinking that the hills never end...and this time around i was just cranking up them and pushing through...

i felt the burn seriously on the last big climb from mopac up southwest parkway to william cannon...always a tough one...and i had a rear brake rubbing my tire...which made the top of the hill even better :D

got through my first accounting assignment, got an a on my first nutrition test, and watched three movies intended for much younger age groups...did a nutrition analysis of my gluten free three days and had a dinner out with some friends at vino vino

also had a pretty good run on sunday...15 miles....10 on the road then some more on the trail...was pretty done by the end of it...my legs were tired...and like i said to ETG when we were out there...i just didn't have the same spring in my step when we got done...we were rewarded with great coffee and breakfast tacos after...

all in all a good week and weekend...but with a little something missing...don't worry...he's back home in a few days... :D

week 3

so it was kind of a big week....monday was a baking class with peter reinheart (wrote bread baker's apprentice among other things) with amy and a few of her friends...so much fun...meeting the baker and having him match the him i had in my mind....always refreshing...

tuesday was tattoo day...it's big...and not done yet...but a work in progress to finish out my left arm...so far...i love my tattoo artist....scott ellis from triple crown on the east side...and i love the work...bamboo...panda bears...lotus flowers...puts a bit of a dent in my swim training (a week out of the pool) but all of this has been discussed with my coach and artist... :D

training has been going well despite the really cold weekend weather...i was able to borrow erin's computrainer and with carrie's help got it up and running for a three hour ride on the virtual 3d IMCDA course in the comfort of my guest room/tri crap area...sunday was 10-11 maybe 12ish miles on the town lake trail then out to the green belt for a cool down of trail running....a quick hi to mark and amy at the start of the town lake loop....too cold to stop and chat(sorry guys!)....like 30...and someone yelled "it's snowing" as we were finishing...ok a few flakes in the air...i would not consider that snowing...

hamstings were tight all week...post 3m half and track practice so i have been careful to roll...ice and heat when needed and when i can...

this week...test one...assignment one...things are going...

training week 2 review

school week one and IMCdA training week two is in the books...and it was a good one...school is going to be a lot of fun this semester...i hooked up with three other girls in my nutrition education class that all are interested in sports nutrition and we are trying to do our presentation for Rogue Running...this friends is very exciting to be able to do a presentation that is actually meaningful for my future as a dietitian...very fun...

training was good as well...had my first spin that really knocked me on my butt...in a good way...swam a lot...and ran the 3M half marathon...i really had no goals for this race...i have not been doing any kind of run training since early october...and with the healing of my sprained foot (we are at week 11) i have not been pushing it to do three runs a week...the past two weeks were one hill/track workout and one long (sort of) run at a very conversational pace...

so not much expectation here for 3m...and really i wasn't even sure i could beat my time from 2 years ago....but i went out and ran it...and had fun...it was tough with the start being delayed almost an hour due to high winds knocking down road blocks...and shivering in the starting area with 5,000 other people...but was happy to run once it started...i found the 1.50 pace group very easily...and just hung out there...the pace was comfortably hard at points and comfortable at some points...and well hard at others :D ...overall it was a good race...as it was not my A race i didn't leave it all on the road but i didn't slack either...was surprised every time i saw someone i knew cheering out on the course...yeah thanks!

so i stuck with that group and i figured i would pick it up in the last 5k if i was feeling super great...i was not feeling super great but picked it up none the less...at mile 10 i had started to feel a blister developing on the ball of my foot...i could tell it was not going to be small...and for some reason i was really very HOT though most of the run...but we hit duval and i wanted to run faster...so i did...

saw a huge group of t3 peeps right at the turn to campus...yeah!...and was able to pass the 1.50 pace group...pushed it down the last 100 meters...and finished in 1.49.23 (8.21 pace) not bad i thought for not really running since october...i had to check my time from when i was marathon training two years ago and it was 1.48.58...i'm happy even though there was no pr...hitting with in 25 seconds of that time made me happy...

now the blister is huge and makes me walk funny...let's hope that heals fast

i like swimming...

i have battled swim practice since IMAZ training...and this time around i have every intention of liking swim practice...and the more i do it the more i like it...and i think that spending 3.5 hours in the pool was helpful to me overcoming my swim practice angst...i really DO in all honesty LOVE swimming...but i am still only starting my third tri season of ACTUAL swim practice...thus not used to the practices like all those who grew up on swim team...i grew up swimming...but it was more about playing around than laps in the pool...so that is a good thing :D

in the process of developing my own breakfast cookie (ala erin baker's)....so far it's super delicious...but has too much fat (dang coconut), sodium, and needs more substance...so there is going to be a lot of tweaking...but for the moment i have some yummy cookie dough that is going to get baked and given away....ha!

saw coach amy at whole foods today...yeah!...and thought of a great topic for a PhD in Nutrition/physiology...the connection of injury to health/nutrition...yeah cool...

day 2 of school was good...two nutrition classes that are both going to be very useful...education/counseling and medical nutrition therapy (think nutrition and diabetes treatment)...tests start in two weeks...ha!

and so it begins...

i guess we can go two ways with that title....today was the first day of the semester...so school has begun...accounting and advanced nutrition today...tomorrow is medical nutrition therapy and nutrition education and counseling

and today was the first workout where i could feel i was working harder than i have in a while...mo was calling out cadence numbers and at one point i just totally laughed...there was no way i could hold them...muscles (quads!)were burning...and i loved it...even though it was hard...i know it is worth it...

this morning's swim there was a 10x100 pull...i have decided i am no longer afraid of the pull...this is a good thing...and i am finally starting to keep up...mostly...swam with a great lane...we were without coach but found some workouts in the pump shed...i guess our am coach went to the other pool...we just changed days so it is understandable...it was packed though...

this does not mean that my arms don't feel like they are going to fall off...because they do....but i no longer want to get out of the pool when i see a pull set...oh and i got new goggles...i am hoping that i don't have raccoon eyes for the rest of the day from them...we will see

now...off to bed so i can get up and do it again...i really do like having a schedule :D

last week of break...

so this is the last week of my fabulous winter break...it really has been a much needed mental refresh...i have been able to read over 10 books...get my two foot stack of back logged magazines down to just a few issues...go camping in the coldest weather i have ever been camping in...make some new recipes from said magazines and cookbooks...figure out my training schedule for the next six months....sign up for most of the races i will be doing in 2010....visit my parents for christmas in arizona (where i got a swim workout in on christmas day...how nice is that)...swim 10k in the pool (today!!)...get an appointment for a tattoo that i have wanted for three years...clean the house more than once....pet lots of cats...hang out with friends...take a lot of naps...and really just relax for the first time in a year...

while i have been frustrated (sorry j) that i had not been able to run at the pace and distance i had been in october...i have been able to get to some run practices and modify the workout a bit to make sure i am not hurting the foot i am supposed to be healing...(my pt says we are clear for 20 miles a week)...lately i have really been enjoying turning the pace down...and not being totally spent after a long run or track practice....now this does not mean that i am not working hard...believe me...i am...but i am working on my form more and keeping and holding it through the whole run...trying not to hunch forward...and just to relax and enjoy running...ETG and i ran our first "long" run of IMCdA training this friday....in the 50 degree rain at 5.45 in the morning...it was one of the best runs i have had in a long time...totally conversational...and really just a nice way to start the day...the trail around town lake was almost totally empty (there was a D. Ficker sighting!!!) and of course with great company...and a grapefruit/cranberry carboom...(omg soo good!!)

this last week of break is/was week one of IMCdA training...and i have successfully completed it...and it feels really good...today was the annual T3 100x100 in the pool...last year i was sad that i was not able to participate...so i was stoked when it fit into my schedule this week...and even more stoked that i was able to complete the distance...it is really just a challenge to see if i could do it...i tend to get bored with swim practice...but i did it...yeah 10k in the pool....6.2 mile...ha! makes that 2.4 mile swim for IM look easy...ok not really...

i have decided a few things about training this time around...and i am going to stick to them...i need to relax on my long runs...like i said before...it makes running so much more enjoyable...i'm not going to kill it every run practice either...i think this is going to help me not reach that point of fatigue where you just cry because you are so tired... :D and well i am going to be more diligent about my daily nutrition...and i am going to find a breakfast that works for mornings of the long stuff....carrie gave me a few erin bakers breakfast cookies...those were very yummy this weekend...i wonder if i can get them here in town somewhere...

so yeah great break...and great start to IM training for the second time around

Bandera Weekend

about 6 months ago coach logan (the run coach for T3) said he was going to be camping at bandera for the weekend of his first 50k trail race...i was IN...i have not been camping since i really don't remember when and would be on break and not yet in training for IMCdA and thus free to drive around texas and watch people run in the woods...

as the weekend approached we found out that the low temps on friday and saturday were going to be in the single digits or low teens things were getting a little scary...not just for our camping plans but for the runners...there was a 25k a 50k and a 100k...with over 600 runners registered (the most they have ever had) well there is no way that 600 people were there racing...but those that did were challenged and well had a lot of fun (despite the weather) as far as i can tell...and thanks to logan's awesome pop-up and ETG's fabulous company (and a gas powered generator and a heater) we had a great weekend...

it was so nice to be out in a spot where you looked up and saw so many stars...even the 10 degree morning trip to the potty was worth that sky...and to see friends and coaches and mentors rock out a big trail race was worth a chilly nose...for a weekend without cell service or internet or even a shower...sometimes a break from all of that makes you realize what is really important...and it was a good way to clear my head and push the reset button on things before intensive training and the semester starts again...

mer and paul both placed in the top overall in the 50k (yeah!)...then mer went back out on the course to pace a 100k buddy to the win for the women...we saw the top two men come in racing the 100k in 9h and 15m about...and we saw the last person come in this morning....23h and 45 minutes after starting the race....running half of the race in the pitch dark and 15 degree night...more guts than i have for sure...

missed j and the kitties...but a super fun weekend...and tomorrow am we are in the training mode...and ready to focus on a sub 12 IM :D...we will see!!