This weekend my training got kicked up a notch.  Yeap- the serious part of Ironman Training is ON!  I mean ON!!!  E-Rock (Elephant Rock Century Ride) was the kickoff to back to back to back fun! 

Saturday I warmed up for E-Rock with a 15 mile run on the Highline Canal.  Another wonderful shaded run in scorching heat.

Sunday morning found me waiting in a long line of cars to get to the fairgrounds in Castle Rock to start the ride.  I was riding with my bud Sharon again.  We weren’t so green and took two cars.  Sharon was doing her first century and my instruction was to “race” this ride. 

Ready to Ride!

 We got our selves and our bikes ready and started rolling at 7:00 am.  Now Elephant Rock is an event.  It’s not a race, it’s an event.  There are people riding who are doing a 65 or 100 mile bike ride for the first time, and some who are have done E-Rock a few times. 

What beauty!!

The reason I bring this up is that many people complain about how crowded it is; how people don’t know how to ride correctly…Heck, there are even  bad-a$$ cyclist (or so they think) who come by screaming at people for doing something they don’t like.  IT’S AN EVENT PEOPLE!    CHILL OUT!  Everyone is doing the best they can on that day and for each person it’s their own personal challenge, even hell at times.  I am sooooo much more impressed and inspired by an overweight person on a mountain bike riding the 65 mile course than I am of some 6% bodyfat athlete in their cycling kit!!!!  Who gives a crud if you don’t like how people are riding.  This day is NOT about YOU! 

This day IS about camaraderie and friendly people though.  This day IS about wonderful volunteers and hard working regular folks.  It’s about making a new friend as you pedal hard up a hill or fly on the downhills.  It’s about saying “Thank you” to every volunteer you meet.  It’s also about giving encouraging words to those you pass.  It’s about doing something that challenges and pushes you.  It’s about 6000 feet of climbing and 100 miles of pavement.  It’s about giving your all AND having fun!

One of the Aide Stations

 E-Rock was like that this year for me.  I had a wonderful time and once again met some great people.  Riding E-Rock hard this year was tough at times.  I remember thinking to myself as I was climbing some hill, “Am I going to be able to make this?”  “Am I going to be able to finish?”  I was able to make it, and I was able to finish. And I had a fabulous, hard time! 

The nice thing about E-Rock is eventually the crowds thin out and you end up riding alone often.  It really is just you, your bike, and your mind for most of the ride.  I didn’t have a lot of time to enjoy the views or chat much with people (another one of my instructions was “NO Lollygagging!”).  And me being the “good” athlete :) I tried to keep that to a minimun. 

A perfect day

Elephant Rock was wonderful and I highly recommend it.  Yeah it’s crowded, just bring your patience for the first 20 miles….Remember it’s an event and there are people who are doing something this hard for the first time.  Be Kind, Say Thank You, and most of all Enjoy Yourself!

What a wild and fantastic weekend it was. Wild as in the weather. Fantastic because I was in Buena Vista with the best group of triathlon women friends!

After driving through the snow on Friday afternoon to get to BV, we arrived at packet pick up where we were told that the Century Bike Route would be changed due to 8 inches of snow around Turquoise Lake. Cool, we can handle that!

Middle of May and snowing

Next the seven of us made our way to the cabin we rented on the Arkansas River. We unloaded our bikes and gear and settled in for a carbo loading feast of spaghetti and salad.

The bikes inside and staying dry

Carbo Loading Feast

As we sat around the table each of us kept checking our Blackberries for weather updates. No matter how many times we looked the forecast was always the same…Snow all night long and into the morning. Dagnabit!
We all decided we would get up and put all our waterproof gear on and ride as far as we could the next day.
We were up at 5:00am to be ready to roll by 7:00. We kept checking to see what each other was wearing and what we should wear. Nerves were running high. As daylight approached we could see the rain turn to snow.
We were all packed, bundled up and ready to leave when we got a text at 6:30am letting us know the event had been cancelled! Dang…all dressed up with no where to go!!!   What’s a bunch of women to do???

All Dressed Up and No Where To Go

Well, head to the event site to see what’s up and grab a cup of coffee of course! The whole town was full of disappointed cyclist. And there were even a few brave ones out riding in the snow.

Plan B kicked into action. Kendra and I opted to postpone any cycling until the following day when the forecast was clear and in the 60’s. We went for a 30 minute run, the first since our marathon the week before. Then we had the chore of figuring out what to do with the rest of our day. This was brutal! I felt like a caged animal. Here I had been planning on riding 100 miles and had to chill. Tough but I (we) made it!  All the rest of the gals went for a 20 mile ride when the weather started to clear up then headed back to Denver. It was just Kendra and I left to ride.

Sunday morning found us waking to clear blue skies and warmish temps. We ate, packed the car and drove to town to start our ride.  We met up with a some others who opted to stay and rode south to Salida for the first 50 miles of the day.

Sunday Morning Bunch

The views were spectacular- the mountains freshly covered in snow, the sky a clear blue backdrop.  The wind….not so fun.  But heh- it’s Colorado- and here we are use to riding in the wind. 

The Beauty of the Collegiate Peaks

The out and back made for 55 miles with a fuel and water reload at the cars.  Next we were headed north towards Leadville.  More fun and WIND!  Did I mention the wind was from the north..so it was against us as we climbed???  FUN!

Me- headed up hill and into the head wind!

We finished the ride, ate some great burgers, fries and chocolate shake at K’s in BV, then headed home for the two hour drive.  It was a great weekend, that once again taught me about flexibility and making lemonade out of lemons.  I wish the rest of the gang had been able to stay, as the weather was great and the riding even better.  Not as good as the actual Bike Fest itself….but much better than nothing!!!

Burgers, Shakes, And Fries...That's what I'm talkin about baby!

This weekend was all about the run…a 20 miler to be exact.  The run was scheduled for Saturday with a 3 hr bike on Sunday.  Well, being spring and all here in Colorado, Saturday started snowy with 40 mph gusts forecasted.  I opted for a 1 hr trainer ride and a trip to the movie theater instead.

Sunday I woke to clear blue skies and no morning percipitation forecasted.  I headed down to Waterton Canyon for my 20 miles.  As I headed up the canyon I got into a good pace.  I looked at my Garmin and noticed I was hitting at 10 min pace.  I thought to myself , “slow it down Sparky! You’re doing 20 today….not 10 miles like you have been for the past 2 months.”

Slow....the new hard

 I had an absolute great time on the run.  Every imaginable waterfall up the canyon was running and everything was green.  The road was dry except for the occasional mud hole.  The fellow runners out where friendly and ticking off their mileage. 

My friend Kendra caught up with my on my way back down the canyon and we ran together.  I noticed I was having a hard time feeling my own zone once I began to run with her.  It was like my body was imitating her running form.  I kept trying to get into my own grove again but that never really happened.

We hit the parking lot at mile 13; I reloaded my water bottles and headed back out solo for my last 7.  So this is where it got a bit tricky.  See, I haven’t run more than 10 miles in over two months.  As I hit the road again I was having a hard time.  I was struggling to  find my form and my groove.  I kept adjusting this and that and finally somewhere around mile 15 I found my sweet spot.

At mile 16.5 I turned around and headed for the barn (car).  And this is when I realized that somewhere in the last two months running slow got hard!  You see.  Throughout the whole 20 miles, whenever I slowed down to the pace I ran all last year….it felt HARD.  It felt like Torture!  The moment I picked up my pace and held it right below threshold….running felt MUCH EASIER! 

I don’t know how in the heck this happened…but it did!  I got faster!  Not only did I get faster but running faster got easier than running slower!  WTH?  I never would have expected that!  I had no idea that one day running right below threshold would be easier for me than running at a slower pace?  I mean, I PRed  my time on a 20 mile training run by 15 minutes!!  HUH??? WTH?? 

While I was running I would experiment with running slower and it just felt hard.  The minute I picked up my pace and ran faster, running got easier.  Now part of this I attribute to my Newton Running Shoes!  I am sure that the shoe helps propel me forward when I run faster!  (Did I mention how much I love my Newtons??)  And now that I can run faster the shoes help that much more!

I never would have imagined that running faster could be easier than running slow.  But it is.  At least it was Sunday.  In the next two weeks I have a 24 mile run then the Fort Collins Marathon on May 9th.  I’m building my run and the next two weekends will tell if this is just a fluke or if I truly am a faster runner this year. Only time/mileage will tell…..until then…..

Faster just got easier

This morning as I was getting ready to go to work I thought about how much time and effort it takes just to get ready for the day.  See, this being a triathlete stuff can have it’s challenges outside of the actual workouts. 

Take for example today.  I got up at 5:30 so I could leave the house by 7:30.  Now you might be shaking your head thinking- “Shoot- this crazy triathlon chick must take forever to get dressed and put her makeup on!” …..WRONG!   That part takes me about 20 minutes…..Now you’re wondering- “So what the heck takes sooooo long???”  Well, let me explain-

I get up in the morning make some tea and start the process of packing ALL my food for the day.  Yeap- that’s what takes so long.  I first put together my lunch (today was a large salad, tuna fish, apple); a snack (celery, guac, turkey); breakfast (Paleo pancake, berries, spinach & canadian bacon)…….

Add to that- today following work I go straight to Peak to Peak Performance Center for a Computrainer class.  This adds some time due to packing Pre and Post workout food (banana and hard boiled egg Pre;  juice & protein powder Post). 

My food for the day

Alright- I’ve got ALL my food for the day- now to pack my gear!  Today this means putting my TT Bike in the car (dear Ol Black Betty!) and grabbing my cycling shoes and clothes.  Oh yeah- did I mention I’m going to lift weights at the gym during lunch??? I better pack those clothes too!!  And don’t forget to bring socks!!  (I don’t know how many times I’ve forgotten this little article of clothing).

So there you have it!  All that takes a good hour for me to get together!  And now you are probably thinking- “well why doesn’t she just get everything ready the night before?”.  And here’s the why….I workout at night or have bodywork done and get home about 8:00pm and need to eat and then like to be in on my way to sleep by 9:30…And let’s be honest-  I love my veg-out time with some tv-   plus, I’m much more of a morning person and my eyelids start shutting at 9:00 anyway!

Now, one thing I do for my meal pre that helps a TON is I prepare all my food for the week on Sunday evenings.  This week I baked  spaghetti squash, a pork loin, Jenni-O turkey breast, and some Paleo cookies.  Then I cooked about 3 lbs of asparagus, some brussel sprouts,  1 lb of zucchini and yummy spaghetti sauce with ground beef.  I then made 5 Paleo Pancakes for breakfast all through the week…..All of this took me about 2 hours total to prepare.  Can you imagine how much longer the mornings would take me if I didn’t do this on Sundays???!!!!

Nutrition plays a very important role in being a triathlete.  About this time last year I was eating whatever I wanted.  I was having muffins, eating out a lot, you name it.   As I got closer to my first Ironman I began to realized that eating “clean” made a difference with my big workouts I was doing.  If I ate muffins and ate out frequently- my performance while training suffered.  If I ate clean- I had much more power and endurance during my long hours training. 

Since last summer, I’m convinced that eating clean and preparing all my food to take with me, is key to maintaining the level of training that I strive for.  I use to fool myself into thinking it didn’t matter- but it does.  What I put in my mouth effects my workouts…..And even though it would be easier to stop by Starbuck to grab breakfast, and Chipolte for lunch- this just doesn’t work for me.  It may for some, but I would challenge that as I use to believe it worked for me too.  Today- not so much!

So- I’ll get off work today- train- get up early and pack my meals for the day-go to Masters-head to work- and continue daily with my morning routine……And by the way, just out of curiosity- What’s your morning routine?????

It takes a village to be a triathlete!  Yeap- it really does. 

It Takes A Village

What got me thinking about this was what my day was like this past Saturday. 

I started the day at Doudy Draw in Boulder with my friend Brenda who I wrangled into joining me for a 13 mile run along trails I hadn’t explored before.   She was only going to join me for 7 miles, but after taking out the map and trying to explain where I would run, some puppy dog eyes and probably the fact that I was running pretty slow….she decided to join me for the whole run.  So- there’s Villager #1.

Next, after a quick swim, I was off to Active Imprints to meet with Danny Abshire (Newton Co-Founder)to have him help me with a final tweak to the orthotics he’s been making for me. 

I happen to be VERY fortunate and am sponsored by Newton Running Shoes.  These shoes have transformed me from a heel-striking-wannabe-runner, into a (almost) real runner!  I was having a problem with pain in my achilles and after Ironman decided to meet with Danny to have him help me with orthotics.  Within 2 minutes he figured out what was wrong with my left foot (something to do with metatarsal bones) and began working on an orthotic.  So- with this new orthotic coupled with my Newtons- I am golden again and running ultra-distances sans pain.  And did I mention Danny fixed my inserts for my bike shoes also?!!!  Voila- Villager #2

From Active Imprints I was off to Colorado MultiSport to meet with Jeff for some help with my road bike.  After a summer of switching my road bike from TT back to road…I wasn’t sure how the bike should be set up.  Plus it was time for a new saddle. 

After shooting the breeze and visiting with friends, Jeff and I got down to business.  Jeff spent an hour plus, moving this and moving that; adding this and changing that; and when he was done- I was feeling like I had the perfect bike fit again!!!  I have to say- the guys at CMS are so unbelievably patient!  They will work with you for hours and always make you feel like you are their most important customer!  I don’t know how they do it.  Alright- Villager #3

In one day- I had three different people help me on my road to being a long distance triathlete.  And that’s only ONE days worth…..there are others who keep me going- like….

Dr Ken Sheridan from Active Care.  He’s my chiropractor and without my weekly visits to him, I would not be able to keep running and training the way I do.  See, I have SI joint problems (as in they don’t stay where they’re suppose to), and Dr Ken is able to keep me from locking up…literally!  There ya go- Villager #4

Along with Dr Ken- I get regular bodywork by Brian Ray.  Now this guy is amazing!  When I first went to him 3+ years ago, I had back pain that wouldn’t quite.  I would get out of bed in pain, I took Celebrex daily….it was bad.  Brian was able to get my back working great with in few months (no more pain!).  He also keeps me going.  I mean at 50 years old and just starting this long distance stuff- there have been a few times where my body needed some help getting itself working.   And Brian is the man for that!  Yeap- we have Villager #5

One person I can’t forget to mention is my coach Andrea Watkins!  Not only does she write my training programs, but she works out with me, helps me through the mental stuff, and has become a good friend in the process.  She has taken me from a overweight 48 year old- to a descent long distance triathlete in two short years!  Now that is amazing!  Not sure how she does it….but her approach to training sure works great for me!!  Here ya have- Villager #6

Now there are many, many more Villagers who support me in many ways.  Whether it’s joining me for a workout, going to a race with me, calling to check on me, getting together for dinner….You name it.  The list goes on and on.  I never realized when I took up this sport what a great community I would be getting involved in…..and as we all learn in this triathlon life….It TRUELY does take a VILLAGE to raise a triathlete!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday I did my first big run since Ironman. On tap was to run 26 miles from downtown Littleton to downtown Golden. The reward was to be a yummy buffalo burger at Table Mountain Inn.

We had an alpine start at 10:00am. The sky was clear, the sun was out and the temps were forecasted for the 40’s. The first crew consisted of Coach Andrea, Delinda, Janette and yours truely. We took off heading south on the South Platte trail into Chatefield Resevior. We found some single track and ran the dirt as much as possible.

The Runnin Gals

About 5 miles after we started we were in Chatfield and it was time for Delinda and Janette to turn around and head back. That left just Andrea and I to carry on.
We headed onto the bike path along C-470 headed to Golden. We pulled the big hill out of the res and had a bit of a downhill as we started our gradual accent to Morrison.  It was nice to be running with Andrea since we hadn’t done anything together for ages.  That’s one of the nice things about a super long run….you can talk while your running!

I was feeling really good and strong.  I was suprised by how quickly we passed Wadsworth Blvd and got to Kipling.  It was around here that Andrea started to have IT band problems.   She told me to not wait for her and to continue with my run and we would meet up in a bit.

With that- I was off.  I had the bestest, bestest run ever!  I was feeling strong and just rockin to my own rythym.  I tried to remember to stay in “proper” form- something I constantly work on seeing as I was never a runner in a past life. 

Something that has helped my running is an article I read in Triathlon Mag about this guy who ran a 10K with his dog tied around his waist.  He wrote this helped put him on his forefoot better and he PRed by 5 minutes.  When my puppy was young (he’s approaching 15 yrs) and I ran with him I would tie his leash around my waist.  As I ran yesterday- I remembered what that felt like and found I ran much better and faster!  I was leaning forward from my core and not my chest…..I just love it when some “que” helps me with my form…..

There I was, running and running and next thing I know I’m about to drop down into Bear Creak Lake Park.  I called Sharon and told her I was about 30 minutes from the Conoco Station in Morrison (we ALL know that landmark!).  I ran through the park, crossed the street, and there was Sharon waiting to join me for my last 8 miles!  My garmin read 18.8 miles and I figured I had at least 8 more to go until Golden.

I filled my water bottles, ate, and hit the road with Sharon at my side.  Now this is where it got HARD!  That 20 minute break did me IN!  See once you leave the Conoco station there’s this lovely, long (did I mention long?) hill to climb….and needless to say- I was having a tough time getting my groove back.  I tried and I tried….and I tried….the hill was tough.   We finally made it to the top and we were able to enjoy some downhill.

Running with Sharon was such a treat.  She talked and kept me occupied while we ran towards Golden.  I know if she had not joined me for this last push- I would have been miserable.  She kept me entertained and we had some nice conversations when I wasn’t sucking air! 

Sharon helped me a great bit.  One thing she pointed out twice to me as we were about half way to Golden was that I was running “tight”.  I realized because things (my legs) were starting to hurt (after 20 miles on concrete), I was shortening my stride and not moving freely any longer.  This was a great help!!!  Not that I did much about it at the time, but now- looking back- I can see that I will be able to move more freely when I’m starting to hurt!  Running “tight” serves no purpose and actually hurts more!

We meandered the bike path and then…..there we were!   At “The Taj” (Jefferson County Court House).  Yippeeeee!!!  I was so excited.  Just a few more miles and we would be in downtown Golden!!  Only thing between us and Golden was a few long rollers on the bike path….WE COULD DO IT!  I looked at my Garmin and my mileage read 26.6 miles.  I had already hit my planned mileage…but with Golden just a few more miles away…I had to do it!

Why did I have to do it???  For the Buffalo Burgers of course.  We were planning on meeting Andrea and Steve at Table Mountain Inn which serves the best Buffalo Burgers and Sweet Potato Fries you could ever eat…seriously!  So, we ran the rest of the way into Golden walking down Washington St for the cool down, and then through the blue doors to our much anticipated reward for a day well spent.

We chowed down on our burgers and then made our way home….all in all it was a fabulous day- spent with wonderful, supportive friends.   And yes- running 28 miles for a buffalo burger is definitely worth it!!!!!

The Buffalo Burger!!!

Yesterday I escaped the 4 feet of snow and headed out of Mt Shasta to Redding with my friend Craig for a 4 hour run.

We drove over the pass to I-5 and drove south from snow to rain for a lovely day of running along the Sacramento River.

By the time we got to the trailhead it was close to 11:00 with a heavy drizzle (not quite a rain). I put on my Newton Motion All Weather Shoes, we bundled up and headed out for two out and back trips.

The day was a bit gloomy and wet but being out in nature was a welcomed relief from a week of being indoors.

This trail is spectacular as you run along the Sacramento River the whole time. With all the rainfall in the past week there where waterfalls cascading into the river and swollen creeks dumping gallons of water to merge with the current. Ducks and other waterfowl dotted the water and river banks adding to the serenity of the run.

Sacramento River Rail Trail- minus the rain

The joy of running in this type of weather is not many people will brave the conditions to be outside. During the course of 4 hours I met a family fishing; two people walking their dogs; one person on a mt bike…but no other runners!

I found so much peace and serenity with this run. I was able to think about my Dad; pray to God; listen; and just feel. One thing my Dad instilled in me was a deep appreciation and love for the outdoors. The outdoors is my church and where I practice my spirituality. Outdoors is where I commune with God and where I am in awe of the beauty that is all around me.

So yesterday was a perfect day for me. As I spent 4 hours running I also spent time singing, just out of the shear joy of being alive and in such a beautiful setting on such a perfect day.

One thing I realized on my run, is that my Dad is no longer in a house in McCloud- but that now he can be with me where ever I am. I don’t have to call him up to talk to him- I can talk to him anytime, anywhere! He is no longer confined to a body… And something else I realized is if I’m real quiet…I can hear Dad answer!

And with all that- I think I’ll just keep Running and Singing in the Rain.

Tis officially the opening of my 2010 training season.  I started the year off back on my offical training plan after a month of relaxing and recovering from my first Ironman.  Not sure what I enjoyed most….the Ironman itself- or the excuse of not having to follow a training plan for one whole month!  (Hands down the Ironman itself wins!!!! )

I spent my down time relaxing, sleeping in, went to a movie, visited friends, training 30 mins to an hour a day, and losing some fat!  Yeap- I lost 3% body fat over the holidays!  How cool is that!  Some people thought it was kinda strange it “diet” during the holidays…but I am glad I did!  I don’t have to worry about those infamous 5lbs that can be gained from Thanksgiving to New Years….I actually have come through the holidays leaner and a bit lighter (I am going back to ditching the scale).

January is starting off with about 1 hour of exercise per day and will build to a 26 mile run from Littleton to Golden on January 23rd.  I am looking forward to a big run this month.  I love the feel of being in motion for that long….something I have missed in the last month. 

I am excited for what the new year may bring….snowshoe races, ultramarathons, another Ironman….and the company of many amazing friends and fellow athletes….

Well.  Here I am, the day before I head to Cozumel, Mx to compete in my first Ironman. 

I have been struggling with self doubt in the last week, mainly due to a slight calf pull that sidelined my last two brick workouts (100 mile bike/15 mile run; 100 mile bike/18 mile run). 

I have been tapering for 4 weeks now, not what was scheduled but how things played out.  the self doubt comes from wondering if I was ready and had done enough training.  I decided to get out my training logs for the past year and look back on what I’ve done to be ready for this DAY. 

To date I have completed 1x Ultra Adventure Race; 2x 30 mile Runs; 3x 25 mile Runs; 2x Marathons; 9x Century Bike rides; and a 5K, 6K, 2x 7K Swims…..Here is a timeline of the main workouts and fun I’ve had since November 2008.

November of 2008 I started with a group run on the Colorado Trail for 16 miles.  Two weeks later I was in Moab at the ULTIMATE XC Adventure Run for my first adventure race (23 miles).

Last mile at Moab

December found me running 26 milesfrom Highlands Ranch to Golden with temps ranging from 19 degress at the start to a balmy 29 degress by the time we arrived in Golden.  The following weekend was a 5K Swim at Denver University at 5:30 am!

Janurary started off the year with a 20 mile run  and two weeks later I was in California for the  REDDING MARATHON (26.2 miles).  I learned a lot from this marathon as I started way too fast and ended up walking more than running the last 5 miles. Pacing is EVERYTHING!

Finish of Redding Marathon with Kelly

The cold month of Feburary brought….More Running!  Two 25 milersover two Sundays in a row!  The HighlineCanal became my friend as I ran these two 25 milers. Luckily for me I have wonderful friends who joined me on parts of my run.  Thanks to Elizabethwho joined me  on my last 5 miles on both runs and kept me entertained! 

The Second 25 Miler Video

March opened with a 6K Swim (video) at Carmody Rec Center.  One thing I discovered on the 5:00 am Sunday Morning Swims was that I loved them!  It was such a wonderful way to start a Sunday. Swimming withgood friends!  Not much more happened this month.  I started computrainer classes at Peak to Peak Performance Center to begin to build my cycling.

Aprilbrought the beggining of the racing season.  First up- Rage Long Course Triathlon.  This is a HARD course!  Pretty much the same course I raced in October at Nationals where I qualified for a spot on the US Team for World Championships.  But I digress…that was 2008.  I had a good race and placed first in my age group.  Not a bad way to start the season  :)  Returned home for a 7K Swimat Carmody again.

Rage Finish- 1st Place Age Group!

May started the big mileage!  May 5th I did my first Ultra Run- Greenland 50K (30 miles).  I ran this with my coach Andrea where she taught me a lot about the finer points of running a race!  The next weekend I was off to Buena Vista Bike Fest  for my first Century ride ever!  I had a blast and HIGHLY reccomend this ride!  They have great support and the BEST food!

Lunch in Leadville at Buena Vista Bike Fest

June started off with a 4K Swim followed by Elephant Rock Century.  The very next weekend I was headed out of state for the Kansas Ironman 70.3 Triathlon!  Kansas IM 70.3 was amazing!  I had a great race and PRed by 20 minutes!!!  I was absolutlely suprised!  Then the very next weekend I competed in Loveland Lake 2 Lake Olympic Triathlon. 

The Girls at Elephant Rock Century

The Gang Kansas Ironman 70.3 Recon

Getting Ready for Loveland Lake 2 Lake

July was the beginning of traveling back and forth to California for 4 months to help care for my father as he went through cancer treatment.  Durning July I did a 20 mile Run and the next weekend rode in the Sunrise Century (7000 ft of climbing) on Saturday followed by a 24 mile Run on Sunday.  I was amazed that the run felt effortless and I was strong! 

Two days later I jumped in my car and drove for 3 days to California.   I arrived on Friday night and Saturday I did my own 70.3.   The next morning (August 1st) I was up at 4:00am to start the Mt. Shasta Summit Century. 11,000 ft of climbing in 100 miles!

August started with the  century ride followed by some bricks- 80 mile  Bike Rides/ 6 mile Run.  I also drove back to Colorado for two weeks to work.  While back home I raced in the Wild On Windsor Triathlon where I place 4th in Age Group.  The next day I was back in the car and headed to California.

September I spent in California where it was HOT.  I started with a 100 mile Bike Ride.  Next week was a 15 Mile Run with a 100 mile Bike the next day.  The following week- 25 mile Run with a 100 mile Bike the next day.  A few days later I did a 7K Open Water Swimin Lake Siskiyous!  It was amazing.  And then….a few days agter that I ran 30 miles!!!

October brought BIG mileage on the bike.  I did 2 more 100 Mile Bike Rides and followed by a brick of 50 Mile Bike with a 12 Mile Run.  Two days after the brick I had run out of Family Leave, my Dad had completed his treatment and I headed back to California on October 20th. 

Shortly after I returned home I went to run an easy 3 mile run and low and behold…I slightly tore my calf!  I immediately thought I was done…no Ironman for me.  Someone mentioned that I should stop catastrophizing  because it would probably be fine…..Well she was right, sort of. 

I ended up backing off my training and as a result missed my 2 big brick workouts.  I missed a 100 mile ride/15 mile run and a 100 mile run/18 mile run.  Plus a few other longer runs.  After talking to my coach she stated….”I am not worried about you.  You’ve been doing extended distance training for a year now!  You are more than ready regardless of missing these workouts!!!”  Sweet music to my ears!

I’ve had a longer taper than we had planned…but again due to all the training I have done up to this point…these last few workouts will not make or break my Ironman.  I’ve put the mileage in- way before most AgeGroupers would have, which leaves me in a good position even without the big bricks.  

I’m rested and after looking back at all I have done over the past year…..I realize  I AM READY!!! 

I’m ready for what ever may happen on November 29th, 2009 in Cozumel, Mx. 

One thing I know is that EACH and EVERY ONE of you who have run/biked/swam with me: who have given me a word of encouragement; who has cooked a meal; helped with a mechanical issue; drivin me to a race, airport, or workout; has called me, Facedbooked me; and supported me in more ways than I can write about—-YOU WILL ALL BE WITH ME AS I RACE ON SUNDAY IN COZUMEL!  

Each one of you will come to my mind as I embrace this opportunity that I am about to embark on!

I thank you all and am truely humbled by your most generous giving of yourselves!

And to my dear Jr High School best friend Janet V- who I did my first triathlon with in May 2008- I thank you for traveling to Cozumel with me and helping to keep me sane in the days before the race.

Love and peace to you all!

It’s been one week since my 25 mile run and 100 mile bike and I just got done with my 30 mile run! Yeap, that’s right. I actually ran 30 miles today!!! Can you believe it?? I’m still in shock…or is that hunger???

I drove out to Lake Siskiyou after a false start on a river trail due to cougar prints right in the middle of the trail. I opted for the better traveled-no cougar zone, but was not as psyched about having to run around the Lake four times…Yeap, four times! 

The day was sunny and headed to the high 60’s with a bit of a wind.  I headed out for my run with my Nathan Hydration Pack  loaded with water a plenty of food. 

The trail circumnavigates Lake Siskiyou, winding it’s way through a camp ground and a nicely maintained dirt trail the whole way…except for the 2 miles that you have to run on the road. 

The first two laps were effortless. I mean that they just happened and I didn’t put  much thought into them.  I stopped at the car and loaded more water in my pack and headed out for the second 15 miles. 

I started out on my third lap and started to get really frustrated with my hydration pack.  You see, every time I went to drink I had to pull the valve so hard I almost pulled my teeth out…I’m not exaggerating!  I couldn’t pull the valve with my hand so had to use my teeth and I had visions of my teeth becoming loose and falling out someday.

By the time I reach the mouth of the South Fork River and began crossing I was soooo pissed at my pack, I wiped out my Blackberry and Googled “Nathan Hydration Packs”; got their phone number and proceeded to call them during the middle of my run!  So I called Nathan; told them I was having some serious problems with my bite valve and was in the middle of a 30 mile run and ready to throw my pack in the lake. 

The accommodating lady at customer service got all my info and said the would send me out a new valve that same day……Now that’s what I call service!  Unfortunately I still had to get through my current run with the valve I had…but there was hope for future runs (BTW-the new valve works great!)

Well, I continued to my way, passed my car for the third time and headed out for my fourth and final lap.  I felt good until about mile 25, then things began to start hurting.  My left leg, thigh, foot….my right foot, my this, my that…….I would just begin to focus on form and the pain would begin to go away.  I found pain would come when I started to run incorrectly….but if I stayed in correct form things didn’t hurt!! 

I made it through the last few miles, dreaming of the car and an ice bath.  Oh- and a steak dinner!  Luckily the last few miles are slightly down hill and I cruised back to the parking lot.  I had done it!!!!  I had run 30 miles for the second time in my life!!!!! 

One thing that really struck me from this run is….the difference between 20 and 25 miles is not that much.  I mean it’s not that much harder to run those 5 more miles….BUT- the difference between 25 and 30 miles…..well that is  noticeably harder! 

So, maybe if I begin running 30 miles more often then that 5 miles won’t seem as hard someday.  Either way- I’m proud of myself for running 30 miles today.  It was hard, challenging, I wanted to quit, I didn’t want to quit, I hurt, I didn’t hurt.  You know who really kept me going out there???  My DAD!  I thought  of him and remembered the promise of not quiting or cutting things short…because he can’t.  He has to stay the course, just like I did……My Dad gave me so much inspiration especially in those last 5 miles! 

Thank You Dad!