I’ve been thinking about flexibility a lot lately. Not so much the flexibility of the body, but flexibility of the mind.

The King of Flexibility

You see, a lot of things that were planned this season didn’t happen. Or maybe I should say they didn’t happen the way they were planned.

I remember when I started training two years ago, I HAD to get my workouts in EXACTLY as they were written.  I HAD to hit the right type, cadence, heart rate, speed, course, you name it.  If I didn’t do it just right, everyone heard about it and needless to say, I was NOT very flexible. 

Fastforward two years, and today I have embraced the attitude of flexiblity.  Granted, I don’t have it down pact, but I’d rather be flexible than how I was before.  I have found that I get to enjoy life more with an attitude of “oh well.  What are we going to do now? ”  This is helping me tremendously to enjoy training, life and my friends more.

Here’s an example….Saturday a stack of us met at the pond to swim a lap then head to ride City View.  We decided with the crowds riding City View and with how “friendly” the locals can be sometimes, that we would head to Cyclist Friendly Boulder!  (Boulder is the BEST place to ride and be safe!)

So that’s exactly what we did.  Swam at the Pond, drove to Boulder, cycled up there….then we had Lunch, went to Newton Running Labs and had a jolly good “Girlfriend” Day! 

Enjoying Friendship

See, two years ago, I NEVER would have done that!  I would have insisted on riding City View because that’s what my plan said.  I would have been so narrow minded that I would not have gone to Boulder.  I would have missed out on a wonderful day filled with sisterhood!  What a shame that would have been.

Flexibilitly of the mind has allowed me to enjoy my life more.  It has allowed me to be more spontaneous and to “go with the flow”.  It has allowed me to enjoy the journey of training and the moments I share with friends.  It has helped me with the bumps and cracks in the road that happen in this thing called life.  I’m not sure how I came upon this flexibility of the mind, wether it was life or training that helped me find this.  All I know, is I’m glad I have embraced it and attempt to live with flexibility as much as possible.

This past weekend we held the memorial celebration for my father.  It was the most wonderful, yet hardest day.  80+ people from around the country came to honor my father Frank.

We had a wonderful time sharing stories from a microphone about my Dad.  People talked for 4 hours.  It was amazing, and sad, and fun.

Dad's Celebration- The intermission break

The themes that seemed to be repeated by everyone were that Frank was:

-A true steward of the earth.  He spent his whole life fighting for water.  He helped found CalTrout and most recently he successfully fought Nestles’ attempt to build a water bottling plant in McCloud. It was a 5 year battle and just last September Nestles backed out.  My Dad was a environmentalist and he went Green way back in the 60’s.  We grew up recycling and littering was not tolerated!

-He was a good listener and always could give sage advise.  Many people shared about the times my Dad took someone aside and helped them through a difficult time.

-He was a hard worker and could fix ANYTHING!  I mean ANYTHING!  Everyone had a story of how my Dad had come over and helped them fix, build or replace something.  A few times a hammer to whatever wasn’t working was all it took, but usually the fixes where very involved.  My Dad loved helping people fix things!

-He had a great sense of humor.  My Dad could bust you up laughing for hours.  He could also imitate just about any noise.  And if his comedic timing didn’t get you, his SMILE did!  My Dad had the best smile I have ever seen.  The world lit up when Dad smiled.

My Dad was many things to many people…and these are just a few.  I always thought my Dad was the most amazing man I had ever known.  I felt it in my gut that this was the truth, but then at times I’d wondered if I thought that just because he was my Dad.  After this weekend, and after what  people shared, I now know for certain that my Dad was truly that GREAT of a human being. 

My Dad, Frank, was the best father, mentor, friend, human being that I could have ever been blessed with. 

May you rest with the Angles Dad.  I love you and I will see you and that big smile again.

My Dad, Frank- the greatest father a daughter could ever have!

It’s the official, unofficial start to SUMMER!  Can you say…it’s about time???  And this weekend did prove to be a summer weekend.  No rain, snow or howling winds!  It was spectacular…and long!  Four days of pure -heavenly training and recovering bliss!

Friday started out with a 30 mile run with the temps forecasted in the 90’s.  I hit Highline Canal at the Goodson Rec Center and was on the trail by 6:30am.  The sky was slightly overcast and the temp was already 60 degrees. 

Early Morning on the Highline Canal

At first I thought that I would run 3 x 10 miles.  Out 5 back 5- 3 times….About 4 miles into the run I decided I would rather get 15 miles out of the way my first time out, then run 10 miles and then finish off the 30 with the last 5. 

Sounded like a great idea and it actually was!  Mostly because of the mind game I was playing with myself.  Do you ever do that?  Play games with your perception?  It seems like a pre-requist to racing and training long distances….ya know…a 15 mile run, no problem; a 10 mile run, no problem; a 5 mile run, piece of cake….they just happen to all be in a row!!!

15 Miles and smiling

I knocked out the 15; reloaded at the car; knocked out the 10; got back to the car and had a Humongous blister on the bottom of my foot from a iny-tiny grain of dirt.  The blister started to change my gait around mile 23 and when I got to the car, I took a look at my foot and decided to go for my post-run swim…..didn’t finish the 30 but had a successful 25 miles of running.  Plus the temps were officially in the mid 90’s.  Did I mention how refreshing my 20 minute swim was?????  Ahhhhhhhhh

Saturday was a rest day!  I went to Boulder, got my weekly body work, enjoyed the festival and relaxed!

Sunday was back at-it!  4+ hour ride with a bunch of women! Oh yeah- remember that sore throat I had last weekend…well Sunday morning it decided to become a sinus infection……When I met up with everyone at Boulder Res I felt like crap.  I decided to start off easy and ride what I could. 

Lucky for me even though the sinus infection didn’t go away, I was eventually able to feel good enough to have a stellar ride out to Carter Lake and back.  I had a blast.  I was back on Black Betty (my Ordea Ordu) and we were flying! My training buddy, Sharon, and I rode the whole way together and just enjoyed the heck out of the day! 

Who's having FUN??? Not us :)

Back at the Res after 56 miles of pavement under our tires, I threw on my Newtons and hit a  hard 10 minute run.  I have NEVER run Hard off the bike- I was blown away by how I actually felt fine!  I was surprised!  I always thought I couldn’t run that fast off the bike…..but then- that’s why I have coach Andrea!  To help me learn new things about myself!

And then there was Monday.  Monday was all about the Honey-Do-List.  Can a  Honey Do List be a HDL when you’re writing it for yourself????  Anyway- I got through pruning trees and bushes in the front and back yards, and did all those piles of chores that I didn’t get to in the last year.  It felt fabulous to look around and see the piles gone and the trees trimmed.  I settled into my chair in the back yard and enjoyed the waterfall and the cool shade of the trees.  Another one of those AHHHHH moments.

I have the best backyard ever! Kai agrees!

For me, this was the best start to summer I can ever remember.  Two hard training days and two awesome rest days.  There is something to be said for having your “house in order” so that your training can just take off.  And with that….it’s time to take out the big guns and hit some pretty tough training in the next few  months…..but I’ma ready!!!

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!

I just finished my last run before Colorado Marathon.  And what a run it was!  23.47 miles to be exact.  Yeap…In two weeks I did all my training for this marathon.  How funny is that?

My last long run previous to the last two weeks was Jan 30 when I ran 28 miles.  Since then the longest run I did was 10 miles.  Then two weeks ago I began my training for the marathon and did my first long run of 20 miles.  I felt good, hit a good time….struggled a bit  towards the end…but finished strong.

Then this past weekend I ran 24 miles.  Crazy you might think.  I know I did!  I thought- what the heck- running 24 miles the week before a marathon???  Well luckily I have the best coach in the world who knows just how to train a person!!!  She had me run the whole 24 slowly “just to get the mileage on your legs. “  This was a very very slow run…but it was fun!

I was able to run with some friends and have great conversations.  The perfect example of Long SLOW Distance.  Never once did my breathing get a hint of labored. 

I found myself enjoying the run…even though it was sooo slow.  It’s strange when your perception gets skewed.  For example- I finished 11 miles with my friends and then thought   “nice, I only have 13 more to go.  That’s 7.5 out and back.  I can do that easy”.  There’s just something wrong with that kind of thinking!  Really!  What has gotten into me????  Only 13 more miles after just finishing 11???  Weird right?  Go figure…..

Well, now it really is time for the taper.  1 hr bike rides and a 4 then 3 mile run…..I’ll let you all know how I do after Sunday.  We’ll see how this two weeks of training for a marathon suits me. No matter what…I’ll make sure to have FUN!

This weekend was all about multi sportin.  There was some Splishin, some Splotin, and some heavy duty windy Woshin to be had. 

And speaking of WOoooSSSHHIN…how about that wind this weekend.  How many of you got caught out there on your long Saturday bike ride?  Pretty fun heh?  (ok maybe NO fun).  For all of us brave soles (or is it silly soles) who didn’t change our workouts around, for those of us who rode parallel to the road….this one’s for you!

There was a group of us brave soles who drove down to Castle Rock to ride the 62 mile E Rock  course. As we all gathered our gear and headed out on the rode the wind was just starting to blow.  The further we got out on the ride- of course- the windier it got! 

By mile 15 we decided to call it quits and head back… I have to be honest- I was kinda disappointed, if someone else had said “yes” to continuing I would have been all over it.  Luckily for me, no one was dumb enough to want to continue!  Once we turned around we quickly realized we would have 15 grueling miles into the wind.  I’m talkin full on head wind- and cross winds that left you riding parallel to the road if not splot on the road.

Delinda, Doreen, Liesl, Sharon...check out the sideways hair!

We made it back to the parking lot, after a few minor wind epics.  Next up for me was to finish off my mileage with a basement trainer ride and NCIS!  Oh yeah, followed by my second 20 minute run of the day.

Sunday was all about the run and swim.  And of course, being spring and all , here in Colorado…there had to be some wind again.  I headed up Waterton Canyon for a quick 5 and back down, meet some friends along the way…and was grateful it was’t as windy at the day before!

I finished the run off, jumped in my car, downed some Mix1 (love the Mango) and headed to the pool.  That’s were I spent the next 30 minutes Splishin.  And did it feel good!  After Saturdays windfest and Sundays run, I was ready for my favorite- swimming!

It was a perfect weekend….great friends, great workouts, and some splish, splot and wosh….who could ask for anything more…..except maybe a bit less wind next weekend  

 How about those days when you just start out with your workout….not particularly psyched to be out doing what you’re doing….but you’re doing it anyway..

Well, I’ve been having those kinda days lately.  I have been going through the motions of getting my training in but not feeling that passion and excitement about it.  Some might think that this could be a sign of over-training…but I think it might just be part of grieving.  Grieving the loss of my Dad just two months ago. 

That’s the thing about being a triathlete, you’re really just like everyone else and stuff happens that affects you.  Maybe as triathletes we are just more aware of how this stuff does affects us.  We have ways to measure our moods, engery, body and mental status.  We are more tuned into what is going on on the inside.  We see it in our efforts, our pace, or times, in our workouts.  We can tell when we are “a bit off”.   Maybe having this keen ability is a blessing or maybe not.

I happen to think it’s a blessing. By realizing something is off, I’m able to figure out what I need to help myself.  One thing I have noticed that helps me the most right now, it to train with other people.  So each weekend I am sending out emails, facemails etc to invite people to join me.  And the wonderful thing is…people are! 

I need to give a big thanks for everyone who joins me on a ride, run or swim at this point in my training.  You are all helping to get me through this rough patch….and helping me to “get-er-done”!

sore legs! 

Here I sit on Monday with the sorest legs I’ve had in ages!  Yeah sitting…not such a good idea today, as every time I get up it takes a few minutes for my quads to work.  And the thing is, my legs are sore in places they aren’t usually sore! 

So what’s the culprit you may ask.  How’d I get my legs so sore anyways….I mean, they are more sore than after my 28 mile run!

One word- STAIRS!  Red Rocks Stairs to be exact.  That’s after running over Dinosaur Ridge and up into Red Rocks!  This was the strength workout my coach had mapped out for me on Saturday.

We started at 8:30 at Conoco (I actually roped Liesl into joining!)  The skies were slightly overcast with the promise of sun later, temps in the high 30’s!!!   I threw on my Newton shoes and we made our way up Roney Road, over Dinosaur Ridge and up to the amphitheater in Red Rocks. 

The Red Rock Crew

That was just the warm up….Then the fun began.  Next we had 10 sets on the infamous stairs!!!!!  What a blast!  Really, it was!  It’s one of those “hurts so good” kinda feelings.  Yah know, where your pushing yourself, and your lungs are exploding, and your legs are crying….Yeah, it was that kinda blast.

That’s how we spent the next 50 minutes…up and down the stairs!  I love going to Red Rocks.  The view is so spectacular and there are all these other people who are purposefully inflicting excruciating pain on themselves also!  I mean, where else could you find so many different people working so hard to get fit????? 

All done and taking in the view

We celebrated at the top with a picture and then refilled our water bottles and headed back down into the town of Morrison and to our cars.  It was truly a splendid way to spend the morning.  And it was a phenomenal workout!  I feel as if my legs are 10 times stronger already!  I highly recommend this workout for anyone who wants to build strength (and character).

Sunday rounded out the weekend with a 3 hour Computrainer course.  We rode the Ironman Australia course.  That course has a kick butt climb right off the start….

All in all, another great training weekend, with some time outside in the sun and sore legs in the end.  What more could an Ironman want??????

Yesterday was my birthday….yeap another one. 

 I am officially over 50!  Holy Cra%…How in the heck did that happen????  Wasn’t it just yesterday I was 35??????  I can’t believe it…..Time does fly, especially when you’re having fun!!!!

Every year I’ve looked at my birthdays as the one day out of the year where I can make it all about me (not that I don’t on other occasions…but I’m working on that).  There was only one problem yesterday.  This was my first birthday in 51 years where my Dad didn’t sing me happy birthday.  That made for a bit of a sad day.   It was my birthday and an occasion for celebration, but I really spent a lot of time crying when I was alone……And that was ok.  I needed to do that…….grieving can be like that…it just comes and then it’s gone.

So of course, with a birthday, it brings an opportunity to pause.  Pause and take stock of my life and where I’m at, and where I’m going.  At the beginning of the year I wrote a post about New Years Intentions.   With all that occurred in January I never made the time to write myself a mission statement.  I figure now is a good time to do that as I embark on my next year of being on this earth.

Even though yesterday was a tough day, I must thank all my friends who reached out to me and wished me a happy birthday.  Each time I got a message it lifted my spirits and put a smile on my face.  It made me feel cared for and comforted. 

Today is a new day.  I feel GREAT and happy and joyful and thankful to be 51!  I think I needed those tears yesterday to wash away some of the sorrow. 

The sun is out and tomorrow will bring a TOUGH strength run!  It will be nice to run outdoors!  It’s been a few weeks.  I’ll make sure to take pictures and blog about it!  Should be a dooozzzyyyy….

I hope everyone enjoys the weekend and gets out in the sun!

Where'd It Go

On tap for Saturday was a run from the Conoco Station, over Dinosaur Ridge, into Red Rocks and up to the Amphitheater for the Boot Camp that goes on there, and then run back through the town of Morrison to the car. 

I had two friends who were going to join me.  One called the night before to cancel (problems with her knee).  Ok…no problem, I still have one person to suffer with me…..

Well Saturday morning rolls around and my alarm clock goes off at 6 am and all I want to do is stay in bed.  I’m sleepy and don’t want to get out from under the warm covers.  But I do, and make some tea, eat some breakfast and call my friend to check in. 

Yeap, we’re still on track to meet at 8:15.  Only thing is I’m already not “feelin” the mojo to do my workout as it’s written.  But then….I start to feel guilty about wanting to changing it!  I mull this around in  my head a bit.  A few minutes later I get a phone call…my friend can’t make it because her dog just had a seizure.  No problem, I totally understand!

Where'd My Mojo Go?

 But then, I’m left with a dilemma.  I absolutely don’t want to workout!  I don’t want to leave the house.  I don’t want to run.  I don’t want to go to the friggin Boot Camp at Red Rocks.  So….Where’d my Mojo Go???? 

I have to admit this was tough.  To get myself out the door was a struggle.  I told myself I would go to Green Mountain and run the trails there.  OK- I was feeling a bit more motivated for that.  This was enough to get me into my car and driving to Green Mountain.  As I passed Green Mountain (which happens to be on the way to the Conoco Station) I saw that the trails were covered in snow……guess it was going to be the Conoco Station!!

I made it to the station, got my stuff out and ready, (still not feelin’ it) and right before I started running I got a call from my friend saying she was still going to join me!  What sweet music to my ears!!!!  I began an out and back run and 30 minutes later I was back at the car and we were off together headed into the hills of Red Rocks. 

 We made it up to the Amphitheater and found out the class was canceled due to the snow.  We did an obligatory lap on the icy stairs and headed back down to the car.  We had a good time, worked the hills hard and enjoyed the downhill back to town.

Now here’s the thing I was contemplating.  It’s hard to stay motivated and keep my “mojo” sometimes when I’m training by myself.   Just knowing I’m  going to meet someone helps get me out the door, even if I’m a bit tired.  Saturday- I didn’t have that someone, and it was tough!  It can be downright tough sometimes to WANT to go train! 

I know when training for an Ironman, EVERY workout counts!  I can’t afford to cut them short or blow them off.  It WILL make a difference 6 months from now when I’m cranking out a 140.6 miles. Thinking this is one way that gets me out the door.  Another way that helps is to just start.  Just start running, biking or swimming for 10 minutes or whatever- and somehow it’s ok…..Telling myself I was going to run at Green Mountain really helped get me out the door Saturday.  Not that I was psyched about it…but it helped. 

Making plans with friends is the best way to make sure I show up for a workout…but when that falls through…and the MOJO is just plain gone…..it’s good to try and come up with ways to get out the door anyway.  Caz even if I can’t find it before I leave the house, chances are high that I will find it once I’ve started!!!!!!

There It Is!