It’s been interesting. 

Since Ironman Florida I feel as if I have been sitting on a beach sipping Mai Tais.  What I mean by that is my internal fire to train has been fleeting if non-existent. 

I’ve been feeling a bit jealous of those who did late season Ironmans and are cranking right along already!  Granted, some of them have early season IMs on the horizon.

Me, not so much!  I am doing some workouts, not doing others…..and usually it’s in lieu of hanging out and being social!  With the holidays and my upcoming trip (I leave today) to Guatemala, I get on a roll and then….choose to be social over a training session. 

I got some perspective on that the other day.  It was like- BAM! - one of those moments of clarity.  I realized that in the last 3 years I never had time to be social unless it was on a bike ride.  With training for two Ironmans, my Dad being ill, and my having that dang Adrenal Fatigue, I spent a lot of time Not socializing.  And now, it’s like I found this new inner social diva who is just screaming to be out and enjoying  friends!  (Tri and non-tri friends).

So what’s a  triathlete to do????? 

I’ve decided to give myself a break and not beat myself up.  It’s still only January and my “A” race isn’t until September. 

I’m going to allow myself to have fun and enjoy my time in Guatemala, while I visit friends and study Spanish.  I am actually looking forward to hitting the gym every morning while I’m there.  I can’t wait to see my little old lady friends who walk on the treadmill every morning.  It’s been a long time!   Hitting the gym early in the morning is something I’m really looking forward to, as 5am in the city of Antigua is a magical time.

I’m hoping when I get back, my internal fire will be stoked again and raging.  I love to train and for the past few months, I have loved being social.  In talking with my coach, we discussed finding more of a balance this season and making sure I keep my social calendar active rather than non-existent.  It is about the word…balance isn’t it?

So what IS a Triathlete to do???    Well enjoy the break then….

Swim- Bike- Run of course

I get asked this question  all the time by non-triathletes….”What do you do for fun?” 

I have sometimes stopped to think about this, trying to come up with something other than swimming, biking and running that I do for fun, and nothing ever comes to my mind.  I mean, I work, maybe see a movie once a year (not including inflight movies while traveling to a race),  and go out to dinner with friends (which is usually following a training session). 

So the answer I consistently come up with is “I swim, bike and run.”   To me this IS fun!  I love swimming, biking and running.  This is also fun because  I can usually do these things with a friend or friends!  I mean, this is my fun!  This is what I love to do!

I sometimes will feel a bit unbalanced or think that I should be doing other things for fun.  The fact of the matter though, is as an Ironman triathlete….most of my free time is spent swimming, biking and running.  Fortunately, since I enjoy all three sports, I think of this as FUN.

There are other benefits to having fun with triathlon…..some of which I experienced this weekend.  I took Friday morning off  work to  get my long run in so I would have some free time over the weekend.  Read more and tell me if this doesn’t sound like fun! 

Friday night I was invited through the organization GOTRIbal  (check em out and join!) to a sit down dinner with Chrissie Wellington and 7 other GOTRIbal members!

Chrissie and GOTRIbal members

 To say the evening was amazing is an understatement. When Chrissie walked into the room, my knees got weak and I was so nervous.  Here I was in the presence of one of the most gracious and humble human beings I have ever met, and a three-time World Champion!

The evening discussion focused on empowering ourselves and other women through the sport of triathlon.  Chrissie shared with us her humble beginnings (you wouldn’t believe her experience at her first Ironman, which was Kona) and she shared her passion for serving.  There was no talk about training or nutrition strategies…it was just an evening for the girls to hang out and chat.

We all shared with Chrissie and each other, what motivates and empowers us.  Not only was meeting Chrissie an absolute blessing, but the women who attended where phenomenal.  I am so grateful I was able to meet such wonderful “age-groupers” as well.  As the evening wrapped up I found myself wishing for more time.  Three hours seemed to go by like nothing… And then we were going our separate ways.

Saturday 4:30 am came quickly (I was out way past my bedtime) and I was off to Boulder to volunteer with my TriBella mates. 

TriBella at the turn around point on the run

 We were all there ready to cheer on  the women as they came to the turn around point on the 5k run.  I must say, following the previous night, being out on that course and seeing 500 women, racing their hearts out, just made me fall in love with triathlon even more! Every woman who passed and slapped our hands as we cheered them on, has a story.  A story of the triathlon start and journey.  The energy these women had was absolutely through the roof!!!!

TriBella Cheering Section

USA Pro Cycling Challenge Start

 As the cyclist rode by the crowds roar was deafening!  I’ve never heard so many cowbells in my life.  The place was just on fire!  Seriously, everyone was so amped and excited!  The energy was amazing!

Back into Golden before climbing Lookout Mt

As the cyclist rode up Lookout Mt we headed into the park to watch the live coverage on a humongous screen.  Watching them race up the mountain and knowing exactly where they were just made me want to get up and ride!  As they crested Lookout we headed over to where they cyclist would be returning to Golden for the last time before heading to Denver. Once they rode on by, we headed back to the park for the remainder of the race. 

One last time through Golden

 This was by far one of the best weekends I’ve ever had!  I have had to pinch myself that I actually experienced such an amazing three days!  Now I know I didn’t do a ton of training (except for the 18 mile run on Friday morning)….but you get the idea.  These experiences where all possible because I do swim, bike and run.  I was able to enjoy these  because I LOVE to triathlon!  Because I do  swim, bike, and run for FUN!!!!  I get to be a part of this wonderful thing called triathlon and it gives me great joy to do so.

And…my quesiton to you is: What do you do for FUN?

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I’ve been a bit MIA for the past two weeks.  And with good reason. 

You see….I was doing a different type of training.  I was training my brain!  Last week on July 15th I took the National Counselors Exam, which would allow me to get my license here in Colorado. 

"just one more hour"

This meant for the past 6 weeks, I have been working, Ironman training AND studying!  I had no time for anything else.  Those three things took all of my awake time hours.  ( and even some sleep hours).  And as the exam date got closer I tended to spend more time studying.

The week of the exam my coach was kind enough to plan for a big recovery week for me.  I actually had 3 days off  during the week  including the day of the test.  I have not crammed so hard since way back in the day!  (No more all nighters this time though).

So it’s with much pleasure and relief that I can announce that I PASSED the exam!!!!!

The exam is behind me…never a need to take it again!  Hallelujah !  It’s back to Ironman training and having a social life!    And did I mention that the Saturday after the exam, and after my workouts…I spent the entire afternoon, lying on my couch, watching shows on Hulu…..and I enjoyed ever minute of it!

This weekend I ventured into the relm of Olympic distance triathlon.  Double the distance of the sprint I did two weeks ago.  To say I was nervous is an bit of an understatement.  It seems on my road back to being a triathlete I have lost some of the confidence I had before the dreaded Adrenal Fatigue.  I go into each event wondering….will I have it in me? 

Now this is my third time doing Lake to Lake so I knew what I was getting myself into.  I knew the swim seems hella long, and the bike course has some kick butt hills.  The run is nice a flat and I was hoping I could pull it off.  I actually wondered if I would be able to cycle up some of the bigger hills on the bike course..with visions of having to walk. 

I got up early on Sat and headed to the race with my friend Stacey.  I had the best time in transition chatting with friends and making new ones.  Race time came and down to the water I went.  I warmed up for a bit and then it was our turn (as the announcer put it “time for the old folks”). 

I must say the swim went great.  For some reason, and I don’t want to tempt the swim gods here, but I have never had one of those crowded thrashy, mosh-pit type of swims in all the triathlons I’ve ever done.  I always seems to find my “piece of heaven” in all the mess and swim without a crowd around me.  And I’m not swimming off course either     

As I rounded the last buoy and headed back to shore I started to tell my self that my time on the swim would be 45 minutes.  I think I was doing this so I wouldn’t be disappointed if it actually was that long.  I was setting myself up so I wouldn’t be thinking what I failure I was…..and was I delighted when I looked down at my watch as I came out of the water and saw 31!  I was stoked!  “Not bad time” I said to myself.

Then it was onto the bike.  I was starving as I got out of transition and decided I needed to begin to fuel immediately.  I had a peanut butter clif bar which I promptly ate within the first few miles of the bike.  I knew I needed to get calories on board and the sooner I did eat the better chance I had of it not bothering me later on.  (I was right about this). 

 I rode and rode and rode and rode. The course is 30+miles and mostly climbing. 

As I approached the ”monster climb” I thought, ”self, just get on up it and take your time.  NO need to go anaerobic!”  And that is just what I did.  I cruised up it, keeping my heart rate at a decent level and pedaled on pass a few folks to boot!  And, I didn’t even come close to having to walk!!!!  I knew there was one more “big” hill and when I approached it, I felt confident and strong!  Again, I just cruised right up it! 

And then it was time for the descending dream!  I love descending.  For some reason I get all Mario Andretti and start acting like some kinda race car driver.  I LOVE banking the turns and getting all tucked and using my body to dance the corners.  What I lack in climbing I definitely make up for in the descent. 

I rolled back into transition after an hour and 40 something minutes (my slowest time on this bike course) and headed out for the run.  I was feeling strong, well hydrated and well nourished.  The run was fun and I never once struggled or wondered if I could make it.  I ran at a comfortably hard  pace and finished my race within the time I had “allowed” myself. 

The day was a good one for me!  I raced well, accomplished everything in a better time than I thought I might, and had a blast doing it!  Having raced Olympic distance it’s helped boost my confidence.  I am starting to believe in myself again and in my athletic abilities.   Next up is Barbs Race Long Course (half ironman).  That will be my next confidence booster  besides the next 2 weekends of 5+ hours  each of riding in the mountains 

Oh yeah… and did I mention that after the race and some food,  I got back home and went out for a 2 hr bike ride???  Yeah…it’s comin back…that Ironman fitness! YeeeHawww!

~

So aren’t there  those times when you just know?  You just know where you are and where you’re headed.

I had one of those moments Tuesday morning when I woke up.  I woke up to a hungry stomach.  As if I hadn’t eated in days kind hungry. 

And that’s when I knew! 

I just knew that I was on the road to becoming an second time Ironman!   Yeap after a REAL weekend of Ironman training and after eating all day Monday and still being hungry….Tuesday morning I just knew that I was officially in the throes of IM training!

The weekend consisted of my first open water session at the Gravel Pond.  And wouldn’t you know it!  It wasn’t one of those silky, first thing in the morning, kinda calm water but a windy-choppy water!  Seriously on the way back across, there where times when I felt like I was body surfing…for real! 

Angela braving the choppy waters with me!

Next I was off for a run around Chatfield Resivour.  I haven’t done this run in a few years and let’s just say…I made the run longer than it should have been  :-)   I know- around a resevior of all things.  The run was  blast though.  2+ hours of pure running bliss!  Even the hard 10 minute efforts were fun!  I was Ironman training! 

Sunday was the long bike with short run.  I met up with some of the TriBella babes and we headed out for a 60 mile bike.  Bine and I are doing IM Florida and Aimee is doing IM Arizona.  Needless to say I’m sure we will be clocking many miles together over the coming months! 

TriBella IM Babes!

We rode the Harvest Moon bike course out in Aurora.  This is one of my favorite rides.  Not because of some majestic views or anything.  I like it because of the difficulty of the ride.  There are parts that are flatish and parts that are these big ol rollers!  Great for some time on the TT bike!  Plus the lack of traffic way out there in Kansas (haha) makes it even more enjoyable!

After cruising through the bike  course we then hit the pavement for a quick 15 min transition run.  Running off the bike is kinda natural now.  I remember in IMCZ being incredibly surprised by how fresh my legs felt when I started the run.  I do chalk this up in part to a fabulous bike fit.  Because even now, I still feel really fresh on the run!

Monday rolled around and I rolled into work and spent most of the day eating as many healthy foods as I could possibly stuff into my mouth.  No matter what I ate or how much…I was hungry.  And believe it or not- I actually love that feeling of never feeling full.  It really signals that I am into some serious training again.  After months and months of pretty much nothing…I’m training hard, eating well, and always hungry! 

Yeap…you know you’re an Ironman when………

-

Right when you’re just getting goin……..bammmm….a cold gets ya!

Yeap, after the stellar week before of feeling like I was training like a real triathlete, I got the bug that’s been going around the office!  Dagnabit!  I fought it off for a few days….but it finally caught me!  

I don’t feel too bad though, as most people were out of work for a few days and all I had to do was back off on my workouts a bit.  That’s one of the benefits of being a healthy athlete!  We can fight off bugs better than the average person.  And then because we are mere mortals….we actually do get sick sometimes 

So the approach recommended by my coach was to not set my alarm, and if I woke up in time for my workout do it!  It not, don’t stress it.  I slept in until 6 the first day, 5:30 the next and 5:00 on the third day.  Well, since I had the excuse of being sick, I decided I should lie in bed a few more minutes and missed three days of workouts. 

Not to fear though….Saturday I was back with a vengeance!  Feeling awesome, rested and recovered, I entered into my run and then a swim.  Well, kinda a swim. I had another session at SwimLabs on Saturday.  Found out a few tidbits to continue to improve my swim abilities. 

I attacked Sunday with the same fervor and cranked out 2.5 hrs on my bike trainer.  After watching a cheesy chick-flick I finished the next hour with DVRed t.v. shows.  What did we ever do before DVRs???  ( I frequently ask the same thing about zip-lock plastic bags…but I’ll save that for another post).

After months of Adrenal Fatigue issues….a common cold was a piece of cake to get through.  It’s good to know my immune system is right on track and able to kick some cold bug butt!  And as for training….well BRING IT ON!!!!!  I am ready, willing and able!!!

In the mean time……

-

I never realized how much it would mean to me when I finally returned to actual TRAINING after these 6 months off.  

Granted I only took one full month off with absolutely NO exercise.  My prescription read….Get as much sleep as possible and NAP often!.  No kidding. That’s what my doc wrote down. 

Many people have asked….”well didn’t ya go crazy?” and the answer is “nope.” I was so exhausted all I could do was go to work and sleep!  I only took one month off and from there started to slowly incorporate “exercise” back into my weekly routine.  With my fabulous Coach Cary leading the way.

After 5 months of getting back into exercising…about one month ago I progressed into Training again.  I was training early mornings and afternoons.  Workouts were getting close to one hour long…..I was beginning my comeback!

Well this weekend just moved me into OFFICIAL TRAINING mode.  Over the weekend I trained for a total of 4 hrs.  I know, that may not seem like much…but not too long ago that’s all I exercised in a week!

This Saturday started with a Kick Butt 2 hour computrainer session at Peak To Peak Training Center.  Sweat and high(er) heart rates made my legs feel like mush.

After lunch with a friend…I was off to the pool for another hour of swimming!  And the cool part, my workout was a strength workout.  So lots of pulling and long sets!  It was all I could do to PULL myself out of the pool.

The evening was spent chilaxing and eating a healthy dinner….recovery and engergy for the next day!

Sunday morning came.  On my training schedule was a one hour run!!!! 

I know…seems kinda silly to get all excited for a one hour run…but when that’s the longest I’ve  run since a half mary at Boise 70.3 last June…..I was over the top excited to actually get the chance to run for a full hour. 

To me, that’s a sign that I am recovering from this darn  Adrenal Fatigue and on my way to this season.  I don’t know how many half hour runs I’ve churned out over the last 3-4months….but I can tell you…those were hell.  To only run for 30 minutes and knowing how good an hour plus run feels….that really was hell!

I am over the moon that I had a “real” training block this weekend.  I had a blast and I am feeling like a true athlete again. … Just remind me of this when I’m churning out 10+ hour training weekends this summer in prep for Ironman Florida…baby! 

I am absolutely positive that this past week I moved to Alaska with out knowing. 

The temps have been below freezing and even with my best effort to put on every single thing I own….I still could not make it out the door to do one bit of training outside.  I know…what a wimp.  But heh, I grew up in San Francisco, not Fargo!

After switching workouts around during Denver’s sub zero (that’s daytime temps) I did runs and bikes indoors and then waited to swim until it was at least 10 degrees at 5:00 in the morning. 

What I really can’t believe is that not even one week ago, I was outside riding my bike in 70 degree weather!  It wasn’t even February yet, and the temps were in the 70′s…..but wait, that’s right!  I live in Colorado where it’s common to hear the saying “if you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes.” 

This weekend it looks like temps might be in the 40s again. So I just might make it outside for a run.  It’s funny how your perception of cold can change.  10 degrees use to seem cold…but after days of below zero temps…40 will feel down right balmy.  So see ya all outdoors for a run this Sunday….

I'm out of the fog

No really.

I’m out of the fog I’ve been living in for the past 5 months!  And I can’t believe how great I feel.  I feel as if I am officially done with Adrenal Fatigue and have entered back into the realm of Triathlete!!!!

And today was a perfect example of that.  After a restful night of solid sleep I was up at 4:30 and headed to the gym for my swim workout.  I got there around 5:15 and shared the pool with two other triathletes.  Our printed out workouts wet and stuck to the side of the pool and all our gadgets for pulling, kicking, drilling were sitting on the edge just waiting to be used.   There is something about that early morning that only us triathletes truly appreciate.

After 40 minutes of swimming, drilling and more swimming I headed home and then to work.  And this is were the cool part comes in…..At lunch time I headed out for a 40 minute run!

Yeap,  I swam this morning and then did a lunch time run.  The crazy thing is it’s almost 70 degrees in Denver today so it was fabulous to be outside.  My office is a few blocks from City Park and boy were the runners out today.

I haven’t run outside in awhile…It’s been mostly really short treadmill runs.  So today, being outside reminded my of the many many miles I have covered in the last few years.  It also reminded me that I AM a triathlete and  will be competing again this coming year.  I am back on the training routine and boy does it feel great!

I am excited to start blogging again too.  I feel that as the end of this year draws near I am forward focused on what awaits me in 2011.  I feel as if I have some life in me again and have something to contribute besides the fog and dusk I have been living in.

Here’s to today being my first day back to joining the ranks of my fellow triathletes!!!!!

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.