A totally jacked up visualization

-But before I get to that….

Last week we were welcomed home from Oklahoma to a ton of snow! Snow is fun, despite being frozen and a pain in the rear. The Hubs decided to dust off the old snow board and give it a whirl. I gave it a shot, wearing my Uggs and sweat pants, hardly snowboarding gear. I fell. I got a neck injury. Seriously, I gave myself whip lash. I am finally feeling much better and am only reminded of it when I take the last drink from my water bottle, tilting my head ALLLLLLL the way back. So, would you like to see the aforementioned snow boarding accident? Of course you would. It is humiliating. I love how The Hubs laughs as my skull cracks on the ground.

Me and my MAD BOARDING SKILZ. Look out Shaun White-I may just come flying down the pipe, out of control and run you over…

I have decided that I really need to focus on these 15 pounds I have gained since August. Yuck. How did this happen with TWO marathons between then and now? I’ll tell you, marathon training makes me HUNGRY. So I will be combing blogs and literature for some good ideas on high protein and adequate carbohydrate diets, and I don’t mean diet as in I am on a diet, I mean diet as in a healthy diet…not the verb but the noun. Let me repeat, I AM NOT ON A DIET. I don’t diet. I hate it. I am trying to find a healthy eating plan that will work to fuel my body and muscles and allow me to lean up.

Today’s workout was cra-Z! I hit up the gym and ran a mile warm up before my weight lifting. I ran it pretty fast, I felt so good. I haven’t been running much. I miss it. I am ready to be back into training after almost an entire month off! I had a few random runs here and there in December but not many.

I did my weights and then headed back to treadmill for my speed work. This is the first time I have done real speed work on the mill. The track was occupied by a bunch of uniformed dudes hauling a huge log, around and around and around…in formation. I wasn’t going to fit on that track. I programmed the treadmill and dove in to my 6x400 yards at 5k pace (each fast one followed by a slower one). I did the first 400 slow (10/mile pace) and then jumped it up to 8:00/mile pace for the next three sprint 400’s. My next two I bumped up a bit and were at a 7:52/mile pace and my final one at 6:42/mile pace. I finished the workout with 3 miles, 4 counting my earlier warm up mile.

Oh, it was not over yet…I headed to the pool to get in another swim. At 1/2 mile I was kind of bored and ready to quit but then The Hubs showed up (he’s doing the sprint tri the same weekend as my half iron) so I decided to do another 1/2 mile. I ended up with a mile total.

I have a lot of work to do to be prepared for this half iron man. I feel confident that the 13.1 will be ok. Although today I went into a daydream, never too early to start positive visualization. Let’s just say it was nowhere near the glittering dream of Vegas I had (don’t remember THAT visualization? Check it out HERE). I was imagining myself getting off the bike, racking it and heading toward the shoot to the run portion…upon closer inspection of my own face (in my brain’s eye view) my mascara was running down my cheeks, I was a bawling mess…I was saying something along the lines of “WHy!? Whhhhhhhy? I just want to be done.” And I vividly recall thinking that 13.1 miles seemed like an ultra marathon at that point.

So what did I learn from my visualization today? Wear waterproof mascara.

Ok, ok….and train hard so that I don’t feel THAT way as I begin the last portion of the race.

Happy Friday!

57 Things Thursday….

Nahh, just kidding. I don’t think I have 57 things to share, but maybe?

1) Today I passed my NCE (National Counselor Exam)!! Hallelujah! This is a big deal!! I have been putting this thing off for a while then when I finally registered for it I ended up rescheduling it. Then on the rescheduled date it got cancelled because of snow and ice. So this has been hanging over my head like a stupid anvil for WAY too long and today I passed!

2). I am drowning in a sea of wild training plans!! Holy moly! Half Iron training is ridiculous! I work on my plan then have to start over. Part of the problem is that I have a half marathon in March. I would like to do well, like PR (<1:55). But I don’t think I have the time to commit to that sort of PR training with all the swimming and biking that I must do as well. So I am trying to finagle it so that I can do my 5 or 6 days a week of running and speed work plus the bike/swim. But I know this could be trouble. Over training and injury are serious possibilities right now. I don’t want to risk that.

3). With my test being today I took the day off from training. Oh wait, no I didn’t. I spent 15 min sitting on my bike in the door way practicing putting my feet in and taking them out of my clip-in peddles. Oh man, what a work out. I was sweating like a hog. Ok, total exaggeration, I didn’t even get winded.

4). The shake weight rocks. No really. Dec. 29th was my friend Christina’s birthday. So naturally when she came over on New Year’s Eve I had to present her with a birthday present and this is what she got:

It is a strange piece of equipment and kind of weird and humiliating to purchase, but lemme tell you…OUCH! I did it for one minute and my arms were burning. I am considering getting one for myself!

5). Passing a HUGE exam compelled The Hubs to make dinner!! Score!

6). Swimming makes my skin itchy and tight.

7). My hair is always, ALWAYS greasy! What is up with that? I try to not wash it so often but it just gets worse and worse. I washed it after my swim on Tuesday and today, it looks like a stinking grease ball. What helps this stupid problem? What can be done!?

8). The names for my beautiful bike are entertaining. I thought of a name today that I really, reallllly like. I hope someone suggests it so they can win! But that doesn’t mean I wont like one of the suggested names better. Want a chance to win some Yurbuds or a 50% off coupon to Optic Nerve? Click HERE and help me name my bike!

Not quite 57 things, what do you have to randomly share on this fine Thursday?

Swim: Check. Bike: Check. Repeat a jillion more times.

I’ve gotten some pretty amazing name suggestions so far…not to burst any bubbles but I’m not sure I am feeling a winner just yet so keep them coming! Not sure what I am talking about? Check it out HERE.

A few months ago, like before Portland, Adam from Yurbuds contacted me, almost like he heard my distress call, read my mind. He asked me if I was interested in giving Yurbuds a try. Um, is rain wet? YES. No brainer. Ear phones and me have a bad history. We don’t get along. I have tried all sorts: the over the ear type works ok but I don’t get a good sound from them, ear buds fall out unless I am sitting perfectly still, and other kinds are just awkward, bulky or stupid.

So, he sent me the coupon code, I logged on and ordered my first pair of Yurbuds. I was a bit skeptical. Aren’t we all at times? Within a few minutes someone emailed me and asked for some pictures of my ears with either a regular ear bud in them or a quarter held up to the ear (they give you specific directions). Me being, well…me, I sent them like 4 pictures of me doing what was needed. Within a week my custom fit Yurbuds showed up!!

I couldn’t wait to give them a spin! So I didn’t wait! I wore them out for the first time in the pouring PNW rain. I was sure they would get wet and slip out or short out (like all my others) but NOPE. They held fast and stayed in place and the sound!!! Oh the sound was awesome! It was like I was sitting front row of a concert, that loud and clear.

So here is a pic of me using them back in August. This particular day was HOT. And sure enough, with all my ear sweat (I know, sick) they did not slip and slide out. They stayed put!

I really don’t have anything negative to say about them. You can imagine my horror when, on the morning of the Portland marathon I pulled my iPod and headphones out and put them on only to find that one of the small, blue silicone pieces that fit over the ear bud was missing (so be aware that they can come off, I suspect mine had something to do with a certain 5 year old, not naming any names though). I was devastated. I knew my ear bud would not stay put with out it. I can’t stand listening to music in one ear. It makes me feel off balance. So, this was one of many things that contributed to my mentally challenging marathon. In the end it didn’t matter because my iPod died at mile THREE anyway. Stupid.

But, it didn’t take me long to order a second pair! So that should tell you something. I like it so much I had to replace it!

Why am I telling you all this? Simple, I’m giving you an opportunity to get a free pair!! Just help me name my bike! She’s a beaute! Stop by the Yurbuds website HERE and then head over to my post HERE and give me some name ideas….really that simple!

And now, for the workout portion of this blog…oh yeah. I have to work out? I guess. A half iron man doesn’t complete itself. Sheesh.

Tuesday I swam a mile just to make sure I could. I can. But I have to swim 1.2 miles in the half iron. I could have gone further but time did not permit. I was able to do it in about 50 min. I need a good waterproof watch for timing and laps. Any suggestions ??

This morning I headed out with The Hubs on a small bike ride. We went 7.66 miles in 28 minutes. A far cry from 56 miles but it is a start. I felt smoked! My legs were TIRED! I think as we were flying on the roadside I yelled something along the lines of, “I’m going to have a killer body when this is all said and done!!” And you better believe it BETTER be true! Holy smokes you guys!

I am super excited to progress in the training and see what my body can do. I need to figure out nutrition and trim off a few pounds (the ones that came on after Portland). So the journey starts here. I’m stressed just thinking about it. Time for a bowl of ice cream. Wait, that doesn’t quite fit into my nutrition and slimming and trimming plan….time for some protein.

I’m a Big Girl Now…

So, the madness has begun. I am looking for a pool. I don’t think the bathtub is a good place to train for a half iron. Or maybe it is….

There are three gyms with indoor pools (that I am aware of) in this sorry excuse of a town (sorry to anyone who is emotionally attached to Fay-Town). With a population of 198,061 I find this utterly ridiculous, mainly because there are maybe twice that many gyms in the town. Ok, well there are more because there are 13 gyms on the Army Post. But ONE of those gyms has a pool that is open and functioning. The other two pools in town are ok. One is in a gym that cost $58 a month and is about a half hour drive with no traffic from home. Oh it sure makes me miss my YMCA that was 3 min in RUSH HOUR away from my T-Town home. The third and final pool in town is at a YMCA and it is small but wet so I can’t complain. It is also a hike away. I am quickly realizing that the swim portion of my training is going to be the most challenging. I love swimming and consider it my second strong suit after running. The bike is my weakness-more on that in a minute. But I have to be able to train. Luckily this week is dedicated to getting my training lined out.

And finally, a Big Girl Tri calls for a Big Girl Bike. The Hubs surprised me with a new tri bike! Isn’t she beautiful????

He is so proud. It’s cute. He even signed up to do the sprint tri the following day.

The aero bars are amazing! The ride is smooth as butter! Oh man she handles like none other! I love her….The clip in peddles, well I need some practice for sure! We don’t quite get along just yet but they will earn who is boss, gravity me.

LB tried to help me out this evening. And don’t worry, this blog wont become all about tris. I still love running! I never have my running shoes too far away, see?

And now, my Tri Bike needs a name. Suggestions welcome! Actually, let’s make this a competish! Throw some names out there, no limit to the number of suggestions, give as many as you want. And I will chose a name by Jan. 15th. The winner can chose between some free Yurbuds (HERE) or 50% off coupon from Optic Nerve (HERE)! So go ahead, name my ride!! Spread the word or not, what ev. I just want a good name…So pretty much, I will pick whatever name suits my fancy and if I don’t like any of them then we will extend it or I’ll name her myself. It’s my bike, my blog, my party: I’ll cry if I want to.

All righty then…

Happy New Year everyone!

Do you have your goals and resolutions done? Are you ready to conquer them? To tackle them? Take the bull by the proverbial horns?

I accomplished a lot in 2010 that I am very proud of. I pushed myself for half marathon PR in March and then again in June. I broke the 2 hour mark on my birthday in the hilly and difficult Mercer Island Half with a 1:56.09. The feeling was indescribable and Mel-Tall Mom was there to give me a hug and share the moment. I will remember that always. I still get teary eyed thinking about it. From that day forth something had changed, I was a girl who could instead of a girl who wished she could. From that race I went on to do the OKC full marathon where I did the first half in 2:00 hours flat and finished with a 4:09. A week later I ran the Tacoma City half in 2:00 hours.

I ran my bootie off and got a 12k PR with 1:08.43 on the hilliest and most difficult course in the history of ever. Then, in June I ran to another half marathon PR in the Seattle Rock n Roll with a 1:55.33. I felt like I was running on the clouds. I was light as a feather. My feet had wings. In August I completed my third sprint triathlon with another PR of 1:34.43. And finally, in December I claimed a 5k PR with 25:46.

With 3 full marathons, one Million Inch (+++) run, 6 half marathons, one 4 miler, one 5k and one sprint tri I would say 2010 was a good year. I may not have hit the 1000 miles I was hoping for, which is a bummer (came in with 900.43), but I know the circumstances I faced and feel my 2010 list is awesome.

BUT… I can’t help but feel like something is missing in my list. So tonight I did something about that hole…

I registered for the my first Half Iron Man- the White Lake Half Iron II on May 14th.

That’s right folks, my 18 week training officially starts a week from tomorrow. I am nervous, scared, worried and EXCITED! I welcome the challenge of swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 miles and finishing it off with a 13.1 run. No biggie, right? Can’t be worse than Portland Marathon was, right? Um, don’t think so. Nothing will be as bad as that! So join me in the next five months as I attempt to tackle the Half Iron Man. AND you know after that there is only one more thing to do….a FULL Iron Man and if your gonna do that you MUST do it in Hawaii. But lets not get ahead of ourselves here…first things first. Learn to swim.

And now for a year in review of favorite pictures and memories (there are so many more but I can’t put them all up on this one post, I’m sure you understand):

Mel, holding me up after running One Million Inches and not a step further…ok, I walked a few extra inches…

The Million Inch Crew

RED…..I don’t even have the words to express adequately what I want to say. Thank you for being there and for being YOU.

AN the RB! I miss our running dates…the epitome of running partners right here…

Me and my amazing BIG sister…

LB and me

Me, Sarah and RED

Not a running pick but this is the day The Hubs returned from Afghanistan and surprised LB at preschool. I will never forget the reaction of LB, “WHAT?! What! My DAD is here?” and he leapt from the top of a climbing toy and ran to his dad...

Me and my Official Race Crew at the Super Jock and Jill 4 miler

My new NC Running Peeps, Me, Jessica and Christina!! So glad to have them! Bring on 2011!

So, here’s to 2011!!!

ACK!

Now Christmas is over and there is one more hurdle…New Year’s.

I love the holidays but man, fudge, cookies, other good food and lots of sitting around are making me feel ICKY!  You know, like I am weighed down, kind of like this:

 

Good thing my friend KATIE is in town from WA to visit ME (ok, not really me. There may be a boyfriend with family in this town involved but I am going to pretend she came here to visit me). We have plans for a nice mid-distance run tomorrow-her birthday! I am so excited!

I am ready to settle in to my non-holiday schedule and lose 10 pounds get back to a routine of running and working out. I have been researching Bike Trainers so I can bring my bike inside and ride to my hearts content. So far I have narrowed it down to a CycleOps Fluid 2 Trainer or Kurt Kenetic. If you have any advice or suggestions I am all ears! I just need to get some riding in if I want to do a Half Ironman this summer, and I DO want to…

How was your Christmas? LB had “the best Christmas ever”! I hope you all did too!

I will be working on my New Year’s Goals this week! Are you working on yours?

Faster than a speeding bullet…

For as long as I can remember Christmas on the farm has involved guns. This Christmas is no different. LB even got to shoot his first real gun.

I got to shoot my new revolver (hope you guys aren’t put out by guns. But I think the 2nd Amendment  is pretty awesome and important). 

Even my dad got in on the fun:

And on a running note, my old High School finally got a real track! I had to go check it out!

All through my HS years we ran around the football field on the grass.  The grass was long and thick, green or brown. We dodged holes and made due with it. Going to track meets was a big deal because we actually got to run on a real track! Our times were always way better at meets.  And now seeing the new track made me want to be in high school again. Made me want a second chance. It actually made me wish I had track practice…I hope the kids realize how lucky they are to have such an awesome track!

Isn’t it a beaute!?

LB took it for a spin and gave it a thumbs up! Maybe I’ll get to get in a good speed workout before we head back East.

Well, back to enjoying some QT with the fam!!

It’s not you, it’s me…

I know, I know…we’ve all heard it before, from our high school sweetheart, our college love…but it’s true.

Dearest Running,

I still, er…love you. I just need a break. It’s not you, it’s me.  We have spent so much time together over the last year. And I cherish that time. Actually you have done so much to shape me, you have allowed me to change me. But right now, I need a break. I mean, I still want you to be a part of my life, but Christmas is here. I have family to spend time with and lets not ignore that fact that is is stinking FREEZING outside. For crying out loud! You just don’t get it do you?! It is cold! I don’t like it when my snot freezes to my upper lip and my slobber flies out and makes tiny icecicles that if the wind catches them just right, they WILL poke my eye out!

Last weekend during our 5k I had a blast! It was awesome! Then on Monday my calves were like, on fire! So I know I need you. I don’t intend for this break to last more than a week, really. Honestly, I brought my running shoes and my winter running gear to Oklahoma . I just don’t want to have to explain myself to you when I chose to hang inside with the fam, by the fire, in my PJ’s instead of running those red dirt roads. AH! And my high school finally got a brand new track! I would love to give that a spin!  I’m not gonna lie, that sounds really nice. Maybe just one run…ok, I’m sorry. I am being wishy washy. That’s not fair.

Well, maybe we aren’t taking a break after all. I’m sorry. I could never leave you. I just started feeling guilty and sometimes breaking up is easier than dealing with the guilt.  So, let’s make up.

Love,

5 Miles 2 Empty

 

And if you need some info about Treadmill Running and Cold Weather Running I got these articles this morning from Active.com. Good reads!!