More Running

Running, running, and more running!  It has been so much fun.  I am loving the adventure, the camaraderie, and  the work!

 (insert random Isla picture for good measure :)

It has mostly been going very well, but I am having the off workout as well.  Today I had a slug fest of a workout that did not go anywhere near to plan.  I had scheduled another fast finish long run (warm up miles, marathon paced miles, last few miles as hard as I can go).  I nailed this run a few weeks ago.  Today I just suffered in the heat and had to reconfigure my run when I realized there was no way I could do faster miles when I was not able to hold marathon pace without frequent stops for water, calming down nausea, and shaking out cramps.  I wondered how in the world I ever completed super hot half ironman and ironman distance successfully!  I am hoping for a break in the weather in less than 50 days.  That may be too much to ask, and if it is hot for the marathon...well, that is what I get for signing up for one early in the fall.  I know better!

But what I love is the the older and wiser me just views today's run as "practice."  It was an opportunity to do a big run, and while I didn't nail it, I did get a lot out of it....if nothing else, 17 miles.  I didn't truly hit my planned paces, but I don't view that as failure.  It was just a chance to practice for my marathon, and I will have more opportunities to practice.  Training really does equal practice in our sport.  We are practicing to get better and improve performance.  The training is not the end to the process, it is simply just an opportunity.  So whether a session is spot on or way off, I think it is good to see it as just another chance to practice our craft. 

More fun with Isla...start them young at the pool table and they will forever hold their own in the college bar.  :)

The rest of the weekend has looked like normal....aka...CRAZY!  I did a bike ride on Saturday where my pedal broke off.  I had suspected something was wrong, but was "too busy" to get it to the shop.  Thankfully my teammate pushed me up the hills while I one-legged pedaled back to the city.  That was quite the workout for my right leg.

Then it was baby shower time with my "back row girls" from PT school.  I just love these friends so much. 

And....then more running, more time with family, and more activities with my non-stop 2-year-old.  I HEART the weekend!!!!

Mighty Mite RR

Another little race happened.  The competition was quite good for a small local race.  My lead up to this race seemed okay.  I feel on the up and up with training and life balance in general, and that is great.

One process I am going through currently is building into the athlete I am now and I am going to be rather than looking behind at who I was.  It is tempting to compare my former self to my current racing.  I was faster, stronger, and more competitive a few years ago.  But, if I keep holding on the idea that I want to get back to that, it is preventing me from developing and growing in new ways.  I have had several coaches talk to me about this in the past 2 years.  They have all said I have to learn to work on going forward with the new me and new body instead of trying to get back to a former self.  I will never be that athlete again, but it doesn't mean I can't be a good or better athlete in the future.  But, I truly have to stop looking back to move forward.  I still struggle with this at races, and it is an interesting part of my development right now.  The good news is, I finally get it.  It took a little pounding into my brain, but I get it. 

 Enell Sports Bra, Wattie Ink Race Kit, Powerbar nutrition, ISM Adamo Road- perfect race set up

I really struggled in this race from the swim on.  I completely understand why.  My swim and bike miles are very low, so even though I am running well, I am certainly not going to even post a good run off of the bike when my SB fitness is low.  The good news is I am having some good cycling sessions in training when I do get on my bike.  I just don't have enough miles and rides in the legs for racing.  My swimming is not terrible when I do get to swim, but I have stopped going to master's so I can marathon train, and I just don't have the yards to set up my day.  I am making choices that require trade offs, and that is okay.  I still find myself comparing my race to the competitors that finished in front of me, and I have to really back off and remind myself that they are training a lot and there should be no comparison.

So, yes...it was just a slow struggle from the swim to the bike to the run.  There was no part of the day where I felt on or strong.  But, one very positive part of the day was that my bike position is finally dialed in.  After a 3 year struggle with position, I think I have it.  YES!!!!!

 I love my mtn bike guys that show up to the triathlon on their cross bikes and still crush the bike course. 

The very best part of the day was my very favorite ride of the year....the ride back to T1.  I make the guys pull me the whole way (hee hee!).  I rode the course many minutes faster back than I did in the actual race, which is fun.  Waiting for me at T1 is a nice, cold beer.  And really, the post race ride and beer with friends is the best part of racing.  I was just so happy being on my bike with my buddies. 

So AG Nats is definitely out.  I am just not triathlon fit.  Yes, my baby is 2 and I am not race fit.  I would feel like a loser compared to all of the amazing mothers that are going to Kona and blah blah, but honestly I feel like I am very normal, and we need more normal people blogging.  I am just working to move forward with my journey which has seems to have a different time line.

So, on to the marathon.  8 weeks.....

My Yearly 5k

I ran my yearly 5k this past weekend at the RRS.  I don't think it really deserves a race report....I mean, what really happens in 3.14 miles?  I did dump a ton of water on my head as it was unreal hot.  Yes, 5ks in July are miserable. Who knew?  I felt like I was running through mud.

My time was okay-ish.  I think know I am in shape to run much faster than what I posted.  But, it just wasn't my day to feel great, so I battled it out and was at least 1+ minute faster this year than last year on this course, so I'll take it.  and***Super thanks to Enell Bras for keeping the girls secure and happy during this 5k!

There is another 5k in 2 weeks on the same course, and I didn't plan on running it initially.  My new plan is to run it only if the weather is a bit better than it was this past weekend.  If it is a million degrees again, I just don't see the benefit to that sort of race struggle.  I think I have more than paid my dues in overly hot races, and I have suffered the price as well a few times.  Overall, I am keeping the big picture in mind:  marathon training first, little races second. 

This weekend I will race Mighty Mite and enjoy one more local triathlon before they disappear for the year.  Training wise, I am being a little cautious as racing is starting to sandwich my training a bit, and I don't want to be burnt out or flat when August rolls around.  I am still keeping a track workout, tempo run, and long run in the mix, but I am cutting down intervals and tempo miles if I have weekend races (or just taking the session out if I am seeing too many hard effort days in my week).  I don't want that crash and burn of racing well for a few weeks and then falling flat right when I need to be building my marathon miles.  Of course, I have done that before!  That is why I know I don't want to do it again :)

Training Check In

I am finally getting fit-ish.  I am seeing progress in some areas, holding firm in others, and not going forward in others.  But, overall I feel like everything is very much going in the direction I want.

I am 9.5 weeks out from my marathon.  I have a 5k and a sprint tri the next two weekends to keep things light and fun, but overall my days are becoming more run focused.

But not TOO run focused, much to the chagrin of my running buddies.  I know they roll their eyes behind my back because I am keeping 2 bikes and 2 swims in my schedule.  It is so hard for pure runners to be anything other than pure runners.  But, I have found that triathlon is not only really really fun, but it also keeps me healthy.  And did I mention that I love triathlon too?

I took this turn around June when I just needed a change.  I had been through a couple of coaching systems since I had Isla, and honestly nothing felt right for me.  I guess I have bought in to Lucho's koolaid for too long, and he was an excellent coach and it was good koolaid.  And while I was willing to open my mind and try new things with new coaches, I realized I just don't thrive in all systems.  And that is okay.   I could expand on this more...maybe another post on coaching.

So I am on my own, and I love it for now.  I can add in the zone 2 runs that haven't been on my schedule in the past 2 years.  I can run more than 15 miles a week (I do not believe low mileage programs work for everyone, and I am not a responder to low mileage).  I can decided when I need to do that quality run or NOT do that quality run based on how I am feeling that day.  And I really think these three things are really important for triathlon and running. 

Mostly I am looking forward to a new challenge, and since it has been years since I have run an open marathon, I am interested to see how I respond as a more seasoned athlete when the miles get tough.

I'll keep the updates coming!

D 

A Very Happy Birthday, Isla

My baby is two-years-old.  I really feel like this is such a special time for us.  She is still my baby in a big girl body.  I love her so much it makes my heart hurt.  I asked her tonight if she was going to always love me, and I assured her that I was always going to love her.  Every day I am so very grateful to have her in my life, and I make sure to tell her every day how much I love her.  It is just hard to believe that one day she will be an adult and will be off on her own.  I just can't even think about that!    

Our "model" face, aka "prune" with Laura and Joy

So she is now a 2-year-old.  She is a huge talker, but is definitely shy around strangers.  I wish I could think of some funny things that she says off of the top of my head, but basically she says any and everything.  Our conversations are a riot, and they start at 6:30am...the minute she wakes up she has a million thoughts that come out of her mouth.  

Party Time!

She is really just her own person.  She is sort of like her dad- super high energy, goofy, and fun.  But, she is sassy and girly too, and that is her own thing.  She is a huge animal and baby lover, and she loves to play "mom."  She really pays attention to people and remembers them and little things about them that even I forget.  

Don't let her fool you- she ate maybe a half of a bite.  Thank goodness she doesn't have my sweet tooth. 

She is also one of the pickiest eaters ever, and she eats a fraction of what other kids eat.  I have verified this at daycare because I thought I was crazy.  While her friends gobble up food on our outings, she eats a bite or two and then loses interest. (and it has been this way ever since she was a baby.  It is true that some traits you see from the beginning.  Dave and I are convinced that was part of the reason she cried 24/7 as a baby- she was always hungry but would never eat well).  

She sleeps through the night now, with a few dreams and nightmares that wake her up.  Dad, the guy that was never going to co-sleep, sleeps with her in the early morning.  It is a routine that Isla loves, and Dave actually does too.  And honestly, that first year and a half was so hard on us that we don't care where or how she sleeps, just so that she does and we do too.   She is still a very, very light sleeper and will wake up if you flush the toilet!  (Again, some things never change). 

So much to say, but not enough time to write the book I would love to write about her.  I am such a lucky mommy.  I would never trade being her mom for the world, and everything else I do with life really pales in comparison to being her mom. 

Happy Birthday Isla!

Vacation

I guess this is my #TBT beach trip June 2015.

This year I learned that the beach vacations are no longer a vacation for me...they are actually a vacation for Isla.  I, on the other hand, spend very little time relaxing (aka...somehow the beach trip is now a stressor) and more time navigating her eat, play, sleep schedule.  Now that I have realized this, I will henceforth look at my yearly beach vacation in a new light AND demand a separate real vacation for me.  :) 

PS- as of tomorrow I will have a 2-year-old.  She is the best!