Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
When Life Gives you Lyme(s), make... Margaritas?
No, technically* it's not funny, but it kinda is... seems tests have come back and I tested positive for Lyme disease and Ehrlichia. Yay. Docs think that compounded the other things going on to make me feel so poo-ey the last few months. Just been tired all the time and not functioning, racing or training like myself at all.
Now that I'm on meds, I'm hoping to be feeling tip top in a few days and get back to what this blog is about... training and racing!!
Since I have been training, albeit super, super easy, here are some observations about life recently:
1. Keeping your HR low on a hill sometimes means having to walk or death shuffle. Other times, you will think you are running well and the dog will be walking as you huff and puff away.
2. Running in 90 degree heat with no humidity feels great!
3. Construction guys are always creepy and no one likes to be cat-called. I've now taken to reminding them that they wake me up at 5:30 every morning. And I might use a bad word or two. Hey, I need something to atone for on Yom Kippur!
4. A lot of people think I'm crazy w/ Ironman and all, but my friend Kate is SUPER crazy. (good luck and I hope you kick all those pro-lady butts at IMLOU this weekend!). She is beyond vegan, well, beyond anything I know. Ultramarathoner champion multiple times over.. she lives on Bananas and the occasional nut. Literally, like 10 bananas a day.
5. Wednesday night, post bike race is made for Mexican meals - SO good after a hard race!
6. Dexter re-runs are not good for treating insomnia.
7. Having new Sponsors vying for my promotions and sending lots of cool stuff? Awesome!
8. Looking into MBA programs with the boyfriend - super cool.
9. If you aren't feeling like yourself and are sleeping for 3 hours instead of that nice little 30 minute nap you plan, go get tested for Lyme. It's evil... evil I tell you!
10. Planning kick-ass Italian escapes is one of the most fun activities ever!
Now that I'm on meds, I'm hoping to be feeling tip top in a few days and get back to what this blog is about... training and racing!!
Since I have been training, albeit super, super easy, here are some observations about life recently:
1. Keeping your HR low on a hill sometimes means having to walk or death shuffle. Other times, you will think you are running well and the dog will be walking as you huff and puff away.
2. Running in 90 degree heat with no humidity feels great!
3. Construction guys are always creepy and no one likes to be cat-called. I've now taken to reminding them that they wake me up at 5:30 every morning. And I might use a bad word or two. Hey, I need something to atone for on Yom Kippur!
4. A lot of people think I'm crazy w/ Ironman and all, but my friend Kate is SUPER crazy. (good luck and I hope you kick all those pro-lady butts at IMLOU this weekend!). She is beyond vegan, well, beyond anything I know. Ultramarathoner champion multiple times over.. she lives on Bananas and the occasional nut. Literally, like 10 bananas a day.
5. Wednesday night, post bike race is made for Mexican meals - SO good after a hard race!
6. Dexter re-runs are not good for treating insomnia.
7. Having new Sponsors vying for my promotions and sending lots of cool stuff? Awesome!
8. Looking into MBA programs with the boyfriend - super cool.
9. If you aren't feeling like yourself and are sleeping for 3 hours instead of that nice little 30 minute nap you plan, go get tested for Lyme. It's evil... evil I tell you!
10. Planning kick-ass Italian escapes is one of the most fun activities ever!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Goal list
Just off the top of my head!
Athletic Goals for 2009/2o10:
Cat 2 cycling card
Run a 50 miler
Run a 100 miler
Run 25 miles for my 25 bday - point to point
Sub 11 at Ironman FL, Sub 10:40 at Ironman FL
Sub 1:30 1/2 mar during a 1/2 Iron
Sub 3:45 marathon at IM
Sub 3 marathon on it's own
Sub 2:30 1/2 Iron bike split
Sub 5 bike split at IM
Sub 55 Swim at IM
Swim marathon - 5 miles or more
Climb Everest (or maybe another mountain - an no, not in 2010)
Qualify to race Pro
Top Amateur at IM LP
Other IM to do in this lifetime:
IM Canada, France, CDA, UK, Switzerland, Australia, W. Australia, Canary Islands, Malaysia, SOuth Africa, Brazil, Barcelona.
Athletic Goals for 2009/2o10:
Cat 2 cycling card
Run a 50 miler
Run a 100 miler
Run 25 miles for my 25 bday - point to point
Sub 11 at Ironman FL, Sub 10:40 at Ironman FL
Sub 1:30 1/2 mar during a 1/2 Iron
Sub 3:45 marathon at IM
Sub 3 marathon on it's own
Sub 2:30 1/2 Iron bike split
Sub 5 bike split at IM
Sub 55 Swim at IM
Swim marathon - 5 miles or more
Climb Everest (or maybe another mountain - an no, not in 2010)
Qualify to race Pro
Top Amateur at IM LP
Other IM to do in this lifetime:
IM Canada, France, CDA, UK, Switzerland, Australia, W. Australia, Canary Islands, Malaysia, SOuth Africa, Brazil, Barcelona.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Fun in the Sun!
So yesterday I was not the one being cheered, but the one doing the cheering... along with Luna girl and Miss Hannah.
Jer and Sam took on their first Olympic distance race and the best thing to make you want to race has to be watching one! The boys were super relaxed before the start - the rumored wetsuitless swim ended up allowing wetsuits and that seemed to calm everyone's nerves.
There was something wonderful about standing on the shore of the water, watching all of these athletes prepare for their race. Standing there in flip flops and jeans, walking my dog and talking with Hannah about everything from babies to MBA's. The gun went off and while I was nervous and excited for Sam and Jer, that usual panic I feel was missing - 1. I was not in charge of all of these people, 2. I wasn't maxing out my heart rate to be first out of the water!
The boys both had great swims, especially considering Jer had never swum that far and Sam doesn't do any tri training (Yea, and there is something great about that too!).
Once out of the water, I could finally relax - those two are machines on their bikes and can run just as well. Sam debuted his beautiful new Slice - in a new paint job that has not been previewed yet. It was FAST!! Just as I was expecting him back in from the bike portion, I heard an ambulance and it immediately turned me into "mother hen". All I could think was that his bars were not tightened and had fallen or something of the sort... and yes, I am officially becoming my Mother.
Thankfully, both Sam and Jer made it in just fine - everyone was entertained by our cheering and antics. Just a blast. There is nothing like seeing people coming out of transition for the run portion (well, maybe coming across the finish), but there is so much energy, exhuberance and excitement, it's impossible not to cheer!
Like a total do-do bird, I missed Sam and Jer coming across the line, but it was a great day all-around. Sam took 16th overall, not a bad day at all!
Being on the sidelines meant a bit of recon work - I always like to see what other race directors are doing and it's something you can't really grasp when you're in the midst of a lactate threshold endeavor. Beyond that, I was able to scope out the short course competition, which still includes Ironman champ, Donna Kay-Ness. She demolished the women's field, but my friend Cassie came in a strong 2nd place. Her boyfriend, Max from Thule I believe smashed the aqua-bike and it was great to see all the HEAT athletes and other tri friends.
In other news, CONGRATULATIONS TO HANNAH AND NOAH - game over. Just kidding!! Congrats on your nuptials, you two make a beautiful couple!!
Jer and Sam took on their first Olympic distance race and the best thing to make you want to race has to be watching one! The boys were super relaxed before the start - the rumored wetsuitless swim ended up allowing wetsuits and that seemed to calm everyone's nerves.
There was something wonderful about standing on the shore of the water, watching all of these athletes prepare for their race. Standing there in flip flops and jeans, walking my dog and talking with Hannah about everything from babies to MBA's. The gun went off and while I was nervous and excited for Sam and Jer, that usual panic I feel was missing - 1. I was not in charge of all of these people, 2. I wasn't maxing out my heart rate to be first out of the water!
The boys both had great swims, especially considering Jer had never swum that far and Sam doesn't do any tri training (Yea, and there is something great about that too!).
Once out of the water, I could finally relax - those two are machines on their bikes and can run just as well. Sam debuted his beautiful new Slice - in a new paint job that has not been previewed yet. It was FAST!! Just as I was expecting him back in from the bike portion, I heard an ambulance and it immediately turned me into "mother hen". All I could think was that his bars were not tightened and had fallen or something of the sort... and yes, I am officially becoming my Mother.
Thankfully, both Sam and Jer made it in just fine - everyone was entertained by our cheering and antics. Just a blast. There is nothing like seeing people coming out of transition for the run portion (well, maybe coming across the finish), but there is so much energy, exhuberance and excitement, it's impossible not to cheer!
Like a total do-do bird, I missed Sam and Jer coming across the line, but it was a great day all-around. Sam took 16th overall, not a bad day at all!
Being on the sidelines meant a bit of recon work - I always like to see what other race directors are doing and it's something you can't really grasp when you're in the midst of a lactate threshold endeavor. Beyond that, I was able to scope out the short course competition, which still includes Ironman champ, Donna Kay-Ness. She demolished the women's field, but my friend Cassie came in a strong 2nd place. Her boyfriend, Max from Thule I believe smashed the aqua-bike and it was great to see all the HEAT athletes and other tri friends.
In other news, CONGRATULATIONS TO HANNAH AND NOAH - game over. Just kidding!! Congrats on your nuptials, you two make a beautiful couple!!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Oh Happy Day
"Don't let the past remind you of what you are not now. I am yours, you are mine, you are what you are." - Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
Goodness, here I have these good intentions to keep you all updated, and I haven't blogged since Sunday! Things are great - LOVING this heat, despite all the heat-haters. Believe me, all I have to think of is a single moment in -5 degree weather, 3 feet of snow and I'm praising the heat! It's not all that bad, neither is the humidity. Makes you tough and makes you learn how to dress and hydrate.
I'm still on training parole - keeping the heart rate below 145 - and it's a challenge! Today I walked up a hill (granted, it was 22 percent grade for those 500 feet), but it's the first time I've walked during a run in years. I tried to remind myself this is fine for right now - keeping things easy and just staying active.
Sam and the boys are gearing up for an Olympic distance tri this Sunday and I'm bummed that I'll be on the sidelines... especially since I've vowed for a re-match against the boy!
Tonight we celebrate though - we celebrate eachother and today's milestone!
Open water swim, hot run and now... champagne! I am so blessed to have a partner that is not only my love, but my friend, my family, a part of me.
Goodness, here I have these good intentions to keep you all updated, and I haven't blogged since Sunday! Things are great - LOVING this heat, despite all the heat-haters. Believe me, all I have to think of is a single moment in -5 degree weather, 3 feet of snow and I'm praising the heat! It's not all that bad, neither is the humidity. Makes you tough and makes you learn how to dress and hydrate.
I'm still on training parole - keeping the heart rate below 145 - and it's a challenge! Today I walked up a hill (granted, it was 22 percent grade for those 500 feet), but it's the first time I've walked during a run in years. I tried to remind myself this is fine for right now - keeping things easy and just staying active.
Sam and the boys are gearing up for an Olympic distance tri this Sunday and I'm bummed that I'll be on the sidelines... especially since I've vowed for a re-match against the boy!
Tonight we celebrate though - we celebrate eachother and today's milestone!
Open water swim, hot run and now... champagne! I am so blessed to have a partner that is not only my love, but my friend, my family, a part of me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
