Race Day

Race is done!! I survived, which was the big goal for Saturday. I ended up seeding myself back farther because of my gimpy shoulder. The last thing I wanted was to have people swimming over me. As it turned out, I did a personal best in my 300m swim and surprised myself with how little it bothers me to cut people off! It's still pathetic by actual competitive swimmer standards, but I was pleased. I was even happier when I realized that when I took a moment to dry off before I hit the cold air, I did so before I crossed the timing mat. This means I was even faster than I thought. I wasn't expecting to run barefoot across frost covered grass to get to transition even though I knew it was going to be a cold day. I was hoping that my adrenaline rush would be enough to distract me from my numb feet. Yeeeaaaa... not so much. It turns out I'm a wimp even with adrenaline surging through my veins!

Right onto the bike course, I was hit with a three mile hill. I was surprised how fast my feet got numb. I picked up the pace purely to get off the bike and get into some shoes. By the end of the bike, the numbness was creeping into the rest of my foot. I spent the last few miles wondering why I didn't use my toe warmers on my bike shoes. WHY?!!

The run was a little tough with my shoulder issues, thankfully I was still distracted in the first mile with my frozen feet. I felt like I was running on stumps, it was actually humorous. It's surprising how much a little pain can sap from your energy. I kept reminding myself that this race was already blown and I needed to pay attention to what my body could actually handle today. It really helped! I have such a sprinter's mindset. I want to go hard and go home, so I'm always burning out too soon. I kept repeating, "patience" to myself when I would be tempted to speed it up a bit and a tried to calm my mind and settle into a good rhythm. A few girls from my team were there to run with me. I really appreciated the sentiment.

I'm really glad I decided to do the tri even with all the issues I was having. It got a lot of pre-season nervousness out of my system, showed me my training weaknesses, (i.e. hills, hills, hills) and made me a little tougher. Next up is the trail run. I'm switching trainers, so we'll see how this goes. I think Nikki might know him, Chris Meek? Anyway, if I learn anything new, I'll be sure and pass it on! Thanks for the advice, Steph. My chiropractor told me to use the same thing.

On a funny side note, a couple in line behind me asked why we were getting body marked. I jokingly said, "So they can identify our bodies." They looked at me terrified, until I told them I was kidding. I'll try to be more helpful next time, I can be such a jerk. LOL

Okay, who's next? Any races coming up?

Panic

I woke up yesterday with a splitting migraine and calves so cramped I could hardly walk. I'm stumped. Throughout the day, I endured a series of random charlie horses in my jaw, shoulders, wrist etc. I've never had this before, I have no clue what to do about it! Race day is this Saturday and I'm not full of much confidence. Nothing has changed with my training or nutrition. I'm going to concentrate on getting water and salt pills today and see if that helps. I also scheduled a massage and a trip to the chiropractor for today. This morning is a little better but with my calves burning from walking up the stairs I'm a bit nervous about all the hills at my tri. Any other ideas?!

Miss me?

Wow. It's been too long since I've posted. The nutrition was going well until I started creatine to build up my shoulder muscles. It's funny what weight gain can do to the self esteem even if it's muscle! I haven't stepped on a scale for four days. New record, HA! I'm kind of sick of monitoring it to be honest. I feel good, my pants fit. I think I'm taking the month off from weight worries.

I have a tri this weekend that I was trying to keep really quiet so no one would show up. I really wanted to use it to gage my progress without any unwanted pressure. Well, it looks like half the team is coming to cheer me on. I was bummed at first until they offered to run the last mile with me. That might actually be nice to have some pacers there. It's still freezing here and race day is expected to be 45 degrees with a high of 50. Last Sat. I walked out to my car in my towel after swimming and whined like a little girl. I'm sick of being cold. Why am I doing this race?!!

On a happy note, I did a personal best in my 5k last week in training. Still an embarrassing time but real progress for me. I did a 26:30. Like I said, nothing to put on Facebook, but I'm just thrilled that I'm finally making progress. It's amazing how much faster you can run when you're not in excruciating pain. Now that my shoulder is feeling better, maybe I can start to bring that time down. I'm thinking plyometrics are in order.

Next on the agenda, I have a half marathon trail run on the Timp trails. Will I die? Probably not. Will I want to die? Most certainly, yes. I'm still excited though. Race officials have warned of mud, a little snow, stream crossings etc. Sounds like my kind of race. I've been up on the trails a lot training. We have some ultra-marathoner friends that have Ryan freaked out with me running alone up in the mountains. He bought me a gun. (yes, you read that right) I'm taking my concealed weapons class soon and it looks like I'll be pulling a Lara Croft for my long runs. I still think I'm going to look like a dork. That's a whole other subject. haha

I hope everyone's training is going well. I'll let you know how my race went!

Wahoo!

Elli is fixed! I can't believe that I'm actually excited to have Eli back with me. I burned 450 cals. in 35 minutes compared to the 200 I burn on the Rec. bike.

Plus, I MIGHT have figured out what's wrong with me foot? Not sure, but hoping. I've ordered some new shoes that are, once again, Saucony, but are extreme cushion, and in wide width. The ones I have are neutral shoes, but not as "cushiony" as could be. I read a few reviews on the shoes that I currently have, and a couple people have had front foot pain and swelling...they think it's from lack of cushion in the front...I'm really hoping that's what it is. That way, with my new shoes, I'll be able to start running again. I'm sick of having a painful and swollen foot!

I have managed to go blading a few more times, plus make it to the gym almost daily. My "no sweets" is also still going good. I haven't broken down yet. I can say, I am really looking forward to April 1st...but I'm hoping I'll have more control over my cravings.

Today

This AM I went with Crystal to the gym. We only stayed for a little bit, but I got 35 minutes on the bike done. (Elli is out of commission right now, and they only have one...) Later in the morning, I made it over to Coeur D Alene and did a cross machine (cross between a stepper and Elli) for 30 minutes, than swam for 30 minutes. After that, I helped my friend Mary move some large things around in her home...a fridge, table saws, storage...etc. Overall, I had a good workout day.

Thanks to Tami as of March 1st, I'm swearing off all sweet treats for 1 month. I'll see how it goes. I can do it for one month. I'm hoping that after the one month, my CRAZY habit will be gone. There are two commitments you could choose from, one month or three. I didn't do three, because I knew it wasn't realistic with our cruise being in April.

Anyway...wish me luck starting March 1st. It's something that really needs to be done, and now I have a good support to accomplish it. :)

Boring

Well, I haven't posted, because I don't have anything to post. I wasn't able to make it to my Podiatrist appointment last week (due to some car key issues), but I am going tomorrow. My foot is still swollen and still hurts. I have found the I can use Elli with relatively little pain...that was actually a pleasant surprise. I've been so bored on the stationary bike! Plus I don't work as hard as I should on it, so I wasn't burning very many calories.

I've started keeping a food journal. I do really good for a couple of days, and then not so good again. At least I'm making the effort...right?

Dad, you're doing awesome. Are things finally slowing down so you can find time to workout? It sounds like they are....

where have all the bloggers gone?

Its February! And in Oklahoma, that means spring is on the way!

But where are the blogs here to inspire me to do something about that...to get out and run and bike and sweat and all that good stuff!

Ok...actually...last weekend I biked both Saturday and Sunday. Did about 10 miles each day, which is half of what I was doing last summer, but hey, its February! I then ran 3 miles Thursday evening and just got back from doing 4 today.

Its an interesting town to run in. Neighborhoods are very mixed here, so you are running past homes that are barely livable on one block, then very nice the next, then apartments, then nice homes, then trailer parks, then average homes...etc. The home landscape constantly changes.

And there are HILLS...so my legs which burned when I first got here have now adapted a bit. I can continue up the hills at a pretty similar pace to being on the level...slowwwwwwwwww but steady. And running when its in the 40's seems perfect; biking when its in the 50's. No complaints from me about that!

But the dogs...man. Some streets here feel like you are running through a kennel rather than along a street.

We have a run coming up on campus soon for cancer, and I think I'll do the 5K. Its a fun run and you get a pink t shirt. The whole day is filled with pink on campus...faculty and staff will wear pink; half the cost of lunch that day is donated to the American Cancer Society. The men and women's basketball teams will be playing in pink and using a pink basketball that will then be signed by the players and auctioned off at half time of each game. Its cool living in a small town and being at a university so engaged in the community.

Anyway, what are you all doing for staying in shape???????? Sorry, I meant ya'll.
I am in the south now.