Today will be whatever random thoughts are in my head!
* Our east side indoor rides have concluded for the season. The plan was to start them outside this Saturday. Weather calls for low of 30, high of 39 and rain snow mix. BOOOO! I guess I will just run Saturday as Sunday 's weather looks better and the Cleveland Touring Club is doing a nice hilly 45 mile ride and I have not seen that gang since last season. Is it the weekend yet?
* My ITB started barking at me Sunday about mile 17. I limped through my easy run Monday and opted to just do a 10 mile easy aerobic run Tuesday instead of my speed workout. Hit Dr. Keyes for some much needed ART and it feels SOOO much better. Two takeaways from this. #1 Listen to your body and try to get lil problems fixed before they become big problems. #2 Consider ART if you haven't already when certain issues crop up
* I have really gotten on the ball the last week and a half with my intake cutting out the garbage calories. Marathon date is 4.30. I know I can behave for the next month and with every bit of result I see, it only fuels my fire!
* Not that this comes as a surprise to anyone, but I so love training with my friends. I am so thankful for the many long runs with my sister. I am thankful for having ESpeed as a new swimming partner as well as her company on several easy runs of late. I was so happy to hop on the treadmill alongside CV yesterday and pass the time chatting with her. Training with friends just makes it so much easier to get through and get up to get started!
* Sleep is so good!
* This weekend will be my sister's first 20 miler. My goal this weekend is to have her start focusing on nutrition as I have with the help of First Endurance products.
* I love this website...check it out if you wana go ahhhhh!
* It is a good time not to be an accountant .....my poor dad is soooo busy!
* I am so excited about the upcoming weekends. This one is pretty mellow with training both mornings and a 40th surprise party, next weekend I am signed up to do a 25K as a tune-up race, the next weekend is the CTC duathlon & Fleet Feet Pepper Pike's grand opening and 5K, then one more quiet weekend (hopefully), then Nashville, then CTC training camp at Mohican, then Cleveland Marathon weekend, then TTT, then Memorial Day weekend and then Mohican 100K MTB!!! BRING IT ON!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Fresh week, fresh start!
Last Monday started off super fab-with an easy run with ESpeed which was going so well I turned it into my progression run which accidentally ended up a little on the fast side with a 7:16 avg for the first 7 miles before easing off coming up the hill to the office.
Then I awoke Tuesday feeling very off and reset my alarm to skip my morning workout. I continued to feel worse as the day went on just wanting to lay down under my desk for the day. When 5 o clock hit, it took every bit I had left to drive home and make my way to the couch and I did not move. I knew then I was sick.
After a sleepless night, I rolled over and could not move. I was coughing, freezing and had body aches so bad I was ready to cry. I called off sick for the first time since I had been with the company back in 2007. I have been sick off and on throughout the year and my husband was adamant that it was time to see a doctor and back off. I called the Dr. I had to go downstairs to pull out my medical insurance and just the process of making an appointment with half a voice was pretty much beyond what I could endure. I laid in bed all morning, sweating and freezing before getting out of bed at noon to get ready to go to the Dr. It required more than I had in me. It was cold out, making my chills and body aches worse. I sat in the waiting room for 45 minutes feeling tortured every second of it. Finally I saw the Dr who confirmed what I already knew. 101 fever and I had the flu. It was off to the drug store for some Tamiflu before returning to my couch.
I was not really optimistic about making it to work Thursday but guilt forced me to try. I was overdue for a shower anyways so I thought I would see if I could handle getting ready. I figured if I could handle that, maybe I could try to go to work. The shower was a job and half way through drying my hair, I was done and needed to sit down. I called the boss and returned to bed to continue the process of sweating and then freezing. It was another lazy day and day 3 of no workouts. Thursday night, I took a my new sleeping aids and finally slept like a rock. I believe much of me being sick lately is due to my lack of sleep...just been having a lot of issues with not sleeping well lately. I am so happy as I sit here right now after having 4 nights in a row of hard core sleeping!
Friday, I was feeling maybe 75% with a partial voice and nice sinus infection, but made my way to work as I had two big meetings. On the mend and was tired of feeling like a lazy blob. Day 4, no workouts! Honestly I think that laying on the couch watching movies all the time was currently kind of to my liking. Guess I must have really been sick! A wild and crazy night (not!) on the couch Friday before going to bed around 9. I was pretty resolved that unless I felt horrible, I needed to workout Saturday.
Saturday, woke up early and ended up pinch hitting and led the last 2 hour east side cycling class with half a voice and no microphone. It was fine tho. Then as usual, hopped in the pool for 2000 yards and then decided I would do a nice easy 4 mi run on the track. Oh working out just makes me feel good again and like the poisons are being sweat out! I stopped by the new Fleet Feet store in Pepper Pike and chatted there awhile and then headed up to NC Multisports Retro Day at Northface. Between all the talking, my voice was soooo shot by the time I got home. So the husband and I relaxed watching more movies and hit the hay by 9pm or so again.
Sunday, I woke up early as I really felt I wanted to get in a long run. I headed to SERC in Solon and arrived early so that I could get in 5 mi before the 8am start. The plan was run 8:20-8:30 pace for 20 miles. The first 5 I ran a little fast which I chalked up to fun fast music and having no one to talk to. My sister had class all weekend so she was out this day. As the group started to run, my friend AH asked my plan and I said, I just wanted to run with company and was thinking I could run anywhere between 7:45 - 8:30. I knew I would probably have to run faster to run with the SERC gang as everyone there is generally pretty quick. As it turned out, I ran with AH the whole way feeling good, chatting and not paying much mind to pace. I knew I was running a little faster but when I looked at the average pace upon completion, I was pretty much shocked to see my average pace for the entire 20 which had some good elevation changes was 7:40 flat!
This was waaay faster than I should have ran it per coach but sort of a nice confidence boost in terms of where I am at in my training.
I am glad to start this week fresh. Not 100% but all in all, feeling ok!
Then I awoke Tuesday feeling very off and reset my alarm to skip my morning workout. I continued to feel worse as the day went on just wanting to lay down under my desk for the day. When 5 o clock hit, it took every bit I had left to drive home and make my way to the couch and I did not move. I knew then I was sick.
After a sleepless night, I rolled over and could not move. I was coughing, freezing and had body aches so bad I was ready to cry. I called off sick for the first time since I had been with the company back in 2007. I have been sick off and on throughout the year and my husband was adamant that it was time to see a doctor and back off. I called the Dr. I had to go downstairs to pull out my medical insurance and just the process of making an appointment with half a voice was pretty much beyond what I could endure. I laid in bed all morning, sweating and freezing before getting out of bed at noon to get ready to go to the Dr. It required more than I had in me. It was cold out, making my chills and body aches worse. I sat in the waiting room for 45 minutes feeling tortured every second of it. Finally I saw the Dr who confirmed what I already knew. 101 fever and I had the flu. It was off to the drug store for some Tamiflu before returning to my couch.
I was not really optimistic about making it to work Thursday but guilt forced me to try. I was overdue for a shower anyways so I thought I would see if I could handle getting ready. I figured if I could handle that, maybe I could try to go to work. The shower was a job and half way through drying my hair, I was done and needed to sit down. I called the boss and returned to bed to continue the process of sweating and then freezing. It was another lazy day and day 3 of no workouts. Thursday night, I took a my new sleeping aids and finally slept like a rock. I believe much of me being sick lately is due to my lack of sleep...just been having a lot of issues with not sleeping well lately. I am so happy as I sit here right now after having 4 nights in a row of hard core sleeping!
Friday, I was feeling maybe 75% with a partial voice and nice sinus infection, but made my way to work as I had two big meetings. On the mend and was tired of feeling like a lazy blob. Day 4, no workouts! Honestly I think that laying on the couch watching movies all the time was currently kind of to my liking. Guess I must have really been sick! A wild and crazy night (not!) on the couch Friday before going to bed around 9. I was pretty resolved that unless I felt horrible, I needed to workout Saturday.
Saturday, woke up early and ended up pinch hitting and led the last 2 hour east side cycling class with half a voice and no microphone. It was fine tho. Then as usual, hopped in the pool for 2000 yards and then decided I would do a nice easy 4 mi run on the track. Oh working out just makes me feel good again and like the poisons are being sweat out! I stopped by the new Fleet Feet store in Pepper Pike and chatted there awhile and then headed up to NC Multisports Retro Day at Northface. Between all the talking, my voice was soooo shot by the time I got home. So the husband and I relaxed watching more movies and hit the hay by 9pm or so again.
Sunday, I woke up early as I really felt I wanted to get in a long run. I headed to SERC in Solon and arrived early so that I could get in 5 mi before the 8am start. The plan was run 8:20-8:30 pace for 20 miles. The first 5 I ran a little fast which I chalked up to fun fast music and having no one to talk to. My sister had class all weekend so she was out this day. As the group started to run, my friend AH asked my plan and I said, I just wanted to run with company and was thinking I could run anywhere between 7:45 - 8:30. I knew I would probably have to run faster to run with the SERC gang as everyone there is generally pretty quick. As it turned out, I ran with AH the whole way feeling good, chatting and not paying much mind to pace. I knew I was running a little faster but when I looked at the average pace upon completion, I was pretty much shocked to see my average pace for the entire 20 which had some good elevation changes was 7:40 flat!
This was waaay faster than I should have ran it per coach but sort of a nice confidence boost in terms of where I am at in my training.
I am glad to start this week fresh. Not 100% but all in all, feeling ok!
Monday, March 21, 2011
The weekly rundown....er stepback week!
So the past week was a rough one!
There was Saturday's Malachi race followed by the day long party. Sunday awoke to drag my dog tired body on a long run with sis and completed 16.7 miles at a 8:30ish pace. Monday, slept in and just came home and cleaned the house. The legs felt so sore and tired that I decided and OFF day was in order and just hit the hay early after a nice long recovery pump session!
Tuesday, I thought I would get in one of my key runs but 2.5 miles in, my legs were aching and lately I would rather error on the cautious side so I hopped off the treadmill and got in a good upper body weight workout. Evening was heading over to the husband's family as he was helping his dad with drywall.
Wednesday morning, I woke up early for a 1 hour good quality bike before meeting ESpeed to hit the pool. She was struggling with a little trouble with her leg and I could not have been happier to have a swim buddy! While I feel for her struggling with her injury, maybe this will work out to my advantage as she ended up joining my gym and now I think I will often have company on the swim which may prove to be HUGE for me! She has always been faster than me in the water so while she has not swam in awhile, she does not appear to have missed a beat. Having her there keeps me honest and pushing through the sets and even this morning, she gave me a tip which may prove to be helpful! Wednesday evening, we again went over to my husband's moms as his aunt was in town and it was the last night before my father in law was to have surgery.
Thursday was an absolute disaster. I overslept my planned run and got up late to be driven to work by my husband. He was coming downtown as his dad was having a rather serious open heart surgery that day at University Hospitals 4.5 miles down the road from my office. We parked in my parking lot and he hopped on the bicycle to go to UH. On my lunch break, I rushed to my car to go be with his family. Now I think Cleveland ranks 3rd in terms of the St. Patricks Day festivities and being a gorgeous day the party-goers were out in full force. The drive to UH was OK getting there (and thankfully surgery went well) but getting back was a disaster as the parade was just getting going.
My boss asked what kept me, thinking I was out taking in the parade but explained the situation and my boss said he was leaving early and for me to feel free to as well, which was nice. The city was so loud with the parade and sirens, audible even up on our 24th floor. So about 3:15, I grab all my bags and blast out the door walking as quick as I could with my cell in my front pants pocket. Downtown was now in full madness and I power-walked the few blocks to my car trying to get out of dodge. I drove down St. Clair as I could not cross the parade route to get to Chester (which was how I went earlier) and traffic was thick as the parade was just ending. Next thing I know I crushed a pothole and sure as can be, got a flat tire. CRAP!!! So I go to grab my cell phone only to realize when I was power walking to my car, it must have fell out of my front pocket as it was a shallow pocket that I probably should not have put it in to begin with. Oh and I am broke down at E30th and St Clair which is sort of ghetto....JUST GREAT!
So I do what any normal person would do and start running back. Due to St. Pats, we had a casual day at the office so I am running in jeans, with my hair down, jewelry, big purple glasses and I am sure most would assume I was some drunk chick on this day. Lots of strange looks and hollers as I ran the ~1.5miles back to my parking lot hoping the phone fell out as I threw my bags in the car. No such luck. Not only is all this going on but all the people screaming "Happy St Patricks Day" was making me even more annoyed because I don't want to acknowledge them and everything is just making my mood worse. So I walked back to the office, now just totally upset to call my husband (my poor husband who is already having a stressful day). I called my sis first by accident which leads me to start crying and now call my husband telling him I need help and I am having a bad day which stressed him out fast as I never call up crying. St. Husband says don't worry, he will meet me at the car. So I run along back to my car and start pacing back and forth waiting for him, as I watch for the shady characters walking by.
The tire was ruined and I had just bought it back in August. The husband got the tiny little donut on but this baby tire really did not like it over 45 mph. We went back to the hospital and I made some calls on his phone trying to find tires and call about a phone (after calling my old number a million times). It was all just so frustrating and I felt so terrible as we went into see his dad who was struggling with the respirator tube and just coming out of recovery and really the focus should have been on him.
Friday was more dealing with the fallout. Husband took me to work in his truck and went back to the hospital and then over lunch, he went to go get my tire from the shop that had come in. I actually went out for a run at lunch which I felt bad taking the time for (as I should have worked through lunch) but I just needed a vent with ESpeed. My replacement phone came via UPS around 2 and I got it all synched up. Finally I was back to normal but just wasted a ton of money and was just reeling from the stress of those days. Then I had to leave work early as I still needed to get to the bmv to spend more money on license plates for my car and motorcycle. Then I was supposed to have a houseful Saturday and pretty much had the whole house to clean Friday night.
Yet, Saturday, my birthday, ended up being a pretty darn good day! I woke up early to head to east side cycling. I had put together a very hard 2 hour workout for class and gave myself a good birthday spanking before hitting the pool. It was a perfect way to start the day. I opted to skip the run in favor of having lunch with my parents and sisters family in Ravenna. It was nice, although A&W is not the healthiest meal! Then I got my hair done for the first time in forever, so that was fun! I hit the store before heading home home for a few last minute preparations. I was in a super fabulous mood, loving the weather, listening to good music and was ready for the big party!
The turnout was awesome and I had WAAAAY too much fun resulting in going to bed early and feeling like a big pile of poooo on Sunday. Boy, did I feel OLD on Sunday or maybe young like I was a hungover college student again! BLAH!!! I was sooo hungry so we went to lunch at the country restaurant in town and I had the very delicious country fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy. Not sure if it was the food or the alcohol, but I tried to run with sis an hour later and MISERABLE does not even begin to describe how bad I felt. I called it after suffering through 4.5 miles of the planned 18 mile run. The drive home was equally rough!
Then to make matters worse, I never did get a nap in yesterday and could not get any rest last night. I so would have slept in today (and I did skip my bike), but I got myself up to go swim (only because I had told ESpeed I would meet her) and surprisingly, I felt pretty good. Then I snuck out at lunch thinking I would do an easy run with ESpeed. Yet as we glanced down at the garmins, we realized we were running waayy fast for my easy run so I opted to make it my PCR (Progress Calibration Run) in which I was supposed to increase my pace per mile throughout the run. It ended up being a little fast but we were just feeling good and I needed a good run! I LOVE IT WHEN THESE THINGS HAPPEN!
So hopefully I can get back on track this week. I am a bit behind as my weeks generally start on Sundays, so now I already owe a long run! I am seriously now in buckle down mode and ready to put in the work to get ready for the big spring events. Now if only the 10 day forecast did not look so dismal!
There was Saturday's Malachi race followed by the day long party. Sunday awoke to drag my dog tired body on a long run with sis and completed 16.7 miles at a 8:30ish pace. Monday, slept in and just came home and cleaned the house. The legs felt so sore and tired that I decided and OFF day was in order and just hit the hay early after a nice long recovery pump session!
Tuesday, I thought I would get in one of my key runs but 2.5 miles in, my legs were aching and lately I would rather error on the cautious side so I hopped off the treadmill and got in a good upper body weight workout. Evening was heading over to the husband's family as he was helping his dad with drywall.
Wednesday morning, I woke up early for a 1 hour good quality bike before meeting ESpeed to hit the pool. She was struggling with a little trouble with her leg and I could not have been happier to have a swim buddy! While I feel for her struggling with her injury, maybe this will work out to my advantage as she ended up joining my gym and now I think I will often have company on the swim which may prove to be HUGE for me! She has always been faster than me in the water so while she has not swam in awhile, she does not appear to have missed a beat. Having her there keeps me honest and pushing through the sets and even this morning, she gave me a tip which may prove to be helpful! Wednesday evening, we again went over to my husband's moms as his aunt was in town and it was the last night before my father in law was to have surgery.
Thursday was an absolute disaster. I overslept my planned run and got up late to be driven to work by my husband. He was coming downtown as his dad was having a rather serious open heart surgery that day at University Hospitals 4.5 miles down the road from my office. We parked in my parking lot and he hopped on the bicycle to go to UH. On my lunch break, I rushed to my car to go be with his family. Now I think Cleveland ranks 3rd in terms of the St. Patricks Day festivities and being a gorgeous day the party-goers were out in full force. The drive to UH was OK getting there (and thankfully surgery went well) but getting back was a disaster as the parade was just getting going.
My boss asked what kept me, thinking I was out taking in the parade but explained the situation and my boss said he was leaving early and for me to feel free to as well, which was nice. The city was so loud with the parade and sirens, audible even up on our 24th floor. So about 3:15, I grab all my bags and blast out the door walking as quick as I could with my cell in my front pants pocket. Downtown was now in full madness and I power-walked the few blocks to my car trying to get out of dodge. I drove down St. Clair as I could not cross the parade route to get to Chester (which was how I went earlier) and traffic was thick as the parade was just ending. Next thing I know I crushed a pothole and sure as can be, got a flat tire. CRAP!!! So I go to grab my cell phone only to realize when I was power walking to my car, it must have fell out of my front pocket as it was a shallow pocket that I probably should not have put it in to begin with. Oh and I am broke down at E30th and St Clair which is sort of ghetto....JUST GREAT!
So I do what any normal person would do and start running back. Due to St. Pats, we had a casual day at the office so I am running in jeans, with my hair down, jewelry, big purple glasses and I am sure most would assume I was some drunk chick on this day. Lots of strange looks and hollers as I ran the ~1.5miles back to my parking lot hoping the phone fell out as I threw my bags in the car. No such luck. Not only is all this going on but all the people screaming "Happy St Patricks Day" was making me even more annoyed because I don't want to acknowledge them and everything is just making my mood worse. So I walked back to the office, now just totally upset to call my husband (my poor husband who is already having a stressful day). I called my sis first by accident which leads me to start crying and now call my husband telling him I need help and I am having a bad day which stressed him out fast as I never call up crying. St. Husband says don't worry, he will meet me at the car. So I run along back to my car and start pacing back and forth waiting for him, as I watch for the shady characters walking by.
The tire was ruined and I had just bought it back in August. The husband got the tiny little donut on but this baby tire really did not like it over 45 mph. We went back to the hospital and I made some calls on his phone trying to find tires and call about a phone (after calling my old number a million times). It was all just so frustrating and I felt so terrible as we went into see his dad who was struggling with the respirator tube and just coming out of recovery and really the focus should have been on him.
Friday was more dealing with the fallout. Husband took me to work in his truck and went back to the hospital and then over lunch, he went to go get my tire from the shop that had come in. I actually went out for a run at lunch which I felt bad taking the time for (as I should have worked through lunch) but I just needed a vent with ESpeed. My replacement phone came via UPS around 2 and I got it all synched up. Finally I was back to normal but just wasted a ton of money and was just reeling from the stress of those days. Then I had to leave work early as I still needed to get to the bmv to spend more money on license plates for my car and motorcycle. Then I was supposed to have a houseful Saturday and pretty much had the whole house to clean Friday night.
Yet, Saturday, my birthday, ended up being a pretty darn good day! I woke up early to head to east side cycling. I had put together a very hard 2 hour workout for class and gave myself a good birthday spanking before hitting the pool. It was a perfect way to start the day. I opted to skip the run in favor of having lunch with my parents and sisters family in Ravenna. It was nice, although A&W is not the healthiest meal! Then I got my hair done for the first time in forever, so that was fun! I hit the store before heading home home for a few last minute preparations. I was in a super fabulous mood, loving the weather, listening to good music and was ready for the big party!
The turnout was awesome and I had WAAAAY too much fun resulting in going to bed early and feeling like a big pile of poooo on Sunday. Boy, did I feel OLD on Sunday or maybe young like I was a hungover college student again! BLAH!!! I was sooo hungry so we went to lunch at the country restaurant in town and I had the very delicious country fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy. Not sure if it was the food or the alcohol, but I tried to run with sis an hour later and MISERABLE does not even begin to describe how bad I felt. I called it after suffering through 4.5 miles of the planned 18 mile run. The drive home was equally rough! Then to make matters worse, I never did get a nap in yesterday and could not get any rest last night. I so would have slept in today (and I did skip my bike), but I got myself up to go swim (only because I had told ESpeed I would meet her) and surprisingly, I felt pretty good. Then I snuck out at lunch thinking I would do an easy run with ESpeed. Yet as we glanced down at the garmins, we realized we were running waayy fast for my easy run so I opted to make it my PCR (Progress Calibration Run) in which I was supposed to increase my pace per mile throughout the run. It ended up being a little fast but we were just feeling good and I needed a good run! I LOVE IT WHEN THESE THINGS HAPPEN!
So hopefully I can get back on track this week. I am a bit behind as my weeks generally start on Sundays, so now I already owe a long run! I am seriously now in buckle down mode and ready to put in the work to get ready for the big spring events. Now if only the 10 day forecast did not look so dismal!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
First Endurance Delivery!
Up until last year, my nutrition could more or less have been called, 'Operation Wing-It'. I have always been sort of a minimalist in terms of nutrition. Sometimes this had bit me in the butt when my energy reserves hit rock bottom. I also think this led to some subpar performances due to the fact that I was inefficiently fueled. Further, I think I was not recovering as quickly from key workouts / races, as I was not replenishing efficiently either. (Note to self, beer does not equal recovery drink!)
Yet, last year in training for my first full distance, I decided it was time to focus on my nutrition, knowing it could make or break a race. Over the years I have tried out numerous brands and varieties of products. Some I liked. Some I hated. Others just caused me issues! Last year, I was so fortunate to get linked up with First Endurance through Team Trakkers and I have been forever thankful.
Throughout the course of my training, I really worked on practicing what I would use on race day. My favorites included-
First Endurance EFS Fruit Punch Flavor
Perhaps some may think it is on the sweet side, but this is easily my favorite tasting sports drink I have tried. Never have I had an issue with cramping or dehydration when I was armed with this in my water bottles. This is in no small part to the fact that I think I drink more when I have it because I like the taste so much. Also important to note when comparing EFS to some competitors, EFS has the highest electrolyte content available (1160mg of all 5 electrolytes/serving).
First Endurance EFS Liquid Shot
Last year it was all about the Vanilla which went down super easy. It's called liquid shot because it doesn't contain gelling agents which can slow down absorption and digestion. This year I am so excited because Wild Berry Flavor is now available and I have waited for this flavor since I got to try it out last year at REV3 Knoxville! While I like the Vanilla (as I hummed Vanilla Pudding to the the Banana Puddin song through much of last year as I took in the Vanilla Shots), I am a fruity sort of girl!!! Yeah Wild Berry!
Not only did I keep my Vanilla liquid shot with me on the bike last year at REV3Cedar Point, I carried my flask throughout the whole 26.2 miles and felt properly fueled the entire way with no issues whatsoever! Last year, I spent a lot of time planning and practicing my nutrition leading up to the big day. I read quite a few of the articles such as the Kona Nutrition Report posted by Team First Endurance Athlete, Donna Phelan. I had a set nutrition plan and followed it to a tee! If you are new to long course, it is so worth checking out some of these posts and giving some serious thought to your nutrition and SOONER rather than LATER!
Not only did I keep my Vanilla liquid shot with me on the bike last year at REV3Cedar Point, I carried my flask throughout the whole 26.2 miles and felt properly fueled the entire way with no issues whatsoever! Last year, I spent a lot of time planning and practicing my nutrition leading up to the big day. I read quite a few of the articles such as the Kona Nutrition Report posted by Team First Endurance Athlete, Donna Phelan. I had a set nutrition plan and followed it to a tee! If you are new to long course, it is so worth checking out some of these posts and giving some serious thought to your nutrition and SOONER rather than LATER!
So with much excitement, I am happy to report that the new stash is here and just in time to fuel me for the big events coming up this spring! I am ready to have my nutrition dialed with First Endurance! As a matter of fact, I am really looking forward to doing my first full marathon (since I started with FE) and a repeat of the 100K mtn bike now armed with FE!Monday, March 14, 2011
St. Malachi Race Report
Wow, it is hard to believe this was the eighth year running this race! Time flies when you are having fun. This year will go down as my second fastest.
This race has grown over the years as lots of people come out to kick off the St. Patty's Day celebrations early with a run and then a big post race party. The last several years a few other traditions have started of our own.
1. A few of my friends and I have worked to use this race as spring board to get our old highschool friends running.
2. Cleveland Triathlon Club has gotten involved to use the big crowds to promote the club so it is super fun that there is always a huge group there!!!
So needless to say, I always look forward to this race. This year I was having some difficulty in gauging what sort of time goal I was shooting for. I have been following the Lydiard training principles for the last 2 months or so and while my running mileage has been increasing, I have not really done any real speedwork as I prepare for Nashville marathon on April 30th.
In late months of 2010, I was doing some speedwork and it seemed to be making me faster. However I was growing very concerned when the tenderness in my tibia seemed to increase and it made sense to me to follow the coaches plan of this higher mileage, slower running plan. Yet, wow does it seem hard to go from running 8:30 pace all the time to sub 7s.
In my head, my A goal was to break 32 and run a 6:23 pace. I thought given I had ran a 19:18 at Reindeer Run 5K back in December, that it was an ambitious yet possible goal. But Saturday was not my day.
The weather was pretty darn nice for running with a wind out of the southwest of probably 15-20 mph so definitely was noticeable throughout the course. After getting to warm up with LP and EM, I learned they were both similar in their pace goals so I thought this would be fun to have them near and see what I could do.
This year the course was very different from years past and I was not super excited about the changes but figured everyone would be dealing with the same course so let's just roll with it. I lined up towards the front of the 3000 + racing field and with the count down, I tore off down the hill getting swept up in the fast downhill start. I made one hard right at the bottom of the hill and then another quick hard right heading right back up a pretty decent sized hill. I was thinking I felt so good but why am I so near SI, who is a waaay faster female. Guess I should've known then that I already started too fast! As we climbed the hill LP went around me and I knew I needed to reel in the heart rate. I hit mile one at 6:14 which seemed on target or perhaps a little fast given the big climb. EM was now ahead and another girl passed and while I was trying to stick with them, I was already fading and losing ground fast. I currently was sitting in 5th place for females. As we headed into mile 2, I was trying to take advantage of the big downhill by W3rd to calm down. I heard 12:13 at mile 2 and was wishing badly it was a 5k but I am not even halfway done and suffering badly.
Once I turned the corner at Browns stadium I was missing the downhill assistance and headed up the incline into the wind up toward the Great Lakes Science Center. I knew these roads and had run them a million times and all I could think it that climb up W3rd is so going to stink feeling so bad already. As we made the turn out to Voinivich park I was trying to be careful of my footing as it was icy and then made the U turn at the turnaround. I was not too far back from a lot of the lead women but I knew this second half, I was likely to really struggle. I hurt. I wanted to stop and just run it in with my sister. I was trying to self talk myself into continuing and put my head down. I heard so many friends cheering my name but I was in such a miserable fog, I had no idea who most of the people were cheering.
The climb back up hurt. I felt like I was not moving and was frustrated and lost another place as we made our way down W9th street. I had nothing left. To crest the uphill grade on the Superior bridge also seemed to take forever. I tried to pick it up once we got the downhill grade and then I got totally stuck in the traffic jam of walking 2 milers coming into the finish with the 5 milers. I got stopped dead in my tracks, sidestepped left aways, while a bunch of other 5 miler guys closed in on me hard. In trying to get around the walkers, I got tripped up by the guys who were angrily yelling at the walking 2 milers jamming the whole finish. Bad planning here but finally I made my way to the finish line with a time of 33:48 and supposedly a pace of 6:46. I got a pace of 6:51 with the course being 4.91 on my garmin. Ended 7th overall female and 5th in my AG (They only did top overall female and wouldn't ya know every other girl except LP, who just aged up, was in my ag!)
My friend Kara said she saw me finish and I did not look happy. While I was not pleased, it was more a look of being miserable. I could not catch my breathe even though I had hit the inhaler before the race. I think my stupid cold was not helping as I have struggled a lot lately with this cold to feel like I could just get in as much oxygen in. I walked for a long time when I was done to catch my breathe.
That 33:48 was no where close to the sub 32 I had hoped for. But, it gives me a look at where I was at on that given day and now I will work from there. I must say I think the old course is easier. If I look at the elevation changes this course makes you climb more and on the old course while you have a big climb, you get the recovery back right away which helps. Overall, I am a little disappointed but I am not training to run fast short course runs right now. The goal is to arrive at Nashville mary healthy to run that B race and then be in great shape to do TTT in May which is the A goal. I feel like I am building a pretty good base right now and it will come.
On the plus side, after the race, I had an absolutely awesome day getting to hang out with many other racers and friends. I enjoyed the entire day rolling into the evening just celebrating and I awoke Sunday feeling like an exhausted piece of crap. I SOOO wanted to lay on the couch all day and do nothing. Thank goodness for sis though as she really wanted to run so I went with her for a 16 mile jog to Middlefield. I actually felt pretty good despite my calves feeling like tight lillte baseballs and sweating out all the toxins from the prior day!
Garmin Stats:
Total time:33:48
Avg Pace: 6:51
Elevation Gain: 506
Elevation Loss: 443
Avg HR: 184--I think this is the highest average i have seen in race, no wonder why I hurt!
Max HR: 189
This race has grown over the years as lots of people come out to kick off the St. Patty's Day celebrations early with a run and then a big post race party. The last several years a few other traditions have started of our own.
1. A few of my friends and I have worked to use this race as spring board to get our old highschool friends running.
2. Cleveland Triathlon Club has gotten involved to use the big crowds to promote the club so it is super fun that there is always a huge group there!!!
So needless to say, I always look forward to this race. This year I was having some difficulty in gauging what sort of time goal I was shooting for. I have been following the Lydiard training principles for the last 2 months or so and while my running mileage has been increasing, I have not really done any real speedwork as I prepare for Nashville marathon on April 30th.
In late months of 2010, I was doing some speedwork and it seemed to be making me faster. However I was growing very concerned when the tenderness in my tibia seemed to increase and it made sense to me to follow the coaches plan of this higher mileage, slower running plan. Yet, wow does it seem hard to go from running 8:30 pace all the time to sub 7s.
In my head, my A goal was to break 32 and run a 6:23 pace. I thought given I had ran a 19:18 at Reindeer Run 5K back in December, that it was an ambitious yet possible goal. But Saturday was not my day.
The weather was pretty darn nice for running with a wind out of the southwest of probably 15-20 mph so definitely was noticeable throughout the course. After getting to warm up with LP and EM, I learned they were both similar in their pace goals so I thought this would be fun to have them near and see what I could do.
This year the course was very different from years past and I was not super excited about the changes but figured everyone would be dealing with the same course so let's just roll with it. I lined up towards the front of the 3000 + racing field and with the count down, I tore off down the hill getting swept up in the fast downhill start. I made one hard right at the bottom of the hill and then another quick hard right heading right back up a pretty decent sized hill. I was thinking I felt so good but why am I so near SI, who is a waaay faster female. Guess I should've known then that I already started too fast! As we climbed the hill LP went around me and I knew I needed to reel in the heart rate. I hit mile one at 6:14 which seemed on target or perhaps a little fast given the big climb. EM was now ahead and another girl passed and while I was trying to stick with them, I was already fading and losing ground fast. I currently was sitting in 5th place for females. As we headed into mile 2, I was trying to take advantage of the big downhill by W3rd to calm down. I heard 12:13 at mile 2 and was wishing badly it was a 5k but I am not even halfway done and suffering badly.
Once I turned the corner at Browns stadium I was missing the downhill assistance and headed up the incline into the wind up toward the Great Lakes Science Center. I knew these roads and had run them a million times and all I could think it that climb up W3rd is so going to stink feeling so bad already. As we made the turn out to Voinivich park I was trying to be careful of my footing as it was icy and then made the U turn at the turnaround. I was not too far back from a lot of the lead women but I knew this second half, I was likely to really struggle. I hurt. I wanted to stop and just run it in with my sister. I was trying to self talk myself into continuing and put my head down. I heard so many friends cheering my name but I was in such a miserable fog, I had no idea who most of the people were cheering.
The climb back up hurt. I felt like I was not moving and was frustrated and lost another place as we made our way down W9th street. I had nothing left. To crest the uphill grade on the Superior bridge also seemed to take forever. I tried to pick it up once we got the downhill grade and then I got totally stuck in the traffic jam of walking 2 milers coming into the finish with the 5 milers. I got stopped dead in my tracks, sidestepped left aways, while a bunch of other 5 miler guys closed in on me hard. In trying to get around the walkers, I got tripped up by the guys who were angrily yelling at the walking 2 milers jamming the whole finish. Bad planning here but finally I made my way to the finish line with a time of 33:48 and supposedly a pace of 6:46. I got a pace of 6:51 with the course being 4.91 on my garmin. Ended 7th overall female and 5th in my AG (They only did top overall female and wouldn't ya know every other girl except LP, who just aged up, was in my ag!)
My friend Kara said she saw me finish and I did not look happy. While I was not pleased, it was more a look of being miserable. I could not catch my breathe even though I had hit the inhaler before the race. I think my stupid cold was not helping as I have struggled a lot lately with this cold to feel like I could just get in as much oxygen in. I walked for a long time when I was done to catch my breathe.
That 33:48 was no where close to the sub 32 I had hoped for. But, it gives me a look at where I was at on that given day and now I will work from there. I must say I think the old course is easier. If I look at the elevation changes this course makes you climb more and on the old course while you have a big climb, you get the recovery back right away which helps. Overall, I am a little disappointed but I am not training to run fast short course runs right now. The goal is to arrive at Nashville mary healthy to run that B race and then be in great shape to do TTT in May which is the A goal. I feel like I am building a pretty good base right now and it will come.
On the plus side, after the race, I had an absolutely awesome day getting to hang out with many other racers and friends. I enjoyed the entire day rolling into the evening just celebrating and I awoke Sunday feeling like an exhausted piece of crap. I SOOO wanted to lay on the couch all day and do nothing. Thank goodness for sis though as she really wanted to run so I went with her for a 16 mile jog to Middlefield. I actually felt pretty good despite my calves feeling like tight lillte baseballs and sweating out all the toxins from the prior day!
Garmin Stats:
Total time:33:48
Avg Pace: 6:51
Elevation Gain: 506
Elevation Loss: 443
Avg HR: 184--I think this is the highest average i have seen in race, no wonder why I hurt!
Max HR: 189
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Total Randomness!
It’s another crummy weather day in Cleveland, Ohio. Rainy, windy, gray and upper thirties. I am trying to keep in mind the quote I saw recently on Dirt Diva’s blog which I really liked.
Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.
~Anthony J. D'Angelo
~Anthony J. D'Angelo
Random fact that some of you may not know. When I was on my spring break in Mazatlan, Mexico, I drew my own tattoo design out at had it put on squeezing my partner in crime, Kate’s hand and while she poured beer down my throat with her other hand. Oh, how I loved the sunshine and I just felt it belonged on me! Years later, I covered that tattoo over with my larger hibiscus flowers.
Back to Dirt Diva, I caught her name, Catra Corbett, in the book, Born to Run which I finally started over the past weekend …which I could not put down until I finished. Amazon.com posted this summary of the book,
“Born to Run is an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt? In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world’s greatest distance runners and learn their secrets, and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.
Isolated by the most savage terrain in North America, the reclusive Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons are custodians of a lost art. For centuries they have practiced techniques that allow them to run hundreds of miles without rest and chase down anything from a deer to an Olympic marathoner while enjoying every mile of it. Their superhuman talent is matched by uncanny health and serenity, leaving the Tarahumara immune to the diseases and strife that plague modern existence. With the help of Caballo Blanco, a mysterious loner who lives among the tribe, the author was able not only to uncover the secrets of the Tarahumara but also to find his own inner ultra-athlete, as he trained for the challenge of a lifetime: a fifty-mile race through the heart of Tarahumara country pitting the tribe against an odd band of Americans, including a star ultramarathoner, a beautiful young surfer, and a barefoot wonder.”
For the first time in a long time, I truly enjoyed reading a book....lately I start one, get bored and that's it. I was skeptical of all the hype surrounding the book, but found it very inspiring, interesting and just plain enjoyable....definitely worth checking out! I had lots of time to read over the past weekend as I had been down in Alabama so my husband could attend a training class. I had hoped to get in some good training. I did ok putting in 60 miles on the road bike Friday and following that up with 45 minutes of running hill repeats, Saturday was a 12 mile run that was supposed to be 19 or 20, but after major stomach issues and bathroom stops I was very content to cut it short. Sunday, the weather was so crummy that I was happy I had my trainer, as I hopped on for a hardcore 1 hour and 45 minute interval bicycle set.
Sunday after finally feeling good for 4 days or so, my stupid cold returned with a vengeance. I am never sick, but have probably only felt normal 8 days in 2011 and just have had a cold the rest of the time. What gives? It really is driving me mental. The past couple days have been the worst. Monday was the 10.5 hour drive home and Tuesday, I opted to sleep in over working out….so no work outs either day!
Today, I dragged my guilt ridden butt out. As I stripped down to my shorts at the gym just after 6am in Cleveland, I saw my friend CV heading out for an easy run. I threw my pants back on and opted to join her. It was windy, rainy and dark becoming cloudy, but running with my friend made it all seem pretty darn good. We ran just under 6 miles including 6-30 second strides then I headed inside with her and hopped onto the treadmill for another hour to get in some miles. My Avia Bolt II’s felt so squishy on the treadmill as they were soaking wet…not a normal occurrence on the treadmill, but my DJ Muz-X-Zone kept me moving. I had that cold slick sweat all over me as I felt like I was sweating out my germ poisons, just happy to have my airways open and feel like a normal person for the time being.
On a sidenote, CV and I ran many of the roads that will be on Saturday’s St. Malachi Race. I am so looking forward to seeing soo many friends out there including some high school newbie runners who are doing their first race. I am hoping to run a respectable time but I am not sure how I will fare as I have not been doing much speedwork....that said my volume has been looking up and (knocking on wood) the legs have been feeling good. Guess we shall see! I really cannot wait, FUNNEST race of the year due to the gigantic post race party and subsequent pub crawl my peeps and I will do!
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Heading south
Well in just over 2 hours from now I will be picked up from work and head directly to Ider, AL.
An Alabama State trooper pulls over a pickup truck on I-20. He says to the driver, "Got any ID?" The driver says, "Bout what?" :-)
My husband is doing a weekend training class and so I am brought along for the ride. We stay at my husband's aunt and uncles about 45 minutes outside of Chattanooga, TN close to the TN, AL, GA border on a gorgeous piece of property.
I suppose I owe my husband a couple weekends here and there after forever dragging him to my never ending list of them. I am sad to miss the good rundown of activities that I would have done at home this weekend including the interclub social, east side cycling, youngstown half marathon and most of all, the SERC banquet. But, there will be more fun to come when I get back in town like my favorite road race of the year, St. Malachi next weekend!!!!
So this leaves me pretty much to my own devices down there which ='s hard core training weekend!
I was really hoping for some sunny 60's, but it looks more like 40s and 50s and rain. Yet, I am sort of gun-hoe to get it in though, as there will not be that much else to do. Not only that, upper 40's and 50's should feel like a heat wave to this northerner! So I packed up some warmer stuff and am ready to tough it out. I am really looking forward to my 60 mile road ride along the Desoto Parkways and climbing some super big hills.
I also have my dog mace all packed up as I prepare for the usual AL dogs that always want to say hi.
I am also packed up with a stash from the Trakkers Sponsors including some trial SBR shampoos and conditioners, some First Endurance EFS drink and Liquid Shots and (after a fair amount of groaning from my husband due to the volume of stuff I was bringing for a long weekend) the RECOVERY PUMP pants!!!!
I just figure these will be great to have, given the volume I am hoping to get in!
Next stop, Bama!
An Alabama State trooper pulls over a pickup truck on I-20. He says to the driver, "Got any ID?" The driver says, "Bout what?" :-)
My husband is doing a weekend training class and so I am brought along for the ride. We stay at my husband's aunt and uncles about 45 minutes outside of Chattanooga, TN close to the TN, AL, GA border on a gorgeous piece of property.
I suppose I owe my husband a couple weekends here and there after forever dragging him to my never ending list of them. I am sad to miss the good rundown of activities that I would have done at home this weekend including the interclub social, east side cycling, youngstown half marathon and most of all, the SERC banquet. But, there will be more fun to come when I get back in town like my favorite road race of the year, St. Malachi next weekend!!!!
So this leaves me pretty much to my own devices down there which ='s hard core training weekend!
I was really hoping for some sunny 60's, but it looks more like 40s and 50s and rain. Yet, I am sort of gun-hoe to get it in though, as there will not be that much else to do. Not only that, upper 40's and 50's should feel like a heat wave to this northerner! So I packed up some warmer stuff and am ready to tough it out. I am really looking forward to my 60 mile road ride along the Desoto Parkways and climbing some super big hills.
I also have my dog mace all packed up as I prepare for the usual AL dogs that always want to say hi.
I am also packed up with a stash from the Trakkers Sponsors including some trial SBR shampoos and conditioners, some First Endurance EFS drink and Liquid Shots and (after a fair amount of groaning from my husband due to the volume of stuff I was bringing for a long weekend) the RECOVERY PUMP pants!!!!
I just figure these will be great to have, given the volume I am hoping to get in!
Next stop, Bama!
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
ABC's of DD!
I was pondering what I might blog about today and saw this fun idea from Big Daddy Diesel!
A~Age: 33...for 18 more days!
B~ Bed Size: Queen, which barely fit up the stairs of my 200 year old house!
C~Chore you hate: Cleaning the bathroom...especially the shower. Every blue moon I can con the hubby into doing the shower for me!
D~Dogs: one, Matches my golden retriever! I forever want more! Thank goodness my MIL breeds and shows these cuties so Matches has a place 3 miles away to go play whenever we go out of town!
E~Essential Start your Day Item: Bathroom, Toothbrush, Coffee!
A~Age: 33...for 18 more days!
B~ Bed Size: Queen, which barely fit up the stairs of my 200 year old house!
C~Chore you hate: Cleaning the bathroom...especially the shower. Every blue moon I can con the hubby into doing the shower for me!
D~Dogs: one, Matches my golden retriever! I forever want more! Thank goodness my MIL breeds and shows these cuties so Matches has a place 3 miles away to go play whenever we go out of town!
E~Essential Start your Day Item: Bathroom, Toothbrush, Coffee!
F~Favorite Color: Hot Pink!
G~Gold or Silver: Silver for sure! But let's not forget my sportswatch which I never take off in addition to my pink plastic HTFU bracelet and yellow Livestrong bracelet
H~Height: 5'5 feet
I~Instruments you play: Used to play to trumpet....hated it and band which mom made me do!
J~Job Title: Director of Operations, Chief Compliance Officer
K~Kids: None, but my sister's 4 year old twin girls love their aunt janet (almost as much I love them!)
L~Live: TOTALLY STEALING from BDD here -"O-H-I-O, I swear this state has an unhealthy love of spelling out where they live"
M~Mom’s Name:Connie
N~Nicknames: Daisy Duc, The F-ing Terminator (long story)
O~Overnight Hospital Stays: Just when I was a little girls getting my tonsils out. It hurt so bad I had to stay an extra day because I would not even eat icecream!
P~Pet Peeve: People not moving out of the fast lane EVER when they drive like turtles. I have a long list of pet peeves in the car, probably due to my 80 mile roundtrip commute daily!
Q~Quote from a Movie: I don't know how many times I have watched Super Troopers but it always makes me laugh. "The Snozzberries taste like Snozzberries." "Say Car Ram Rod" "Who wants a moustache ride" "Do I look like a cat to you boy? Am I jumpin around all nimbly bimbly from tree to tree? Am I drinking milk from a saucer? Do you see me eating MICE?" Oh I think I need to go watch this movie again as it never gets old!
R~Right or Left Handed: Right
S~Siblings: Sister, 16 months younger and always has been my best friend
T~Time you wake up: 4:50 AM...at least the first normal alarm!
U~Underwear: ;-) hmmm depends!
V~Vegetable you Dislike: Olives...with a passion! Especially the big brown greek ones! SO GROSS!
W~What Makes You Late: The Husband, traffic, workouts!
S~Siblings: Sister, 16 months younger and always has been my best friend
T~Time you wake up: 4:50 AM...at least the first normal alarm!
U~Underwear: ;-) hmmm depends!
V~Vegetable you Dislike: Olives...with a passion! Especially the big brown greek ones! SO GROSS!
W~What Makes You Late: The Husband, traffic, workouts!
X~X-rays You’ve had Done: Tibia, Elbow...both last year!
Y~Yummy Food you Make: Lots especially anything grilled!
Z~Zoo Animal Favorite: Monkeys because they like fooling around!
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