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I love running and I hate it too…

 

As shown here, I am usually prepared for cold weather. Not Today.

As shown here, I am usually prepared for cold weather. Not Today.

Today I loved running.  And then I hated it.  And then I loved it again.  And then I hated it.  Fortunately, we managed to end on a good note (only because it was the end and that meant coffee).

 

 

I woke up early.  As usual.  On a Saturday.  You know, when the rest of the normal world is still asleep.  Good thing my running group doesn’t consist of normal people.  I didn’t wake up as early as I had planned.  Yes, it appears that I actually slacked a bit today.  I was planning to run 2 miles before meeting up with the group so I could make sure that my total mileage added up to 10.  Anyway, I did get up in time to meet the group.  Because when I say I am going to be somewhere, then I am there (even if I don’t want to be).

 

I rolled out of bed and put on my running clothes.  I knew without a doubt that I would need the below 40 degree pants (I’m starting to think that I should invest in a pair of below freezing pants) and my fleece lined long-sleeve shirt.  I thought that maybe I might need an extra fleece so I grabbed one just in case.  Yeah, that was definitely a good idea.

 

As soon as I stepped out of the car I wished I was back home in bed.  As soon as I started running I hated running.  The wind chill must have been below single digits (try putting a negative sign in front of a single digit).  My face became so numb that I had trouble speaking (and of course I didn’t think I would need a face mask).  Then there was the matter of my fingers.  Where were they?  How come I couldn’t feel them?  Oh, wait a second, I am feeling some pain now.

 

Then we turned around.  Did I mention that I love running?  I was chatting with my running group and picking up the pace.  It was a great time.

 

Then the group was finished and I had to do my extra 2 miles.  The wind was still at my back, but my stomach was somewhere else.  It was in a world of hurt.  I had to stop.  Then I knew I had to find a bathroom.  FAST.  Yet, I couldn’t go fast.  I couldn’t even run.  I hated running anyway so what did it matter?  I managed to get to the bathroom, but my stomach never really recovered for the last mile.  It was a painful last mile.  It was NOT FUN.

 

Then it was over.  My stomach could relax and I could fill it with some nice hot coffee.  As soon as I sat down in the coffee shop with my running group I was one happy runner.  I had finished my 10 miles as planned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bikes, pools & weights oh my!

It is not as fun as it looks... but it can be made more fun with episodes of 24 or a good magazine.

It is not as fun as it looks… but it can be made more fun with episodes of 24 or a good magazine.

I was a bit disoriented when my alarm went off.  Now why was I getting up at 6:30 AM when I didn’t have to take any kids to school or be at work until 1:00 PM?  The confusion lasted a minute before I realized that I had agreed to meet my friend at the pool at 8:00 AM.  Well, it sure as heck doesn’t take an hour and a half to drive to the YMCA. Oh, that’s right.  I had made a plan to ride on my bike trainer for 30 minutes before going to the pool.  I laid there for a minute and realized that I should either drag my butt out of bed or just set the alarm for an hour later.  Sleep seemed like the logical choice, but I don’t always listen to logic.

It is that damn competition.  I don’t even know why I am bothering because there are people who are supposedly doing 4 workouts per day.  How can I compete with that?  I have 3 kids and a job!  Okay, I suppose I could do 4 workouts a day at a half an hour each because that adds up to 2 hours.  I already spend 2 hours working out per day.  However, I am focused on my 1/2 Ironman training.  That means I need to focus on cycling, swimming and running (well, weight training is also a necessity).  I just named 4 possible workouts, but the thing is that I need to have quality workouts.  A 1/2 hour on the treadmill is not quality.  I am just going to have to pass over quantity for the more desired quality.

Well, that doesn’t stop me from being competitive.  I will still give it my best shot.  That is why I got up early to go for a ride on the bike.  Even though it wasn’t a quality workout, I figured it was better than laying in bed doing nothing.  At least I indulged in some quality time with Runner’s World.  So after my half an hour was up I hopped off the bike, changed into my swimsuit and headed out the door.  Then it was an hour in the pool.  That was my long swim for the week so there was definitely some quality involved.  I debated whether or not to go home, but then decided that I should just stick with my plan to weight train.  Once again (after a quick shower) I had to change my clothes.  Jeez, the laundry pile in my house is ridiculous.  It would make sense to lift weights before swimming so that I don’t have to take 2 showers, but I would probably drown because I wouldn’t be able to move my arms and legs.  I spent some quality time with the weights (a nice 45 minute workout).  I even tried to save some body parts for tomorrow so I can do another workout in addition to my long run.  Okay, maybe this is going to be more painful than I need it to be.  Stupid competition.  I can’t wait for March Madness because that competition is based on the amount of time that you spend working out.  Maybe then I will have a chance.

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Let the Training Begin!

Kiefer and I wll be cycling buddies for the next 24 X 8 hours!

Kiefer and I wll be cycling buddies for the next 24 X 8 hours!

I was kind of a lump on a log during the holidays.  Okay, maybe I was still pretty active, but not as active as I usually am.  I went 2 days in a row without working out and it really bothered me.  Thanks to the damn stairs I nearly broke my toe, but I am pretty sure it was either just a sprain or a ligament tear…. still not really sure, but it doesn’t hurt.  It just looks ugly.  Well, I guess my toes have always been ugly so this doesn’t make much of a difference.

It just so happens that December 31st (of our dearly beloved 2012) was the start of my official 1/2 Ironman Training.  It kind of worked out with it being at the start of the year.  It is almost like I am in with the Resolution crowd.  Okay, not really.  Working out is nothing new to me.  The only thing that’s different is now I just need to have it planned out and stick with the plan.  Fortunately I am being helped along with a little competition.  Oh yes, I love competitions.  It is the Jammin’ January Challenge.  Whoever completes the most workouts in the entire month wins!  I’m all over this!  Bring it!  That is the only reason why I got up extra early this morning to make sure I could squeeze in a swim workout AND some weight training before work.

I have my little plan written down on a calendar.  Okay, okay, I have yet to do exactly what the plan says.  I have already switched days around, but next week this family will be back to a normal routine.  You know, school and after school activities…. all of that fun stuff that keeps you busy.  I will have my scheduled gym days and my scheduled free time when the hubby is watching the kids.  It will be scheduled… since schedules never change.  Ever.  Yes, I will laugh at that.  We are a military family.  However, we are not very military-like these days because my husband just goes to school.  Whoa!  He has a normal schedule folks!  That is unbelievable!  Okay, maybe this will work.  A schedule and a plan.  I got this!

So, my basement is ready for me.  Basements are scary, I know.  I have learned to sort of like our basement.  Sure, it is creepy, but at least there is a window.  Well, the window is only a hole with a view of the dirt, but at least some light comes in.  The scariest part is the crawl space that is closed off with a curtain.  I don’t like to look under there.  Crawl spaces definitely creep me out.  So today my husband (with some help from me) hoisted the treadmill from our room on the very top floor all the way down to the basement.  You see, I made the mistake of having the movers put it in the bedroom.  It was too late to change my mind when I saw it in the room.  That would’ve pissed them off and they would have taken more than our folder of DVD’s and my very special candle (where else could that freakin’ candle be??).  Maybe they were planning a hot date with a movie and a candle.  Oh, and a stepstool.  We are missing our stepstool.

Anyway, back to the treadmill.  It just made more sense to put it in the basement.  So, after 6 months it is finally in the basement.  I don’t have to run on it and worry that I am going to fall on my kids who might be sitting downstairs in the living room.  Okay, I rarely use the treadmill, but those single digit temperatures at 6:00 AM might entice me to use it more often.  Now the glorious treadmill is sitting right next to my bike trainer.  At least it was.  My husband is back down there moving things around to my liking.  He asked me for my opinion without realizing that I would actually give it to him.  In front of the bike trainer and the treadmill will be a very old t.v…. one of the ones that actually looks like a box.  However, I will probably be bringing down my laptop so I can watch the entire 24 series all over again.  And trust me, I will get through all 8 seasons of 24.  My butt will get sore in the process, but that is better than getting a sore bottom from sitting on the couch.

Week 1 is almost complete.  Nevermind.  I just realized I still have a long ride and a long run to do before the week is over.  Oh, and a long swim (even though the definition of a “long swim” is only about an hour, that is still a heck of a long time to swim in circles without music or something to look at).  This is going to be a long 20 weeks, but it will be worth it in the end!  Sure, some people think that is just crazy.  Do I care? Nope.

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Spending Money is Motivation

Not many people in the water with me... this is how I like it

Not many people in the water with me… this is how I like it

Rather should I say that when you spend money on a race, you are one step further at being more motivated to actually complete the race.  There was only one race that I missed.  The reason was illness.  Normally, I don’t mind running when I have the sniffles, but this was the full on nasty flu where my body felt so limp that I could barely get out of bed.  Otherwise, when I spend money on a race I make sure that money doesn’t go to waste!

So, I have been thinking about doing a Half Ironman for quite some time… since this past summer when I completed my first two sprint triathlons.  I was considering the next step, an Olympic distance, but for some reason I just decided to skip that step.  I don’t know, I guess I figured that I might as well go the distance on this one.  And it’s not like I did a 10K or a 15K before my first half marathon.  I managed a 5K, but that would be similar to the sprint triathlon in this situation.

 

The constant debate in my head wasn’t about whether or not I would do a Half Ironman (eventually followed by a full IM of course), but about when I would do it.  I knew it would be during the summer at some point, but I was really opposed to completing one during our vacation or even after our vacation.  I’m sure my husband would love me to pieces if I woke up at 5:00 AM in our little camper to go train for 4 or 5 hours.  I’m sure I would be able to find some nice lakes to swim in though.  Okay, so it would be ideal to find a race that I can complete before our vacation.  Then I could just relax (you know, relax while on vacation with 3 little kids).

 

That was settled.  I needed to find a Half that I could do in May or June.  Well, one popped up on my radar right away.  It was a Half Ironman in Kansas.  Yay Toto!  It is at the beginning of June (right around my birthday… but just after it so I could race with the next age group and have a better chance of not coming in last).  Then I started reading the reviews.  Lots of hills on the bike.  Wind, lots of wind.  Choppy lake… waves about 3 feet high.  Running in circles.  Running in 95 degree heat.  Wow!  That sounds like fun!  Sign me up!  I do love challenges right?  Sure.

 

Aha!  I was waiting for this.  Another triathlon series, HITS, was considering it’s Colorado date and location.  I was waiting, patiently, because I am so very patient.  Okay, I was about ready to sign up for Kansas and an 8 hour drive across no man’s land when I noticed that HITS had posted its date and location:  Grand Junction in May!  Whew!  I had been so worried that they were going to hold their event in July.  I’m all over that.

 

 

Wait, I just realized something.  This HITS triathlon venue is not Ironman.  Everyone knows the big wigs… you know, the IRONMAN folks.  But lets not get ahead of ourselves.  This HITS Half Triathlon is the SAME distance as a Half IM.  Seriously people, it is the same thing!  I know those hardheaded IM folks would beg to disagree.  Okay, so maybe I will only be getting in the water with 700 people instead of 2,000 people!  I guess that means that I am not tough enough to call myself a Half Ironman!  (not that anyone really calls themselves half of an Ironman, but you know what I mean… you have to start somewhere).  Whatever, I am just a beginner.  I will stick with the smaller event for now.  I don’t really like crowds anyway.  But, I am thinking that I may have to consider an IM event for my FULL.  Okay, that’s settled.  I will eventually be able to put the sticker on my truck after all.  No worries about finding that tatoo parlor… that big red M insignia doesn’t do my skin justice.  I might have to figure something else out.  Ideas anyone?

 

So, I will be in Grand Junction in May.  Too bad I won’t be able to let loose at sea level, but at least it is about 2,000 feet lower than where I am now.  I don’t think I will need to worry about scalding temperatures during the run, but I will have to deal with freezing my tushy off in the lake.  Let’s do this!  1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run here I come!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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When no one is looking…

 

What do you do when no one is watching you workout?  Let’s say you went out for a run, alone.  Do you stop to walk more often than when someone else is with you?  Or do you push yourself harder because you don’t have to worry about slowing down for someone else?  I tend to believe that most people opt for the first option.  It is too easy to just say “the heck with it!” when we are alone and no one is watching.  But, why even workout if you aren’t going to do the best that you can do?  It would almost be a waste of time.

 

A few of you may choose not to go to the gym because you assume that people are watching you and judging you.  Well, don’t get too full of yourself…. people typically have more important things to think about.  And who really cares what someone else thinks?  Isn’t it supposed to be your workout, not theirs?  Everyone has a different strategy and of course we should all know that everybody’s body is different.  I admit that I have often wondered how an overweight person can pass me out on the race course.  Obviously, my running fitness is not as fine tuned as theirs and I have learned that you can never really assume anything.  You can get your rear kicked by anybody.  And the same applies in the opposite situation.  You may see someone at the starting line who appears to be fit as a fiddle, has the so-called runner’s body and all of the most current running gear and gadgets.  Then, the next thing you know, you are flying by them at mile 12.

 

When no one is looking, I try so hard to give it my best, but I must admit that I often fail.  However, yesterday I was on the spinning bike (not in spin class) and I forced myself to sweat bullets.  I didn’t allow any breaks and I pushed through the pain.  I really felt like I had a good workout when I got off that bike.  I was proud that I did that all on my own.

 

I know that I am competitive and that I am most challenged when I am with someone.  I spend some time running and riding with people who are more experienced (and way faster) than me so that I am forced to push myself harder.  It just seems much easier to do that then to try to give myself a stupid “you can do it” peptalk.  Today, during boot camp class, I was in so much pain trying to hold a plank (forever, I swear) and it took everything I had not to let my knees touch the ground because I knew that no one else in the class was going to give up.  It was actually kind of funny because I found myself trying to meditate and breathe evenly and I am not one to do the inner feelings crap like the yogis.  The instructor had said “put that pain in a box and ship it the fuck out of here” (sorry, but those were his exact words).

Then I think about the discipline.  When no one is looking I get my bum out of bed early to go for a run.  When no one is looking, I make the choice to go to the gym.  When no one is looking, I ride 20 miles instead of 10 miles.  When no one is looking, I run up the hills instead of choosing the flatter path.  I think I’m finally getting pretty good at this.  I tell my daughter to “always do the right thing even when no one is looking.”  That is something that we all struggle with.  Take note and try to push yourself a little more the next time you are working out alone.  Or, make the choice to look fear in the face and try working out with someone who is faster or stronger than you.  I get tired of people saying that they wouldn’t want to run with me because I am too fast for them!  That is the whole point!  (And I am really not that fast :).