Feb 24, 2011
Running for recovery
After the marathon I had severe soreness, and tried everything to get better. I took ice baths, rolled, stretched, went swimming and did some easy spinning on the trainer, but nothing worked. I even resorted to living in my compression pants, or as Chris so eloquently refers to them as the cockblock pants, and as of yesterday I still had the pain in my quads. The rest of the legs were back to normal, but I was walking up and down stairs like I had just had a baby. I had an easy 45 minute run on the schedule today and I didnt think I would be able to do it. But then I read that coach had written you cant go too slow, so I figured that included walking and headed out with the dogs. I ran. Slow. And then I woke up today and am almost back to normal. Who knew that running would help? Gotta remember that next time!
Feb 23, 2011
Austin Marathon RR
This race was all about the Hs - Hot, humid and hilly - very good for IMTX training, which was my purpose for running this marathon. Not a good race for a PR unless you are like me and your only other marathon was so slow that you could walk the second half and still PR (which i did - walk and PR). At the finish line one of the people I was running with said that if that was his first marathon, he would never do another one. I actually felt great - probably because I stuck to my plan of going sloooowww. Austin is my favorite city by far, and I loved getting to run through parts of it, and definitely recommend this race for anyone who wants a challenge.
The expo - traffic in Austin is awful and was made even worse by the line of the people trying to get into the expo. It took us almost an hour to go a mile until I finally decided to jump out of the car and run in to get my packet. By the time I came back out, my mom had driven about 2 blocks. The race was sponsored by Livestrong (Lance made an appearance and ran the half), and the swag was pretty great. They gave away a messenger bag instead of a Tshirt which I loved becuase, really, I dont need another Tshirt. My maid is running around town with all of my old race tshirts posing as a triathlete/runner. If you saw her you would know what a funny site this actually is.
The start - no bueno. The start was really narrow and the half marathoners and marathoners were all bunched together. They used to start in another part of town that was much wider and I heard it was a better experience. I also think that if you have over 20,000 people trying to get across a little line at once, you should have a wave start. It took me about 15 minutes to get across the starting line. For the first time before a race I had zero nerves. It was purely a training run so there was no pressure. Plus I knew I had to walk up all the uphills because of my hip, and through all of the aid stations to practice nutrition. I knew it would be a slow marathon, and I was just out to have fun and feel really good at the finish.
The race - I was told the first 3 miles were uphill so I knew there would be a lot of walking involved. Whoever told me that lied - the first 16 miles were up hill. There was one downhill break from mile 4-6 where I pushed the pace a lot, but the rest of the time I was just walking up the hills. Around mile 20 I ran into a friend of mine who decided she would run slow enough to run in with me. Miles 20-26 were almost all downhill, but by that time it was hot and I was tired so my run was slow. We both ran across the finish line, and I felt great. No hip pain, no nausea and I had energy. I guess taking in calories really does work in a marathon - go figure. I also PRed (again, not saying much) after a pretty rough bike ride on saturday. So all in all it was a confidence booster I need going into May. I also think that I am going to actually train for a early 2012 marathon and see what I can do.
Here is a really fuzzy picture of us at the finish line taken by my mom's BB. I realize I forgot to post potential outfits, but a trip to cancun followed by food poisoning meant that I didnt have time to pack and resorted to wear what I had left at my mom's house from my last trip home. Of course it was some lulu.
Um, yes my friend has a baby and is one of those impressive mom runner types.
And good news - I finally got into a Dr to look at my hip. I find out exray results soon, but the good news is that he is a triathlete. So he knows that telling me to stop running and find something else to do with my time is not an option, instead he said he would fix it. YAY!
The expo - traffic in Austin is awful and was made even worse by the line of the people trying to get into the expo. It took us almost an hour to go a mile until I finally decided to jump out of the car and run in to get my packet. By the time I came back out, my mom had driven about 2 blocks. The race was sponsored by Livestrong (Lance made an appearance and ran the half), and the swag was pretty great. They gave away a messenger bag instead of a Tshirt which I loved becuase, really, I dont need another Tshirt. My maid is running around town with all of my old race tshirts posing as a triathlete/runner. If you saw her you would know what a funny site this actually is.
The start - no bueno. The start was really narrow and the half marathoners and marathoners were all bunched together. They used to start in another part of town that was much wider and I heard it was a better experience. I also think that if you have over 20,000 people trying to get across a little line at once, you should have a wave start. It took me about 15 minutes to get across the starting line. For the first time before a race I had zero nerves. It was purely a training run so there was no pressure. Plus I knew I had to walk up all the uphills because of my hip, and through all of the aid stations to practice nutrition. I knew it would be a slow marathon, and I was just out to have fun and feel really good at the finish.
The race - I was told the first 3 miles were uphill so I knew there would be a lot of walking involved. Whoever told me that lied - the first 16 miles were up hill. There was one downhill break from mile 4-6 where I pushed the pace a lot, but the rest of the time I was just walking up the hills. Around mile 20 I ran into a friend of mine who decided she would run slow enough to run in with me. Miles 20-26 were almost all downhill, but by that time it was hot and I was tired so my run was slow. We both ran across the finish line, and I felt great. No hip pain, no nausea and I had energy. I guess taking in calories really does work in a marathon - go figure. I also PRed (again, not saying much) after a pretty rough bike ride on saturday. So all in all it was a confidence booster I need going into May. I also think that I am going to actually train for a early 2012 marathon and see what I can do.
Here is a really fuzzy picture of us at the finish line taken by my mom's BB. I realize I forgot to post potential outfits, but a trip to cancun followed by food poisoning meant that I didnt have time to pack and resorted to wear what I had left at my mom's house from my last trip home. Of course it was some lulu.
Um, yes my friend has a baby and is one of those impressive mom runner types.
And good news - I finally got into a Dr to look at my hip. I find out exray results soon, but the good news is that he is a triathlete. So he knows that telling me to stop running and find something else to do with my time is not an option, instead he said he would fix it. YAY!
Feb 10, 2011
Again I go back on the big scary flying bus
It is that time again, time to get back on the plane. I live out of a suitcase now even when I back home because it just takes too much energy to unpack and repack a couple of days later. The good news is that Chris is coming home with me this weekend, the bad news is that it is for wedding stuff. I am not one of those girls who has been planning her wedding since she was little, and it is not something I want to start now. I have the world's best mom and she has been doing about 99% of the wedding planning, and since I am not picky and she is creative and has good taste, I am hoping I can just show up. I hate going to stores to shop, I hate trying on clothes (even wedding dresses), and I hate driving around in traffic to get to the next store. But my mom mentioned that she would not do 100% of the registering for me. Yes, she is helping me by explaining what we will need and what certain pots are for (no, I dont know the difference in a pot used for cakes and a pot used for casseroles, or even if you use pots for them), but she is not going to actually register. And I have to bring Chris because since my tools in the kitchen stop with a can opener, fork, and spoon, I will need someone who actually will use the stuff to select it. I was secretly hoping we could register for this.! Would it be wrong to put this on the website? If you really want to make the bride happy, she would love a kinect and the new Michael Phelps game so she doesnt have to get up in the cold to go to the pool.
We are leaving tonight which means two days on the bike instead of 1 and you all know I need it! Next week I am going to be working on marathon outfits for Austin. I got an idea from Chloe to post some pictures of the final few next week.
We are leaving tonight which means two days on the bike instead of 1 and you all know I need it! Next week I am going to be working on marathon outfits for Austin. I got an idea from Chloe to post some pictures of the final few next week.
Feb 3, 2011
I couldn't do it without
This guy...
I know I have said it many times before but Chris keeps my life together. I have healthy homecooked breakfast, lunches, dinners, fresh juices and stress free living becuase of him. When he goes out of town my meals turn to crap and I am eating peanut MMs for breakfast and tuna from the can for lunch and dinner. It is a good thing that I am left solo very infrequently. But he outdid himself last weekend. When I went out of town to train, I asked to see if he could put on my powertap. I figured I would come home to a bike in a million pieces, but not so. He apparently stayed up all night and had it in one piece and actually reading my power. Or lack thereof, but that is a different post. If we were living in the US, I would have just taken it to the local tri store and had them do it, but since the best shop here uses gasoline (yes like for a car) to clean and degrease the chains, I figure it was better if I put Chris on the job. And it is a good thing, because he has honed his talent as a bike mechanic and I have someone to help me break down and build up bikes in the future.
The problem now with the power is that I have to see what a bad cyclist I really am. I had my test yesterday and am waiting for feedback from my coach. I tried sending her the file a few times yesterday and she wasnt able to view it, and I am convinced that it is because the numbers were too low. Good news is I have nowhere to go but up, and now I have something that is really telling me how I am improving. I cant wait!
I know I have said it many times before but Chris keeps my life together. I have healthy homecooked breakfast, lunches, dinners, fresh juices and stress free living becuase of him. When he goes out of town my meals turn to crap and I am eating peanut MMs for breakfast and tuna from the can for lunch and dinner. It is a good thing that I am left solo very infrequently. But he outdid himself last weekend. When I went out of town to train, I asked to see if he could put on my powertap. I figured I would come home to a bike in a million pieces, but not so. He apparently stayed up all night and had it in one piece and actually reading my power. Or lack thereof, but that is a different post. If we were living in the US, I would have just taken it to the local tri store and had them do it, but since the best shop here uses gasoline (yes like for a car) to clean and degrease the chains, I figure it was better if I put Chris on the job. And it is a good thing, because he has honed his talent as a bike mechanic and I have someone to help me break down and build up bikes in the future.
The problem now with the power is that I have to see what a bad cyclist I really am. I had my test yesterday and am waiting for feedback from my coach. I tried sending her the file a few times yesterday and she wasnt able to view it, and I am convinced that it is because the numbers were too low. Good news is I have nowhere to go but up, and now I have something that is really telling me how I am improving. I cant wait!
Jan 18, 2011
Running
The running and swimming are still getting better, I dont want to talk about the bike. Although as I type Chris is trying to put together the powertap on my bike. Maybe that will perform miracles. My past few long runs have been getting faster and faster and I had a run on sunday that used to be my pace at sea level. That's the good news. The bad news is that I was starting to have some hip problems, but I am hoping that I have solved them. At first I was worried it was a stress fracture, but the internet told me it wasnt. I laid off running for a week and it felt a ton better, and I was able to have a good run on sunday. Rolling and icing has been the trick. I trust wikipedia more than I trust the doctors in Mexico so until I can get into a doc in the US, the internet will continue to guide me. On sunday I sat on the trigger point ball for an hour in the exact spot that it hurt and I had no after running pain at all. Then running today I realized that my left foot was turning out, which doesnt happen normally. So I think it is a strength issue with my hip (or a flexibility issue. Im not sure since I havent researched it yet). There has been no IT pain so far (knock on wood) and it is really just the upper hip socket area. The marathon is in a month, but unless I am 100% I am not going to push it. I was a little bummed when my coach said she wasnt sure if I should run it, but then I reminded myself the goal is in may and everything leading up to it is training.
Jan 13, 2011
Pesky Resolutions
We are still withing the first two weeks of January, so I think I am still in time for my resolutions. I had some last year and one was to pack lighter. Then we showed up in the airport with 8 bags (including carry ons) coming back from Christmas and I realized I should have a do over on that one. So here goes - the 2011 resolutions.
1) Finish and Ironman - I have been training for this one for a while, so I figure I should make it an actual resolution. The only challenge will be the bike. Which brings me to #2
2) Get better on the bike. I got a power tap that Chris is going to attempt to set up this weekend so hopefully that will help. It is my mission to improve
3) PR a marathon - this shouldnt be too hard since my last one was a disaster. I think I can even PR in the ironman - it was that slow.
4) With the engagement I figure I need to start being more wifey (as Beth says). Even if it is for my own health. If Chris leaves town for even a weekend I am stuck eating cereal and tuna fish. I can cook, Im just lazy, and I need to become unlazy in 2011.
5) And finally pack light*. If at first you dont succeed right?
I may add one or two more in there before the 15th, but so far this is the list. Hopefully I can check them all off at the end of the year!
*I will pack light going to the US, coming home is a different story since we always import all of the basic necessities (like velveeta for queso -DUH).
1) Finish and Ironman - I have been training for this one for a while, so I figure I should make it an actual resolution. The only challenge will be the bike. Which brings me to #2
2) Get better on the bike. I got a power tap that Chris is going to attempt to set up this weekend so hopefully that will help. It is my mission to improve
3) PR a marathon - this shouldnt be too hard since my last one was a disaster. I think I can even PR in the ironman - it was that slow.
4) With the engagement I figure I need to start being more wifey (as Beth says). Even if it is for my own health. If Chris leaves town for even a weekend I am stuck eating cereal and tuna fish. I can cook, Im just lazy, and I need to become unlazy in 2011.
5) And finally pack light*. If at first you dont succeed right?
I may add one or two more in there before the 15th, but so far this is the list. Hopefully I can check them all off at the end of the year!
*I will pack light going to the US, coming home is a different story since we always import all of the basic necessities (like velveeta for queso -DUH).
Jan 4, 2011
Christmas and New Years
I am really trying to be a better blogger, but it is hard! I am going to have to combine my Christmas and New Years trip into one quick post. We went home for about 2 weeks which meant lots of quality time with my bike. It is much needed because I SUCK at biking. I am starting to get nervous that I wont even make the bike cut off time in IMTX, so these trips home will start to become more frequent. The swimming is fine and the running is getting much better with the altitude training, but the trainer rides here just arent cutting it. I really have no idea what the issue is becuase my legs are way stronger than my arms so I should be good right? Wrong. Maybe I need to lose weight. Or gain weight. Who knows, but when dudes on mountain bikes are passing me it isnt a good sign.
For Christmas Eve and Day we traveled west to Charleston to spend the holiday with my brother's inlaws and a really close friend. Here is the happy fam plus Chris plus our special friend at cooking class.
Did you know Santa lives in Charleston? It took about 5 takes to get this shot because the dude taking it had had one too many vodka redbulls.
After that we came back to Houston where my body decided to get sick so I spent a few nights at home watching hoarders (my mom is obsessed and DVRs every one) and do puzzles. We had to teach Chris our technique to getting them done quickly. Luckily by New Year's eve I had recovered enough to go out because what a night it was. After midnight Chris decided to propose! After many beers and glasses of champagne it probably was much less nerve wracking for him. It was perfect to be able to celebrate this special moment with our close friends right after as well. It was also nice to already have champagne at the house to toast with.
Just after the happy moment. Doesnt everyone ask their girlfriend to marry them in a tuxedo tshirt. This was his favorite Christmas present.
And telling the story to our friends who didnt notice what was happening right outside just minutes before.
I hate the word fiance so Chris will continue to be my boyfriend until we get married, but we are both so excited and can't wait for our future together. What a great start to 2011!
For Christmas Eve and Day we traveled west to Charleston to spend the holiday with my brother's inlaws and a really close friend. Here is the happy fam plus Chris plus our special friend at cooking class.
Did you know Santa lives in Charleston? It took about 5 takes to get this shot because the dude taking it had had one too many vodka redbulls.
After that we came back to Houston where my body decided to get sick so I spent a few nights at home watching hoarders (my mom is obsessed and DVRs every one) and do puzzles. We had to teach Chris our technique to getting them done quickly. Luckily by New Year's eve I had recovered enough to go out because what a night it was. After midnight Chris decided to propose! After many beers and glasses of champagne it probably was much less nerve wracking for him. It was perfect to be able to celebrate this special moment with our close friends right after as well. It was also nice to already have champagne at the house to toast with.
Just after the happy moment. Doesnt everyone ask their girlfriend to marry them in a tuxedo tshirt. This was his favorite Christmas present.
And telling the story to our friends who didnt notice what was happening right outside just minutes before.
I hate the word fiance so Chris will continue to be my boyfriend until we get married, but we are both so excited and can't wait for our future together. What a great start to 2011!
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