Today has been one of those days. I'm not sure which way to turn.
Let's see. I woke up late with another great 9 hrs logged. Perfect. Race day tomorrow so one more lazy morning was just what I needed. I had 1 cup of coffee and then completed my 30 min pre-race run. I felt good. I had some zip in the legs. I visualized each mile and made a real race plan. I wasn't 100% ready for this 10 miler 3 weeks ago when it was originally scheduled. It was just a bit too soon after my January marathon. However, I am ready now. I also have this major itch to race again. My blood is simmering. I have game face all over again.
After that was done, it was time to head to Sunday River for a ski day with the boys. I made a plan to just ski super easy and potentially cut the day short. My kids are little ski bums now ( love it ) but we ski pretty hard when given the chance. I didn't want to leave the mountain with that rubbery feeling the day before this race. (I love this race in my hometown and I really want to do well.)
It was about 10 min before leaving the house and I headed back into the kitchen for one last trip. I had a bunch of things in my arms. Since it's a kitchen, and not a playroom, I didn't see the need to Look Down and watch my step.
MiSTAKE when I have 3 boys rolling around. I should've known.
I FLEW into the air after stepping on this ball left rigth in my way. I was airborn. I have no idea what happened but my full coffee cup when flying along with whatever else was in my arms and I Slammed down on my knee. It hurt. I screamed. My boys actually acted concerned for their poor Mother laying in a heap almost crying.
Ouch. It still hurts. It's clearly quite bruised. But, I'll live.
Next, I talked on the phone to my poor little brother. He trained hard and was supposed to head south for a marathon tomorrow. Only yesterday, he came down with a nasty stomach virus that's circulating. He's down for the count. I feel just horrible for him. At that point, he hadn't made a decision. But things looked pretty grim.
Off to the mountain. It was cold and windy but the snow was Amaaaazing! I skied with trepidation but had to fight the urge big time. I just wanted to fly with the boys. I held back.
At this point, I began to hear a little chatter. A little this and that about some more snow in the forecast. So what? Just a few inches? big deal! right????
Well, not to the Cape E Police. They are watching this race with hawk eyes. If there is any precip tomorrow at race time, it's off. Of course, they have to decide before that. So, by 6:30 tonight, the call will be made. No race if the snow plows are expected out.
I was sitting back inside the condo 'resting' my legs while the kids and Mark took a few runs without me.
What to do, what to do. If I stay in, my legs won't feel like jello. However, there may not be a race and I will have wasted a perfectly good afternoon with my family on some super nice powder.
I went back out. At the unanimous advice from my FB friends, I went back out and enjoyed the rest of the day with the kids. We hit up the mogul trail 3D and had a blast.
Now, we're home. I'm waiting. Do I pack? Do I get the kids ready to go to their grandparents? Do I roll and stretch? ( probably not a bad idea anyway ) MOre importantly, do I get that game face back on? It's Hard to lose it and then grab it back and then be wishy-washy.....
Up and down all day. Up in the air, down on the kitchen floor, Up for the race tomorrow, Down about Jeff, Up the ski lift, down the trails.....
We'll see what happens. One more hour and I can relax or work to get that race feeling back again.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
I'm digging out my Rally Cap
It's time for me to post something because I'm no longer sitting here paralyzed by exhaustion. And yet, I don't have too much to write.
It's vacation week at our house so the routine is out of whack. I admit, I thought today was Monday. It's not. It's Thursday. In my defense, my husband took a few days off and went back today. I started my morning at 4:27 so I could go for a swim. So in my mind and body, it's Monday.
In addition to school vacation, it's a rest week from training for me. As a Mom of 3 boys, I must admit that those two phrases are a bit oxymoronic. It's pretty tough to truly rest when three little guys are running around day and night. Yes, at night. My littlest monkey became inflicted with his first ever ear infection around 2 a.m. this past Saturday. It worsened with each passing day until Tuesday when we were finally able to begin treatment. Poor guy is better now but that was an unfortunate start to the week.
Despite the busy home of vacation week,I am rallying!! Yes, I have managed to log some decent hours of sleep at night. I've cut waaaaaay waaaay back on my hours in the pool, on the bike and on the roads. I did have a nasty suffer-fest on Tuesday however. First, I scared my family out of the house while I busted out my power test on the bike. It's remarkable how much something like that can hurt. My quads were roaring with pain when I finished. I had about 10 min to shower and recover before I buzzed my son to that aforementioned doctor appointment. From there, I drove my weekly 1+ hrs to see my personal trainer for more hurt. She whooops my sorry butt every week I must say. She has managed to come up with a new routine for the past 5 months now. By the end of my hour with Kelsey this past Tuesday, I collapsed on the turf nearly in tears. Good stuff!!
Yesterday, I spent the day with my gang of boys whizzing 13 miles across Umbagog lake which is north of Grafton Notch in New Hampshire. We were lucky enough to experience a true day of dogsledding with beautiful and impressively strong Alaskan Huskies. It was amazing.
I'm just living my life with my kids and husband, finding fun vacation activities, and resting. I feel the spark growing inside again. I know I'm going to recover just fine from that little hole I was in.
To top the week off, I'll be racing my 2nd race of 2011 on Sunday. The Cape Elizabeth 10 mile MidWinter Classic is this weekend. It's one of the best races of the year on the coast of Maine in my hometown. I grew up running on those roads and I love going back. I hope my legs can fire up and be ready to rock out there. No no no...let me restate that. I Know my legs will be ready to rock and I plan to wear my rally cap and keep looking forward.
It's vacation week at our house so the routine is out of whack. I admit, I thought today was Monday. It's not. It's Thursday. In my defense, my husband took a few days off and went back today. I started my morning at 4:27 so I could go for a swim. So in my mind and body, it's Monday.
In addition to school vacation, it's a rest week from training for me. As a Mom of 3 boys, I must admit that those two phrases are a bit oxymoronic. It's pretty tough to truly rest when three little guys are running around day and night. Yes, at night. My littlest monkey became inflicted with his first ever ear infection around 2 a.m. this past Saturday. It worsened with each passing day until Tuesday when we were finally able to begin treatment. Poor guy is better now but that was an unfortunate start to the week.
Despite the busy home of vacation week,I am rallying!! Yes, I have managed to log some decent hours of sleep at night. I've cut waaaaaay waaaay back on my hours in the pool, on the bike and on the roads. I did have a nasty suffer-fest on Tuesday however. First, I scared my family out of the house while I busted out my power test on the bike. It's remarkable how much something like that can hurt. My quads were roaring with pain when I finished. I had about 10 min to shower and recover before I buzzed my son to that aforementioned doctor appointment. From there, I drove my weekly 1+ hrs to see my personal trainer for more hurt. She whooops my sorry butt every week I must say. She has managed to come up with a new routine for the past 5 months now. By the end of my hour with Kelsey this past Tuesday, I collapsed on the turf nearly in tears. Good stuff!!
Yesterday, I spent the day with my gang of boys whizzing 13 miles across Umbagog lake which is north of Grafton Notch in New Hampshire. We were lucky enough to experience a true day of dogsledding with beautiful and impressively strong Alaskan Huskies. It was amazing.
I'm just living my life with my kids and husband, finding fun vacation activities, and resting. I feel the spark growing inside again. I know I'm going to recover just fine from that little hole I was in.
To top the week off, I'll be racing my 2nd race of 2011 on Sunday. The Cape Elizabeth 10 mile MidWinter Classic is this weekend. It's one of the best races of the year on the coast of Maine in my hometown. I grew up running on those roads and I love going back. I hope my legs can fire up and be ready to rock out there. No no no...let me restate that. I Know my legs will be ready to rock and I plan to wear my rally cap and keep looking forward.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Strange Day and trying not to be spooked.....
It's Saturday and I'm home. The house is quiet, for the moment.
This is a rare thing in the Bancroft home. I think I can count on one hand how many Saturdays are quiet "stay home days." Ok, maybe one hand is an exaggeration but still, it IS rare.
It's winter in Maine which means you can usually find us on a ski slope by this time of day. Or, at a basketball game. But really we are never home on Saturdays. But alas, my husband is off on a male-bonding weekend with some friends. Actually, my friends. They are his friends too now. But I wish I was there. They are all awesome people. Tons of fun and incredibly loyal. They are one of the reasons I love Triathlon. Most of them are people I've met along this journey. They make the sport fun. I am realizing more and more how much these people are partly why I continue with this sport.
Back to my strange day. Mark left yeserday. Last night I went to bed at my normal 10:00 hour and then read for a little while. I am sure my ligths were out at 10:30. I didn't wake up until almost 8:30!!! My boys were all up and starting to raid the fridge for breakfast. They are awesome the way they just do their own thing and let me sleep on the few days that my schedule allows. I was up at 4:30 the past few mornings so 8:30 felt amaaaazing!! We stayed in our PJs for a while, I drank coffee, I made them pancakes, and after a little while, they bundled and went outside to play.
And I, gasp, Took a SHOWER!
Don't get me wrong. I do shower daily. In fact, I usually shower 2 or more times/ day!!! And it's never the 1st thing I do after breakfast. Because of course, I have my training! I may swim first, shower (just a rinse though), and then run followed by a shower. Or I bike (shower) and then head to my personal trainer and shower again! I get sick of showers. But today! I just rolled out of bed, mozied around in my PJs and then, took a shower! No workout first!
It's the simple things.
Today is a day off. If you read my post yesterday, you may remember that I am shredded to pieces. I "played" in a parent-kid basketball game last night with my boys. {I have mastered many a sport but basketball is NOT one of them. Sorry Dad.} I moved slowly and I didn't try very hard. I did make a few breaks and even got a basket or two but I was hardly the star Mom of the game. However, just my gentle sauntering down the gym floor made my legs achey.
And now, here I sit. My kids are still outside. My husband is having a blast snowshoeing miles around a beautiful northern Maine lake. I am staring at the walls. I am looking at my book I tossed on the couch. I just broused the athleta website for cute workout clothes. I rubbed the cats. That's about it. Oh, I ate breakfast. I haven't dried my hair and I may not. Why bother. I just pull it up anyway.
My to-do list is right here next to me. I have no fewer than 11 post-it notes stuck around my desk and on my laptop. I have lots and lots I could do. The kids are off school all week so my time to work (at least in peace) will be limited. We plan to ski, I'll travel to see my trainer, we are going on a dog-sled trip and who knows what else. This is the ONLY quiet day I have until....next Monday? February 28th? And yet, here I sit.
Paralyzed with laziness.
And herein lies my conern.
Why am I so tired?
I slept a TON last night! I only swam yesterday. I am doing nothing today. I am grateful that the wind is blowing 50mph so I had an excuse not to take the boys skiing alone. I could have done that very easily. Instead, we are going to a movie. I have no energy to ski.
I feel exhausted.
Sure, I am at the end of my 3 week build and I deserve a rest week. I deserve my achey legs.
And yet, I feel more tired than I think I should feel. Or am I imagining it?
The past three weeks weren't That hard. I didn't train as many hours as I have in the past or I will in the future as my Ironman training really kicks in.
I guess I'll just go pick up that book and try to embrace the fact that I need this rest. I just hope that's all I need.
This is a rare thing in the Bancroft home. I think I can count on one hand how many Saturdays are quiet "stay home days." Ok, maybe one hand is an exaggeration but still, it IS rare.
It's winter in Maine which means you can usually find us on a ski slope by this time of day. Or, at a basketball game. But really we are never home on Saturdays. But alas, my husband is off on a male-bonding weekend with some friends. Actually, my friends. They are his friends too now. But I wish I was there. They are all awesome people. Tons of fun and incredibly loyal. They are one of the reasons I love Triathlon. Most of them are people I've met along this journey. They make the sport fun. I am realizing more and more how much these people are partly why I continue with this sport.
Back to my strange day. Mark left yeserday. Last night I went to bed at my normal 10:00 hour and then read for a little while. I am sure my ligths were out at 10:30. I didn't wake up until almost 8:30!!! My boys were all up and starting to raid the fridge for breakfast. They are awesome the way they just do their own thing and let me sleep on the few days that my schedule allows. I was up at 4:30 the past few mornings so 8:30 felt amaaaazing!! We stayed in our PJs for a while, I drank coffee, I made them pancakes, and after a little while, they bundled and went outside to play.
And I, gasp, Took a SHOWER!
Don't get me wrong. I do shower daily. In fact, I usually shower 2 or more times/ day!!! And it's never the 1st thing I do after breakfast. Because of course, I have my training! I may swim first, shower (just a rinse though), and then run followed by a shower. Or I bike (shower) and then head to my personal trainer and shower again! I get sick of showers. But today! I just rolled out of bed, mozied around in my PJs and then, took a shower! No workout first!
It's the simple things.
Today is a day off. If you read my post yesterday, you may remember that I am shredded to pieces. I "played" in a parent-kid basketball game last night with my boys. {I have mastered many a sport but basketball is NOT one of them. Sorry Dad.} I moved slowly and I didn't try very hard. I did make a few breaks and even got a basket or two but I was hardly the star Mom of the game. However, just my gentle sauntering down the gym floor made my legs achey.
And now, here I sit. My kids are still outside. My husband is having a blast snowshoeing miles around a beautiful northern Maine lake. I am staring at the walls. I am looking at my book I tossed on the couch. I just broused the athleta website for cute workout clothes. I rubbed the cats. That's about it. Oh, I ate breakfast. I haven't dried my hair and I may not. Why bother. I just pull it up anyway.
My to-do list is right here next to me. I have no fewer than 11 post-it notes stuck around my desk and on my laptop. I have lots and lots I could do. The kids are off school all week so my time to work (at least in peace) will be limited. We plan to ski, I'll travel to see my trainer, we are going on a dog-sled trip and who knows what else. This is the ONLY quiet day I have until....next Monday? February 28th? And yet, here I sit.
Paralyzed with laziness.
And herein lies my conern.
Why am I so tired?
I slept a TON last night! I only swam yesterday. I am doing nothing today. I am grateful that the wind is blowing 50mph so I had an excuse not to take the boys skiing alone. I could have done that very easily. Instead, we are going to a movie. I have no energy to ski.
I feel exhausted.
Sure, I am at the end of my 3 week build and I deserve a rest week. I deserve my achey legs.
And yet, I feel more tired than I think I should feel. Or am I imagining it?
The past three weeks weren't That hard. I didn't train as many hours as I have in the past or I will in the future as my Ironman training really kicks in.
I guess I'll just go pick up that book and try to embrace the fact that I need this rest. I just hope that's all I need.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Shredded Wheat
That's all I could come up with.
While I was running today That is the phrase that popped into my head to describe how I feel.
My legs are shredded. Trashed. Torn up. Heavy. Sore. Done. I cry Uncle.
I rarely cry uncle. Right Jen? It's not my thing.
It's very interesting how I can see when other people need to rest and can easily rationalize why they are feeling tired and sloppy. But to admit it in my own life is nearly torturous.
__________
I think I was 9 when I learned a lesson about toughening up and fighting through. I was on the swim team back in Cape Elizabeth. I loved swimming!!! My parents let me join the swim team when I was 8 after my friend Sherri pleaded with them. I completely remember the conversation. "Paleeeeeeeeease Mrs. Small!!! Can Ange swim on Nautilus with me?" Or something very close to that. Swim team was a big committment. And I was young. It meant daily practices and lots of long swim meets. I swam year round too. Swimming in Cape was 'the thing' and it was taken seriously.
Here's what happened. I went to swim practice one afternoon after spending the day at the beach. I was sunburned. Badly. Back then we didn't seem to use sunscreen. I remember swimming up and down the pool thinking about how badly my back hurt because my bathing suit straps were rubbing on my sunburn. After a little while, I climbed out of the pool and told my coaches, Pam and Tom, that I had to call my Mom and Dad. I told them it hurt so I had to go home.
Baaaaaaad move Ange. Bad. Very very bad. My coaches didn't say too much. Or if they did, I can't remember the words. What I vividly remember is the Feeling I got. I Knew I had made the wrong decision. They told me to call and don't come back until I was ready to swim the entire practice. Something horrible like that.
And it didn't end there.
My parents were Not proud of me.
I got out of practice for a SUNBURN??? Seriously?? That had wimpy move written all over it.
________________
I'm sure it wasn't the first time my parents and others taught me to be tough. But it was clearly a moment in my childhood that I realized it was not cool to let a little thing like a sunburn stop me.
Point taken.
As a result, I don't let myself off easy. And quite possibly, at times, I'm the same way with my kids. I definately take care of them and help them when they get hurt. Don't get me wrong. But, I also expect them to get over it when it's time to get over it! Yesterday, one of my kids stubbed his toe at the pool. One was having a lesson and the other two do laps during that time. Well, his toe hurt too much to swim. He sat there and chatted with me for the 30 minuntes instead. He seemed ok. I suggested he try again. Nope. "The pressure of the water hurts my toe."
Hmmm...
I had flashbacks from my sunburn.
__________________
I had a workout yesterday that almost brought me to tears. Not because it was so so hard....but because I was so so miserable during it! It was long. I'll give myself at least that. It was possibly my longest workout since last summer. But it wasn't that long. I just had no energy. I had nothing. I ate and ate and drank and drank and still could not get into the groove.
I had visions of retiring myself to a single sport person again or maybe just taking a year off.
Ya, ok Ange. That lasted for a few hours and I got over that silliness.
Today, I awoke with a new attitude. I had a decent swim. I ate a great breakfast, did some work, got organized for the next few weeks and then dressed for my run.
Out the door for a lovely 10 miler. I'd throw in a little speed here and there. Enjoy the dry roads. Feel the warm sunshine.
That last part sort of backfired. I dressed for February. Only today, it was April. I was Not ready for that! I had emerged from my coaching cave behind the computer, donned running tights, gloves, a headband, a long sleeve shirt and a jacket.
One mile in I was desperate for my shorts! It felt like 60 degrees out there! I think it was actaully 50 but the sun was on me and I was HOT instead of savoring it! That should have been my first clue that I was Not on my game.
I ran through my sore glutes and hamstrings and waited for them to loosen up. I warmed up and did a little bit of speedy stuff. Nothing spectacular but I had mountains to climb over while attempting that 10K pace stuff...
It was all good. For a while.
And then, I was done. Nothing left. How can 3 miles possibly seem That far. I thought I'd Never get home. Shredded wheat. That's what my legs are now. They're shredded. I'm sure of it.
So now is a smart time for me to admit my fatigue. My need to rest.To stop and heal. Now if only I could go lay on a beach somewhere like I did when I was 9. I am Sure that would help me rest up.
While I was running today That is the phrase that popped into my head to describe how I feel.
My legs are shredded. Trashed. Torn up. Heavy. Sore. Done. I cry Uncle.
I rarely cry uncle. Right Jen? It's not my thing.
It's very interesting how I can see when other people need to rest and can easily rationalize why they are feeling tired and sloppy. But to admit it in my own life is nearly torturous.
__________
I think I was 9 when I learned a lesson about toughening up and fighting through. I was on the swim team back in Cape Elizabeth. I loved swimming!!! My parents let me join the swim team when I was 8 after my friend Sherri pleaded with them. I completely remember the conversation. "Paleeeeeeeeease Mrs. Small!!! Can Ange swim on Nautilus with me?" Or something very close to that. Swim team was a big committment. And I was young. It meant daily practices and lots of long swim meets. I swam year round too. Swimming in Cape was 'the thing' and it was taken seriously.
Here's what happened. I went to swim practice one afternoon after spending the day at the beach. I was sunburned. Badly. Back then we didn't seem to use sunscreen. I remember swimming up and down the pool thinking about how badly my back hurt because my bathing suit straps were rubbing on my sunburn. After a little while, I climbed out of the pool and told my coaches, Pam and Tom, that I had to call my Mom and Dad. I told them it hurt so I had to go home.
Baaaaaaad move Ange. Bad. Very very bad. My coaches didn't say too much. Or if they did, I can't remember the words. What I vividly remember is the Feeling I got. I Knew I had made the wrong decision. They told me to call and don't come back until I was ready to swim the entire practice. Something horrible like that.
And it didn't end there.
My parents were Not proud of me.
I got out of practice for a SUNBURN??? Seriously?? That had wimpy move written all over it.
________________
I'm sure it wasn't the first time my parents and others taught me to be tough. But it was clearly a moment in my childhood that I realized it was not cool to let a little thing like a sunburn stop me.
Point taken.
As a result, I don't let myself off easy. And quite possibly, at times, I'm the same way with my kids. I definately take care of them and help them when they get hurt. Don't get me wrong. But, I also expect them to get over it when it's time to get over it! Yesterday, one of my kids stubbed his toe at the pool. One was having a lesson and the other two do laps during that time. Well, his toe hurt too much to swim. He sat there and chatted with me for the 30 minuntes instead. He seemed ok. I suggested he try again. Nope. "The pressure of the water hurts my toe."
Hmmm...
I had flashbacks from my sunburn.
__________________
I had a workout yesterday that almost brought me to tears. Not because it was so so hard....but because I was so so miserable during it! It was long. I'll give myself at least that. It was possibly my longest workout since last summer. But it wasn't that long. I just had no energy. I had nothing. I ate and ate and drank and drank and still could not get into the groove.
I had visions of retiring myself to a single sport person again or maybe just taking a year off.
Ya, ok Ange. That lasted for a few hours and I got over that silliness.
Today, I awoke with a new attitude. I had a decent swim. I ate a great breakfast, did some work, got organized for the next few weeks and then dressed for my run.
Out the door for a lovely 10 miler. I'd throw in a little speed here and there. Enjoy the dry roads. Feel the warm sunshine.
That last part sort of backfired. I dressed for February. Only today, it was April. I was Not ready for that! I had emerged from my coaching cave behind the computer, donned running tights, gloves, a headband, a long sleeve shirt and a jacket.
One mile in I was desperate for my shorts! It felt like 60 degrees out there! I think it was actaully 50 but the sun was on me and I was HOT instead of savoring it! That should have been my first clue that I was Not on my game.
I ran through my sore glutes and hamstrings and waited for them to loosen up. I warmed up and did a little bit of speedy stuff. Nothing spectacular but I had mountains to climb over while attempting that 10K pace stuff...
It was all good. For a while.
And then, I was done. Nothing left. How can 3 miles possibly seem That far. I thought I'd Never get home. Shredded wheat. That's what my legs are now. They're shredded. I'm sure of it.
So now is a smart time for me to admit my fatigue. My need to rest.To stop and heal. Now if only I could go lay on a beach somewhere like I did when I was 9. I am Sure that would help me rest up.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Keeping it Real
I think by now, many of you know that I am a pretty serious athlete. By that I mean I am serious about my training and how I perform. Training for Triathlons and road races is a way of life for me. I am very lucky to have enough time in my life to dedicate many hours each week to the sport I love. I organize my days around my swims or my bikes or my runs. It's just part of what I do. I am a Mom to my kids, I coach my athletes, I train myself and I am a wife to Mark.
I do my best to go to bed at a reasonable hour and eat foods that support my very active lifestyle and keep my body healthy and ready to rock.
I do my best.
I care.
A lot.
Where am I going with this??
I think it's interesting the way so many of us seem to forget who we are. We can only do what we can do. I put my heart and soul into my training and racing. And yet, I know there are things I do wrong. The training I do calls for a Lot more sleep. Hey, I think there's even literature out there that would claim I even require Naps for optimal performance!
Ya right.
Naps?
I am also quite certain that I am not at my perfect race weight. I will do my best all season to get there. I don't eat junk food and I rarely eat out. But don't get me wrong, if there are warm freshly baked chocolate chip cookies in front of me, I will eat one. Oh who am I kidding. I'll eat three or four. Aren't I baaaaaad!!!
I am struggling to write this blog. I am just throwing it out there that I think it's important to keep it real. I need remind myself of that from time to time. I am a busy person for many reasons. Not just because I train for many hours/ week. I am doing the best I can do to keep all things balanced but at the end of the day, I am Not a profesional and can't expect to live the lifestyle of one.
Balance--- that' all I can say.
__________________________________-
Moving along..
I think I might start growing gills. It would be helpful anyway. I'm Back in the water and swimming and swimming and swimming!!! Jen promised me I'd remember how to swim when I grumbled quietly about my slow times last fall. She was right and she's making sure I never complain again!! [Right Jen? :o) ] I was in the water 1-2x week during my marathon training. Phew... I'm making up for it now! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to swim!!! But my shoulders are screaming right now. And I think, they have grown even bigger in the past 2 weeks. I am laughing as I write this though. Back in the day, when I was 'just a swimmer,' I swam 11x week. We practiced 2x / day and then again on Saturday morinings. It was very rare for a workout to be less than 5000yards. My big swimming lately has been ~ 4x week with 1 or maybe 2 workouts at 5000. It' all relative though. Obviously I'm doing more than swimming so 3-4x is Just fine.
After running all fall, my body is readjusting again. I added my strength program back. I've increased my swimming and biking and continued with running. And, my body is tired!! I am getting stronger again though and that is worth the fatigue. I will rest soon and recover and be even stronger again.
I am also convinced that my boys are at the toughest ages they've been yet. They are now 11,9 and 6. They have not had a full week of school since Christmas ( maybe 1??) and as a result, I can't catch up around home. These boys are incredible. I've said it a million times-- I think they're fantastic little people. But WOAH! They ARE boys and they ARE loud!! There is contant action and issues and hunger!! It's just 100 mph all day long. My middle guy truly does not seem to be able to walk anywhere. He is in constant motion. Usually in the form of jumping or rolling or galloping. I just took a deep breath thinking about it..... Even when behavior is A-ok.....they are just busy. The house is rockin'..... it's a lot of work. I know you other Moms get it. When they were babies, and smaller children, it was different. Busy-yes. Loud-yes but in a different way. Their voices were baby / small child voices. It was physical for me. I carried them everywhere. I lugged huge bags and cribs and carseats. But now, they are BOYS! It's different and It's wild. And, I do love it. But I'm TIRED!
I know I know...wait 'til they're teenagers.
You know what I'll do then?? I'll take them on 10 mile runs with me and make them keep up. teeheheeeee.. they'll love that.
_______________
How' that for a random post!?
time for a ride.
I do my best to go to bed at a reasonable hour and eat foods that support my very active lifestyle and keep my body healthy and ready to rock.
I do my best.
I care.
A lot.
Where am I going with this??
I think it's interesting the way so many of us seem to forget who we are. We can only do what we can do. I put my heart and soul into my training and racing. And yet, I know there are things I do wrong. The training I do calls for a Lot more sleep. Hey, I think there's even literature out there that would claim I even require Naps for optimal performance!
Ya right.
Naps?
I am also quite certain that I am not at my perfect race weight. I will do my best all season to get there. I don't eat junk food and I rarely eat out. But don't get me wrong, if there are warm freshly baked chocolate chip cookies in front of me, I will eat one. Oh who am I kidding. I'll eat three or four. Aren't I baaaaaad!!!
I am struggling to write this blog. I am just throwing it out there that I think it's important to keep it real. I need remind myself of that from time to time. I am a busy person for many reasons. Not just because I train for many hours/ week. I am doing the best I can do to keep all things balanced but at the end of the day, I am Not a profesional and can't expect to live the lifestyle of one.
Balance--- that' all I can say.
__________________________________-
Moving along..
I think I might start growing gills. It would be helpful anyway. I'm Back in the water and swimming and swimming and swimming!!! Jen promised me I'd remember how to swim when I grumbled quietly about my slow times last fall. She was right and she's making sure I never complain again!! [Right Jen? :o) ] I was in the water 1-2x week during my marathon training. Phew... I'm making up for it now! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to swim!!! But my shoulders are screaming right now. And I think, they have grown even bigger in the past 2 weeks. I am laughing as I write this though. Back in the day, when I was 'just a swimmer,' I swam 11x week. We practiced 2x / day and then again on Saturday morinings. It was very rare for a workout to be less than 5000yards. My big swimming lately has been ~ 4x week with 1 or maybe 2 workouts at 5000. It' all relative though. Obviously I'm doing more than swimming so 3-4x is Just fine.
After running all fall, my body is readjusting again. I added my strength program back. I've increased my swimming and biking and continued with running. And, my body is tired!! I am getting stronger again though and that is worth the fatigue. I will rest soon and recover and be even stronger again.
I am also convinced that my boys are at the toughest ages they've been yet. They are now 11,9 and 6. They have not had a full week of school since Christmas ( maybe 1??) and as a result, I can't catch up around home. These boys are incredible. I've said it a million times-- I think they're fantastic little people. But WOAH! They ARE boys and they ARE loud!! There is contant action and issues and hunger!! It's just 100 mph all day long. My middle guy truly does not seem to be able to walk anywhere. He is in constant motion. Usually in the form of jumping or rolling or galloping. I just took a deep breath thinking about it..... Even when behavior is A-ok.....they are just busy. The house is rockin'..... it's a lot of work. I know you other Moms get it. When they were babies, and smaller children, it was different. Busy-yes. Loud-yes but in a different way. Their voices were baby / small child voices. It was physical for me. I carried them everywhere. I lugged huge bags and cribs and carseats. But now, they are BOYS! It's different and It's wild. And, I do love it. But I'm TIRED!
I know I know...wait 'til they're teenagers.
You know what I'll do then?? I'll take them on 10 mile runs with me and make them keep up. teeheheeeee.. they'll love that.
_______________
How' that for a random post!?
time for a ride.
Friday, January 28, 2011
One reason...
I'm a mother to three. Three fantastic little children. I adore them. I am proud of them. I am very very grateful to have them in my life. Not everyone gets the chance to be a Mom. I know this and I feel lucky that life has gone my way and I'm a mother to three healthy children. They are kind, thoughtful, well behaved and funny.
They do really well in school. Other people tell me how well mannered they are. I know I must be donig something right.
Despite all this goodness, some days I feel like I am floundering around without a clue how to Mothers these boys.
It is overwhelming at times and also, scary.
Some moments, I feel like I fail them. Many days, I feel unable to solve the problems around me. Each day is almost like an experiment. "Let's see if this works..."
Sometimes it does. And sometimes it doesn't. And I don't always know why.
As Mom, and the one who is with the boys more hours of the day, I tend to feel like the 'bad guy.' After all, I'm the one who gets mad when wet towels are left on the floor. I get ugly when the same child leaves all his clothes on the end of his bed day after day after day. I am incredulous that they are unable to turn off their lights, flush the toilets, put the seats up to avoid making a mess for the next person. Most of all, I can't stand it when they bicker and fight with each other.
Deep down, I know I am just doing my best to teach them. To help them.
I feel like the same little battles are fought day after day after day after day after day after day. It may never end. I may never succeed. That's what I feel like. No matter how hard I try to remain patient, or calm, nothing works. I try new methods and revist old methods. Nothing.
I am spoiled with sweet snuggly hugs and I-love-you-Mommy kisses at night. My recovery drink. They are charming and loving and that is my daily boost.
However, I feel like a lost soul trying to figure out how to do something nobody ever taught me how to do. I am a girl with three boys. Now that they're not babies, I feel out of my league.
I've alluded to the many reasons I continue to fill my days with workouts. Why I keep training. Why I race.
While I think I might, in the big picture, be 'succeeding' as a Mom, on the day to day level I often feel a failure. I feel lost. I feel like I'm wandering around without an organized training plan!
My sport squashes that distressful feeling. I feel successful and capable and strong when I am training. I never forget how to swim. I can run right out the door on a moment's notice. I don't talk back with myself. I don't have fights with anyone about my schedule. I don't push anyone over "by mistake." I do what I am asked to do. That feels good. It fills my needs. My raw need to feel good about what I am doing in life. To feel like I know what I am doing.
That's It!
I figured it out by writing it down.
I know what I'm doing when I train and race. I understand it. I may not always do it well. But I try! In fact, just today, I failed. I couldn't do what was asked of me. However, I know Why I failed. I understand it. And, I am confident I will do better next time.
I don't think I feel the same confidence with motherhood. The stakes are too high. I'm molding little people after all!! It's a massive responsibility.
My training and racing are for me. That's it. If I succeed in my goals, I feel great inside and am lucky to share that excitement with those close to me who understand. With those who support me and know how much it means to me. If I fail, I need to reach deep inside and deal with it. The consequences end there. I haven't missed an opportunity to teach a person right from wrong. I haven't said words that I'll regret in 15 years.
If a day comes my way that is sprinkled with personal frustration as a Mom trying to figure things out, I can still run 10 miles hitting whatever pace I set out to hit, and call it good. My psyche intact, I hammer on with the rest of things.
I don't think I ever viewed it this way before.
Simply put, my training hours are the hours of my day that I feel truly confident in what I am doing. That, gives me peace. It's my peaceful, uncomplicated, conflict-free place.
My role as Mom is way more complicated. It's a million times more difficult. And it's the Most important thing I'll ever do.
They do really well in school. Other people tell me how well mannered they are. I know I must be donig something right.
Despite all this goodness, some days I feel like I am floundering around without a clue how to Mothers these boys.
It is overwhelming at times and also, scary.
Some moments, I feel like I fail them. Many days, I feel unable to solve the problems around me. Each day is almost like an experiment. "Let's see if this works..."
Sometimes it does. And sometimes it doesn't. And I don't always know why.
As Mom, and the one who is with the boys more hours of the day, I tend to feel like the 'bad guy.' After all, I'm the one who gets mad when wet towels are left on the floor. I get ugly when the same child leaves all his clothes on the end of his bed day after day after day. I am incredulous that they are unable to turn off their lights, flush the toilets, put the seats up to avoid making a mess for the next person. Most of all, I can't stand it when they bicker and fight with each other.
Deep down, I know I am just doing my best to teach them. To help them.
I feel like the same little battles are fought day after day after day after day after day after day. It may never end. I may never succeed. That's what I feel like. No matter how hard I try to remain patient, or calm, nothing works. I try new methods and revist old methods. Nothing.
I am spoiled with sweet snuggly hugs and I-love-you-Mommy kisses at night. My recovery drink. They are charming and loving and that is my daily boost.
However, I feel like a lost soul trying to figure out how to do something nobody ever taught me how to do. I am a girl with three boys. Now that they're not babies, I feel out of my league.
I've alluded to the many reasons I continue to fill my days with workouts. Why I keep training. Why I race.
While I think I might, in the big picture, be 'succeeding' as a Mom, on the day to day level I often feel a failure. I feel lost. I feel like I'm wandering around without an organized training plan!
My sport squashes that distressful feeling. I feel successful and capable and strong when I am training. I never forget how to swim. I can run right out the door on a moment's notice. I don't talk back with myself. I don't have fights with anyone about my schedule. I don't push anyone over "by mistake." I do what I am asked to do. That feels good. It fills my needs. My raw need to feel good about what I am doing in life. To feel like I know what I am doing.
That's It!
I figured it out by writing it down.
I know what I'm doing when I train and race. I understand it. I may not always do it well. But I try! In fact, just today, I failed. I couldn't do what was asked of me. However, I know Why I failed. I understand it. And, I am confident I will do better next time.
I don't think I feel the same confidence with motherhood. The stakes are too high. I'm molding little people after all!! It's a massive responsibility.
My training and racing are for me. That's it. If I succeed in my goals, I feel great inside and am lucky to share that excitement with those close to me who understand. With those who support me and know how much it means to me. If I fail, I need to reach deep inside and deal with it. The consequences end there. I haven't missed an opportunity to teach a person right from wrong. I haven't said words that I'll regret in 15 years.
If a day comes my way that is sprinkled with personal frustration as a Mom trying to figure things out, I can still run 10 miles hitting whatever pace I set out to hit, and call it good. My psyche intact, I hammer on with the rest of things.
I don't think I ever viewed it this way before.
Simply put, my training hours are the hours of my day that I feel truly confident in what I am doing. That, gives me peace. It's my peaceful, uncomplicated, conflict-free place.
My role as Mom is way more complicated. It's a million times more difficult. And it's the Most important thing I'll ever do.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Charleston Marathon-- It all came together
I knew I needed to mix things up a bit this year. I was right. This marathon was Exactly what I needed, in so many ways. . My 2010 racing season was successful but not full of the spark and passion I usually feel. I can't pinpoint the reason but I have several theories. I'll just leave it at that.
Despite the lackluster feeling I had during a few of my races, I signed the dotted line to race Ironman Lake Placid again in 2011. I want it back. I want to go the distance again.
However, before I began that training, I had a deep urge to revisit the marathon. I had done 6 'flat' marathons ( 2 more as part of an Ironman ) but I was left with the feeling of unfinished business. I knew I could go faster. And I felt this was the year to do just that.
I searched for the perfect race and found it in South Carolina. The Charleston Marathon was to be held on January 15th. It gave me enough time to train and enough time to heal and rebuild on the bike and swim for Lake Placid. Perfect.
I worked so hard all fall. The weather was fairly cooperative. It wasn't until the last month and a half that I had snow and ice to deal with. The temps dropped and the roads became harder and harder to run fast on. I faced icy winds, frozen fuel belt bottles, and boring roads. I live in a mountainous area and this race down south was dubbed as quite flat. So I struggled to find routes that would simmulate my race course. As a result, I ran back and forth on a few short stretches of semi-flat roads all season. It got old.
Yet I had no choice. I had to put my head down and just do it.
I ran and ran. I ran two runs a day at times. Some days I ran fast. Some days I ran long. I did more strength work than I have before and I focused hard on my form.
Finally. It was time. Time to 'laugh in the face of my birthday' to quote my friend once again.
As you know from my previous blog, I flew south in the hands of my husband. He was so comforting. He is an excellent pilot and got us there quickly and without any issues at all. I have had a huge fear of flying in his plane. I've travelled with him a lot over the years but I've been very afraid of it since becoming a Mom. I have to say though, after this trip I feel much more comfortable. It all went really well.
Let's get on to the race!!!
Mark and I arrived on Thursday. We found our hotel, got settled, found a quick dinner and watched TV before bed. Our hotel was very nice. Clean and best of all, a super comfy bed. I was in bed by 10:15 Thurs night and didn't get up until after 8!! It was perfect.
Friday was a beautiful day in this pretty southern town. We layed around in the morning, watched the news, drank coffee and then headed to get my packet. We found the race start and then made our way to the finish line where the expo was held. I ran a quick and easy 25 min warm up and felt Amaaaaaazing. It was SO effortless and easy to hold a very quick pace. Ready!!!
The expo was small. I didn't need anything for my race. I was all set to go. However, I had mentioned to Mark that I had no clue how I was going to carry my 4-5 gels. He found this contraption.
Maybe I can carry the gels in this thing??
I didn't buy it...
nothing new on race day. It was uncomfortable and strange anyway.
So I moved on and found these little friends! So cute.
Isn't this what everyone shops for at the expo?
The rest of Friday was spent in bed. I was determined to keep my feet up. We got back to the hotel and I hopped up and turned on the TV. My pink recovery socks were on, water bottle next to me, and well that was that! Mark left for a run.
I sat.
and sat
and sat and sat.
My lower back felt sore. Tight. My neck was stiff. I feared getting sick all week. Why was my neck stiff? Were my glands swollen. I drank Emergen-C all week long and had 3 packs on Friday alone. Nevermind what I said a week ago, I don't like taper!
I must say, laying on your butt makes you totally lazy. It really makes you want to just lay there More! I got so dopey and lethargic spending a nice sunny day inside on a bed! I thought I was going to go crazy by the time we were leaving for dinner!Crazy because while I wanted to escape my hotel room, I also wanted to just crawl under the covers and ignore that 'thing' looming over my head.
I broke loose for an early dinner in quaint downtown Charleston. We had such a nice cozy meal.
This weekend was turning out to be so incredibly peaceful and relaxing for the two of us! The 'stress' of a marathon is nothing like the 'stress' of a Half Ironman for example. There is just nothing to do when prepping to run for 3 hours. No bike check in to get to, no bottles to fill, only one sport and a few items to wear! I was enjoying it. We were just hanging out, talking when we wanted to, and generally enjoying each other's company. It was really nice.
Ok...I did actually go there to bust my butt and tear up a race course!
Here goes....
After 8 hours of sleep on race night, the alarm buzzed at 5 and I was ready to rock.
I took a hot shower, ate, got dressed and then yapped at my hubby for taking This picture.
I mean, Why? Why when I was bent over grabbing stuff from my bag?
That's all I have for pre-race at the hotel. Here I am getting my stuff together...
At the hotel getting ready...
It was a chilly start to race day. I think it was around 35 when we toed the line. I was excited. I knew I could function quite well in those temps. Perfect for a Maine girl who trained in temps well below that for the past few months.
I felt good all morning. It was finally time to start the race. I was bundled at the start line but just before the gun, I shed the extra stuff and was down to shorts, a short sleeve shirt, 2 layers of warmers and gloves.
At the Start with my pacer
The announcer got us ready and the next thing I knew, I was pushing Start on the garmin and off we went.
Legs were on. I felt smooth, steady and happy. It was going to be a great day.
Mile 1 7:19 Too fast. The guy leading our 3:15 pace group declared we went out too fast. I agreed. Yet it was so terribly easy. It was supposed to be. Don't let it fool you Ange!
mile 2 7:23 Ok, that's good. Hold 7:25 all day long for my goal, Jen had said. Start slow and build.
We ran along the water with big pretty houses. It was very nice. A sign held by a kid said, "GO MOMMY!" I decided it was for me. I was smiling and having fun. I wondered where Mark would end up. He didn't even have a course map. How did we let that happen?
Mile 3 7:18 Still easy.
I was hungry. I had to go to the bathroom. These things Ticked me off. I stopped drinking water 60 min before the race! I used the bathroom abotu 12 times in the last hour. Seriously, WHY does this happen to us women?? Ignore it Ange.
Still so easy. My shins were tight...I felt my legs but not enough to worry.
Mile 4 7:16 Am I going to fast? And wait....where's the mile marker. .15 later the course mile marker appeared. Hmmm....what's up with that? I was running without crowds and along the edge of the road. I was not weaving at all.
passed a water table.... saw my watch a few min later and decided that since I was hungry I would take a gel. I slowly sucked it in for the next little bit.
Mile 5 7:09 woah girl...hang on! And where is the next water?? I timed my gel all wrong. SLow down Ange.
Mile 6 Hey ! there's Mark!!! Hi! I smiled and waved and told him my ave pace. And, I got water. Phew. All set now. 7:12
Mile 7 7:16 I knew I was way ahead of my planned ave pace to hold. But I felt too good. My HR was totally in control. My perceived HR that is..I didn't wear my monitor. I felt steady and comfortable. I was going to hold right here.
mile 8 7:17 Hey there's Mark again!! I threw him layer # 1 of my arm warmers. He told me my brother said Hi. :) The course was certainly a LOT flatter than anything I have ever run on. But there were a few gradual climbs....long long gentle grades. Miles 7-9 were just that. Just enough to notice but not hurt you really.
Mile 9 7:09 I did decide that if a portopotty was easy to get to, I would spare the 20 sec and stop. I wanted to get this out of my mind. Hey! A HILL! A true hill! up and over without a problem.
Mile 10 7:37 I made that stop. A Very polite man allowed me to go first. thank you!! I hurried, grabbed a water and went back to business.
Mile 11 7:07 Ok, back on track. By now I was noticing that all the mile markers were off. I got to mile 11 on my Garmin. .2 later, their sign appeared. Grr...surely they would fix it by the end.
Mile 12 I took another gel. We headed off the main road and through an area of windy paths around a small pond with huge geese roaming. The volunteers were amazing and everywhere. I haven't mentioned that there was musical entertainment ALL OVER the course! It was fantastic and motivating. I cruised along to drums and dancers and kids playing the sax. Good stuff when you're bored out on a race course.
Did I say bored?
Well...I got a little bored at times. I was focusing big time on my time. I knew where I had to be at mile 15, mile 20 etc etc. I knew how many minutes I had to go the next 3 miles... for example.
However, around this point in the race, I was running alone. I was sandwiched between a group of men running out in front of me and who knows who was behind me. Portions of the run felt like a training run. While on secluded curvy paths through a park, it was just me out there. It took serious disclipline to maintain my race-day focus.
I didn't fly 1000 miles for nothing.
Game face stayed on. But as I said, I loved the music.
My legs were still spot on. I felt nothing. I was steady. That's it. It was completely easy for me to hold this pace. 7:25 never hit my watch unless I was at a mile that I was fueling.
I made a point to stop, Drink the water, SIp some sports drink and then more water. Otherwise, it would spill on my shoes, cause a blister, and I wouldn't be hydrated. So I lost a bit of time. I didn't care. I was ahead of pace and wanted to be smart.
this was one of those miles. I had a gel, got some water, and then began again.
7:26
mile 13 7:08
mile 14 7:06
mile 15 7:05
mile 16 7:05 How am I doing this? I still feel FINE!
mile 17 7:12
mile 18 7:15 I have very little memory from these miles. I know that I was hot and desperate to see Mark again. I wanted to throw him my gloves and just have a friendly face. We'd been off by ourselves on those paths for so long. I needed some spectators again.
Mile 19 7:12 I made a plan to really really push those final 6.2 miles because this thing Had to start hurting!! I was ready to suffer. It was too 'easy' so far. I was cruising and feeling good.
mile 20 Magic mile 20. Where things are supposed to get tough. In my head, I wanted to be sub 2:30 at this point. I was 2:24. (I am pretty sure that's what it was...) I was pumped. I had this thing. IF I held my pace, I'd be sub 3:10!!! WHAT!? NO way. Hold on Ange, hold on. I caught and passed those men that had been cruising in front of me. The mile marker was way off again. I caught some people who were finishing up the half marathon course. We ran by the water on the Riverfront. I picked up my step to more drummers. I smiled because were were running on the pretty roads I warmed up on the day before. I stepped on the same pile of glass I had Friday and chuckled becuase I didnt' have to worry about my bike tire getting cut.
I still felt good.
7:10
mile 21 I see Mark!! Yay!! I stripped off my gloves and arm warmers and chucked them to him. Happy Birthday!! I tried to yell it every time I saw him. (since I forgot it first thing that day. ooops.)
I yelled, "CAll Jen! tell her I'm at 2:33 at 21.2 and I have 1/2 a gear left!" he laughed
7:17 Not bad. Holding on.
mile 22 7:18
feeling pretty good. We're running away from Town. Away from the finish line. Kind of brutal. No more specators. Just runners and the road.
Mile 23 7:13 Alright...somehow it's all ok. I'm still here. I'm still in the game. Keep that cadence up.
I ran by this band again. I was on serious focus mode now but this is what I heard, "Number 22, number 22, number 22 is the girl in blue. The girl in blue with the purple head band, the girl in blue is number 22."
I had to laugh.
It was either that or cry.
Because finally, the hammer was dropping. I took a gel. I had some water. Almost there. Hang on Ange. You can suffer for 3 miles!! PIECE Of cake!
mile 24 It hurt. I was drawing inward. I saw the two women ahead of me run back towards town. I had many people saying, "good job" and other words of encouragement and yet, I could barely reply with the same back to them. I was pulling in and reaching deep. And, what was up with my toe? It suddenly hurt and felt warm and strange. I put it out of my mind.
7:25 Still on pace. Barely. And it was really really starting to hurt.
It was like somebody flipped a switch. I went from feeling FINE and in total control to Total shutdown.
SUddenly my legs threatened totally rebellion. I felt serious cramping coming on. I had three spots that were very very unstable. I knew I had to slow down or risk walking to the end. I was that close to falling. My legs were truly about to seize. I focused on my cadence. Turn it over. Stay loose. Just move just move just move. You got it hang on hang on hang on ..... things like that repeated through my brain.
Mile 25 7:24
One more mile. I can Do this. ONE mile! Seriously. How Hard can that be?
Um, excrutiating! One Mile can SOmehow be excrutiating!!
mile 26 7:46 that was the only mile that got me. I let that pace fall below my 7:25 cut off. It's ok. I was rounding the corner.
26.2 OFF goes the watch 3:10:34
yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was done and it was a HUGE PR. Massive. 17 minutes off my old PR.
My goal was 3:15 or faster and I did just that.
oh yeah, I was the 3rd woman!! when they announced that I just chuckled. ME? Third at a marathon! Wild.Just wild.
Best of all, I had a blast. I loved the race. I loved the feeling of working super hard, building my fitness, and then having it pay off. In so many ways, I accomplished what I set after. Success.
The passion and sparks are back.
___________________________________________
A few more pictures from the weekend......
OUCH! I took off my shoe at the finish and my sock and shoe were covered in blood. My toe was all messed up.
The 4 FA-18s that took off right before us
2 hrs post-race and too tired to be nervous to fly again
Mark talking to the kids before we took off on our final leg home
looking down on pretty estates as we departed Williamsburg, VA
strange 'crop markings...' in New Jersey
Over looking NYC and Central Park
home sweet home
( and yes, the race course was measured almost a 1/4 mile too long. It was long on the 10K and the Half marathon. Absurd really. That aside, I would recommend this race to anyone. The volunteers did a great job on the course and the music was great.)
Despite the lackluster feeling I had during a few of my races, I signed the dotted line to race Ironman Lake Placid again in 2011. I want it back. I want to go the distance again.
However, before I began that training, I had a deep urge to revisit the marathon. I had done 6 'flat' marathons ( 2 more as part of an Ironman ) but I was left with the feeling of unfinished business. I knew I could go faster. And I felt this was the year to do just that.
I searched for the perfect race and found it in South Carolina. The Charleston Marathon was to be held on January 15th. It gave me enough time to train and enough time to heal and rebuild on the bike and swim for Lake Placid. Perfect.
I worked so hard all fall. The weather was fairly cooperative. It wasn't until the last month and a half that I had snow and ice to deal with. The temps dropped and the roads became harder and harder to run fast on. I faced icy winds, frozen fuel belt bottles, and boring roads. I live in a mountainous area and this race down south was dubbed as quite flat. So I struggled to find routes that would simmulate my race course. As a result, I ran back and forth on a few short stretches of semi-flat roads all season. It got old.
Yet I had no choice. I had to put my head down and just do it.
I ran and ran. I ran two runs a day at times. Some days I ran fast. Some days I ran long. I did more strength work than I have before and I focused hard on my form.
Finally. It was time. Time to 'laugh in the face of my birthday' to quote my friend once again.
As you know from my previous blog, I flew south in the hands of my husband. He was so comforting. He is an excellent pilot and got us there quickly and without any issues at all. I have had a huge fear of flying in his plane. I've travelled with him a lot over the years but I've been very afraid of it since becoming a Mom. I have to say though, after this trip I feel much more comfortable. It all went really well.
Let's get on to the race!!!
Mark and I arrived on Thursday. We found our hotel, got settled, found a quick dinner and watched TV before bed. Our hotel was very nice. Clean and best of all, a super comfy bed. I was in bed by 10:15 Thurs night and didn't get up until after 8!! It was perfect.
Friday was a beautiful day in this pretty southern town. We layed around in the morning, watched the news, drank coffee and then headed to get my packet. We found the race start and then made our way to the finish line where the expo was held. I ran a quick and easy 25 min warm up and felt Amaaaaaazing. It was SO effortless and easy to hold a very quick pace. Ready!!!
The expo was small. I didn't need anything for my race. I was all set to go. However, I had mentioned to Mark that I had no clue how I was going to carry my 4-5 gels. He found this contraption.
Maybe I can carry the gels in this thing??
I didn't buy it...
nothing new on race day. It was uncomfortable and strange anyway.
So I moved on and found these little friends! So cute.
Isn't this what everyone shops for at the expo?
The rest of Friday was spent in bed. I was determined to keep my feet up. We got back to the hotel and I hopped up and turned on the TV. My pink recovery socks were on, water bottle next to me, and well that was that! Mark left for a run.
I sat.
and sat
and sat and sat.
My lower back felt sore. Tight. My neck was stiff. I feared getting sick all week. Why was my neck stiff? Were my glands swollen. I drank Emergen-C all week long and had 3 packs on Friday alone. Nevermind what I said a week ago, I don't like taper!
I must say, laying on your butt makes you totally lazy. It really makes you want to just lay there More! I got so dopey and lethargic spending a nice sunny day inside on a bed! I thought I was going to go crazy by the time we were leaving for dinner!Crazy because while I wanted to escape my hotel room, I also wanted to just crawl under the covers and ignore that 'thing' looming over my head.
I broke loose for an early dinner in quaint downtown Charleston. We had such a nice cozy meal.
This weekend was turning out to be so incredibly peaceful and relaxing for the two of us! The 'stress' of a marathon is nothing like the 'stress' of a Half Ironman for example. There is just nothing to do when prepping to run for 3 hours. No bike check in to get to, no bottles to fill, only one sport and a few items to wear! I was enjoying it. We were just hanging out, talking when we wanted to, and generally enjoying each other's company. It was really nice.
Ok...I did actually go there to bust my butt and tear up a race course!
Here goes....
After 8 hours of sleep on race night, the alarm buzzed at 5 and I was ready to rock.
I took a hot shower, ate, got dressed and then yapped at my hubby for taking This picture.
I mean, Why? Why when I was bent over grabbing stuff from my bag?
That's all I have for pre-race at the hotel. Here I am getting my stuff together...
At the hotel getting ready...
It was a chilly start to race day. I think it was around 35 when we toed the line. I was excited. I knew I could function quite well in those temps. Perfect for a Maine girl who trained in temps well below that for the past few months.
I felt good all morning. It was finally time to start the race. I was bundled at the start line but just before the gun, I shed the extra stuff and was down to shorts, a short sleeve shirt, 2 layers of warmers and gloves.
At the Start with my pacer
The announcer got us ready and the next thing I knew, I was pushing Start on the garmin and off we went.
Legs were on. I felt smooth, steady and happy. It was going to be a great day.
Mile 1 7:19 Too fast. The guy leading our 3:15 pace group declared we went out too fast. I agreed. Yet it was so terribly easy. It was supposed to be. Don't let it fool you Ange!
mile 2 7:23 Ok, that's good. Hold 7:25 all day long for my goal, Jen had said. Start slow and build.
We ran along the water with big pretty houses. It was very nice. A sign held by a kid said, "GO MOMMY!" I decided it was for me. I was smiling and having fun. I wondered where Mark would end up. He didn't even have a course map. How did we let that happen?
Mile 3 7:18 Still easy.
I was hungry. I had to go to the bathroom. These things Ticked me off. I stopped drinking water 60 min before the race! I used the bathroom abotu 12 times in the last hour. Seriously, WHY does this happen to us women?? Ignore it Ange.
Still so easy. My shins were tight...I felt my legs but not enough to worry.
Mile 4 7:16 Am I going to fast? And wait....where's the mile marker. .15 later the course mile marker appeared. Hmmm....what's up with that? I was running without crowds and along the edge of the road. I was not weaving at all.
passed a water table.... saw my watch a few min later and decided that since I was hungry I would take a gel. I slowly sucked it in for the next little bit.
Mile 5 7:09 woah girl...hang on! And where is the next water?? I timed my gel all wrong. SLow down Ange.
Mile 6 Hey ! there's Mark!!! Hi! I smiled and waved and told him my ave pace. And, I got water. Phew. All set now. 7:12
Mile 7 7:16 I knew I was way ahead of my planned ave pace to hold. But I felt too good. My HR was totally in control. My perceived HR that is..I didn't wear my monitor. I felt steady and comfortable. I was going to hold right here.
mile 8 7:17 Hey there's Mark again!! I threw him layer # 1 of my arm warmers. He told me my brother said Hi. :) The course was certainly a LOT flatter than anything I have ever run on. But there were a few gradual climbs....long long gentle grades. Miles 7-9 were just that. Just enough to notice but not hurt you really.
Mile 9 7:09 I did decide that if a portopotty was easy to get to, I would spare the 20 sec and stop. I wanted to get this out of my mind. Hey! A HILL! A true hill! up and over without a problem.
Mile 10 7:37 I made that stop. A Very polite man allowed me to go first. thank you!! I hurried, grabbed a water and went back to business.
Mile 11 7:07 Ok, back on track. By now I was noticing that all the mile markers were off. I got to mile 11 on my Garmin. .2 later, their sign appeared. Grr...surely they would fix it by the end.
Mile 12 I took another gel. We headed off the main road and through an area of windy paths around a small pond with huge geese roaming. The volunteers were amazing and everywhere. I haven't mentioned that there was musical entertainment ALL OVER the course! It was fantastic and motivating. I cruised along to drums and dancers and kids playing the sax. Good stuff when you're bored out on a race course.
Did I say bored?
Well...I got a little bored at times. I was focusing big time on my time. I knew where I had to be at mile 15, mile 20 etc etc. I knew how many minutes I had to go the next 3 miles... for example.
However, around this point in the race, I was running alone. I was sandwiched between a group of men running out in front of me and who knows who was behind me. Portions of the run felt like a training run. While on secluded curvy paths through a park, it was just me out there. It took serious disclipline to maintain my race-day focus.
I didn't fly 1000 miles for nothing.
Game face stayed on. But as I said, I loved the music.
My legs were still spot on. I felt nothing. I was steady. That's it. It was completely easy for me to hold this pace. 7:25 never hit my watch unless I was at a mile that I was fueling.
I made a point to stop, Drink the water, SIp some sports drink and then more water. Otherwise, it would spill on my shoes, cause a blister, and I wouldn't be hydrated. So I lost a bit of time. I didn't care. I was ahead of pace and wanted to be smart.
this was one of those miles. I had a gel, got some water, and then began again.
7:26
mile 13 7:08
mile 14 7:06
mile 15 7:05
mile 16 7:05 How am I doing this? I still feel FINE!
mile 17 7:12
mile 18 7:15 I have very little memory from these miles. I know that I was hot and desperate to see Mark again. I wanted to throw him my gloves and just have a friendly face. We'd been off by ourselves on those paths for so long. I needed some spectators again.
Mile 19 7:12 I made a plan to really really push those final 6.2 miles because this thing Had to start hurting!! I was ready to suffer. It was too 'easy' so far. I was cruising and feeling good.
mile 20 Magic mile 20. Where things are supposed to get tough. In my head, I wanted to be sub 2:30 at this point. I was 2:24. (I am pretty sure that's what it was...) I was pumped. I had this thing. IF I held my pace, I'd be sub 3:10!!! WHAT!? NO way. Hold on Ange, hold on. I caught and passed those men that had been cruising in front of me. The mile marker was way off again. I caught some people who were finishing up the half marathon course. We ran by the water on the Riverfront. I picked up my step to more drummers. I smiled because were were running on the pretty roads I warmed up on the day before. I stepped on the same pile of glass I had Friday and chuckled becuase I didnt' have to worry about my bike tire getting cut.
I still felt good.
7:10
mile 21 I see Mark!! Yay!! I stripped off my gloves and arm warmers and chucked them to him. Happy Birthday!! I tried to yell it every time I saw him. (since I forgot it first thing that day. ooops.)
I yelled, "CAll Jen! tell her I'm at 2:33 at 21.2 and I have 1/2 a gear left!" he laughed
7:17 Not bad. Holding on.
mile 22 7:18
feeling pretty good. We're running away from Town. Away from the finish line. Kind of brutal. No more specators. Just runners and the road.
Mile 23 7:13 Alright...somehow it's all ok. I'm still here. I'm still in the game. Keep that cadence up.
I ran by this band again. I was on serious focus mode now but this is what I heard, "Number 22, number 22, number 22 is the girl in blue. The girl in blue with the purple head band, the girl in blue is number 22."
I had to laugh.
It was either that or cry.
Because finally, the hammer was dropping. I took a gel. I had some water. Almost there. Hang on Ange. You can suffer for 3 miles!! PIECE Of cake!
mile 24 It hurt. I was drawing inward. I saw the two women ahead of me run back towards town. I had many people saying, "good job" and other words of encouragement and yet, I could barely reply with the same back to them. I was pulling in and reaching deep. And, what was up with my toe? It suddenly hurt and felt warm and strange. I put it out of my mind.
7:25 Still on pace. Barely. And it was really really starting to hurt.
It was like somebody flipped a switch. I went from feeling FINE and in total control to Total shutdown.
SUddenly my legs threatened totally rebellion. I felt serious cramping coming on. I had three spots that were very very unstable. I knew I had to slow down or risk walking to the end. I was that close to falling. My legs were truly about to seize. I focused on my cadence. Turn it over. Stay loose. Just move just move just move. You got it hang on hang on hang on ..... things like that repeated through my brain.
Mile 25 7:24
One more mile. I can Do this. ONE mile! Seriously. How Hard can that be?
Um, excrutiating! One Mile can SOmehow be excrutiating!!
mile 26 7:46 that was the only mile that got me. I let that pace fall below my 7:25 cut off. It's ok. I was rounding the corner.
26.2 OFF goes the watch 3:10:34
yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was done and it was a HUGE PR. Massive. 17 minutes off my old PR.
My goal was 3:15 or faster and I did just that.
oh yeah, I was the 3rd woman!! when they announced that I just chuckled. ME? Third at a marathon! Wild.Just wild.
Best of all, I had a blast. I loved the race. I loved the feeling of working super hard, building my fitness, and then having it pay off. In so many ways, I accomplished what I set after. Success.
The passion and sparks are back.
___________________________________________
A few more pictures from the weekend......
OUCH! I took off my shoe at the finish and my sock and shoe were covered in blood. My toe was all messed up.
The 4 FA-18s that took off right before us
2 hrs post-race and too tired to be nervous to fly again
Mark talking to the kids before we took off on our final leg home
looking down on pretty estates as we departed Williamsburg, VA
strange 'crop markings...' in New Jersey
Over looking NYC and Central Park
home sweet home
( and yes, the race course was measured almost a 1/4 mile too long. It was long on the 10K and the Half marathon. Absurd really. That aside, I would recommend this race to anyone. The volunteers did a great job on the course and the music was great.)
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