tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85428334336576851552024-02-02T14:30:41.746-08:00The Racing TurtleSo here’s the thing… I love running. But I am not good at it. And I love talking. That I am good at. Put the two together, and you have one very slow, but entertained runner! No matter the race, my kids say, "We hope you win, Mom!" That ain't ever gonna happen. It should be, "We hope you don't drop before the finish line!"Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-78675094725330111342012-07-25T09:48:00.000-07:002012-07-25T10:01:45.958-07:00If Sugar is the Devil... Then I was Surely Headed to Hell<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngZJGZs_4HzeWHEvswKnzS6tds6HjKA1MQ1u3ebYw80h_nq7K81cluSlFF9S237v3wde9qHcDZ5ladgrC0TCITHGrCMXHtZG14Nu7G9hORO4qO6VSVGzbpb6QbtMtq-NizchZkZR3JAZV/s1600/photo%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngZJGZs_4HzeWHEvswKnzS6tds6HjKA1MQ1u3ebYw80h_nq7K81cluSlFF9S237v3wde9qHcDZ5ladgrC0TCITHGrCMXHtZG14Nu7G9hORO4qO6VSVGzbpb6QbtMtq-NizchZkZR3JAZV/s320/photo%25282%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am pretty sure this is what the devil looks like!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s
been a long time since I blogged... last year when I was training for
the Augusta Half Ironman I wanted to share the ups and downs, but there
were so many, I lost control of time. This year, I am determined to
keep more control, fit in as many workouts as I can and share some of
the successes and challenges. If I did have time to write last year, I
might have complained here and there about the weight gain. Yep. I
gained a few pounds while swimming, biking and running. And it wasn’t
muscle. Unless muscle settles in your rear end!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How??
Well, I recognize one thing I didn’t do last year was focus on my
diet. I worked on my nutrition while I was biking and running, but
never focused on the rest of the day. Once upon a time I thought if I
was working my tail off, I’d be able to indulge. I know I am not
alone because you’ve seen those shirts -- I run for
wine/beer/chocolate... But for me, that theory just isn’t working well.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So
with the recommendation from a Facebook friend who amazingly
transformed herself - I’ve started to do some serious reading. And
guess what? <b>Sugar is the devil</b>. This isn’t news to me. Not at all.
I’ve been told I need to cut sugar and carbs several times -- and the
thought alone made me quiver. I’d almost get angry at the thought of
it! But last week, something clicked. Call it an Aha! moment. And
the thought of not pushing myself to be as healthy as I can reasonably
be depresses me. Why would I not at least try?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
hesitated to write about this, because I am just starting this journey.
And it is going to be done in baby steps. Not sure how far I will
get, but already I am starting to feel better by making different
choices. I still ate a Little Debbie Zebra Cake the other night --
definitely the devil’s spawn! And there will be wine and coffee in my
present and future, but maybe fewer mojitos and more glasses of herbal
tea. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Even
though I don’t carbo load on bagels and pasta daily, or eat cookies and
cake <i>every </i>day -- I consume far more sugar than I realized. Fat free
milk has 12g of sugar per glass - the same as a serving of fat free Fig
Newtons! And a serving of Zebra Cakes - 32g! I only had one and I
wondered how they fit 16g of sugar into two bites! Basically, from
everything I have read, you should aim for less than 5g of sugar per serving. (And probably stick to one serving!) That
Zebra Cake just wasn’t worth it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Have you cut sugar from your diet and seen results? What’s your motivation? Like I said, I am taking baby steps. I have a lot of devilish behaviors, and some I actually need to correct!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-51450841993370940522011-11-04T22:11:00.000-07:002011-11-04T22:58:55.923-07:00Life After Augusta<span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255); font-family: arial;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >It’s been more than a month since I crossed the finish line in </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255); font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDV9ymyS-XocOGFLG2WS_Vykbj01njpxaPyH0owQEPexPxXD6pYlj_VRx8luJY-hH9_iTHtUghNOPg7SltRPZuTaAyzuOH3CIfastj9uHICqc4iIhuUm9HjVqoN-9H3ZveuAh_nstfHyK6/s1600/Snap6.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDV9ymyS-XocOGFLG2WS_Vykbj01njpxaPyH0owQEPexPxXD6pYlj_VRx8luJY-hH9_iTHtUghNOPg7SltRPZuTaAyzuOH3CIfastj9uHICqc4iIhuUm9HjVqoN-9H3ZveuAh_nstfHyK6/s320/Snap6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671376638023180386" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255); font-family: arial;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Augusta, and I am still sitting here catching up on LAA (Life After</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255); font-family: arial;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" > Augusta).<span style=""> </span>I learned something about training for a Half Ironman – that weekly schedule doesn’t leave time for much else in your life.<span style=""> </span>Clearly that </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255); font-family: arial;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >includes blogging!<span style=""> </span></span> <p style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">For some reason, not having the time </span><span style="font-size:100%;">or energy to blog bothered me more than the dozens of other things that got pushed aside (things like house cleaning, yard work, appointments…)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Why?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">I guess it’s the same reason I took more than 500 pictures during training and maybe as many during the race weekend.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">It’s a chance to document the incredible journey, but also to connect with others who have either shared similar experiences or hope to someday.</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I can’t tell you the number of blogs I’ve written in my head during weekly three hour bike rides in the hills!</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">And they were good!</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">But by the time I finished riding, drove home, showered and finally sat </span><span style="font-size:100%;">down at my computer, all I could usually muster was a Facebook update – or a 140 character Tweet!</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">And usually a couple of pictures!</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">My energy level was definitely at the Facebook and Twitter level after most training days, but the experiences were larger than life.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnBiJ2MPtGJ70om-TtbJtHlPuT7N2CtWbhILmpNJ57yR9iVhqw_4Z3EQD2x2nF4a0oS-H2QhZyKy7ZSXxZJ4KYjuIAwAZSf50ILnyM9z698OXj2C4-h9b490etAHptY0k8tTwXE-lYXVu/s1600/derailer+photo.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnBiJ2MPtGJ70om-TtbJtHlPuT7N2CtWbhILmpNJ57yR9iVhqw_4Z3EQD2x2nF4a0oS-H2QhZyKy7ZSXxZJ4KYjuIAwAZSf50ILnyM9z698OXj2C4-h9b490etAHptY0k8tTwXE-lYXVu/s200/derailer+photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671378472622884402" border="0" /></a></span></p> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; color: rgb(204, 255, 255); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">The day my rear derailer cracked in half as I was climbing Sugar Loaf Mountain – and I was saved by my hero in the Prius (Sheri!) and Prince Charming on his Yamaha!<br /><br /></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">Finishing the Puzzle Run 10K and the Moss Park Olympic tri with new personal records…<br /><br /></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">Crossing Lake Conway with Megan guiding me across on the kayak – and returning the favor on the way back..</span></li></ul> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; color: rgb(204, 255, 255); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">The hundreds of miles I shared with <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjRKA7vGTBRLErATLQE1NcAj6XLfpRTgn44J1XZ6Rzxsh-kr7VMSZavmdXJw1IQFppcFW_DsiJsPESVdko7Qf1-_xusR3psV3higRTc1NcGX6gSGVXaaOKpLIuE5yvtTn08tq4WsLH__P/s1600/Moss+Park+Tri+Aug+2011+024.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjRKA7vGTBRLErATLQE1NcAj6XLfpRTgn44J1XZ6Rzxsh-kr7VMSZavmdXJw1IQFppcFW_DsiJsPESVdko7Qf1-_xusR3psV3higRTc1NcGX6gSGVXaaOKpLIuE5yvtTn08tq4WsLH__P/s200/Moss+Park+Tri+Aug+2011+024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671379115001308146" border="0" /></a>Megan and my incredible team mates – including a very fun Sunday (Sept 4) at Vision Quest singing and dancing while riding our stationary bikes for 3 hours!</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">I recapped that moment many times during the race!</span></li></ul> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; color: rgb(204, 255, 255); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">And of course finishing 70.3 miles – and meeting my goal of still standing and smiling at the end…(There was a moment when I skidded out on the bike, got run over and had a flat…I think I may have stopped smiling for a few minutes.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">But the second I was back on the bike – I was smiling again!) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDdqiuLZLrJtgnjLBzhAF_bGtp8CZmWY8RiNRVq-eAcBuUBHaR81N_u4F9DCWf3aDtVCaMrwIzqn0iclteK5YAwHhwRaUgcp9X_9T4iFDNu7LPWH5ikAqBIEPt7iKUWYqwGUrhcU02DIs/s1600/Augusta+iphone+pics+103.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDdqiuLZLrJtgnjLBzhAF_bGtp8CZmWY8RiNRVq-eAcBuUBHaR81N_u4F9DCWf3aDtVCaMrwIzqn0iclteK5YAwHhwRaUgcp9X_9T4iFDNu7LPWH5ikAqBIEPt7iKUWYqwGUrhcU02DIs/s200/Augusta+iphone+pics+103.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671379930478408946" border="0" /></a></span></li></ul> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" >Just recapping each of these experiences makes me miss the routine of training, and the time shared with my teammates.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" >But LAA has a lot of positives to it.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" >I remember minutes before my swim start, my friend and teammate Terri looked at me and said, “if we can do this, you know we can do anything.”</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" >She is right!</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" >It’s proof that if you put your mind to something, it’s absolutely yours for the taking. That’s a lesson I hope will resonate with my children – and give them </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" >the confidence to reach further than they think possible... Leaves me thinking, what's next?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5acceEiRfmCESyTEyaVnyRFEbaG0Cnz-Ovgo8uKNv3QFk1ROMHg_cf663m64e3tYyZalitSp_ErKB1Ty56cyDWIHwKBlxpP2NIXz4WfPtm7DqRIM1BSS978LLOrz0t-bLhWhm611UR_l8/s1600/swim+start.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5acceEiRfmCESyTEyaVnyRFEbaG0Cnz-Ovgo8uKNv3QFk1ROMHg_cf663m64e3tYyZalitSp_ErKB1Ty56cyDWIHwKBlxpP2NIXz4WfPtm7DqRIM1BSS978LLOrz0t-bLhWhm611UR_l8/s320/swim+start.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671384503888597106" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGV_rKdSfhThv4SSnaddrfmAZheWUXgm-FOQrQOe5EJF-osleZdUosqDN-6ROb_gbxrukVF5GjODnVRLfeMgY3TXR4S-T1cMQ9xJy5z-6bA5jpl8DEXSkzdR8uQ8l4Kno3CRHjAXKX5Rpy/s1600/Augusta+iphone+pics+093.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGV_rKdSfhThv4SSnaddrfmAZheWUXgm-FOQrQOe5EJF-osleZdUosqDN-6ROb_gbxrukVF5GjODnVRLfeMgY3TXR4S-T1cMQ9xJy5z-6bA5jpl8DEXSkzdR8uQ8l4Kno3CRHjAXKX5Rpy/s320/Augusta+iphone+pics+093.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671382895185719634" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqonPLk-WG6PEAmBMLl4Gcke4VW89XI_1SVwwICpKkhHHibUfZUmeHbEEqoRGfcoxmT-OJzmrqsLHwfbSwtEqqMLTrtFMaWngpMPd0IWZEH7r5hGB-92jf_beK7_PcPj_y59zt_XneEHW/s1600/Augusta+iphone+pics+094.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqonPLk-WG6PEAmBMLl4Gcke4VW89XI_1SVwwICpKkhHHibUfZUmeHbEEqoRGfcoxmT-OJzmrqsLHwfbSwtEqqMLTrtFMaWngpMPd0IWZEH7r5hGB-92jf_beK7_PcPj_y59zt_XneEHW/s320/Augusta+iphone+pics+094.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671383639351597394" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" face="arial" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-48828239139742557622011-08-03T13:46:00.000-07:002011-08-03T14:17:22.070-07:00Sleeping Your Way to Success<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; ">Ask any professional athlete and they’ll likely tell you sleep and recovery are the most important parts of their training.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But there’s obviously more to it, or we’d all be London-bound in 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So let’s assume that in between all those naps, there are some pretty intense workouts too.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> But considering their</span> level of intensity and experience, how does this <i>“sleep your way to becoming a better athlete”</i> routine apply to an average newbie like me?</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial"></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span">Definition of Like Me:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span">Been training at a novice/pre-intermediate level on and off for 4 years</span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span">Shows modest improvement over a year’s time<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span">Easily 10 pounds overweight <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span">Nutrition needs work / Sleep habits terrible</span></span></li></ul></blockquote> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6d1oGu7Dd5gvuj5qL5dTMJboT51zWnfhBqAebZHmfqzq00PI6KIedAquDC9KFBpb-LZBcy9cUdpJKP-dREvRLlTe1a0q54r_hiUIrDDSKb6f7H0AxqiEJfhy-u5usalngAJnlV2SFJfSt/s200/sleepingturtle.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 136px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636738640321650850" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial">The good news for me is I have loads of room for improvement!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And it seems sleep is the easiest area for me to address, except I’m both a night owl AND an early bird! <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For the past year or so, I average between 4 – 5 hours of sleep a night.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But If I listen to athletes like Jarrod Shoemaker and Robbie Ventura, this is exactly why I haven’t gone pro yet!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial">So after some constant ribbing about my 2am Facebook postings, I decided I want to sleep my way to success!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Oh – I couldn’t resist!</span></p> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; ">Sunday evening:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; ">Head on pillow 11:30 pm / Wake up at 6:30 am</span></b><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; ">Monday Morning:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>SLEEP HANGOVER It was a recovery day, so didn’t do a real workout.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I basically showered and started working.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Felt sluggish <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>the entire day.</span></li></ul><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Arial">Monday evening:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Head on pillow 11:30 pm / Wake up at 6:30 am<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span"> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; " type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; ">Tuesday Morning: Figured out that I can’t sleep that much and then just go straight to the desk to start working. Mowed the lawn before showering and starting work. Felt so much better – and was more rested for our 6:30 pm track practice<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></li></ul></span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial"><b>Tuesday evening: Head on pillow 12:10 pm / Wake up at 4:30 am</b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-family:Arial">Wednesday Morning:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><b>I fell off the wagon!</b><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Why on earth did I think it was a good idea to go to VQ training after a hill repeat workout the night before???<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Oh right – I had no choice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I really felt tired and sore.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I think it had more to do with the training than the sleep factor.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v2-ByDw4rzTBrOIglbQ4LsUSteW4p9MHe8K24IiHb9GBbS-fmLWVOkrY0ArkpYfmbR9cIqBLwa73_0VqhsTW-_4aI6WEHkask6HmbBz8tqWDnAwI1i6ITD08k0l6XBPn60k7CWc4RBuI/s200/turtleonbike.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 118px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636739602110649010" /></li> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial">So how is it working so far?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Well, I didn’t get any rounds of applause at my </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; ">cycling class this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I also only got 4 hours of sleep last night.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So I have to demonstrate better discipline.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I have no fear!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My Facebook horoscope gives me hope!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(And no – I didn’t find it at 2 AM!)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Tahoma; " ><i>Today's Taurus Horoscope: You will have a lot of interesting insights and impressions today, and if you take the time to listen carefully to what your body is telling you, you may find a practical and affordable solution to a lifestyle, dietary or healthcare problem.</i></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-39408386111063404512011-07-31T13:02:00.000-07:002011-07-31T13:15:55.346-07:00Going around those walls...<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Verdana; color:#43647E"></span></span></p><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana; ">“The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough</span></span>.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture</span></span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana; ">Someone call 911.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My body was apparently hit by a very large truck, filled with angry elves, who took turns kicking and punching me while I slept.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That’s exactly how I felt like when I stepped out of bed at 5 o’clock this morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; ">The longer distances of training for the Half Ironman have caught up with me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Funny thing is, this week I started to feel a little more confident about my ability – especially on the bike.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There is not one discipline I am really strong in, but the bike gives me hope!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am currently slow – but I think by September I might be upgraded to less slow!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For me, that is a relatively short amount of time to see improvement.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; ">So here I am, feeling more confident, actually starting to wonder which Half Ironman clothing I might buy at the Expo. What kind of 70.3 sticker will I get for the car?? What will I EAT when the race is done?? And then today... Instead of feeling like I’m at top of my game, I was feeling more like the bottom of a car tire! (Actually I think my car tires covered less miles than me this week!)</span></p> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKCLe67u0Zu5j3__1x5Ux6XSJabYVmKArKxNpx7ePamY2carWnxA-f-0dDvENr2SxunttbnC1iw4_Hc5U-iLOnddWaOyPzMBWVtuCF_Iq_q92d0Y2HQem7ib_-hcnZoXFDEChjEKSqsE7/s200/206904_1017897640566_1018883737_30076644_5920_n.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635610774404431362" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana; ">I’ve trained for enough races to know that crappy days and brick walls are all part of the formula. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Someone reminded me, “It’s a triathlon, it’s supposed to be hard!” Thankfully, I’ve also experienced the complete euphoria of finishing a personally challenging tri.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So I can dig deep and remind myself, those walls were just meant for someone else who doesn’t want this badly enough.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana; "><i>(*Celebrating with Caroline after my first triathlon - Pineapple Man June 2008)</i></span></span></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-35507012849484597602011-07-04T20:42:00.000-07:002011-07-04T21:14:05.363-07:00If Only... How To Improve Your Tri Experience<span style="font-family:Arial;">The other day my friend was talking about how he could improve his triathlon finish time.<span style=""> </span>As he looked over previous race times, the conversation went like this: “You see here, if I could just get faster on the bike – I could really improve the overall time.<span style=""> </span>And look here on the run, you see, all I need to do is increase the pace and stay consistent.”<span style=""> </span>And then, as he looked at the swim times, “If I could just get a bit faster in the swim… then I’d really improve my time!”</span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">The magic formula – just get faster in all three disciplines and you will improve your time!<span style=""> </span>Genius!<span style=""> </span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">If it were only that easy…</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">There are definitely other factors that play into improving your triathlon performance.<span style=""> </span>Nutrition, sleep and <span style=""> </span>proper recovery.<span style=""> </span>These are areas that I have flat out neglected.<span style=""> </span>Over the years, I’ve never </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">gotten the rhythm right.<span style=""> </span>In fact, I’ve been pretty lousy about it - evident when I ended up in the ER after collapsing at the Women’s Half Marathon in November.<span style=""> </span>The cause – dehydration.<span style=""> </span>Probably also didn’t help that I didn’t sleep very much the week before, and not a wink the night before.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Nv_SQkuP84ITD5VN2TYXULXsnG0kcEb17mVXtPMvNqMtwQXoZEEU1OV6rrXbxCDpVox6zeTgIUXpy_gV3jTt14qLRDdQPnUGIU3ANT9e_uibs2WVqRfSiuSMcihdl4fcNUZqD_ipxhDN/s1600/robbieventura.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Nv_SQkuP84ITD5VN2TYXULXsnG0kcEb17mVXtPMvNqMtwQXoZEEU1OV6rrXbxCDpVox6zeTgIUXpy_gV3jTt14qLRDdQPnUGIU3ANT9e_uibs2WVqRfSiuSMcihdl4fcNUZqD_ipxhDN/s320/robbieventura.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625711552569009842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.jarrodshoemaker.com/">Jarrod Shoemaker</a>, 2008 U.S. Olympic <span style=""> </span>triathlete, says proper sleep is the most critical part of his</span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> training.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.visionquestcoaching.com/robbie.php">Robbie Ventura</a>, former pro cyclist, told a group at <a href="http://davidsworld.com/">David’s World Cycle</a>, sleep and rest were the most important part of his improved performance. There must be something to this sleep thing!<span style=""> </span>But oddly enough, going to bed on time can be more difficult than getting up at 4:30 AM for a training!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Tonight – I will be in bed by midnight.<span style=""> </span>Improvement indeed! <span style="font-style: italic;">(more like 12:30 - but that's still improvement!)</span><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Another thing Jarrod swears by is massage </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhll6i8znXf7PgUNSyoex9HdEDdv8ht5IrrDYaw2jjHs5IIBRhXsRJFPT3A_IXeHdUaN-m8PK7yCyDAsSMX-IEyPu3mFjw2dVbYfWZJwO44D_jeEsFPY5YqhdNUVaTf2hZwLXJLq6PN681u/s1600/shoemakers.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhll6i8znXf7PgUNSyoex9HdEDdv8ht5IrrDYaw2jjHs5IIBRhXsRJFPT3A_IXeHdUaN-m8PK7yCyDAsSMX-IEyPu3mFjw2dVbYfWZJwO44D_jeEsFPY5YqhdNUVaTf2hZwLXJLq6PN681u/s320/shoemakers.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625711847791794962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Arial;">therapy.<span style=""> </span>In an interview earlier this year, he told me about <a href="http://westorangemassagetherapy.com/WOMT/craniosacral-therapy">craniosacral therapy</a>.<span style=""> </span>He described it as one of the most relaxing and beneficial massages – especially the night before a race. <span style=""> </span>This unique massage/ therapy somehow removes the tension and anxiety from his body, unlike anything he had experienced before.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Intrigued, I scheduled an appointment with Emily at <a href="http://westorangemassagetherapy.com/">West Orange Massage Therapy</a>.<span style=""> </span>It was two days before my first triathlon this year; I was in the middle of car buying negations; <span style=""> </span>and I basically felt like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. <span style=""> </span>We started with a basic muscle loosening massage…<span style=""> </span>I chatted away, telling her about everything and anything until…. All of a sudden she did something to the back of my neck, and within moments I felt this release.<span style=""> </span>Emotions and stress – as if they were tangible particles inside me – seem to rush through my body and pour out the back of my neck.<span style=""> </span>It was truly like nothing I had experienced before.<span style=""> </span>I wanted to tell her how amazing this was – but I literally could not speak.<span style=""> </span>My body was so relaxed, I couldn’t talk!<span style=""> </span>This was an absolute first in my life!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">The following days I thought about the massage – and the emotions I felt afterward.<span style=""> </span>I clearly needed another one – and soon!<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">My name is Colleen, and I am addicted to craniosacral therapy!<span style=""> </span>It is by far the most relaxing therapy I’ve ever experienced.<span style=""> </span>If you haven’t tried it – I really recommend it.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Now – did it make me a better triathlete?<span style=""> </span>Not sure yet.<span style=""> </span>Has it made me a better mom?<span style=""> </span>A better car-buying customer?<span style=""> </span>And an overall less stressed human being?<span style=""> </span>I’d definitely say yes!</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you want to try it - now is the time! <a href="http://livingsocial.com/deals/50677-50-minute-massage-or-facial-with-hand-exfoliation">Living Social is running a deal (July 4th and 5th) for 50% off for new customers.</a> (All massages and facials - not just carniosacral!)</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Let me know what you think! <span style=""> </span></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >And if you’ve had it before, how would you describe it?</span></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-51349289265841476772011-07-03T16:04:00.000-07:002011-07-03T16:30:59.868-07:00The journey to Augusta.... starts with a mess!<span style="font-family:Arial;">There are moments I wonder, what the hell have I gotten myself into?<span style=""> </span>Today, I had a few of those moments.<span style=""> </span></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6rDYxY7uGGzX6U1yciQSTSlqsySge5_yxA_M7M02MpiRG-oAz6XQ1OQmMbetRo9LDa_giBZM06b1sveZ_rr4cYV_hr5ivwGBgtTwk57Vm6qHWQ9beaxja3z6-b01a4YFXSs-hI_0weQp/s1600/703.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6rDYxY7uGGzX6U1yciQSTSlqsySge5_yxA_M7M02MpiRG-oAz6XQ1OQmMbetRo9LDa_giBZM06b1sveZ_rr4cYV_hr5ivwGBgtTwk57Vm6qHWQ9beaxja3z6-b01a4YFXSs-hI_0weQp/s320/703.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625269609696232306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Arial;">I can’t really explain why I have a desire to complete a half Ironman race.<span style=""> </span>It’s more of an emotional tug than a logical reason.<span style=""> </span>Because </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">if I sit back – I can’t see much logic to swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 m and then taking on a half marathon (13.1 m) all in the same day – with just a few minutes transition in between.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Certainly there are many on</span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> my team who seem born to do this – I am not one of them.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I’m not playing the defeatist or the “woe is me” character in this story by any means, but I will say I </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">am incredibly surprised to be sitting here in my kitchen, with sore legs from climbing and sweating and huffing through 30 miles of hills this morning on my road bike.<span style=""> </span>On legs that were already a slight bit sore from yesterday’s 10 mile run on Clay Road.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Surprised because this is not a lifestyle I grew up with or intended to jump into.<span style=""> </span>Anything with the name Ironman was not something ordinary people talked about – never mind signed up for!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">So when the idea of doing the 2011 Augusta race started floating around in my head – it seemed </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFMxL-GZF73n02q2ktITgU6nyHg0wipHnlzJ8j7IojQSpXj5q4ANr0mYeol-b2dfy5Q46bGXrxj_9rKw0dE_WLJ2dpt7M2v_XlXWWnl-iRXKv8hfIS4GitoullBAXKPE4KgWFSaUTGg5J/s1600/Florida+Half+Ironman+May+2011+029.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFMxL-GZF73n02q2ktITgU6nyHg0wipHnlzJ8j7IojQSpXj5q4ANr0mYeol-b2dfy5Q46bGXrxj_9rKw0dE_WLJ2dpt7M2v_XlXWWnl-iRXKv8hfIS4GitoullBAXKPE4KgWFSaUTGg5J/s320/Florida+Half+Ironman+May+2011+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625271757160196450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Arial;">part ridiculous and part premature.<span style=""> </span>But the thought wouldn’t go away.<span style=""> </span>And then I went to the Florida Half Ironman at Disney to cheer fellow teammates on.<span style=""> </span>The people I saw crossing the finish line </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">were depleted.<span style=""> </span>They were emotional.<span style=""> </span>Their friends and families were emotional. Some were in pain. But they all did something that was truly extraordinary – they finished 70.3 miles! <span style=""> </span>I was sold. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">This vision flashed in my mind many times on Saturday as I completed one of my most satisfying runs ever.<span style=""> </span>Mile 8.5 I picked up my pace. The endorphins kicked in as I looked over rows of </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">incredibly dark green orange trees, caught a glimpse of the lake and waved at a field of cows.<span style=""> </span>They didn’t wave back, but I didn’t care.<span style=""> </span>I was on a runner’s high.<span style=""> </span>And all I could think was I KNOW I CAN COMPLETE THIS RACE.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBonPVG5uaiYTUb39_x8BgUVJ7Oj4B4hYpt98T7GmYdkyZ6TtqtuImwt0ZjWlMJRrSKq48vRNXinP_M2u-mBfbx7CizdDMAikFFMTnjhKc9HtX0sZ9PL5KUENsSHLAP8NpDK11JmF6hDTH/s1600/photo+%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBonPVG5uaiYTUb39_x8BgUVJ7Oj4B4hYpt98T7GmYdkyZ6TtqtuImwt0ZjWlMJRrSKq48vRNXinP_M2u-mBfbx7CizdDMAikFFMTnjhKc9HtX0sZ9PL5KUENsSHLAP8NpDK11JmF6hDTH/s200/photo+%25284%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625269845508686306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Arial;">That feeling of confidence/self awareness/joy was a small, but truly significant moment.<span style=""> </span>Why?</span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style=""> </span>Because that moment helped me finish that bike ride today.<span style=""> </span>And that moment will get me back on those hills one morning this week.<span style=""> </span>And that moment will keep me on track towards the goal.<span style=""> </span>And every time I think, “What the hell have I gotten myself into?” I’ll think back to that eighth mile on Clay Road; <span style=""> </span>which, ironically enough, was big old m</span><span style="font-family:Arial;">ess!</span></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-77228358028698380552011-02-12T21:23:00.000-08:002011-02-12T21:47:00.916-08:00Please accept my apology...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Dear Running, </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">It’s been a while since I wrote. <span style=""> </span>But I think it’s necessary we clear the air.<span style=""> </span>I have to admit lately we haven’t spent much time together.<span style=""> </span>And I get the feeling you aren’t happy with me.<span style=""> </span>I know, I know – you don’t want to hear the excuses.<span style=""> </span>Because let’s face it – I found time to do just about everything else.<span style=""> </span>(I even gave up sleep to fit it all in!)<span style=""> </span>But sometimes it’s just very hard to find time for that run. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">But you know what’s harder?<span style=""> </span>Fitting in my favorite “skinny” jeans after I choose to spend an entire </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRFfxQzL6oeUcu3uu6xhsBF_ZrGpliUH9OdzI7TTb084ARufqF2Wwf2GfvdwF26XIrZKHU32YD8qb3FtdR62MwYjqkMZQmKbaiCimeE4uvthfyMeRtI8W8PuRpqDRC7Za8m8nKGi0-L46/s1600/180926_1721060339194_1018883737_31921598_1139871_n.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRFfxQzL6oeUcu3uu6xhsBF_ZrGpliUH9OdzI7TTb084ARufqF2Wwf2GfvdwF26XIrZKHU32YD8qb3FtdR62MwYjqkMZQmKbaiCimeE4uvthfyMeRtI8W8PuRpqDRC7Za8m8nKGi0-L46/s320/180926_1721060339194_1018883737_31921598_1139871_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573044285952721986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Arial;">week drinking and partying like a teenager and avoiding that early morning run.<span style=""> </span>Yeah.<span style=""> </span>(Okay for the record – I call them skinny jeans – but that is a relative term.<span style=""> </span>Not sure these hips would ever, ever be referred to as skinny!<span style=""> </span>But you get my point!)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I noticed today, as I ran a slow but enjoyable seven miles that something felt slightly different.<span style=""> </span>Did I leave something in my pockets?<span style=""> </span>No.<span style=""> </span>Clearly I must have packed something</span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">else in my fuel belt.<span style=""> </span>Nope.<span style=""> </span>What on earth…Oh – it was just my rear end!<span style=""> </span>Apparently Running, you hold a grudge.<span style=""> </span>And you aren’t subtle about it<span style=""> </span>(Let’s face it – Shakira says it best --<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUT5rEU6pqM"> these hips don’t lie</a>!!)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">So let’s make a deal.<span style=""> </span>I admit that in December and January I relied on my Saturday and Tuesday staple runs, and anything else was gravy.<span style=""> </span>Hmmm...<span style=""> </span>Bad word choice.<span style=""> </span>Any other run was a bonus. No more.<span style=""> </span>I vow to spend at least four days a week with you Running. And in honor of Valentine’s Day – we are going to break out of our rut.<span style=""> </span>Let’s reignite that passion!<span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 255, 153);">At least once a week I will either run some place new – or run with someone new</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);">.</span><span style=""> </span>And I will hold myself accountable to this for the rest of this year.<span style=""> </span>(The latter may be challenging.<span style=""> </span>I might find myself pairing up with a stranger on the trail – but my new running group is quite large, so I may not have to go the stranger route till at least May!)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">So Running – if I do this, and promise to even throw is some biking and swimming, will you please give me hips like Shakira’s?<span style=""> </span>No? <span style=""> </span>Okay.<span style=""> </span>How about just letting me wear my skinny jeans again?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Sincerely,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Woefully Sorry in Windermere</span></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-52184488372036899022011-01-02T06:22:00.000-08:002011-01-02T10:16:03.599-08:00Dirty Girl<span style="font-family:Arial;">Last night I was telling a friend why I don’t take my dog to the dog park, <span style=""> </span>“Because he gets filthy dirty when I take him there.”<span style=""> </span>Friend's reply, “Yes.<span style=""> </span>Does have fun?”<span style=""> </span></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">This simple exchange got me thinking.<span style=""> </span>Do I need to be dirtier?<span style=""> </span>Is it too late to make resolutions?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I started thinking about how my own daughter has probably never made a mud pie.<span style=""> </span>Coming from an</span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> Irish family – mud pies were probably the most exotic and exciting thing I ate as a kid!! <span style=""> </span>I loved making them! <span style=""> </span>Digging a big hole in my backyard – mixing it with a bucket of water until the consistency of mud mixed with pebbles was just right for shaping.<span style=""> </span>Then I’d pick a few Marigolds from my mother’s flower bed, <span style=""> </span>pull out the hundreds of tiny petals and sprinkle them on as decorations.<span style=""> </span>It was perfection.<span style=""> </span>I don’t think Caroline has ever done this.<span style=""> </span>Of course it would mean her nails would be filthy, her clothes a mess and my backyard – well I can’t bear to think about it!<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I recently didn’t attend a race because a friend pointed out the course would make our running shoes dirty.<span style=""> </span>Seemed ridiculous, but then I remembered how disgusting my clothes were the last time I ran in Moss Park.<span style=""> </span>She was right.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">But then I think about my experience doing the Muddy Buddy.<span style=""> </span>That was FUN!<span style=""> </span>It’s a biking and </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">running race that ends with a crawl </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTIcZul7ix94ZIBGLqnOTNJ_D-rd7Eail60_A0DUISHbRrPzq35reo_kakyk0OXRfNcLtFwLmUheS6PxrS9e6nCuBAy5bWwe7FxJ1APzCsxbJouWHmyeghIYbXwj5g5rTlRQ3nxxtf7ED/s1600/muddy+buddy.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTIcZul7ix94ZIBGLqnOTNJ_D-rd7Eail60_A0DUISHbRrPzq35reo_kakyk0OXRfNcLtFwLmUheS6PxrS9e6nCuBAy5bWwe7FxJ1APzCsxbJouWHmyeghIYbXwj5g5rTlRQ3nxxtf7ED/s320/muddy+buddy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557595304336806898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Arial;">through a mud pit!!<span style=""> </span>And when you’re done, you fight for space under a communal hose to rinse off.<span style=""> </span>To say I was a mess would be an understatement.<span style=""> </span>And with plans to go out for a birthday dinner that night, I spent a good 90 minutes getting a manicure and pedicure while trying to explain to the manicurist that I am not a dirty person, I just happened to be </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">playing in the mud.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">But why do I think this is important? <span style=""> </span>It’s not just about getting dirty.<span style=""> </span>It’s bigger than that.<span style=""> </span>It’s about being less uptight and less concerned about how others view me.<span style=""> </span>It’s about recognizing what makes me happy and then embracing that.<span style=""> </span>(And in my case, what makes my kids happy.<span style=""> </span>And yes – what makes my dog happy.) <span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">So on that note, I am considering a visit to the dog park today.<span style=""> </span>And then a date with the dog shampoo and a hose!<span style=""> </span>And is anyone interested in signing up for the Muddy Buddy with me in </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">May??<span style=""> </span>Let me know. I’ll put the manicurist on alert!!<span style="font-family:Arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozOKULmr6xovR3khAnGcw45OfA0SQOYQyH1oXULc6STMDJ7C10rhsYgI3kZHk6nVGtFe1hEkmbdS9V6YxzAteozGU4KSacgHkgYV4XgHp5ite0Rfkrb5GszrLDzqC63B7IMB0AUjSy498/s1600/muddy+buddy.jpg"><br /></a></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-59261034548993593522010-12-27T20:35:00.000-08:002010-12-27T21:06:06.061-08:00...but she was on her way.<span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >Christmas night, long after friends had gone home, dishes were put away and the kids were tucked into bed, I decided to open my Christmas gifts alone.<span style=""> </span>Certainly I opened gifts from the kids earlier in the day – as they were anxious to see my reaction.<span style=""> </span>Caroline couldn’t wait – she gave me a toy puppy that does back flips and barks.<span style=""> </span>Yes, she insists it was for me! <span style=""> </span>Ryan really couldn’t care less about my reaction – since he was buried in his new iPod Touch.<span style=""> </span>His gift however, came with a lot of thought.<span style=""> </span>It was a world coin collection from EPCOT.<span style=""> </span>I assume he thought since I love to travel and I could always use more money - this was an ideal gift.<span style=""> </span>Spot on!<span style=""> </span></span> <p style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >But I decided that I would open the couple of remaining gifts alone.<span style=""> </span>Funny how in previous years I </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >would look forward to unwrapping these gifts – but not so much this year.<span style=""> </span>For many reasons I suppose; but I truly do feel like I’ve already received so many gifts this year –none that could ever be wrapped or fit under a tree. But there was a box for me, and it was wrapped and it did fit under my tree.<span style=""> </span>I really had no idea what it was – just that it was from one of my dearest friends.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >And inside the box was a wood frame, with this beautiful and familiar quote:</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><blockquote>“She wasn’t where she had been. She wasn’t where she was going…but she was on her way.”</blockquote></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XnVZa9qsUDcpV_u4FFGCjcVik-KntkaXCQ3wg4HwC8lfluEJbD2ZEOTThwnQMiwID1FXNw44tcxSzmAXs7RRk3eLec275GwVrH4v7Izy49zHVjZFmGtJIXb6nDnKsqjOXskjAAmwf_WQ/s1600/Pitons.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XnVZa9qsUDcpV_u4FFGCjcVik-KntkaXCQ3wg4HwC8lfluEJbD2ZEOTThwnQMiwID1FXNw44tcxSzmAXs7RRk3eLec275GwVrH4v7Izy49zHVjZFmGtJIXb6nDnKsqjOXskjAAmwf_WQ/s200/Pitons.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555594733903618242" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >I felt that familiar lump in my throat and once </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >again the tears began to spill.<span style=""> </span>My friend had read this</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >quote a few months ago – and texted it to me.<span style=""> </span>She said it reminded her of me.<span style=""> </span>And I loved that.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >It’s a loaded quote for sure.<span style=""> </span>And I am certain anyone can apply it to some aspect of their life.<span style=""> </span>I even feel like this with running and tri training.<span style=""> </span>But I am sure my friend wasn’t thinking about running when she first read this.<span style=""> </span>I know I wasn’t.</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >A quick Google search by another dear friend revealed a lengthier version of this quote:</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><blockquote>“She wasn’t where she had been. She wasn’t where she was going…but she was on her way. And on her way she enjoyed food that wasn’t fast, friendships that held, hearts glowing, hearts breaking, smiles that caught tears, paths trudged and alleys skipped. And on her way she no longer looked for the answers, but held close the two things she knew for sure. One, if a day carried strength in the morning, peace in the evening, and a little joy in between, it was a good one…and two, you can live completely without complete understanding." ~ Jodi Hills</blockquote></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">As I held the frame in one hand, and read the full quote online – my smile started to catch the tears</span>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGalLzyX7_xH2I71uO2YwklJGtVRy5LDmM6vKJLRa6iRFlCQltajjDFD3-6BkGuWEI04IWuLLj0fHCJKb_A13Fye51jF4_gZHPK15UmgfRJQ83RfmAaVCN90ziG89_y_wBfZAxckZmU0p/s1600/quote.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGalLzyX7_xH2I71uO2YwklJGtVRy5LDmM6vKJLRa6iRFlCQltajjDFD3-6BkGuWEI04IWuLLj0fHCJKb_A13Fye51jF4_gZHPK15UmgfRJQ83RfmAaVCN90ziG89_y_wBfZAxckZmU0p/s320/quote.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555589134544459442" border="0" /></a></span></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-62782249708196400652010-12-08T20:44:00.000-08:002010-12-08T21:18:22.667-08:00Never Settle. Plain and Simple.<span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >I love runners.<span style=""> </span>(Okay, maybe not all runners!) <span style=""> </span>Perhaps safer to say, I love the positive outlook of most runners.*</span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I recently read this quote from Nelson Mandela:</span><span style=""> </span><blockquote>“There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” </blockquote><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >This quote has danced around in my head for the past couple of days, but the essence of this message has been stirring inside me for some time now:<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Never Settle<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Runners live this message! At least they do on the track. And in a race.<span style=""> </span>And on long runs.<span style=""> </span>And </span><span style="font-size:100%;">while</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> cross training. <span style=""> </span>(Is there time for anything else?)<span style=""> </span>I rarely hear a runner mumble “That’s good enough,” “that’s fine” or “what else could I do?” Nope.<span style=""> </span>That’s because most runners know they are always capable of becoming better.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I am not suggesting that every runner I know is looking to get faster – but they are usually</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> set</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ting</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTg7jnMiRuWaGO3-8MzlWR60b4hq_PwdiQI30JZzykrNT0DAdXOTSizBSnYCEJOLHz8DyzPWlHtI9IsjM5C6AGvEkMV_26k3GamaOHBNsYGhIgmMlqR8XxcX28i-vEht8WmmRr7RDAm8I/s1600/half+marathon+kay+rebecca.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTg7jnMiRuWaGO3-8MzlWR60b4hq_PwdiQI30JZzykrNT0DAdXOTSizBSnYCEJOLHz8DyzPWlHtI9IsjM5C6AGvEkMV_26k3GamaOHBNsYGhIgmMlqR8XxcX28i-vEht8WmmRr7RDAm8I/s200/half+marathon+kay+rebecca.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548544568484748386" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> a </span><span style="font-size:100%;">goal of one kind or another.<span style=""> </span>My friend </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Kay is close to her goal of running a marathon in every state! Roxanne is training for her first marathon and Kim is contemplating </span><span style="font-size:100%;">which will be her first. <span style=""> </span>Laura completed her first Half </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Ironman, while Heather, Ann and I have half-joked (I think) about training for one in 2012. I am sure R</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ebecca will join us – sans the </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwylDK14UXzjYw1ybosuFiSoGUZ5GYB9t7o0_BzA5pSasxwe9W5HamjejSj1_L6uBxTJtX_IVdc9DUj1jcicR0UlhlSRHjztNirUD2huyRLWXHTYLZUe8yEfR8bXxkwV3-nQCiD3swXF7M/s1600/half+marathon+roxanne+heather.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwylDK14UXzjYw1ybosuFiSoGUZ5GYB9t7o0_BzA5pSasxwe9W5HamjejSj1_L6uBxTJtX_IVdc9DUj1jcicR0UlhlSRHjztNirUD2huyRLWXHTYLZUe8yEfR8bXxkwV3-nQCiD3swXF7M/s200/half+marathon+roxanne+heather.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548547241017768034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">training!!<span style=""> </span>(In the meantime, I have a more</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> modest goal of finishing a half marathon in under 2:30 – and staying clear of ambulances!)<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>And I know for a fact that this same am</span><span style="font-size:100%;">bition and passion spills over into the da</span><span style="font-size:100%;">y to day lives of all of these runners.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2P_9IDxfy1iRNperTDQT9EAeqig2VkygFDgh3O4Xw1F6aqZTSHAK2DcMud8HjtkCUaWZWZq2c6QqoNbcBK-uOLoLZEq-TDgi9asoP8ysbHU8oFJIRSn4r0wpBExnwR7qs0yZAzvqVEjo/s1600/passion.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2P_9IDxfy1iRNperTDQT9EAeqig2VkygFDgh3O4Xw1F6aqZTSHAK2DcMud8HjtkCUaWZWZq2c6QqoNbcBK-uOLoLZEq-TDgi9asoP8ysbHU8oFJIRSn4r0wpBExnwR7qs0yZAzvqVEjo/s200/passion.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548540390764479538" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Perhaps that’s what I love about runners – their passion</span><span style="font-size:100%;">. <span style=""> </span>In my opinion, passion is what makes</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">getting up in the morning worthwhile! <span style=""> </span>Passion ignites ambition, discovers joy and ultimately lets you live the life you deserve to be living. Why would you want to </span><span style="font-size:100%;">settle for anything less?<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Now grab your sneaker</span><span style="font-size:100%;">s and go hug a runner! (one of the nice ones!)</span></p><p face="arial" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">*Anymore disclaimers and I can become a member of the IBM legal team!</span></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-61716578014260974442010-11-24T07:29:00.000-08:002010-11-24T07:47:34.664-08:00How Not Finishing Will Make Me a Better Runner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHyexSMWtkxe9tG007Icn2wR2Pob8t1nsOhS2VchNQpoZgsvtDjpWbewRBw8LJjNBpIgYX_MeEX9YbIKG-MfDyv6IVKOFjzDs3pUWs34swe0NLcyj18J8YVJgTDgk2P6EEoemlrVAerOk/s1600/WHM.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHyexSMWtkxe9tG007Icn2wR2Pob8t1nsOhS2VchNQpoZgsvtDjpWbewRBw8LJjNBpIgYX_MeEX9YbIKG-MfDyv6IVKOFjzDs3pUWs34swe0NLcyj18J8YVJgTDgk2P6EEoemlrVAerOk/s320/WHM.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543143406217036306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69DGcTsitwGpouXO_5nU71HAsx5rolNo2ykC2qCmuDgMukzA5NXN7oj5hGSn4CswWd6F2pLIJWKk3dqNjjTDvGeiEt46dppRlfvDtGuQIeNUYZuJCUB-Iy62DzneNHua9mej8Myu_EDTm/s1600/WHM.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i17CK7I9dAyH1iGCQ_ce5zzLerVl06ZIPK_UmIEbRTDnMNB_7fpfGSRgunpOJsqeyEA5VCPYkm16YiurQ4zPUzJVs1u_d5J9qqxpfTW6oqvYQVDSqQzmz2DU78U1xxzgDWKs_Cxxb3zZ/s1600/WHM2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i17CK7I9dAyH1iGCQ_ce5zzLerVl06ZIPK_UmIEbRTDnMNB_7fpfGSRgunpOJsqeyEA5VCPYkm16YiurQ4zPUzJVs1u_d5J9qqxpfTW6oqvYQVDSqQzmz2DU78U1xxzgDWKs_Cxxb3zZ/s320/WHM2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543141200019947378" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" href="http://theracingturtle.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </a><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">When to call it quits?<span style=""> </span>This is a question most type A’s probably never ponder.<span style=""> </span>And neither do runners. So just imagine how type A runners are reacting to this question!!<span style="">* </span>Quitting just isn’t an option!<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">But sometimes quitting is the smartest option. <span style=""> </span>And sometimes it’s out of our hands. <span style=""> </span>I learned this the hard way around mile 12ish this past weekend at the Women’s Half Marathon in Tampa.<span style=""> </span>After dropping to the ground (as I am told), I was far beyond the ability to make a reasonable decision – and my body took over.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I knew I was feeling crappy somewhere around mile 6 or 7.<span style=""> </span>But I struggled with that whole “mind over matter” issue.<span style=""> </span>I was running along the pier and loved the feeling of the breeze hitting my face.<span style=""> </span>But that still wasn’t enough to get me out of a funk.<span style=""> </span>And I have to say that is unusual!<span style=""> </span>A happy thought, a pretty view – these things usually set my mind back on track, even if my legs and feet are screaming.<span style=""> </span>I started thinking - perhaps I took off too fast? maybe it was too hot?<span style=""> </span>maybe the lack of sleep is kicking in?<span style=""> </span>I recall setting a goal – if I can get to mile 7 (more than half way there!) I can play a song off my iPod. Well that was a lousy reward!!<span style=""> </span>Music never irritated me so much!!<span style=""> </span>Nothing was working!<span style=""> </span>And my poor running partner and coach!!.<span style=""> </span>I am surprised she didn’t just trip me and put me out of the race at that point!<span style=""> </span>I wasn’t exactly the most pleasant person to run along side!<span style=""> </span>(To her credit, she remained cheerful and supportive!!)</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I would love to write about the remaining miles and what thoughts went through my head - but truthfully, it’s all pretty blurry. I can only recall flashes of moments.<span style=""> </span>I was so thirsty, but all the fluid was swishing away inside me.<span style=""> </span>At one point I believe I took a cup of Gatorade and poured it on my head.<span style=""> </span>And I recall needing the assistance of both my coach and a good friend to help me walk/run straight.<span style=""> </span>And I recall a few odd looks and offers to help. <span style=""> </span>It sounds oddly reminiscent of some Thursday nights in college, but this was a Sunday morning amongst runners!<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">The thing is, somewhere around mile 10 or 11 – despite being a complete mess, stupidity took over. <span style=""> </span>I refused to stop.<span style=""> </span>I kept worrying about how bad it would look to DNF (Did Not Finish) during a half marathon!<span style=""> </span>I was expecting to reach a PR (Personal Record)!<span style=""> </span>So while my judgment was left somewhere on the course, ego stuck with me. <span style=""> </span>So here I am – apparently looking completely delirious, and I am worried people will think I am weak if I don’t get to the finish. <span style=""> </span>I wonder what the runners thought when they saw me on the ground puking with a couple of IVs in my arm. <span style=""> </span>My arm and ego took a bit of a bruising there.</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Lying in the emergency room with more bags of fluid being pumped into me, I started remembering all the people that stopped to help me. <span style=""> </span>My goodness – Kay was massaging my cramping calves; Lea held my head and I promised not to throw up in her direction; <span style=""> </span>Kath and Rebecca waited around till I got into the ambulance; I remember seeing and hearing Paula and countless others. <span style=""> </span>All of these women had times they wanted to beat. <span style=""> </span>They had their own races to run.<span style=""> </span>But they stopped and helped me.<span style=""> </span>I still have trouble accepting this – the outpouring of help and concern goes beyond anything I’ve experienced.<span style=""> </span>I oscillate between feeling the overwhelming love – and feeling overwhelming guilt for impacting their races. <span style=""> </span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">And so this is why I write this…. <span style=""> </span>If I am going to impact anyone else’s race – I want it to be positive. <span style=""> </span>Here are some things I’ve learned:</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">If you feel dizzy – stop.</span> <span style=""> </span>Sounds obvious, but I bet more than one of you have continued racing even though you felt a bit off.</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hydrate</span>.<span style=""> </span>Not just the night before or the morning of the race. <span style=""> </span>I am actually told that you should begin on Wednesday!!</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2A. Eat.</span> I actually forgot that a lot of our hydration comes from the food we eat!<span style=""> </span>And many of us overlook this simple act.<span style=""> </span>With everything going on, I will often look at the clock around 2 PM and think, oh – I haven’t had breakfast! <span style=""> </span>But then get on a conference call for another hour!</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fill out the back of your race bib!</span> <span style=""> </span>Seriously.<span style=""> </span>I couldn’t remember anything when the EMTs were asking for my address, phone number, etc. <span style=""> </span>Thankfully my sweaty bib had some info on it!<span style=""> </span>(An ID bracelet is even better)</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Run with a friend.</span><span style=""> </span>In fact – run with several friends!! <span style=""> </span>There is nothing better than having someone watch your back.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">5.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recover.</span><span style=""> </span>I am writing this one as I reminder to myself! <span style=""> </span>As Jane, a true life coach explained, “Your organs were seriously compromised.<span style=""> </span>You were on the verge of renal failure and possible coma. <span style=""> </span>This isn’t a typical race recovery.”<span style=""> </span>So if you suffer anything outside the typical race soreness – take it seriously. <span style=""> </span>In fact – take all recovery seriously.<span style=""> </span>You’ve got many more races to run!</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">6.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Oh one more – run with a cell phone!</span> <span style=""> </span>I usually don’t, but will try to now. <span style=""> </span>Several of us wish we had ours on hand Sunday. <span style=""> </span>They didn’t do much good sitting in the car or hotel room.</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">So – as a type A runner, it’s my duty to find the lesson in this. <span style=""> </span>Why did this happen to me? <span style=""> </span>And why this race?<span style=""> </span>(Did I mention this was the first race I ran completely – and I was on pace to finish nearly 30 mins ahead of my PR???)<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Well – I think this was nature’s reminder that I need to have a little more balance in my life. <span style=""> </span>I probably can’t go full throttle in every direction.<span style=""> </span>So I will listen to my body – and not ignore the warning signs. <span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stopping is not the same as quitting.</span><span style=""> </span>This was also a reminder that I know some of the most supportive, loving women in the world! <span style=""> </span>(As if I needed a reminder for this!)</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I’ve got a lot to be thankful for this year – and I am sure you do too! <span style=""> </span><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;font-family:courier new;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" >*And for the record, runner is defined by anyone who has put on running shoes and set a goal.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-40434952361396408682010-11-13T20:49:00.000-08:002010-11-13T20:57:15.432-08:00Head, gut and heart align on the trail<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">A year ago this time life was very different. <span style=""> </span>I had completed the Chicago Marathon and was fired up to do two more in the next six months. <span style=""> </span>Ha!<span style=""> </span>Despite a carefully planned running schedule – known as the Swedish Fish Plan – none of it came to fruition. <span style=""> </span>My running scaled back and I ended up not even training for the Disney Half. <span style=""> </span>It seemed life just got in the way.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Jump ahead one year – and today I feel like I have enough going on to fill two lives! <span style=""> </span>And that is exactly why I can’t let my running take a back seat!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">For the past few months I have been training for the Women’s Half Marathon in St. Petersburg, Florida. <span style=""> </span>It’s next Sunday.<span style=""> </span>But factor in children, work and travel and I haven’t created the perfect </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGG5Uo6RkN0_vrSSD8R-_Acb1CkwnYCdCANZOvm5hTECnvP6VrLLeN3Vucql9_kPgwuY7oPuZJCayuMleg0OGKi20N1jLIkDpCTFApZmILQmhgGts-vWhNSs7yBE3IH3v98V6FNgqOEAMN/s1600/Ireland+2010+049.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGG5Uo6RkN0_vrSSD8R-_Acb1CkwnYCdCANZOvm5hTECnvP6VrLLeN3Vucql9_kPgwuY7oPuZJCayuMleg0OGKi20N1jLIkDpCTFApZmILQmhgGts-vWhNSs7yBE3IH3v98V6FNgqOEAMN/s320/Ireland+2010+049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539263584126833650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Arial;">recipe for training. <span style=""> </span>But I’ve noticed on the days that I run, I can cope with life so much better. <span style=""> </span>So last</span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> week in Ireland – I made a point to pack my running gear and make a modest run around Monaghan. <span style=""> </span>Th</span><span style="font-family:Arial;">e hills were hillier, the air was definitely chillier, the scenery was breathtaking – and by the end, my frozen cheeks were sore from smiling! <span style=""> </span>It’s hard not to be happy after an experience like that.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">No doubt - running is free therapy. (Some days it’s even like free drugs!<span style=""> </span>You walk away like you’ve taken a happy pill!) <span style=""> </span>In fact, I am learning the harder I run, the better the therapy.<span style=""> </span>And a pleasant side effect is I actually become a better runner.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Today’s therapy bill might have been quite high – had it not been for running. <span style=""> </span>Around mile 10 – after literally moaning or groaning in pain – clarity took over.<span style=""> </span>Things that worried me seemed to slip away.<span style=""> </span>It’s like I dropped them on the trail somewhere – and I surely was not going back to look for them!<span style=""> </span>Running doesn’t solve my problems; it just gives me the clear head to handle them.<span style=""> </span>And in some cases, like today, a good hard run helps my head, gut and heart align. <span style=""> </span>And once again, my cheeks were sore from smiling. And that’s something I couldn’t imagine happening in a therapist’s office!</span></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-31210331556423895362010-07-20T20:21:00.000-07:002010-07-20T22:25:55.549-07:00I Tri-ed: Olympic Athlete I am Not<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM01UaupOWWHBqDnAkFTBuTAf80lm1yLiP2WIJB9r56GZIP8I-l4MXfwXlVsCRPJNMqmcTzR90RkrxhUjjYXmrgK20gOvIGkdOfCabZDcFs-4iA-AD8hhTCp4G7UuFFam3QJRBRD4pI1Lv/s1600/bike+picture.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM01UaupOWWHBqDnAkFTBuTAf80lm1yLiP2WIJB9r56GZIP8I-l4MXfwXlVsCRPJNMqmcTzR90RkrxhUjjYXmrgK20gOvIGkdOfCabZDcFs-4iA-AD8hhTCp4G7UuFFam3QJRBRD4pI1Lv/s320/bike+picture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496197571898645778" border="0" /></a><br />I completed my first Olympic distance triathlon on Sunday. I won’t lie. I thought it was hard. It was really, really hard. But getting to the starting line was almost as difficult as crossing the finish line. And I wondered – as I rode along the bike course alone – should I have even attempted this?<br /><br />A bit of background – an Olympic distance triathlon is approximately shy of a mile swim (I can never really tell!), about 24 miles on the bike and about 6 miles running. In my case – all were slightly over. Call me an overachiever – but I always swim way too far away from the course, I missed my turn at the bike loop and I ran off the trail in the wrong direction for about 5 minutes on the run! This is all completely and sadly true.<br /><br />But even without the mistakes, I think the distances are challenging And my eight-week training program was interrupted by life: multiple trips – both me and my husband (which means challenges in sticking to a schedule); holiday get-aways; and the stuff you don’t want to miss (class plays, birthdays and baseball games). It seems there has been lots of life this summer. I might have gotten a solid three weeks of training in – and the rest was DWYC (do what you can!). There is a reason you don’t see DWYC training groups marketed all over the country – the return rate would be 0%. Participants would routinely pass out on the course in the 93+ degree Florida heat - and vow to never do this again!<br /><br />So, with my DWYC training under my belt – I registered for the tri just minutes before the deadline. And then an unexpected change in plans left me in search of a sitter for Sunday morning. Did I mention I needed someone at 5 AM? I considered just passing on this race, but one of my trusty teammates would not let me even consider that! So thankful for that push – err, gentle nudge – and for the good -hearted sitter who arrived at 5 on the dot!<br /><br />But still –even with everything falling into place – I found myself on the bike course wondering if I should even be among this group of fit athletes. At least I assumed they were fit – I didn’t really see many of them as they were so far ahead of me! Doubt crept in – as it can easily do - and I started to come up with good reasons why it would be okay to drop out. I hadn’t done the right training. I have too much on my plate (coincidentally – I eat too much on my plate!) I wasn’t ready for this distance. I was quickly able to come up with dozens of excuses!<br /><br />And then I started thinking about why I even wanted to train for this ridiculous event – and wondered would I trash my long-term goal of completing a Half Ironman? And I came up with several really good reasons to continue. (They better be good -- because when you come in near last – no one would blame you for walking away quietly!)<br /><br />• Nothing helps me deal better with life than a hard run, a good swim, a long bike ride and a goal. (okay – maybe a glass of wine, too!)<br /><br />• Because teams/coaches push you to be better. I would never push myself as hard if there wasn’t a group of people around me. This is what made my lonely bike portion of the tri so weak. My teammates and fellow racers absolutely inspire me and motivate me.<br /><br />• And finally – the support I get from my training group is worth every drop of sweat I have lost on the trail.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xpXM9Z3DxZC93zksBhxroTAes2Gj9mICkEuZqNkd0zB6peBncoqvVCWYSYXc3hTtEcrxRTIZ2mumceckJqeElgmW6TDA2dq9U0C3vDhEArSsiZi1q1-ApQuQTcP5saNE-GlJipQlZ8Yz/s1600/triathlon+Colleen+Anthony.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xpXM9Z3DxZC93zksBhxroTAes2Gj9mICkEuZqNkd0zB6peBncoqvVCWYSYXc3hTtEcrxRTIZ2mumceckJqeElgmW6TDA2dq9U0C3vDhEArSsiZi1q1-ApQuQTcP5saNE-GlJipQlZ8Yz/s320/triathlon+Colleen+Anthony.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496198053880242786" border="0" /></a>On mile 3 of the run, I was on a dirt trail in the woods. I had just passed a group of people who were loading their bikes onto their cars to go home. I still had 3 more miles to run and my legs were starting to cramp. Anthony –one of my teammates who completed his first triathlon the day before – and his wife, Emily were sitting on a log, ready to cheer me on! Everyone else on my team had passed already – but they waited for me! That alone was inspiring. But as my legs began to seriously cramp, and it seemed that I would need to walk the remainder – they both started walking with me! Then, as I was ready to run again – they ran along side me! By mile 4, Coach Jane joined us on her bike leading the way. And a half mile later, Coach Lea joined us, too.<br /><br />Jane broke into a game of “Name that Tune” which quickly lead to a group sing-along of 80s TV theme songs! (And I learned that belting out a tune actually makes me run faster!) No doubt, any campers who saw us would have had a good laugh. As we were approaching the finish line – Lea encouraged me to pick up the pace – and crossed the finish line with me – while Jane, Emily, Anthony, Rebecca, (her Dad), Laura and Heather cheered me on. Now – I heard there were many spectators and music at the finish line. But the music was long gone – and so were those spectators. But thankfully – our team came equipped with our own entertainment – Jane’s sing-along and the best cheering section you could ask for!<br /><br />At tonight’s swim training – Coach Lea asked if I would do another Olympic distance tri. Enthusiastically yes!!! Life won’t get easier, the commitments won’t go away and we will always have too much on our plates – but knowing the support I have from this group – someday there will be a Half Ironman race on my calendar! (Just hope our cheering section brings blankets and coffee – that will be a very very long day!)Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-6204958364751640652009-08-31T18:46:00.000-07:002009-08-31T20:18:13.532-07:00Not ready to make up... yet...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSEdPCs-KzdnGjviXm-6vUQ421OlZckflTJjvvgvxON2INxG8Yy5ZT_PavJzG7LC-B-DmnIwb_Nz9yw2rRARDc1bdduRyx3xqaF-dh-PHQF19G6kh_TALoY1C3Wv3bl0wGnRE3VTjJeZA/s1600-h/running.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSEdPCs-KzdnGjviXm-6vUQ421OlZckflTJjvvgvxON2INxG8Yy5ZT_PavJzG7LC-B-DmnIwb_Nz9yw2rRARDc1bdduRyx3xqaF-dh-PHQF19G6kh_TALoY1C3Wv3bl0wGnRE3VTjJeZA/s320/running.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376309759308411506" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Okay – running and I had a fight this weekend. And I am still a little angry. Not ready to make up yet. Sure, we’ve had our ups and downs over the past two years, but nothing I can recall being too upset about. Then came the longest training run ever, on what felt like the hottest day ever. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />The goal was to finish 24 miles Saturday morning. We have been training using a 2:1 method. Two minutes of running, one minute of walking. Paula and I have found this method to be very manageable over the past couple of months. I think my mistake with the Disney Marathon in January was not having a consistent training plan. I would run 4:1 or 8:2 – basically did what I felt like doing until I got tired. But the goal is to NOT get tired. This is where I fell short on Saturday.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />We started out at 4:30 AM. (You would be surprised at how many people actually do this! I am not the only fool out there!) I was tired right from the moment I woke up – and not anxious at all. That should have been the sign. I am usually a wee bit anxious, nervous or excited about the challenge ahead of me. But I wasn’t. Just tired. By mile six I was thankful we were making a pit stop at the store. The next round of running fools had arrived to start their training around 6ish… so we had some quick conversations, a little Gatorade and continued on. It was exactly the boost I needed. By this time however, we were already soaking wet and weighed down by the humidity. But only 18 more miles to go!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />I could go on and on – but basically – 18 miles is a long way to go when you are soaking and tired. I had my usual bouts of fatigue followed by surges of energy – my typical ebb and flow. But something just didn’t feel inspiring. I think ultimately, there was little fanfare in finishing 23.5 miles. (Paula’s Polar said 24.03, my Garmin said 23.5.) </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />And then I felt like crap the entire afternoon. I can deal with feeling lousy if I just finished a marathon and hobbled around all day with a medal around my neck, eating pancakes at IHOP – BUT when I just hobble around all day explaining I ran 24 miles in this heat, most people just think it’s stupid.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />The day wasn't a complete wash. I did reward myself with a brand new pair of Brooks Adrenaline running shoes… much needed. And they’re actually more useful than a medal! </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />So here it goes – I have to make up with running, because I have to break in these new shoes. So hear me out running: I am going to forgive you for Saturday’s unfortunate experience. I am going to erase the memory of miles 14 – 22. We’re gonna start fresh, thinking about Chicago, the victory and those pancakes!</span>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-905166742486897992009-08-28T13:42:00.000-07:002009-08-28T13:47:46.748-07:00This isn't a victory party...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmOc2IsVwiBYogprgBgpWCGWVHzdXaRISIuAFGAcQhBUhL8vXMXeoFwdilhD_nt9rXf-rZktvqj0LTxSLCtqVuf06-RVD6l036QJlOc9kPU7vYe_rRtuQ_ce_-3k-xUvqPH02NAcZzH5P/s1600-h/drinking.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmOc2IsVwiBYogprgBgpWCGWVHzdXaRISIuAFGAcQhBUhL8vXMXeoFwdilhD_nt9rXf-rZktvqj0LTxSLCtqVuf06-RVD6l036QJlOc9kPU7vYe_rRtuQ_ce_-3k-xUvqPH02NAcZzH5P/s320/drinking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375118981385824738" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CADMINI%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Batang; panose-1:2 3 6 0 0 1 1 1 1 1; mso-font-alt:¹ÙÅÁ; mso-font-charset:129; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1342176593 1775729915 48 0 524447 0;} @font-face {font-family:"\@Batang"; panose-1:2 3 6 0 0 1 1 1 1 1; mso-font-charset:129; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1342176593 1775729915 48 0 524447 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:Batang; mso-fareast-language:KO;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Around 2 o’clock today I looked over at FaceBook – it’s where I get all my news these days - and saw a few posts about running 24 miles tomorrow.<span style=""> </span>This will be our longest run of the training cycle – thankfully, because any further and I’d demand a t-shirt, medal and fireworks at the start.<span style=""> </span>Anyway – the posts were all about HYDRATING.<span style=""> </span>Oh crap!<span style=""> </span>I knew I forgot something today.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Why is remembering to drink so hard? <span style=""> </span>I drank like a fish in college so you would think this would come naturally to me. <span style=""> </span>But it doesn’t.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">There was something else I screwed up. <span style=""> </span>I RSVPed to a birthday party for this weekend. <span style=""> </span>I had it all planned out in my head for Sunday afternoon. <span style=""> </span>But it just hit me like a ton of bricks – that party is tomorrow. <span style=""> </span>I ran to the invitation – and sure enough – 1:00 – bring your swimsuits. <span style=""> </span>Oh crap.<span style=""> </span>Kids, swimming, loud noises – all to cap off my near-marathon run. <span style=""> </span>Not how I envisioned it all.<span style=""> </span>I was truly thinking about a long nap, in a cool dark room…<span style=""> </span>it is what makes getting up at 3:30 AM tolerable.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Well – with any luck – I will be able to hydrate at this party – just like I did in college!<o:p></o:p></span></p> Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-13843143335138934312009-08-24T10:37:00.001-07:002009-08-24T11:31:46.564-07:00Attempt at Your Own Risk<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYgwSKqfqoYLfd6kzVZfk8f6xIfWvImPzO0YFzLVAaRsbJygS8pC4CQxqazsmTuWmn8r4T4uudjOeOVm1CaFPEEQMCd0sN62U7oHkVzQxTR9rvbFNOVJJ4HdYTYbmK3rGo3IjIM4TzPdg/s1600-h/132.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYgwSKqfqoYLfd6kzVZfk8f6xIfWvImPzO0YFzLVAaRsbJygS8pC4CQxqazsmTuWmn8r4T4uudjOeOVm1CaFPEEQMCd0sN62U7oHkVzQxTR9rvbFNOVJJ4HdYTYbmK3rGo3IjIM4TzPdg/s320/132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373599740440156034" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoj_E9DeIS_TvjgoQeMHZH6RKs5PsJxp0rQ1Q_J8cyy3PCsEwTwohXN_M5_oAsj2TY1UdOCgDUz-huKt0wOZVUGFXojFmk16zDoFlQHOzh3j7KPT4wWBmg3GRRHRXZPUBk15p-Neydqc6/s1600-h/26point2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoj_E9DeIS_TvjgoQeMHZH6RKs5PsJxp0rQ1Q_J8cyy3PCsEwTwohXN_M5_oAsj2TY1UdOCgDUz-huKt0wOZVUGFXojFmk16zDoFlQHOzh3j7KPT4wWBmg3GRRHRXZPUBk15p-Neydqc6/s320/26point2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373586825982814114" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CADMINI%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Batang; 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mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CADMINI%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Batang; panose-1:2 3 6 0 0 1 1 1 1 1; mso-font-alt:바탕; mso-font-charset:129; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1342176593 1775729915 48 0 524447 0;} @font-face {font-family:"\@Batang"; panose-1:2 3 6 0 0 1 1 1 1 1; mso-font-charset:129; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1342176593 1775729915 48 0 524447 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:Batang; mso-fareast-language:KO;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Before you ever venture out on the grueling task of your longest training run there are three things most people usually have:<span style="">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style=""></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">1.<span style=""> </span>A solid base of training<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">2.<span style=""> </span>A decent hydration plan<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">3.<span style=""> </span>And a healthy dose of courage mixed with a dash of crazy<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p>Saturday morning was THE morning.<span style=""> </span>Twenty-two miles.<span style=""> </span>I ran the Disney Marathon this past January. <span style=""> </span>The longest training run I ever did was 20 miles. <span style=""> </span>And I only did it once.<span style=""> </span>(I was supposed to have gone that distance twice in training, but honestly – my iPod died by mile two and I about died by mile three – so that was that!)<span style=""> </span>But now I am a veteran of training and I felt well prepared to go 22 miles.<span style=""> </span>We’ve been doing, 17, 18, 19, 20 for the previous month <span style=""> </span>- what was two more? <span style=""> </span>Nothing too crazy about that.<span style=""> </span>But here is where you need to heed caution…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p>Imagine going that distance – when 13.1 is the furthest you have ever gone. <span style=""> </span>And that was nearly 5 months ago…<span style=""> </span>Meet Rebecca.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p>I haven’t mentioned Rebecca before – because while she is part of our <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city> marathon group, she has been MIA. <span style=""> </span>Each week we’d wonder if she was going to start training… and with only seven weeks to go, the window of training was closing fast. <span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>But here she was Saturday, perky and armed with instructions from our coach:<span style=""> </span>DO NOT GO MORE THAN EIGHT MILES. <span style=""> </span>So, she would run with us for four and turn around. <span style=""> </span>That was the plan – a plan that never saw daylight. <span style=""> </span>Because by the time we got four miles out – it was still too dark for her to run on her own. <span style=""> </span>And she was feeling good – runner’s high had kicked in. <span style=""> </span>We stopped for a picture at 13.2 – this was the first “FIRST” of many on this run. <span style=""> </span>Around mile 18 we asked her how she was feeling – and she was a bit less perky and the walk breaks were getting longer. <span style=""> </span>But so were mine.<span style=""> </span>But mile after mile, she kept going. <span style=""> </span>And here’s why:<span style=""> </span>Rebecca had nothing to prove to us – we know she can finish 26.2.<span style=""> </span>She had to convince herself. Like many women, she is her toughest critic. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p>We spoke Saturday evening.<span style=""> </span>I was on my way to EPCOT, after spending a day at Chuck E Cheese – and she was on her hands and knees collecting a thousand Splenda packets that her soon-to-be two-year old dumped on the floor. She sounded happy and was even talking about next week’s run!<span style=""> </span>But I still wonder, after she hung up the phone, was she was ever able to stand back up again?<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>We’ll find out next week!</span></p> Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-18853149288700689992009-08-19T07:18:00.000-07:002009-08-19T07:29:53.094-07:00Track workout in the garden of good and evil...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyy2cy0jxK3e_pyAVX3wVCoZhhR5r8q8eIshc7J5iBTIpGwxE7t4HZEf3IT6OJh-lZbfRDx2dBzYvi6UAgPcg8OrYWkNKdbXeh68ey6DvIeNa8fBC6fFDv1QcFlfm4k1lXXljSJa4RG1e7/s1600-h/angel+runner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyy2cy0jxK3e_pyAVX3wVCoZhhR5r8q8eIshc7J5iBTIpGwxE7t4HZEf3IT6OJh-lZbfRDx2dBzYvi6UAgPcg8OrYWkNKdbXeh68ey6DvIeNa8fBC6fFDv1QcFlfm4k1lXXljSJa4RG1e7/s320/angel+runner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371681232566941586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Some days I just really need to run with people. I am not sure if it is because I am lazy or because I just prefer walking. (Or is that the same thing?) Either way – I am happy the rain stopped before we hit the track last night – because otherwise I would have to go to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Plan B</span>.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Plan B</span> is the treadmill. When I first started to run, I loved the treadmill. You’ve got your TV, the temperature-controlled gym, the very flat course – I mean the conditions are perfect. But somewhere around mile 4 or 5 – I start to get really ticked off at whatever is on the TV. I start to criticize (silently of course) people who come into the gym and spend 20 minutes on the treadmill and leave. (And wonder how the heck they are so thin when they barely broke a sweat!) And I actually start to envy anyone who is outside. All in all – this is not how I want to feel when I am working out. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />So while I was glad I got to go to the track, I was less than thrilled with the workout in place. We basically had to run a mile at our specific paces – cool down for a loop – run two miles at our goal pace – cool down and then run another mile at pace. It didn’t look so bad on paper – but ouch! Had I gone to the gym – I am not sure this would have been completed. As it was – I wasn’t sure I was going to finish it on the track. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">When I run – I spend half of my time thinking of excuses as to why I should stop. I am not kidding. I do not think this is normal. But it actually passes the time. I spend the other half of my time thinking about why I should finish. This is probably the runner’s equivalent of the angel on one should – the devil on the other. My inner devil runner is pretty convincing, though. If it were just me and the devil – boy, I am sure we’d be sitting on the couch eating cookies instead of running. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />While the angel on my shoulder is incredibly quiet and shy – my running group is a bit more vocal. Thankfully. The shouts of encouragement and high fives – as they finish their workouts and head to their cars - are exactly what I need. Sure, they’re home eating dinner by the time I round that last lap – but it is satisfying to know that I completed the workout I was supposed to do. Now – if I could just stay away from the coach and cookies….. </span></span>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-23727116600331603082009-08-17T06:24:00.000-07:002009-08-17T06:27:55.973-07:00I am inspired...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kcc8PiCGt6pmkyPKowRb3ogZrzzk3k5GSjHs-WomI-aD6iA7MIT6L6Xps3U7CgddxSza7AGM0UTKyagUzxC5IobQ7rO7NKf8JLjkZW_rZUjN5CwZz-asSp-4LeLd0G05gi15Sy3jBgIr/s1600-h/ryan+bowling.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kcc8PiCGt6pmkyPKowRb3ogZrzzk3k5GSjHs-WomI-aD6iA7MIT6L6Xps3U7CgddxSza7AGM0UTKyagUzxC5IobQ7rO7NKf8JLjkZW_rZUjN5CwZz-asSp-4LeLd0G05gi15Sy3jBgIr/s320/ryan+bowling.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370923622945336834" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CADMINI%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Batang; panose-1:2 3 6 0 0 1 1 1 1 1; mso-font-alt:바탕; mso-font-charset:129; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1342176593 1775729915 48 0 524447 0;} @font-face {font-family:"\@Batang"; panose-1:2 3 6 0 0 1 1 1 1 1; mso-font-charset:129; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1342176593 1775729915 48 0 524447 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:Batang; mso-fareast-language:KO;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Running is hard work.<span style=""> </span>I don’t care if you are a trained athlete – or a racing turtle – if you are out there pushing yourself, it is hard work. <span style=""> </span>My husband, a much better runner than me, just came in sweating and groaning after a two hour run – proving my point exactly.</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">So what do you do when you get to the point where you don’t think you can go any farther? <span style=""> </span>What do you do when you hit that wall that everyone talks about around mile 20 something? <span style=""> </span>You probably look for inspiration.<span style=""> </span>You think about why you trained for so many months. <span style=""> </span>Was it for the feeling you get from crossing the finish line? <span style=""> </span>The looks on your children’s’ faces?<span style=""> </span>The thought of putting that 26.2 frame around your license plate? <span style=""> </span>Trust me when I say I think about this during my long runs. <span style=""> </span>Because there better be a good reason I am torturing myself.</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Nearly two years ago I ran my first 10K.<span style=""> </span>It was in the town of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Celebration</st1:place></st1:city>, where my son plays on a Challenger Little League team. <span style=""> </span>Around mile five we passed the field where he plays.<span style=""> </span>I was on the verge of walking the remainder of the race and I was sore and frustrated that old guys were passing me every few minutes.<span style=""> </span>But when I saw that field –I started thinking how my son, Ryan gets frustrated every week at baseball.<span style=""> </span>At some point he is on the ground, overwhelmed with the disappointment that he missed hitting the ball several times, or that he missed catching a ball. <span style=""> </span>But the coaches (along with my husband and me) constantly remind him how important it is to keep trying.<span style=""> </span>For a kid with autism, who also suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder <span style=""> </span>and anxiety – this is a hard pill to swallow. <span style=""> </span>But he does.<span style=""> </span>And as I am running and thinking about this (and sort of hyperventilating because I am crying and running), a half mile has passed. <span style=""> </span>And I realized two things:<span style=""> </span>1) Pushing yourself beyond what you think you are capable of is hard work.<span style=""> </span>2)<span style=""> </span>With the right inspiration, and a distraction - it is slightly easier.</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">So fast forward to yesterday. <span style=""> </span>Ryan signed up for the Special Olympics bowling team. <span style=""> </span>I sat in that bowling alley thinking – there is a whole lot of inspiration in this room. <span style=""> </span>I think overall I am amazed by the strengths people have.<span style=""> </span>Whether it’s a fellow runner who places second in her first triathlon; a woman who carries her disabled daughter to the bowling lane each and every turn; or a 10 year old who struggles with an unfortunate combination of OCD and motor skills challenges – it’s all hard. <span style=""> </span>But the good news – it is clearly all possible.</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >Today I am inspired, and I hope this carries me through the rest of my training.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-11677027592861452712009-08-14T08:49:00.000-07:002009-08-14T08:57:39.183-07:00Go Kim, Go!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9KkTVMwUlydPpbGp-Cid0PwXIazcbkQrLk0kDDeQTgBTOo9_9qkPpRK_oWfKABA0srfMH9KiA0Q19h-vdfekhU8JGMFEQ-s4mcJzzsKMjnKwtIZJyS3C4sKDAc_mdAOErOL4iDcRQPcB/s1600-h/Kim.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9KkTVMwUlydPpbGp-Cid0PwXIazcbkQrLk0kDDeQTgBTOo9_9qkPpRK_oWfKABA0srfMH9KiA0Q19h-vdfekhU8JGMFEQ-s4mcJzzsKMjnKwtIZJyS3C4sKDAc_mdAOErOL4iDcRQPcB/s320/Kim.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369848703352450738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Sometimes talking about running is actually more fun than running. Some people get it. Some don’t. Sam, for instance – he laughs at the fact that his wife, Kim can spend more time discussing and planning her next route, than actually running it. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />But that is partly because Kim runs those routes fast! Much faster than I ever could! And she’ll get to prove it this weekend during her FIRST half marathon. She is running the <a href="http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=307365#reviews">2009 Lynchburg Half</a> in Virginia. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">A little more than a year ago Kim started running. Her husband Sam seems to be a no-frills runner – you know, someone who is just naturally fast and doesn’t need a Nike iPod, a GPS timer watch and espresso Gu to get him through a long run. But Kim needed a little more motivation – and reached out to me – a fellow newbie. She and I would email and occasionally talk. I loaned her a couple of books. I figured she was a “runner” like me. Until her first race. She placed! I felt betrayed! Proud – but betrayed. (That's Kim in the middle and soaked.)</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Two weeks ago Kim called to talk about her longest run yet. We talked about the scenery of the path she chose, the pain she felt afterwards, what she was going to eat before the race – and of course, her pace. I am so incredibly motivated by the progress she has made. But here’s the thing – no matter what - she is going to cross that finish line with a personal record, four very inspired daughters and a proud husband.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">But she’ll have to plan her next race pretty soon – because we need to have something to talk about! </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Good Luck!!!</span>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-42617730138705697732009-08-12T07:38:00.000-07:002009-08-12T07:57:25.256-07:00Dear Santa,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHbBHm9r7NXffsbtpdcYsZxx2TS7Lfo6ltd1upGP1XcV2xH0W7pMTn6-hpZwGAl5WJvXJBir15ZKM0Hv_vAlFSffGvZxg5WBjV8A0RCYZIPuA73Px5AdfOyPljk6WmpmOI3pUWEzeTT9L/s1600-h/Tri+Team+fall+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHbBHm9r7NXffsbtpdcYsZxx2TS7Lfo6ltd1upGP1XcV2xH0W7pMTn6-hpZwGAl5WJvXJBir15ZKM0Hv_vAlFSffGvZxg5WBjV8A0RCYZIPuA73Px5AdfOyPljk6WmpmOI3pUWEzeTT9L/s320/Tri+Team+fall+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369091457619639650" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CADMINI%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Batang; panose-1:2 3 6 0 0 1 1 1 1 1; mso-font-alt:바탕; mso-font-charset:129; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1342176593 1775729915 48 0 524447 0;} @font-face {font-family:"\@Batang"; panose-1:2 3 6 0 0 1 1 1 1 1; mso-font-charset:129; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1342176593 1775729915 48 0 524447 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:Batang; mso-fareast-language:KO;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Florida</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-family:Arial;"> is hot.<span style=""> </span>I mean really, really hot. <span style=""> </span>It’s the reason you can’t find a marathon down here in September and October. <span style=""> </span>Tri and Run, like most <st1:state st="on">Florida</st1:state> running clubs, just kicked off their <st1:place st="on">Marathon</st1:place> training season. <span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Start training now for a race in January or February– when you can find a marathon or half marathon any weekend in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Florida</st1:place></st1:state>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style=""></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">So when I announced to a few folks that I was going to do the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city> marathon in OCTOBER!– the look of horror should have been my cue to drop out.<span style=""> </span>“That means you’ll be doing your longest training runs in the August heat!”<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>But like a kid who swears he won’t shoot his eye out with that Red Ryder BB gun, I thought, “I can handle a few extra degrees!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p>Fast forward to last night’s speed work in 97 degree weather. <span style=""> </span>Fartleks!<span style=""> </span>(It actually means speed play in Swedish – but it is my new favorite curse word.) <span style=""> </span>Fartleks!<span style=""> </span>For a moment I couldn’t remember why on earth I choose an October race…<span style=""> </span>But as soon as I got home I remembered. <span style=""> </span>As I was tucking my daughter into bed, I remembered how frustrating it was trying to schedule long runs around holiday parties, big turkey dinners and visits to see Santa. <span style=""> </span>That was challenging.<span style=""> </span>But not this year!<span style=""> </span>I’ll be right there in line to see Santa, ready to ask for my very own Red Ryder BB Gun!<o:p></o:p></span></p> Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-38612443741716882009-08-10T05:13:00.000-07:002009-08-10T05:19:12.336-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI-wU4p8cOhC4FKzGvENgX8VXWxIv7yiLrgBGYSMUBkSJj4pUUYivKRlVOYTd0WFFXDiB8-n0LqlD5d2lBwqoAXQEkp1guawINa3xbI3RkSBzFwcg9NXpKsffGHpTTB6BBG9Ex1ZTI1Oh/s1600-h/Tri+cake+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI-wU4p8cOhC4FKzGvENgX8VXWxIv7yiLrgBGYSMUBkSJj4pUUYivKRlVOYTd0WFFXDiB8-n0LqlD5d2lBwqoAXQEkp1guawINa3xbI3RkSBzFwcg9NXpKsffGHpTTB6BBG9Ex1ZTI1Oh/s200/Tri+cake+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368308413313217714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >Today is Monday – and that means one thing for me:</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >the start of a new Weight Watchers journal. </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal">I am not exactly religious about logging my points, but every Monday I go at it with new resolve – like this will be the week! <span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>I actually didn’t weigh in last week, so I darn well better have a significant loss the next time I step on the scale.<span style=""> </span>Last week – after running 19.75 miles – I scurried over to make weigh in.<span style=""> </span>I gained nearly TWO pounds!!!<span style=""> </span>And this seems to be the story of my life.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal">I just read in Runners World Magazine that I could shave off two minutes of my marathon time if I lost five pounds.<span style=""> </span>I could probably shave 30 minutes off if I just ran faster.<span style=""> </span>But neither one seems to be happening right now. <span style=""> </span>I just love food too much.<span style=""> </span>And cake.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal">Speaking of cake – we celebrated our running coach’s birthday this weekend. <span style=""> </span>I love to bake and decorate cakes almost as much as I love to eat them. <span style=""> </span>So I made this triathlon cake -<span style=""> </span>realizing half way through the process, that people who are really dedicated triathletes don’t eat cake! <span style=""> </span>Oh well, more for me to enjoy…<span style=""> </span>now on to that Weight Watcher’s journal….</p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542833433657685155.post-28512974361423346482009-08-08T18:38:00.000-07:002009-08-08T19:01:33.255-07:00And the countdown begins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVeAam-x1aTOdPwujmLM2OSNkFnaRfXMM0VYblkFr2Dt_HFPxVQZ67hTLCdKWRDyKNTKgEy3cMbyYcmS7ZQhz-15e80499-3FC9VvVahkl6RYRt7Gm9v_ZybXEayW8iIYObqTFTZl85rm/s1600-h/6330_1202330861721_1332082184_30585004_1482765_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVeAam-x1aTOdPwujmLM2OSNkFnaRfXMM0VYblkFr2Dt_HFPxVQZ67hTLCdKWRDyKNTKgEy3cMbyYcmS7ZQhz-15e80499-3FC9VvVahkl6RYRt7Gm9v_ZybXEayW8iIYObqTFTZl85rm/s320/6330_1202330861721_1332082184_30585004_1482765_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367777938128049586" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We are officially nine weeks away from the Chicago marathon. I know nine weeks will fly by - but if I do the math (another thing I am not good at -- will explain that later) - that adds up to about 300 more training miles to go. That doesn't even seem possible. Even worse -- if I translate that into hours of training - I could have taken a second job and actually gotten paid for this time. *Sigh* But oddly enough, I seem to enjoy most of this self-inflicted abuse.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Today Paula and I ran/walked/talked for 20 miles. This was Paula's longest distance ever. (But not by much -- I miscalculated the distance last week and we ended up going 19.75.) I did my first marathon at Disney World this past January, so I know the glory and pain of a 20 mile training run. But I was tired today. And Paula was not. It took everything I had to keep up. Which is why I love running with company. We motivate each other on days when one of us would be perfectly happy getting into our car and driving home.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Each week I seem to have some sort of injury/challenge to report after these monster runs. Today's word is CHAFING. And I will leave it at that!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Jane at Tri and Run took this gorgeous photo of us at the end of our run today (and before I was feeling any pain!) </span>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13087590430764113754noreply@blogger.com0