Going around those walls...

“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.” Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

Someone call 911. My body was apparently hit by a very large truck, filled with angry elves, who took turns kicking and punching me while I slept. That’s exactly how I felt like when I stepped out of bed at 5 o’clock this morning.

The longer distances of training for the Half Ironman have caught up with me. Funny thing is, this week I started to feel a little more confident about my ability – especially on the bike. There is not one discipline I am really strong in, but the bike gives me hope! I am currently slow – but I think by September I might be upgraded to less slow! For me, that is a relatively short amount of time to see improvement.

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!)

I’ve trained for enough races to know that crappy days and brick walls are all part of the formula. 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. So I can dig deep and remind myself, those walls were just meant for someone else who doesn’t want this badly enough.

(*Celebrating with Caroline after my first triathlon - Pineapple Man June 2008)

If Only... How To Improve Your Tri Experience

The other day my friend was talking about how he could improve his triathlon finish time. 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. And look here on the run, you see, all I need to do is increase the pace and stay consistent.” 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!”

The magic formula – just get faster in all three disciplines and you will improve your time! Genius!

If it were only that easy…

There are definitely other factors that play into improving your triathlon performance. Nutrition, sleep and proper recovery. These are areas that I have flat out neglected. Over the years, I’ve never gotten the rhythm right. 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. The cause – dehydration. Probably also didn’t help that I didn’t sleep very much the week before, and not a wink the night before.

Jarrod Shoemaker, 2008 U.S. Olympic triathlete, says proper sleep is the most critical part of his training. Robbie Ventura, former pro cyclist, told a group at David’s World Cycle, sleep and rest were the most important part of his improved performance. There must be something to this sleep thing! But oddly enough, going to bed on time can be more difficult than getting up at 4:30 AM for a training!

Tonight – I will be in bed by midnight. Improvement indeed! (more like 12:30 - but that's still improvement!)

Another thing Jarrod swears by is massage therapy. In an interview earlier this year, he told me about craniosacral therapy. He described it as one of the most relaxing and beneficial massages – especially the night before a race. This unique massage/ therapy somehow removes the tension and anxiety from his body, unlike anything he had experienced before.

Intrigued, I scheduled an appointment with Emily at West Orange Massage Therapy. It was two days before my first triathlon this year; I was in the middle of car buying negations; and I basically felt like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. We started with a basic muscle loosening massage… 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. 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. It was truly like nothing I had experienced before. I wanted to tell her how amazing this was – but I literally could not speak. My body was so relaxed, I couldn’t talk! This was an absolute first in my life!

The following days I thought about the massage – and the emotions I felt afterward. I clearly needed another one – and soon!

My name is Colleen, and I am addicted to craniosacral therapy! It is by far the most relaxing therapy I’ve ever experienced. If you haven’t tried it – I really recommend it.

Now – did it make me a better triathlete? Not sure yet. Has it made me a better mom? A better car-buying customer? And an overall less stressed human being? I’d definitely say yes!

If you want to try it - now is the time! Living Social is running a deal (July 4th and 5th) for 50% off for new customers. (All massages and facials - not just carniosacral!)

Let me know what you think! And if you’ve had it before, how would you describe it?

The journey to Augusta.... starts with a mess!

There are moments I wonder, what the hell have I gotten myself into? Today, I had a few of those moments.

I can’t really explain why I have a desire to complete a half Ironman race. It’s more of an emotional tug than a logical reason. Because 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. Certainly there are many on my team who seem born to do this – I am not one of them.

I’m not playing the defeatist or the “woe is me” character in this story by any means, but I will say I 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. On legs that were already a slight bit sore from yesterday’s 10 mile run on Clay Road. Surprised because this is not a lifestyle I grew up with or intended to jump into. Anything with the name Ironman was not something ordinary people talked about – never mind signed up for!

So when the idea of doing the 2011 Augusta race started floating around in my head – it seemed part ridiculous and part premature. But the thought wouldn’t go away. And then I went to the Florida Half Ironman at Disney to cheer fellow teammates on. The people I saw crossing the finish line were depleted. They were emotional. Their friends and families were emotional. Some were in pain. But they all did something that was truly extraordinary – they finished 70.3 miles! I was sold.

This vision flashed in my mind many times on Saturday as I completed one of my most satisfying runs ever. Mile 8.5 I picked up my pace. The endorphins kicked in as I looked over rows of incredibly dark green orange trees, caught a glimpse of the lake and waved at a field of cows. They didn’t wave back, but I didn’t care. I was on a runner’s high. And all I could think was I KNOW I CAN COMPLETE THIS RACE.

That feeling of confidence/self awareness/joy was a small, but truly significant moment. Why? Because that moment helped me finish that bike ride today. And that moment will get me back on those hills one morning this week. And that moment will keep me on track towards the goal. And every time I think, “What the hell have I gotten myself into?” I’ll think back to that eighth mile on Clay Road; which, ironically enough, was big old mess!

Please accept my apology...

Dear Running,

It’s been a while since I wrote. But I think it’s necessary we clear the air. I have to admit lately we haven’t spent much time together. And I get the feeling you aren’t happy with me. I know, I know – you don’t want to hear the excuses. Because let’s face it – I found time to do just about everything else. (I even gave up sleep to fit it all in!) But sometimes it’s just very hard to find time for that run.

But you know what’s harder? Fitting in my favorite “skinny” jeans after I choose to spend an entire week drinking and partying like a teenager and avoiding that early morning run. Yeah. (Okay for the record – I call them skinny jeans – but that is a relative term. Not sure these hips would ever, ever be referred to as skinny! But you get my point!)

I noticed today, as I ran a slow but enjoyable seven miles that something felt slightly different. Did I leave something in my pockets? No. Clearly I must have packed something else in my fuel belt. Nope. What on earth…Oh – it was just my rear end! Apparently Running, you hold a grudge. And you aren’t subtle about it (Let’s face it – Shakira says it best -- these hips don’t lie!!)

So let’s make a deal. I admit that in December and January I relied on my Saturday and Tuesday staple runs, and anything else was gravy. Hmmm... Bad word choice. Any other run was a bonus. No more. 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. Let’s reignite that passion! At least once a week I will either run some place new – or run with someone new. And I will hold myself accountable to this for the rest of this year. (The latter may be challenging. 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!)

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? No? Okay. How about just letting me wear my skinny jeans again?

Sincerely,

Woefully Sorry in Windermere

Dirty Girl

Last night I was telling a friend why I don’t take my dog to the dog park, “Because he gets filthy dirty when I take him there.” Friend's reply, “Yes. Does have fun?”

This simple exchange got me thinking. Do I need to be dirtier? Is it too late to make resolutions?

I started thinking about how my own daughter has probably never made a mud pie. Coming from an Irish family – mud pies were probably the most exotic and exciting thing I ate as a kid!! I loved making them! 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. Then I’d pick a few Marigolds from my mother’s flower bed, pull out the hundreds of tiny petals and sprinkle them on as decorations. It was perfection. I don’t think Caroline has ever done this. 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!

I recently didn’t attend a race because a friend pointed out the course would make our running shoes dirty. Seemed ridiculous, but then I remembered how disgusting my clothes were the last time I ran in Moss Park. She was right.

But then I think about my experience doing the Muddy Buddy. That was FUN! It’s a biking and running race that ends with a crawl through a mud pit!! And when you’re done, you fight for space under a communal hose to rinse off. To say I was a mess would be an understatement. 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 playing in the mud.

But why do I think this is important? It’s not just about getting dirty. It’s bigger than that. It’s about being less uptight and less concerned about how others view me. It’s about recognizing what makes me happy and then embracing that. (And in my case, what makes my kids happy. And yes – what makes my dog happy.)

So on that note, I am considering a visit to the dog park today. And then a date with the dog shampoo and a hose! And is anyone interested in signing up for the Muddy Buddy with me in May?? Let me know. I’ll put the manicurist on alert!!

...but she was on her way.

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. Certainly I opened gifts from the kids earlier in the day – as they were anxious to see my reaction. Caroline couldn’t wait – she gave me a toy puppy that does back flips and barks. Yes, she insists it was for me! Ryan really couldn’t care less about my reaction – since he was buried in his new iPod Touch. His gift however, came with a lot of thought. It was a world coin collection from EPCOT. I assume he thought since I love to travel and I could always use more money - this was an ideal gift. Spot on!

But I decided that I would open the couple of remaining gifts alone. Funny how in previous years I would look forward to unwrapping these gifts – but not so much this year. 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. I really had no idea what it was – just that it was from one of my dearest friends.

And inside the box was a wood frame, with this beautiful and familiar quote:

“She wasn’t where she had been. She wasn’t where she was going…but she was on her way.”

I felt that familiar lump in my throat and once again the tears began to spill. My friend had read this quote a few months ago – and texted it to me. She said it reminded her of me. And I loved that.

It’s a loaded quote for sure. And I am certain anyone can apply it to some aspect of their life. I even feel like this with running and tri training. But I am sure my friend wasn’t thinking about running when she first read this. I know I wasn’t.

A quick Google search by another dear friend revealed a lengthier version of this quote:

“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

As I held the frame in one hand, and read the full quote online – my smile started to catch the tears.

Never Settle. Plain and Simple.

I love runners. (Okay, maybe not all runners!) Perhaps safer to say, I love the positive outlook of most runners.*

I recently read this quote from Nelson Mandela:

“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.”

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:
Never Settle

Runners live this message! At least they do on the track. And in a race. And on long runs. And while cross training. (Is there time for anything else?) I rarely hear a runner mumble “That’s good enough,” “that’s fine” or “what else could I do?” Nope. That’s because most runners know they are always capable of becoming better.

I am not suggesting that every runner I know is looking to get faster – but they are usually setting a goal of one kind or another. My friend Kay is close to her goal of running a marathon in every state! Roxanne is training for her first marathon and Kim is contemplating which will be her first. Laura completed her first Half Ironman, while Heather, Ann and I have half-joked (I think) about training for one in 2012. I am sure Rebecca will join us – sans the training!! (In the meantime, I have a more modest goal of finishing a half marathon in under 2:30 – and staying clear of ambulances!) And I know for a fact that this same ambition and passion spills over into the day to day lives of all of these runners.

Perhaps that’s what I love about runners – their passion. In my opinion, passion is what makes getting up in the morning worthwhile! Passion ignites ambition, discovers joy and ultimately lets you live the life you deserve to be living. Why would you want to settle for anything less?

Now grab your sneakers and go hug a runner! (one of the nice ones!)

*Anymore disclaimers and I can become a member of the IBM legal team!