Well, my marathon is complete, finished, and done. This one was a definite learning experience for me. I had more issues in this race than my first marathon in April. I could go on and on with excuse after excuse of what went wrong, but the main point is that I finished and finished without injuring myself and for that I am happy. I felt I trained enough to do the race, but it all goes to show that on any given day, something unexpected can go wrong. That's just what happened, something unexpected happened.
For those of you who are interested in the details, I will be brief. I have a problem during long runs where about mile 17-19, I have some kind pain pulling on or near my groin muscle that feels like I am repeatedly getting hit in the family jewels. Well, I can usually stand the pain long enough to finish the remaining mileage, but on Sunday, I started to feel the pulling about mile 9. Anyway, I pushed through it, slowed down a little to decrease the pain, and carried on until cramping hit me at mile 25 (yes better than mile 24 last time!). I stretched until the cramping had left enough to run, and then ran the rest of the way into the finish. Anyway, it's just something I need to figure out how to get past, but I ended up finishing about 15 minutes slower than my last marathon at around 4 hours and 32 minutes. Although I was not happy with my time, I was certainly glad that I could to push through and finish strong.
When things go a little weird during a race, I have always been told to look back at my training. What were my long runs like, how fast were my tempo runs, did I do enough speedwork? Those are questions that I immediately started asking myself after I finished the race. During this training, due to time conflicts, I tended to break up a lot of my long runs into two seprate runs in the same day. Yes, I did a couple of long runs straight through, but obviously not enough. Also, maybe I needed to run longer tempo runs than what I did during training. Lastly, I could have probably done more speedwork during my training. There is always something to learn from any race, especially the ones that don't go so well.
So now, other than the Thanksgiving 5K race, I am officially done for the year 2012. I am excited that the fall/winter season is here so I can get more into the gym, the pool, and on my bike trainer so I can get stronger, faster, and most of all, just a little wiser than this year.
Like I always have said, I started doing this exercise thing because I had hoped to lose some weight, but I really found something I truly enjoy doing. I enjoy pushing and testing myself to see what else I can do. I am not an expert at weight loss, exercise, triathlons, running, biking or really anything, I just like doing it all.
With that said, if anyone has any advice they wish to share, please feel free. I am also looking to fill my racing schedule for next year, so if anyone has suggestions or would care to share their racing, weight loss, or exercise experiences, I would really enjoy hearing them!!
Starting to finish up 2012, getting ready for the off-season, but always, painfully or not, still running...
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Monday, 15 October 2012
What is your Reason for Running?
For the first time ever, I got a chance to see the Rocky Mountains. I went to Boulder Colorado for work last week. Yeah, I know poor Jason, had to go to Boulder, Colorado at the end of September. Haha, but trust me, I am not complaining one single bit. I had a chance to go to the Triathlon/Cycling/Running/Endurance Training capitol of the US. I mean, i got to run in places that Craig Alexander, Greg Bennet, and hundreds of other professional athletes have probably run before. Sorry, I was "geeking" there for a minute, but its true, Boulder Colorado is definitely a special place.
Well, I will tell you, it was everything I imagined. There were cyclists and runners everywhere. I will
say it was hard to stay focused on work while there. It seemed as though every time I turned around, there was a running trail, bike lane, or something that was calling my name. But, I stayed true to my work and focused in and got the job done (with plenty of time to spare for running!!). I got a chance to run an evening run with Boulder Running Company. I ended up getting lost with some other runners and turned a simple 7 miles run into an almost 14 mile run. I got to run through the University of Colorado Campus, so no regrets on getting lost at all. I ran to the Newton Running store with the hopes to meet Danny Abshire (founder) again. I met him once at the Bluegrass Half Marathon that I volunteered for. I didn't get to meet him, but I went to the store just to say I had been there.
I also ran a couple of trails in the base of the foothills. It was awesome, but what I didn't expect was a warning sign for mountain lions and bears in the area. This Kentucky/Georgia transplant is not really used to going to parks and seeing warning signs for Mountain Lions. Sure made me look at the area I was running in. haha. Also, made me nervous a couple of times when people were running the opposite way on the trails and a very fast pace. I had hoped they were just doing a training run. The thing that really made me chuckle was the last tip for what to do when a mountain lion attacks you. The sign said to "fight back." Are you serious? No, I think a better idea would be to just let him chew on my leg a little and not do a thing about it. He a example of the sign I saw. One word - Awesome!!
Well, after I got back from Colorado, I had about three weeks to finish up my training to get ready for this Sunday. Yes, this Sunday, October 21st, is my second marathon, the Columbus, Ohio Marathon! I am nervous about the marathon, maybe even more than my first one. I think the nerves come from knowing what may happen in the last few miles of it.
Just to bring everyone up to speed, my first marathon was great and I was so close to getting in under that 4 hour time, but at mile 24, my leg seized up and I had to walk and stretch for almost a mile which pushed me over the 4 hour time. I was excited to say I finished a marathon, but on the other hand, I really wanted to finish under 4 hours. It's just one of my many goals. Hopefully I have done enough training to get under 4 hours and achieve another one of my goals. Either way, I will still be happy to say that I finished two marathons in year!
Well, like I said, the marathon is less than a week away. I am getting nervous and very antsy because i am tapering my running volume in prep for this weekend. It's hard and I am definitely not used to having to taper for more than a week, but I have been told that it WILL help.
A couple of weeks ago, I sat down at my computer and watched the Chicago Marathon. It was the marathon that I originally wanted to do, but because it was just too expensive to swing this year, I had to move to something closer to home. Well, it was amazing seeing the elites, age groupers, and charity runners run the race. I knew of a few people who ran the race and I hope they had a great time. I am sure they did. There is really no way to run a marathon, finish it, and feel badly about it. Sure, you may not finish in the time you wanted, but when you run a marathon, you are doing it for more than just a time on a clock. Elite runners do it to support their families, age groupers may do it to stay in shape or to check off a "bucket list" item. Charity runners may do it for a passed away friend or family member, a sick child, to raise money to fight a disease, or something else. Either way, time is not the entire reason a person runs a marathon, there just is too much training, dedication, and commitment to let that alone be the reason for doing it.
As I said before, I am not just looking for a time under 4 hours, I am looking for more. I am looking to see what I am made of; if I can do it one more time. I am also doing it for my family. When I was in high school, my father had cancer in one of his vocal chords and had to have it removed, he has been cancer free for years!! Recently though, my mother was diagnosed this year with Breast Cancer (her Fourth Cancer) and she had to have a complete double mastectomy. Also, during the surgery, the doctor's found the cancer had spread to one side of her lymph nodes. They ended up removing the lymph system on her right side. Since then, she has been going through chemotherapy and even had two more rounds of chemo added on to her initial chemo plan. She has been the sickest I have every seen her and she even lost her hair and voice for a period of time. There were times she wanted to give up and I asked her not to. She has never given up and still hasn't. So she has finished the chemo treatment and has her scan this Wednesday, October 17th to see if the treatment took care of the cancer this time. Regardless of the outcome, she has been diagnosed with cancer four times and never given up. To me that is strength, absolute strength. If my parents can fight cancer and essentially fight for their lives, surely I can run a 26.2 mile race in their Honor. So that is another reason I run and why I run a marathon, for my parents, from which I know what true STRENGTH is. And at this marathon, I will be wearing the pink ribbon for my mother and also my dad and the millions before them that have fought cancer.
Another reason I run the marathon is pretty simple. I want my kids to say that their dad has run not one marathon, but two, and next year, maybe they will be able to say three and four. I remember the look on my kid's eyes when I couldn't even fit in an amusement park ride two years ago. It was not a sight that I ever want to see again. It was the look of surprise and disappointment that I was asked to step off the ride. It wasn't the embarrassment from others looking at me that helped fuel my weight loss, it was the embarrassment that I felt that I put on my kids. They didn't have a choice of who their Dad was, only I did. I knew I had to change, not just for myself, but for my kids. So, running a marathon, and pushing myself to finish at whatever time I finish, doesn't concern me as much as seeing the reaction of my family when they know that their Dad just did something that not everyone can or will do.
So there, those are the reasons for my motivation for getting up everyday and training and losing weight and just trying to become a better person. I know I am not the best Dad in the world, or the most in shape, or even the best person in the world, but I am trying to take it one day at a time. I guess being a better "me" is kind of like a marathon; you just take it one step at a time, you put just one foot in front of the other.
This journey I am am on seems to be focused around me realizing that I have a life and want to make it the best that I possibly can.
It took weight loss to realize that I have a great family and great friends, and it makes me happy that I now am starting to realize how important those are in my life.
Thanks to all who have supported me thus far and those who continue to support me everyday.
Just humbled, not running, just humbled...
Well, I will tell you, it was everything I imagined. There were cyclists and runners everywhere. I will
say it was hard to stay focused on work while there. It seemed as though every time I turned around, there was a running trail, bike lane, or something that was calling my name. But, I stayed true to my work and focused in and got the job done (with plenty of time to spare for running!!). I got a chance to run an evening run with Boulder Running Company. I ended up getting lost with some other runners and turned a simple 7 miles run into an almost 14 mile run. I got to run through the University of Colorado Campus, so no regrets on getting lost at all. I ran to the Newton Running store with the hopes to meet Danny Abshire (founder) again. I met him once at the Bluegrass Half Marathon that I volunteered for. I didn't get to meet him, but I went to the store just to say I had been there.
I also ran a couple of trails in the base of the foothills. It was awesome, but what I didn't expect was a warning sign for mountain lions and bears in the area. This Kentucky/Georgia transplant is not really used to going to parks and seeing warning signs for Mountain Lions. Sure made me look at the area I was running in. haha. Also, made me nervous a couple of times when people were running the opposite way on the trails and a very fast pace. I had hoped they were just doing a training run. The thing that really made me chuckle was the last tip for what to do when a mountain lion attacks you. The sign said to "fight back." Are you serious? No, I think a better idea would be to just let him chew on my leg a little and not do a thing about it. He a example of the sign I saw. One word - Awesome!!
It was a great experience, but I did have to do work, so it wasn't all about fun and games. Great place and would love to go again and see more and of course, run more. Here are a few photos I took while out there. Apparently, one of the first snowfalls occured at higher elevations while I was there. Really cool seeing this kind of stuff for the first time!
Well, after I got back from Colorado, I had about three weeks to finish up my training to get ready for this Sunday. Yes, this Sunday, October 21st, is my second marathon, the Columbus, Ohio Marathon! I am nervous about the marathon, maybe even more than my first one. I think the nerves come from knowing what may happen in the last few miles of it.
Just to bring everyone up to speed, my first marathon was great and I was so close to getting in under that 4 hour time, but at mile 24, my leg seized up and I had to walk and stretch for almost a mile which pushed me over the 4 hour time. I was excited to say I finished a marathon, but on the other hand, I really wanted to finish under 4 hours. It's just one of my many goals. Hopefully I have done enough training to get under 4 hours and achieve another one of my goals. Either way, I will still be happy to say that I finished two marathons in year!
Well, like I said, the marathon is less than a week away. I am getting nervous and very antsy because i am tapering my running volume in prep for this weekend. It's hard and I am definitely not used to having to taper for more than a week, but I have been told that it WILL help.
A couple of weeks ago, I sat down at my computer and watched the Chicago Marathon. It was the marathon that I originally wanted to do, but because it was just too expensive to swing this year, I had to move to something closer to home. Well, it was amazing seeing the elites, age groupers, and charity runners run the race. I knew of a few people who ran the race and I hope they had a great time. I am sure they did. There is really no way to run a marathon, finish it, and feel badly about it. Sure, you may not finish in the time you wanted, but when you run a marathon, you are doing it for more than just a time on a clock. Elite runners do it to support their families, age groupers may do it to stay in shape or to check off a "bucket list" item. Charity runners may do it for a passed away friend or family member, a sick child, to raise money to fight a disease, or something else. Either way, time is not the entire reason a person runs a marathon, there just is too much training, dedication, and commitment to let that alone be the reason for doing it.
As I said before, I am not just looking for a time under 4 hours, I am looking for more. I am looking to see what I am made of; if I can do it one more time. I am also doing it for my family. When I was in high school, my father had cancer in one of his vocal chords and had to have it removed, he has been cancer free for years!! Recently though, my mother was diagnosed this year with Breast Cancer (her Fourth Cancer) and she had to have a complete double mastectomy. Also, during the surgery, the doctor's found the cancer had spread to one side of her lymph nodes. They ended up removing the lymph system on her right side. Since then, she has been going through chemotherapy and even had two more rounds of chemo added on to her initial chemo plan. She has been the sickest I have every seen her and she even lost her hair and voice for a period of time. There were times she wanted to give up and I asked her not to. She has never given up and still hasn't. So she has finished the chemo treatment and has her scan this Wednesday, October 17th to see if the treatment took care of the cancer this time. Regardless of the outcome, she has been diagnosed with cancer four times and never given up. To me that is strength, absolute strength. If my parents can fight cancer and essentially fight for their lives, surely I can run a 26.2 mile race in their Honor. So that is another reason I run and why I run a marathon, for my parents, from which I know what true STRENGTH is. And at this marathon, I will be wearing the pink ribbon for my mother and also my dad and the millions before them that have fought cancer.
Another reason I run the marathon is pretty simple. I want my kids to say that their dad has run not one marathon, but two, and next year, maybe they will be able to say three and four. I remember the look on my kid's eyes when I couldn't even fit in an amusement park ride two years ago. It was not a sight that I ever want to see again. It was the look of surprise and disappointment that I was asked to step off the ride. It wasn't the embarrassment from others looking at me that helped fuel my weight loss, it was the embarrassment that I felt that I put on my kids. They didn't have a choice of who their Dad was, only I did. I knew I had to change, not just for myself, but for my kids. So, running a marathon, and pushing myself to finish at whatever time I finish, doesn't concern me as much as seeing the reaction of my family when they know that their Dad just did something that not everyone can or will do.
So there, those are the reasons for my motivation for getting up everyday and training and losing weight and just trying to become a better person. I know I am not the best Dad in the world, or the most in shape, or even the best person in the world, but I am trying to take it one day at a time. I guess being a better "me" is kind of like a marathon; you just take it one step at a time, you put just one foot in front of the other.
This journey I am am on seems to be focused around me realizing that I have a life and want to make it the best that I possibly can.
It took weight loss to realize that I have a great family and great friends, and it makes me happy that I now am starting to realize how important those are in my life.
Thanks to all who have supported me thus far and those who continue to support me everyday.
Just humbled, not running, just humbled...
Monday, 3 September 2012
What is with this Training?
Yep, you guessed it. Still training for the Columbus Marathon! It seems harder this time to get into a groove and it has me asking myself "what is with this training?" It seems like the days I run, I have to be more concerned with hydration and humidity readings than how long or fast my runs are. When training for the Louisville Derby Marathon, I didn't really have to worry hydration or humidity because I trained during the mild winter of 2011-2012. All I really had to focus on was getting stronger and gaining endurance. Now, all I can think of is c'mon Fall 2012, because I am tired of finishing runs where I sweat so much it looks like I just got finished swimming with all my clothes on. Anyone know any tips for dealing with humidity and not letting it affect your running during long endurance runs? If so, I would greatly appreciate any advice or information.
Yes, as you guessed, I sweat a lot and it doesn't matter what time of day, as long as the humidity is high, I am always sweating my butt off (literally). Anyway, I know towards the end of the Winter, I will be glad to see Spring and Summer 2013. That s what is so mice about living in Kentucky, you actually do get to see all four seasons each year. It seems this year though, Fall cannot get here fast enough.
It has been an extremely busy August and Spetember doesn't look like it will slow down much either. Between training for Columbus, Work, and all my husbandly and fatherly duties, it looks like I have a full monthload of fun...and just think, it is only just a few more months until Christmas. Awesome! (sarcasm, of course). Other than the training, I did run a new 5K PR during the Midsummer's Night Run in Downtown Lexington, Ky. I ran a 24:10 which was 2:16 better than the 5K I ran last November and about 12 minutes faster than the same race in 2011. I wanted to break 24 minutes but I will just have to wait until later this year to try that.
I also volunteered for the Louisville Ironman. I will tell you, I had a blast! I was there about 16 hours and it seemed to fly by. I met all kinds of people (even a pretty well known ultra marathoner!) that volunteered and the athletes were just amazing! It really made me want to do an Ironman next year, but I know I will have to keep myself in check and just take it all in and decide with my head rather than the "fly by the seat of my pants" methodology. I really enjoy triathlons, and I know I will do more, but I have come to realization that I really LOVE running and I may still do an Ironman next year or the year after that, I want to focus on trying to get the most out of my running. After all, running is what really helped me to lose the weight and that is important to me to keep doing it to maintain my goals.
Another big moment for me this August was getting my braces off. I have had my braces (for the 2nd time in my life) since I started this weight loss and it seemed like the turning of another chapter in my life of making myself a better "ME." I have attached before and after photos below so everyone could see the difference. I was really blown away at the difference, especially when looking at the photos side by side.
Even one photo (bottom left), I cannot even fit my head all the way in the picture because it was so big. Either way you look at it, neither of the photos are the prettiest pictures, but there is definitely a difference between the left and the right photos (besides the shirt - haha). One thing I noticed is that I don't always look like I am squinting as much (must have been the fat rolls weighing on my eyelids.)
Anyone have any races or events coming up? If so, I would really like to know what kind of training you are doing.
Also, for any readers out there that don't mind sharing some helpful hints or recipes on fruit smoothies. As I have stated before, I really am not a fruit person, so the only real way I can eat fruit is by making a smoothie. I have been using blueberries, strawberries, and bananas with orange juce since last year and I haven't tried anything else, so any ideas or recipes would be awesome!
Thanks everyone!
So anyway, I am still running, still training, and right now, sweating like crazy...
Yes, as you guessed, I sweat a lot and it doesn't matter what time of day, as long as the humidity is high, I am always sweating my butt off (literally). Anyway, I know towards the end of the Winter, I will be glad to see Spring and Summer 2013. That s what is so mice about living in Kentucky, you actually do get to see all four seasons each year. It seems this year though, Fall cannot get here fast enough.
It has been an extremely busy August and Spetember doesn't look like it will slow down much either. Between training for Columbus, Work, and all my husbandly and fatherly duties, it looks like I have a full monthload of fun...and just think, it is only just a few more months until Christmas. Awesome! (sarcasm, of course). Other than the training, I did run a new 5K PR during the Midsummer's Night Run in Downtown Lexington, Ky. I ran a 24:10 which was 2:16 better than the 5K I ran last November and about 12 minutes faster than the same race in 2011. I wanted to break 24 minutes but I will just have to wait until later this year to try that.
I also volunteered for the Louisville Ironman. I will tell you, I had a blast! I was there about 16 hours and it seemed to fly by. I met all kinds of people (even a pretty well known ultra marathoner!) that volunteered and the athletes were just amazing! It really made me want to do an Ironman next year, but I know I will have to keep myself in check and just take it all in and decide with my head rather than the "fly by the seat of my pants" methodology. I really enjoy triathlons, and I know I will do more, but I have come to realization that I really LOVE running and I may still do an Ironman next year or the year after that, I want to focus on trying to get the most out of my running. After all, running is what really helped me to lose the weight and that is important to me to keep doing it to maintain my goals.
Another big moment for me this August was getting my braces off. I have had my braces (for the 2nd time in my life) since I started this weight loss and it seemed like the turning of another chapter in my life of making myself a better "ME." I have attached before and after photos below so everyone could see the difference. I was really blown away at the difference, especially when looking at the photos side by side.
Even one photo (bottom left), I cannot even fit my head all the way in the picture because it was so big. Either way you look at it, neither of the photos are the prettiest pictures, but there is definitely a difference between the left and the right photos (besides the shirt - haha). One thing I noticed is that I don't always look like I am squinting as much (must have been the fat rolls weighing on my eyelids.)
Anyone have any races or events coming up? If so, I would really like to know what kind of training you are doing.
Also, for any readers out there that don't mind sharing some helpful hints or recipes on fruit smoothies. As I have stated before, I really am not a fruit person, so the only real way I can eat fruit is by making a smoothie. I have been using blueberries, strawberries, and bananas with orange juce since last year and I haven't tried anything else, so any ideas or recipes would be awesome!
Thanks everyone!
So anyway, I am still running, still training, and right now, sweating like crazy...
Sunday, 29 July 2012
A Year in Retrospect
Well, it definitely has been a while since my last posting. Hopefully everyone that reads my blog has enjoyed the heart of summer 2012. The pools are open, roads are hot, and bike routes are endless in Kentucky right now. Well, since my last posting I have been VERY busy with training, work, and just life in general. Not to bore anyone with the work or general life part of things, I will elaborate on the past few races.
First was the Warrior Dash held in Lebanon, Kentucky. Considering it was my first Mud/Obstacle Course run, I had no idea what to expect. Man, I was surprised! First of all, the run was a nice up and down cross-country type of trail and every 1/2 to 1/4 mile there was some sort of obstacle that included either running through tires, crawling through ditches, swimming in muddy creeks, jumping over logs, climbing cargo net ropes or walls, or just running down a zigzagging wooded trail, it was great! I never really intended to do the race, but a woman at work told me she always wanted to do a race like that and didn’t know if she wanted to do it because she had no one to run with her. I quickly volunteered and the next thing I knew, I was registered for a Warrior Dash! Well, anyway, it was her very first race and what a way to start. I stuck by her and we finished at the same time (well, actually she beat me by 0.01 sec). I must say, had it not been for her wanting to do the race, I never would have done it. Thanks Sharon!! A lot of times, I hear people ask if you really do get muddy, and the answer is simply "Yes, Yes, and Yes Again!" Just to show you how muddy you can get, I have included a few pictures from that race.
Ok, my next race was o the Fourth of July and this race had a special meaning to me. The race is called the Bluegrass 10,000 and it is the very first race that I ever participated. It was, in some sense, the stepping stone for me last year, and I haven’t stopped since. Anyway, it is a 10km (approx. 6.2 miles) and my main goal was to stomp, no crush, my time from last year. It's amazing because last year my goal was to run the entire race and not stop running. It's amazing how much difference one year can make.
On July 4th, 2011, I toed the starting line of the Bluegrass 10,000 alongside the walkers and little kids. I weighed approximately 295-300lbs and was really starting to feel good about running and even myself. I was scared that I bit off more than I could do for my first race and nervous about running the entire thing. I finished the race that day in 1:12:18, with one thing in my mind, "Do not stop running!!" I had just run something that just six months before that, I wouldn’t have even watched on TV. I was proud of myself, and I really think that day gave me the ability and motivation to believe in myself.
Now, one year later on July 4th, 2012, I toed the starting line of the Bluegrass 10,000 near the front of the pack, alongside the runners. I weighed in roughly at 211 lbs. and felt nervous and once again, a little scared. However, this time, I had one thing in mind, last year’s time - 1:12:18. I had to beat it, I knew I could, but didn’t just want to beat, I wanted to CRUSH IT! Within one year, I ran a couple 5Ks, a half marathon, a marathon, two triathlons, and an obstacle run. I knew I had it in me, but still was nervous. This race meant a lot to me and it helped start everything I had become over the past year, so I had to give it a hell of a shot. Well, as you might have guessed, I didn't cross the finish line at 1:11:00 or 1:10:00; I crossed it at 51:30. I felt that I hadn't pushed enough but I still felt good about where I stood. I cut about 21 minutes from the same race one year ago! Again, I was happy, but mostly I was proud. Of course, I didn't go home with an age group or overall award, and I doubt I ever will, but I went home with so much more, motivation and accomplishment.
The next event brings us to full circle and up-to-date with my last triathlon for the 2012 season. It was named the Buckhead Border Challenge. It was an Olympic distance triathlon and was essentially the same route (a couple little tweaks) as I raced the month before in the Southern Indiana Triathlon. The biggest difference in the route was that before, on my first open water swim, I swam in the Ohio River along the shoreline, but in this event, I had to swim across the damn river!! Ok, so needless to say, with how I feel about swimming (see multiple, multiple previous posts), I wasn't looking forward to that. Well, I will make this short or else this post will turn into a book, and no one needs that.
First of all, the morning of the race, I woke up at 4am to a text from the race stating that the bacteria in the water of the Ohio River was higher than normal and that triathletes were welcome to switch to a duathlon rather than have to swim in the river. Of course, as you guessed, I took a deep breath and packed my swim cap and goggles to take with me that morning because I am crazy and was going to swim anyway. Well, apparently I wasn't the only crazy person, because there were many more that decided to swim that day.
Well, if you read my previous post, my first open water swim wasn't the best it could have been, I got kicked in the chest and hit in the shoulder and swam from boat dock to boat dock just to stop from snapping due to anxiety in the water. Well, I will tell you, it's amazing what you learn in just one event. My swim wave was directed to get into the water which I nervously did, but this time, instead of treading water and staying close to the back of the pack, I hung on to the boat dock until the horn sounded and even then I counted to ten to let everyone go ahead, and then I went. I got out of the water without having to stop, without really freaking out, and without much more than some extra bacteria that day. I would later find out, I was out of the water a full 12 minutes faster than the month before!
Next, came the bike; I hopped on proceeded down essentially the same route as before, but they changed the route to a slightly flatter and faster route than in the Southern Indiana Triathlon. I got off the bike later to find out that I had averaged approximately 24.5 mph compared to last month's 20.5 mph average. Now came the run, I was especially nervous about the run because the previous month, I actually had to walk a little just to try to get my legs back from being on the bike. Not this time though. I finished strong and although not at a blistering pace of around 9 min per mile.
After all was said and done, I finished the same distance, understanding the bike route wasn't as hilly; I finished approximately 22 minutes faster than the triathlon just one month before. I was pleased and it was a good way to finish off my first triathlon season.
Now, you may ask why I decided to end my triathlon season right in the heart of the summer. Well, that is because I am starting to gear up for my final event of the season. I had originally hoped to run the Chicago Marathon in the first week of October but finances and poor planning on my part didn't allow things to work out that way. Well, I still wanted to run (or should I say attempt) one more marathon this year and through the recommendation of a couple of friends, I decided to run the Columbus Ohio Marathon on October 21st, 2012! I have already registered and have signed up for a pace group (hopefully this time I can keep up past mile 18). Anyway, I am in full training mode and need to have more focus on endurance running rather than just endurance training for triathlons. I will still get workouts on the bike and spinning classes and yes, I will even still do swimming because all are GREAT exercises to build endurance in any sport, but I need to focus on speed work, tempo running, and long distance running.
I don't know how I will feel after this marathon, but I know I LOVE running. It's what started me believing in myself and it’s the only place that I can be by myself and even within myself. I get more satisfaction from a difficult, hot run, than any mile long swim, or 30, 40, or 50 mile bike ride. We all have something that we enjoy doing more than others, and for me, it is running. I have done three triathlons to one marathon, and I can say while triathlons are mentally and physically challenging, the marathon was the most physically challenging. Now, don't get me wrong, I haven't competed in a half or full ironman and I am sure that those are even more physically challenging, but for me, the marathon gave me the best feeling of accomplishment so far. Now I plan to do an Ironman and a half-Ironman next year, so my tune may change a little, but I also plan to do two more marathons and maybe even an ultra next year too. Anyway, there is more to come, much, much more!!
Writing in this blog and thinking about how this all began for me with just a simple New Year’s Resolution, I have found that sometimes the event that you are training for sometimes gets to be the only reason why you go and run, bike, swim, or exercise, but running the Bluegrass 10,000 for a second time and seeing how things have changed for me over the past year; it helped me remember what it is really all about. It's not about how many miles you can run or how far fast you can pedal a bike, what the pace that your GPS watch says, or even how fast your 400 meter swim time is; it’s about being "able" to do it. Over a year ago, I wasn’t "able" to do it, and now I am. That's really why I started on this crazy journey; I started on this journey because I wanted to lose weight and get healthy, well, I think I can say I am accomplishing that, but now I need to remember that I never want to go back, never...
So while I sit here writing in this blog, I think about how much my life has changed. I think about where I would be if I had never decided to do this, if I never lost a pound. Would I be happy, would I be over 400 lbs.? The answer is I really don’t care anymore. I am where I am because I made a decision for myself and in the end, that’s all we have, that’s what makes up our lives, the decisions we make throughout, and for me, this is one of mine…
Living and loving life, no longer dictated by the size of my waistline, but by the motivation that lies within, but of course… Always running
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Right in the Middle of Things!!
Well, here I am, right where I said I wanted to be. I am in the middle of my training season!! Yahoo!! For 2012, I have participated in my first marathon, first sprint triathlon, first Olympic triathlon, and in just a couple of days, my first Mud Run (aka. Warrior Dash). Since I am in the middle of my training, I guess that puts me in the middle of my race season too! I have one more Olympic distance triathlon left and then I will be training for a marathon sometime in October.
I will be either running the Chicago Marathon or the Columbus, OH Marathon. I have been contacted by a non-profit group located in Chicago to run in the Chicago Marathon. They are called Chicago Run and they promote health and wellness in communities throughout Chicago through running programs. They offer free running programs in the "high-need" communities throughout Chicago. Check out their website: http://chicagorun.org/home
I was contacted by one of their staff after they read my interest in running the Chicago Marathon. Well, there are a few logistics to work out, but it looks like I may have a chance to run in the marathon!!
Also, two Sunday's ago, I attempted my second official triathlon and first Olympic distance triathlon. An Olympic distance triathlon consists of a 1.5km (~.9 miles), a 40km (~24 mile) bike, and a 10km (6.2 mile) run. Well, I will tell you one thing, I think I was physically prepared for the race, but I had no idea how unprepared I was for the mental aspect of the race.
It started off with a nice refreshing (sarcasm) swim in the Ohio River. I had practiced and trained for the swim in both 25 and 50 meter distance pools, but never in the open water. In the pool , the water is nice and clear and you lane lines and wave dampeners for each lane. In the Ohio River, you can't see anything in the water and it is probably for the best because after an empty sour cream container and bucket lid hit me while in the water and sink into muck up to my knees, I didn't want to know what was around me. I just knew I wasn't even close to prepared for what was about to happen. We started in different waves, Sprint Distance Women, Sprint Distance Men, Olympic Distance Women, and finally, my group, Olympic Distance Men.
As we treaded water waiting to be signaled to start I looked around at the people I was in the water with. I was surrounded by all types of athletes, younger and older men. It was amazing to see and wonder what kind of stories these people had. Why did they chose doing triathlons? Where they doing this for a charity, or other purpose. One thing I have learned in the sport is that everyone has a reason for doing it. Whether it be for overcoming cancer, weight loss, in memory of a friend, or something else, there is something that is driving these people.
Well, they started us off and I proceeded to experience my first open water swim. By this I mean I got kicked in the chest, and hit in my shoulder as soon as we were allowed to go. I had heard that the start is very unique and new people should try to stay toward the back just to avoid the "washing machine" effect. Well, I must admit, I wasn't ready for what happened. I tried to keep my composure, but had to instantly swim to a nearby boat dock just to regain my breath. I was freaking out. I was swimming upstream and trying to do a freestyle stroke, but every time I lifted my head to get a breath, water would splash in my face and not allow me to get a full breath. The water was choppy and definitely not something I had practiced in my training. The turn around buoy seemed to be miles away, but somehow, I made it there. I had to swim the breast stroke to get there, but I made it and that signified I was only a third of the way done. I thought about that and said to myself, "OK, you have two choices, swim to nearest boat and tell them you quit and are too much of a wimp to finish a swim, or just suck it up, grow-up, and push yourself just as you did everyday you trained."
I chose to just suck it up and give it everything I had. I pushed myself to do freestyle and I figured out how to breath between the waves splashing up in my face. I finished the swim feeling relieved but also a little disappointed that I even thought "quitting" was an option that day. I hopped on the bike and proceeded to push myself even harder because I knew I had been in the water so long. I rode very hard and made my $300.00 craigslist road bike go as fast as it could. I finished the bike in 1 hour and 12 minutes just six minutes from the top ten in bike times. I felt good about the bike but the run stopped me dead in my tracks. The run has always been a strong part of the triathlon for me (at least I thought). After pushing that hard on the bike to try to make up some time from my swim, I pushed so hard, that my legs took over four miles of running until I quit feeling "dead legged." And on a six mile run, four miles into it is just too late. Anyway, I finished strong but mentally fatigued in 3 hours and 4 minutes. But I will tell you, it was an absolutely great feeling to finish knowing that just two hours earlier, the thought of quitting briefly passed through my mind. I am so glad that I didn't quit and knew deep down, that I had it in me the whole time, I just had to "dig deep" to find it - and I'm glad I did find it!
I knew triathlons were both mental and physically demanding, but I had no idea just how mentally unprepared I would be. Fortunately, you can't get mentally prepared unless you experience it so I felt I took a lot of knowledge and maybe a little experience with me that day. My next triathlon is on July 15th, and it happens to be the same location of the first Olympic triathlon. I will do better and hopefully, will be a little more prepared physically and mentally.
So, I learned a great lesson that day. You can train as much as you want and as long as you can handle, but like most things, experience and first hand knowledge may just be the best preparation. So I am hungry to do better, and am excited to see just what I have in me to finish it again.
So, I am in the middle of my training, humbled by my experiences in this sport, but getting stronger and of course, running...
I will be either running the Chicago Marathon or the Columbus, OH Marathon. I have been contacted by a non-profit group located in Chicago to run in the Chicago Marathon. They are called Chicago Run and they promote health and wellness in communities throughout Chicago through running programs. They offer free running programs in the "high-need" communities throughout Chicago. Check out their website: http://chicagorun.org/home
I was contacted by one of their staff after they read my interest in running the Chicago Marathon. Well, there are a few logistics to work out, but it looks like I may have a chance to run in the marathon!!
Also, two Sunday's ago, I attempted my second official triathlon and first Olympic distance triathlon. An Olympic distance triathlon consists of a 1.5km (~.9 miles), a 40km (~24 mile) bike, and a 10km (6.2 mile) run. Well, I will tell you one thing, I think I was physically prepared for the race, but I had no idea how unprepared I was for the mental aspect of the race.
It started off with a nice refreshing (sarcasm) swim in the Ohio River. I had practiced and trained for the swim in both 25 and 50 meter distance pools, but never in the open water. In the pool , the water is nice and clear and you lane lines and wave dampeners for each lane. In the Ohio River, you can't see anything in the water and it is probably for the best because after an empty sour cream container and bucket lid hit me while in the water and sink into muck up to my knees, I didn't want to know what was around me. I just knew I wasn't even close to prepared for what was about to happen. We started in different waves, Sprint Distance Women, Sprint Distance Men, Olympic Distance Women, and finally, my group, Olympic Distance Men.
As we treaded water waiting to be signaled to start I looked around at the people I was in the water with. I was surrounded by all types of athletes, younger and older men. It was amazing to see and wonder what kind of stories these people had. Why did they chose doing triathlons? Where they doing this for a charity, or other purpose. One thing I have learned in the sport is that everyone has a reason for doing it. Whether it be for overcoming cancer, weight loss, in memory of a friend, or something else, there is something that is driving these people.
Well, they started us off and I proceeded to experience my first open water swim. By this I mean I got kicked in the chest, and hit in my shoulder as soon as we were allowed to go. I had heard that the start is very unique and new people should try to stay toward the back just to avoid the "washing machine" effect. Well, I must admit, I wasn't ready for what happened. I tried to keep my composure, but had to instantly swim to a nearby boat dock just to regain my breath. I was freaking out. I was swimming upstream and trying to do a freestyle stroke, but every time I lifted my head to get a breath, water would splash in my face and not allow me to get a full breath. The water was choppy and definitely not something I had practiced in my training. The turn around buoy seemed to be miles away, but somehow, I made it there. I had to swim the breast stroke to get there, but I made it and that signified I was only a third of the way done. I thought about that and said to myself, "OK, you have two choices, swim to nearest boat and tell them you quit and are too much of a wimp to finish a swim, or just suck it up, grow-up, and push yourself just as you did everyday you trained."
I chose to just suck it up and give it everything I had. I pushed myself to do freestyle and I figured out how to breath between the waves splashing up in my face. I finished the swim feeling relieved but also a little disappointed that I even thought "quitting" was an option that day. I hopped on the bike and proceeded to push myself even harder because I knew I had been in the water so long. I rode very hard and made my $300.00 craigslist road bike go as fast as it could. I finished the bike in 1 hour and 12 minutes just six minutes from the top ten in bike times. I felt good about the bike but the run stopped me dead in my tracks. The run has always been a strong part of the triathlon for me (at least I thought). After pushing that hard on the bike to try to make up some time from my swim, I pushed so hard, that my legs took over four miles of running until I quit feeling "dead legged." And on a six mile run, four miles into it is just too late. Anyway, I finished strong but mentally fatigued in 3 hours and 4 minutes. But I will tell you, it was an absolutely great feeling to finish knowing that just two hours earlier, the thought of quitting briefly passed through my mind. I am so glad that I didn't quit and knew deep down, that I had it in me the whole time, I just had to "dig deep" to find it - and I'm glad I did find it!
I knew triathlons were both mental and physically demanding, but I had no idea just how mentally unprepared I would be. Fortunately, you can't get mentally prepared unless you experience it so I felt I took a lot of knowledge and maybe a little experience with me that day. My next triathlon is on July 15th, and it happens to be the same location of the first Olympic triathlon. I will do better and hopefully, will be a little more prepared physically and mentally.
So, I learned a great lesson that day. You can train as much as you want and as long as you can handle, but like most things, experience and first hand knowledge may just be the best preparation. So I am hungry to do better, and am excited to see just what I have in me to finish it again.
So, I am in the middle of my training, humbled by my experiences in this sport, but getting stronger and of course, running...
Friday, 8 June 2012
My ADHD and the Power of People...What???
Just in case you didn't know, I was diagnosed in high school as a kid with ADHD. And diagnosed again 10 years ago, and once again less than a year ago. So basically, there is no way around it, I am one of those ADHD kids. Haha, and that's exaclty it, I am a kid and just about anyone that knows me can tell you that too.
The woman I train with regularly even has an ongoing joke that while she is focused on training and getting properly prepared for races and events, I am off running and chasing bunnies and squirrels on a moments notice. All I have to say is if I see a squirrel or rabbit while I am running or biking, I may break my neck trying to chase one down.
In other words, I get excited about things very easily, lose focus constantly, and am basically all over the place. I believe excercise and training has allowed me to learn how to gain focus and maybe even "let out" all the excitement! However, sometimes, it just increases my excitement and energy! My family says that I act like I am twelve years old. If thats the case, I am fine with acting twelve because I really feel much younger since this weight loss.
I am happy I get a chance to do and experience the things that I have this past year and a half, but most of all, I am happy that I have changed my life to become healthier and most of all, probably increased my life so I can drive my family and friends crazy even longer!! Haha
Seriously though, I am so fortunate to be able to have lost the weight and also have family and friends that care about me. I am also very fortunate to have parents that are strong enough to fight and beat cancer multiple times. I can't imagine how tough it is to fight something like that, but I know it can be done because I have seen it with my own eyes.
We all know that life is busy and never stops for anyone to wait and catch up. I guess the trick is to just keep running and get the most that we can while we are on this planet. I am very fortunate to have been able to lose this weight and even learn a thing or two about the power of the human spirit and whether they show it on the outside, just how strong people can be!!
So as I get back to my busy life and my training, I look back and realize how fortunate I am.
I have also posted this video/slideshow because people have said that I need to post it, so for those of you hecklers, give me your best shot, because I can take it, but for those of you who are interested, check out the video below.
My First Weight Loss Video!! Tell Me What You Think!!
Back to training, humbled by the power of people, and happy to be alive...
The woman I train with regularly even has an ongoing joke that while she is focused on training and getting properly prepared for races and events, I am off running and chasing bunnies and squirrels on a moments notice. All I have to say is if I see a squirrel or rabbit while I am running or biking, I may break my neck trying to chase one down.
In other words, I get excited about things very easily, lose focus constantly, and am basically all over the place. I believe excercise and training has allowed me to learn how to gain focus and maybe even "let out" all the excitement! However, sometimes, it just increases my excitement and energy! My family says that I act like I am twelve years old. If thats the case, I am fine with acting twelve because I really feel much younger since this weight loss.
I am happy I get a chance to do and experience the things that I have this past year and a half, but most of all, I am happy that I have changed my life to become healthier and most of all, probably increased my life so I can drive my family and friends crazy even longer!! Haha
Seriously though, I am so fortunate to be able to have lost the weight and also have family and friends that care about me. I am also very fortunate to have parents that are strong enough to fight and beat cancer multiple times. I can't imagine how tough it is to fight something like that, but I know it can be done because I have seen it with my own eyes.
We all know that life is busy and never stops for anyone to wait and catch up. I guess the trick is to just keep running and get the most that we can while we are on this planet. I am very fortunate to have been able to lose this weight and even learn a thing or two about the power of the human spirit and whether they show it on the outside, just how strong people can be!!
So as I get back to my busy life and my training, I look back and realize how fortunate I am.
I have also posted this video/slideshow because people have said that I need to post it, so for those of you hecklers, give me your best shot, because I can take it, but for those of you who are interested, check out the video below.
My First Weight Loss Video!! Tell Me What You Think!!
Back to training, humbled by the power of people, and happy to be alive...
Thursday, 7 June 2012
Have I Trained Enough? Am I Ready for This? Let's Find out!!
These last 2-3 weeks have been difficult to say the least. I have, once again, had my share of ups and downs during my training. I have had good training days and also some bad, actually very bad. However, things always seem to look up as I get closer to an event. For some reason, the closer I get to the event, the better the training gets. Maybe it’s because I am more focused and realize that time is a valuable asset as the event date nears. Not too sure, but maybe that’s it.
I have been trying to run during daylight hours so I can try to get accustomed to the type of heat that I will probably face during my events this summer. I have been putting in more time on the bike/spinning to give myself more endurance during my ride. And lastly, I have been trying to get into the pool more often to get more endurance during my swim. All of these methodologies have seemed to pay off in some way. I feel strong and confident when I run; I feel more comfortable on the bike, and as far as the swim is concerned, I am just trying not to drown during the open water swim.
Not only has my training been tough, so has the non-training part of my life. My mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and went into surgery to remove the cancer, but while in surgery, the doctors found more cancer in her lymph nodes near the breast cancer and had to remove that too. Basically, it was pretty tough to have to tell my mother what happened later that day. But this is my mother’s fourth bout with cancer and she has gotten pretty tough since her first diagnoses many years ago. She has beaten cancer three times and I am sure this time will be number four. She was out of the hospital in two days and was at the YMCA five days after her surgery riding three miles on a stationary bike. Like I have said, she is a tough woman all the way through. Shewill be going through some aggressive chemotherapy and I hope that she gets rid of the cancer once and for all!
Anyway, so while I train, I think about my mother and other people who everyday, have bigger struggles to deal with than just bad day of triathlon training and it makes me "shut up" and just work as hard as I can.
Also, I attended a 10K run that my daughter participated in two weeks ago and cheered her on to the finish. She ended up placing second in her age group! She has done two races and the first 10K, she placed first in her age group, and in the second 10K, she placed second. That is just amazing. It was nice to sit on the sidelines and cheer for another person to succeed. I really liked that.
I also volunteered for an Kid’s Triathlon on Sunday June 3rd. It’s the first time a Kid’s Triathlon has been coordinated this early in the season in Lexington and it SOLD OUT at 150 kids with ages ranging from 8-14! It was a blast and I had a great time! There was just something to seeing these kids cross the finish line as they heard their names called out. They were competitive, but more than anything, they were filled with "pure and innocent" joy! Its great to watch these kids have fun because they have no worries about training, work stresses or schedules, car payments, house payments, or anything. They are just kids having fun and that, I think was awesome to watch.
Anyway, the nerves are starting to set in. I only have 3 days until my first open water swim and my first Olympic distance triathlon. Shouldn’t I be used to these nervous feelings right? Well, I don’t know about that, but I think part of the excitement is the nervousness and anxiety that comes building up to an event. Because during the event, it seems like a whirlwind and there is not really any nervousness once the event starts. At that point, I will find out if I did enough training or not. Hopefully I have, because I am starting to taper and at this point there is nothing more I can do about my training.
Just three more days to push myself and do a little tapering before toeing the starting line, but a lifetime to remember the outcome - time to train, time to endure, time to be ALIVE…I also volunteered for an Kid’s Triathlon on Sunday June 3rd. It’s the first time a Kid’s Triathlon has been coordinated this early in the season in Lexington and it SOLD OUT at 150 kids with ages ranging from 8-14! It was a blast and I had a great time! There was just something to seeing these kids cross the finish line as they heard their names called out. They were competitive, but more than anything, they were filled with "pure and innocent" joy! Its great to watch these kids have fun because they have no worries about training, work stresses or schedules, car payments, house payments, or anything. They are just kids having fun and that, I think was awesome to watch.
Anyway, the nerves are starting to set in. I only have 3 days until my first open water swim and my first Olympic distance triathlon. Shouldn’t I be used to these nervous feelings right? Well, I don’t know about that, but I think part of the excitement is the nervousness and anxiety that comes building up to an event. Because during the event, it seems like a whirlwind and there is not really any nervousness once the event starts. At that point, I will find out if I did enough training or not. Hopefully I have, because I am starting to taper and at this point there is nothing more I can do about my training.
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