Army Ten Miler Entry Needed

I have a favor to ask! I am registered for this year's 10-miler, but my friend missed the registration and is now hoping to have someone transfer one to her. She's watching the transfer thread like a hawk, but I'm hoping you could let me know if you hear about someone not needing theirs. She's also a new mom; used to be in the Army, too...and is really looking to get back into shape. We really want to do it together....So please let me know if you hear of anyone not needing their registration!!!

Thanks!

Hello Friends!

Just checked the blog and V - I loved your post. Not a rant at all! And, I agree with you and Rachel - people say all the time they can't believe I just turned 38. Well. I never smoked. I try to take care of myself. There is a benefit. My friend Sarah just bought a gorgeous dress for a wedding she's going to in July - she tried it on for me and asked me how it looked - and I said - honestly - I said it looks like you work hard (I know she does) and it looks like getting up at 6am to run 6 miles - it pays off and then I also said the dress is pretty. She looked amazing. And, it's because she works hard - she eats tofu. She runs a LOT. Anyway... so, yes. FYI - V, Rachel, Sarah - all of us - athletes. For sure.

Ok. So update on THIS athlete! :-) After a lot of fear. A lot of rain and slick roads preventing me from getting out there. Saturday morning. I got on the bike for the second time. I walked it to the park. It was still a little slick from the rain the night before. But, I knew I was looking for an excuse. It wasn't that bad. I wore regular sneakers (forget the clips for the time being). Threw a leg over the bike and almost fell right away - but, stopped. Got my mind in focus. Got back on and rode. Ok. So, I'm not sure what I thought it would be like out in the elements... but, it's so much harder riding outside than on a stationary bike. Lord. So. Did five miles and then they asked bikers to stop because there was a huge race in the park that day. It was enough time for me. I shifted gears. I did the toughest hill in the park - Harlem Hill. Then, I walked the bike home. I felt really good about it. Thanks for all your advice on this - it helped to just forget the clips for a while. As my scottish friend said - you learn to walk before you learn to run - "bin" the clips!

This morning, I swam for the first time in a while. I was right where I left off. I didn't lose anything in the pool. I think that the past month I took off getting over being so sick and then dealing with my uncle's passing - it didn't hurt my progress. It was like I hit the pause button. But, what I decided today is this.... I don't want to just "get through" the triathlon. I want to do it in a way that I'm proud of and that is safe. That said, I need to build up my cardio and my strength. And, I need to eat better - more protein.

I'll keep you posted! Cath

Are You An Athlete?

Someone recently described me as "a marathoner." I corrected them and said, Oh, no, I am not a marathoner. I have only run 3." I realize that is more than most people will run in a lifetime, but I think of marathoners as someone who does them regularly. I think of myself as a middle-distance runner. But, it causes me to ponder...

It took me years to consider myself a runner and even more to think of myself as an athlete (the ultimate title). I still struggle with it sometimes. I tend to use that word, "just." I am just a mom. Just an average 40 something woman. I just run middle distance. That's all true, but apparently I do choose to work a bit harder than many on fitness. A recent conversation at the gym...

I was on my balance board and a woman came over to ask me a question about it. She said she thought I was in great shape. I thanked her and then she warned me that after children I would have a more difficult time staying in shape. I told her I have 2 kids, but, yes, it does get harder. She was a bit surprised and then recovered by telling me that when I am her age everything seems to change and move south. (OK lady, can you not see the wrinkles. My forehead is an advertisement for Botox before pictures.) So, I take the bait and ask her at what age I might expect to see these changes. She told me that she was 37 and once you pass 35 all bets are off! I told her I wasn't willing to give up yet and that I was turning 43. She told me I must have good genes.

She may be right. I may have good genes, but what about the 30 miles I run each week and the 3 days of weights and the careful diet? How about the constant juggling of the schedule to get it all in? What about the things I give up? I ran intervals on the treadmill this week for an hour. I watched how most of the people on the cardio machines were just toodling along. They were watching TV, chatting with a friend, walking while holding on to the rails. I am sure some of these people are doing the best they can and I am happy they are trying. But, for real, most of them were not working hard at all. They are the same ones that complain that they go to the gym 5 days a week and lose nothing. I'm sorry, I think I am ranting.

Back to my musing. If I am not willing to call myself an athlete or a marathoner, how can I expect anyone else to recognize the hard work it takes year round to stay in shape. I don't think you need a race or specific event to prove your status as an athlete. I think you just need the mentality that you will train your body regularly, year round, for life. Understanding, that life will get in the way and there will always be a reason why you can't work out. Athletes find a way to get it done anyway. Sometimes you have to interpret life's challenges as a necessary break (think pregnancy, moving, starting new jobs etc) The difference is that athletes know they will come back having learned to balance or readjust to accommodate this new challenge and still allow for a fit mind and body.

So, here's to you, my friends and fellow athletes!

Getting Back Into the Swing of Things

Well, it has been about 8 weeks since I received the "go ahead" from my doctor at my 6-week check up. I was set to get right into action and that has yet to really go as planned. Life has been a little busy for us and I had wanted to start working out right after our move (that was about a month ago). I had big plans to really start getting back into shape while we have been at my parents' place in Minnesota but we were welcomed with snow. It melted a few days later and I did get out and jog/walk a bit. Then it snowed a foot again. Since then I've been really bad about getting back out there.

Trying to time the workouts is well, difficult. Plus, I have self-diagnosed myself with Pregnancy Related Pelvic Girdle Pain (otherwise known as symphysis pubic disorder). I had issues with this during pregnancy and I guess most women probably do. As I keep reading up on it I get a bit upset because it says my doctor should have assessed it more than saying "well, that's just one of those things that happens during pregnancy." It did hurt a lot more when I was pregnant but even now just walking at a faster pace hurts so I am trying to take it easy since that is supposedly all I can really do until my body stops producing relaxin.

I am getting a bit frustrated because I really want to get back into shape and running was my way to "get away" for a while. And of course, I hate feeling the fat bounce up and down on my ass. Seriously not cool. And running is about the only thing I have found that really works for me. Has anyone ever had this post partum and if so can you offer some advice? I guess until it starts to feel better I need to be better about doing my pelvic floor exercises, keep doing my yoga DVDs and possibly hopping on the bike. I haven't tried the elliptical either so maybe that will be ok.

I'll appreciate any advice!

Pain is Temporary

"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever."
-Lance Armstrong

I can't do my regular long run this weekend, due to kid conflicts. So, I decided I needed to get my long miles in mid-week and swap it for a short run that I will do Saturday. It makes things a bit of a challenge since I still have my gym schedule and yoga. Is it just me, or does every week seem like a scheduling nightmare? I have taken to sitting down each weekend with my Outlook calendar and literally scheduling my workouts on the calendar so that I have a visual. I find that the day gets away from me or I don't think I have time when I actually do if I deconflict early on.

So anyway, I had a hard yoga session yesterday, followed by an 11 mile tempo run at a 7:40 pace. It was 80 degrees and windy (of course). I came home to find this quote in my running club's newsletter. Pain for me can be physical or it can be emotional (much worse). For instance, guilt, if I know I should be doing something and I am not. I am glad I didn't decide it was just too hard this week.

I TRIed

Well, I did it and I am darn proud of myself and did my best. I was happy with how I did considering my circumstances.

The swim was the hardest, the pool was a human blender and it looked liked they had turn on jets, very choppy. You started based on your estimated finish time. I was number 92 (starting at 31) and there were well over 200 people behind me yet. Most everyone was swimming at a faster pace. I was bound and determined not to get passed so I wouldn't have to pull over and wait while I was passed. So I swam my little heart out. I was exhausted and could barely get out of the pool at the end. I have no idea how to translate my swim time so I have no idea what it was.

Both of my transition times were horrible, they aren't lying when they say to practice. My advise is to practice when your heart rate has been at max for 5 minutes. I have already peeled off 3 minutes mentally for next year on what to do differently. The transition area was indoors which was awesome. The windchill was 24 that morning and the winds were howling.

The bike ride was grueling. The hardest most have ever ridden. 35mph out of the NNW with higher gust. It was hard going down hill. It took me 40 minutes to go 7.75 miles. Then we got to turn around. Boy was that fun. My average mph on the way back was 28, 25 uphill, 32-35 downhill. It took me 60 minutes total. (I was very glad to have my new bike... more on her later).

Prior to this event I was a 5k virgin, never even ran 3 miles in training, I was up to 2 when my dad died and then my training ended. Ironically it was a lot like sex the first time. At first I thought, 'oh no, what I have gotten myself into'. Then a little while later it was, 'this isn't so bad,' and then just like that it was over. :) The run ended up being the easiest of the three for the day. I finished and felt great. My run time was 25 minute 10 seconds. (Now I am curious to find out what it would be if I wasn't exhausted from the swim and bike ride prior.)

My finish time was 1 hour 40 minutes 5 seconds. I was hoping for 1 hour 30 minutes but with the wind on the bike ride, that was impossible. I was 5th in my age group (out of 34) and 15th overall women (out of 95). I am happy with that. I should/could have been 11th overall, my times in all three events were faster than those ahead of me but my transition times were to slow. I can't wait for next years and shouldn't have a problem being in the top 10 (as long as no one dies).

My reward taste awesome. The event was extremely well organized and they honored my dad with a moment of silence and wanted me to say a few words about him (I had the heads up on this). I don't have the slightest idea what I said but everyone said it was good.

Sad times for our bloggers.

We have had our dose of saddness on this blog. Angie and I lost our uncle somewhat unexpectedly two weeks ago. It really knocked us all on our collective butts. I've never really had that experience - where you turn off machines and watch a person slip away. I would have thought I would have nightmares (I'm such a scared-cat) but I didn't.
Needless to say - my training has slipped a lot. I was already sick from the outbreak monkeys that I call my nephews (!!!). It's been three weeks and I finally feel on the mend. Between vomitting and burying my uncle, my bike came in.
It is terrifying. For all the reasons that have been posted on this blog recently and for reasons that haven't (a member of my tri-club was hit last week - 45 stitches in his face).
So, I have used this as an excuse to just look at the bike for the past three days. And, with each day, it gets scarier. And, they have made this bike more complicated than f*cking flying the space shuttle. They have made it seems impossible. So, I have let this white monstrosity stare me down and win.
This morning though, I decided - f*ck it. I bought it. I have to ride it. I'm going to fall. But, I have to just do this. And, said to myself - there must be a reason that there's the saying "as easy as riding a bike..."
So, across the street from my apartment is a small paved park (where all the UN protests are - if that rings any bells). It's always empty early in the morning. So I went over there and tried. I wiped out immediately. I was clipped in and paniced and couldn't remember how to unclip - so, in slow motion, fell straight on to my knee. I did it in four minutes out. I stood up. Scared as hell. Bleeding. And got back on. And this time, rode for a couple minutes, and then wiped out again, this time on the other side. This time, so bad that a door man came running over to me. I told him I was learning and not to be alarmed. (even though on the inside, I was waaaay past alarm...). I was scared. I wanted to take the bike and give it to the doorman (who said it was really a good one) and limp home.
But, I've never let fear beat me. So. I got back on. And I forgot about gears for the moment and just practiced clipping and unclipping. Fast and slow. Unclipping and stopping. Unclipping and still riding. I did it for about an hour. And, I did my trick from years of therapy - I found I went to a mantra. Saying over and over "this is fun. this is fun. this is fun."
FYI? It wasn't. But, I feel like it might be in a while. Maybe.
After an hour of practice, I went straight to the drug store to get first aid bandages and cleaning stuff. One knee is just scrapped up. The other has a huge bump on it, but I figured if I cracked or broke it, I would know (based on how I felt with the calf tear - when something's bad - it's f*cking FEELS bad). I'm icing and took some tylenol and am already making deals with myself to get back out there. Next time... long pants....
I am thinking about all of you all the time. Rachel - I hope you and your family are feeling better. Just getting through my uncle's funeral -it was so hard, and I was so grateful to have angie - I hope you have a strong network around you and know there some random chick in New York City praying for you!
More later - Cathy