I'm Back

Again.

Seriously, these trips are getting hard. They throw off my schedule. It's hard to eat right. And this one wasn't me teaching a class, it was meetings. So I had breakfast meetings, lunch meetings, drinks after the meetings meetings, and dinner meetings. It was basically non stop from 7 am to 10 pm.

But San Diego was beautiful. Look at the view from my room! 1 morning I didn't have to meet with anyone and managed a slow wag (walk/jog - thank Diane for the new word). It was nice to get outside for a bit and enjoy the California air - even if it was for only 45 minutes.

By Friday afternoon my boss felt sorry for me and gave me the afternoon off. I had a few hours before a dinner meeting, so I hopped a boat to Coronado Island. After some pizza and a cupcake, I rented a bike to go see the island. I did send a mental note to Blain and Carlos that I would have much rather had them along to enjoy the ride. As comfortable as this cruiser was supposed to be, I am not a fan. It was odd to sit up straight - and kind of hurt my triceps. Also, it's much harder to start/stop now without clips... who knew...
But it was nice to be out, relax, and enjoy being in California.

Overall, I was there Sunday to Saturday and had about 4 hours to my self when I wasn't sleeping. But those 4 hours were wonderful.

And as many of you know, I work in Economics. My meeting wasn't about the global economy, however someone sent me this picture and I had to post. It's funny because it's true.

Off to San Diego

Well, another week, another work trip. And another hotel that makes me pay for Internet - which i won't do. I downloaded this app to my iPhone, so I may post, and add pictures (and spell check) later.

Have a great week !

50. Nice

I needed today. My goal was 50 and I rode around in the parking lot until my bike computer said 50. I also rode up by the Mormon Temple - twice, to get in some hill work.

Was I tired? Yes.
Did it hurt? Yes.
Do I feel better about Augusta? Kind of...

Next week I will be in San Diego and have very little time to work out. I just hope I have made the right decision. Wait, scratch that - I know I have made the right decision, now it's just believing that I made the right decision.

Good luck to all doing Nations!!! Sorry I won't be there this year to had out water.

Augusta??

To my 8 readers (Up from 7; E - thanks commenting and good luck in IM Moo 2010!!!), you are all probably aware that I have a little race called Augusta 70.3 coming up in 15 days. It's listed on the right side of the blog under 2009 races. Yes, it's still there and, I am still contemplating participating in the race.

Due to a few other circumstances, both Janel and Rose are no longer doing the race. However Karen, Tony and Nicole, Christina, and a few others are still heading down. I e-mailed a bunch of them with my inner monologue that went something like this
"I am trying to listen to my gut. I tell my self I am going down, I get nervous about how out of shape I am and know I will just get mad at my self for not doing what I know I should be able to do. So I tell my self I am not going, and I get mad at my self for not even giving it a shot - and letting the rest of you down. So I tell my self I will go down and get disappointed about my endurance level and the cycle continues."

I received many e-mails to both go and not go, and for that I am very thankful. I even received a few phone calls that made me laugh (Tony :-).
I talked to a few others, people who know me and remind me of how I will really react to a poor showing/DNF vs. not going at all. There have been many pro/con lists written. Countless thoughts, looking at all the possible options and scenarios I can think of, the $$$ factor, the injury factor, etc.

But overall, there is one thing I keep coming back to... I don't quit. Never have, don't plan on it now. I am not talking about the 5K's, 10K's I have signed up for and not done. I am talking about serious commitments to races. 70.3 miles is a long way and I need to respect the distance. I was sore after a 2.2 mile "run" and a 16.5 mile ride the next day - so I know that when I attempt this race on the 27th, it's going to hurt. There is a good chance I don't finish the ride as I haven't ridden 56 miles since May. BUT - I HAVE to try. I just do. I can't explain it.

So now that the decision is made, I am working on my mental game. The swim should kick some butt because it's a point to point, down river (SWEET!). The bike is a bit hillier than I am ready for, but I will do one more long-ish ride tomorrow (40-50 miles) and throw in some extra hills for practice. If I make it that far and still feel good, I know I walk the majority of the run, so this race will be no different. I am just hoping the new shoes/inserts are ready for 13.1 miles.

I feel good about my decision. I am planning on a lot of "What if's" right now - to help mentally prep and most of them are centered around not finishing, but there is also "What if I do finish?" Then this shiny medal will be mine. But if I don't, that's okay too - because I will know I did my best, I tried, and I didn't quit.

5:30 AM Is Early

Especially when you might have had an extra glass of wine the night before.
And even more so when you have a nice new bed that you want to take full advantage of enjoying.

But no, there was no rain, it was 65 degrees - basically no excuse (the two listed above were weak) to not get out of bed and go biking. So I did. And again, it is actually pretty nice to get moving that early. Mary Elizabeth and I biked a few laps around Hains Point and even though I was a bit too tired for conversation, it is always nice to have someone there.

I may never be a morning person, but watching the sunrise in DC while on a ride, it's a pretty good way to start the day.

See, No More Excuses

Today started off wonderfully. Would you like to know why??? It was the first night in my glorious new bed. A Serta perfect sleeper - firm, but with a pillow top. It's wonderful. I really hope this helps with the back issues. Besides, my mattress was getting really old and flipping it was doing nothing. A new one was much needed.

So when I woke up from a glorious nights sleep, I thought "ya know, I really should try running again." As I was getting ready for the day, I packed up my stuff and was ready to go for a run during lunch.

After a productive morning at work, I was about to head to the gym when I realized I forgot one key item - a towel. However, I did not let that stop me - I would have in the past, it was a perfect excuse to not workout during lunch! Instead, I went to Jess, who tends to always have what I have forgotten - and I was off to the gym.

I was no Usain Bolt. I wasn't even a baby cheetah just learning to run. But I was on the treadmill for 30 minutes, and more than just walking. The good news, only a few pin pricks of pain in my back for the first 10 or so minutes. And not much knee pain (and I was sans knee braces!!). Some foot pain in the beginning, but not much when I was done and it seems okay now. The bad news - I was dead after 30 minutes. D.E.A.D. Yes, it's true I haven't run since August 2 and I can't expect to be great, or even good.
I am just very happy I was.

Happy Anniversary to Me!!

1 year ago - I was walking my marathon and on my way to become an Ironman. A feeling that still brings tears to my eyes and every emotion I felt that day. I really hope I never lose those feelings.

This was a wonderful relaxing labor day weekend. Most of it was filled with sitting on the couch or shopping for the new apartment.

I also went for a 2.5 hour ride yesterday. My goal was 40 miles, but I did 35. I was getting tired, a bit twingy on the back and might have planned to do a bit more than I should have given I was still sore from Saturday. But, I was happy with the 35 miles.

It was also helpful because I wore my DC Tri jersey and a few times when I was bored or not wanting to be on Blain, I heard a "Go DC Tri". I have no idea who was out there, and they will probably have no idea how much they helped me - but it's a good feeling to have support.

Also, it was a BEAUTIFUL day, so it was really nice to be outside.

Anyway, IM Moo is next week and my friend Ryan is competing. He was so helpful last year with all of my training that I am excited to hear about his race. Go Ryan and Happy Anniversary to me!

Terrapin Adventures

Today was spent as an interesting outing. Brooke, Mary Elizabeth and I celebrated Diane's birthday by heading to Terrapin Adventure, for the Terrapin Challenge!! This included the Giant swing, Zipline, Terrapin Tower, and the Hi-Ropes. Talk about fun.

Now I have to be honest - I did get a bit injured. I wish it was from something cool like falling off the climbing wall just as I reached the top, or jumping to the rope on the final level of the High ropes course - but no, not that cool. Diane has a bike rack on the trunk of her car and as I ran back to get the camera to capture the Zipline, I forgot about the bike rack and smashed my face with the tip of the rack. Not.Cool. Why is it that I tend to injure my self on the way to doing cool stuff? Anyone remember the giant bruise on the way to the triathlon in Richmond - after running into a dumpster? Some of you know the hitting my self in the head with a hammer on the way to a swim at Hains Point. It's rather annoying when all of my cool scars are from doing stupid stuff on the way to do cool stuff.

Anyway, I didn't take a picture because it was bloody and gross. I believe my first quote was a Marcia-like "Oh my nose". Followed by, "I'm such an idiot!". But after I got the bleeding to stop, or at least slow down, I did get to do the Zipline - with a full scream like a 5 year old. I also continued to attempt other adventures and the staff has a great story to share.

Overall, it was a great day - and the cargo net during the Hi-Ropes course did me in and gave me all the other bruises I have. And I am S.O.R.E. My upper body hurts. My legs hurt. My back hurts - not too to bad with the twinges - just muscle sore.

Thanks D for having a birthday!!

All Talk?

Maybe.

After I realized it was September 1 - and how different I was last year, I knew things had to change.

Tuesday I had my butt kicked by more hills at the last Conte's Tuesday hill ride. It made me realize that I have a lot of training to do - as I am pretty much starting from scratch. Again. But, it was great to catch up a bit with Karen, Sandy and a few other DC Tri people.

Wednesday I had a doctors appointment to pick up my new inserts. This was followed up by heading Potomac River Runners for new shoes. After working with Bruce for about an hour; which included filming my feet as I ran on a treadmill, a call to my physical therapist to make sure I had the right type of shoes , and trying on a few pairs - I have new shoes for my new inserts. And so far, so good...

The rest of Wednesday was spent unpacking a bit more and setting up Carlos and Blain in their new home. Seriously, how sweet does that look!?!?!

Thursday, I actually rolled out of bed at 5:30 a.m. to meet Karen at Hains Point for a morning ride. I stuck with her for about 3/4 of 1 lap - or about 4.5 miles. I managed to do 16.5 in a bit over an hour, around 15.9 mph. Not to too bad - all things considered. And I have to admit - it was pretty nice to be out riding that early again. It was good to see Karen, and how fast she has become. There were a handful of DC tri people who do the wave as you pass, including Emily who I haven't seen since Richmond. But to be honest with myself, my back was a bit twingy when it was done, however no massive spasms, so that's a WIN! I have placed an e-mail with one of my PT's in hopes to have a bike fit.

So that is where I am now. I wish it was a bit better, but I am slowly getting there. It took me over 3 months to get here, so hopefully it will only take 3 months to get back to where I was... Okay, I know it will be a bit longer but I do think I am on the right track for the first time in awhile. And that makes me very happy.

Anybody Still Out There?

Anyone still care what I have to say?? This has been by far the longest I have gone without blogging. To those of you who check regularly, thanks - and I am sorry.

Part of it is work. I am actually doing my job again. And been doing some travel where you have to pay to use the Internet. BAH! Stupid Marriott Downtown Atlanta!

Part of it is personal. I moved to a fabulous apartment and had to pack - and my unpacking process is taking forever due to above - work.

And part of it is because I don't have much to say other than how disappointed in myself I have become. Yes, 2009 hasn't been the best year. My first DNF, plenty of injuries, stupid stuff I let get to me that I shouldn't have. All the while feeling sorry for myself as I gorge on fast food, eat cheese like it's going out of style and washing it down with wine/beer. I am not in denial of how I have let myself become this way - I am perfectly aware as I gnaw on a piece of cheese and cry in my beer about it.

I realized that today is September 1. A year ago I was such a different person. Dedicated, goal oriented, nothing could stand in my way. What happened??? But more importantly, how do I change back? How do I go back to being focused? Cooking in my kitchen. Planning meals and snacks. Making workouts a priority. If my foot hurts to walk, fine, go swim. Work on my core. Do something else. It's really not that hard and I know that.

Sunday night I made the first step. I e-mailed Coach. He just rocked IM Louisville so I wanted to congratulate him. I also said I needed to catch him up on my year (he will be disappointed - so I am not looking forward to that part of the conversation) and share my 2010 goals.

Every minute, hour, day - I have choices. I need to start making better ones. I know I will still go for the slice of cheese and pint of beer, but maybe only 1 or 2 and not 4 or 5. I have gotten there before and I will get there again.