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Missing The Big Swim

So this morning I was suppose to be up at 4 am and off to a 7K swim workout.

Unfortunately a very sore throat woke me up at around 2:30 this morning. I got up took some stuff and never feel back to sleep. By 4am I did not feel good at all....At that point I had to make the decision to go to the workout or stay in bed. Since I had only slept about 4 hours and felt pretty bad-I decided to stay in bed...I finally feel back to sleep and stayed that way until 10:00! I never sleep that long!!!!! Never!

Now you may be wondering why am I writing about this. The fact is that I feel very guilty for missing this key workout! I wanted really badly to swim the 7K today and have been looking forward to this the whole month! I love these long swims. There is something so relaxing about swimming for a hours at a time.

A few weeks ago when I took a week off from training I had no desire to workout...today I wanted to so badly but pretty much new if I did swim- I would have caught this cold that is knocking at my throat. I feel like it was a slacker week of training as two other workouts where cut short due to weather....speaking of weather....I think the weather is the culprit for my throats state.

This week we went from 78 degrees on Sunday to a blizzard on Thursday...So far this winter I have avoided EVERY crud that has come through the office and infected everyone. I'm just hoping that by not swimming today I will avoid this thing....And I should not worry about missing one key swim workout---but for today I can't help it. I'll just see what tomorrow brings and if I kick this thing......more later....

My First Love

Saturday I was able to return to my first love....Ok, so it's not what you're thinking....

Saturday- I was able to ROCK CLIMB!!!! Can you believe it! I was able to fit in an early morning climb in Eldorado Canyon.

You see, I'm new at this triathlon stuff......and my first true love is Rock Climbing. I spent 15 years living to Climb and Climbing to live. Pretty much any place I lived or job I took revolved around rock climbing. I ate, drank, slept, rock climbing! That's all I did- 4-5 days a week. I LOVED rock climbing!

So, this past Saturday, when I hiked up to the base of the crag; put on my harness; uncoiled the rope; and looked up at the rock- I was right at home. I felt as if an ancient piece of me had returned.

Sitting high above the stream and road I felt at home. Being close to the rock and getting ready to climb felt so familiar and brought such a sense of calm to me. I forgot how much I loved rock climbing. Not only for the actual act of climbing, but for all that goes with it. The views, the tranqulity, the beauty, the ritual of uncoiling the rope, putting on your harness and shoes, chalking up....it just feels right!

Now, I'm not saying I wasn't a bit rusty after over 2 years away from climbing....but once I got on the rock, my body just knew what to do....it just moved as it had all those millions of times before.

I took a bit of time to get up the 5.7 we were climbing- but I did it....and when I rappeled to the ground I realized I would have to make sure I climbed again soon! I love this too much to wait another two years to do....and just so you all know I didn't slack on my Ironman training.....I then went for a 8 mile run after my early morning climb! (and kicked butt on the run).

Training After A Time Out

Oh my goodness, what a difference a week off training can make! I soooooo, I mean soooooo, needed a week off!

Starting with last Saturdays workout I have had a strong week of training! I have felt motivated and ready for each training session.

This week found me having back-to-back training sessions-it went like this: Tues AM Swim nonstop 45 mins-work all day-Track at night; Wed AM Masters Swimming-work all day w/weight training during lunch-Computrainer Bike class at night; Thurs AM Swim masters-work all day- Run 8 miles at Tempo.... Believe it or not- it was fun to do this!
Pretty much my life for 3 days was strickly-train-work-train-sleep-oh yea and eat in there somewhere!

It was a wonderful week of training with close to 12 hours of training this week.....how about that 17 hour training day- does work count????? :)

Taking a Time Out

Last Sunday I was scheduled to do my first bike ride in the mountains of the season. Not a super challenging ride, but a good one to start off with.....

I woke up that morning and the thing I really wanted to do was to crawl back in bed. But I got my stuff together and met my friend for the ride.....Still wanting to go back home and crawl into bed.

I thought how sometimes I feel this way but once I get going I start to come around and get moving just fine....Well this Sunday that was not the case.

I started off the easy- I mean easy "climb" up Deer Creek to the turnoff for High Grade. A few miles into the ride I was in my "granny gear", I'm talkin "granny gear" with a triple front ring....and I was still struggling with that! I had absolutely NOTHING in me. When I got to High Grade I decided I should cut my losses and turn around and call it a day......Which is exactly what I did.

I got home and crawled into bed for a 1 hour nap....and woke up feeling a bit under the weather.
I talked to Coach Andrea and we decided I should take Monday off and play it day by day.

Well, with the way I felt Monday I made the executive decision to take 3 full days off....and to NOT feel guilty about it. I have slept in, not trained, eaten well, slept extra hours, enjoyed doing nothing and did I mention, slept?

Today is Wednsday, and I also took today off work. I slept 12 hours straight! It was wonderful to not have to wake up at any particular time.....I have relaxed and the most I did today was write this blog. Now that's what I call a rest day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am somewhat feeling like I'm ready to get back to training, but I'm going to listen to my body. I have been going at it hard for over a year now, and have never taken 3 days off in a row.....and I may take another day off if that's what my body is telling me tomorrow.

Learning to listen to your body is part of training. We work on our bodies, our nutrition and we have to work on our recovery too. My body spoke loud and clear on Sunday and I am glad I listened. I have a long season a head....all the way through November. 3 or more days off right now may be just what I need...actually- I know it is.

So here's to taking a time out and being ok with that decision :)

Eating To Train

The end of February found me "celebrating" a little too much. I just had a birthday and there where a few parties at work during lunch hour....hence a lot of sweets and food....
So what does this have to do with eating to train???

Looking back on the last two weeks for Feb. I see that I was Training To Eat. What that means is I was eating everything and anything...because I deserved it for training "so" hard. I was eating muffins, cakes, cookies, mochas, chips....you name it. All those foods that I normally stay far away from (ok-maybe not tortilla chips as much-they're my fav!). I had this mentality that I could eat whatever I wanted because I was burning so many calories. Especially following my second 25 milers- as I knew my training workload dropped a bit.....

Well, by the end of those two weeks I found myself 4 pounds heavier and going into my Saturday Brick Workout sluggish as all heck. That was the morning of 27 degree bike ride and run.

I was DRAGGING beyond anything I could have imagined! I was riding slowly- but it felt HARD! My heart rate was way up and my perceived effort was high even though I was barely moving 14 MPH..... As I watched the group pull far ahead of me- I reflected on what was going on with me that day...

What became clear to me as I struggled through the ride- was that I had been Training To Eat rather than EATING TO TRAIN!

I could absolutely tell the difference between when I eat healthy so I can fuel my next workout- and when I just eat whatever because I have trained so hard! It's BS to think I can eat whatever- I can't! I'm an athlete and whatever I put into my mouth will affect my next workout or worse yet- workouts!

After that lovely brick workout I got back on the "wagon". I spent some time thinking about the difference between Training to Eat and Eating to Train. It's been a week now- I already feel slimmer; my tummy's not bloated; my energy is better; my training is better; I just feel better overall!

Eating To Train needs to be my lifestyle for the next year. I can't indulge in sweets and over the top foods- I have a goal- and to take my eye off that goal, for even a full day- really affects how I will be able to train!

Not only do I have to complete all the workouts my coach has for me- but I HAVE to EAT TO TRAIN. I know I use the words "have to", but this is really a choice- I choose to train and eat properly....because I love it! And because the only way I will get to the start of IRONMAN is if I am consistent over the next 8 months! Caz- I'm in it for the long haul baby!

Any One UP for a Swim....

How about a 5:00 am swim on a Sunday morning....the day of rest- Yeah right! Not if you are a Practical Coaching athlete!

Yeap that's right. There where a few of us who are crazy enough to get up before the sunrise on a Sunday and get to the pool for some swimming. Did I say SOME swimming? Oh, wait a minute- I meant about 6K-7K worth of swimming!!!!!!!!!!!

This morning there was no socializing involved- it was straight to the business at hand of swimming 6000-7000 meters before 8:00 am when the pool opened to the public. I was given the task of swimming 6000 meters today (fortunately, although I think I will have a 7000 meter swim at the end of the month).

I had no idea how long it would take me to swim that far. My lane mate for this endeavor was Rob (You Rock Rob!!!!!) and we had fun (?) spending a few hours together swimming. Thank goodness for Rob- he knows how to count correctly.

Have you ever tried keeping track of 60 laps in an Olympic distance pool? It's hard! You have to remember what lap you are on so when you finish a lap you know what the next one is. For me- this is a challenge....I start thinking about stuff as I'm swimming and forget what number I'm on....One thing that kinda helps me is I alternate the side I breath on....left side is for odd numbers, right side for even. It's good in theory and seems to work good on the shorter swims....Again- Thank you Rob for keeping me honest! :)

I must say, I enjoyed the swim...I can't believe how fast over 2 hours passed! It did not feel like I was swimming for that long. The more I do this long distance stuff the more I realize I LOVE IT! Maybe it's the endorphins...or maybe I get a huge dopamine dump as I'm training...I don't know...I just know I love the long workouts! Come to think of it-that's a really good thing since I'll be doing an Ironman in Nov. Can you imagine if I hated these long workouts- I'd be hosed!

Anyway- here's to going to church today at Carmody Rec Center and having my spiritual experience while swimming.....there is nothing better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Brain Freezes and Ice Blocks

So, how about a Saturday 2 hour group bike ride followed by a 10 mile run???? Sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday morning.....EXCEPT we are in Colorado you know!
Which means, that 6 of us actually showed at 8:30 in the morning at Chatfield Resevior with the temps hovering around 27 degrees.

We all piled on as many layers as we could find. I had 5 layers on my upper body and 3 on my lower; headband; windproof gloves (yea right); and shoe covers.......It was shortly before 9 am

when we set off for a "warm up" headed toward the dam.

I have never ridden in temps this cold before, and I can see why it's recommended to wait until the temps are about 32 at least. Talk about a Icee style BRAIN FREEZE! I royally had one. I didn't even know it was possible to get one with out actually drinking an Icee!

We climbed the dam road (no pun intended) and descended the back side....turned around and climbed back up the dam and by then things were feeling warmer! We did a few laps in the park and by the time 2 hours went by the temps were around 40 (I'm guessing.)

Our mission for this ride and run where to train at about 80% and the only thing we were suppose to do fast was our transition from bike to run. That was a little tough given the millions of layers that I had to take off.....but I got the job done, put on my running shoes and started off for a 10 mile run.....

As I started off running it was really weird feeling- or should I say, not feeling. It was as if I was running on huge logs of ICE BLOCKS! My feet had absolutely NO feeling in them. I logically new that they were somewhere under my legs, I just couldn't feel them. It was the weirdest experience!
And when the feeling in my feet did begin to come back, I had to stop because I thought my orthodics where in my shoes wrong....which they were just fine...it's just the feeling was coming back strangely.

The day continued to warm up and my run was uneventful- except that Waterton Canyon was beautiful and I felt as if I had a good run!
All in all- I would not have wanted to miss today and training with the gang. It's nice to know that others will be there when you show up on a cold morning to train. It just might not be as big of a group.....but hey- it's the only way to "go the distance".
(picture from Practical Coaching)

The Second 25 Miler

So I finished my second 25 miler within a 7 day span. Started off again as a cold clear day with temps in the 20's. You have to love the fact that we get to train year round in Colorado....it can just start off a bit on the cold side sometimes.

The run went stellar! I started at the Goodson Rec Center again and ran 5 out and back for the first 10 miles. When I reached my car at Mile 10 there was Kristen waiting to run the rest or the 15 miles with me. I must say that it is so nice to have someone out there running with you when you have that many miles to cover.

Kristen started out faster than I was running....and there went my ego again. I had to remember what Coach Andrea said- that the important thing is for me was to have a strong run. So I watched Kristen run off ahead of me. But it didn't matter that she was ahead, it was just nice knowing she was out here with me. Maybe misery does love company!!!!

As we were about 2 miles out from the rec center again (Mile 18 for me), I caught up with Kristen and we were able to finish the run to the cars together....and when we go there, Elizabeth was waiting to run the last 5 with us! We had a blast!!!!!!

I must say, it there is ANY one you want to run the last 5 miles of a long run with you, it's Elizabeth!!!!! She rocks! Elizabeth has wonderful stories to tell and she is so positive- that you literally forget that your feet hurt, or your left glute is hurting.....

So the three of us did our last 2.5 miles out and back for the final 5 miles. Running those last 2.5 miles I felt strong....I mean really strong. Elizabeth commented on how she was running harder than the previous week, which meant I was able to run a stronger pace. It's nice too having Elizabeth as a measure.... I know how I felt, but she could confirm that I was running stronger this week. And as we ran into the parking lot there were hugs all around, a min leg rubdown from Elizabeth, and we were off to the rest of our days.

I'm not sure when my next long (25 mi +) run may be....but I'm kinda sad that I don't have any on my training schedule for March. I have really enjoyed running this distance and finding in myself and ability I didn't know for sure that I had. I have learned how to pace myself, not based on a watch, but based on my own awareness of myself. It's kinda amazing how one about 1 year ago, I could not run worth a darn....and today I love 25 mile runs.....Anything truly is possible when we try. And I look forward to my next LONG RUN!
PS- Thank you Elizabeth for you support and laughs! And Kristen for being out there with me!
(video to come)

The first 25 Miler

So Sundays long run...and what a long run it was!

I started out at Goodson Rec Center at 7:30 in the morning. The temp was 25 degrees with the promise of high 40s later in the day.

My plan was to run out the High Line Canal Trail for 5 miles and return to the car to get more water- run out another 5 and return to car for water and then last 5 miles. I had bottles and bottles of water in my car- my Go Lite Fanny Pack ready and loaded and plenty of daylight to burn.

I started off my run at a very leisurely pace...my coach won't allow me to look at my Garmin to check pace or heart rate, so not sure my pace-just knew it felt good and I was not going out too fast.

You know there IS something about the EGO when you see people passing you. I have to hold my ego in check and what helps me do that is to think about the fact that these people probably where not running 25 miles. Thinking of this allows me to be ok with the fact that I was running slow.....Not to say that I actually ever run fast....but, that this run was going to take a few hours and my personal goal was to feel strong for the whole 25 miles.

So my first 10 miles went great. Felt fantastic- there was a slight breeze- the sun was shinning- and the people on the trail where friendly.....I fueled myself regularly and when I got to the car I exchanged water bottles and headed back out for another 10 miles.

As I was on my way back- around mile 16- I was running up this short hill and coming toward me was a run I recognized....It was my good friend Kristen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was so incredible to see her out there! I was instantly filled with love and energy! It was like a shot of adrenaline. To get a hug from her in the middle of my run was a wonderful gift! And with no time to dally- we both kept on our ways.

I made it back to the car for mile 20 and at this point my other very good friend Elizabeth (see blog entry "funnin on the mesa") met me for the last 5 miles of my run. What an amazing friend to do this.....So-I picked up another fresh water bottle- grabbed Elizabeth and we were off for the finale.

Elizabeth was awesome...you have to realize that she is a good 9" taller than me, and bless her heart she was running my pace the whole time. It was so cute because Elizabeth had all these wonderful stories to tell me- and it was perfect..... I didn't have to talk and could just listen to what she said-which helped to take my mind off the fact that I had already run 20 miles and that some body parts where starting to be a bit uncomfortable.

By the time we finished it was about 5 1/2 hours after I started....and the best part (or one of the best parts) was that I finished STRONG! I felt great! Elizabeth even commented that I was running a pretty good pace in the last few miles.....How exciting is that!

You know-after the marathon- and how I did not finish strong- it was nice to have the experience of finishing strong on this run.... What a difference going out slow can make-PLUS proper nutrition.

So-Thank you Elizabeth (immensely) and thank you Kristen for helping me get through my 25 mile run this past Sunday......It was a spiritual experience....and LOVE YOU GALS!

And One More Thing.....

after I finished that 25 miler-about 2 hours later- I got to go SWIM for 45 minutes non stop! And ya know what- I didn't even feel tired.......

I get really excited when I feel like I am making progress with my level of fitness.
I was talking to Andrea (my coach) yesterday and shared with her how after this past Sunday's workouts of a 25 mile run followed by a 45 min. swim- how I was beginning to feel burly. I mean like- I"m getting pretty fit.

Yesterday someone else pointed out that it pretty awesome that I am able to run 25 miles without much trouble. She said that I could pick any marathon and just go do it, and how many people train all year to do just a marathon- and here I am running that distance for training.

It's funny how other peoples perspectives help to put "me" and my view of myself into a different light. I don't really realize that it kinda is a big deal to do this stuff and that not everyone can......Although I believe anyone has the potential to do anything if they want to and try to.....

So, with that- here's to the next 25 mile run this Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Swimmin and Swimmin and Runnin............

It's been awhile since I've checked in and posted what's going on. So, February is the month my coach Andrea decided to "stretch" my mind/limits. This month I have two 25 mile runs on my training calendar plus tons of swimming and more running during the week!

Yesterday I got to masters early and started swimming then- swam masters. During lunch I went to the gym and strength trained then following work did a 45' continous swim....and I loved every minute of it! Am I weird or what? I felt so good in the evening following that swim.....And I slept like a baby...

Many changes are a comin....in my personal life and in my training. February is my birth month-so it's a great time to try new things and stretch my mind.

My coach talks about "placing myself" in reference to the group I train with. She helps me see that I may be limiting myself with my own beliefs about what I am capable of doing and achieving. Hence-this month is about challenging those beliefs and breaking through barriers that may be holding me back...now how fun is that? Seriously! To find a new level- and new ability- to expand my belief in myself.....It'll take a lot of work- or then again- maybe not.....
All I know is I am absolutely gamed for it!

Here's to Going The Distance!

An Lunch Hour Run

Now how amazing is it to live in a place where it's 20 degress on Tues and 60 on Friday. Ya gotta love it.
Spent my lunch hour today going for a 6 mile endurance run. Went to Washington Park and hit the trail. It was a glorious day. Truely amazing to be running in shorts and a t-shit in the middle of winter (?).....
The run started off pretty ruff. Took about 3 miles to warm up- as in my bones and muscles....
After that I felt great. I felt like my running form has changed a bit....maybe that because I had plenty of time to be aware of it during my marathon.
There were so many people out today during lunch. People running, walking dogs, walking w/stollers. People where playing tennis and feeding the geese. It was glorious! I love living in Denver. It just doesn't get better than this....but that's just my opinion. :)
One thing I noticed was my knees were a touch sore after the run...not an injured sore- more a use sore and I attribute that to running downhill for 18+ miles during the marathon....
Anyway-what a great way to spend lunch today! Sure beat eating in front of my computer doing work :)
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/1987113

Swimmin with the Big(ger) Dawgs

Yahoo- today Coach Carol put me in the next faster lane at Masters!!! I've moved up a lane in the Green Mountain Dawgs Masters! I can't believe it! I am actually two lanes up from the slowest lane now.......
I remember last Feb when I went to Masters for the first time and started off with Dawn and Louise and a few others in the slowest lane. They were so kind and helped me understand swim etiquitte (something I've found handy since there can be some pretty cranky people first thing in the morning!).
I definatly had my butt kicked today. We were on the long course and I was the last one in our line of swimmers. The moderate laps were ok- but when we had to crank out those fast laps, I was struggling to keep up!
I love feeling like I might puke by the side of the pool! (no puking in the water :0
So here's to swimmin with the Bigger Dawgs.....Mornings were never as fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The after thoughts of the Marathon

It's funny how many people ask you- How'd ya do? And when I got asked that I had to think about it.....my first response is- "I finished". It's been hard to feel good about my race- as I ended up walking a lot in the last 4 miles. Doing that leaves me feeling like I did not race well.....My coach always talks about executing a good race. So did I? Probably not.

I started the race going out too fast. Even though I was toward the back- it was still too fast. Beginning with 3 miles of serious downhill made it hard for me to hold back a bit more. I felt absolutely fantastic until around mile 18. At that point I just hit a wall-slump-whatever you want to call it- but I never really made it back.

Also, at mile 18 I ate 1/2 an espresso gu- I think that effected me too as it did not sit well with me at all.

But there is still that nagging feeling when someone asks me how I did- I don't feel like I did "well". I feel like I finished.....but I did not finish strong. Interesting how just finishing a marathon is not good enough....I actually want to do another one soon to take what I've learned from this one and try again....

So what did I learn- start out slow- pace myself better- be careful not to overfuel (NO MORE Choc Gu's!!!)- and don't walk no matter what! It's absolutely almost impossible to run continous again after walking........Good races/not so good races- I actually am blessed that I am able to do this at all, and am grateful I have my health and wellbeing....

Redding Marathon

So I did it. I ran a marathon! Yahoo! And boy are my quads screamin. All that downhill worked them.
How the day went- got down to Redding around 6:30 and picked up my race packet-then my mom and I drove up to Shasta Dam where the race start was. It was still dark when we arrived and the wind was bitter cold. Luckily they had a clothes drop off so we were all able to stay warm until the start.
Speaking of the start- right as I was lining up I meet a woman named Kelly and we hit it off immediately. She and I ended up running the whole marathon together. It was awesome!
I had a good pace to start(didn't go out too fast) as I had 4 miles of serious downhill to begin. Kelly and I could see we where towards the tail end of the pack- but by mile 5 we began passing people.
The run was beautiful as it followed the Sacramento River the whole way. At times as I looked back I could see Mt Shasta majestically standing above the river.
The course was mostly downhill with some climbing from miles 12-14-then downhill to mostly flat the rest of the way.
I felt really great until mile 18-then the wall hit. I had a really hard time after that. It's like things just stopped working. It happened when I hit the bike trail which was mostly flat. I had the hardest time continuing to run and wanted to walk. It was such a mental thing. I just wanted to walk...and walk...and then my mind would be -no don't walk it makes it harder. I really struggled with finding a rythym. I could hit good rythym for a while then my mind would tell me I was tired...blah,blah,blah.....So with Kelly's encouragement and little things to focus on with my form- we were able to cross the finish line. My time- 5:07:50. That's an 11:25 pace. Need some work-yeah- but I finished! And at least I was under 12 min miles.
Fuel-I used the Carbo-Pro (finished only 2 servings-not enough), aminos,vo2max,thermolyte. I took one half espresso clif gel and after that is when I began to not feel good. Ummm.
One really fun part of running this is my mom was at all the spots where spectators could watch. I enjoyed looking into the crowd and spotting her as I ran into the area. She was so cute, dressed in pink and taking pictures. It helped so much to see her there and I found I was looking forward to seeing her each time. She was a rock star in her support of me!
At the finish my dad, mom and brother-in-law were there. What an awesome way to end my day- family and Olive Garden!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/1859851

Visiting McCloud

So here I am visiting my family in McCloud California. I am out here to see my family and run in the Redding Marathon on Sunday. I was told by my coach that I needed to run a marathon in January and there just happens to be one an hour away from my folks home.

It has been wonderful to see my mom and dad and spend time with my sister (and her husband!). The weather here is incredible. 50's during the day. McCloud sits at the base of Mt Shasta and normally the highs should be around 20-30 and it should be snowing. Not this week though!

I have enjoyed relaxing and sleeping in (8:30am!) I've been on rest days with a 30' easy run tomorrow. I have begun to "carbo-load" by drinking CarboPro and taking VO2Max in preperation for Sunday. Also, plenty of water! Nothing like time in the forest and nature to help with relaxation.

Until Sunday I will enjoy just being with my parents. Tonight my sister and her husband will be over and we're all going to watch our old home movies. Should be an absolute riot and walk down memory lane! I can't wait! Fun, Fun and more fun! And some serious relaxing until Sunday........See ya at the start line!

Weekly Round Up

Weekly Roundup- last week before the Marathon, next weekend.

Weekly:
Swims: 2 days; 1 masters; 1 free swim 1 hour non stop- 2 hours
Bikes: 2 days; 3 hours
Runs: 1 day (missed 1 day): 14 miles
Other: Weights- 2 days
Stretch 2 days

Sleep: Not so good this week. Alot of sleepless nights
Recovery: Bodywork; massage followed by compression pants;
Nutrition: ate well this week
Mood: for the most part sad
Health: Good!

Key Workout:
Description: 14 mile endurance run w/ 4 miles at tempo
Location: South Table Mesa
Nutrition: 1 Hammer Gel; SportsQuest- Aminos, thermolyte, Vo2Max
Weather: low 30's and pleasant
Distance: 12.5
Pace: 10-12 min.
Heart Rate: 140
Comments: Felt really bad starting out for over 1 hour. No sleep all week nor night before.- Felt better after taking sportsquest products!

Sunday

Rode the trainer this morning to get-er-done. It was cold and windy.....suppose to do 3 hours, could only handle 2.5 hours....what a wimp. At least it's done.
So, three more days and I'm on a plane to California. Get to visit my folks and sister!
Then next Sunday is the Redding Marathon! I am so excited! It will be a great trip and a good run no matter what.

Funnin' on the Mesa

Set out for a run with my good friend Elizabeth Saturday morning. After a night of absolutely NO sleep following my friends funeral, I was groggy and not feeling well. But showed up at Elizabeths house bright and early and we were off for some FUNning on South Table Mesa.

The run was hard for over an hour. I felt like cr..! I took some of the SportsQuest products and within minutes I felt better. And I was finally able to kick my butt in gear and get some miles movin.
It was a cool day- 30 degrees or so- but we had a blast. Most of the miles were endurance which lent to lots of talking and catching up....but then I was on my own for my tempo milage. I'd go out for 1/2 mile and come back and catch up with Lizabeth. We had a blast!!!!!!!
All in all- good run- lots of fun!!!!!!!
Can't wait to do it again.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/1768614

Rembering an Angel

For those of you who don't know, I work as a case manager for the Mental Health Center of Denver (MHCD). In my work I get the opportunity to work with people with severe and persistent mental illness and substance abuse problems. I have the privilege to be a part of 28 peoples lives on a daily basis and support them when ever, however they may need me.

This past week one of the people I was fortunate enough to be a part of her life, passed away in her sleep. Her passing has touched me deeply. For confidentiality purposes I will call her Jane.

I came into Jane's life almost two years ago. I remember the first time she came into the clinic to meet me, skeptical and reserved to meet yet another case manager. In that first hour of meeting me we formed a mutual respect and bond that lasted until her passing.

To say Jane's life was hard and she had struggles that she over came would be an understatement. Jane came to MHCD 6 years ago homeless, and struggling with addiction and untreated Bipolar disorder.. By the time I met her 2 years ago she had 3 years of recovery from addiction and 3 years of recovery from Bipolar disorder. Jane had taken the challenges in her life and turned them into learning experiences that she overcame.

Jane had a way of reaching out to people and making them feel welcomed and love. She had an incredible ability to ALWAYS see the positive and beauty in everything and everyone. She lived modestly yet always gave whatever she could to someone in need. Her heart was bigger than the room and so was her love for life. When ever life presented her with a challenge she faced it and remained positive. Jane's ability to remain positive was amazing and humbling at the same time and she always amazed me with her inner strength and resilience.

Jane did not have to let me be a part of her life. I can not express how HONORED I always felt the she did allow me to share her life, that she allowed me to be by her side during the challenges that arose. Jane was truly one of the most amazing people I have ever met. I feel privileged to have shared 2 years of her life with her.

What I take from knowing Jane is summed up in one of her favorite sayings:
Live Well
Love Large
And
Laugh Often.

I thank you Jane for the privilege of knowing you and for allowing me to share a part of your life.

I know you are with the Angels singing and dancing.

Running Another 20

Wow- I continue to be surprised by the fact that I am actually able to run 20 miles or more! I never knew I could do this-especially weekend after weekend. It's really cool!
So the run was fun- I parked at Goodson Rec Center and decided to break the run into 5 miles sections....I went south on High Line for 5-turned around and at mile 10 was back at the car. I was able to swap water bottles for full ones and headed north for another 5 out and back. It was nice to do this as it broke the run up and I only had to think about doing 5 miles at a time-not 20.
The cool part is my time was about 2 mins less per mile than my 26 mile run. I felt like I finally might be getting how to run so it feels like I'm rolling over my feet....It was actually easier to go fast than slower like I would normally....amazing. My thighs were a-blazin and I just kept thinking this is what it's going to take at Ironman.....
One thing I noticed about myself on the final 5 miles-when someone passed me I wanted to stop....I'm not sure what that's about- but I think it might be something I want to turn around....it would be good to get the gumption to chace after someone rather than stop...hummmmm
The weather was cool and overcast the whole time. Right when I finished running it started snowing- I love how things can work out like that!

Worked on the fuel again- 1 Mocha Gu (YUK); steamed red potatoes w/salt (not so good); peanut butter (definatly not); Vanilla Hammer Gel (love it!)
Drank 3 bottles of water......
So here's to runnin another 20
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/1768622