A bit of a cliche

I don't know why, but lately I feel like my life is like one of those posters that says you know you're a ___________ when...  Since I have been plagued with what I am pretty sure is food poisoning I've had some time to write mine down.

You know you are a triathlete when...
You calculate how fast you should be running every interval pace to try and perform at your goal pace
You have at least one toenail missing or a black toenail, otherwise you just aren't working hard enough
You can't just own one pair of running shoes because there are shoes for trails, shoes for the track, shoes to alternate between so they don't get too many miles, shoes for the gym, cycling shoes, fins
You begin to calculate your calories in liquid, powder or gel form
You plan your routes based on where there is a port-o-potty or water fountain just in case
You decide whether you are going out or staying in based on how many miles your training schedule says you should run, swim, or bike
You spend most/all of your fashion allowance on workout attire
You trick yourself into running further by promising yourself some fatty reward (CUPCAKES are always worth a few more miles no matter the pain)
You think 8a.m. is sleeping in and 9a.m. is just wasting the day away
Your best friend is a stick of anti-chafe or a tube of chamois butter
You often shower 2 or even 3 times a day pending your workout schedule
You are outdoors in shorts when it is 60 degrees or colder outside because once you warm-up you know you'll overheat
You think of hitting the pool in terms of laps instead of cannonballs or pina coladas
You understand a new language made up of scull, drag, pace, cadence, fartlek, etc.
You pride yourself on skills like how fast you can change a tire or how quick you put your running shoes on in transition
You sometimes feel as though rest day is just a suggestion instead of part of your training plan
You have nightmares about forgetting your race day gear at home, getting sick race week, or getting a flat tire
Sometimes your sick days conveniently follow race days....

There are probably many I have forgotten, but this is what I think when I think triathlon season, and I'm  EXCITED!

So what did I forget?

Moving into Week 7 and week 1 at the same time

This week has been a rough week for me in terms of training.  My stomach has had it's way with me and with this week being finals week for my students I've run myself down to nothing trying to get everything graded in time, but with the help and support of great friends, family and my boyfriend I've survived and am on my way to a new semester and week 7.
Monday: Spin
After doing some hip abductor exercises for my knees and spending some time on the stairmaster I headed to my FAVORITE spin instructor's class.  I worked my butt off and surprisingly hit the 20 mile mark by the end of the class (the new Clubsport bikes are great).

Tuesday: Tempo
I intended to get up for weights, but I just didn't sleep well so I decided to tempo after work.  I needed to do 3x2miles at MP, and although my stomach wasn't too happy with this run I actually did okay.  After my run I went to lululemon run for a short and slow 3 miles.  My tempo was...8:02, 7:54, 7:59, 7:58, 8:02, 7:48.

Wednesday: Easy day
Tried to get some weights in, especially for my knees so I hit the gym with some easy cycling and a bit of time on the stairmaster and then I headed home.

Thursday: Track
Had some new track peeps and enjoyed the company of my usual track friends.  We had a long, but fun, set to do 3x(800, 600, 400, 200) with a 200 between intervals and 600 between sets.  My last set was a little lonely, but I made it through all 3:32, 2:43, 1:46, :51; 3:26, 2:37, 1:44, :54, 3:34, 2:42, 1:45, :50.

Friday: Rest
After a long day I was relieved to relax on the couch

Saturday: 18 mile progressive/not so progressive long run
Planned on running with the group and I was going to try and keep up with Scott and Amy, but unfortunately I couldn't keep up and I got a little lost on the route.  The problem was I couldn't find my turn at mile 10 so it ended up being an out and back (this doesn't add up to 18 by the way).  I started running the uphill back to my car and I got an awful feeling deep in my stomach.  I had been running real well up until mile 13 which is where I planned to pick up the pace, but my stomach was a no go and at mile 15 I stopped at the port-o-potty behind SRV High.  I mentally and physically pushed myself through the last 3 grueling miles, I was determined to finish.  At 18 I walked the last two to the car feeling worse and worse with each step.  My stomach decided it was spent and so upon reaching starbucks I threw-up (in the toilet luckily), but I was eager to make it home.  I was useless for the rest of the day.

Sunday: Tae Bo/Hike
I planned on riding, I actually even asked my friend Nicki if she would change days on her training schedule so we could ride Sunday, but after my incident on Saturday, sunday ride was not looking like such a good idea.  Instead I ended up trying out a class at the gym with Laney which was a lot of fun.  After Tae Bo we headed to Sports Basement and then joined her friend Cameo to hike the Lafayette Reservoir.

Now I'm tired, and ready to gear up for WEEK1 of Wildflower Triathlon Training!
Next Event: Waterfront 10Miler

Year End Report...the rundown

I use the website dailymile to record my workouts and every week I get a weekly report of my mileage and every year I get a yearly report and it's here!  I got the e-mail today and this is how I faired
January: 496 miles
February: 312 miles
March: 429 miles
April: 306 miles
May: 176 miles
June: 241 miles
July: 339 miles
August: 256 miles
September: 169 miles
October: 214 miles
November: 142 miles
December: 161 miles

The higher mileage months had more cycling whereas the lower mileage months were more run focused, or maybe more celebration focused since 30th birthday parties, going away parties, and other celebrations nearly killed my training this year.

This brings my total to...3242 miles total for the year and this doesn't count weight classes, pilates or yoga.  Can you tell I spend a lot of hours addicted to working out.  I've gotten off to a strong start this year so I'll have to compare my results come 2013.

Back in the saddle again...training week 9

I wasn't all that great at sticking to my workouts this week, but probably not in the way you think.  I ran a lot more than I should of and I didn't do so much of the weight training, cross training, and yoga that I should have, which caused my long run today to suck, but at least it is a recovery week.  With finals quickly approaching for my students I was boggled down by grading which wore me out and caused an extra impromptu rest day.  The New Year has still gotten off to a great start, but if teachers have a busy season this is mine!

Monday: 9 mile tempo
Even though I had the day off I got up early to run with my friends Amy and Scott and another fellow fomo runner, Mark.  I wanted to get my tempo in since usually I like to start out the first day of the work week early (I want to make sure no one threw a wrench in my plan for the week).  The set was 3x2@Marathon pace.  I went off my half marathon pace which recommended 8:10s so my splits were 8:10, 7:56, 7:54, 7:48, 7:55, and 7:52.  Always great to have great company in the morning!

Tuesday: 5 miles lululemon
I usually try to run on tuesdays not mondays, but I had already committed to Tuesday so I decided to stick with the plan and do an easy 5.  The easy 5 ended up being a fast 3 and an easy 2, but I enjoyed chatting with Laney and Katie.

Wednesday: Rest
I got stuck in a meeting at work and I had been up most of the night picking up my boyfriend and 2 other friends from the airports so I just didn't have the energy to work out.  I ended up picking up some soup and enjoying soup and grilled cheese with an ill boyfriend.

Thursday: Track 3-4x1mile
My stomach was having some problems all day so I was a little concerned with hitting the track.  I was so excited when I had a larger showing this week and even a guest appearance from awesome athlete coach Carrie Chavez of FOMO tuesday morning track.  I had intended to do 4, but after 3 my stomach wasn't doing too hot.  I decided I would do the last one, but break it up into 2x800, I'm glad I did because my shoe came untied so I would have had to stop anyway or run the last 800 with my laces untied.  My splits were 7:03, 7:14, 7:17, 3:42, 3:37.

Friday: Rest
I thought about doing some weights or yoga, but I was worn out and I knew I had 3 hours of riding planned with my friend Nicki on Sat. so I relaxed and went to the movies to see Mission Impossible 3 with Nick.

Saturday: 3 hour ride
Nicki and I met around 9:30 and headed out to do the Collier Canyon Loop according to the FOMO route sheet.  As we were riding I thought the route would be a bit longer than we planned on going so we wound through the gorgeous wineries of Livermore and headed back through Pleasanton.  The wind made the ride tough, but a fantastic 47 mile ride with great company!

Nick wanted to head out for a short run when he got back from a mountain bike ride so I went running with him.  We got 4 miles into our run at about an 8-8:20 pace until my stomach started to hurt.  We ended up finishing with a walk home, especially since I'd put in more miles than I needed to.

Sunday: long run
I had intended to run about 10 to 12 since it is a recovery week, but everything seemed to be wrong with me today.  I met up with Laney in the morning to head out to Lafayette and back.  We headed out at an easy pace, catching up on the week and everything else.  My knees were aching, my stomach was feeling miserable, my body felt exhausted.  I had planned on leaving Laney at 8 miles, but I decided it would be best if I listened to my body and just head home.

This weeks challenge will be to keep with my workouts and get everything graded during finals week!  Plus, my tempo partner is out of town so I need to push myself through tempo Ahhh!

Total Miles: Running: 34
Cycling: 46.88

Next Event: Waterfront 10 Miler

3 down 9 to go...Napa training

I picked up the training in the spin room this week.  I have about 2 weeks before I start leaning toward tri season and 6 weeks before I need to start taking tri training seriously.  I also ventured back out on the trails twice.  All in all a great week and now back to the grind

Monday: Spin and brick run
Headed to the gym with Laney.  I got in a quick warm-up, some stretching and headed to the spin room.  Pushed myself through the class and 54 minutes later I was 15.9 miles deep (the new spin bikes are surprisingly accurate).  Then a short stint on the treadmill and a few reps on the abductor machine.

Tuesday: Track w/ Ralph and Angel and lululemon
Since I'm not working this week I didn't really want to have to host afternoon track on Thursday, especially since most people are out of town and lights are questionable.  I started out strong and then had to push through some stomach cramps...2x(4x800), 3:30, 3:32, 3:35, 3:33, 3:28, 3:32, 3:38, 3:35
Followed by a stretch and relax class at the gym and the grading of papers
Lululemon run: just put in 3 and picked up the pace more than I thought I would
10.14 miles total

Wednesday: Hike w/ Laney and Cameo
Headed to Mt. Diablo open space and went for a 3 mile hike with 6 impromptu hill repeats.  A beautiful day on the mountain.

Thursday: Tempo Run
My tempo partner was out of town for the second week in a row so I mentally prepared myself for 4@tempo pace.  After a 2 mile warm-up I cranked out 7:41 and 7:45 uphill and then 7:27 and 7:28 downhill

Friday: yoga
Didn't want to push my legs the day before my first trail half so I was a yogi for the day stretching it all out.

Saturday: Brazen New Years Eve Half
Woke up bright and early, beautiful but cold morning.  I survived all 1,600ish ft of climbing and finished in 2:06:25, 5th in my AG.  I was pretty proud of myself considering I haven't been trail running lately so I was a little scared about it.
14.21 total

Sunday: New Years Spin and Pilates
I thought about running the Brazen NYD half or 10k and I thought about getting up to cycle, but I chose to sleep in an hour and head to the gym with my favorite instructor.  After a 1 mile warm-up on the treadmill I had my butt kicked!  Cut out 5 mins. early to do a grueling ab workout at Pilates.
1 mile run/17.6 spin/ 1 hour pilates

Total miles this week: 72
Running: 33
Hiking: 3
Cycling: 33

A Brazen good time...new years eve half

My boyfriend was going out of town, my mom is in so cal as are many of my friends and although I could travel I have TONS of papers to grade and kittens to hang out with.  I was browsing through active.com and saw a new years eve race and thought, why not?  I don't have anything else going on and I need to get in 15.  But, I haven't been on the trails in a while (other than hiking) so I was a little nervous as to how my legs/knees would deal with the climbing.

The start

Joe heading out on the paved trail

I woke up at 6 to get my act together and take my boyfriend and a few friends to the airport.  Since the race was real close to the airport I went directly to the race location where I had about an hour to warm-up, use the restroom, and freeze my butt off.  I waited patiently for some familiar faces to arrive and as I waited I figured out that I needed to pick up my timing chip (thank goodness I was being observant).  I guess I was a little too prepared for how much time I had.

Jason and some fellow FOMOs on the trail

After a mile warm-up with friends I realized I needed to decide on my final race outfit.  I was freezing so I played it safe with ear warmers, arm warmers, and leggings.  I don't think I ever actually warmed up either since I wore them almost the whole race.

Aron, Kim and I getting started

We started lining up and then the horn sounded.  I planned on starting with my friends Kim and Aron and so I did.  I enjoyed chatting with them for the first four miles as we winded through the small rollers and around the lake.  Then into mile 4 there is this huge hill and not only is it huge, but steep and difficult.  I was trying not to walk, although I figured I would eventually have to, so I pushed myself running up the first portion of the hill, then I walked for a little while, and then pushed again.  Although I did walk I was proud of how much I managed to run and that I limited myself to only very steep portions.  After the initial massive hill I ran the rest of the way, YAY!

Almost finished

I had gotten a bit ahead of my friends so I decided to push on because I was still freezing cold.  I Made it through some pretty tough and harsh downhills shortly after I reached the top.  These downhills wound through a very shady and green area with sticky mud that reminded me of my favorite trails in Skyline. I was worried about my knees with all the downhill so I tried to just let my body go on the downhill since I figured holding back might do more damage (downhill running is really something I've been working on).  I made it around the whole lake and over some steep rolling hills without stopping and down to the finish line.  Yay!  I finished my first official trail race at 2:06:25 5th in my age group after 1,629 ft of climbing.  After a wonderful morning run I was done freezing and headed home to enjoy a big guilt free breakfast.

If you ever have the opportunity to run a Brazen race I would highly recommend it, I really enjoyed myself and the scenery.
Happy New Year everyone!

Surviving 2011...the last workout

This year has been quite an adventure for me.  I don't tend to make resolutions, but I usually try to set some goals, and although I grew exponentially as an athlete I did have some failures along the way.  So here is the review:

Goal #1: A half marathon PR: The Surf City half marathon
Although I did not plan on trying to PR at this race I was putting in my speed sessions.  Then somehow my more relaxed outlook on this race helped me to successfully crank out a huge time for me...1:41:57

Goal#2: (this is actually 2 in one)An olympic triathlon: Wildflower
Ever since I was in college I always admired the wildflower athlete.  I made it through the difficult course and even managed to slide in right below the 3 hour mark.

Goal #3: A more focused approach to my training
Before this year I really just ran, swam or cycled.  I never really followed a training plan even though I did use training plans to guide me.  I have to say I didn't exactly succeed at this one.  There are many weeks where I pushed myself a lot further than my training plan asked of me and many weeks where I just didn't feel like doing anything and couldn't push myself through.  Not to mention California International Triathlon, Folsom Sprint, and Nike half came after bouts of laziness and 30th birthday parties.  I also strayed away from my training plan for CIM and ended up injured.  I think this also means I need to take my off season seriously no matter how tempting a race may be.

Goal #4: Marathon #2 going sub 4: CIM
I had to pull out of this event after I developed patellar tendonitis, I was bummed, depressed, and annoyed, but I'll be back to tackle this goal in 2012 and maybe at CIM again some year soon.

Goal #5: Improve my lessons and teaching strategies
I really love teaching, but sometimes I feel as though I am falling short.  I took some classes this summer and I reevaluated some of my past lessons to modify and adjust.  I feel as though I started strong at the beginning, faltered, then started strong at the start of a new year, and leveled out going again into the new school year.  This is a reoccurring goal of mine, so hopefully what I was disappointed with this year I'll manage to fix in 2012.

So I finished off the year with an awesome trail half marathon (my first one)!  I enjoyed every minute of it and I'm thinking this may need to be a New Years Eve tradition.  Race report soon to come

Of course now comes my goals for 2012:
Goal #1: Going sub 4 this time at the Napa Marathon, I'm being very careful with my training this time and really hoping my hard work will get me through

Goal #2: Wildflower: I would like to get faster, but I know the elements were really in my favor next year so along with staying sub 3 hours I'd like to make a point of running the whole run course

Goal #3: The half Ironman: I signed up for Vineman and my goal is just to finish

Goal #4: A more focused approach to my training: I've learned from my injury so I'm planning on being better about this

Goal #5: A half marathon PR: I'm thinking sub 1:40, I don't know what course, or when, but I really want this.  It may mean losing a few lbs., but I'm working at this.

Goal #6: Trail Running!  Ms. Kim Cooke got me into trail running this summer and now I really want to push myself to trail more often and in more places

Goal #7: Push myself harder: this is more mental than physical, but it does need work.

Personal Goals:
Goal #8: Improve my lessons and teaching strategies: always ongoing

Goal #9: Positive attitude: I can be real negative and maybe even a b#*$?! at times, I've gotten better at this, but I still can use some work

Goal #10: Lay off the cupcakes: I need to focus more on my health in terms of nutrition this year.  I eat pretty healthy, but I tend to indulge when the opportunity presents itself.  My focus is balance.

Happy New Year everyone!  Here I come 2012!

Events on my calendar:
Waterfront 10 miler
Napa Marathon
Oakland Half Marathon
Wildflower Olympic
Vineman 70.3 Half Ironman