Now THAT'S Training

If I can stay awake until 9:30 tonight I'll consider it a minor miracle. Not much to say except to document some tough tough work today.

We made it to spin class at 7:30 this morning just in time. Bikes were going fast, and a guy who showed up at 7:31 actually got turned away because the class was full. The instructor was awesome -- a triathlete herself, and the class was clearly full of cyclists and triathletes so the entire workout was a solid imitation of a real outdoor ride. During the break between the two classes, we actually contemplated bailing early, but after popping a few Clif Shot Bloks I'm so glad we didn't. First, I got in almost the equivalent of 45miles of riding, which I really needed. Second, I'd have had to live with the fact that I cut out early. Tired and sweaty, we headed home for a hot bath and a nap after a 2:32 ride.

My plan had been to hit the pool this afternoon, something I haven't done in almost two weeks. But Emily called and asked if I'd consider a 6.5mile run with her -- she had one on her schedule but was in need of motivation. Again, I considered saying no. But, I haven't done anything resembling a brick or bike-run day in months, and I knew that I could too easily blow off the swim. Having to meet someone in 45minutes meant no fooling around I was getting another workout in. And, she's just cool, so it would be fun to run with her. I had originally been planning to run with Heather on Sunday, but with Billy coming out from the Academy to spend the day, I knew that wasn't going to happen so this was perfect.

Man, can that woman run!!! They live in super hilly North Arlington, so we ran all over hell and back. Emily chatting the whole time, me gasping for air as I struggled to keep pace and not die as we climbed Military Road. I survived though... 6.5miles in 1:07. Acceptable, but a good kick in the pants. Ten weeks from today until the Kinetic Half. I need to do a LOT of work between now and then. Now if only it weren't supposed to SNOW tomorrow. Seriously, I need to move south.

First though, I need a huge bowl of homemade soup and some quality time with my pillow tonight!

Topsy Turvy Day

Thank goodness for friends, acquaintances and good old-fashioned sweat. After Daniel's supposed last night here, during which he cooked an amazing meal for us, Julie, and Bill, and then at midnight per his request I gave him a haircut with the dog clippers(!), I knew the morning would dawn early. As I walked into work, grabbing a big cup of coffee, it finally hit me that my Granni was gone. That now I didn't have any grandmothers. I suddenly felt very lost and sitting at my desk found myself in tears.

My sister-in-law Connie had emailed me last week that she knew sometimes it takes a while before the reality of death sets in. And I think that because we came back from her funeral and immediately had to get ready for Dan's arrival, I sort of filed it away. Sad, but coping. So this morning, having said goodbye to Daniel and therefore realizing we were moving back into normal day-to-day life, that grief kind of hit. Not just missing my Granni, but also missing my Grandma (who died in 2004) all over again. Two amazing women who played such central roles in my life. My heart aches that I'll never hear their voices call me by their pet names for me. Never feel either of them hug me. Never hear Granni say "I'm nuts about you" or Grandma say "be not afraid" - my little catch phrase with each of them. And I'm sad.

It's something I suppose is to be expected, but not great timing as I was prepping for a big meeting with my client and the characters over at the Pentagon. An email to my uncle, a call to one of my best friends, and a hug from another friend who happened to stick her head in my cube (thanks, KZ!), and I managed to pull myself together without any of the client staff realizing that moments earlier I had mascara leaking down my face. Luckily, the meeting was actually energizing. I enjoy negotiations and it got me in a more positive mood. On the way home, I also talked to Erin and we're both so ready to kick off the new Girls on the Run season next week. I know I was in need of reasons to smile, to shore up the hole in my heart.

Get home, putzing around, and Stuart's phone rings. It's Dan, still at BWI and his flight was cancelled due to weather in Minneapolis (his layover). So, he's headed back to Arlington for one more night with us. Great, no problem. I cry a little bit more to Stuart but then get ready for the =PR= run.

What a surprise -- Amy actually shows up tonight!! (just teasing, since I know she reads this). It was a tough route, but one I'd recommended a month or so ago since it's partially through this really pretty neighborhood that I love. Lots of steady uphills, so no rest for the weary. Amy, Shannon and I ran together, and they wouldn't let me slack. I felt sluggish, and was breathing very hard the whole way -- definitely a tough tempo run. Usually I can always manage to at least come up with a burst of speed for the last block or two sprint back to the store. Not tonight, I just didn't have that extra gear. I hung in there, but it wasn't too pretty! 4.5miles in less than 45min including stops at multiple stoplights, so that's not too shabby I suppose. And, it did help a little bit that it was in the high 50s. So nice to wear capris and just one long-sleeve shirt. 23 days until spring!!!! We're all so psyched that we only have one more run in the darkness before Daylight Savings Time. Yay!!

Home to Stuart, Dan and the dogs, Thai food and the very disturbing "Batman: The Dark Knight" on DVD. They're still watching it as I write this, but I'm already anticipating nightmares from the thriller elements of the first half of the movie, so I walked out midway to write this entry instead.

Emotionally, I think I'm spent today. I have to work tomorrow, but am ready for another weekend. At the same time, I'm filled with gratitude to be surrounded by friends, family and acquaintances who, knowingly or not, are able to buoy me and give me strength when I'm faltering. I know I'll be okay. Today was a reminder that there is a process I need to go through and no matter how hard I try, I can't just put it aside. But, I have faith ("be not afraid"). I have the love of those around me ("I'm nuts about you"). And I have two grandmothers in Heaven right now who helped make me strong, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

Running the Sahara

My friend Andrea, whom I was lucky enough to meet through Trifuel, has been a role model since meeting her a year and a half ago. Not only is she chasing her third Ironman, but she's taken up ultra-running and makes it seem so alluring. She also is constantly taunting/daring/ encouraging me to try one with her some day, but so far I've demurred. But, I've constantly been leery, boy is that a LOT of running, and especially with the tendonitis I've been battling since 2007, even a once-simple marathon seems out of my reach.

Tonight was my standard Thursday night women's run with Potomac River Running, and for the first time in a while I was the slowest one there. Granted, I've missed the last two weeks between Granni's funeral and just emotional/physical exhaustion. So maybe I haven't put in a really hard run since January. But also just that the women there tonite were good, including the newcomer who explained that her slow pace was a 9:30 mile. Amy (the store caboose) stood me up, so I was in for some work to make sure that I wasn't the one who got dropped. Long story short -- thank God for a few traffic lights and the headwinds which had us change our route, I managed to hang on. Accounting for stops at lights, I ended up averaging about a 9:13 pace for the 4.5miles. Dang fast for me!!! I came home frozen, and spent a good twenty minutes in a hot shower trying to thaw out.

Surfing channels with Dan (that's him in the middle between my two nephews in a photo from his visit last May) I saw that Showtime was showing "Running the Sahara", which I'd heard about but never seen. I didn't think we got that channel,but Daniel clicked it just to check, and sure enough, we came in about halfway through the movie. I was instantly entranced. Obviously we missed the beginning where they likely described their motivations and purpose, but instead were thrust right into the middle of the expedition. Watching the emotional peaks and valleys, trying to understand even a fraction of what their minds and bodies were experiencing, the aches from my run just an hour earlier suddenly seemed less acute.

I finished watching with tears rolling down my cheeks, moved by the same emotions I feel watching anything from the Tour de France, to Ironman races, to any demonstration of man pushing the limits of his abilities. A thread on Trifuel the last day or two is questioning triathlon as art. While I don't think of my own training as art (more like plodding along!), I do find beauty in images (whether still or live) of athletes in motion. Is beauty art? If so, the power I find in these images is, to me, art as powerful as the most beautiful scenes in the museums and cathedrals of Europe.

And suddenly, motivation I'd been seeking has presented itself. The power of the spirit to reach beyond the possible. Suddenly, a simple little 60min workout seems like nothing. As I continue to put out there my desire to push my own limits - an Ironman, maybe an ultra run - draw strength from the achievements of others. Why am I seeking these metaphorical mountain tops? What draws me?

Maybe it's the idea that I will someday see my own journey as art. That, in the words of Christina Aguilera, "I am beautiful in every single way". For now, watching others and gaining faith in my own possibilities is enough. And Andrea, don't think that part of that dream doesn't involve joining you at a starting line somewhere and someday!

Sharing a hobby

My stepson Daniel arrived Tuesday evening for a ten day visit from California. Unless you and your folks are best friends, I've found that one of the challenges of adult children visiting their parents is how to spend that "quality time". I know it's something I sort of dread when visiting my own parents -- these are the people that raised you, but you have different lives and different interests. How do you find ways to enjoy time together without always carrying the baggage of childhood with you.

We love Daniel very much and hate that for now he has chosen to establish his life so far away. But, in terms of how we spend our free time, his choices and our's tend to be radically different. And especially with Stuart's shoulder not working right now, things like golf (which was a hobby they used to share together when Dan was younger) aren't an option. So yesterday we proposed that he come to spin class with us. Surprisingly he was game.

We arrived super early to get good bikes (turns out they've redone the cycle room and they're all good now), get Daniel set up, and just get an extra 30min of riding done. It took him about 20 min to get dialed in and comfortable, but he was pretty open minded about it. This wasn't our favorite instructor, but it was kind of fun to watch Stuart and Dan working and sweating side by side. He hung with it through the entire workout, which was impressive for a first-timer.

Afterwards, he kept a positive attitude, but wouldn't commit to doing it once more with us next week before he leaves. Whether he does or doesn't, I know it meant a lot to Stuart (and to me) that he was willing to engage in something important to us. And maybe we gave him a peek into the benefits, fun and endorphins that are involved in healthy lifestyle choices. The real challenge as parents is how to find those of his pasttimes and pursuits that we aren't in conflict about, and engage him. Let him broaden our view into his world.

Is it February...or is it April???

Back and forth to Ohio this week for my Granni's funeral, I was consoling myself that "it's only February". And that while I should be ramping up training soon, it's still that winter base phase, so another few days of poor or missed workouts wasn't a nightmare.

Yesterday though, I made a realization. Since I decided to sign up for an early season half ironman, February is no longer February. Instead, it's more like April or May in that I have a major race only 2-1/2months from now. yikes! With that in mind, I got in a couple of solid training sessions this weekend.

Friday afternoon I snuck over to the pool once we got back from Ohio. Then yesterday, Nick and I got in another awesome 8mile run before a romantic Valentines Day dinner with Stuart. He was just so happy the whole time, a nice steady pace...nothing worth writing home about, but a good distance type of run.

Then today I met up with Emily for a solid bike ride. Dang is it hilly between her house and mine!!! My legs were already hurting from yesterday's run, and as we headed down Sycamore towards the W&OD we both hit these nasty potholes under the overpass. It wasn't until a mile down the road that I realized my water bottle had been ejected. ugh. Luckily we were taking it easy. It was sunny but still cold, and my already raw throat had me gasping for air quite a bit. Despite all that, we put in a respectable 33miles today.

Now at home watching the Tour of California and preparing for another USA Triathlon coaching webinar. I still feel as if there's so much to learn before advertising for clients, but I'm doing everything I can to grab that knowledge with both hands.

Weekend Fun

After last week's busy and tense weekend, this one was awesome. First, Billy's last home swim meet, so my aunt, uncle and youngest cousin Katie came up from NC for the weekend. He did awesome, as usual. He's such an incredible swimmer, and we're going to miss him once he heads to Pensacola this fall for flight school.

In the meantime, much fun seeing Katie, too.

On top of the family fun, it was WARM outside. As in 60+ degrees warm. Saturday before heading to Billy's meet, Nick and I snuck out for another 4-ish mile run. It's about that time of year that I should start wearing my heart rate monitor again, but I've definitley gotten used to running without it.

This afternoon, after they all left, it was time to pull out the road bike. Stuart rode this morning with our neighbor Eric so I was on my own. Shorts, short-sleeved DC Tri jersey and arm warmers. Beautiful weather, and as I'm coasting down our street towards the trail I'm all smiley and cheery. And then I turned west -- to be met head-on by a strong wind. Luckily, it wasn't a cold wind, but it was powerful. And without Stuart to block it for me, I averaged around 13mph for the first hour of my ride. This was supposed to be a longer, aerobic ride and so I chose not to fight the wind, although I am a bit embarassed for my tri club teammates that I was out there toddling along in club gear. I made up for it once I turned around,though. Gotta love a tail wind!

By late in the week it will be back down in the 40s, but this was a great respite from winter. Only about 40 days until spring and only about 90 days until my first half ironman of the season. yikes!

Getting Back in the Groove

After a great start to 2009, January ended with a whimper. Girls on the Run of NoVA is going through some staff and Board transitions, which is always both a scary and exciting time for any organization. As of the 8hr(!) Board meeting this past Saturday, I'm now the Board President. That culminated a week in which I put in probably about 25hrs of GOTR-related time on top of my normal job.

Throw in a quick trip home to see my very ill Granni, and other than Thursday's =PR= run, my body was almost forgetting how to sweat. Yes, I've kept up with the 50 Days of Core, which ends on February 13th, but most of the last week was about remembering to throw down a quick 25 half-asleep crunches before climbing into bed.

After spending yesterday in the cardiac ICU, my alarm went off this morning at 3:45 so that I could catch my 6am flight back to DC. Stuart picked me up at the airport, and fortified by a pre-flight mocha and post-flight vanilla latte, I managed to survive the workday. Getting home I was SO tempted to bag a workout and take a nap. But, my first tri of the season is only three months away. Waiting until April to be serious won't cut it. What do I want to accomplish this year? Am I happy being average? Maybe even if I bust my tail I'll still be middle of the pack, but have I really truly given my all in the past four seasons of triathlon? Then the question is, what am I waiting for? I need to stop dreaming and, like Nike says, Just Do It. The last week or two of GOTR shows that I have the available time, and the self discipline....if it's important enough to me. So, is it? That needs to be the million dollar question as I start to think about 6am workouts. Soon enough the light will come and rides to work will be possible. In fact, I think we're there....I just again need to get in the habit. Winter's not over, but my time for excuses really is.

So buoyed by the near 50 degree weather, I threw on a long sleeve t-shirt and some capris, and Nick and I did an easy 3miles as the sun set. We then tacked on an extra mile walking the neighborhood with a very happy Joe and Ally. Nothing long, or even too terribly taxing, but an acceptable slide back into a routine for now.

25 Things About Me (I know, I'm lame)

Always swore I'd never do this...but since I've added playing on Facebook as one of my hobbies, and 2 people "tagged" me today, I decided what the heck. I needed to do something entertaining and mindless to decompress for a few minutes today. And since I wrote them once, I figured I'd share them here, too.

So, things about me...
1. I got glasses in kindergarten...they were bifocals.

2. I skipped the first grade (not an easy social experience for a nerdy kid wearing bifocals!).

3. Together with my brother, we are godparents to our youngest cousin, Katie. She's awesome.

4. One of my great loves is coaching Girls on the Run.

5. I'm also a USA Triathlon certified triathlon coach.

6. I love to cook, but am a terrible baker.

7. Although I did make and present dessert once to the President's National Security Advisor.

8. I was the intramural racquetball champion at my university two years in a row.

9. My first car was my grandfather's 1976 sky blue Chevy Caprice convertible. I loved it!

10. I'm left-handed, but use a computer mouse, scissors and corkscrew right-handed.

11. Although I've intensively studied Russian, German and to a lesser extent Italian, I'm not currently proficient in any of them.

12. I still have a bottle of wine from a tasting in an underground winery in Moldova.

13. My road bike and triathlon bike both have names.

14. I have a not-so-secret crush on pro triathlete Craig Alexander.

15. But I still love my husband more than I ever thought it possible to love someone. (he's very understanding of #14)

16. I think my springer spaniel Ally might be my psychic twin.

17. I developed a seizure disorder when I was 26.

18. When I had my last seizure five years ago, I was driving and totaled my car.

19. I've developed a love of gardening, and we had our first organic vegetable garden last summer.

20. Other than me, no one knows whether I voted for McCain or Obama.

21. The two major personal goals I have right now are to complete an Ironman and find a way to live abroad for some period of time.

22. When we first met, my husband thought I was married to my brother.

23. I shattered my own tooth playing tennis by hitting myself in the face with my racquet.

24. I also broke my finger playing field hockey, and have matching gear scars on both my legs from falling over on my bikes.

25. I owned a hot pink bowling ball as a kid, and it now serves as a white-trash garden ornament in my vegetable garden.

Spin Class Redux

Now that I've showered, eaten (awesome omelets a la Stuart) and had a nap, I'm ready to think rationally about today's workout.

The planned workout today was a 3hr bike ride, which I knew wasn't going to happen either outside or on the trainer. Best we could hope for was to drag ourselves out of bed and do the 8:30 and 10am spin classes back to back, shooting for at least 2 and 1/2hrs. We succeeded in obeying the alarm clock, and were on the spin bikes and pedaling away by 8:20. Good start! First hour was pretty good - a motivating instructor, someone who acknowledged that she was a cyclist and therefore did cycling-like workouts. I held back a bit, knowing I had a much longer workout scheduled than the instructor did, and redlining it for the first hour would make the next 90min sheer hell. Holding back didn't mean soft-pedaling, though...my quads were burning by 9:30.

First class over, all but one other girl cleared out. Stuart and I took quick turns refilling our water bottles and popped a couple of shot bloks with a nice Zone 2 effort.

Second instructor arrives, this class is much more full than the previous one. She asks if anyone minds if we use an 80s mix. I'm a little skeptical, but what the heck. First song comes on and it's "Kyrie Eleison", which I happen to love and is on my iPod. So, I'm smiling. The hour goes really quickly - she actually chose a great selection of music, but I'm less than thrilled with her. To me, when the instructor says "On a scale of 1-10, with 10 as the toughest, spin at a 5." Ok, I'm there. "Now, crank it to an 8 and speed up! Now to a 10. And then harder still!". Um, wasn't 8 supposed to be really damn hard, and 10 has me about to die and fall off my bike? Then how come you are still spinning at 90rpm and you want me to go even harder than 10 which is supposed to be the hardest amount of resistance I can still pedal against? We decided on the way home that instructor girl wasn't very good at faking working hard, or at understanding what a RPE scale is about.

In any event, we survived the second hour. Didn't get the full 3hrs, but I did the equivalent of 40-something miles of biking. And boy are we feeling it! This is the longest nonstop ride I've done since October. A good kick in the pants that I have a half ironman in less than 4 months.

What a Week

Somehow, 168hrs have gone by since I last wrote here. I say somehow because life feels like it's at breakneck pace right now - if I had the time to write, there's lots to say. Lots of stuff at work, which is good. I mean, if you have to be there for 40-ish hours per week of your life, it might as well be productive time, right? I've had my share of jobs/projects where, due to my efficiency or just the project itself, I spent way too much time twiddling thumbs, dreaming of how I'd be spending that time if I weren't stuck at a desk for an arbitrary amount of time.

On top of that, the days are ticking until I officially assume my role as president of the Board. It's mean interviews, meetings, strategic planning, and EMAILS beyond all comprehension. Seriously, like 50 a day. In addition as an example, I had a meeting Friday after work, one yesterday afternoon, one today, and a conference call tomorrow night. Luckily, as I get to know individual Board members bit by bit, overall it seems like a good group of smart, passionate people to be working with. I don't expect this tempo to last, but while it does it's definitely going to challenge my multi-tasking and self discipline skills!

Surprisingly, I've actually managed to fit most (not all) of my scheduled workouts in. Enough that I feel like I haven't totally slacked. 2 swims, 2 bikes (including a 2-1/2hr spin session this morning), 2 runs, 2 strength sessions and 7 days of core. That's right, happily I'm still on track for the 50 Days of Core challenge. When the abs reach the breaking point, I'll dial it back to a simple 25 or 50 reps for a day or two...basically enough to keep the streak but still have a recovery day. I'm not sure I'm seeing a change, but I can definitely feel things happening under all that "adipose tissue". And, maybe it's just a placebo effect, but my swimming seems to be improving, too. My stroke count is dropping and I at least feel faster when I'm in the pool.

All is good. Few complaints. But apologies to readers for an even less introspective set of posts than prior....time for deep thinking is probably one of the victims of my current schedule.

Stay warm....eight weeks until the official start of spring!!

A Surprising Run and a Surprise

Saturday afternoon I waited until the temperature had reached the warmest part of the day -- warm being relative since it was only 21 degrees. Nonetheless, I wanted to get a run in, so I put on fifteen layers of clothes and headed out the door. It was too cold for Nick, so just me and my iPod. I told Stuart that my goal was somewhere between 5 and 8miles, but that I expected it to be very slow and much of it would likely be walking.

Living right off the trails, I can head in virtually any direction and get a decent workout in. My plan initially had been to do the 5-mile "Columbia Pike" out and back, and then if I felt like it head in the other direction for the 3-mile "Van Buren" out and back. As I headed towards Columbia Pike, I suddenly got nervous that I was biting off more than I could chew, and took the detour for the 5K "Bluemont Trail" out and back, figuring that I could do 6miles if I also went to Van Buren. But when I returned and could have turned right towards the shorter run, I realized I was feeling good, so headed left to continue the 5-mile route.

Slow and steady I jogged along, and after completing that 5-mile loop (now 7 thanks to the Bluemont addition), and decided to start towards Van Buren and see what happened. But after a few minutes, I realized the sun was setting, and that while I could have done a 10-mile run, 8 was probably sufficient and so turned towards home.

EIGHT MILES!!! And it felt great! I haven't run that far since the half marathon with Erin last October. Not quite as far as the time that coach called for, but still the longest run I've had in ages. I'm paying for it now, though. Once I thawed out and came down from the runner's high, I realized last night how sore I was from that jump in mileage. Not sure how today's bike session will go as a result, but I'm feeling good.

Before that though, I need to pull my yummy pumpkin muffins out of the oven and prepare for a Board committee meeting. The other surprise is that, as of yesterday morning, I am the new president of the Board of Directors of Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia. I'm excited and honored to have the role, but also a bit overwhelmed as this is a critical crossroads in the organization's growth. And a 10am on a Sunday meeting is a pretty good indicator of that.

Coldest Night in Ten Years

That's what I heard on the radio tonight on my way home from the pool. It's already only 10 degrees, and should be potentially close to zero by the time the sun rises tomorrow morning. This is ridiculous. I mean, Virginia fought as part of the South in the Civil War. South means warm, right? So why the heck is it 10 degrees here!?!?!?

Despite the Minnesotan cold, the =PR= run last night rocked. Amy (the official caboose) couldn't make it, so I unofficially took on the role and ran with Christie, who only started running this past August. We ran through the neighborhoods of Maywood and Cherrydale, so it was fun to see all the architecture and keep ourselves distracted from the wicked Arlington hills. And tonight I almost bailed, but managed to drag myself to the Wakefield pool for a 60min swim session. Yorktown was closed due to a high school swim meet, so I drove down to South Arlington and hopped in. 100WU, 10x50 kick, 4x300 easy, CD. It actually felt pretty good, and it was fun to watch the Wakefield swim team practicing. The down side is that even though I brought a change of clothes, the one block walk to my car was horrible. The tip of one of my fingers burned for over an hour -- seriously, I think it was a mild case of frostbite!

I'm working from home Monday and Tuesday, so my plan is to spread the workload over the next four days. Which also means I should have the time to log in a pretty goodly number of hours of workouts. Stay tuned on that one.

"What It Takes"

If you do triathlons, you've probably already heard of or seen or own this movie. What It Takes came out a few years ago, and is a documentary following the 2005 season of four pro triathletes. Stuart and I own both the movie and the spinner edition, and pull them out during winter as entertainment and motivation while stuck on the trainer.

Today was actually not bad out - high 30s and partly sunny. I could have ridden outside, but just wasn't feeling the cold weather. Yesterday's run with Nick was sufficient outdoor time for one weekend. Plus, for some reason I woke up thinking about that movie (probably because I had a very weird triathlon dream). Anyway, after watching the last part of some cheesy Jean-Claude Van Damme movie, I popped it in to make my Zone 2 aerobic trainer ride less boring. I got about half way through before cutting the ride a bit short (sorry, coach!) but am now eagerly looking forward to Tuesday's interval session to get through the second half.

Estimated 21miles on the bike trainer (based on time and effort), plus another 275reps of core work made for a decent Sunday.

And 2009 is underway...

That's right. No more of this "oh, I'm in the off season." "Nah, I'll leave that heart rate monitor at home and just meander." "Not so much feeling like a workout today. And that's okay because I'm in the off season."

Nope. Nada. Over with. Last night I plunked down almost $140, and another $140 for Stuart on our first half ironman of the year. That's right -- our first. As in, rather than going for a full IM this year all at once, I decided to break it into two. 2007 was HIM #1 down at Ironman 70.3 Cancun. 2008 was all about Rhode Island 70.3. This year, if all goes according to plan, I'll be crossing the finish line of TWO half ironman races -- the Kinetic Half here in Virginia in May, and then the Ironman Augusta 70.3 in September down in Georgia. With a few other races and fun stuff thrown in the mix. We originally had planned on the White Lake Half in NC instead of Kinetic, but time and money seemed to make the local race make more sense. A few DC Tri clubmates have also promised that they're signing up, so it'll be a fun day albeit a bit more hilly than the flatlands of rural NC.

And if all of that goes well....well, on August 31st I'll be online with my credit card in hand for the big one. Stay tuned to that sidebar listing my 2009 races. Right now it says Tentative, but there are definitely changes afoot.

So, a few more weeks to go in the off-season training plan, and then it's time to really buckle down under the direction of a new coach. One way or another, 2009 is gonna be a BIG year.

Post-Christmas Blues

Cadets at West Point call it "Gloom Period". Mids at the Naval Academy call it the "Dark Ages". I just say it sucks. To me, it's that timeframe between taking down the Christmas tree and seeing the first signs of daffodils and azaleas blooming. And yesterday we took down the tree. Somehow I always seem to trick myself into thinking that it means winter is almost over. Wrong. The holidays are over. Winter...gray, gloomy, windy, cold winter has another 2-1/2 months to go. Every year I begin to daydream about changing careers just to get myself closer to the equator. What would it take to relocate south -- even a little bit to someplace like Norfolk/Va Beach, or even further south to the Carolinas or Tampa. Most of the time, I know it's just a day dream, but every now and then I page through the real estate pages or peruse my company's job openings to see what options *might* be lurking. It's like playing the lottery, you can't win if you don't play.

Anyway, it took every ounce of motivation to suit up and head out the door with Nick for a 5-mile run, and by the end I was glad I did. Poor Nick has been neglected as a running buddy lately. Between the various races, travel for Christmas, and the Thursday =PRR= runs, I haven't put much time in with him, and I know he's been sad about it. He was so joyous yesterday. We didn't move fast, I even stopped and walked just to look around for a bit, and he was pulling as if to say "C'mon, Mom. I don't get this much anymore. I want to enjoy it!". I'm starting to see a few more white hairs on his muzzle, and I know that our days of running together are probably numbered. Ally hasn't run with me in over two years and I still really miss her when I have to leave her behind. The day when I have to leave all three dogs at home because they are too old and infirm to run will really make me sad. In the meantime, I need to remember to look for these opportunities to give him that joy. I may tri for joy, but Nick runs for joy.

As for me, race registrations are starting to open, which means my 2009 season is coming together. I'm throwing in a few dates to volunteer, or go cheer for friends as well. And, my catalogues from Cook's Garden and Burpee Seedee are starting to arrive, so I can begin to plot out my even bigger and better garden for this year. It may be winter, but I need to remind myself that the sun still shines and the work I do now is laying the groundwork for a stronger, healthier and happier 2009.

2009 Off to a Good Start

My coldest ride ever -- we met up with Bill and Julie when the thermometer was still reading only 28 degrees. yikes! Luckily the sun was shining, and trying to hang on to the wheels of three speedsters got me warmed up pretty quickly. We'd agreed on a 30mile laid-back ride, and when we got to the Reston turn-around, it seemed appropriate to stop off at Starbucks. I got Stuart and Julie to pose for a pic while Bill was taking care of business on the side of the trail! ;-)


I've never been a big coffee drinker, but have somehow acquired the habit in a minimal way this year. Last winter, Annie who is a super awesome Girl on the Run, gave me a Starbucks giftcard as a thank you at season's end but I never used it. This fall, though, I pulled it out and started getting into those tall-skim-no-whip-gingersnap-lattes and other holiday tasting treats. And Stuart and I have made it a habit to grab Starbucks on our way to the farmer's market every Saturday. But between the cold and the need for caffeine to give me some extra "juice" for the ride home, I gulped down TWO coffees during that 30min break.

Needless to say, when we headed back to the trail, we were all shivering. Our sweat had dried so we were cold, our fingers and toes were burning. Time to really up the pace. Although the three of them did eventually temporarily drop me, we were rocking at 22-23mph there for awhile.

It took a while to thaw it, and still get in a few reps for my 50 Days of Core -- I haven't missed a day yet, but no sign of that six-pack abs. :-) We finished the day with Julie's awesome chili and some wine while watching Penn State lose the Rose Bowl. Too bad for the Nittany Lions, but a good way to start the new year for the rest of us!

Fairfax "Sorta" Four Miler

"So Tamara, what are you guys doing New Year's Eve? There's this new race out in Fairfax at 7pm that night, wanna join us?" Sure, why not. We've had athletically-inclinded New Year's before. On December 31st 2002, we played tennis that afternoon before heading out to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants where Stuart made a magical resolution to love me forever. We didn't have any other plans, so we signed up for the Fairfax Four.

Needless to say, we ended up running an altered course in brutal conditions. High winds, with gusts up to 50mph had downed power lines along the original route, and the winds were continuing as we arrived at the running store to pick up our packets. I've never dressed so heavily for a race (or even a regular run) in my life. Running tights and running pants. Fleece lined long-sleeve running shirt. Heavy fleece Nike running jacket. Fleece and wind-resistant Lands End vest (hadn't planned on wearing this in the race, but am glad I did). Ear warmers and gloves completed the oh-so-attractive ensemble. Kayla got a shot of the now familiar running crew huddled inside before the race.
What the race director neglected to mention, or maybe he did but I didn't hear, was that the revised race course was 4 1-mile loops. 4 HILLY 1-mile loops.

I started with Nikki and Michelle hoping to pace myself to a slowly building run, but instead went out way too hard for not knowing the course length or composition. But ego wouldn't let me stop. I'd forgotten to start my watch, so had no idea how fast I was running, but my HRM would later tell the story.

At about the halfway point of the third lap, the tendonitis started to flair up so I slowed a touch and hobbled, willing it to hold together for that last lap or so. And somehow it did. The last mile I just kept saying to myself "you're just running around the block. Run faster. It's just a jog around the block." As I stumbled across the finish line, I heard Stuart, Kayla and Erin calling my name. They surrounded me with congratulations, but I was too busy trying not to hurl to really enjoy the knowledge that I'd run about a :38min race. Totally awesome!

Erin and I got in line to turn in our timing chips and get our finishers sweatshirts, Kayla went back to the finish line to wait for Nikki and Michelle, and Stuart headed off to find hot chocolate for all of us. I glanced down at the heart rate stats on my watch, and learned that my average heart rate was 171bpm. Unreal. No wonder I was hurting.

But, what a great way to end the year and ring in a new one. Doing something healthy and sweaty together with friends. If you look in my drawers and my closet, I own more Coolmax than silk, more spandex than lace. Bodyglide and Heart rate monitor gunk share space on my sink with my makeup bag. But that's who I am. I might not be fast. I still lack in self-discipline. I still wonder if I have reached the limits of my potential, but I don't think so. I am an athlete. Most of the people I spend my time with are athletes. They are men and women I admire and respect. People I try to emulate. People I occasionally hope that I can inspire or encourage as well. And so to end 2008 running with my husband and a great group of women, and know that I'm starting 2009 with a bike ride with Stuart and some dear friends, I know it's indicative of my values and priorities. May all have a blessed and happy 2009 filled with those things and people that matter the most to you.

6yrs ago tonight, he promised to make me

the happiest woman in the world if I would

marry him. So far, he's succeeded.

50 Days of Core

Another nutty sadist at Trifuel has put forth a new challenge. 50 days of core extending from December 26th through February 13th. The rules look like this:

Rules:
1. 100 reps = 1 point.
2. 1 minute of timed exercises (planks etc.) = 25 reps.
3. Core specific exercises only. Abs, obliques, lower back.
4. Begin Dec. 26 and end Feb. 13.
5. You are NOT out if you miss a day, but the goal is to work the core for 50 straight days.

I ended up not doing the 30/30 December challenge, but I'm all over this. I noticed a real difference in my cycling and swimming last season after upping my core work early in the spring, but then let it tail off a bit in the thick of summer. So this is a great way to get back into the habit. Presuming I don't make myself sick from the pain!! Some of these guys are putting up 600reps a day. I just returned from the gym where I painstakingly hit 200 for the first time. The last few days it's been about 100 or so reps. Again, not a bad starting place.

Obviously, with my self image issues I'm not posting a "before" pic, but I am going to take one, and look at it often as a reminder to myself. If I can see a significant difference between now and February, maybe I'll share both of them here.

In the meantime, as a way to suck up even more of the time I should be using for training, last night I got suckered into getting a Facebook account. Why is this necessary? Don't I already know all of these people, and those I want to know or be friends with currently already have my contact information? Is there a reason that I want that mean cliquey girl from fourth grade to track me down and "Friend" me twenty five years later? Seriously, I'm not sure what made me break down and do this, and yet I spent all day at work wondering if any of my "friend requests" had been accepted and knowing I had to wait to get home to my own computer to check. I might need to ration my time. If you find me online there, write on my wall and remind me I'm supposed to be training!

Muddy Buddy

Yes, there is a race series of this name, but it's just as real when you're riding behind your husband on a muddy, wet trail. We decided to take advantage of the 65 degree weather and get out on our bikes early this morning. I sported my cute new Terry hot pink mandarin jersey and a pair of shorts. We weren't the only ones taking advantage of the mild winter weather, and the trail was occupied but not crowded with runners and bikers. Unlike years past, where I felt the need to hammer the whole way, from the get-go I told Stuart to surge ahead while I meandered and enjoyed low HR base work. But for a long stretch, he stuck with me and did the pulling, resulting in more than a bit of roadspray headed my direction. Although the weather was warm, we were dealing with wind gusts upwards of twenty miles per hour, so rather than fight them, I embraced the slow pace and contemplated the year I've had and the year I want in 2009.

Surprisingly, although I feel as though I worked harder, I actually put in fewer hours than in 2007. That doesn't make me happy, even though the race results were better. So, that's feeding in to my thought process and goal setting this week. Frankly, work will likely be a bit on the slow side the next few days, so that should lend itself to some soul searching and serious goal setting.

In any event, we had a great ride. Stuart found a "long cut" off the trail to take us on city streets rather than dealing with the stop and go of the last few miles of the trail. From there, we took a detour through the streets of North Arlington, to show him a neighborhood I found, in the event we ever decided to move that I'd be interested in watching. Our plan had been to stop at Starbucks for a few peppermint mocha lattes, but I was sweating bullets, and it seemed not quite as compelling. Maybe next weekend. There were more than a few hills tossed into the last 6 or 7 miles of our ride, so a cold glass of water was a bit more compelling at that point.

Overall, about 26miles. Slow pace, but for late-December, an acceptable workout. Got home to find my bike and my face spattered in mud, the price I pay for drafting off Stuart in the strong headwinds. Twelve hours later, my quads are burning and I'm ready for bed, but pleased to know that the true off season is over and the groundwork is being laid for a strong and successful 2009.

Christmas in Ohio

After days and days of cold and rain, we just spent a beautiful 60-degree day in the car driving 400miles from my parents' house in Ohio back home to DC. But, I suppose it's better than having to drive through that cold and snow and ice.

Anyway, I hope Christmas and the Santas in your life were good to you. We had a fun visit with my parents, brother and both of my grandparents, as well as a few hours with my aunt and uncle who drove up from Cincinnati. Lots of photos by the Christmas tree, good wine and way too much rich food courtesy of my dad's great cooking. He's an amazing cook, but doesn't believe in finding healthy alternatives for recipes that call for lots of butter or cream. So we'll be working off those calories for a while!!

Luckily, between my parents, my granni and my wonderful husband, I have no excuse not to be running and biking in warm weather AND cold. I'm awash in cold weather biking tights, jerseys, and a very pretty little balaclava number for those really cold days (not to mention some adorable warm weather things that now have me so ready for sunshine and tri season)!

Twice we bundled up and headed out for a cold winter run while we were there. Both times, back home before anyone else was even up. We passed horses, deer, and even a sign at a drivethru carry-out proclaiming "Cigs buy 1 get 1, and Huntin Licenses here". Ah, rural life! I've been fighting a cold all week, so the cold Ohio air was also a great way to hack up a lung and clear out my sinuses. According to the New York Times, that's the right tack to take, as opposed to staying at home and relying solely on chamomile tea and honey to make you feel better.

My family tends to go a little overboard at Christmas, so presents are a-plenty, and since my brother tends to sleep until noon, we don't even start unwrapping until nearly 1pm. As a result, gift giving and receiving is a day-long affair. Stuart claims this photo taken during present time is the best picture ever taken of me. It's not too late for Santa to take back his presents and put coal in his stocking! And considering his big gift was the finisher's jacket from IM Florida, I think he'll be reconsidering his commentary from now on. :-)

The boy dogs behaved well at the kennel, actually better than Ally did at my parents this year. She looked beautiful, but was way too neurotic. Now that she's starting to lose her sight and hearing and sense of smell, it's way too easy to lose track of me in my parents' house. So a few scratch marks and accidents later, she too survived the trip.

It was fun, but it's always good to be back in your own home. Time to unpack, get a quick workout in and settle in to a college bowl game tonite. Tomorrow's supposed to be 60 degrees again before the rain hits, so I see a bike ride in my new threads on tomorrow's agenda!!