How is a pregnancy like an Ironman

Soooooo you probably knew this post was coming.  I mean come on I don't get to do race reviews or brag about how I rode x# of miles and puked up a new gel that I tried, or how that cool new race gear has made my life so much easier but I still need to distract myself, so why not write about this.  I'm only 8 WEEKS away from the finish line!!!!  I've been meeting with prospective pediatricians instead of running buddies and my brain is itching for some competition not baby talk but so instead I'll bide my time..

What does Ironman and Pregnancy have in common?

* Months in advance you have thought about the possibility of completing such a daunting and strenuous task but deep down you still aren't quite sure if you can truly do it. 

* You talk about should I do it shouldn't I for a while and drive people nuts.

* Out of no where it happens you are signed up and have to start training, you hope that last bout of going out happened before there was any chance of side effects...

* Should I use the Galloway/Bradley method?

* There is some nausea and dizziness as your body gets use to the new strains and types of fuels.  You have doubts if you can make it through many more months of this (Phase I) build phase.

* Then you hit Phase 2 you have a surge of confidence because you are all of a sudden feeling better, got your energy back, full of positive feelings, start letting yourself think this isn't so bad I can do this!!!

* Phase III Nerves start to kick in, what was I thinking!?!?  Am I ready for this?  My life is going to change forever!!  Did I do enough to prepare? 

*  Do I cheat or go drug free?  (Ok, Ok, I'm KIDDING) It's not cheating for pregnancy just for sports..... but you get what I meant, the decision has to be made...

*  Do I need a coach or can I do this solo?

* Gear check, pack my bag, what will I need for race day?  Who's going with me?


* Ready or not........  Ready, set, go!

* Finishing feels so good that you forget all the pain you just went through (I hope so one of these I've done twice and one of these I have yet to experience for the first time!)

* You get some pretty awesome bling at the finish line!!  And brag and brag and brag until people are sick and tired of hearing about it.  So do I get a t-shirt too? :-)

Any of these t-shirts would work:

Do you ever find yourself comparing things to your races?  Even if it may seem a little inappropriate?

Running on Campus....

Since I work at a University I spend a lot of time on campus and it ends up being where I get some of my workouts in.  My 5k class is for staff but we run at the field just outside of the campus gym, it's perfect because it's well lit at night (luckily with daylight savings this weekend that won't be a problem anymore) and it's 1/2 mile each time around.  Well I usually get there before my class because I get off work earlier and I do my own run while I'm waiting.  The other day I had to laugh as I was running because I so often fool myself into thinking I could still pass for a college student then it's times like this I'm reminded, nope probably not!

 

As the college girl passes me smelling all fresh and clean and like she actually bathed just to go for a run, wearing perfectly matching outfit that even matches her shoes, full makeup, shorts so short I'm pretty sure you can't wear underwear with them, and a perky ponytail (did you think I was going to say something else?) that bounces with every step.....

I think I remember those days when I actually use to "get ready" to go workout! :-)  Now it's been about 10 years since I've been out of college, I'm not single, and to top it all off I'm now pregnant.  So I consider myself "put together" if I manage to find a shirt that doesn't make my eyes water when I sniff the armpits, and have matching socks and my shoes on the right foot.  My ponytail is usually falling to the side before I even get one lap in and I'm wearing wind pants that I've owned for over 10 years!  Remember when Adidas first came out with the 3 stripe wind pants?  Yup those!

Dear Hubs, I promise I'll put more effort back into how I look in about 9 months 2-3 years?  Ok so I still make an effort sometimes.  :-)

What's your favorite running item?  Do you have matching outfits or do you grab whatever is available?  Was going to the gym ever a social event for you?

Winter has arrived, or has it? & Happy Friday!

I'm torn between being excited and being horrified......  I LOVE WINTER because I LOVE SKI SEASON, but we are supposed to have our first freeze tonight and it is going to be sooooooo COLD for my 100 mile bike ride tomorrow!  So I"m a little scared.  I haven't even winterized my swamp cooler or turned on the heater, I'm pretty sure I haven't turned the drip system off for the few plants I've managed to keep alive, and my dog hasn't even grown in her winter coat, I still haven't switched over my closet from summer clothes to winter clothes (yes I have to do this ever since my husband moved in with me and wouldn't let me keep my monopoly in the closet), I could keep going.  What if my fuel freezes while I'm on my ride?  Ok I'll quit being a big baby and just deal!  Now I have to say I am definitely ready for Ironman training to be over and ski training to being (weight lifting).  I don't mind running in the winter, actually I prefer it.  But swimming and biking during winter is a whole nother story for me!!  So come on Ironman let's do this so I can enjoy winter.

Who's watching the Ironman Special on NBC this weekend!?!???  I'm super sad I don't think we'll be done with our bike ride in time and I don't have a way to record it.... :-(

Happy Friday!


Yes, it's Friday so yes,it's simple humor...


Do you run through the winter, outdoors or indoors?  I love running in the snow!

Don't forget about my giveaway HERE!  Chances are good you'll win! 

Personal Ad

You know those dating sites like FitnessSingles well do you ever wish they had a sight like that but to find active friends?  No? Just me?  Well as those of you who read my blog know I am married and not in need of a dating website but sometimes you need to hang out with someone other than your husband, admit it no matter how much you love each other it’s always good to have other people in your life.  I mean if not you’d never have anything to talk about because the other one is always there experiencing the same things right?  But I’m afraid my ad would get to specific because I’m that neurotic :-)  Is it possible that I’m pickier about my friends than I was about picking a soul mate?  JUST KIDDING!!!!  

So I thought what would it read like.

Searching for female friends between the ages of:  mature enough not to think that a night out dancing and slamming redbulls and vodkas is a good workout and any age above that

Enjoys hiking, running, cycling, swimming, skiing, extreme sports, likes to workout on the weekdays after work and on weekends in the morning

And sometimes I might need one of these

Lives with-in 15 minutes of me (in case an emergency run is needed or so we can exchange dog sitting duties when the other one is going to a race or ski trip)

Likes to talk about themselves just enough to let me catch my breath while running but not enough to where I get cold during the cool down cause we’ve been standing there so long.

Bonus: has an active significant other that can keep mine distracted while I train for stuff like the Ironman!

Too much?  Ok Ok I was just having some fun…  How do you meet friends that have the same interests as you?

Fears Survey, Just for Fun!

With hitting my peak training I need a distraction from time to time so I thought I'd look up a fun survey.  This one is a Fears survey where you answer would you ever?

1.  Touch a snake

Yes, several times.  growing up I was fascinated with snakes. 

2.  Ride in a hot-air balloon

Yes, several times.  I'm from the Land of Enchantment and it's one of our #1 tourist attractions.

3.  Sky dive

Apparantly yes, we'll find out for sure this SUNDAY!!!!

4.  Scuba dive
Yes, except it hurts my ear too much!  I took my first class and used all the gear but it hurt due to a previous busted ear drum so I now only snorkel. :-(

5.  Sing in front of a huge audience

Yes, if I have to but trust me you don't want me too!  I always wanted to sing and when the vocal coach tells your mom I should explore other hobbies that's never a good sign!

6.  Sit in the front of a roller coaster
Yes, I did this but not by choice, I am scared to death of roller coasters but I don't let that stop me from trying.  I eventually get sick and have to stop but at least I go until I can't....

7.  Walk through a graveyard alone at night

Sure why not, but I don't really see the point.  In my small town where I grew up you could be hiking the back country and run across an old grave too!  They didn't always have graveyards!

8.  Join a space mission

Ha!  This is funny because I found out later in life that my mom always wanted either my brother or I to become an astronaut!!  I said "Ohhh that explains why you were always sending us to space camps! And I just thought it was fun!"  So yes, if I had the opportunity I would do it just to make my mom happy, heck the simulated missions were fun! :-)

9.  Call off a wedding

Hmmmm, I'm not sure I get this one.  How about just not start the planning if you aren't sure?  I thought I'd never get married, yet I did because I found the right person that was enough to convince me it wouldn't be that scary... Either that or he was just stubborn enough not to leave until he made me see his way...

10.  Walk naked through a crowded city
I have dreams about his all the time.  So apparently the answer is yes if I was late for a race I would run naked to make it to the start on time!!!

12. Disarm a bomb
If I had the right training and it was my job of course, but if not I'll leave that stuff to McGiver or Bruce Willis!

13.  Clean the outside windows on a skyscraper
Does this answer the questions?

 14. Go on tour with a rock band
 Oh that would be awesome!  But I'd probably just be a roadie so not so glamorous!

15.  Go skinny dipping in mixed company

Again if I had to for a race!


How about you?  Are there any of these you wouldn't do?

PMS vs. Bad Training Day

So often you hear husbands/boyfriends etc complain about having to “put up with” PMS but I believe crankiness from a bad training day is a much bigger risk and this happens to both sexes.  Now what happens if both happen to fall on the same day?  I am not responsible for that one! 

      Here are some signs Ironmates can look out for:

       

     1. You hear the keys jingling uncontrollably as they panic to get in the door, the door flies open as they run by throwing sunglasses, mp3 player, keys and run straight to the bathroom.  Be careful at this point they may not even remember to close the bathroom door.  Your best bet is to leave the house for a couple of hours and wait for everything to clear.  Also do not offer to do the laundry that week in case they earned their SMP sticker.

      2.  You come home and see a bike lying on the garage floor, you walk a little further and see a cracked helmet (at this point you start to panic) then you see shoes thrown, and just as you are about to call 911 you see your missing rider sitting on the back porch step with their head in their hands.  No they did not just have an accident instead they had a flat, followed by a nutrition malfunction, a bonk, being dropped, puking and all during a peak training week which caused them to throw a temper tantrum when they got home.  Remedy: give them some advil, a bowl of carbs, and send them to the shower.

  

      3.       You hear a barely audible sob or you walk in to see their eyes wide open in dismay then you hear the beep of scale turning off.  Oh Oh they are about to have an “I’m not at race weight!” moment.  Instead of saying what you’re thinking “Is 1-2 lbs really going to make you that much faster? Come on it’s not like you’re a pro”  or  “Come on have a slice of pizza I think you look great”  just slowly back away and make sure they don’t see you.  Don’t bring it up ever and possibly take the batteries out of the scale for a couple of weeks.             

      

      4.      You get the call.  “Can you come pick me up?” Just say yes ask for exact location and give them an estimated time of arrival.  Once they are in the car it’s best not to speak.   Give them some advil, a bowl of pasta, and send them to the shower.

      5.      Race Day.  Don’t take anything they say personally, they are a ball of nerves and aren’t thinking clearly.  The more seasoned triathlete knows how to mask their emotions with that teeth grinding smile and an overzealous wave that says if I wave hard enough and smile big enough they will think I’m fine.  But there may be bouts of crankiness for no apparent reason especially right before the race and if they think they are not leaving the house on time or if you forgot something at the house that is not race related for the love of all that is holy leave it! 

          

          Happy Training!  And a special thank you to all of you Ironmates out there that have put up with us!

It's finally Friday!

I'm almost too exhausted to do a celebration dance but I am ecstatic that it is finally Friday!  Trust me I'm dancing inside! :-)


So I finished the week off with having to get a ride home from a co-worker because my bike went flat for the 2nd time that day as I tried to get home and I ran out of air in my CO2 cartridge.  I am thankful I have good friends!  On a positive note I did make it to Diva Night at a local sporting goods shop and helped talk up our local running club and the upcoming Women's 5k!

So have any of you heard of this book?

 Don't let the cover scare you away.  It's lots of fun and ideal for many different situations.  For example, road trips!  You know when you have to drive to a race and you have so much time to kill that you start to get pre-race jitters?  Well entertain everyone in the car with this little book 'o fun!  Some are family appropriate but some are adult themed.  Either way I have found myself laughing hysterically at some of them.  And you might even learn something new about your travel buddy.  :-)

So how it works is they give you a scenario that you read to everyone then you are either give a set of answers to pick from or given an open ended question.  You go around and have everyone answer.  Then you turn the page and read the interpretation of what each answer means and says about that persons personality.

Example scenario:  You are sky diving for the first time.  You are nervously watching from the ground waiting your turn while others go.  What are you thinking while you're waiting?  It's your turn, you jump, what do you scream as you jump?  Once you've made it safely to the ground your sky diving instructor walks towards you what do they say to you?

Enjoy!  Happy Friday!  What are some of your favorite pre-race pass times?  Do you have a Happy Friday dance?

Hey girl,

So just the other day I ran across a new little phenom that is circling the inter webs.

Here's just one of the gazillion I found:

I didn't have much luck finding one for triathletes so I decided to make one of my own:

I thought I don't want hubs to feel left out so I decided to include him in on the fun:

Happy Friday!

Who said triathletes can't dance?

Being a creature of habit I went to the same locker today that I always do to change and as I stood there I remembered "Oh crap the last time I was here I put my kick board and leg bouy in the locker below mine to keep from getting the rest of my stuff wet!"  That was on Friday and I opened the locker below and guess what!? 

Yay to good luck for once!!  This week will just keep getting better I can feel it.  I'm even feeling like I am finally starting to get some of my work under control, yes I'm still drowning in it a little but at least it's a kiddie pool now and if I just remember to stand up I'll be ok! :-) 

Ok now I need to take a little break from normal shop talk and swoon for just a minute.  "If salsa and rythm were in the olympics you'd win the gold!"  I have never gotten into Dancing with the Stars before but this season caught my eye as I saw this a** shake it's way onto my screen!  My mom has always loved the show because she loves dancing! It's a good thing this season happened while my husband was deployed because he wouldn't have been very amused by my behavior.  I mean standing ovations everytime and my dog thinks I've lost my mind... Don't worry if you're reading this dear we will be taking salsa classes when you get back :-)  That counts as cross training right?

Random Photo Wed

No I have not decided to make this a thing every Wed. I can't seem to stick to weekly themes on my blog but it felt like a good random photo Wed :-)

My husband sent me this, but he has come to realize now that it's not true...  He may be getting a break while he's overseas but I will be in the hardest 2 months of my IM training when he gets back so we will be getting him a road bike!

He also sent me this one and said my hummus and tabbouleh is way better :-)  I quit cooking and have started eating cereal for dinner because it makes me sad to cook for 1 but I can't wait for him to get back and I'll start cooking on a regular basis again!

While we were visiting the Getty he asked me to take a picture of this saying so we could remember it.  Later that weekend he proposed to me!  :-)

Not sure if it's real but that's brave if it is!

I really really want to go to this but can't decide if even sampling should fit into my training schedule!!

 

Can't forget the best triathlon photographer on mother's day!!!

Giveaway end Friday enter here!

Too cute not to share!

I didn't have anything in particular to say today but this was too cute to not share :-)

Just the best photos of dogs in the poolA FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHER IN CALIFORNIA DECIDED TO TAKE A FEW OF HIS FURRY FRIENDS, BALL AND A HIGH RESOLOUTION UNDERWATER CAMERA, HERE ARE THE RESULTS ENJOY!!!

      

Adventures in commuting

As I went to work this morning on my commuter bike I felt like this (it's all donwhill to work):

Then on the way back home after work I felt like this (it's all uphill and hotter on the way home):

Once I got home and remembered it was a recovery week and that meant my workout was over for the day I felt like this:

Once I got inside and put my toys away I wanted to do this:

So here is what I looked like today on my ride home minus the bike:

 Well I GARUNTEE if you saw that coming towards you the 1st instinct would not be to whistle, offer to call 911 maybe or call the fashion police even better.   But for the poor soul who thought that was whistle worthy may I suggest that you get out more.  I mean come on it's not like I was wearing this:

Happy Cycling!!!

Wall Humper and Road ID Winner!

Before I announce the winner of my Road ID giveaway I have to tell you a short story about my swim int he pool yesterday!  I'm swimming my laps in the last lane minding my own business while the spunky elderly ladies follow along with their aqua aerobics instructor in the other lanes.  BTW there is this one lady that takes that class and she sees me getting ready to swim and every time she tries to convince me how I should join them because I can burn more calories :-)  I don't try to explain to her the concept of triathlon training I just tell her I'll have to try it some day, is that wrong?  The other day she walks in and announces to the entire locker room "It must be Easter Guilt cause the gym is packed!" I love how the older you get you say whatever you want and LOUDER!!! 

But that's not my story, my story is then someone else gets in the pool to share a lane with me but I go a few laps without seeing him pass and I notice it's because he's doing this weird stretch that looks like a frog humping the side of the pool, that's the only way I can explain it and I'm such a good artist I thought I'd try to show you what it looks like:

Ok so I'm not a good artist but it was kind weird.  I still gave him the benefit of the doubt and thought maybe it's just a really good stretch I'm not familiar with.  Then out of no where he torpedoes under me and scares the crap out of me!!!  He would swim the length of the pool without breath under me close to the floor and since he was wearing flippers he'd be really fast.  Then he would do that stretch again then torpedo again, and repeated this about 10 times every time scaring me, then his workout was done.  THE END.   Hope you enjoyed my Swim Tale :-)

Now the winner of my ROAD ID GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!  I used the Random.org website to generate a random number... and THE WINNER IS:

Trish at Begin Again and Again!!!!!!!!! 

Congrats!  E-mail me your e-mail address and I can send you the code to redeem the Road ID of your choice up to $35 which for me covered the Road ID I picked, an extra arm band, and the shipping :-)

Stay tuned I have another fun giveaway coming up VERY SOON!!

Today is I need a laugh Tuesday..

First of all something you may not care about but I felt compelled to share.  I had sent a package via priority mail with our wonderful US postal service back in January.  The first thing that went wrong is that it took my 3 post offices to find the free envelopes actually in stock.  Then I finally sent it with the extra confirmation option.  It went to California, Puerto Rico, Kirtland AFB and finally about 2 months later it made it back to me!!!  My husband is now overseas and never received his care package before leaving.  :-(  One thing I noticed though was that it was so beat up that the pixie sticks inside it had broken and there was a white powder coming out of it if you shook the package!!!!  Maybe that's why it never got anywhere?  It at least gave me a good laugh even though I was sad it never got to him...

Second of all for those of you who might doubt that my dog is crazy, this is my dog in a car at the end of a road trip AFTER being on doggie sedatives for a few hours, so this is her calm self:

 

So I found this list of Half-Marathon Essential Q&As on Runner's World UK and thought I could have a little bit of fun with it to get rid of pre race jitters:

Can I run/walk a half-marathon?  Can you?  Heck just wait until mile 10 when you realize you didn't hydrate, your calf muscles start cramping, and you will be lucky if you can continue walking.

I’ve only been running for two months – is it too soon for a half?  The sooner the better there's no better time than today right?  Who needs a base? 

Do I need to run more than 13 miles in training?  You will just get bored if you do this why not save that for the actual race and have a surprise to keep you interested. 

Why should I do speed work for a half-marathon?  This is very important in half-marathon racing because how else will you be ready for the full on sprint at the beginning of the race where everyone that snuck into corral 1 tries to run at the front with the elites?  You don't want to be trampled or embarrassed so yes it is essential!

What kind of speed sessions should I do for a half-marathon?  The best kind of speed work is to have friends help you simulate what the race will be like, have one try to run you off the road, have another oblivious to the race start still stretching somewhere in front of you where it's hard to not run over them, have another taking pictures of the person behind you oblivious to you stepping out in front of you.  You get the picture.

Can I train for a half-marathon on a three-days-a-week schedule?  Wow you train three days a week!?  You are really on top of your training!

How much fuel should I take on during a half-marathon?  Fuel?  You don't need fuel and if you do on race day feel yourself bonk they'll have something on the course to try out, even if you've never had it before your stomach should be OK with it.

How often can I race a half-marathon?  If you get in less than 12 a year then you are obviously not a serious runner, 'nuff said.

How can I save something for the last 0.1 miles? I always peak too soon.   That's OK that's how you know you sprinted hard enough at the start.  You have to leave it all out on the course right?  Oh and don't forget real runners puke at least once a race.

How long should I taper for?     Taper?!?!  Tapering is for wussies!  Actually I use this time when all the wussies are tapering to make up for any lost workouts I had during my training which means this is the hardest week of training!     


What's your favorite pre race ritual?  Turns out we will be spending Fri. - Mon. in Virginia Beach so if anyone wants to do a meet up message me!  Happy Running! 

A little bit of everything

Look at what I just ordered!  I'm super excited to get it and hang it up, my medals will no longer have to hide in a shoe box in the back of my closet!!!  Now I need to update the pictures that I have in my swim bike run photo frame because they are so old people have laughed at the old school helmet I have on :-) 

 

 Just got another update from my Shamrock 1/2 marathon and it says that as part of your race packet you get tickets for 4 free beers after the race!!!  Ok if I actually drank all 4 of those and after running a 1/2 marathon and on a practically empty stomach I would probably be drunk!!!  And I really have no desire to look like this guy:

 


Lately there are two place I haven't been able to get enough of:

1. Thai Vegan    They are soooo yummy and the owner is nice and thoughtful.  He did the catering for my brother's small wedding and gave them a really good deal and of course awesome food.  The best part is I've taken a lot of friends there that are not vegetarian or vegan and every time they love it, I've won over some skeptics.  Some of my to die for menu items are Won Ton Noodle Soup!!!! this can cure any ailment
Tom Yum Soup for those of you who like it a little spicy
And the Green Curry  Oh and they have a camera in the kitchen so you can watch them cook.


2.  Il Vicino - I love their micro brewed beer especially their brown and the fact that they have the nutrition info online, give you the option to order a "small" of anything on their menu and customize all you want.  I usually get their small vegetarian calzone sometimes with no cheese and sometimes with no goat cheese but ok on the mozzarella. 

I don't really enjoy eating out so when I find a restaurant I like it is awesome.  Some of the criteria that makes a restaurant excellent in my book is: nutrition info., fresh ingredients, and flexibility with ordering.

Do you enjoy eating out?  If so what is your criteria for a good restaurant?

Likes/Dislikes

Let's start with the likes first:

1.  Just found these when I went to do grocery shopping yesterday!!!  I don't usually fall prey to the desert demons but I love anything dulce de leche and I can cheat if I have this for breakfast at only 100 cal per 3/4 cup! 










2. St. Patrick's Day has always been one of my favorite holidays one of the main reasons is probably because green is my favorite color.  So now combine that with a bunch of girl friends, a 1/2 marathon and a good excuse to drink beer after and I'm getting really excited about all the fun stuff we are finding to wear! Just 2 more weeks!

Body Art

Dislikes:

1. Won't get to talk or text with hubs for probably the next month :-(

2. Albuquerque doesn't have any kind of sports psychologist available to anyone other than their college sports teams! 

3. WIND!  I hate running in the wind especially at this time of year where it can be cold wind!