Three Things Thursday ...

Feeling the Burn - Over the past few months, I have been using P90X for strength training. I love it. I love Tony. And I love that I can see results.

But, I am bored to death with it. I could probably do the workouts without watching the videos. I know every cheesy joke that is made. And the timing of every horrible grimace that got caught on film. Obviously, we need to break up for a while.

In search of a new routine that I could do quickly, with what I already owned, I turned to Pinterest and found a workout that I was so convinced that I wouldn't like that I didn't even Pin It. And now, I can't find it anywhere. I have no idea what I searched or who's board I saw it on. Luckily, I had the sense to write it down.

The torture workout goes like this:

• 100 squats with overhead weight hold
• 90 alternating back lunges with bicep curl (45 each side)
• 80 single leg deadlifts (40 each leg)
• 70 lunges with triceps extentions
• 60 bridge lifts with chest fly
• 50 calf raises with back fly
• 40 plie squats with upright row
• 30 skater lunges with in and out hammer curls
• 20 dips with alternating leg raises
• 10 pushups

 I first completed this workout (which takes 45-60 minutes) on Tuesday. When I woke up on Wednesday, I couldn't straighten my legs. By last night, I was so sore that going to the bathroom was a chore. So, logically, I repeated the workout today. I'm sure tomorrow's 12 miler is going to be epic.

Disney - We are headed to Walt Disney World again on Tuesday night, our fourth trip in 10 months. (Yes, we are obsessed. No, I don't see anything wrong with this.) This vacation will likely be our last to the Big D for quite some time (we're most likely not renewing our annual passes), so we are going to make it count.

The two things I am looking forward to the most? "3D" Disney Dessert Discovery and when we finally tell the girls where we are going (right now, they don't even know we are going anywhere). I just love how excited they get.

New Experiences - If you didn't know, G, my training wife, is injured. And in nursing school. And our schedules really aren't meshing right now. Unfortunately, that means we haven't really run together in months. And when G and I don't run together, I usually don't run with anyone at all (the rest of our posse is running way faster and longer than I am right now).

Usually, I don't mind. I'm basically besties with my treadmill. We have a nice little thing going on. But, since school started and the weather has become more fall-like, I want to run outside. I just don't want to do it alone. So, I did what any sane runner would do and I stalked some other runners.

For a few weeks, I had noticed that a mom from Doodle's dance class had been running with a few women through my neighborhood. Although I had no idea of how far or fast they ran, I decided that I was going to find a way to invite myself to join them. So, I casually mentioned that I always saw her running and I wanted to know what she was training for. She told me she was running the Richmond Marathon and that she ran through my neighborhood on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Leading me to ask, "So, do you ever pick up stragglers?" (See, I knew I could work my way in.)

She was either genuinely excited to have me join or too nice to say no. Either way, I met up with her group (which included two runners who have joined my posse in the past) for 8 miles yesterday morning. And it was awesome. The pace was perfect. They showed me a brand new route. And just for a little excitement, we had our run interrupted by a sheep.

Yes, I said it. A sheep. Apparently, it was refusing to be herded by its owner and our running was distracting it. The owner, being a quick thinker, asked us to stop and then decided to use us as bait and asked that we run in the direction she wanted the sheep to go. It kind of worked. Well, at least until we got too far past the sheep then it just walked off into the woods. It may have been one of the oddest things to happen to me on a run.

June Rewind ...

Run Miles Ran: 90.25 miles

Bike Miles Rode: 309.8 miles

Swim Meters Completed: 15700 or 9.75 miles

Rest Days Taken: 6

Highest Run Mileage Week: 6/18-6/24: 28 miles

Highest Bike Mileage Week: 6/4-6/10: 107.7 miles

Highest Swim Volume Week: 6/18-6/24: 6100 meters

Long Runs Completed (10+ miles): 2

Current Book: I was a reading machine this month. Something about finally getting a library card at the age of 30 will do that to a person. Also, the cutback in computer time freed me up to spend my free time elsewhere. I read and loved all of these books ...

• Bossypants, Tina Fey
• You Are an Ironman, Jacques Steinberg
• Fit2Fat2Fit, Drew Manning
• Metabolic Efficiency Training, Bob Seebohar
• The Schwarzbein Principle, Diana Schwarzbein

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Figs + Mascarpone = Heaven

Current Colors: Orange and Pink 

Current Drink: I'm currently obsessed with hot tea with Splenda. Who cares that it's 90 degrees outside and I just finished a workout ...

Current Song: 50 Ways to Say Goodbye - Train

Current Triumph: I'm training like a rock star. And eating like an athlete. Unfortunately, I don't have any races on my schedule ...

Current Goal: Be a better me. Each and every day.

Current Blessing: Generally, I feel like my whole life is one big blessing and I am entirely grateful for that. I don't take anything for granted. Not even for a second.

Current Excitement: We are headed to Disney in 24 days. Yup, I am a five year old trapped in a 30 year old body ...

2012 To Do List Update:

Fitness:

• Take 70.3 training day by day. Don't get caught up in what is coming, but rather focus on what is. Trust that it will get you where you want to be. - CHECK
• Find the strength to NOT add races to your schedule during 70.3 training. That is your focus, don't screw with that because of FOMO (fear of missing out). - CHECK
• Cross the finish line of your first 70.3 in less than 6:57:59. - CHECK. Goal crushed. 6:39:39.
• Maintain at least one day of cycling and one day of swimming per week, post 70.3. Give J some proof that a new road bike would be a good investment. - CHECK. I'm crushing this one.
• Log 4,000 miles, swim, bike and run combined. - As of July 2, 2674.15 miles completed
• Race a 10K with a finish time much faster than your very dated current PR of 53:17.
• Set a new PR in the Half Marathon, currently 1:57:06 (or 1:56:18, if the half split from the NYC Marathon counts).
• Race a Fall Sprint Triathlon. Actually train for the event, unlike in years past.
• Add strength training to the routine. - CHECK. 31 strength sessions in the last three months.

Nutrition:

• Eat like an athlete. Be mindful of the nutritional value of your food. - I've been killing this. But, apparently my scale doesn't care.
• Consume no more than 18 desserts from either Shyndigz or Two Sweet Cupcakes (approximately 1 dessert/3 weeks) - As of July 2, 15 desserts consumed. I need to just face the facts with this one.
• Cut out snacking on the girl's leftovers. Just because they don't eat it, doesn't mean you have to. - CHECK

Personal:

• Only say yes to the projects you REALLY want to work on. - CHECK
• Throw away the credit cards. Stop repeating history. - CHECK
• Ignore your impulses. Take time to process the true value of the things you are filling your space/life with. - CHECK
• Declutter and Organize using this calendar. - CHECK
• Continue to balance family life, training and now, work. - CHECK
• Prioritize and be a good example for the people in your life. - CHECK
• Help and support J and the kids in reaching their goals. We are a team and that must always be the primary focus of our lives. - CHECK

Live Like the Honey Badger: Principle 4

This is the fourth in a series of posts entitled, Live Like the Honey Badger. Every Friday, I address one aspect of developing confidence, self-worth, a fearless nature and the like. Previous weeks are linked below.

Principle 1: Honey Badger Don't Care
Principle 2: Accept Yourself. Your Whole Self
Principle 3: Surround Yourself With Honey Badgers

Principle 4: Break the Mold

I'm sure that as a child, you were told or shown the "right way" to do things. The "right way" to be. You learned and absorbed what beauty and talent and perfection looked like, even if you didn't realize it.

That's how socialization works. We are immersed in an environment and our experiences, interactions and societal norms shape us each and every day for our entire lives. Thus, humans are ever evolving. As perspectives and attitudes change in your environment, you change as well. It's how you became exactly who you are in this moment.

But, there's a problem with this system - the lack of self control.

Now, don't get me wrong, there is great value in societal norms and environmental conditioning. They help to foster a sense of security, unity and behavioral control in a population of people. They help the world in which we live function in the manner that it does (although, there is room for a large amount of improvement).

But, tell me this. How did you decide what beauty is? Did your parents tell you? Did a picture in a magazine? Or on television? How about strength and self worth? Or what's acceptable for a lady? Or even what is in the realm of possibility for you to accomplish? Who were the people that originated these ideals?

I bet that you have no idea.

Well, if you don't know where the information was coming from or why it was being put out there then why are you blindly following it? You need to take control of how you and your children are being socialized.

• There is no reason that you have to be what others want you to be. 
• There is no reason that you can't define what's beautiful. 
• There is no reason that you have to feel like "less than" because of what others are telling you.
• There is no reason that you can't accomplish anything that you set out to. 
• There is no reason that you can't live your life exactly how you see fit.

Sure, there will be backlash. And yes, some people might not "get" who you are or what you are trying to do with your life. But, last time I checked, it was YOUR LIFE. You can't live it for someone else and you can't let yourself get stuck in the mold that society has crafted for you.

Break the mold. Be the Honey Badger.

strength ...

Strength can manifest in a lot of different ways.

You can be physically strong.
You can be mentally strong.
You can be emotionally strong.

On some days, I am all three. On others, all strength eludes me.

Right now, I am mustering all of my strength to stay sane. I'm having a hard time focusing. My stomach is in knots. And the worst part is, my rock is feeling the same way. Uncertainty will do that to a person.

Maybe that's why I've been sick for what feels like an eternity. I'm using my strength elsewhere and my body can't fight back. Eventually, something has to give or you'll crack. Today, my run was the thing that ruptured.

7/10 of a mile in, I just couldn't do it. My body was screaming no and my brain didn't have the strength to fight it. I stopped and walked back to my car. I probably never should have shown up in the first place. I should have had the strength to take a rest day. But, some days you just need to run, or risk going insane.

Wordless Wednesday: Self Esteem

My philosophy: Found on a tee shirt at Target.

LOVE YOUrself Valentine Challenge ...

Earlier this month, Zoe posted a challenge on her blog. Each of the 36 participants would receive a personalized valentine from Zoe, along with a skull tattoo to place on the body part you are most proud of because of running/fitness/life. I immediately knew I wanted in. I mean, I like flaunting my stuff as much as the next person. (OK, maybe I enjoy it a little more than the average person. Not the point.)

On my card, Zoe shared what she admired about me,

"Tonia, Your strength and endurance are very inspiring traits you possess (among a long list of others!) You are definitely a ROCK STAR. Happy V Day! Zoe"

Yeah, did I ever mention how much I love Zoe? She's awesome. And do you know what else is awesome? That's right. My quads ...

And they look super bada** with that skull tattoo.

you wanted to know, questions 26-30

When I had my 1,000 mile giveaway, a requirement for entry was to ask me a question. Any question. And I promised to answer them in a series of posts. Here are questions 26-30 ...

Meggan asked, "Who inspires you the most?"

That's a hard one. I admire a lot of traits in a lot of different people. But, as a runner, I am probably most inspired by Amy Palmiero-Winters. She is a single-leg amputee, who has run a 3:04 marathon (the fastest time ever for a below-knee amputee - FEMALE or MALE). And earlier this year, she became the first amputee to finish the Western States 100. She is seriously hardcore and has proven that the only limitations we have are the ones we set for ourselves. How could you not be inspired by that?

Karen asked, "Did your kids already have the nicknames you use for them on the blog, or did you create the nicknames for the blog? Do you use those nicknames in real life?"

What if I told you that they aren't nicknames? That my daughters are really named Dizzle, Doodle and Dilly? Right. You'd probably know I was lying. Their nicknames were established before the blog (except for Dilly, who came along after the blog).

Dizzle originated from a modified version of "Hey Diddle Diddle" that J used to sing to her. It went, "K Dizzle Dizzle ..." For a while, she was K Dizzle, but at some point we stopped saying the K.

Doodle started as Mac-a-doodle. Eventually, we dropped the beginning of it and the Doodle part stuck.

And Dilly, like her sisters got her nickname when we shortened the name that we used for her when I was pregnant - Piccadilly.

And yes, we do use those nicknames in real life, but not nearly as much as we did when they were younger.

Laurie asked, "Do you ever lose blogging motivation? It seems that you always have such great things to write about and never miss a day. How do you do it?"

Well, thank you. I'm glad to hear that you like what I am writing.

Honestly, I haven't really hit a point where I have lost my motivation for blogging. I truly enjoy documenting and sharing the experiences of our lives. As for topics and such, I think my writing ability is benefited by the content of my blog. This is not solely a running blog or a mommy blog or any one thing. It's a daily record of me and my family as seen through my eyes. And because of this, I have never felt limited in what I could or couldn't write about. Plus, I just really have a lot to say, which doesn't hurt either.

suzy@countdownto26.2 asked, "How important is strength training when training for a 1/2 or full marathon? I can never find time/energy to do it!"

It depends on who you ask. Strength training is going to be beneficial to any runner. But, not strength training isn't going to keep you from crossing that finish line.

When it comes down to it, a runner needs to run to be successful. So, if you had to make the choice between fitting in strength training or your run, I would say that you should choose the run. But, if you can fit in both activities, you will definitely see an improvement in your running.

Erin G asked, "What's your fav pre-race meal?"

Easy peasy - Mud Pie. OK, I am kidding about that. Before the vast majority of my races, I eat a chocolate chip Clif Bar and drink a little water.

flipping the switch ...

Christina from Lazy Bones Running asked the following question this morning: "How or when did you know you caught the running bug?"

At first, I considered commenting. But then I realized that I can be kind of long winded (shocker, I know) and this question really deserved a post. So, here it goes.

I first started running when Doodle was four months old. I saw it as a way to drop the baby weight without obsessing over the scale. I knew that running would help me fit into my old clothes and if that happened, the number on the scale didn't really matter. And you know what? It worked. I dropped every last pound I had put on during my pregnancy and was actually wearing a size smaller than I did before having children (two years and another kid later, I'm even smaller than that.) But (and this is a big but) I pretty much HATED every minute of it. Running was not something I enjoyed. It was something I did. I ran to fight the "fat demons." I trained for my first marathon with this mentality. Whenever I was asked my opinion on running, I would reply with a big resounding "I run, but I still hate it."

I was in a negative running place. I couldn't see the joy in just running. It was a constant competition for me. I hated that I wasn't faster. I hated that I wasn't able to beat my friends. I hated how I trained and trained and didn't get the results that I wanted (I think all of this has contributed to my horrible racing techniques). But then something changed. I found out I was pregnant with Dilly. Instantly, I could run without worrying who I was faster than or hitting another PR. No one expected a pregnant woman to run. And they definitely didn't expect a pregnant woman to run fast. I started to take pride in the fact that I was a runner. A runner who was determined to show people that you can be strong and fit and pregnant at the same time.

Speed began to matter less to me. Beating my friends lost it's importance. I learned to love running for what it is. I began to enjoy the run, not just the satisfaction of finishing. Sure, I'm still competitive (we all know that) and it's fun to go against my teammates, but now I focus on beating me. The me I used to be. I'm constantly striving to become a stronger runner. To go longer and faster. And I know that with time and training that will happen.

How did you catch the bug?

And in case you wanted to see what a pregnant runner who has caught the bug looks like. Here you go:

17 weeks at Rock and Roll Half Marathon

34 weeks after a 4 mile training run (yeah, I was huge)

35 weeks before the New Year's Day 10K

finding my pace ...

Can I just start by saying, "Wow! 80 followers!"? Seriously, when did that happen? Welcome and if I haven't stopped by yet, leave me a comment and I will be sure to.

OK, back on task. Thanks to G, and her declaration of my greatest weakness as a runner, everyone in the free world knows that I am a notoriously bad racer. I train my butt off, but when it comes to race day ... TOTAL FAIL. The problem with this (other than the obvious suckage) is that I have been using training zones based off of my PRs. That would be fine if my PRs were actually an indicative of what I can run. I started to think something was up when I was breezing through tempo workouts like they were nothing.

So, with some guidance from the wonderful and super speedy, Mel and Aron, I have finally found my proper training pace. They both said I should be pushing to keep the pace in my tempo workouts. To accomplish this, I played around with McMillan's calculator until my current long and easy runs fell into the range provided by the calculator. This then gave me a new tempo range. So I tried it out. And guess what ... I FINALLY felt like I was working to keep the pace.

Yesterday, I wanted to double check that the zones were correct, so I logged that super speedy two miles. And guess what, my time was 3 seconds slower than what the calculator predicted. Sweet, right?

And the best part is that based on these new zones, my current PRs are WAY off. It gives me something to shoot for and if I can figure out this whole racing thing, maybe I'll actually hit them ...

it's my bloggy anniversary ...

Two years ago today, I started Racing With Babes by posting this. I'm pretty sure that when I wrote it, I was positive that no one but my immediate family was ever going to see it. And I think I was right. At least initially. It was two months before anyone even left me a comment. And even then, it was someone who could have just told me face to face. But I didn't care, I figured if nothing else, one day my kids would read this and maybe they would have a better understanding of their childhood and the choices I've made for myself and for them.

Over the course of the last two years, I have shared ups and downs. Sadness and joy. Successes and failures. And just plain silliness. But most of all, I have chronicled my journey as a wife, a mom and runner. I have shared my moments. The way I see them. And sometimes, when you do this, you don't see the whole picture. And that's why for this special post, I have asked the three people who know me the best in those three areas of my life (my hubby, my mom and my training partner) to share with you my greatest strength and greatest weakness (with my color commentary, of course).

So, here it goes.

J's take on me as a wife:

Strength

There are so many great things that I can say about my wife that it’s really hard to pick just one. She truly is everything and more that I could have imagined as a wife. She’s organized, patient and committed to what she does. If I had to pick one trait about Tonia that is her greatest as a wife it would have to be her understanding of and support for me.

Tonia is my rock. She is 100% supportive of me and knows how to pick me up if I’m having an off day. She gets my sense of humor and no matter how ridiculous I can be or how fired up I get (mainly watching sports) she gets it and let’s me be me.

Opportunity (Obviously, he works in the corporate world ...)

While Tonia is a great wife and I wouldn’t change anything about her, I think that her biggest opportunity is that she sometimes puts herself and her ambitions on the back burner. T is a smart cookie and can accomplish whatever she sets out to do, but sometimes she decides not to do things because she doesn’t want to take away from her time with me. I am grateful for this, but want her to know that I am behind her as she is behind me.

I’ll add a second item (light of course) and it is that she is so focused on being a great mom, which she absolutely is, that she never decides to dress it up with some nice clothes and make-up. I have no problem with this, but Tonia should know she can do as she pleases. Lastly, I think she’s addicted to running clothes as I think she is going to run out of color combinations to match up between running skirts, socks, shirts, hats and accessories. (That was three things wasn't it. What happened to following the rules. And in my defense, I wear my running gear like 90% of my day. So I might as well look cute.)

I love you Tonia! (Aw, I love you too!)

Back on task. Here's what my mom had to say about me as a mother:

Tonia’s Greatest Strength as a mom
　
When asked to write this, I thought how on earth am I going to pick one particular strength of Tonia’s, when there are so many that stand out. Picking one is like finding that pea under your mattress or the needle in the hay stack. We all know that raising a child is one of the most difficult yet rewarding jobs one can have and as parents we need to know how to keep control, as we teach respect, passion and love. My daughter is an amazing teacher of life. She takes pride in herself and her children.

So having said that I now have to pick her greatest strength, and I would without a doubt choose her patience. Tonia has this unlabored talent of keeping her cool at the hottest of moments. Fighting with her children is virtually unheard of, but instead she goes head first into the conversation with a calm non judgmental attitude. Giving her child the opportunity to explain the situation before placing judgment or punishment. She approaches her children and the many moods that children go through with "just another day" attitude. I have always taken pride in the way that I have raised my children, but I can honestly say that Tonia has it hands down over me and its mostly because of her patience.

Her Greatest weakness

This is actually a harder search for my mind. There aren’t many if any weakness I can think of, so I think I will have to go with television…I know lame right, but yes television, her children have an obsession with it. They love watching and learning which is cool, but they also stand not one foot away from it, which drives me insane, and doesn’t for one moment bother Tonia. So is this a weakness? I’m not sure but it sure as hell bothers me. (OK. So my kids watch TV REALLY CLOSE to the TV. But do you know who else watches way too much TV? Me! And do you know who one of the most active and intelligent people I know is? Right. Me. And I'm not tooting my own horn. I have an Ivy League degree. Just saying.)

And finally, G's take on me as a runner:

Before I talk about T’s greatest strengths and weaknesses, I would like to say that I admire her more than any person ever featured on the front of Runners World, Self, or any other magazine. Not only because she looks hot in her running skirt, but also because she is FIERCE and COOL at the same time. T, it’s an honor to be your running mate. Congratulations on another great year of blogging, running and mommy-ing. (Look at her buttering me up ...)

T’s greatest strength as a runner is the strength of her “heart”. Some people mistake this as purely “competitive nature”, but I know what I see on each and every run. Truly, if there is one thing I know about T, it’s that she knows the meaning of DIG DEEP, and if she does that and doesn’t find what she needs, she will just DIG DEEPER. I confess that I have used this against her and when she tells me she has nothing left, I simply push myself to run a half step ahead of her. She never falls behind, she just pushes harder to pass me. Maybe I’m not such a good friend after all, and I probably won’t be invited to run the last mile of a half marathon with her ever again, or write on her blog page again for that matter....

T’s greatest weakness as a runner is hard for me to put into words. Partly because I am T’s cheerleader, biggest fan, and teammate and telling someone their weakness isn’t a good way to keep any of those titles. But, after thinking it over, T, there is something I’ve wanted to say to you for a while, and didn’t know how to express. I’m certain that with patience and time I would find a nice flowery Hallmark card that conveyed this message, but I’m a mom of 3, I don’t go into card stores, so... I will just say it like it is: You’re better at TRAINING than you are at RACING. The training system you follow is a prescribed regimen of dependable, inoffensive, risk-free paced miles designed to ensure that you finish every training run. There is nothing wrong with this, except that isn’t your race style at all. You race like an ex-BMX Junkie with nothing to lose and something to prove. I would know. The day to falter, see spots, and get light headed is NOT on race day, it’s on training day. I believe that this weakness will be your greatest strength when I write this post next year, because you’re going to either learn to race with this same controlled pacing OR you are going to inject some of your race day FEROCITY into your training. Bring it on. (Fine. I can't even dispute that. It's 100% true. Probably would have picked the same thing for myself.)

WOW! I can say nothing but thank you. Thank you for being my support team. Thank you for risking getting me upset by throwing my flaws out there (especially J who has to live in the same house as me.) Just thank you.

And thank you to all of you who listen to my ramblings day after day. And thank you to all of you who chime in with your two cents. And all of you who lurk in the background (you know, you should really speak up. I don't bite and I love to know you're there ...) I hope that you've enjoyed my family's journey as much as I have. We'll do our best to continue to provide you with a fair share of chaos ...