Three Things Thursday ...

Racing Day -  On Sunday morning, I will be racing Patriots Sprint Triathlon. It will be the first time at the sprint distance that I will be showing up on race day trained to race. In the past, I failed to execute a single day of my training plans (apart from running) and I'm kind of psyched to see what I can do.

Even better, my previous sprints have been pool swims of 300-400m, while this race is 750m in open water. So, what does that mean? Well, obviously, it's an instant PR. And I really like those.

The only downside to this whole thing is that it's looking like rain for Sunday morning. And if you've ever met me and my bike, you know that we have trust issues. And I trust TigerBlood even less in the rain.

School Woes - Dizzle and Doodle are mildly obsessed with going to school, which, as a total nerd, I love. I was the same way as a kid. In fact, I once made my mom drive me to school during a tropical storm, so that I could keep my perfect attendance that year. (Note: the school district had officially made school "optional" that day. As in, there would be no buses, but if you could get there you could go. It wasn't "optional" in my book.)

Anyway, they are completely rainbows and unicorns about the whole experience. Except when they're not.

Like yesterday, when Doodle cried because she did NOT have homework.

Typical.

I guess my mentioning that Wednesdays are homework day in Kindergarten got her really excited and when the teacher didn't deliver, tears were shed.

I tried to console her and told her to go get a workbook and do a couple of exercises, but it was no good. She told me that was "fake homework."

Duh. I should have known that.

Break It Down - Dilly heads back to the ortho today to check on the status of her break.

She freaking loves her cast ...

There are two things that annoy me about this ...

1. Our appointment is at 2:40 p.m., 25 minutes after I pickup of Dizzle and Doodle from school. The office is approximately 20 minutes from the school, which means that I am going to frantically rush over there. Then, since they are always running late, I'll have to wait (with 3 small children) for over an hour to be seen by the doctor.

2. Dilly's break was pretty severe. It went completely through the bone (think one bone in two pieces) and she only avoided surgery because the doctor in Rhode Island set it so well. And although miracles can happen, we (and her doctor) are pretty confident that three and a half weeks in a cast isn't going to be long enough to heal it completely. Despite knowing this, the ortho we go to ALWAYS removes the cast before taking a follow-up x-ray. Then, if the break isn't completely healed, they recast the injury. Do you see where I am going with this?

Apparently, they would rather torture my kid with a cast removal than take the x-ray with it on. (Note: you can take an x-ray with a cast in place. They did it multiple times after they set it in the ER.) I'm pretty sure they only follow this procedure to be able to charge you/your insurance for another cast. And casts aren't cheap.  Trust me. We've been charged for five in the last three years ...

Wordless Wednesday: Back to School

My not-so-little 2nd Grader and Kindergartener ...

Dizzle, Kindergarten vs. 2nd Grade

Doodle, Preschool vs. Kindergarten

 They grow up way too fast ...

August Rewind ...

Run Miles Ran: 96.25 miles

Bike Miles Rode: 248.4 miles

Swim Meters Completed: 17150m or 10.65 miles

Rest Days Taken: 7. Surprisingly low considering how off my training game I have been feeling.

Highest Run Mileage Week: 8/20-8/26: 27.25 miles

Highest Bike Mileage Week: 8/6-8/12: 86.1 miles

Highest Swim Volume Week: 8/6-8/12: 6650m or 4.15 miles

Long Runs Completed (10+ miles): 3

Current Book: The insane amount of traveling I did in August really cut down my reading time, but I did still manage to finish two and a half books of the Hunger Games Trilogy. Despite not seeing a preview for the movie prior to reading the first book (and totally having a different picture in my head), I so get what all the hype is about.

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Vampire Diaries. My sister and I just watched the entire third season over three days (obviously, I wasn't sleeping much). And now that we finished, I'm kind of ticked that I have to wait another month until season four begins.

Current Colors: Orange and Pink. Much like my current wrist wear ...

 
Current Drink: Grape, Banana, Lemon-Lime and Strawberry Lemonade Nuun. Can't get enough of that stuff ...

Current Song: Pound the Alarm - Nicki Minaj

Current Triumph: We survived summer and all the craziness that went with it. I learned what I can handle and what I can't. I came to appreciate that you don't have to do something just because you can. Reaching your goals shouldn't be at the detriment of others. Sometimes, you have to be realistic about the sacrifices you make and how they affect those around you.

Current Goal: Be a better me. Each and every day. And to crush my sprint triathlon this upcoming weekend ...

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: Let's see. Where to start? Patriots Sprint Tri is on Sunday. The girls start school tomorrow. We go back to Disney in 29 days. Lots of exciting things in the next few weeks and if we are being honest, I just have a good feeling about the next few months.

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 September 3, 3349.1 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). - Next opportunity, October 14 - Seaside Half Marathon
• Race a Fall Sprint Triathlon. Actually train for the event, unlike in years past. - This weekend!
• Add strength training to the routine. - CHECK. 

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 September 3, 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

Three Things Thursday ...

Jet Lagged: Although I returned to the East Coast on Monday morning, I haven't been able to shake being on West Coast time. Usually, I am falling asleep on the couch around 9 p.m., but all this week I have been forcing myself into bed well after midnight. And when my kids are begging to get up in the morning, I find myself bribing them to stay in bed. (Note: I am no better once I get out of bed. I end up walking around like a zombie.)

Needless to say, we can't keep functioning like this. I mean, school starts on Tuesday and those 6:45 a.m. alarms are going to be a rude wake up call.

Half Debut: Since moving to my house in April, I have turned my little sister into a runner (although, she still tries to say that she's not). For a while now, we have been contemplating running a half marathon together. Initially, we were going to go for the Walt Disney World Half Marathon, but finances and logistics got in the way.

Then, I tried to convince her that the Richmond Half Marathon would be a suitable alternative. But, that was a no go. She said that the November date was too soon, so instead, we registered for the 8K (my favorite race of all time).

I figured that the chances of getting her to commit to a half before the middle of 2013 was slim to none. Then this morning, this happened ...

Yup. I got her.

We are headed back to our hometown for her first half marathon in SEVEN WEEKS. And she said November was too soon ...

Off-Season: I'm overcooked. Done. Over it.

It occurred to me the other day that with the exception of the three weeks I took off immediately after Dilly was born, I have never taken more than 3 days in a row off from training. Not even after any of my six marathons. That's just insane.

The past five years of non-stop training has kicked my butt and I need some time to recover. So, that's what I have decided to do. After Patriots Sprint next weekend, I am going off the training plan. Yes, I will still run, bike and swim, but I am cutting my workout volume by about half from 10-16 hours per week to 5-8 hours per week. I am confident that my body needs to reset itself, and I know this will do it.

Hood to Coast: AfterNUUN Delight - Team Noon

Location: Mt. Hood, OR to Seaside, OR (202 miles - there was a detour this year)
Date: 8/24/12-8/25/12
Temperature: variable (my coldest leg was 49 degrees and my hottest was 78 degrees)
Official Time: 28:17:58 (average pace of 8:29 per mile)
Place in Division: 2/28 (Womens Open)
Overall Place: 261/1070

I've been thinking (even prior to racing) about how I was going to summarize this experience. And what I keep coming back to is, I can't. There is nothing I can say that will accurately depict how amazing it is to run Hood to Coast with a group of like-minded running bloggers, supported and cared for by the amazing people at Nuun Hydration.

Plain and simple, there is nothing else like it.

If you are ever given the opportunity to experience it, I guarantee, it will change you in some way. I know that it changed me.

The Good:

Nuun Hydration: Not that I expected anything less, but the people at Nuun were as amazing as always. In addition to sponsoring three teams (Team Morning, Team Noon and Team Night), they handled race logistics, pre-race activities, post-race festivities and everything in between. I cannot express how much I love these people. They welcomed us with open arms and we couldn't have asked for more.

The Mountain of SWAG: In addition to being sponsored by Nuun, we had numerous other companies supply us with gear, food and pretty much everything else you could possibly need during a relay. Talk about feeling like a kid on Christmas. I am extremely appreciative of their support and it would be totally worth your while to check these fine companies out.

• Team Sparkle
• KIND Snacks
• Road Noise Vests
• Sparkly Soul Headbands
• BenGay
• Aspaeris Compression Shorts
• Jamba Juice
• Tiger Tail
• Tough Chik
• Go Sport ID
• Endorphin Warrior
• ShowerPill
• Picky Bars
• Knuckle Lights
• Thorlos
• Maui Jim Sunglasses
• GNC
• Chobani
• Go Motion Gear
• Swiftwick Socks

My favorite swag - Custom Tough Chik Arm Warmers

The Course: I've said it before and I'll say it again - The views on this course are epically beautiful. Van 1 starts atop Mt. Hood while Van 2 starts roughly 40 miles down the road in Sandy, OR. Both vans make their way through the woods, down into the valley, back up over the mountains and to the sea. It's simply amazing.

My favorite part came a third of the way through my first leg. The sun was setting and I turned a corner and ran towards Mt. Hood in the distance. It was breathtaking.

as the sunset during my first leg ...

My Nuun-mates: These women (and men) are awesome. I love them to pieces and am so grateful to have them in my life.

Post-race festivities ..

Reunited: 2011 Nuun Platuun Van 2

Love my van-mate, Kim

Ready to roll ...

Me and HLove ...

Team Noon, Van 2 ...

Pre-Race Activities: Unlike last year, we were asked to come into town early for team bonding. I loved this mainly because the lack of interaction between teams in 2011 was my main criticism of the experience.

Over the course of the two days prior to the race, we went to a Mariners game ...

had a scavenger hunt (my team won!),

Ricole, Vanessa, Marjorie, Harmony, me and Stephanie

visited Oiselle Headquarters,

and created a million memories and new friends that I will cherish forever.

My Legs (#7, #19, #31): I won't lie. Heading into the race this year, I was beyond terrified of my legs. I just remembered watching Jess run them last year and thinking how happy I was that I didn't have to climb those mountains.

As the race approached, I realized that I was less scared about the terrain of the course than I was of my ability to run them strong. At some point (probably about a mile into my first leg), I decided that the hills had nothing on me. I was just going to run to the best of my ability at that very moment.

And I did.

Yes, the climbs were challenging. And yes, I had moments where I longed for it to be over. But, I also tried to relish every single step I took and I tried to reclaim my run love with each stride. I finished feeling powerful and strong, something that has eluded me lately.

Our Van Song - If you want to get an idea of the feel of my van, then look no further than our official van song: "You Can Leave Your Hat On", by Tom Jones. If you haven't heard it before, you need to. Trust me, you're missing out.

The Bad:

Van Food: I think the thing that messes with you during a relay the most is the lack of real food. We ate lunch on the way to the first exchange on Friday afternoon and didn't have another real meal until after 8 p.m. on Saturday. The 30 hours in between were filled with trail mix, KIND Bars, Nuun, brownies, M&Ms, cheese stick, gummy bears and Chobani. And while it tasted good at the time, it was a digestive nightmare for me. It didn't take long for me to be carrying around a "food baby."

Late Start: All three of the Nuun teams started after 2 p.m. this year. While that made for a relaxed morning, it left us running on a rather empty race course. Road kills weren't nearly as prevalent as last year and we were often getting run down by the elite teams (think, Nike). The late start also meant that we finished late and arrived at the beach after much of the festivities had occurred.

The Ugly:

The stench: From the 24th through the morning of the 27th, I took 1 shower and ran 16+ miles. Enough said ...

overwhelmed ...

This summer has thrown me for a loop.

I headed into it knowing that we'd be busy, but I never expected things to play out like they have.

We've been thrown curve balls that have changed our plans, disrupted our flow and emptied our wallets.

First, my car was sideswiped in a hit and run.

Three days later a tornado came through and a rogue branch caused $2400 of damage to our other car. J and I spent the entire next month sharing one vehicle. Needless to say, the girls and I didn't leave the house very much and it tested my patience.

A few days after the tornado, during a monster heat wave, our AC stopped working and the technician failed to show. It was epic.

Then, while on vacation last week, Dilly attempted to be a daredevil and broke her elbow.

6 hours and 25 x-rays later ...

Add that to the fact that between July 25th and August 26th, I will have spent a total of 10 nights in my own bed AND I am training for a 70.3 during the same time, and you just might get why I feel that despite my best efforts to manage it all, I am coming up short.

I am overwhelmed. Mentally and physically.

So, I quit.

I quit trying to do it all.
I quit pretending that I was excited to race a 70.3 on what felt like less than stellar training.
I quit blogging.
I quit pretty much everything that I didn't ABSOLUTELY have to do.

And I feel really good about.

I officially dropped out of the Half Ironman and switched to the Sprint.
I focused on my family and we had a blast traveling during the last month (broken arm aside).
I reassessed my goals and my timeline for them, realizing my support system is just as an important factor in planning as my own desires are.

I think I am getting my mojo back. And I am confident that running the Mother of All Relays with 35 other amazing women this weekend is going to re-inspire me.

And if not, well then I'll just put on my big girl pants and fight my way back ...

July Rewind ...

Run Miles Ran: 68.25 miles

Bike Miles Rode: 225.5 miles

Swim Meters Completed: 14350 or 8.92 miles

Rest Days Taken: 12 - Vacation will do that to you

Highest Run Mileage Week: 7/9-7/15: 28 miles

Highest Bike Mileage Week: 7/9/7/15: 83.1 miles

Highest Swim Volume Week: 7/16-7/23: 5300 meters

Long Runs Completed (10+ miles): 1

Current Book: I was a reading machine again 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 ...

• When Parents Text, Kaelin and Fraioli
• Because I Said So, Dawn Meehan
• Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk, David Sedaris
• Holidays on Ice, David Sedaris
• Normal Gets You Nowhere, Kelly Cutrone

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: All things Disney. Including the following ...

 

 

 

 

Current Colors: Orange and Pink 

Current Drink: Grape, Banana, Lemon-Lime and Strawberry Lemonade Nuun. Can't get enough of that stuff ...

Current Song: Titanium - David Guetta

Current Triumph: I survived July, which was a cluster of a month.

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: HOOD TO COAST! The race is just 23 days from now. Also, I am traveling pretty much this entire month. It promises to be a hectic few weeks ...

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 August 1, 3014.1 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. - FAIL. That sprint turned into another 70.3.
• Add strength training to the routine. - CHECK. 41 strength sessions in the last four 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 August 1, 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