If you keep saying that will it come true? I hope it does. Dang. The first one or two are great but when you get to number 10-15 it hurts so bad your ready to die. You have to keep telling yourself it's going to be over but who am I kidding...it seems like it will never happen!
Today was the OFFICIAL start to my marathon training (St. Louis Marathon on April 10th). I'm so ill prepared this time. I don't have a solid plan. I don't know how many miles I should be doing but I know I'm going to have three days of solid running. Day 1. Tempo running 4-6 miles moving my speed up towards the end of the run. Day 2 Speed workout/Intervals. Day 3 Long run. Day 1 and 2 will be Monday and Wednesday but Day 3 will have to be either Friday or Sunday. Friday seems like a logical day but I'll blow it for Jonny's class and suffer during Saturday's 4 hour toucher session. So...Sunday it is...lord help me!
I have the week off, the only perk to my job is having this week off, so I went to the gym not once but twice. The first time I ran for about 40 minutes. Instead of staying at a comfort level I kept inching up the speed finally sitting at a 7 mph for the last 5 minutes. While I look around I check out what others are at. It seems 7 mph is the average norm but for me that's freaking fast. I hope someday 7mph is my norm. For now I hover around 6mph (which is a 10 minute mile). I spent the next hour working on core and leg presses.
Round two I met my friend Colin at another gym. I was going to run again but this time I was going to do intervals. Taking a shower, eating and a little nap between the workouts made it feel like a day has gone by since my last workout so I was ready to go again on the treadmill. I started with a 5 minute warm up inching myself up to my norm of 6mph. Than for the next 20 minutes I did sprint intervals 2 minutes on/1 minute off at 7mph. Towards the end I was up to 7.4 which by my standards is holy crap that's fast. I felt good, was still breathing but I was praying I wasn't going to have a Biggest Loser moment and fly off the treadmill. Thank god I didn't.
We ended the workout on the rowing machine and although I had someone to talk to the rowing machine was still boring.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Merry Christmas!
I packed up my ninja gear (winter running clothes) and headed north to Grand Forks to hang out with the parents. After declaring that I will be going for a run everyday, I got my my stuff on and headed out onto the familiar roads from my childhood. I wasn't trying to go fast I was trying to take in all the flood of memories I had going down this road or that road. Going on a long bike ride with my Dad to my Grandmas house which was on the other side of town or just going to school.
I headed west to the river down the street that was "were all the rich people lived" to downtown, hung a left at the church and started to head home. On my way, I found myself close to my old elementary school. The playground was a little different but I couldn't resist I ran over to the swings and swan for about 5 minutes. I didn't want to stay too long since I was 2/3 into my run and I was already sweaty. Key to winter running is not to slow or to stop because you'll get too cold being wet - best to keep moving. So, while I was swinging I was listening to this upbeat song on my headphones. The height of my swing was pretty high and there wasn't a sole in sight - so I thought. I yelled, "oh my god this is sooo much fun!" Right after I yelled I turned around and saw a couple getting into their car behind me. I shrugged my shoulders and said to myself oh well, they are missing out!
I jumped off the swings like we used to and took off running.
The next day wasn't such a great run because in Western ND when there is wind, which there is always wind, but when there is a strong wind there is no where to hid it's so flat. My run which was the same route except I ran past my Jr. High School this time, was a bit bitter and a little more difficult.
Over the holiday I had a conversation with my family about the Ironman and coming to see me complete the event. I don't think it matters how many times I come out and bluntly tell them how important this Ironman means to me and how much work I'm going to be putting into my training that they will understand or even care about this event. To be honest, although it would mean the world to me they were there, which I have said to them, that I would want them there I would rather have my good friends who understand how much it takes mentally, physically, emotionally and financially to do such an event be cheering me on and to be there at the end when I cross the finish line. Sometimes you do things others don't understand and are grateful for those that do.
I headed west to the river down the street that was "were all the rich people lived" to downtown, hung a left at the church and started to head home. On my way, I found myself close to my old elementary school. The playground was a little different but I couldn't resist I ran over to the swings and swan for about 5 minutes. I didn't want to stay too long since I was 2/3 into my run and I was already sweaty. Key to winter running is not to slow or to stop because you'll get too cold being wet - best to keep moving. So, while I was swinging I was listening to this upbeat song on my headphones. The height of my swing was pretty high and there wasn't a sole in sight - so I thought. I yelled, "oh my god this is sooo much fun!" Right after I yelled I turned around and saw a couple getting into their car behind me. I shrugged my shoulders and said to myself oh well, they are missing out!
I jumped off the swings like we used to and took off running.
The next day wasn't such a great run because in Western ND when there is wind, which there is always wind, but when there is a strong wind there is no where to hid it's so flat. My run which was the same route except I ran past my Jr. High School this time, was a bit bitter and a little more difficult.
Over the holiday I had a conversation with my family about the Ironman and coming to see me complete the event. I don't think it matters how many times I come out and bluntly tell them how important this Ironman means to me and how much work I'm going to be putting into my training that they will understand or even care about this event. To be honest, although it would mean the world to me they were there, which I have said to them, that I would want them there I would rather have my good friends who understand how much it takes mentally, physically, emotionally and financially to do such an event be cheering me on and to be there at the end when I cross the finish line. Sometimes you do things others don't understand and are grateful for those that do.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
That's going to hurt tomorrow
Late start today. I went back and forth deciding what I should do even though I had plans to meet someone to do core and to work on my swimming technique. I knew it had to run. The problem: Indoors our Outdoors.
After talking to my friend Colin (pictured in the previous post with the Butterfingers and bag of empty Reeses Cups, 14 to be exact) and found out when he got home from consuming 1,810 calories of candy with 184 grams of sugar all while watching the 2 hour airing of the 2010 Hawaii Ironman, got on his bike for 2 hours and then went out for a fast 5k run. I knew I had to go outside for a 10k run.
Running on white sandy sidewalks was not going to be easy. I've ran on that type of sand more times than I haven't and knew it was going to be more of a strength then speed training working. I told myself yesterday that I needed to step up my game. I've been too compliant and too comfortable in my workouts. I'm training for an Ironman - there is nothing comfortable about an Ironman except for the comfortable bed at the end of that day.
JJ's 4-hour class brought me to tears about my performance. Even though I lowered my wattage which meant I should've performed much better, I was cramping up more then I was the past month I've been going to his class. It even got to the point when JJ looked over at me and said I need to come more often which in his nice calm way was saying he was disappointed in my performance. The way he said in a calm tone was far worse then someone yelling at me that I was sucking. I can't handle the silent disappointment.
So from that moment on I knew I needed to get to the gym and hit the weights and work on my core like I used to a few years ago. I was pretty damn strong.
After an hour rest from my run I went to the gym to focused on core for 1.5 hours. This week I maybe walking like I'm an old lady but I know I'll get over it and if I continue hitting the weights and the core...I will be better.
After talking to my friend Colin (pictured in the previous post with the Butterfingers and bag of empty Reeses Cups, 14 to be exact) and found out when he got home from consuming 1,810 calories of candy with 184 grams of sugar all while watching the 2 hour airing of the 2010 Hawaii Ironman, got on his bike for 2 hours and then went out for a fast 5k run. I knew I had to go outside for a 10k run.
Running on white sandy sidewalks was not going to be easy. I've ran on that type of sand more times than I haven't and knew it was going to be more of a strength then speed training working. I told myself yesterday that I needed to step up my game. I've been too compliant and too comfortable in my workouts. I'm training for an Ironman - there is nothing comfortable about an Ironman except for the comfortable bed at the end of that day.
JJ's 4-hour class brought me to tears about my performance. Even though I lowered my wattage which meant I should've performed much better, I was cramping up more then I was the past month I've been going to his class. It even got to the point when JJ looked over at me and said I need to come more often which in his nice calm way was saying he was disappointed in my performance. The way he said in a calm tone was far worse then someone yelling at me that I was sucking. I can't handle the silent disappointment.
So from that moment on I knew I needed to get to the gym and hit the weights and work on my core like I used to a few years ago. I was pretty damn strong.
After an hour rest from my run I went to the gym to focused on core for 1.5 hours. This week I maybe walking like I'm an old lady but I know I'll get over it and if I continue hitting the weights and the core...I will be better.
I really need to find new friends
I'm not sure if I'm associating myself with the right set of endurance friends and their training styles.
On the left you have Andy training for 2011 RAW (Race Across the West)
On the right you have Colin training for 2012 Wisconsin Ironman or for 2011 short course Tri's.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
There are 4 sports I have to master?
This past week I learned core is the key to my Ironman success and also I have a lot of homework to do.
I started to train with this older guy I met in spin and swim class.
He pulled me off to the side and said "How is your core"
Me, "I like to do core work but I need to work on it."
Old guy, "Your not training for only 3 sports your training for 4 sports. Core being the 4th sport."
Me, "Great I guess I have some homework to do. I'll fit it in after I finish my morning bike/run, stressful day at work, second workout of running after work and before I pass out."
Old guy, "Ok. Let's meet at 5am everyday before swim class to work on core."
Me, "Ok. What's another 15 minutes of sleep."
I recently found out this guy was training for the Olympics and is by far one of the best swimmers in town. Who am I to argue with his recommendations. I just say, "Ok. When?"
Jonny J:
"You can do all the biking, running and swimming but what puts someone into the next level is core work."
Today, I did interval sprint training with my friend Colin. After our run he wanted to to do some strength training.
Colin, "Here stand on this boosu ball with one leg."
After wobbling like a old laundry machine he looked frustrated and said, "ok try this"
Little bit better on this foam mat but not by much we did a few strength training moves - which I sucked at!
During our after work coffee chat Colin said, "I've trained 64 year old women that have better stability then you do."
Me, "Great. I guess I have some homework to do."
I started to train with this older guy I met in spin and swim class.
He pulled me off to the side and said "How is your core"
Me, "I like to do core work but I need to work on it."
Old guy, "Your not training for only 3 sports your training for 4 sports. Core being the 4th sport."
Me, "Great I guess I have some homework to do. I'll fit it in after I finish my morning bike/run, stressful day at work, second workout of running after work and before I pass out."
Old guy, "Ok. Let's meet at 5am everyday before swim class to work on core."
Me, "Ok. What's another 15 minutes of sleep."
I recently found out this guy was training for the Olympics and is by far one of the best swimmers in town. Who am I to argue with his recommendations. I just say, "Ok. When?"
Jonny J:
"You can do all the biking, running and swimming but what puts someone into the next level is core work."
Today, I did interval sprint training with my friend Colin. After our run he wanted to to do some strength training.
Colin, "Here stand on this boosu ball with one leg."
After wobbling like a old laundry machine he looked frustrated and said, "ok try this"
Little bit better on this foam mat but not by much we did a few strength training moves - which I sucked at!
During our after work coffee chat Colin said, "I've trained 64 year old women that have better stability then you do."
Me, "Great. I guess I have some homework to do."
Monday, December 6, 2010
Emotional Block = Mental Breakdown
Last Tuesday I received some devastating news about my manager who is also a very good friend. He's been battling cancer since he was 17 and is now 33. He's had 5 different types of cancer and has beaten them all. Currently he's been struggling with a tumor in his brain that has been stable but he found out in his round of test it's growing. Worst yet, it's spreading. It's hard to see him struggling to read, walk or just trying to function for more than an hour without getting dizzy. At work my job is to fix problems - this is one problem I can't fix but I wish I could help relieve the stress somehow. Although he's my manager he's also a great friend to me so I was extremely devastated to hear his struggle in life has just gotten harder.
When I first started to think about doing an Ironman I remember sitting in the Bistro at our office with him and saying I had this crazy idea. Without much thought he said to do it. After I explained why I asked him first since it's going to take a serious commitment on my end and would need my employer to understand working 12 hours a day wasn't going to work. He immediately said to do it and for the next month he kept saying I should do it every time I brought it up.
So for the next 10 months and for the final 12-17 hours on September 11, 2011 - I will be pushing my body to limits I've never been and when I have those mental breakdowns from now until then, as I did many times this past week, I will think about my close friends and my father that struggled emotionally, mentally and physically through the toughest battle of their lives and so far have won.
Great job guys - cowbells for you!
When I first started to think about doing an Ironman I remember sitting in the Bistro at our office with him and saying I had this crazy idea. Without much thought he said to do it. After I explained why I asked him first since it's going to take a serious commitment on my end and would need my employer to understand working 12 hours a day wasn't going to work. He immediately said to do it and for the next month he kept saying I should do it every time I brought it up.
So for the next 10 months and for the final 12-17 hours on September 11, 2011 - I will be pushing my body to limits I've never been and when I have those mental breakdowns from now until then, as I did many times this past week, I will think about my close friends and my father that struggled emotionally, mentally and physically through the toughest battle of their lives and so far have won.
Great job guys - cowbells for you!
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