My friend Keith who finished the Beach to Battleship IM in November, sent me a few of his favorite "motivational" videos. Love most of them, but not 100% sure about this one...
Till the roof comes off, till the lights go out
Till my legs give out, can't shut my mouth.
Till the smoke clears out - am I high? Perhaps
I'ma rip this shit till my bone collapse.
Until the roof
The roof comes off
Until my legs
give out from underneath me
I will not fall,
I will stand tall,
Feels like no one could beat me.
Great song choice. Love me some Em and Dr. Dre.
Mom and Dad, you might not want to watch this one. I sure hope that none of us feels like this on August 29th, but these people do amaze me. I just have to keep telling myself that it's all about pacing!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Back at it.
After four whole days off, I was back at it again today. I started my Sunday morning off with a bang in Todd's two and half hour class and then went to Excel for the always difficult T30 (swim as far as you can in 30 minutes). It is amazing how you can lose so much fitness in just a few days. I was only supposed to have Wednesday and Thursday off completely, but Mother Nature reared her ugly head and I was stuck in New York until late Saturday afternoon. It was gross, but I did get to spend some good, quality time with my old roommate, Grant, on Friday night and enjoyed what could possibly have been the BEST pizza I have ever had. EVER.
Doesn't this look delicious? It was. I promise.
I was supposed to stop eating pizza and drinking wine LAST week, but that clearly didn't happen so I'll say it again this week...GAME ON! Kat's got me training just over 15 hours this week and said that next week we'll get into our first brick workouts (i.e. bike + run consecutively in order to get used to the feeling of coming directly off the bike and beginning the run). YIKES. It appears to be warming up and the days are getting longer so hopefully I'll be able to start training on occasion at night post-workday. We shall see!
Doesn't this look delicious? It was. I promise.
I was supposed to stop eating pizza and drinking wine LAST week, but that clearly didn't happen so I'll say it again this week...GAME ON! Kat's got me training just over 15 hours this week and said that next week we'll get into our first brick workouts (i.e. bike + run consecutively in order to get used to the feeling of coming directly off the bike and beginning the run). YIKES. It appears to be warming up and the days are getting longer so hopefully I'll be able to start training on occasion at night post-workday. We shall see!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
GAME ON.
Alright kiddies, I guess I'm going to have to resort to using this blog as a means of keeping myself accountable. Last night was Tilly's birthday celebration which meant that we all ended up a bit intoxicated, up WAY past our bedtimes, eating pizza and sending drunken text messages to boys who shall remain nameless. Good Lord it was a lot of a lot of fun, but now it's GAME ON. I'm getting TWO recovery weeks in a row which is actually really hard for me to deal with because it means I have to significantly reduce my caloric intake and that means fewer Fat Tires and glasses of delicious red wine! Boo effin' hoo...seriously? I shouldn't have such a difficult time with this, but I do. SO, keeping in mind that my 30th birthday is only two months away, I've got time to shed several more pounds so I don't feel so guilty come the weekend of hard core celebration. I would like to cut alcohol out of my life completely for a couple of months, but with work travel this week to NYC and next month to SXSW, that will be virtually impossible. And, given my love for socializing, it just isn't realistic for me to impose something so drastic on myself. I can keep it under control though...especially if I want to look like this for Ironman (sans the grease, of course, because that's just, uhhh, greasy?!).
This is Erin Densham. She's apparently a badass Australian triathlete. I should probably know who she is, but I don't. I do know that I would give my right arm to have that body. This is highly unlikely, as I would need a complete body transplant, but maybe JUST maybe with Mari-Etta's help and a little discipline, I will be able to avoid feeling the least bit uncomfortable in those oh-so-flattering wetsuits and tri kits for race season 2010. :)
This is Erin Densham. She's apparently a badass Australian triathlete. I should probably know who she is, but I don't. I do know that I would give my right arm to have that body. This is highly unlikely, as I would need a complete body transplant, but maybe JUST maybe with Mari-Etta's help and a little discipline, I will be able to avoid feeling the least bit uncomfortable in those oh-so-flattering wetsuits and tri kits for race season 2010. :)
Monday, February 15, 2010
Race Weekend Recap
Birmingham is probably a cool city, but we didn't get to see much this weekend. It was also Valentine's Day so finding a restaurant on Saturday night was next to impossible. We finally found a place and managed to sneak up to the bar and eat. I mean, we HAD to be in bed by 10 (preferably earlier because I am old and sleepy). We opted not to drive the course on Saturday night because I really just didn't want to know. In the past that seems to have worked for me, but I think if I had to do it all over again, I would have driven it because then I wouldn't have taken off so fast and probably would have done a better job of pacing myself. The course was a doozy and the hills? Well, those were BRUTAL! Here's an elevation chart so you can see what I'm talking about.
I didn't exactly meet the time goal I had set for myself which was really anything better than Dublin, but I can't be too torn up over it considering the course. I came in right at 4:21:48, EXACTLY a 10 minute pace on average. I felt great nutrition-wise and stuck to my plan, but like I said, I didn't do the best job of pacing myself. My 10K pace was 8:42, 15K 8:51 and 25K 9:06, 30K 9:13 and then a 10 minute average overall. I may have been better off to take it easy on the front end. I should have been running around a 9:10 - 9:20 average for the full race, but felt so good for the first 12, I just didn't want to hold back. Probably should have. I felt like absolute garbage at the halfway point. Maybe it's because Birmingham is a loop and at 13.1 you are reminded of the fact that you have to do it ALL OVER AGAIN! Watching all of those half-marathoners pass me by for the finish line was slightly painful. Once I hit the 16 mile marker, I felt good again, but only for about four miles. 20 - 25 were hard and 25 - 26 were just impossible. Thankfully Johanna showed up around 25.5 and pulled me through to 26. I look pretty, pretty happy here crossing the finish line (photo credit to Emmit Martin).
Had I known how my legs would feel two hours later, I might not have been smiling so big! My legs hurt like they've never hurt before! I still can't believe Tilghman, Amy and I managed to fly back from Europe less than 24 hours after we ran in Dublin. That might not have been possible after yesterday.
I did learn a few things this weekend...first, is that I have to be better at pacing myself, especially now that I'm running faster than I ever have; second is that I will be running my next marathon on a flat course; and third is that I really do need to focus my next three months on losing these few pounds that are holding me back. 20 pounds would have made a HUGE difference in getting up all of those crazy hills yesterday so, it's on. Back to drinking MGD64 and Bud Select 55's with Johanna!
and p.s. Big congrats to my friend Kathryn Wiseman for finishing her first half-marathon in Austin and for signing up for Chicago marathon 2010!
I didn't exactly meet the time goal I had set for myself which was really anything better than Dublin, but I can't be too torn up over it considering the course. I came in right at 4:21:48, EXACTLY a 10 minute pace on average. I felt great nutrition-wise and stuck to my plan, but like I said, I didn't do the best job of pacing myself. My 10K pace was 8:42, 15K 8:51 and 25K 9:06, 30K 9:13 and then a 10 minute average overall. I may have been better off to take it easy on the front end. I should have been running around a 9:10 - 9:20 average for the full race, but felt so good for the first 12, I just didn't want to hold back. Probably should have. I felt like absolute garbage at the halfway point. Maybe it's because Birmingham is a loop and at 13.1 you are reminded of the fact that you have to do it ALL OVER AGAIN! Watching all of those half-marathoners pass me by for the finish line was slightly painful. Once I hit the 16 mile marker, I felt good again, but only for about four miles. 20 - 25 were hard and 25 - 26 were just impossible. Thankfully Johanna showed up around 25.5 and pulled me through to 26. I look pretty, pretty happy here crossing the finish line (photo credit to Emmit Martin).
Had I known how my legs would feel two hours later, I might not have been smiling so big! My legs hurt like they've never hurt before! I still can't believe Tilghman, Amy and I managed to fly back from Europe less than 24 hours after we ran in Dublin. That might not have been possible after yesterday.
I did learn a few things this weekend...first, is that I have to be better at pacing myself, especially now that I'm running faster than I ever have; second is that I will be running my next marathon on a flat course; and third is that I really do need to focus my next three months on losing these few pounds that are holding me back. 20 pounds would have made a HUGE difference in getting up all of those crazy hills yesterday so, it's on. Back to drinking MGD64 and Bud Select 55's with Johanna!
and p.s. Big congrats to my friend Kathryn Wiseman for finishing her first half-marathon in Austin and for signing up for Chicago marathon 2010!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day!
Heading down to Birmingham, AL this afternoon with Johanna. Tomorrow we're running the Mercedes Marathon and half-marathon. This will be my second 26.2 ever! I think I'm ready, but definitely would have preferred to get a bit more rest this week than I did. It was a stressful week at work and once (or twice) again, my social life took over. I did, however, get to see a rockin' band on Wednesday night at 12th & Porter, Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights. Check them out. They've officially made my marathon play list (I'm obsessed with Devil's Basement). I don't get out much for live music these days which is completely inexcusable considering I live in "Music City," but this show was definitely worth the lost sleep!
Hoping the weather cooperates for tomorrow. They've been calling for some snow/ rain, but it looks like the temperature will be somewhere in the 40s. PERFECT as far as I'm concerned! Kat's got me shooting for somewhere around a 4:04 finish. That's about 16 minutes faster than Dublin. Who knows if I can do it, but we'll just have to see tomorrow. Trying not to put pressure on myself, especially since this is supposed to be a "training run." I need to get acclimated to the feeling of running for hours and hours on end. As Amy said to me once, "you just have to put one foot in front of the other." Starting at about mile 22, I'll probably be saying that out loud or screaming expletives in my usual fashion. Really though, I'll be thinking about the finish line at Ironman, as I always do when it gets difficult. Sally sent this video earlier in the week of IML 2009 - watch it if you've got 15 minutes to spare. If you've got 5, fast forward to the 9:40 mark for the finishers and maybe you'll understand why I can't wait to do this. I've watched this everyday for the past week. Only 7 months to go!
I'll report back tomorrow or Monday with the race report! Happy Valentine's Day, ya'll and Happy Birthday, CB, if you happen to read this!
Hoping the weather cooperates for tomorrow. They've been calling for some snow/ rain, but it looks like the temperature will be somewhere in the 40s. PERFECT as far as I'm concerned! Kat's got me shooting for somewhere around a 4:04 finish. That's about 16 minutes faster than Dublin. Who knows if I can do it, but we'll just have to see tomorrow. Trying not to put pressure on myself, especially since this is supposed to be a "training run." I need to get acclimated to the feeling of running for hours and hours on end. As Amy said to me once, "you just have to put one foot in front of the other." Starting at about mile 22, I'll probably be saying that out loud or screaming expletives in my usual fashion. Really though, I'll be thinking about the finish line at Ironman, as I always do when it gets difficult. Sally sent this video earlier in the week of IML 2009 - watch it if you've got 15 minutes to spare. If you've got 5, fast forward to the 9:40 mark for the finishers and maybe you'll understand why I can't wait to do this. I've watched this everyday for the past week. Only 7 months to go!
I'll report back tomorrow or Monday with the race report! Happy Valentine's Day, ya'll and Happy Birthday, CB, if you happen to read this!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Motivation
This video excites me. I've watched it hundreds of times, especially when I need a little motivatin'. "Swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, run 26.2 miles. Brag for the rest of your life." I'm not the bragging type, but I am the anxious type and I can't wait to do this!
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Cast of Characters
There are a whole lotta characters who will be involved with my IM training over the next 7 months. Since I'll probably be referring to them all the time in this here blog, I thought it might be good to make an introduction.
First and foremost is Katherine K, my coach for Ironman, aka "Coach Kat." She'll be the one I look forward to hearing from every Sunday afternoon with my schedule for the coming week. Tomorrow should be a good one, as it's TAPER TIME! I met Kat last year when she was coaching some of my crazy friends through IMKY. Each and every one of them finished with flying colors which is incredible, so she must've been doing something right. :)
Next is Johanna, my partner in crime through all of this. We signed up together and are now torturing ourselves together on a weekly basis. She comes from the great state of Wisconsin and also works in the music biz here in Nashville. I couldn't ask for a better accountability partner. Thankful to have someone else around who has to force down the MGD 64s instead of a delicious Fat Tire and who also has to call it an early night because of a 6 am run or 7:30 am appointment with Todd! This is our pre-Ironman photo taken on New Year's Eve. Hoping to see some drastic changes by the end of August! We're aiming to look like Pink as she appeared on the Grammys!
Speaking of Todd, he's our "bike coach." A pretty incredible bike coach, I might add. He owns a studio here in town called Endeavor Performance and just about everyone who does triathlons or cycles in Nashville takes this class. Why? Because he kicks your ass every single time you go in there. And, it's just a good, old fashioned good time - loud music, free flying expletives and the sweet smell of DaVinci's pizza from across the street. It doesn't get much better than that. Here's a photo I took last week from his class. That's Todd in the back in case you were wondering.
And then there are Tilghman, Amy, Kathryn, Patrick (aka Sally) and Keith. Tilghman, Patrick and Keith are all former Ironpeople. All of them finished their very first IM tris last year and I was lucky enough to see Tilghman at Coeur d'Alene and Sally at Louisville. Amy's the resident runner, having finished 10 (?) full marathons as of Dublin last year. Next up for her is the Boston Marathon in April and then the ambitious gal is planning to ride all 440+ miles of the Natchez Trace Parkway in July. Kathryn is my swimming and lifting partner - she's also the person with whom I communicate most via various electronic means (gchat, Facebook, BBM, text, phone, email, etc.). She is currently prepping for the Austin half marathon and several tris in the spring. No doubt in my mind that she'll be signed up for Ironman in 2011. Keith is probably the craziest of them all. This fool must be bored because he signed up for the Leadville 100. Yes, 100 miles ON FOOT in the mountains of Colorado in 30 hours or less. Sweet JESUS that's insane, but so admirable. I can't wait 'til August for him!
These are the important folks who will be by my side over the next seven months. I am so very lucky to have them. And there are so many other people encouraging me along the way, especially my parents, baby brother and other friends. They all think I'm completely insane (and I am), but have been more than supportive so far. I can't wait to have them all there on the big day (sounds like I'm planning a wedding or something)!
First and foremost is Katherine K, my coach for Ironman, aka "Coach Kat." She'll be the one I look forward to hearing from every Sunday afternoon with my schedule for the coming week. Tomorrow should be a good one, as it's TAPER TIME! I met Kat last year when she was coaching some of my crazy friends through IMKY. Each and every one of them finished with flying colors which is incredible, so she must've been doing something right. :)
Next is Johanna, my partner in crime through all of this. We signed up together and are now torturing ourselves together on a weekly basis. She comes from the great state of Wisconsin and also works in the music biz here in Nashville. I couldn't ask for a better accountability partner. Thankful to have someone else around who has to force down the MGD 64s instead of a delicious Fat Tire and who also has to call it an early night because of a 6 am run or 7:30 am appointment with Todd! This is our pre-Ironman photo taken on New Year's Eve. Hoping to see some drastic changes by the end of August! We're aiming to look like Pink as she appeared on the Grammys!
Speaking of Todd, he's our "bike coach." A pretty incredible bike coach, I might add. He owns a studio here in town called Endeavor Performance and just about everyone who does triathlons or cycles in Nashville takes this class. Why? Because he kicks your ass every single time you go in there. And, it's just a good, old fashioned good time - loud music, free flying expletives and the sweet smell of DaVinci's pizza from across the street. It doesn't get much better than that. Here's a photo I took last week from his class. That's Todd in the back in case you were wondering.
And then there are Tilghman, Amy, Kathryn, Patrick (aka Sally) and Keith. Tilghman, Patrick and Keith are all former Ironpeople. All of them finished their very first IM tris last year and I was lucky enough to see Tilghman at Coeur d'Alene and Sally at Louisville. Amy's the resident runner, having finished 10 (?) full marathons as of Dublin last year. Next up for her is the Boston Marathon in April and then the ambitious gal is planning to ride all 440+ miles of the Natchez Trace Parkway in July. Kathryn is my swimming and lifting partner - she's also the person with whom I communicate most via various electronic means (gchat, Facebook, BBM, text, phone, email, etc.). She is currently prepping for the Austin half marathon and several tris in the spring. No doubt in my mind that she'll be signed up for Ironman in 2011. Keith is probably the craziest of them all. This fool must be bored because he signed up for the Leadville 100. Yes, 100 miles ON FOOT in the mountains of Colorado in 30 hours or less. Sweet JESUS that's insane, but so admirable. I can't wait 'til August for him!
These are the important folks who will be by my side over the next seven months. I am so very lucky to have them. And there are so many other people encouraging me along the way, especially my parents, baby brother and other friends. They all think I'm completely insane (and I am), but have been more than supportive so far. I can't wait to have them all there on the big day (sounds like I'm planning a wedding or something)!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Month #1: Mission Accomplished
Well, I survived my first full month! Yippee! I guess this means I'm in! The first three weeks were pretty tough. I had a couple of 14 to 15 hour training weeks and it was tough to balance the schedule, but somehow, I was able to get through everything and managed to complete most of the workouts Kat gave me. The weather has been a bit tough for the last two weeks, but thanks to good friends who keep me accountable (Johanna, Amy, Tilghman, Kathryn), I have managed to overcome my hatred of being outdoors in inclement weather. I've felt good for most of my workouts. Last Sunday in my bike class - my really, really long Sunday morning bike class - I bonked about an hour in and just couldn't get my energy back. I've been testing various nutrition strategies and the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies just didn't work for me. That sucks because I really don't like shotbloks (shitblocks, as a fellow triathlete likes to call them) and all that gooey crap, but those things work like a charm and keep me going and going and going...I'll be trying something else this week so we'll see! I'm headed into taper week for the marathon...we're just over 9 days until Birmingham. I can't believe my second marathon ever is going to be a "training run." That's just hilarious to me. I'm excited though - and perhaps I'll win that Mercedes at the end!
As for everything else going on...work has been in. SANE. I am a firm believer that this training is the one and only reason I'm able to keep it together. I've not yet managed to 'sacrifice' that social life that I was talking about a couple of weeks back, but that day is coming soon. I actually went out last night and stayed up until...gasp...1 am! I haven't been out that late on a school night in awhile. I sure paid for it today and tonight on my run. I try to hang with the cool kids and I just can't do it anymore. I need that beauty sleep now more than ever so I need to learn to just say NO. When it comes to cute boys though that's nearly impossible. Which brings me to another issue. Dating. Dating while training is just a bad idea. It's even worse if you're trying to date someone who doesn't understand the strange world of triathlons and triathletes. Oh well...IMKY will have to keep me warm at night for now!
As for everything else going on...work has been in. SANE. I am a firm believer that this training is the one and only reason I'm able to keep it together. I've not yet managed to 'sacrifice' that social life that I was talking about a couple of weeks back, but that day is coming soon. I actually went out last night and stayed up until...gasp...1 am! I haven't been out that late on a school night in awhile. I sure paid for it today and tonight on my run. I try to hang with the cool kids and I just can't do it anymore. I need that beauty sleep now more than ever so I need to learn to just say NO. When it comes to cute boys though that's nearly impossible. Which brings me to another issue. Dating. Dating while training is just a bad idea. It's even worse if you're trying to date someone who doesn't understand the strange world of triathlons and triathletes. Oh well...IMKY will have to keep me warm at night for now!
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