Reflections of a multi-sport athlete

Yep, I can now call myself a multi-sport athlete! I started and completed the duathlon, and survived!!!

The race took place in Capitola. I arrived pretty early because I had never done this before and wanted to make sure I had plenty of time to put my bike in the transition area, go to the restroom, eat some breakfast and find my way to the starting line.

This was another Mermaid race (same organization that did the half we participated in in May), all women, sprint tri, olympic distance tri and duathlon. No big surprise, they were a bit unorganized. The duathlon athletes were told to go to the pier and stand by the Wharf to Wharf plaque, myself and many others could not find this thing for the life of us!

I was lucky enough to have my sister and brother in law at the race to cheer me on! We watched the start of the triathlons and then it was my turn! I'm not going to lie, I was super nervous.

The first portion of the race was a 1 1/2 mile run. It started straight up a hill. I don't do hills. I managed to survive and was so surprised how quickly this distance went by. It felt like I started and then was immediately running past my sister, onto the beach (it was sooooo hard to run in the sand) and then up another hill into the transition area. My transition was very easy, I don't have bike shoes, so I just had to put on my helmet and head on out.

The next portion was a 12 mile bike. No big deal, right?! Wrong. The race map showed two hills, so I was prepared for two hills. The ENTIRE ride was hilly. I'm not kidding. We rode from Capitola to Aptos and back. I struggled through this whole thing, but along the ride decided I was just going to enjoy it and take in beautiful scenery. As I was approaching the entrance to the transition area, I was going way to fast (it was downhill), was talking to my sister and brother in law and tried to get off my bike without stopping completely. No big surprise, I fell. And I considered just staying there and taking a nap. I was so done, but knew I couldn't throw in the towel. I picked myself up, laughed at myself, racked my bike and headed off for the final run.

The last portion of the race was a 2 1/2 mile run. I left the transition area and felt like I was running on jello. My legs had no idea what to do and I never did get them back. This run also went up the same hill as the first run and then we finished on the beach. Somehow I managed to get my legs moving and crossed the finish line.

The results:
1 1/2 mile run: 14:43
T1: 1:38
12 mile bike: 1:07:59
T2: 1:31
2 1/2 mile run: 25:48
Total chip time: 1:51:42

I am super proud of myself for doing this and I will absolutely do it again! I wasn't able to walk for almost a week, next time I will train for the hills!!!

What was I thinking?

In May, I went to The Woodlands, Texas to watch my now-Brother in Law compete in the Ironman. An Ironman is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run (yes, a marathon, after all that). To say I was inspired would be an understatement. This event was unreal. Normal people attempting this event and having to finish in under 17 hours.

**bragging moment* My Brother In Law finished in 11 hours, 45 minutes and 23 seconds. HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROCKSTAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So back to the inspiration. I saw these people, normal everyday people, attempting this event. Now, I am not a swimmer, but I know I can ride a bike and I can run. By the time I left Texas, I knew I wanted to attempt a duathlon (bike/run).

I came home, found a race and signed up.

September 25, I will attempt a 1 1/2 mile run, 12 mile bike, followed by a 2 1/2 mile run. I could not be more excited! Wish me luck!!!

I'm back, baby!

One month and 12 days.

That is how long it had been since I was able to run.

Got up before the family today and headed out for an early morning run.

2.07 pain free miles.

I am back, baby!!

Injured

During the training for this last race, I started feeling a pain in my Achilles tendon. At first I thought nothing of it, tried stretching, using the foam roller, but the pain would not go away.

I consulted Dr. Google and diagnosed myself with possible Achilles tendinitis. Damn.

I decided I had come too far in my training to have someone tell me I shouldn't be running, so I put off going to the doctor.

I, obviously, ran the race and got my PR (woot woot!!), but knew I needed to be seen by a professional.

I went to my doctor, diagnosis confirmed, Achilles tendinitis. No running. Actually it was more of a "you shouldn't run because if you do, you might rupture your tendon and then you will most likely never run again". 'Nuf said.

So, here I sit. I have taken almost two weeks off. The pain has not subsided. I start physical therapy in a few weeks.

Running has become something I NEED to do. Not just want, but need. It is my stress relief, it is my first love (exercise related). Let's hope I am out pounding the pavement, pain free, very soon!

Reflections on half marathon number 4

Like April, I have started and deleted this post many times.

When I signed up for this race, I had the utmost confidence I could finish under 2 hours and cross that finish line with April.

We had months to train, started a one month cross training class, I started taking a spin class, I started doing my own core workouts at home, all signs pointed to me achieving those goal.

Then life got in the way.

I got super busy at work, the husband's hours at work got ridiculous, the kids started having more activities and, slowly, all my time for training started dwindling.

But I woke up the morning of the race with a "can do" attitude. I was going to leave it all out there, bust my butt to try and reach the goals and still aim for that sub 2.

After some hiccups at home, I made it to the race location with even more motivation to reach my goals. I had plenty of time to use the restroom, find my running buddies and mentally prepare for what I was going to do.

Turns out I had more then plenty of time as the race organizers pushed the start time back. Not just once, three times. It was cold. We were freezing and starting to get HUNGRY. I have to plan my eating so it won't cause any negative effects on my system when I am running, pushing back the start time was not going to help this.

They finally started the race and I did pretty well keeping up with April and Melissa. Then I started to see them pull away. I tried not to get down, kept telling myself to "race my own race", I had my trusty Garmin and could pace myself using that. I plugged along the most boring race course in the history of races (who the hell thought it was a good idea to have the course run along a levee of a drainage canal for 13.1 miles?!) and, even though it was advertised as a flat course, it was not. There were many many many subways under road that we had to run down and up, I am NOT a fan of hills, big or small.

I saw April and Melissa somewhere before the turn around and seeing them helped lift me up. I also saw my Aunt Stephanie not too long after that, nothing like a high five to push you along!

I continued to check my Garmin and figured I was not going to reach my sub 2 goal, but still was aiming for a PR.

As I cross the bridge at mile 12 that brings you back into the park where the finish line was, I was ready to throw in the towel. There was a strong headwind, people walking their dogs off leash so you had to avoid tripping and the finish line looked to be about 13.1 miles away.

But I pushed on and as I got to the bottom of the hill that lead to the finish line (yes, you read that right, a hill, finishing on a hill, fabulous) I saw a streak of yellow out of the corner of my eye and someone yelling "GO RACH". It was my sister's fiance, Dave. He had rode his bike from Santa Clara to see me run, amazing. Then I saw April who said "GO RACH, ITS AT 2:04!!!!". I was shocked. I kicked it into high gear and cross that finish line.

Official chip time: 2:04:45. PR BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No big surprise, I cried after crossing the finish line. All my hard work and I did it.

While I have yet to start and FINISH a race with April, or get my sub 2, I knew, after all the challenges we both faced to get to that start line that Saturday morning, we were going to be smiling all afternoon.

When life gives you lemons...

you take a week off.

The last few weeks have been incredibly stressful for me. Between work, the commute, my husband's ridiculously long hours at work, sick kids, lack of sleep, etc. etc. etc., I have hardly had a chance to squeeze in a run. Let alone multiple runs that I should be doing since we are 5 weeks away from race day.

This last week has been a doozy. And, while my gym bag is sitting on the floor of my office, I just couldn't find the time or motivation to head upstairs to the gym.

So, rather than feeling guilty about it, I am going to give myself this week as a rest week. Probably not the best idea since, again, the race is 5 weeks away, but I am feeling confident in my mileage and stamina and know I will cross that finish line, hopefully with a PR.

Today, I gave up

Waved the white flag (or towel as it was). Threw in said towel.


I had high hopes for today's work out. As I was carrying my bag up the flight of stairs to they gym, I was thinking I would aim for 6 or 7, hoping there was something good on tv to distract me from the boringness that is the "dreadmill."

I started out at a 9:30 pace, going for distance today, not time. As I was chugging along, I just didn't feel right, couldn't find a groove or comfortable stride and there was absolutely nothing on tv. I tried slowing down. Speeding up. Stopped to walk for a minute and stretch a screaming Achilles tendon.

Started again, mile one clicked by. Every negative thought entered my mind and I couldn't push them out. I pushed on, sped up, slowed down, d r a g g ed myself through mile 2.

Then I did the unthinkable.

I hit the stop button.

I couldn't do it. I didn't have it today and knew I wasn't going to find it.

I decided to give myself a pass and not get down. We have 11 weeks until our race and every run can't be a good one.

Hoping the next 11 weeks go better then today!

New Year. New Goals.

Ok ok, I realize it is almost the end of January. The new year is almost one month old and I am just now blogging. What can I say, between Christmas, New Years, my husband's birthday, my son's 4th birthday (4?!), I have been busy.

I don't make resolutions. I have in the past and have never been able to keep them. So this year I am setting goals and making a new plan to help achieve my running them.

Goal number 1: Cross train
I am a full time, work-out-of-the-house mom. Add in a (on a good day) one hour each way commute, I have to usually squeeze my workouts in on my lunch hour. In the past, I have always used this time to run, usually on the dreadmill. I want to get faster and stronger and I know the only way to do this is to add some cross training into my training schedule. I have started taking a spinning class at the gym and I add in some pilates after the kids go to bed. FYI, I hate planks.


Goal number 2: Get faster
This year I am going to start AND FINISH a race with April. Did you know we have yet to do that? April is a naturally fast runner. I am not. I am adding some speed workouts to my routine in hopes of staying with her, rather than drafting off of her ;-)

Goal number 3: Run a sub-2 hour half
I am hoping by doing the above, this will be the outcome. I only need to do it once and I will be happy.

Goal number 4: Have fun
During my last half (San Jose Rock and Roll), I threw all expectations out the window. I was going to run the race for fun and I did just that. And you know what? I had fun. Lots of it. Couldn't wipe the smile off my face for days after the race. So, if I reach these goals this year, awesome! If I don't, as long as I am having fun trying, then it will all be worth it.

Our "race-iversary"

The three of us just celebrated our "race-iversary", once year ago we ran our first half marathon. We ran two after that. Three half marathons in less than a year. I kind of think we rock.

In celebration of our big day, we had planned to run the Grape Stomp 10K. It was the race that got it all started for us. Unfortunately, I had to have surgery not long after the last race to correct a problem from my last c-section, so I could not run.

I am not a good when someone tells me that I can't do something. I was soooooo incredibly disappointed that I wasn't going to be able to run this race. I kept telling myself I could to it. It was 2 weeks after this "minor" surgery, I could do it, right?

No, I couldn't. My "minor" surgery was quite painful. But my friends did it. And they did it well. And I was there to cheer them on at the finish line. And Erica PR'd. I may not have run it with them, but my heart was sure there!

Then we celebrated with brunch, pedicures and wine tasting. And it was a special person's birthday.

Happy Race-iversary Ladies. I love you both and look forward to many anniversaries in the future!!

San Jose Rock and Roll, part 2

This race was different for me too.

Since our last half in June, April and I had talked about a goal of finishing under 2 hours. 1:59:59 would be ok with us! I was totally on board for this and was amped up for the training it would take. Then life happened...

Work got very busy, the kids kept me very busy, home life kept me very busy, we traveled A LOT this summer, I was finding it very hard to find time to run. I could usually squeeze in one or two runs during the week and one longer run on the weekend.

And my runs were not good. Craptastic actually. I was getting very discouraged. And, somewhere during one of my horrible runs, I realized I wasn't going to finish in under two hours. And I got a little depressed.

A few weeks before the race, April and I ran a 9 miler. We talked. I told her my frustration and she convinced me to take the pressure off of myself and just go out and run the race, at my pace and, if nothing else, have fun.

And that is just what I did.

I lost April pretty much right after we crossed the start line. Lost Becky right around mile 3. But I was ok with running this race by myself. The course was great, it wound through areas of San Jose I have never been too, and through areas that brought back so many memories (my old Junior High!).

I finished the race in 2 hours, 13 minutes and 23 seconds. Not under 2 hours, but I don't think the smile left my face until I went to bed that night. I had so much fun, was so proud of myself for finished my 3rd half marathon in less than a year and crossed that finish line feeling no pressure and looking forward to my next race.

Getting discouraged

4 weeks. We have 4 weeks until our next race.

I have had craptastic run after craptastic run for the last few weeks.

I can't find time to run during the week. I can't find time to run with my running buddies.

I am starting to get discouraged.

I need one good run to get my head back into the game. One good run. Please let it happen for me this week.

Planning for the long run

There is a reason people who run half marathons are in a special group. Not only is it a pretty long distance, but as your training goes along, it starts to take a good chunk of time.

We are currently 5 1/2 weeks away from race day. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!

It is about this time that, on my long runs, I begin to wonder the hell I decided to do this. And a long run to me is anything over 7 miles. Anything that is going to potentially take more than an hour. Yes. An hour. Of running.

Luckily I have amazing running buddies to keep me motivated. But I know we all go through the same thing to plan for these runs. Yes, I said PLAN.

Here is what a typical long run planning session looks like for me:

Step 1: Email my running buddies to see if they are available on x date to run for x (8, 9, 10) miles.

Step 2: Confirm potential date and find a time to ask very-busy husband if he would mind watching the kids while I run.

Step 3: Slyly slip "would you mind watching the kids on x morning, I was hoping to do a long run with running buddies?" and (under my breath) "I might be gone for a few hours" into a conversation.

Step 4: Watch as very-busy husband rolls his eyes, asks if this is going to be our last race and then he agrees, but asks "you'll be home by lunch time, right?"

Step 5: Rush to add running date to the calendar and email running buddies to let them know we are on.

Step 6: On the actual day of running, I wake up early, eat something, drive out to meet my friends, run run run, grab some coffee and then head back home to the family. Typical running date lasts about 3 hours. See why we have to plan?

But, even after all this planning, running, training, the feeling of crossing that finish line, knowing what we had to do to get there, is absolutely amazing.

And no, this will not be my last race (sorry husband!).

"You're truly a runner now!"

I was lucky enough to go on vacation with my family to San Diego for a week. I was so excited to spend time as a family of four, away from all the stresses of day to day life, and also incredibly excited to run near the ocean. I knew the house we rented was steps away from the Bay side walking path and a few hundred yards away from the ocean side walking path/boardwalk.

My husband and I were lucky enough to get out 3 out of the 5 days we were at the beach and it was awesome! The first day I ran my longest run of the vacation by myself, it was 4th of July and the Bay was getting ready for the nighttime party, great distraction during my run! The next time we ran on the ocean side, we started off together and then my husband stopped with the kids so they could play in the sand, I continued on and took in all the sights. The last day, probably my favorite run of the week, we all ran together, took turns pushing the jogging stroller and ended at one of the best breakfast places in Pacific Beach.

I posted my runs each day on Daily Mile/Facebook and got a comment from a friend "I love that you are running on vacation. You're truly a runner now!"

And you know what, I believe it. I pack my running clothes to go on vacation, and am EXCITED about it. I am truly a runner now!

Addicted

I am leaving for a weekend away today. As I was packing my suitcase last night, I almost considered bringing my running stuff in my carry-on, just in case my luggage got lost, at least I would be able to run.

Yea, I'm addicted.

Running with an Angel in my pocket

I hope it is ok that I share this, but it was such a special part of my race on Saturday that I don't want to not mention it.

Erica had a pretty devastating event in her life not too long ago, she lost her Mom. I can't imagine what she has endured because I haven't been in her shoes, but I have tried to be there for her.

When we got out of the car on Saturday morning before the race, Erica pulled something out of her bag and held it in her hand. I took one look at the two angel pins she had and, instantly knew what they were for. And instantly started crying. As did Erica and April. Both April and I took the pins from Erica's hand and put them on. I will never forget what Erica said "I love that both of you know and I don't have to say anything".

Yes, running has brought us together, but I know that we have forged a friendship that, God forbid, if we were never able to run again, we will remain friends for the rest of our lives.

Erica, thank you for letting me be a part of your life. I can't tell you how many times I reached into my pocket on Saturday hoping for an extra little push when I felt that pin, and every single time I felt it, it pushed me on mile after mile.

Thank you both for being my friend.

We did it

Our second half marathon is done. Each one of us crossed the finish line. It was an absolutely amazing, emotional, exhausting experience, but we did it and I couldn't be more proud or more happy.

I had three goals for this race:

1. Keep up with April.
2. Run the entire thing, all 13.1 miles.
3. Finish under 2 hours 10 minutes.

Here's how it went:

1. I lost April at about mile 3. She was a rockstar. A serious rockstar and I knew, if I tried to keep up with her, there was no way I was going to meet my other two goals. (During our first half, I was able to hang with April until about mile 7, this time, not so much. Did I mention she is a rock star?!). Goal number 1, FAIL.

2. After I lost April, I started to doubt myself. How was I going to run the next 10 miles (10 MILES?!?!!?) by myself. Yea, I had my IPod, but 10 miles, good Lord. But then I remembered why I was doing this, how far I had come and how many times I had done some long runs by myself. Guess what? I did it. I ran each and every one of those 13.1 miles. Goal number 2, SUCCESS!

3. It was around mile 8 that I started to get tired. Really, really tired. I was doing anything and everything I could to distract myself from thinking about how tired my legs were, how thirsty I was, how much my feet hurt, etc. etc. There was a water station at mile 8, and there were some inspirational signs posted there. The one that hit me was from Eleanor Roosevelt, "You must do the things you think you cannot do", hit me so hard I had tears in my eyes. I was going to run this thing and, gosh darn it, I was going to push myself to do it under 2 hours 10 minutes. Then all of the sudden I saw the 10 mile marker, I seriously did the happy dance in my head, I WAS ALMOST DONE!!! I struggled through those last three miles, I'm not going to lie. I was ready to throw in the towel, then I turned the corner, saw the clock, it said "2:09:something". WHAT?! I was sooooooooo close. I turned it on and crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 4 seconds. 2 HOURS, 10 MINUTES AND 4 SECONDS. 25 minutes faster then my first half marathon. I did it. Goal number 3, SUCCESS!!

April (aka, rockstar, who, by the way, finished about 10 minutes before me) was there when I crossed and gave me a hug. I started sobbing. I did it. All that hard work was done. In 2 hours, 10 minutes and 4 seconds.

We went and stretched and then headed to the finish line to watch for Erica. And then she appeared. Tears streaming down her face. April and I started crying, and cheering, loud, I mean really loud. And she did it. Crossed that finish line and had the next, at least 4 women next to us, in tears also.

The three of us met up, hugged, cried and then started celebrating. We all crossed that finish line. We did it. And I couldn't be happier.

We've come a long way, baby

April and I were commenting today about how far we have come in our training.

Last September, we struggled through our first 10K. Struggled as in I had to walk some of the 6+ miles. Now a 6 or 7 mile run is no problem at all.

Today is "National Running Day", not sure if it was a motivator or anything, but all three of us went out and ran individually. And each of us did over 3 miles.

We have our race on Saturday and I KNOW each one of us is going to accomplish one of our goals, be it a better time, less walking, more running, etc.

And one or more of us may have registered for another half marathon in October :-)

We've come a long way baby, and I can't wait to continue!

One week

Oh good Lord, we have one more week until race day...

"Practice Run"

The store that is organizing the race we are running in had a "practice run" this past weekend. The mileage, 11 1/2 miles, was perfect for where we are in our training, so the three of us made arrangements to be able to run it. I still couldn't believe 11 1/2 miles was a "practice run" for this girl who used to hate running.


I woke up that morning with some nervous energy, mostly nervous about getting to the start location on time. It happened to be where the race would be starting, so I was glad to see where we would be running.


We got to the park in Alameda and about froze our poopers off waiting for the organizers to say "go". It was absolutely amazing to be surrounded by such a variety of women, old, young, mothers, runners, walkers, etc. When we started, we worked our way up in the group to find our pace. I thought we started out a little fast, but we quickly got to a comfortable speed and settled in for our long run.

We chugged along, saw the Oakland Coliseum, the Bay and then rounded a corner and saw an amazing view of the San Francisco skyline, it was beautiful, but super windy.


We kept running and running and running. April checked her Nike + and it said we were around 8 miles, awesome, we felt pretty good and only had 3 1/2 miles to go.


We crossed a bridge and thought we had about 2 more miles. At this point, we were both pretty tired and ready to be done. We put one foot in front of the other, figuring we can push through the next two miles.


We kept running and running and running. I think I told April that this seemed like the longest 2 miles of my life.


We finally rounded the corner to the park and saw the red tent. We gave it all we had to get across that finish line. We finally made it!


April checked her Nike +. It said 12.22.


12.22

WHAT?!

We thought her Nike + was just a bit off. Then more people started crossing the finish line and their Garmins, Nike +, etc. said 12 plus miles. We realized we had just ran over 12 miles. Less than one more mile and we would have finished our 2nd half marathon.

So, come June 5th, we will "technically" be running our 3rd half marathon. And, if the course and participants are anything like what we saw this weekend, I can't wait.

What I won't do again...

I absolutely love my running shoes, Asics 2140. I wore them to train for and run my first half, and when they wore down, I wanted to get the same pair.

The thing about running shoes, any athletic shoe really, they are expensive. So I decided to search the wonderful world of the world wide web and see if I could find my shoes for a cheaper price, and I did! Shoes.com had my exact pair of shoes for much less then I would spend in a shoe store, so I ordered them.

When they arrived, I couldn't wait to go out for my first run. It went great! Woohoo! Then I started increasing my distance and noticed I was getting a blister in the same spot (my arch) every time I ran 5 miles or longer. Fabulous. I'm training for a 13.1 mile run and am continually getting blisters. I tried new socks, changing up the way I laced my shoes, nothing was working.

Now when I head out for a run, I have to use these wonderful tools (because I am too cheap to buy new shoes!):

First I lube up my arch with some Body Glide...

then wrap my foot in this tape.

So, what won't I do again? Buy shoes from any place other than a store dedicated to running shoes. Painful lesson to learn!!