94:56:71

1. 10 Miles.

2. vanilla GU at 46 minutes taken with 6oz water.

3. 5 stops to RE-TIE my $%#^&@** SHOES.

4. Small bowl of cheerios & milk after run & english muffin.

5. Slight headache.

Overall: FELT GREAT.

29:06:09

3:30pm start. Skipping dinner last night and lunch today left me a tad weak...Note to self: EAT.

55:57:72

Blizzards and Snow Drifts and Ice, Oh My!

Finally got above zero degrees. Went out with Hollyn after catching her 2 escapee dogs and did 5-something miles and hill repeats. A bit tricky on some of the unplowed slushy roads. Last mile home was basically snow-shoeing. Felt good. I actually got a good night's sleep last night. First time in 2 weeks. Makes a lot of difference in my emotional state for sure.

76:44:34

S-L-O-W-E-R.
But got it done.
Had a Jolly Rancher at 1 hour 10 mins.
I just dunno.

DOUBT

What the HELL am I thinking? There's NO way I can do a Marathon in May. For so many different reasons. I am weak, skinny, unhealthy (chronic UTI's), not properly hydrated/fueled...I hate my shoes...it's snowing and I can't run 100% of my training schedule...I am not so much worried about the grueling training aspect as much as I am worried about the logistics of the actual race I'm planning to do: 4:00am BUS ride to top of Poudre Canyon - pitch black, freezing cold, inadequate 'facilities', car-sick (me) on the twisting and winding road for miles and miles...How will I eat/drink during race? Will I ditch my warm ups/gloves/hat etc. when the sun comes up and I'm over-heating? How will I dress for that? What if I start cramping? It's 19 miles of steep downhill - followed by relative 7 miles of flat once out of the Canyon. Will I be able to prepare for the wear on my quads? Will I embarrass myself, not attain my goal of FINISHING the damned thing? Why can't I just choose a Marathon that is easier/more convenient? Or retire now and just run for fun. I think the fun is missing with all the chatter and worry.

easy 3 miler

Dark when we started our loop-d-loop run this morning...but then the glorious sunrise - pink, red, white was on fire in the east and we could actually see the road. Had about an 8:40 pace going - not too fast, not too slow. Did a push at the end so I could run to my driveway and say "bye" to Jon as he left early for work at 7am.

My achilles are killing me. Both. Especially first thing in the a.m...

37:44:94

Hollyn and I had such a beautiful morning for a good workout run. We were scheduled to do 4 but did probably 4.5 including 1 mile warm-up, stretching, 2.5 miles of speedwork/intervals and a pretty quick sprint for the last mile home. Felt awesome.

Baby Steps

6:30am - 6:58am = 3.something miles. So tired, but did it. Need to get Jon's snoring fixed...it's hurting my sleep schedule. The sofa isn't the best place to sleep pre-run. I did Yoga on Sunday and man are my legs sore in a good way. But I am so tight and need to stretch out A LOT more than I do. I used to be so diligent about the yoga for post-workouts...but I've been slacking. SLACKER! SEE-SHEEBS-SLACK should be my new Blog. It would be bursting with posts for sure.

Between 5 & 6 miles

This was a "family" run...I needed to get 5 miles in and the route I was taking was through a great park and past the elementary school...so the kids got on their bikes and we headed out. Ran a mile, stretched out, ran another 2 miles or so...the boys followed/lead on their bikes while the girls went to the playground w/ Jon after mile 1.5. Follow? Anyhoo...came back and met up at the park - probaby 4.5 miles at this point - then another mile and a half or so or more home. I think the watch was at about 50 - 54 minutes. I can't be sure b/c I don't have it with me at the moment and we ran into some neighbors early on for a few minutes and I forgot to stop my stopwatch. In ANY event, it was a good solid run and felt great compared to the crap week I had. Boo-Rah.

Hills in the Dark

6:30am. Horrendous night's sleep: ended up on Sofa (whoever invented Snoring should be drawn and quartered) where I was uncomfy and agitated all night. Suffering now on day #5 w/ a bladder inf. and finally FINALLY gave in and got antibiotics last night at 7pm. Anyhoo, met Hollyn in the FOG (visability 3 feet) this morning and we made our way to our hill by the big Catholic church and ran up and down about 5 times then home. 35 min workout. My hair was dripping with moisture/frost when I got home. It has now melted. So has my desire to run.

37:27

A bit more than 4 miles but I was slow and the roads were icy and slippery in patches. This is the 3rd or 4th run done sans ipod (sans: without) so I felt like I was dragging a bit. But to have this 4 miler out of the way for today is a good thing. Now it's time to tackle the basement...xmas boxes, toys, junk, winter clothes, guinea pig hay...it's all down there waiting for me. Grease the soundtrack is going on and I'm going to make the most of this day!

Wednesday

So the plan is to drop off the preschooler and head out from there...I've plotted out a 4 mile run - there and back. Hopefully I won't have to go pee...I've had such a huge issue with my bladder this past week. Such an annoyance and worry for me. There's nothing worse for me personally than an uncomfortable run. I even considered 10 minutes into my run yesterday quitting the Marathon Goal altogether. The prospect of having to use the 'facilities' every 10 minutes during a 4+ hour race does NOT make me happy. So, back up plan is: Don't even register for the $95 race...instead, run a Marathon the day of the race but on my own terms and without the timing chip. Is that a Cop-out?

3 on T

Three miles on Tuesday. Had to wait for my 12 year old to get home from Jr. High so I could go - needed a babysitter for the 4 year old. Anyhoo, it was an icy and cold and windy morning...so I didn't go at 6:30am, instead at 3pm I headed out and ran a boring loop close to home for 26 minutes. Glad to get it out of the way. Just wasn't feeling it.

7 Miler on Saturday

Plotted out a 7 mile 'there-and-back-again' type run. First mile on paved road, 1.5 miles dirt road, 1 mile paved road...repeat. Very warm, just wore running tights and an old race tee. Took no music - just me and my thoughts. No pains, no complaints. Felt great. Today (Sunday) was supposed to be x-train but I just went on a little walk. Tomorrow is rest day and then T, W, Th more running and again a long run next Sat.

Doin' it...

Ok, I'm going to get my Ass over the Pass in August! My girlfriend Murielle asked me to join her team of French-speaking babes...how could I refuse? C'etait pas possible. Donc, je le ferai!

Et Voila:

WILD WEST RELAY
GET YOUR ASS OVER THE PASS!
A COLORADO LONG DISTANCE,
24 HOUR TEAM RELAY RACE ADVENTURE
FORT COLLINS TO STEAMBOAT SPRINGS - COLORADO
36 LEGS, 200 MILES ...
Friday - Saturday August 7th - 8th, 2009 under the full moon

Hill Repeats

6:30am just pushed ourselves up the big hill by SEAS and then back down...up, down, up, down, etc. A little < than a mile to the hill and < mile back home. 30 minute workout. Heart was pumping. Good.

4 Miles

Just a short run but SUCH gorgeous weather. Went at 8:45am with Hollyn. It was so warm I took off my fleece and tied it around my waist at mile 2 and didn't even bother bring gloves. We almost got clipped by a truck at one point when he cut too close to the corner when he was turning. Scary. Other than that it was uneventful except for all our chatting!

Thursday Thrills

Ok, so I'm going on my run in 10 minutes. Never did get out there yesterday with the hurricane winds and sand storm. I feel like the pressure is on to really get into training mode and I've had nothing but set-backs with weather, illness, sleeping-in-ness...Need to get my bootie in gear. I've had the worst stomach ache the last few days...don't know what's going on. Nevertheless, nothing will stop me. Except me. Back soon.

Dust Bowl Drama

Woke up to go on my run...winds were gusting at least 70mph, AT LEAST. One of our Aspen trees is now at a 45 degree angle...soon to topple. Our back porch has furniture and brooms and bbq's strewn all over the place. Our little bench out front blew over. When I took the kids to school there was a HAZE of sand in the air - like a dust storm and the winds are still at it. I don't know how I'm going to get my run in - I'm going to be blown up and down the street. I'm scared.

It's BACK TO SCHOOL and early a.m. running...

6:30 - 7:00 just a quick 30 min sprint. Windy and chilly but great to see my running mate and chat for a half hour. Had to stop to adjust my right shoelace, other than that it was a good wake up run. We're on again tomorrow. Then Thurs. Then rest. Then 7 miles on Sat. We shall see how this week goes. Supposed to be super windy tomorrow as well. At least it's dry. Happy Birthday to my brother Mike. 36 years today. Miss him so much.

54:09:81

6 miles. Took it easy. It felt great and my shoes have been a bit more forgiving the last couple runs, so that's good. I still have issues with my achilles - they are really tight in the mornings...I limp around like a 90 year old. My kids and hubby laugh at me. That's the price I pay.

I love mapmyrun.com - it's such a great tool and really helps me plot new runs on occasion. I've been lucky with where I live in that there are so many running paths, etc. to choose from - however, I do enjoy trail running and unless I'm willing to drive somewhere there's not much near my house except for a bout a 2 mile trail alongside the railroad tracks (there & back 4) that I do on occasion when weather permits. I enjoy running Pine Ridge and will eventually try Coyote Ridge, although the snakes are an issue. Lory Park is also an option, but since I had my purse stolen out of the car this summer in the parking lot, I'm not so inclined to go back. Yet.

Lunch is calling.

Week #2 starts tomorrow. Thank goodness it's a REST DAY!

Pre-Run

Tired, sore, grumpy. But, sun is shining (very cold, tho') - so morale should improve. Doing a 6 miler. Will type results later. Taking it easy as there is a big long hill. But it should be a good 50 min run today. We'll see. later.

46:45

Got the runner's high about 10 seconds into it. It's 51 degrees today - amazing running weather. Funny how I started thinking about all the races I wanted to do this year ...but by the end of my run, when I started feeling a bit tired and my knees were aching ...I thought to myself, maybe just ONE Marathon this year...not 2. Ha.

Article from Colorado Runner Magazine

Here are 3 tips for Winter Doldrums and how to use this running "down" time wisely:

Recover
Most coaches agree that the offseason should be a period of recovery, both mental and physical, characterized by enjoying the many pleasures of a normal life (family, friends, sleeping, reading, etc.), while maintaining your overall fitness.
The exact structure of your offseason workout regime is up to you and the thousands of “experts” who have the perfect plan for you! In the most general of terms, you can rest productively by reducing exercise volume while keeping the intensity at a moderate level. Cross training can also help you stay fit while challenging your muscles in new and interesting ways.

Refine
With the extra hours available because you’re not working out as much, you can devote some time and energy to focus on the nagging aches and pains that you managed to keep from becoming full-blown injuries during the season. These minor problems are almost always caused by biomechanical issues, muscle imbalances, or both.
To identify your particular set of asymmetries, find an experienced sports physical therapist or sports chiropractor who can observe, measure, and evaluate you structurally. They can identify potential issues like overpronation, leg-length discrepancy, pelvic tilt and torque, high shoulder position, and head and neck balance.
Once identified, these imbalances can be treated with a combination of specific manipulation combined with soft-tissue therapy (sports massage, myofascial therapy, rolfing, etc).
Since they’re often neglected during the racing season, flexibility work and strength training should come to the forefront now. Especially if you’re working to improve your structural balance, specific stretching and strengthening exercises will help you maintain your progress.
As you resolve imbalances, you can begin improving technique in your weakest area of triathlon. Do you need to work on your swim? If so, is it your stroke technique, your body position in the water, your breathing? How do you look and feel on the bike? Do you need to focus on body position, stroke mechanics (see Q&A below), cadence? If the run is your downfall, what needs to change? You can work on your leg speed, stride length, inefficient upper-body movement.

Refocus
Consider your training and competition schedule from 2008. Determine how many races you’ll be entering this year, and whether they’re important, or if you’ll just be using them to get a sense of where you are in your training. Now you can plan backwards to set up your training schedule so you can peak at the right time.

--Article Courtesy of USA Triathlon