December Lessons

December's goal was straight training...no tapers... no races... JUST DO IT.  USAT's National Challenge Competition NCC really motivated me because "time" was eliminated in this competition.  I definitely put in the miles so I thought I really had a chance to kick some ass, even if slowly ! hahaha just so happens that Women's 45-49 AG is fiercely competitive and it is taking all my strength to stay in the top 10 but I am hanging in there, so that's my goal instead of a podium finish at the end of February! All month I worked on cadence and steady pace and thinking about technique.  I'm starting to see an improvement in my time now at the end of December.  For example, I swam in 58 degree water for 1.2 miles to mimic Oceanside conditions and finished in 40:23 which is 13 minutes faster than last year! I almost doubled my monthly mileage compared to November by breaking over 700 miles total distance! Although I really love the motivation initiated by NCC, I'm really looking forward to my next race January 5!

Total Swim Miles 40267 YDs = 22.88 miles ; AVG Wk 9235 yds = 5.25 miles
Total Bike Miles 581.67 ; AVG wk 124.40 mi
Total Run Miles 102.42 ; AVG wk 21.06 mi
Avg Weekly Hours 16.34 hours
Total Duration 75:30 hours
Total Distance 706.96 miles

I did have a major interruption this month so I'm glad I didn't have any races.  I had to learn to juggle constant interruptions around my training. We survived an eviction process at our rental property.  It was the worst experience ever in the 12 yrs we have owned the property. We learned the SD courts could care less about the landlord and the tenants have all the rights to live in your home for as long as possible.  It is absurd how paperwork can take weeks and get screwed up.  We were very lucky in that while the wife was in jail overnight, the husband helped me move them out of the house into portable storage units.  It took me all night until 4:30am and Marcus was out of state but it worked, because he signed a transfer of possession and I changed the locks immediately in the morning.  I've spent the 2nd half of December working with contractors to repair the property and finally as of today, it is ready for sale and looks amazing...Let's hope we have a little luck and it sells fast.  It will go on the market Jan 4 and I hope this chapter closes very soon!

My second interruption although quite a different experience is our new red/white Boston Terrier, Ruby. We have 2 cats and 1 dog who are not very happy with the 5 lb bundle of energy.  Ruby arrived Dec 24 and has stolen all our hearts immediately.  The adult kids are home so the entire family is raising and training this little new born pup.  She is very smart, already fetching and returning balls, and is very attentive and self-entertaining.  She terrorizes Caramello who is 8 yrs old but we hope in time they will become friends and soon Caramello will return to an active lifestyle rather than just a furry rug since his brother passed away almost 2 yrs ago. Hopefully Ruby will become my running partner but for now, walking with Caramello is the current work-in-progress!



Big Dogs Don't BONK! Lovin' the Hammergel package!

I like being a furry rug! WHY ME???

Seriously... leave me alone Squirt!

OMG now we have to WALK together too??

Ruby Red is our little gem!

So, I trained hard in December and hope 2013 will show it as I jump into a new age group division 50-54s on Jan 1, 2013! YIPEEEE! Those 45+ women are amazing, competititive, and exhausting to keep up with!

November 2nd Half Lessons Learned

My journey to Earth moon status in the Half Fanatics running club continued in November.  After completing 3 halfs in 8 days in Santa Barbara, Malibu and Fountain Valley, I had a short week to recover and fit in tri training per my 70.3 schedule for week 2.

I was able to squeeze in 42 out of the required 50 easy bike miles over 3 days but not a swim.  I decided I usually swim double the distance required on a weekly basis so taking a week off wasn't going to matter much and I could make it up next week for recovery. I decided not to run at all after Fountain Valley until the triple halfs.  It worked well because I could tell my legs were fresh as soon as I started to run on Turkey Day 1.  I took my usual Sport Legs dosage to help manage lactic acid during each race and prepared my post race Recoverite drink for immediate protein for muscle repair. I wore my CW-X compression tights every day and wore calf compressions otherwise.

The Run Turkey Run triple event was in Carmichael, CA near Sacramento along the American River.  I had no idea how beautiful this area was and the colors were just gorgeous!  I ate pasta instead of turkey on Thanksgiving and Day 1 was a super success without any GI issues!  My legs felt fresh and loved my CW-X compression tights.  I took an icebath soon after the run to prepare for the next day. Race #4 was a complete success! Running 13.5 miles didn't bother me at all. I stayed with the 10 minute run/ 1 minute walk rhythm sporatically because I kept missing the alarm to walk and I felt really good too.

On Day 2, race #5, we ran the opposite direction along the American River.  It was a little more hilly but not as colorfully scenic.  I soon felt a lot of tightness in my lower back about midway through the run.  I usually use the jacuzzi before bed but our hotel didn't have one. I didn't realize how much this helped me relax.  I learned about leg drains after a long run to freshen the blood flow and it helped my back to lay flat on the ground immediately after the run.  However, I was thankful the race director gave me her room key to use her hotel's jacuzzi after Day 2.  I used a heating pad throughout the night to continue relaxing my back muscles as well.  Never again will I assume the hotel has a jacuzzi! So glad I brought all my "after run" gadgets for "just in case" scenarios.

 

 



leg drain for fresh blood flow!

Day 3, race #6, went much better than I expected.  My back had loosened up and Marcus joined me on my last half marathon. I stayed with the 10 minute run, 1 minute walk plan pretty close this time because I was definitely feeling extra weight in my legs. I recognized that I really enjoy running in cool weather because I can focus on the journey and the environment.  Overheating really takes the joy out of running for me and I don't see much of the journey when I'm cranky or pushing for speed so honestly I can't see myself racing in the Vineman series with the 90 degree heat during the run portion. My son joined our run with about 3 miles remaining and we arrived at the finishline to see 7 of Marcus's family members there to greet us! It was a great way to finish my journey to Earth status! On the way home, we were excited to see wild Turkey crossing the street! 

In total, I ran 40.37 miles in three days and 39.91 in the previous 8 days for a total of  80.28 miles during 6 halfs in 16 days.  I am happy that my brain has accepted that I really could run a full marathon again and survive without too much pain.  I just had such a bad experience running my first full marathon in 2011 that I needed something special to get me through that barrier and running 3 halfs in 3 days cured me! I also think finding the Galloway run/walk pattern that fits you best can really help recovery.

 

 

I think I've crossed over the 26.2 barrier now... thinking a full marathon is in the near future again.



Santa Barbara, Malibu, Fishbowl, RunTurkeyRun day 1, day 2, day 3