Chasing My Joy

My journey to becoming an Ultra Runner and Ironman

  • Home
  • About
  • Current Gear
  • Race Reports
  • Pregnancy//Baby
  • Travel
  • Bucket List
  • Hikes

Archives for November 2011

November 30, 2011

Building Speed

Some of you may have noticed that I am not the fastest runner on the block. And while I am ok with not being the fastest I would like to be faster. And so enters speed work (duh) you have to practice running faster to race faster. I have been trying to get speed work in a couple times a week in different formats and I am getting a little bit faster! Something that I had to learn for myself was that it should be uncomfortable to improve. You always see elite runners floating by like it’s nothing but if they are pushing it, then they are uncomfortable too.

I had a great speed session yesterday on the treadmill (I can only do speed work on the treadmill or track, I don’t know how people do it on the streets).

Warm up jog – 2 miles
Increase the pace as the hard effort runs get shorter
1×1600 or 9 minutes w/ 400 (4 minutes) easy recovery jog
1×1200 or 7 minutes w/ 400 easy recovery jog
1×800 or 5 minutes w/ 400 easy recovery jog
1×400 or 3 minutes w/ 400 easy recovery jog
Cool down – 1 mile easy jog

It felt really good and I can tell I am improving. I am happy to be seeing results after just one month back to running and with Coach.

Unfortunately I had to cut my cool down short so I could make it to my stress test to see if I had exercise induced asthma. I was put on a treadmill where I had to breath in cold oxygen with my nose plugged and all kinds of sensors hooked up to me.

Source

This is obviously not me but it gives you an idea. The test was not fun, I felt like I was going to pass out, I was drooling and sweating and trying not to fall over. All of that work and the Dr. Couldn’t scope my throat because my nasal passages are too small. BUT the good news is that I do not have asthma, in fact I have great lung function and my heart is healthy and strong =)

After my crappy hospital visit Cory took me here

Yogurtland!

I hadn’t been able to eat at all before the test and I was starving! I loaded myself up and it made my day all better.


Do you do speed work? Have you noticed a difference?

Are you addicted to Fro-Yo? I am so I try not to go too often or it becomes a shame spiral.

Posted by bethcurtis 6 Comments
Filed Under: speed work

November 29, 2011

Ironman Wish List – Part 3

This wish list will be dedicated to the biking, as a new cyclist I still have a lot to learn about biking and it’s gear but here are some things that I have or wish I had.

A full carbon TT bike.

My choice is the Talon!

ANYTHING from Betty Designs!!!

I love all her stuff, so freakin cute!

Aqualite Drink System

This makes it SO much easier to keep hydrated while keeping your speed up (or not veering into traffic)

Bento Box

You need a place to stash your treats while riding!

Specialized Tri Shoes

I have specialized road shoes now and love them, I would like to upgrade to tri specific shoes eventually.

Snickers Bars

These would be great stocking stuffers! I love snickers and I feel NO guilt eating them while riding my bike.

Full Disclosure, I am not sponsored by any of these companies and have not received anything from them, I genuinely like these products and think you would like them too.

If you like free stuff check out SR giveaway for BIC bands

Posted by bethcurtis 7 Comments
Filed Under: giveaway, Ironman, wishlist

November 29, 2011

Ironman Coeur D’Alene Week 4 Workouts

Made it to week four of Ironman CDA training WHOO-HOOO! I have to say I am loving it so far. I am sure I will feel differently in May.

The focus for week 4 is recovery, I personally think it’s a bit too much recovery so I am going to give myself a couple extra workouts just for my own pleasure. Sorry coach I am not good at following the rules.

Monday: 90 min yoga and hip strengthening exercises

Tuesday: am: 60 min strength pm: Interval Run
Wednesday: 90 min spin class and 60 min pilates

Thursday: Distance swim workout (3100 m)

Friday: 60 min tempo run and 60 min strength training

Saturday: Bike ride, 3 hours (hopefully outside)

Sunday: 10 mile endurance run and easy recovery swim.

I am excited for week 5 since we start our “Base Building” phase. The BASE BUILDING PHASE is used to build the aerobic capacity. Although longer duration workouts at slower pace and intensity are predominant, there will be some training that will test your anaerobic base. Specific emphasis will be placed upon each discipline (swim, bike, or run). Depending upon when you begin your training schedule and your level of fitness, the Base Building Phase generally makes up the bulk of your training schedule.

I was also excited to get this note in my I was also excited to get this note with my training schedule this week along with my heart rate zones from coach:

Your HR zones as of 11/25/11 – This was figured as follows: Looking at your heart rate after the first minute of the two tests, your average HR was 173 beats per minute. 1-5 beats are added or subtracted from 173 based upon perceived effort during the test, time spent at the highest heart rate, and your recovery heart rate in the first minute following the two tests. On the first test you appeared to move into an anaerobic state after 5 minutes at a HR of 175. On the second test you appeared to move into an anaerobic state after 2 minutes at a HR of 176. Once you became anaerobic you stayed consistently at 175-180 and your perceived effort was consistently 8; 9 or above. Your recovery heart rate recovery on the two tests averaged 55.5 beats per minute (bpm), which indicates an excellent cardio fitness level and again supports a max effort on the test.

My goals for this week are to hit every workout, give it my all and get more points for hbbc than I did last week (59).

Posted by bethcurtis 5 Comments
Filed Under: training plan

November 28, 2011

Nutrition for Endurance Athletes

Let’s call this part one of my “Well Duh” series.

When I started training for my first half marathon I knew I couldn’t eat whatever I wanted and not gain wright but I still had in my head that people that trained for full marathons, half or full ironmans could really eat whatever they wanted because they were working out so much. I assumed all professional athletes ate all kinds of junk food (like Michael Phelps). But after a year of training for endurance events I have learned a lot. I have learned that when I am asking a lot of my body I need to be MORE diligent in what I use as fuel. I may eat more calories when my training load is high but I can really tell a difference when I am eating high quality food vs. crap food. Reading the blogs of really good athletes like Lindsay Cotter or Beth and James Walsh made me realize that people who want to be good athletes usually eat really, really well. It didn’t completely click with me until I started training for my first ironman and started thinking about what I needed to do to make my body healthy and strong enough to get through all nine months of training.

Most of you probably already knew all of this but a lot of people don’t get it. A lot of people comment about how I can eat cookies, cake, chips, McDonalds (always a bad idea in my opinion) etc. And yes I could eat those foods but I wouldn’t feel great at my next workout, I would much rather eat a huge salad or turkey chili.

Last year I read racing weight and it talked a lot about eating “quality” foods. I really recommend reading this book if you are an endurance athlete.


I enjoy eating, and have learned how to cook some delicious healthy meals this year. I have also witnessed my body composition change when I am training hard and eating well.

Have you had any “well duh” moments during your training?

Read any good books about nutrition?


Posted by bethcurtis 4 Comments
Filed Under: Uncategorized

November 27, 2011

Lactate Threshold Test, FitFluential Ambassador and Other Things

This post will be a random assortment of things but it’s been a busy weekend and I am not complaining one bit.

Friday morning Cory and I got up early to head over to coach Charley’s fitness center to get our power tested on our bikes as well as our bike heart rate zones.

Charley hooked us up to computrainers and made us do 5k tim trials. Working on the computrainer was so fun! I wish I had one at home, too bad they are $1600 plus.

I was happy with my results, my output was around 200 watts.

We also got our heart rate zones to work with, Charley has us working off this scale

Later that night we headed to our second Thanksgiving celebration with Cory’s family. I loved seeing his Aunt, Uncle and cousins. I made sure not to stuff my face too much, I think it’s fine to indulge for one day on the holiday you get in trouble when you celebrate with food for two months straight.

Yesterday we headed out for a cold but beautiful nine mile run on the Highline Canal Trail.

Nice form…..no?

After getting home I was notified that I had been selected to a FitFluential Ambassador. I am very excited about this opportunity and can’t wait to see what it all entails.

After finishing our weight training for the day we packed away the fall decorations and started decorating for Christmas, I can’t believe it’s that time already.

Winston is ready for Santa!

Now I need to get ready for a fifty mile bike ride and a swim with my mom. How has your Thanksgiving weekend been?

Posted by bethcurtis 1 Comment
Filed Under: FitFluential, holiday

November 27, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011 and Turkey Day 10K Race Report

I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving! I had the best time, I love, love, love having my family in town.

Our turkey day started off just the way I like it with a fun family race. My mom ran the 5k (she is recovering amazingly from plantar fasciitis)


You can tell where I get my smile from


Cory and I ran the 10k, we didn’t treat it as a race since our legs were pretty beat up from everything else this week so we treated it like a fun run and had a great time. It was a beautiful day, last year it was seven degrees this year it was in the mid fifties.


It was such a beautiful day, I wish we could have gone for a bike ride too but there was no time, there was lots of cooking to do.


Cory and I made the pies and mash potatoes for thanksgiving, it is so nice to cook in my parents huge kitchen.

Pie!

It was such a fun holiday, full if my favorite things: family, food, fun and fitness!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, I am glad you are in my life too.


Posted by bethcurtis 4 Comments
Filed Under: holiday, Race report

November 22, 2011

Ironman Wish List – part two

Time for the second installment of my ironman wish list. You can find part one here. This list will be dedicated to swimming:

A cute swimsuit from Splish


This would really help motivate me to go to the pool.

H2O Audio Interval Waterproof Headphone System for iPod Shuffle

This would help make the time FLY by in the pool!
Timex Ironman Run Trainer

I know this says “run” in the title but it looks like this watch would work great in the pool. Check out what it includes
» SiRFstar IV™ GPS Technology for Quick, Reliable Performance
» Pace, Distance and Heart Rate in Real Time
» Customizable Display with up to Four Data Lines
» 15-Workout Downloadable Memory with Dated Summary
» Hands-Free Chronograph Operation
» Five Interval Timers with Optional Warm Up / Cool Down
» Alerts for Heart Rate, Pace and Mode
» Hydration and Nutrition Reminders
» Recovery Heart Rate Timer
» Countdown Timer
» 5 Alarms
» Compatible with ANT+™ Foot Pod Sensors
» 8-Hour Battery in Full GPS Mode
» Water-Resistant to 50 Meters
» INDIGLO® Night-Light
Anyone tried out this watch yet?

TYR swimbag
This would be great to lug all your fun “pool toys” as Cory calls them back and forth to the pool.

Sharkies
Could there be a more appropriate way to refuel during a long pool workout??? I think not!

What’s on your swim wish list?

Posted by bethcurtis 9 Comments
Filed Under: wishlist

November 21, 2011

IMCDA week three training plan

The weeks seem to be flying by! Week three will look a little different given Thanksgiving and a test on Saturday to determine our lactate threshold and heart rate zones. So some of the plans towards the end of the week might be a little up in the air.

Monday: 90 min yoga and hip strengthening exercises
Tuesday: am: 60 min strength pm: Interval Run
Wednesday: 90 min spin class and 60 min palates
Thursday: 10k race
Friday: 2000m swim
Saturday: LT test and hopefully a 3 hour ride but if my legs are too beat up from the test then 75 min trainer ride
Sunday: 10 mile endurance run

That’s it for this week next week the focus is rest. Charley has us cycling in 3 weeks of building and then one week of recovery. I have heard of cycling training like this before but never been disciplined enough to do it. I guess that’s why I am paying Charley to make me do it!

Some of you may have seen this but if you haven’t you have to check this out. Kara Goucher and her husband have put out these short videos about their lives and it’s really fun to see how professional runners live. It’s another great way to waste time!

Posted by bethcurtis 3 Comments
Filed Under: Uncategorized

November 20, 2011

Week 2 in Review

It’s been a rough week for me with with blogging. Between working, trying to keep my house from becoming a bio hazard and getting all of my workouts in I just haven’t had time. I did get some what caught up on everyones blogs yesterday while riding on my trainer (unfortunately it’s too hard to comment while riding). Blogs and a snickers helped me get through all 3 hours.


Even thought I haven’t been able to keep up on blogging I have a good week. The biggest news is that I ordered a tt bike, I am getting a Kestrel Talon 105. I am so excited and can’t wait to get it in 2-3 weeks!


I fell in love with Cafe Rio salads this week. I know I am late to this party but it may be my new favorite food.


I am so excited for the holiday season, Thanksgiving really snuck up on me but I can’t wait to see my family, race and eat really good food. I am also excited about the holiday fun happening in blog land. First the Holiday Booty Burster Challenge started yesterday and it’s so fun to add up points and find ways to be healthier during the holidays.


Jill also started her 2nd annual Holiday Blogger Gift Exchange. I have signed up, I LOVE giving gifts and getting one is fun too!


Any other fun bloggy stuff I am missing out on?


Posted by bethcurtis 5 Comments
Filed Under: Uncategorized

November 14, 2011

Second Week of Ironman Training

My first week of ironman training is officially in the books. I completed every workout but not exactly when I was supposed to. I had to get creative about when I could fit in workouts with a weird work schedule last week. This week should be more normal so I am hoping to hit workouts when they are scheduled.

The highlight of last week was an 8 mile run on my favorite running path in Denver. The Highline Canal is long and winds through a wooded part of South Denver.


This picture was from last winter now there are still some leaves on the trees and fall colors.

Here is what my second week looks like:
Monday: 45 min yoga
Tuesday: am- 60 min full body strength training pm- tempo run
Wednesday: am- spin class pm- pilates
Thursday: 90 min masters swim
Friday: am- 60 min endurance run pm- full body strength training
Saturday: 3 hour bike ride
Sunday: 8 mile run, 2400 yd swim and full body strength

Totals:
Swim: 5000 yards, 3 hours
Bike: 60 miles, 4 hours
Run: 20 miles, 3.5 hours
Strength: 5.5 hours
Overall: 16 hours

What does your week look like?


Posted by bethcurtis 6 Comments
Filed Under: training

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Meet Beth

Follow

Search

Instagram

runwithbeth

We are having so much fun learning to ski as a fam We are having so much fun learning to ski as a family! Ski traffic I could do without 🫠
✨2022✨ I can honestly say this was the best ✨2022✨ 

I can honestly say this was the best year of my life. So many adventures. I am loving the ages of these kiddos and cherish our time together. 

Very unsure if we can top this in 2023 but we are sure going to try!
We hope you had a merry little Christmas 🎄 We hope you had a merry little Christmas 🎄
Winter hiking is just so magical. Definitely not h Winter hiking is just so magical. Definitely not hating winter this year! ❄️
We kicked off the holiday season by visiting the N We kicked off the holiday season by visiting the North Pole and seeing Santa! 

The kids had so much fun and it was way cuter than I was expecting. They said it was better than Disneyland 😂 @northpolecolorado
Happy Halloween!!! Cannon really wanted to be To Happy Halloween!!! 

Cannon really wanted to be Toad from Super Mario this year so we tagged along. 

Scroll to see 2021-> 2020 -> 2019 -> 2018 -> 2017 -> 2016 🎃
We finished up our tour of France with a couple da We finished up our tour of France with a couple days in Disneyland Paris. I love Disney Parks and visiting Disneyland Paris was a dream come true. We had such an amazing time on our entire trip. 

We are trying to plan our next trip. Where is the best place you have ever been? Do you have a favorite trip? I would love to hear about it. My parents say that Ireland was their favorite so UK tops the list currently but Italy or Costa Rica are on the list too.
In our last couple of days in Paris we took a bus In our last couple of days in Paris we took a bus tour to see the major sights. Our favorites included walking the entire Champs-Élysées and climbing to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. We missed out on seeing the Catacombs because we didn’t get tickets early enough. c’est la vie, I guess we will have to go back 😉
A cousin reminded me that I never finished sharing A cousin reminded me that I never finished sharing our trip to France 🫠 better late than never! 

We spent our first day back in Paris with a trip to Versailles. We loved the gardens so much and particularly enjoyed Marie Antoinette’s little farm. The history here is incredible and the opulence overwhelming. We walked over 10 miles on our visit!
Before our long drive back to Paris we did the thr Before our long drive back to Paris we did the three castle hike in Ribeauvillé, France. We climbed up the side of a hill to three castle ruins from the 14th century. It was really fun to explore and a great way to burn some energy before a long drive.
While we were in the Alsace region of France we vi While we were in the Alsace region of France we visited the sweet little village of Riquewihr. Rumor says this was the inspiration for Belle’s village in Disney’s Beaty and the Beast. Can you see it? We could and kept singing Bonjour while walking through town.
After leaving Switzerland we made our way to Colma After leaving Switzerland we made our way to Colmar. This sweet little town in the Alsace region of France near the German border. We loved all the half timber buildings and winding streets. We had some great local food and wine. Colmar was a lovely place to get lost for an afternoon.
It was so exciting to see the Matterhorn in person It was so exciting to see the Matterhorn in person. The peak was never fully clear of clouds while we were there which was a little disappointing but it was still majestic . We took a cog train and gondola up then hiked about five miles down on the five lakes trail. It was a beautiful day and we got to enjoy lunch mid hike. We loved the little (car free) town of Zermatt. We enjoyed some fun Swiss playgrounds in town before dinner. I love Switzerland and it’s mountains!
With the last of our time in Chamonix we took a go With the last of our time in Chamonix we took a gondola and cable car up Le Brévent. We enjoyed hot chocolates and crepes at the top with views of Mont Blanc. 

Next it was time to drive on to Switzerland 🇨🇭
We took a cute cogwheel train up the valley in Cha We took a cute cogwheel train up the valley in Chamonix to Montenvers to visit the Mer de Glace  glacier. At the top you can take a gondola a little way down then MANY stairs to the glacier. It was sad to see the markers of where the glacier was in years past and how much it has shrunk. We did love exploring an ice cave that they dig out each year. We had to try twice to get into the ice caves as the first time it closed right as we arrived due to a storm. It was worth taking the train twice.
After riding to the top of Aiguille du Midi we sto After riding to the top of Aiguille du Midi we stopped half way down for a couple mile hike and a stop at a mountain hut for lunch. This might have been my favorite lunch ever. The views were amazing and the weather was nice. The mountains here are STUNNING!!! #aiguilledumidi #chamonix
We decided to spend a few day in Chamonix to explo We decided to spend a few day in Chamonix to explore the French Alps. The experience we were most excited about was taking the gondola up the 
Aiguille du Midi (highest cable car in France). You switch cable cars half way up so you can enjoy the views. The top outpost is incredible perching on top of the mountain. I’ve never seen anything like it! 

The day wasn’t completely clear but the views were still incredible. #aiguilledumidi #chamonix
After a long drive across the French countryside w After a long drive across the French countryside we landed in Annecy at the foot of the Alps. 

Annecy was such a pretty little town on the bank of a gorgeous turquoise lake.  We got to enjoy lunch at a canal side cafe, wander the streets, enjoy ice cream and playground hop our way through town. 

Very excited about our next few days in mountains of France + Switzerland.
We drove into the heart of France to visit the Go We drove into the heart of France to visit the  Gouffre de Padirac. A large cave system including an underground river. I don’t have many good pictures given the lighting and lack of patience. We loved climbing down into the cave and riding a boat along the river. Probably my favorite cave that I have visited. Kids loved all of it too and are so good about us dragging them along with us across France.
After leaving Mont Saint-Michele we drove to Loire After leaving Mont Saint-Michele we drove to Loire to visit Château de Chenonceau. It was stunning and the gardens were fun to explore. The history here is so rich!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Tag Cloud

Baby Baby Update Book Nook Bucket List Camping Cannon Colorado Colorado Travel Emerald Europe Family Favorites France + Switzerland Travel Log Friday Favorites Goals Hike Hikes Holidays Homeschool International Travel Ironman Ironman Canada Kids Hikes Marathon Marathon Training Mexico Monthly Update National Park pregnancy Project 366 race report Races Run run streak trail running training Travel Ultra Ultra Training Ultramarathon Update updates Utah Weekly Recap Weekly Rundown

Monthly Archives

  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • August 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • May 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010

Easy Instagram

Loading...

Instagram Slider

Theme by 17th Avenue · Powered by WordPress & Genesis

←