Chasing My Joy

My journey to becoming an Ultra Runner and Ironman

Archives for December 2011

2012 Resolutions

Happy New Years Eve everyone, I hope you all have happy and safe celebrations tonight!

I have a tendency to set very ambitious goals and then be upset with myself when I don’t meet all of them. This is true for 2011 as well. But I met my big overall goals of running my first marathon and half ironman and I am very happy with that.


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2011 resolutions:
1. Prepare more healthy meals (Cory is our main cook, I would like to start cooking about twice a week) Success, I have tried many new recipes and am much more comfortable in the kitchen. I hope to continue this in 2012.

2. Work on my core, I know my core is weaker than it should be so I plan on doing plank every night in January and will move on from there. Hmmm, half fail. I did pick this up in November/December but when I got busy with marathon and half ironman training I let it slip.

3. I would like to PR in a 5k, 5M, 10k, half marathon and marathon. This should be easy given that last year was my first year racing and I only ran one (maybe 2) of each race and I have never ran a marathon, guaranteed PR =) I am happy enough with this one, I PR’d in 10k, half marathon and marathon but I didn’t take speed work very seriously so that is something to work on.

4. Work on sticking to my training plan. I know there are times I won’t be able to stick to it because of outside influences, but when I just don’t feel like it, suck it up! Giant Fail, I am working on it

5. Take off a few pounds (10-15) I am not technically “over weight” but I know that being lighter will be easier on my joints. Well I took off 5 and I am happy with that.

6. Be better about blogging (i.e. more consistent, better pictures, etc.) Overall Yes I posted a total of 31 times and 155 times in 2011

7. Run 1,000+ miles Nope, but I got very close around 950 miles, I just couldn’t get there with my knee injury.

Overall I didn’t make all my goals but that’s ok it just means I can learn from my mistakes and try again 2012. So I am going to continue to shoot for the stars in 2012!

Goals for 2012:

1. Follow my training plan as best I can. I am TERRIBLE at this, I know you can’t control everything so following 100% of the time is not reasonable but I need to be better. What is the point of hiring a coach if I just do whatever I want anyway?

2. PR in half and full marathons

3. Complete the ironman (most important goal)


4. Complete an ultra marathon

5. Get to my training weight by April (10-12 lbs lighter than I am now) and racing weight by June.

6. Be better about blogging (i.e. more consistent, better pictures, etc.) This is a repeat from last year but I want to continue to improve.

7. Run 1,000+ miles and ride 3,000+ miles

8. Focus on strength all year

9. Stay injury free, this will be most important in helping me reach all other goals

It’s a long list and it will take a lot of work and discipline to make it all happen, but I am ready and excited about getting to work. I plan to set monthly and weekly goals to keep me focused and on track


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I have a weird feeling that 2012 is going to be a wonderful year for me and I can’t wait to welcome her with open hopeful arms tonight!


2011 in Review

2011 was a good year for me, it is the first year in a long time that I didn’t have a significant change. But I did reach some significant goals of running a marathon and completing a half ironman. It was fun to share these accomplishments with my hubby.

January started off just the way I like it with a half marathon on new years day

I traveled to NYC for work

And Cory ran Frosey’s Frozen 5 Mile race while I cheered him on because I had food poisoning

In February It snowed a lot and we ran a lot while training for our first marathon

March took me to Portland to visit my parents

and Cory and I ran the Boulder Sprig Half Marathon

In April Cory and I ran a lot!

May 1st we ran the Colorado Marathon

And we went back to Oregon for a weeding and some quality family time

June was a big month for us we completed our first olympic distance triathlon and traveled (back) to Oregon for our first half ironman. It was so much fun I hope to race Pacific Crest again someday, unfortunately it is the same weekend as IMCDA . We also celebrated 5 years of marriage.

July was a lot of travel for me, I went to San Diego for work

I work hard people!

Then Cory and I headed to Oregon (see a pattern here?) for another wedding

July also came with a knee injury that kept me from running for many months. This was a dark part of the year but I healed and will work very hard to make 2012 injury free

In August we celebrated Cory’s birthday and my parents moving to Colorado

September was busy with two triathlons, a half ironman and the only sprint triathlon of the season

I went to Atlanta for the AZA conference

We celebrated my brother’s and my birthday

October is always one of my favorite months. Cory and and ran 2 5ks and enjoyed lots of fun fall activities.

November We flew to Oregon and drove back to Colorado

I bought a new bike

And ran a turkey trot with my mom and husband

And we started training for Ironman Coeur d’Alene

December was full of swim/bike/run, family and fun

I hope your 2011 was wonderful and here’s to an even better 2012!!


Blogger Gift Exchange

Jill organized a blogger gift exchange again this year, thanks Jill, I am sure that’s a lot of work!

I opened my gift earlier this week and we so touched, Christy sent me a very thoughtful gift full of my favorite things.


The snickers will help me through my 2.5 hour trainer today and I love burts bees! Christy (TXRunnerMom she has a great blog, check it out!) even included an iTunes gift card that I can’t wait to spend, I need some new music!

What are your favorite songs to help you get though a though workout?

Thanks Christy!


Holiday Detox and 2012 Race Plans

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I have been busy with family and training. I took a couple days off of eating healthy to celebrate Christmas and it feels good to be back to eating healthy and focusing on nutrition.


This week in training is supposed to be a recovery week but since I am on vacation and have extra time Coach decided he would push the recovery week to next week and load me up this week.

As 2011 winds down I am excited to plan my races for 2012. There are two goals for next year so the first half of the year will focus on training for Ironman CDA and the second half will focus on training for a trail ultra marathon. My race plans are set for the until July (weird to think about July when there is snow on the ground) plans are a little more up in the air after that.

Here are our race plans for 2012:
January 21: Frosty’s Frozen 5 mile


February 18: Snowman Stampede 10 mile


April 1: Boulder Spring Half Marathon


April 21: RAGE half ironman (Vegas)


May 20: Colfax Marathon


June 24: Ironman Coeur d’Alene


July 20-21: Epic Relay


Late September/early October: Devils Mountain 50k


There will be some more small races and we will fill in the Aug/Sept races later but so far I am excited about 2012 races season! I got a little sick this morning when I realized that I have a half ironman in April!

Do you have your 2012 races planned? What are your “A” races?


Healthy Penne Vodka Sauce & Vegetables

Tonight’s dinner was fairly easy and quick! I used this recipe for healthy penne with vodka sauce.


I enjoy trying new recipes and this one is pretty good and healthy.


Ingredients

16 ounce multigrain or whole wheat Penne
1 pound zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch quarter-moons
1 cup frozen peas
8 cups baby spinach
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped
6 ounces sliced Canadian bacon, chopped
1/2 cup vodka
1 15 ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
1 8 ounce can no-salt-added tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 – 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup fat-free half-and-half
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese


Directions
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook following package directions, 11 minutes. Add zucchini and peas during last 3 minutes. Stir in spinach. Drain and place back into the pot.



2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally; add Canadian bacon and vodka and cook 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt and red pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.


3. Stir half-and-half and 1/4 cup cheese into the sauce. Toss with pasta and let stand for 10 minutes. Stir and spoon into serving bowl and top with remaining cheese.


If you need more carbs you can add some bread on the side. For nutrition information you can visit the website

If you try it let me know! Do you have any healthy recipes you love, want to share?


Epic Weekend and Ironman Week 6 Training Plan

It was an EPIC training weekend, and will be leading into a pretty heavy week so I am enjoying a little of this and some Christmas music on my rest day and enjoying every minute of it.

This weekend started out with a three hour trainer ride. It’s so much harder to do long rides inside compared to outside but I try to think of it at mental toughness training and move on. We had an evening strength session after watching the Kona coverage twice (serious awesomeness). Then on Sunday we had an easy morning before dropping the kids dogs at my parents house and head to Teller Farms in Boulder for a trail run. We did a 11 mile out and back, it was a little snowy on the flat parts and really snowy and muddy on the hills. My calves are seriously sore today. But it was beautiful out and I really enjoyed getting off the treadmill and back on the trail.

Taking it very seriously as usual

The trail runs through open grazing land so we got to run by cows so close I could have touched them. I was seriously tempted to try to pet one but I resisted.

I took a video during the run I sound like darth vader, and please don’t watch if you get sea sick! I really need to work on my skills and probably get a cool flip camera!

Please forgive me for the video of you watched it, I’m special.

Moving on to this week…..Charley surprised us with a pick up in intensity in the next couple weeks, I say bring it, let’s see if I can keep up.

Monday: Rest day, and I need it!
Tuesday: am: 80 min Interval Run pm: 60 min strength training
Wednesday: 90 min spin class and 60 min pilates
Thursday: Swim workout (2800 m) pm: Hill training run (80 min)
Friday: 2.5 hour trainer ride (how is that going to happen before work?1?)
Saturday: 5k race and swim workout
Sunday: Hill training (80 min) and 60 min strength

That’s it for this week, lot’s of running, I am already feeling stronger and still loving it!

What is your plan for the week?

Race Medal Ornaments

For most of the year the race medals that Cory and I get sit in a pile and collect dust. We could get a fancy medal hanger and display them but instead we save them until Christmas time so we can turn them into ornaments.

It’s fun to think back on the races we have done over the year while decorating the tree. This time of year is a great time to think back on all the fun we’ve had this year.


It’s pretty simple but I thought I would share how I make medals into ornaments.

Step 1: Cut the ribbon in half


Step 2: tie ribbon in a bow if you like it, if you don’t want a big bow on your tree you can remove the ribbon and use a metal ornament hanger.


Step 3: Hang on your tree and enjoy for years to come.


Simple and easy, just the way I like it!

Now I am off for a 11 mile trail run in Boulder, so excited! Then a swim with my mom in her awesome pool. What are your plans for today?


Kona Viewing Party

NBC is airing their coverage of the Kona Ironman today. If you can you have to watch this race, Chrissie’s comeback, Crowie’s win! Even if you don’t do triathlon this coverage is fun to watch and inspiring the only downside is that it might make you want to do an ironman.

I am going to watch the coverage with my my triathlon team Rocky Mountain Tri Club I am a little worried because I sometimes cry watching people finish an ironman, reach their dreams and feel so incredibly good about themselves.source

Hopefully I won’t make a fool of myself in front of everyone.

Will you watch? Do you sometimes cry watching the end of athletic events?

Celebraing the Season

Our Relator Sarah King, who we LOVE invited Cory and I to Denver Zoo’s, Zoo Lights. Happily my parents used Sarah to find their hours this fall too so they were invited as well. We all bundled up and headed out (and for me back to work, but I don’t mind, I still love the zoo even though I am there everyday)

It was so fun to have mom and dad there with us!

The lights are so pretty this year, I think it’s even better than last year.


It was a great way to spend a Tuesday night.
What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?

Healthy Clam Chowder Recipe

Last week Big Daddy Diesel asked for my Healthy Clam Chowder Recipe. So here it is BDD, let me know if you try it. I am going to make it tonight!

I found this recipe here and adjusted it slightly:

Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups reduced-fat (1%) milk
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
3 6 ounce cans minced clams
1 pound small red-skinned potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 cups frozen corn, thawed
1 teaspoon low-sodium Old Bay seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Tossed salad, crusty bread (optional)

Directions
1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; add onion and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in wine and cook 1 minute; sprinkle in flour and cook 1 minute.
2. Gradually stir in milk and chicken broth. Drain liquid from clams into measuring cup. Add 1 cup of the clam juice to the pot and reserve the clams. Add potatoes, cover and simmer 30 minutes or until potatoes are fully cooked.
3. Add reserved clams, corn, Old Bay, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer to heat through. Turn off heat and stir in parsley.
4. Serve with tossed salad and crusty bread, if desired

There are approx. 4 servings with 350 calories in each

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