Chasing My Joy

My journey to becoming an Ultra Runner and Ironman

Archives for August 2013

Trevor Wurtele’s Inspirational Words From Ironman Canada

Trevor Wurtele’s speech after Ironman Canada was pretty inspirational for anyone not just triathletes check it out:

If you don’t have time to watch the video this was my favorite line:

If you can take anything from that, it is quite simply to go after your dreams. It doesn’t have to be in sport, it is anything in life. Do everything in your power to make that dream happen, fully commit to it and go get it. The worst thing that can happen is that you go back to your old life knowing that you did everything you could to make your dream a reality.

Found anything inspirational lately? Please share!

YMX by Yellow Man – Product Review

The kind folks at YMX sent me a couple shirts to review a few weeks ago. I was excited after opening the package to find that the material was very thin and soft. I hate when tech shirts are rigid and chafe! 
They sent me a short sleeve tri-pocketliving sun jersey in blue. 


This jersey is great not only because it is really soft and breathable but also has really deep pockets in the back to hold all the gear you would need on a ride from 10-100 miles plus! I also like that it is very visible for motorists and even has reflective tape.

The jersey even has UPF 50+ sun protection.

I also got to try out the Infinite Phoenix LongSleeve Shirt. I have been eager to try it out but the temps in Colorado have been ridiculously hot, 80+ degrees even in the morning and evening. So I haven’t been able to take this baby out for a run yet. I am looking forward to trying it out on some cooler fall runs. Maybe it will even make an appearance in Tahoe! I did try on the shirt and it fits and feels great! 

I was provided with this opportunity via my affiliation with FitFluential. I was given the products at no cost, but was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are my own.

Designer Whey Sustained Energy – Product Review and Giveaway!

Earlier this month I was given the opportunity to try out Designed Whey’s newest product “Sustained Energy”.
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Designer Whey describes Sustained Energy as:

Designer Whey® Sustained Energy™ is specifically formulated with our proprietary Endurance Blend™. Designed to give you balanced, stimulant-free, sustained energy through fast absorbing whey protein and slower absorbing soy and casein proteins, giving you a steady supply of essential amino acids while helping you control hunger with fiber. Packed with 16 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber and 19 Essential Vitamins & Minerals and naturally flavored and sweetened – all for only 100-good-for-you calories!

I was excited about this opportunity because I have enjoyed designer Whey’s products in the past and I use a lot of protein powder for training nutrition and recovery.

I tried vanilla bean in my protein recovery shake
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The shake kept me full and tasted great! What’s in it:

  • 1 banana
  • a couple handfuls of spinach
  • 1 cup of vanilla soy milk
  • 1 scoop vanilla bean designer whey sustained protein powder

I threw thew this all in the blender and let it run for two minutes.Then I added about two cups of ice, blended for another thirty seconds.
This is a great recovery drink or breakfast. If you have a rushed morning you can pre-make this shake and store it in the freezer.

To try the chocolate flavor I whipped up Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls. There are great for fueling on the bike when you want a little protein and cabs. Also it’s cheaper than the pre packed stuff and not full of preservative!

Homemade Protein Balls:
  • 3/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 3/4 cup oatmeal
  • 2/3 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 chocolate designer whey sustained protein powder
  • Pinch of salt optional

To make:

  • heat the peanut butter in the microwave for 20-30 seconds mix well with honey
  • Mix in the oatmeal, flour, salt and protein powder. Stir until well blended
  • Mold into balls, bars or whatever shape you want. I like to use a mellon baller to make bite sized balls for easy eating on the bike.

These protein balls have gotten me through countless miles of training, five half ironmans, one full ironman and will help me get through Iornman Lake Tahoe.

Want to try Sustained Energy out? I have been given the opportunity to give a few tubs out. Leave a comment below with the flavor you would like to try (chocolate or vanilla bean). I will contact you for shipping information by next Monday if you are selected.

I was provided with this opportunity via my affiliation with FitFluential. I was given the products at no cost to myself, but was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are my own!

Ironman Canada 2014

It’s official I am signed up for Ironman Canada 2014!

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I was a little surprised and bummed that they moved the race up a month, late August fit my ideal 2014 race schedule better but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from signing up.

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After seeing all the photos and glowing reviews from this years’ race I knew I wanted in for my first international Ironman.

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I am excited for July 27th 2014

Ironman Lake Tahoe – Peak Training Week #1

Last week was my first week in official peak training for Tahoe. My workouts haven’t changed that much, they are just a little longer/harder (10 miles of intervals instead of 6, etc) and weekends are really long to simulate some race fatigue. There will be 4 weeks of peak training then taper, then race day (SO CLOSE!). Week two is actually a bit light compared to some of the others because the semester is staring and I am teaching on Saturday and we are celebrating my dad’s 65th birthday on Sunday so there is no way I am getting 6+ hour training days in. Big workouts are getting shifted to Mon-Tues of week 3 when I have time off of work so week 3 is going to be extra big. Hopefully I will be able to recap it all here for posterity. Here was Peak week #1:

Monday: Rest Day

Tuesday: 1.5 mile open water swim – it’s now dark at 5:30 at the lake, it’s nice to watch the sunrise but not so fun to swim in the dark.IMG_0201.JPG

Running Speed work at the track – standard

Wednesday: First day of Climbing Camp (more on this later, but it’s crazy cool)

Strength training

Thursday: Was supposed to run or swim but my pug was acting sick so I stayed home and did strength training to keep an eye on him. He seems fine, I think he just wanted more attention.

Pm- short run

Friday: 25 mile rideIMG_0218.JPG

Saturday: 3 hour bike ride with lots of climbing and strength training

Sunday: 3 hour bike ride followed by a 16 mile run (was supposed to be a 20 mile run but I ran out of fluids early, it was 97 degrees and I was feeling really bad so I cut it short, boo)

This week had a couple challenging days. Sunday included me wrecking my bike, getting stung repeatedly and getting dehydrated. But I tried to just keep going, these hard days make race day easier. I wrapped up the week with 18:41 hours of training.

This week will be a challenge to get everything in as it’s back to school for my students and we have family coming to stay with us, wish me luck, under 5 weeks to go!!!

Friday Faves

Hi Friends, I hope you are having a fabulous Friday! I am staring down one of my biggest training weekends ever with 100 miles of biking, 20 miles of running and 2.4 miles open water swimming. So please send happy, healthy knee thoughts to me this weekend!

As it’s a fun way to kick off the weekend I thought I might highlight some of my favorite things lately:

My Betty Designs Water bottle, helps me get through the day and remember to stay hydrated

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Open water swimming in the morning at Grant Ranch, I will miss this soon!

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Homemade iced coffee, that afternoon cup really hits the spot.

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Frozen Yogurt, one of the dew things that can help me get out the door when I don’t want to do an after work training session.

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My Renegade bracelet from Stella & dot makes me feel a little like a cool girl

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What are some of your favorites?

I think I will do a triathlon specifics faves soon as there are certain things that really help me power through these 20+ hour training weeks.

Peak Training

Whew – the blog has been neglected a bit lately, I have been training a lot, and trying to get into the mountains as much as possible while getting ready for Tahoe.DSCN8812.JPG

Going to try to get back to blogging a little more regularly because even though I am losing sleep I am having a lot of fun!!!

Happy August!

I can’t believe it’s August already, just seven week until Ironman Lake Tahoe (EEK!)

Time is flying and I kinda wish I could slow it down. I raced Ironman Boulder 70.3 on Sunday and had a great day overall. I am going to try to carve out time for a full race recap later this week.

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I worked hard on the course and was rewarded with an hour and 6 minute PR. I am happy with that progress and ready to put my head down and work through Peak training for the next 5 weeks. Time to put the hay in the barn!