May 3, 2013

In May…

I haven’t lived in Colorado long so it really freaks me out to have 5+ inches of snow in MAY!

I am not going to complain though since last year we spent the summer with half the state on fire, we will take every bit of moisture we can get. I am excited for a fresh new month.

April was a hit and miss month for me in terms of training. I was sick for the first two weeks and had a pretty crappy race while coming down with the demon cold. Then just as I was recovering it was off to Moab for 4 days of triathlon fun. I was not 100% but I was at least well enough to participate and that made me happy. I came back to town and got a fairly decent week of training in with a killer brick in the sunshine. Then the end of the semester hit. I am just entering finals week so there is a lot of work to do for school, luckily this week is a recovery week so I can focus a little more on classes/finals/research/etc. Then after finals are over in a week I have almost four and a half weeks before summer semester starts (bliss).

In May…..

May will be a little hit and miss as well for training but I knew that was coming. I am going to Baja for a research trip for work. This won’t be a cushy work trip with hotel pools and gyms to work out in. This is sleeping in tents and avoiding scorpions. I don’t know exactly what the conditions will be but I am hoping I can get some running and hopefully ocean swims in while I am away for 12 days. Obviously there will be no biking. I am nervous what this will do to my fitness. But I have three weeks before I go so I will try to get as much time in on the bike between now and then and just deal with the consequences when I get back. So my goals for May are simple:

Follow training plan completely for the next three weeks
Foam roll and core at least 4 times a week
strength training two times a week
Yoga two times a week
Work on our yard during school break so we can enjoy it during the summer

Anyone had to travel while training for a race for so long without equipment? Did you lose fitness?

April 30, 2013

Moab Day 2

Ok, so there was a bit of a delay after posting Moab Day One, that’s what happens when you neglect work and grad school to go play with triathlete friends!

On day two in Moab we got up early, grabbed some coffee and headed to the local rec center for a swim. About 40 of us piled into the pool so coach could put us through our paces. 2800 meters later I was tired from a lot of kicking and ready for some food. We had a little over an hour to get back to the hotel, clean up, eat and get ready to ride! We grabbed more coffee and breakfast burritos at the Love Muffin, so good!

Then it was time to roll out to Arches National Monument for 56 miles of riding and 4200 ft of climbing. This was a good wake up call that all my winter trainer and flat land riding has NOT prepared me for Tahoe, time to climb!

The scenery was amazing and made the burning in my legs worth it

I will admit that by the time we rolled back into the hotel I was tired and my legs were hurting. I had an hour run still left to do for the day but Cory was really hungry. I thought no big deal, I threw on running clothes with every intention of running after finding something small to eat. On our way through town we ran into Coach at a pub where we joined him to talk about the ride and how I should get shorter cranks (another story) while we were sitting there I “sorta” got permission to skip the run for the day. At the time I was relieved to be done and to get to rest my tired legs, looking back I wish I would have sucked it up and ran but it’s a lesson learned. After filling up Cory and I headed back to the hotel to rest and recover we were both beat!

April 30, 2013

Designer Whey Product Review

The nice people at Designer Whey sent me this giant box of product to review at the beginning of the month. Luckily for me this month has been full of opportunities for recovery.

I used the powder in my green monster smooth, it was delish!

The shake was super convent after my longest swim of the year

And the bars were great in Moab and after my long run today

I really enjoyed all the products I have tried so far and after my current stash runs out will definitely restock!

Some of the benefits of Whey Protein for Designers Whey’s Website:

High Biological Value

Whey is superior to all other forms of protein, boasting the perfect amino acid profile for muscle building, strength, and recovery. Based on its biological value (BV), the measure of a particular protein’s effect on nitrogen balance, as well as its protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS), a measure of how well a particular protein supplies the nine essential amino acids, whey protein scored higher than meat and eggs!

Whey protein also empties from the stomach and is absorbed into the bloodstream faster than other proteins, which results in speedier muscle recovery. As such, it is the preferred choice for post-workout nutrition when the body is in a catabolic state.

Strong Amino Acids

Whey protein contains high concentrations of the branched chain amino acids that are metabolized during exercise, most notably valine, isoleucine, and leucine.

Abundant Antioxidants

Perhaps just as impressively, whey protein works as an antioxidant to boost your body’s immune system. In fact, scientific studies have shown that regular supplementation with whey protein can help prevent illness and disease.

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!

April 26, 2013

Paying the Price

I am guilty of one of the worst crimes in endurance sports. I have been inconsistent in my train (cue dramatic music). I have many excuses, I was injured, then school and work got in the way, then I was really sick for two weeks, etc. No matter what the excuse I still have to pay the price for about 5 weeks of less than stellar training. The biggest price I will pay is the lack of fitness that I should have gained over these last weeks but the most immediate consequence is next week’s marathon.

I made it up to 18 miles for a long run but that was over a month ago. I am certain that I could run a marathon now but it would hurt a lot. If the marathon was the big goal I think I would still go for it but being sick for the weeks I was supposed to run 20 and 22 miles has made it seem less doable. Because I want to be able to bounce back quickly and keep training for my half ironman in June, I am going to drop to the half. I am a little bummed because I ran the full in 2011 and loved it. It also stings a bit to be behind the plan. But the half will still be fun and I should be able to walk the next day, I am sure that would not be true if I ran the full.

On a happier note I think I have finally (mostly) rounded out my race calendar for the summer :

June 9^th: Denver Triathlon

June 29^th: Pacific Crest Long Course Triathlon

July 13^th: Steamboat Springs Sprint Triathlon

August 4^th: Ironman Boulder 70.3

August 10^th: Beaver Creek Trail Half Marathon (just for fun)

August 31^st: Boulder Sunset Olympic Triathlon

September 22^nd: Ironman Lake Tahoe

After IMLT I am planning on taking all of October to not race and do my own thing and enjoy my favorite month of the year, after that I have BIG plans!

April 20, 2013

Moab Day One

Hello form Moab! We are currently sitting in the hotel waiting for the rain to stop so we can head out for our longest ride of the weekend (80 something for me but with the late start might need to be cut to 66) it’s very cold and currently snowing at the top of our ride, a few hard core triathletes that were going for 100+ miles today went for it in the rain but most of us are waiting it out. I am still recovering from being sick for two weeks so I am not going to take my chances.

The trip so far has been a little impeded by weather, we have had a cold wet spring so it’s really no surprise. But Day 1 (Thursday) made for a sketchy drive through the mountains from Denver to Grand Junction where we had planned to ride about 36 miles on our way to Moab but it was very cold and talk of snow so we pushed on to Moab where we checked into the hotel and quickly got on our bikes to put some miles in. The ride was still chilly but we rode along the river into a canyon on some nice easy rollers.

After the ride we cleaned up and headed to dinner with Coach and a bunch of people from the team the food wasn’t great but the company was stellar. Then it was quick to get to bed for an early morning at the pool.

Day two coming soon, but I wanted to clear a couple things up. I called this a training camp and while in my mind it is we are very fortunate that it is put on by our local tri club and is free to members, not a fancy expensive camp. Obviously we have to pay to drive out here and for the hotel (some people camp but that seems crazy to me). Our coach and club officers plan the entire weekend (workouts, reserving a pool, discount at the hotel, etc) for us for free. It’s a nice perk of being part of a really awesome club. We also have access to some of our club sponsors like Cliff Bar produces, Sierra Nevada beer as well a massages and recovery pump boots.

April 18, 2013

Prepping For Training Camp

I leave for a long weekend “triathlon training camp” in Moab tomorrow morning. I am so excited about spending four days (including two days traveling) mostly swim, bike, running in the beautiful arches national park. Since I haven’t been to a camp like this before packing was a little overwhelming and I bet I will end up repeating a bunch clothes and not wearing half of what I packed. Here it is all layed out

And all packed up

Obviously this doesn’t include my bike and pump food etc, hopefully it will all fit in our car! But I will worry about that in the morning, for now I am off to get some much needed sleep, catch you from Moab!

April 17, 2013

My Heart is in Boston

As a middle/back of the pack runner I may never make it to the Boston Marathon but what happened yesterday still feels a bit like a personal attack. There may be millions of runners in the world but somehow it still feels like a small tight knit community. I tossed and turned last night and had trouble sleeping thinking about all the people who were hurt or had a loved one injured. I hurt for everyone affected and I hurt for the sport I love. This incident makes me want to do what I can so I will find ways to contribute (I am sure there will be organized ways to contribute, I will participate), I will give blood (it won’t help people in Boston but it will help someone) and I will run and that will help me.

I will run another marathon and if I ever qualify for Boston I will show up with a fearless spirit. My hope for all the runners out there is that you band together, you go for a run and find peace.

April 1, 2013

Ironman Lake Tahoe Week 13

Another week down – this week was ok from a training perspective, I was feeling a little under the weather so each session was a bit of a challenge. Also it was spring break here in Denver so it was an extra busy week at work with early mornings and late evenings at work.The big fail was that I didn’t get in the pool once, I kept meaning to and then wither sussed out pushed it off. That really can’t happen anymore, must be more consistent in swimming, and all disciplines. It’s officially Spring and the pre-season winter safety is now gone. But it’s a new month with a clean slate and a chance to go from doing ok to going great! I am now looking at the start of race season starting this weekend with Boulder Half Marathon.

Here’s a look at week 13:

Monday: Yoga and indoor spin, lots of snow still on the ground

Tuesday: Yoga (legs still tight from the weekend) and track practice the track had a little lush and I left with a few new blisters on my toes

Wednesday: 90 minute trainer ride (lots of indoor riding this week) and strength training

Thursday: 80 minute trainer ride, also this was my first bike commute to work of the year, shameful that it took this long!

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 56 mile ride in Boulder, so nice to be outside!! Topped off with a 5 mile ride with my parents and a 3.5 mile transition run, this was my fist t-run of the season and I could really feel it. I have had a few of these on the schedule but haven’t been able to make it work before because of weather.

Sunday: 8.5 mile run, I would like to have run further but I am trying to keep my milage in check this early in the season

Total: 13ish hours of training and feeling ready for more

March 25, 2013

Ironman Lake Tahoe Training Week 12

It’s been a few weeks since I have updated about my training. Mainly thing are going well, run miles are ramping up for my Marathon in May. I am getting sick of indoor training and am so excited that it’s officially Spring and that means long rides and runs will be comfortable outside soon. Here is how the week shaped up:

Monday: In Mexico, no Ironman workout, just walking around Cabo

Tuesday: Ocean Swim and fly home

Wednesday: yoga and 90 minute trainer ride

Thursday: Tempo run and strength

Friday: 2950 yd swim and 70 minute trainer ride

Saturday: We were snowed and I was feeling a little under the weather in so we decided to move our rest day up – full rest

we got about a foot and lots of ice

Sunday: 18 mile treadmill run, I was really dreading this but it really wasn’t that bad

Total: 12 hrs of training, less than planned based on travel and moving Monday’s rest day up. Moving on to lucky week 13!

March 23, 2013

Ironman Lake Tahoe Count Down

Yesterday marked exactly six months until Ironman Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe#.jpeg

Last year I felt relief at having more time not less to prepare for Ironman but this year I am green with envy to anyone who is racing an early season ironman. I blame Los Cabos as well as my high training load. I am itching to do an ironman sooner than later. I am wishing I had a June or May race instead of September. It’s making me have an itchy trigger finger to sign up for more races. I have been seriously thinking about my 2014 calendar and what I would like to race. The only thing keeping me from signing up for Ironman Los Cabos 2014 is the reports of heat, I don’t do well in heat and Denver doesn’t offer great heat training between October and March. Is it crazy to be thinking about 2014 when 2013 is less than a quarter over? Probably but for many IMs you have to sign up a year in advance. So Cory and I have started tentatively planning out what our 2014 race schedule would look like. I am drawn towards Ironman Wales

IM wales.jpeg

Source

But that isn’t until September and I would love to do two Ironmans in 2014. Any suggestions? Anyone have an Ironman race they think is amazing?

High Biological Value

Strong Amino Acids

Abundant Antioxidants

runwithbeth