Chasing My Joy

My journey to becoming an Ultra Runner and Ironman

Ironman Lake Tahoe Picture Recon

While I was “studying” last night I started googling information about IMLT, I had been getting very nervous about the amount of climbing there would be on the bike. After scoping out the elevation profile carefully I compared it to the IMCDA profile since that is my best frame of reference . It looks like Tahoe has less than 1000 feet more than CdA. Tahoe will definitely be difficult but I had it in my head that it was going to be twice as hard.

As I was trolling around the internet I found a blog called IM Tahoe Live written by a triathlete who lives in Tahoe. This site has amazing information about the race! He has loaded videos of the swim area, and the bike and run course. Plus tons of photos and information about the race.

Photo pf the bike path that the run will be on [Source]
I had fun checking out all the information I could find, the one downside was that I was getting so excited about the trip and race that once it was time to go to bed I felt too ramped up to sleep. Thankfully it didn’t take to long to wind down and fall asleep. 
Anyone else so looking forward to races that aren’t until this summer, or in my case fall?!?

Ironman Lake Tahoe Training Week 4

Training update is a couple days late but I had the day off yesterday and fully enjoyed a full day of recovery with the hubby. This week is a recovery week after three build weeks. The formula for during the work week usually looks about the same but the weekends are getting bigger and I have to say I love it. We got out on a 50 mile ride and 13 mile run this weekend and it was great to be out in the sun (too bad I don’t have a heated outdoor pool to swim in) Guess I should move to San Diego!

Monday: Complete Rest =)
Tuesday: 90 minute interval run
Wednesday: 75 minute spin
60 minute strength 
Thursday: masters swim 
Friday: easy yoga  
Saturday: easy shake out run if time
Sunday: ING Miami Half Marathon ( thanks to Amanda)
I am happy for a recovery week, normally I am not that excited about them but it lines up perfectly for a mini taper for ING. But more importantly my legs are trashed after last weekend and I need to let the my muscles rest, recover and come back stronger. I didn’t think that last weekend was that big of a weekend but I haven’t been on my bike in a long time (mostly been on a spin bike) so the 50 miles left me tired and sore. Then on Sunday it was so nice to be out in 40 degree weather running that I pushed the pace on the 13 miles more than I have the past few weeks. Biggest lesson I learned was that spin class is great fun but I need more time on my bike, outside whenever I can or on the trainer.

Gettin Out of the Box

No I don’t mean the CrossFit Box, but Someday I would love to try it out. I mean out of my gym, it had been crazy cold in Colorado lately but when Saturdays high was forecasted to be 57 degrees I was stoked to get out on my bike. I even got to try out my new Zoot Knickers that Cory got my for Christmas, I loved them, they kept me nice and warm and I fel lie less of a goob then when I used to put running tights over bike shorts.

Cory and I did an easy 50 mile out and back to from Broomfield to Boulder. It was awesome to see SO many other cyclists out on the road.

Today we set out for a 13 mile easy run, it was awesome to breathe easy and not have to bundle up for once. 
The Nuun giveaway goes to Live4endurance (I used random.org) if you haven’t checked out this blog you should, I haven’t read a lot yet but he has some pretty great posts and is only 16!!! Live4endurance (I couldn’t find your name) please email me your adress  at bethcn at gmail dot com and I will send your nuun to you.
Happy weekend everyone, I will be enjoying one more day of a long weekend happily.

Three Things Thursday

Hello! I have some randomness to report so a three things post seemed appropriate.
1. I judged a grade school science fair this morning. Kids think of some funny shit people! One was testing to see if kids were more flexible than adults and the board was full of spread eagle crotch shots (testing to see who was better at the splits). So funny!
2. Everyone I mean EVERYONE at work is sick and with different stuff so I have been loading up on antioxidants and vitamins from tea and nuun (want some?) as much as possible.
This has been my typical breakfast lately and I am sick of it
I finally ordered some Healthy Bites from Lindsay and I can’t wait to get them! They are much less processed than Luna Bars (nothing against Cliff they make great products)
That’s it for me, anyone have at least one thing they want to share?

Hydration Nation – A Giveaway

Hello out there! I am happy to report that we are finally seeing a warm up here in colorado. It’s been rough the last week with highs in the single digits and lows sporting a negative.
Snowy Street.jpeg
Thankfully the streets are thawing and it’s much more comfortable to be outside. Regardless it’s not warm out and this time of year it’s easy to get dehydrated since you aren’t as motivated to drink up as you are in the heat of the summer. So I was extra excited to see that nuun has come out with a new product. I have been known to drink original nuun at work because I love it so much. Lucky for me they came out with nuun all day.
Nuun all day.jpeg
From the Nuun All Day site:

  • NUUN ALL DAY HYDRATION helps you drink more water every day with crisp and refreshing flavors and is enhanced with an all-natural blend of vitamins and minerals making it perfect for your daily routine.

I have really enjoyed this new option and thought it would be fun to share with you, so here’s a little giveaway. I would be happy to send a bottle (Grapefruit Orange). Giveaway is simple follow me and leave me a comment bellow. I will close the giveaway Saturday at midnight (mountain time) and let you guys know on Sunday.

Happy Hydrating!

Acupuncture for Athletes

I was speaking to a coworker earlier today and she peaked my interest after telling me that she has been feeling great after having acupuncture the last couple weeks. I am not normally that into alternative medicine but it peaked my interest because I have heard that it helps athletic performance and recovery also I have heard from people that it has helped heal old running injuries that hadn’t healed with rest in years.
As someone who is injury prone and an endurance junky I am not quite interested and considering giving it a go. I did a little web search and found some promising articles on the benefits:

 Studies have shown that acupuncture has measurable effects on the flow of blood to certain areas of the body, which could in turn boost athletic performance. One such study conducted at the Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine involved athletes running 5,000 meters, and then sitting for acupuncture treatments before they had a chance to catch their breath. The heart rates of the athletes who received the treatments recovered more quickly than those in the control group. (source)

Have any of you tried acupuncture? Good or bad results? Voodoo? 

January Goals Check In


WIth the month almost half over (Already?!?!) I thought it was time to check in on my January goals since there is still time to make them happen if I have been slacking:

1.    Train no less than 45 hours total for the month On course to complete this one
2.       Miss no more than 3 planned workouts Missed two already better stay focused and not get sick again!
3.       Don’t buy food out more than twice Bought dinner once, not too shabby
4.       Blog at least 20 times (5 times a weekish) this is to work on the consistency Only 8 times so far this month, so best get after it
5.       Get organized before classes start and stay on schedule I am ready and got ahead of some work, so this ones a win
6.       Take more pictures Extra big fail =( I have barley taken any pictures this month, good thing I still have time to get it on film (thanks blazeman)

So to work on #6 I snapped a quick photo of an exciting purchase from yesterday

Our first Le Creuset Dutch Oven in a pretty robins egg blue. Winston wondered what all the excitement was about. 

He still dosen’t get it but he sure is funny!

Ironman Lake Tahoe Training Week 3

Training for the week 1/14

This week looks much like that last two, with the major different of a 3.5 hour bike ride on Sunday. I really hope I can go outside and ride a REAL bike. If I can’t get outside I will have to try not to go crazy inside. I am happy to run outside:
But riding outside is another story, time to man up!

Monday: Yoga
6 mile run (optional)
Tuesday: 3200 swim
90 minute interval run
Wednesday: 70 minute spin
60 minute strength
Thursday: 6 mile run
2750 m swim
Friday:  75 minute spin class
60 minute strength
Saturday: 12 mile run
Sunday: 3.5 hour bike ride (If I can get outside I will try to go for my favorite 60 mile loop)
60 minute strength
Approx: 18 hours
Anyone racing this week?

Books That Inspire

I have found that one of the best ways to get or stay inspired about running and triathlon is reading a good book about the sport. During this time of year I find it especially helpful since the cold, dark, dreary days don’t make me want to get out and swim, bike run as much as the long days of summer. I really enjoy reading magazines and regularly read Runners World, Triathlete and Women’s Running but I don’t think they are as inspiring as a full length book/memoir can be. Here are some books that I have loved reading and have sparked my dedication to train in these cold dark days:
Such a great book about the love of sport and her journey undefeated ironman champion. I would have loved more detail about what she did for training during her time with Brett Sutton, but I love to read about other people’s training and this might be a highly guarded secret anyway.

Matt Long’s The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter’s Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete

 If this book doesn’t inspire you to get after it nothing will. If you are at all feeling bad about yourself for being injured or not doing as well as you would like, this book can help put things in perspective.

You Are an Ironman: How Six Weekend WarriorsChased Their Dream of Finishing the World’s Toughest Triathlon

Maybe a little less inspiring but really cool to read about age groupers experience in getting ready to race Ironman Arizona.

 

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, andthe Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

I LOVED this book, I am not completely into the barefoot running craze so I wasn’t sure I would like this book when I first started it but ended up loving the story and the people in the book. If you are going to read just one book about running this would be my recommendation.

 

I want to read Finding Ultra  next but I am always looking for recommendations. What is your favorite running/triathlon/inspiring books?

Changing the plan…

I was hopeful that an illness that was bothering me over the weekend wouldn’t put me off my plan but that was wishful thinking. After a terrible night’s sleep, I missed my morning workout and am off my game at work. I hate missing workouts but don’t want to prolong my illness either.  So I am changing things up a bit and hope to be back at things full tilt tomorrow
Here are the changes:
Monday: Yoga + hip and core exercises
Tuesday: Distance focus swim 3200 yd Skipped
6 mile fartlek run Instead of going outside in the cold to run hard I think I will do 60 min on the elliptical at the gym
Wednesday: 90 min spin class
Yoga/Pilates Class Easy yoga at home with this guys help:













Thursday: 60’ progression Run
Swim: Masters swim 2700 yds
Friday: 90 min spin class
Strength session
Saturday: 2.5 hour bike ride (snow forecasted, hello trainer)
Sunday: 15 mile run
Strength Session
If I can I would like to get in an extra swim this weekend to make up for missing this morning. Last year I skipped a lot of swims and paid for it on IM race day.
Do you change up your plan when you are sick? Take a bunch of time off or stick to the plan? 

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