Chasing My Joy

My journey to becoming an Ultra Runner and Ironman

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September 21, 2016

Ironman or Ultra?

I am trying to be patient, I really am, but it’s not something I am good at. This trait has gotten me in trouble in the past. I want to do all the race and I want to do them RIGHT NOW. The trouble is when I try to do too many things too quickly I tend to do everything not that well or worse not at all.

So I am trying to be patient with planning races, on getting back into shape and with my body. It is very tempting to try to race long this year, but I know that would do me no good. If I try to race too soon it would e nothing but sad and slow and I would likely get injured.

That being said I have always been one to do better when I have a goals race to train for. So I have started to plot what races I would like to do in 2017 and the big question is Ironman or Ultra. I really want to do both but I know I need to choose. There are good reasons to choose either one:

Ironman

  • A length that I know I can do and love!
  • Doing all three sports will help me get in shape quicker without getting injured
  • I enjoy training with local triathlon clubs
  • Swim bike run is so much fun and I always miss it when I take a break
  • There is an awesome race in my backyard that I have never done

imgres

Ultra

  • I have done Ironmans but I have never done a 50 or 100 mile trail race
  • I LOVE trail running
  • It seems so much less overwhelming to focus on one sport
  • I have wanted to race in the Leadville series for years now
  • Leadville isn’t exactly in my backyard but it’s close enough to get out on the course to train on weekends

img_3857

 

I will keep soul searching until one becomes the clear winner (I am slightly leaning one way already) but either way my focus for now is strength training and building back base fitness.

What would you do, Ironman or Ultra?

Posted by bethcurtis 2 Comments
Filed Under: Races, Uncategorized Tagged: Ironman, Race Planning, Ultramarathon

August 5, 2015

Ironman Canada // 2015

I really wish this was a happy race report, but it is not.

Yay athlete check in!! Loving Whistler #IMCanada

Yay athlete check in!! Loving Whistler #IMCanada

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram then you already know that Ironman Canada ended in a DNF. Honestly I am really disappointed about it, I worked for months to prepare, had been looking forward to it for a LONG time and had planned my year around this race. But it’s also not the worst thing to ever happen to a person, there are so many worse things that could happen in this life. So it’s time to put my big girl pants on, find the lessons that can be learned and move on.  Here is the story of my time at Ironman Canada:

The week leading up to the race I watched the weather get worse and worse for race day. At first the forecast was 75 and sunny (perfect!) but the days leading up were chilly and rainy so I worried that the weather would change. That is exactly what happened, race day ended up having the worst weather of the entire week.

IMG_3644

We flew into Seattle on Thursday and drove up to Whistler, the drive was stunning and we enjoyed the drive and the sights.

Boarder crossing! Oh Canada  #IMCanada

Boarder crossing! Oh Canada #IMCanada

Friday and Saturday were full of the normal pre-race prep. Athlete check in, practice swim in the lake and easy spin on the legs. It rained off and on over the couple of days and was chilly. This caused some pretty high nerves on my part. It really made me realize that I have been a fair weather rider. Sure I can swim and run in the cold/rain but I have never ridden in those conditions. Lesson learned there! I will try harder to get out in non-ideal conditions and figure out what gear I might need. Not surprisingly a waterproof jacket would have gone a long way.

IMG_3646

Race morning it was very overcast and lightly sprinkling. I did my normal bike and gear check, it was chilly and dark. I was doing my best to get pumped up but I was a little worried about the day and the deep water mass start. As the race start grew closer I got into my wetsuit and kissed Cory goodbye.

Alta lake is a beautiful place to swim 2.4 miles #IMCanada

Alta lake is a beautiful place to swim 2.4 miles #IMCanada (not from race morning, it was too rainy for Cory to take photos)

I made my way through the swim arch then into the water, I have never done a deep water start in a race before and this one had thousands of people joining me. Many athletes were hanging out in the shallow water off to the side, I don’t understand this since we were all in wetsuits and treading water doesn’t take much effort.  I lined myself up slightly to the outside of the buoys since I have heard that Canada’s swim can be a bit brutal and congested.  After bobbing around in the cold water for a few minutes the gun went off and we all started moving. It wasn’t too bad at first, but then all the athletes that were hanging out on shore made their way out with the rest of us. There were people everywhere, no water and nowhere to move. I just tried to (literally) roll with the punches and keep moving forward in the herd. It was definitely slower than I would have liked but it’s a long day so no use worrying about it. After the first turn things opened up and I found some great feet to swim with, he sighted well and was pretty consistent. I followed my feet until halfway through my second lap when I decided that I needed to be going faster so I jumped off to do my own thing. After that I couldn’t find anyone else to follow, looking at my paces I really fell off at that point and I definitely could feel I was working a lot harder. So another lesson learned, don’t leave good feet if you find them!

As I rounded the last turn and made my way towards the swim exit, I was excited to be almost done but nervous about the bike leg. It had started to really pour down rain as we were swimming and I felt really cold in the lake. As I got out of the lake I found some nice wetsuit strippers and headed into the tent.

IMG_3648

My T1 time was supper long as my hands were freezing and I had decided to make a full change into warm dry clothes. After the full change and stuffing my gear in the bag I ran out into a full downpour. I grabbed my bike and headed out to the mount line. Almost immediately I was drenched, rivers of water where in the streets and I was freezing.

I am not even sure how far I made it (not far) before pulling off to the side. I was shaking uncontrollably, I couldn’t imagine navigating 10% downhill grades with  hairpin turns. This was a pretty low moment for me, I have been looking forward to IM Canada for so long and the conditions were so bad. It was especially hard seeing the courageous athletes blow by me as they continued on in the harsh conditions.

I found Cory, who was also freezing from standing out in the cold and wet all morning and headed back to our condo. A warm shower and crashing on the couch felt pretty dang good but my spirit was a little crushed. After warming up for a bit and grabbing brunch, we decided the best thing to do was to cheer on the other competitors. It was bitter sweet to stand on the course and cheer on the athletes who had endured so much and were headed to their ironman finish in some of the worst conditions I have ever seen. Even though it was a little painful for me it was also inspiring and helped me to refocus on the future, to work harder and keep trying. The worst thing I could let happen is to give up because of one failure.

So now onto the next adventure, I WILL finish an Ironman this year. I have done it before and I can do it again! Up Next  Ironman Lake Tahoe.

Fall down seven times, Stand up eight. Here I come Ironman Lake Tahoe #IMLakeTahoe #nevergiveup

Fall down seven times, Stand up eight. Here I come Ironman Lake Tahoe #IMLakeTahoe #nevergiveup

Posted by bethcurtis 9 Comments
Filed Under: Ironman, Ironman Canada Tagged: Ironman

July 22, 2015

Ironman Canada Week!

It really hasn’t sunk in yet that it’s ironman week! T-minus 4 days until Ironman Canada. It’s been a long journey to get to the start line but I am ready to see what the day brings and deal with it the best I can. The last miles have been banked in Colorado before heading to Whistler.

One last swim in Boulder Rez before #IMCanada #triathlon

One last swim in Boulder Rez before #IMCanada #triathlon

So packing and weather stalking has started and thunder storms are predicted so my plan (similar to Lake Tahoe in 2013) is to bring everything and hope I have everything I need. Baggage fees might be interesting.

It’s my first time flying with my bike, any tips?

Thanks to a professional cyclist friend, these arrived today  now to figure out how to pack our bikes. Any tips?? #IMCanada #ironman #triathlon

Thanks to a professional cyclist friend, these arrived today now to figure out how to pack our bikes. Any tips?? #IMCanada #ironman #triathlon

See you all on the flip side in Canada, wheels up tomorrow morning!

Posted by bethcurtis 6 Comments
Filed Under: Ironman, Ironman Canada, Travel, Uncategorized Tagged: Ironman, Ironman Canada, Travel

July 14, 2015

TAPER! And the Rocky Road to Ironman Canada

I am grateful that taper is here, the Road to Canada has been a bit of a rocky one.

At the intersection of left hand and old stage. Not a bad place for hill repeats! #IMTraining #IMCanada

At the intersection of left hand and old stage. Not a bad place for hill repeats! #IMTraining #IMCanada

It’s not that things have been terrible, I really enjoyed my training when I could get it done. In the past I have had many more external issues with getting training done. My past job had a funky schedule a lot of time requiring that I work early and/or (usually and) late and many weekends. My current job is much more steady and flexible and I am very happy about that.

BUT the last couple of months of training for IM Canada has been marred by injury and setbacks.  Most of these were stupid little things, like pulling my glute muscle.

That feeling when your third and last workout of the day is done #bestdayever #lovewins #IMTraining  #IMCanada #WinstonThePug

That feeling when your third and last workout of the day is done #bestdayever #lovewins #IMTraining #IMCanada #WinstonThePug

Others were bigger, like crashing on my bike at mile 80 of a 100 mile ride. Bloody with a slightly broken bike I called for a ride home. I am still recovering from the crash two weeks later and just doing what I can.

My favorite "rest stop" so bike friendly! I  long summer rides #IMTraining

My favorite “rest stop” so bike friendly! I long summer rides #IMTraining – 20 miles before eating pavement

I feel slightly under cooked for Canada but I also feel determined. I know it will be challenging but so much of an Ironman is being mentally tough and dealing with the pain the day hands you. Surprisingly I feel fairly calm, as they say the hay is in the barn. There is nothing to do now but rest up, eat well and show up ready to do my best.

So I go into this race ready to grit my teeth, especially on that last 20 mile climb. I am excited to get to whistler and happy to get to race another Ironman.

Ever gone into a race slightly under-prepared? What helped you get though?

Posted by bethcurtis 6 Comments
Filed Under: Ironman, Ironman Canada Tagged: Ironman, Ironman Canada

May 5, 2015

Ironman Canada Training – 13 weeks to go

Last week went by quickly but I felt pretty good and was happy with how I was hitting my intervals. Now with just 12 weeks until Ironman Canada it’s time to FOCUS! Here is how last week turned out:

Monday: Easy Yoga with the pug

Some mornings you need to do yoga with a pug #pugsofinstagram #WinstonThePug #IMTraining

Some mornings you need to do yoga with a pug

Tuesday: 3000 m swim // 30 min easy spin

Wednesday: hour and 20 minute trainer ride // evening massage sooo painful!

Big trainer workout this morning...lets do this! #teamsoas2015 #IMTraining #IMCanada

Thursday: Progression run // easy spin warm up and TRX workout

Tempo run time #letsdothis #IMTraining #teamsoas #FurtherFasterForever #IMCanada

Friday: 3100 m swim

Saturday: 4.5 hour bike ride with a 40 minute t-run

Very muggy run off a 56 mile bike. Happy to beat the storm! ☁️⚡️ #IMTraining #teamsoas

Very muggy run off a 56 mile bike. Happy to beat the storm! ☁️⚡️ #IMTraining #teamsoas

Sunday: Beautiful long run in Boulder before the rain started (so much rain for CO!) // evening 90 minute spin

Long run Sunday again trying to beat the rain. Thanks for the views Boulder #IMTraining #FurtherFasterForever #teamsoas2015

~16 hours of training, only 12 weeks until Ironman Canada!

Posted by bethcurtis Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Ironman, Ironman Canada, Uncategorized Tagged: Ironman, training

February 9, 2015

Ironman Canada Training – Weeks 1 & 2

Ironman Canada training has officially started with just six months until race day. Here we go!

Week One:

Monday: Easy run on Boulder’s Mesa Trail

photo 1

Tuesday: Trainer Ride Intervals + TRX Strength Session // Evening Run with the pug

Wednesday: Running Speed Work

photo 2

Thursday: Rest Day to get a bunch of errands done

Friday: Easy Run

Saturday: 12 mile long run along the Coal Creek Trail

Sunday: 6 mile run // hour easy spin

Week Two:

Monday: Yoga // Quick run with the pups

Tuesday: Hill Repeats Run // Easy Spin + TRX session

Wednesday: AM Swim // Quick Run and Strength Training

photo 3

Thursday: Power Pyramid on the Trainer // Stryd Launch Party *more on this later*

It's Mary Beth Ellis!!!

It’s Mary Beth Ellis!!!

 

Friday: Yoga

Saturday: 12 mile long run along the Coal Creek Trail

photo 5

Sunday: 8 mile run // 24 mile ride it crazy warm winter weather

Reflections: The first couple weeks have been all about getting back into triathlon training and creating new habits to fit my new career. I feel good about the progress I have made and expect things will get easier as I really find a groove. Things that could use improvement are running and swimming. While I got my runs in I need to be logging MORE MILES for that 50 miler I have in May. The worst one is swimming, once in two weeks will just not cut it. This is partially not yet having a pool I like ironed out but also it was just not making it a priority. I deffinitly can feel that I am back in training but it’s a good kind of sore.

Posted by bethcurtis 1 Comment
Filed Under: Ironman, Ironman Canada, Uncategorized Tagged: Ironman, Ironman Canada

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Another year visiting the ice castles in Dillion. Another year visiting the ice castles in Dillion. We had so much fun and it was a nice break from being stuck at home #1000hoursoutside #icecastles #icecastlesdillon
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