Chasing My Joy

My journey to becoming an Ultra Runner and Ironman

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September 26, 2016

Weekly Rundown – Trying Something New

This week I am linking up with Jessie at The Right Fits and Jess Runs ATL to recap last weeks training.

———–

I am still considering Ironman vs. Ultra (can’t I have both?!?) but for now I am dedicated to focusing strength training and building back my base fitness.

I am trying something new this time to help me keep on track with strength training. Strength training often takes a backseat to swim-bike-running but this time I am committed to building strength before jumping into a full on training plan. To help keep me on track I singed up to do a 21 Day Fix with Nicole as the Coach . So far it has really helped me prioritize strength training and I have really enjoyed being part of a group.

Last week was not a perfect example of what a week should look like but with just returning to work and baby’s first cold =( other things had to be prioritized.

Monday: Unintended rest day, spent the day cuddling with Cannon and visiting the Pediatrician. He is doing so much better now but seeing him not feel well breaks a new mom’s heart.

Tuesday: Quick run on the treadmill and Upper Fix (upper body strength training)

strength training, 21 day fix

Wednesday: Lower Body Fix

Thursday: 3.5 mile run in the morning and Pilates Fix in the evening

Friday: 25 minute spin on the trainer (oof, it’s going to take sometime to get used to the bike again)

Saturday: Pumpkin Patchin with the family =)

pp

Sunday: 6 mile run

running, stroller run, colorado

Total: 6 hours training (not worth breaking down, and sadly NO swimming….sigh)

Overall I think the week went fine but there is lot’s of room for improvement, already looking forward to doing better this week!

Posted by bethcurtis 3 Comments
Filed Under: training, training plan Tagged: training, Weekly Recap, Weekly Rundown

August 25, 2016

Road Back to Fitness – Post Baby Plan

I am truly surprised at how out of shape I am after having my baby. While it seems obvious that I would lose some fitness while being pregnant, I was not ready for just how much I would lose. Having your abdominals stretched out for nine months is clearly going to do a number on them but it was still a shock when it’s hard to get up off the floor.

Immediately after giving birth I knew I couldn’t do too much but I wanted to get out and start walking as much as possible. The first couple weeks I mostly just rested, tried to recover and took a few short walks. I will admit I started to feel a little bad that I wasn’t up and about as much as I thought I should be or as much as other new moms I have seen on social media. I had to remind myself that I had a little more to recover from than some and thankfully less than it could have been! Comparison really is the thief of joy.

They may not be epic mountain trails but these little neighborhood walks with my family feel pretty great #momlife #cmcn

They may not be epic mountain trails but these little neighborhood walks with my family feel pretty great #momlife #cmcn

After about three weeks I felt up to doing a little more than walking. My doctor said before coming in for my 6 week appointment I could do exercise that I felt up to doing with the exception of swimming and anything too high impact. I didn’t feel up to cycling (no thanks to sitting on a saddle) so I added in some short amounts of time on the elliptical and some jogging mixed in with my walking. I didn’t have a plan at all and just did what felt good each day. Getting a little more active really helped work some of the soreness out of my body after delivery and SO MUCH SITTING while nursing my newborn.

Putting some time in on the elliptical before I am cleared for higher impact exercise and it feels great! Plus it gives me time to read Triathlete #5weekspostpartum #roadbacktofitness #fitmom #cantwaittorunagain

Putting some time in on the elliptical before I am cleared for higher impact exercise and it feels great! Plus it gives me time to read Triathlete #5weekspostpartum #roadbacktofitness #fitmom #cantwaittorunagain

As we approached six weeks postpartum I began to think about what I wanted to do to get back in shape. After having Cannon my main goal was to work on my strength. My body feels like a stretched out rubber band so it is really important to me to focus on building muscle and agility. Also I knew I wanted to return to running, I figured I didn’t have time to get back to swim-bike-run and focus on strength while getting used to life as a mom (well I guess I could but I wasn’t going to prioritize it). So I decided to focus on running since it is my happy place and just fit swimming and biking in for fun/cross-training when I could.

Loving early morning miles #coloRADo #roadbacktofitness #7weekspostpartum

Loving early morning miles #coloRADo #roadbacktofitness #7weekspostpartum

Ideally I would have loved to work with an endurance coach, personal trainer and nutritionist to make a plan to get back in shape. Unfortunately babies and daycare are expensive so I decided to make my own plan. I felt capable of making my own plan as I have taken some time to educate myself.

While I was pregnant I decided to go through the Ironman Certified Coach program. I couldn’t train for an Ironman and had a lot more time on my hands so I figured I could use the time to learn more about the sport I love. I also have been coaching a few athletes and that has been a great way to stay invested in sport while sidelined.

IRONMAN Certified Coach - Beth Curtis

After doing some research I found these resources helpful in building my plan:

Hab-it – I found this through reading Nicole’s blog where she talks about getting back into working out after having her ADORABLE daughter. Getting my pelvic floor strong again was really important to me after giving birth. This short program was developed to help strengthen the pelvic floor by a physical therapist.

Blue-Wave Fitness  via Witsup.com – For stability and and mobility training

Jamie Eason’s Post Pregnancy Fitness Trainer – For all over strength training. This is also just good resource all around.

Physical Therapy – I saw a physical therapist about 5 weeks after giving birth. I thought this was really important so I could be evaluated on where my imbalances and weakness are. I left with specific exercises to work on my core and hip strength that I am to do twice a day.

I used the resources to come up with my own plan for strength training that I plan to complete three times a week. The PT exercises I do twice a day as directed.

11313784_1470942203201266_58827010_n

For running I plan to run 3-4 times a week with easy runs, hill training and progressively longer distance runs. I will incorporate speed work when I feel stronger, right now running still feels a bit like a baby giraffe trying to stand up.

And for now swimming, biking and yoga will be included as time allows (meaning usually not). And lots of walking with my family.

So that is that the basics of my “plan” to get back to endurance training. I will check back to report on how it is going. Long term I am not sure yet what races I will be looking at for 2017, I want to take my time and see what I am feeling up to. I am hoping for a 50k sometime in late winter or spring depending on what I can get into.

Anyone else come back from an extended time off? Any tips?

Posted by bethcurtis 2 Comments
Filed Under: Baby, family, training plan Tagged: Baby, postpartum fitness, training

May 28, 2015

Ironman Canada Training – Weeks 12, 11, 10 and a Mini Camp

How did three weeks slip by? Time seems to accelerate the closer I get to an Ironman. Life becomes eat, train, eat, work, eat, train, eat, sleep, repeat. Sometimes I can slip in some laundry (sometimes) housework (rarely) and downtime (what’s that?)

But it’s all fun, it feels so good to see my training peaks calendar fill up with workouts and then tick them off one by one. I was able to take a four day weekend at the end of last week so I asked coach for a training camp like weekend. It was much more fun to think of the weekend as a camp vs. just another weekend training. We made an agenda and planned our routes so we knew what we *planning* on doing. The weather here in Boulder was less than ideal but it could have been much worse!

It will be too boring to go over daily workouts for three weeks so I will just go over some of the highlights:

12 weeks to go was a little light since we traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico to attend my graduation. The plan was to get some good training in over the weekend and we even schlepped our bikes with us but with terrible weather and no trainers we gave up on the idea and just celebrated mother’s day with my mom. Got in 9 hours of training before leaving town.

Beautiful morning for a graduation #hopefullynotthelasttime

Beautiful morning for a graduation #hopefullynotthelasttime

Thanks for being so stinkin awesome mom! You have always been an inspiration. Strong, determined, brilliant and fierce. If I can be 50% as awesome as you when I grow up I will be happy. Happy Mothers Day!

Thanks for being so stinkin awesome mom! You have always been an inspiration. Strong, determined, brilliant and fierce. If I can be 50% as awesome as you when I grow up I will be happy. Happy Mothers Day!

11 weeks to go was a little more productive, after driving back from New Mexico I got back into some workouts with good focus and intensity including:

The longest swim of year so far (4,000+ yds)

Second workout of the day was extra awesome because my mom joined us for the swim #IMTraining

Second workout of the day was extra awesome because my mom joined us for the swim #IMTraining

All bike rides on the trainer (come on summer)

Love watching @ethannewberry and @kimberleydt on ginger runner live from my trainer. Congrats Ethan on the amazing wife and 100k #inspiration

Love watching @ethannewberry and @kimberleydt on ginger runner live from my trainer. Congrats Ethan on the amazing wife and 100k #inspiration

Long run turned because of flooding
Totaling about 15 hours and a lot of focused work

10 weeks to go was the biggest week so far because of the long weekend. All workouts are getting longer now meaning that the alarm is creeping closer to 4:00am and getting later at night. But it’s  not too bad since this week (9 weeks to go) is the last biggish week (17 hours planned) before a little taper and recovery for Boulder 70.3.

67 days until @ironmantri Canada. Good thing I have this little bean to help me with yoga #IMCanada #IMTraining #daisythechihuahua

67 days until @ironmantri Canada. Good thing I have this little bean to help me with yoga #IMCanada #IMTraining #daisythechihuahua

Views from today's long run, so green in Boulder #IMTraining #IMCanada

Views from today’s long run, so green in Boulder #IMTraining #IMCanada

Second workout of the day was extra awesome because my mom joined us for the swim #IMTraining

Second workout of the day was extra awesome because my mom joined us for the swim #IMTraining

#keepyourheadup #believeinyoutself #chasedreams

#keepyourheadup #believeinyoutself #chasedreams

Last workout of the day done! Lots of wildlife out, pelicans, great blue heron, bunnies and one wild pug #IMTraining #IMCanada #WinstonThePug #ironpug

Last workout of the day done! Lots of wildlife out, pelicans, great blue heron, bunnies and one wild pug #IMTraining #IMCanada #WinstonThePug #ironpug

Bluebird skies this morning so at least I got three hours on the bike before thunder chased us inside. Back on the trainer  62 days until Ironman Canada #IMTraining

Bluebird skies this morning so at least I got three hours on the bike before thunder chased us inside. Back on the trainer 62 days until Ironman Canada #IMTraining

61 days until #IMCanada so many miles to ride can't believe it's so close! #IMTraining #teamsoas @ironmancanada

61 days until #IMCanada so many miles to ride can’t believe it’s so close! #IMTraining #teamsoas @ironmancanada

Mid ride break, thinking today about all who have served especially Grandpa Curtis. I wish I could have met you and heard your stories #grateful

Mid ride break, thinking today about all who have served especially Grandpa Curtis. I wish I could have met you and heard your stories #grateful

T-run done. Cooked and ready to relax! #IMTraining #teamsoas

T-run done. Cooked and ready to relax! #IMTraining #teamsoas

Then it will be one last big push for IM Canada – here we go!!!

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

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

September 9, 2014

50k Ultramarathon Training – Week 10

How did we get through week 10 already?!? This ultramrathon will be here before I know it. I am looking forward to putting in some big millage weeks at the end of the month and hopefully that will be enough. With all that here is how week 10 went down:
2014-09-07 11.32.07
Monday: Day off of work means time on the trails! 14.5 mile trail run at Picture Rock in Lyons. Awesome new trail.
IMG_2153
Tuesday:  Walk with pups

Wednesday: 4.5 mile run around local lake

Thursday: 1.5 mile walk around city park (start of mini taper)

Friday: 2 mile run with Winston

IMG_2157 (1)
Saturday: 2.5 mile hike while monitoring prairie dogs

Sunday: 26.47 mile Leadville Highest Marathon (race report coming soon) Furthest I have ever ran at one time =)
2014-09-07 15.32.29

Total miles ran or hiked: 52.5 miles
Total hours training: 14:46

This week was interesting since I had Monday off of work for labor day. Even though I had raced a half marathon (Breck Crest) on Sunday and was racing a marathon that weekend, I couldn’t give up the chance to try out a new trail. So it wasn’t the best marathon taper ever. A lot of plans call for a three week taper but this wasn’t an A race so I mainly “trained through” and I definitely didn’t feel completely fresh on Sunday, but that may have also been the 10-11 thousand foot elevation. Next couple of weeks am traveling for a work conference, while it’s a lot of fun there isn’t a lot of down time. I am hoping to get as much running in as possible. Anyone know any great routes running distance from Disney?

Posted by bethcurtis 1 Comment
Filed Under: 50k training, ultra Tagged: 50k, training, Ultramarathon

August 17, 2014

50k Ultramarathon Training – Week 6

Last weeks recap is coming a little late since I was out in the field for work the beginning of the week with no internet. Last week was a step back week after a couple high milage weeks:

Monday: 1,250 yds swimming in my favorite pool
Tuesday:  5.5 miles of mile repeats
Wednesday: 3.5 mile short neighborhood loop // one hour bike ride on the trainerIMG_1933
Thursday: 5 mile Hilly run at Green Mountain // 1,550 yd swim IMG_1886
Friday: 1 mile walk (planned)
Saturday: 1mile walk (unplanned) long day at work so this was all I could muster Sunday: Beaver Creek Trail Half Marathon (race report coming soon) IMG_1923

It was great to start incorporating swimming and biking back into the plan. THe past couple weeks it has just been whenever I felt like adding it in. The second half of August I hope to actually add them into my schedule.

Miles ran or hiked: 29  miles
Yards in the pool: 2,750 yds
Miles on the bike: 16 (ish) miles
Total hours training: 8:49 hours

Posted by bethcurtis Leave a Comment
Filed Under: 50k training, ultra Tagged: 50k, training, Ultramathon

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We are having so much fun learning to ski as a fam We are having so much fun learning to ski as a family! Ski traffic I could do without 🫠
✨2022✨ I can honestly say this was the best ✨2022✨ 

I can honestly say this was the best year of my life. So many adventures. I am loving the ages of these kiddos and cherish our time together. 

Very unsure if we can top this in 2023 but we are sure going to try!
We hope you had a merry little Christmas 🎄 We hope you had a merry little Christmas 🎄
Winter hiking is just so magical. Definitely not h Winter hiking is just so magical. Definitely not hating winter this year! ❄️
We kicked off the holiday season by visiting the N We kicked off the holiday season by visiting the North Pole and seeing Santa! 

The kids had so much fun and it was way cuter than I was expecting. They said it was better than Disneyland 😂 @northpolecolorado
Happy Halloween!!! Cannon really wanted to be To Happy Halloween!!! 

Cannon really wanted to be Toad from Super Mario this year so we tagged along. 

Scroll to see 2021-> 2020 -> 2019 -> 2018 -> 2017 -> 2016 🎃
We finished up our tour of France with a couple da We finished up our tour of France with a couple days in Disneyland Paris. I love Disney Parks and visiting Disneyland Paris was a dream come true. We had such an amazing time on our entire trip. 

We are trying to plan our next trip. Where is the best place you have ever been? Do you have a favorite trip? I would love to hear about it. My parents say that Ireland was their favorite so UK tops the list currently but Italy or Costa Rica are on the list too.
In our last couple of days in Paris we took a bus In our last couple of days in Paris we took a bus tour to see the major sights. Our favorites included walking the entire Champs-Élysées and climbing to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. We missed out on seeing the Catacombs because we didn’t get tickets early enough. c’est la vie, I guess we will have to go back 😉
A cousin reminded me that I never finished sharing A cousin reminded me that I never finished sharing our trip to France 🫠 better late than never! 

We spent our first day back in Paris with a trip to Versailles. We loved the gardens so much and particularly enjoyed Marie Antoinette’s little farm. The history here is incredible and the opulence overwhelming. We walked over 10 miles on our visit!
Before our long drive back to Paris we did the thr Before our long drive back to Paris we did the three castle hike in Ribeauvillé, France. We climbed up the side of a hill to three castle ruins from the 14th century. It was really fun to explore and a great way to burn some energy before a long drive.
While we were in the Alsace region of France we vi While we were in the Alsace region of France we visited the sweet little village of Riquewihr. Rumor says this was the inspiration for Belle’s village in Disney’s Beaty and the Beast. Can you see it? We could and kept singing Bonjour while walking through town.
After leaving Switzerland we made our way to Colma After leaving Switzerland we made our way to Colmar. This sweet little town in the Alsace region of France near the German border. We loved all the half timber buildings and winding streets. We had some great local food and wine. Colmar was a lovely place to get lost for an afternoon.
It was so exciting to see the Matterhorn in person It was so exciting to see the Matterhorn in person. The peak was never fully clear of clouds while we were there which was a little disappointing but it was still majestic . We took a cog train and gondola up then hiked about five miles down on the five lakes trail. It was a beautiful day and we got to enjoy lunch mid hike. We loved the little (car free) town of Zermatt. We enjoyed some fun Swiss playgrounds in town before dinner. I love Switzerland and it’s mountains!
With the last of our time in Chamonix we took a go With the last of our time in Chamonix we took a gondola and cable car up Le Brévent. We enjoyed hot chocolates and crepes at the top with views of Mont Blanc. 

Next it was time to drive on to Switzerland 🇨🇭
We took a cute cogwheel train up the valley in Cha We took a cute cogwheel train up the valley in Chamonix to Montenvers to visit the Mer de Glace  glacier. At the top you can take a gondola a little way down then MANY stairs to the glacier. It was sad to see the markers of where the glacier was in years past and how much it has shrunk. We did love exploring an ice cave that they dig out each year. We had to try twice to get into the ice caves as the first time it closed right as we arrived due to a storm. It was worth taking the train twice.
After riding to the top of Aiguille du Midi we sto After riding to the top of Aiguille du Midi we stopped half way down for a couple mile hike and a stop at a mountain hut for lunch. This might have been my favorite lunch ever. The views were amazing and the weather was nice. The mountains here are STUNNING!!! #aiguilledumidi #chamonix
We decided to spend a few day in Chamonix to explo We decided to spend a few day in Chamonix to explore the French Alps. The experience we were most excited about was taking the gondola up the 
Aiguille du Midi (highest cable car in France). You switch cable cars half way up so you can enjoy the views. The top outpost is incredible perching on top of the mountain. I’ve never seen anything like it! 

The day wasn’t completely clear but the views were still incredible. #aiguilledumidi #chamonix
After a long drive across the French countryside w After a long drive across the French countryside we landed in Annecy at the foot of the Alps. 

Annecy was such a pretty little town on the bank of a gorgeous turquoise lake.  We got to enjoy lunch at a canal side cafe, wander the streets, enjoy ice cream and playground hop our way through town. 

Very excited about our next few days in mountains of France + Switzerland.
We drove into the heart of France to visit the Go We drove into the heart of France to visit the  Gouffre de Padirac. A large cave system including an underground river. I don’t have many good pictures given the lighting and lack of patience. We loved climbing down into the cave and riding a boat along the river. Probably my favorite cave that I have visited. Kids loved all of it too and are so good about us dragging them along with us across France.
After leaving Mont Saint-Michele we drove to Loire After leaving Mont Saint-Michele we drove to Loire to visit Château de Chenonceau. It was stunning and the gardens were fun to explore. The history here is so rich!
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