Saturday long run

Did my 12 miler with MTT yesterday. It was a cold, drizzly & windy run - not bad conditions for a long run! I had planned to run 10 minute miles, but I felt really good so I picked it up and ran 9:30 min miles. Here is what I ate:

Friday:
pizza from Whole Foods (it was awful)
brown rice chips and lemon hummus

Saturday:
Fully charged drink
one anti-fatigue cap
bagel with cream cheese

one Hammer gel pre-run
one Hammer gel at 6 miles
water (at the SAGS)

Ran 12 miles in 1:55

Loved my Hoka Gaviotas - but I think they are best suited for shorter runs. They don't really protect my knees enough. Will run in my Elevons next Saturday and on marathon day.

Decided to stick to the full marathon distance - I'm trained for it. I need to run with an attitude of gratitude.

I'm back!

I haven't blogged in a year! Ha! I had written a year ago (actually almost two years ago) that I was going to use this blog as a way to track workouts, races and nutrition. Well - I am finally going to do that especially since I have had an up and down summer/fall in terms of workouts. It's been really hot and I have struggled with nutrition and hydration. Today was a different, happy story. It finally feels like fall in Richmond. It was about 45 degrees and breezy when I started my run this morning. I have decided to run the Richmond half instead of the full marathon. I just don't have any interest in running the full marathon right now - maybe some other year. Anyway, I rode my bike for an hour prior to my 10 mile run. I felt rested and healthy - unlike yesterday (super tired, upset tummy and pink eye....the joys of teaching). I had a great run - felt energized and strong (for me - so it's all relative).

Nutrition plan:
Dinner: Chicken critter salad with Italian dressing

Pre workout: Fully charged drink from Hammer, 1 anti-fatigue cap and one bagel with cream cheese

During workout: Heed on the bike and run, one Hammer gel (banana) before the run

Post workout: recoverite

This week's workout plan:
Daily plank, sit ups, squats

M spin
T - morning run
W spin
Th - morning run
F swim?
S - run 12 with MTT

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Last Saturday, I made a dumb decision (not my first). After the Gasparilla Challenge, I should've taken it easy and run (at most) 6 easy miles. Instead, I opted to do the 12 mile loop with the City Stadium runners. I will say that I had a lot of fun meeting a new group of runners! However, about half way through the run (at the 6 mile point....should've stopped!!), I felt a sudden tightness in my left hip. This was a new tightness and came on quite suddenly. Logically, I ran 6 more uncomfortable miles. DUMB. After the run, I could barely hobble around. I realized my hip flexor and glute were very angry with me, so I have become best buddies with ice and the foam roller. I've actually taken my foam rolling to a whole new level of pain with the introduction of the small, hard rubber ball. This can really get at the tight muscles more aggressively than the roller - and has helped them loosen noticeably loosen up. I've also gone to Barre class every day this week. The exercises in Barre are exactly what I need. They target all the areas of my body that running doesn't (particularly the hips, glutes and core). While the classes are super hard, I kinda love them. They are really challenging me, but I know I need it. I'm also going to get a deep tissue massage tomorrow. Hopefully, all of these things together will get me back to running quickly.

March 3, 2017

It has been so long (as in years) since I've blogged. I'm going to keep this simple and use it as way to track workouts and races. Currently, I'm really into running (of course), spinning and barre classes. I know that I should swim, but I'm just not feeling it right now. Anyway, my latest running adventure involved the Gasparilla Ultra Distance Challenge in Tampa Bay, Florida. It's quite a big running festival with something like 30,000 runners total taking part in one of the four races. We decided to go for it and do all four races. We ran the 15K and 5K on Saturday and the half marathon and the 8K on Sunday. The courses all finish on Bayshore Drive - which is gorgeous!

Next adventure: the Shamrock Dolphin Challenge in 2 weeks.

Moving forward

I have been trying to say good-bye to running for about 5 years. It has been a prolonged grieving period, but it's time to move on.   I have finally accepted that my knees feel so much better when I don't run. I'd rather do things that support my health (like swimming, biking, yoga, eating well, drinking red wine, laughing, walking my dog, feeding my birds, gardening - so many options!) than break me down. As a little good-bye gift to me, here are some of my fondest memories of running:

*The running program at my elementary school in Concord, NH - we had four different choices for running routes. We did our runs (or walks) right before recess. What an amazing (and forward-thinking) school. We also had healthy snacks available to buy (fresh popcorn, apple slices, or peanut butter on whole wheat bread).

*Running with friends - especially Suzanne, Manda, Joan & Erin. I wish I could back in time for just one more Saturday run with them. (Okay - I just burst into tears).

*Running a variety of 5Ks in Richmond - I was stunned when I came in third in my age group in my first one. Where did that come from? Over time, I was able to throw down a few sub 21:00 minute 5Ks. It's hard to imagine running a 6:45 pace nowadays, but I had it in me when I was in my 30s.

*Running with Collegiate's cross-country team (for 7 years) - lots of hard runs, lots of great kids.Those kids certainly helped lower my 5K time. Try running with high school kids!  They are speedy.

*Meeting Rick - we would talk between our half-mile repeats on Saturday mornings. I tried my best to keep up with that guy so I could talk to him a bit between intervals. After one of those workouts, I had coffee with Suzanne, Manda & Erin. I confided in them that I liked "this guy named Rick."

*Running the Boston marathon - my favorite road race ever. Qualifying for it was rough (I was running on very, very tired legs), but the actual race was magical.

*Early morning runs in the dark and cold - some might think them lonely, but I found them peaceful.

*And every run in between.

I used to be so sad when I thought of saying good-bye to running. I denied it and tried to outwit my body with knee injections and knee braces. Silly me. With time comes a more sensible attitude.   I am grateful that I had so many amazing experiences and memories associated with running. It's time for me to apply that same attitude towards other activities.

Onward!

March 13, 2013

I had another blog post up for about 10 hours until I came to my senses and deleted it. I realized when re-reading it (always reread what you've written - I know, I am full of nuggets of wisdom) that I was doing too much whining. I'm trying to minimize my whining these days, so that post had to go. On a happy note, I have rejoined the Peluso Open Water crew. After IMFL, my motivation to get in the pool waned to the point of non-existence. I figured I needed a break so I took most of the winter off from swimming - with an occasional short flail-around session every once in awhile.

Well...I'm back. And I am out of swimming shape. But, I've got to start somewhere. I have actually looked forward to these workouts this week (sort of) because I know that a) they will be worth my time b) I'll see all kinds of people I like. In just two sessions, Laure has addressed some major technique flaws of mine with her various drills and pep talks.  I'm also trying to get back to strength training (in addition to yoga). My arms and core are really feeling it today after strength training last night and swimming (with all kinds of push ups and sprints) this morning. It's a "good" soreness, though.

One night (while procrastinating), I stumbled across what is now my favorite blog. The author (who happens to be a Vermont girl and Middlebury grad, so you know she's awesome) is a down-to-earth little speedster. Her blog makes me laugh. Check it out here - I think you'll love it.

February 9, 2013

Pretty exciting blog title, huh? Sorry, my brain is a little fuzzy from this darn cold I'm battling. Colds are just part of spending most of my days with little people who routinely sneeze on me. Actually, this is the first cold I've had this school year, so I'm pretty pleased with that. In contrast, my first year back in the classroom, I suffered through THREE sinus infections. One was so miserable that I lost my voice at the same time (or maybe that was a gift for those nearest and dearest to me?)
Anyway, I find myself minimally focused on triathlons and far more interested in trying out some new things. First new activity: yoga. I will admit that I am just a little jealous of those super flexible, lean women who look like yoga goddesses. I don't see myself as ever being "that woman" but I am really intrigued by yoga. I've tested it out a bit and my conclusion: it's tough! I think it's just what I need after a year of long (and dare I say tedious) workouts that turned my body into one tight, inflexible just-waiting-for-an-injury mess. I found a nice studio that is right on my way home from work. My first class is this Monday. I am nervous and excited all at once - I love feeling that way.

I'm also thinking about jumping back into a Team in Training event. A wonderful group of people from Richmond and Blacksburg are heading to Hershey, PA in May for the Tour de Chocolate. I know, I know - it's a perfect event for me on so many levels. I can get reacquainted with my beloved road bike (she was so neglected last year), raise money to fight stupid cancer, hang out with some of my favorite cyclists....and eat chocolate. I think it's a "yes" on that one.

2013

2013 is almost here - and it's going to be a drastically different training year for me. I'm going for short races. So far, the only races I have on my schedule are sprint triathlons. I might add an olympic distance race somewhere along the way (please note the emphasis on might). Long ago, I raced a lot of local 5Ks. Granted, they are 20+ minutes of complete misery.  But, just when you think you may pass out or throw up, the race is over. I found that I had to be in really good shape to run them well (for me). However, I did not need to train for 6+ hours on a Saturday to be healthy. And - I had time to pursue other activities besides running. Sounds like a win-win, if you ask me. That's what I'm aiming for next year: increasing my fitness but doing it in a more balanced way.( I also want to upgrade/redo some of our landscaping and (re)learn French - time will tell how all of this goes....)

No words

I know this blog is supposed to be devoted to my training (or lack thereof). Not this time, folks. There have been a lot of violent, terrible events in recent history. For me, the ones that have "thrown me for a loop" include the sniper, 9/11 and Virginia Tech. However, nothing has had the effect on me that the shootings in Newtown, CT have had. I'm beginning to think that I have a bit of post-traumatic stress disorder. Is that possible for someone who was hundreds of miles away from the actual event?

Maybe.

Of course, I am writing from the perspective of a first grade teacher. But, you have to understand that I love my job. I mean I really, really love it. My classroom is a sanctuary. The children I teach are part of my heart, part of my soul. If anything ever happened to one of them, I know that part of my soul would die. I know this.

I have had a nightmare (more than once, mind you) that someone took one of my children from me. Sometimes it's in the classroom, sometimes it's on the playground. In my nightmare, I negotiate with the person to take me instead of my little first grader. The ending is never clear. I think I wake up because the reality of this is just too much for me to bear.

Yes - this protective love is not just for parents. Teachers feel it. Or, as one of my colleagues so beautifully put it, anyone who has ever loved a child feels this.

When I returned to school the Monday after the shooting, I thought I would burst into tears when I saw that first, sweet,  rosy-cheeked little first grade face. But, I didn't. Blessedly, we had just a normal Monday.

I will never curse a Monday again.





I

Winter Training

I am going low-budget this year in terms of my "off-season" training. For the past 5 years or so, I've trained with a group - not always the same one, but a group nonetheless. This winter, I'm going solo (for the most part) with my training. Why? I'm not really sure. It may be a function of my job - which is very demanding time-wise and people-wise. I am not sure how many interactions I have each minute with a child or a person, but it's a LOT. Don't get me wrong - I love it. But after a day spent interacting, teaching, re-teaching, reacting, soothing, reprimanding, supporting (you get the picture), I need a workout that allows me to just be...quiet. When I taught at Radford and Richmond, much of my day (when not teaching an occasional class) was very solitary. I literally craved human interaction. Poor Rick - you can begin to imagine how I talked the poor man's ear off when he walked through the door.
We happen to belong to a gym that has just about everything I need: masters swimming, spin classes, boot camp, and plenty of cardio and strength training equipment. We also have a workout room above our garage where I can ride on my trainer at the crack of dawn. I kinda love rolling out of bed (literally) and hopping on my bike. I don't even have to brush my hair if I don't want to (hmmmm....this may scare Rick - need to rethink that decision).
I've also made the decision that I need to ride outside this winter on Saturdays. I have cold weather riding gear, although at the moment I can't seem to find it. I have always whined that it's too cold to ride outside here....but it really isn't much of the time. As someone once wrote, "There is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing." As a girl from chilly New England, I need to embrace that motto.
Do I miss my training buddies? Of course. But, there is such a thing as getting together for glass of wine, mug of beer or a cup of coffee.

Ironman Florida

Happy to report that I finished my third (and final) Ironman last weekend. Somehow the magic of IMFL '07 just wasn't there this time. One of my friends (also an IM finisher) looked at my attitude in an interesting (and, to me, positive) way. I told her how after finishing I felt just...down. While I continue to be extremely grateful that my knee held up just fine during the race, I didn't have that emotional/amazing/magical feeling training or during the race. Quite frankly, I began to find 100+ mile bike rides just plain annoying. I dreaded them. I had one good ride at the Heart of Virginia century - and then my desire to ride that long just...disappeared. My friend pointed out that this may be a good thing. She experienced the same thing with marathons (after she broke 3 hours - fast freakin' woman). I now know that my Ironman days are done. I am ready to say goodbye. I still love triathlons and will always think that the Ironman distance is "way cool." But, I don't want to race that distance anymore. So, au revoir, Ironman. Take good care of all my friends racing that crazy distance next year!

Just a little denial...

I have bad knees...blah, blah, blah. You've heard it, I like to deny it. Well, it's getting a little harder these days. Recently, I accompanied Rick on part of one of his long runs. I ran nine miles (I am NOT supposed to do that) and well....felt great. I chuckled quietly to myself thinking, "All those so-called orthopedic specialists misdiagnosed me - even the guy who has seen the inside of my knees. What does he know?" It turns out, he knows a lot. Yes, I can run some longer distances, but I pay dearly the week (or two) after the run. Very swollen right knee, mystery stabbing pains in both knees - really not ideal.
So, like a rational brat, I went into a little funk this week. I moped. I had conversations with myself about quitting the whole silly triathlon thing. I pictured a fall season without long training rides. I was starting to convince myself that this was just what I wanted. (Clearly, I was out of school and had way too much time on my hands).
Luckily, I tend to voice my worries out loud. I think it's healthy, Rick may think it's just annoying. His advice: don't worry, if you have to, just walk the (insert curse word) marathon at IMFL. He pointed out that many very nice people end up walking the ironman marathon - and they actually trained to run it. He talked about his experience of walking almost all of Coeur d'Alene's marathon last year.
This whole notion of "not worrying, just walk it" has taken a big load off of my shoulders. I just have to be sure my swim and bike times are decent enough that I give myself enough time to stroll through the streets of Panama City Beach in November. Am I racing for an overall PR? Obviously not. That's okay. I'm just hoping all the stars align so I can hear "Susie Leahy, you are an Ironman" one more time.

Random

In 2007, when I was training for my first Ironman (the magical first!), I used to blog faithfully. Now, it's a small miracle (what exactly is a "small" miracle?) if I blog every 3-4 months. There are two main differences between '07 and '12: a) I'm married and b) I work a lot more. Interesting that I work more now that I'm married - ha! What I mean by that is I have a different, more demanding (and far more rewarding) teaching job. Back in the day, I could do my workouts on Tuesday morning or maybe Thursday morning or Wednesday evening - whatever. I always had three day weekends (I didn't teach on Mondays). I could get to work at 9:00 a.m. or whenever I felt like it. It was a LOT easier to fit in my workouts. I think I had a social life.
Now, if I get to work at 7:30 a.m., I feel like I am already late. Yes, I am finished teaching at 3:00, but I still have another day to prepare for, so I rarely leave early. Those little first graders demand that I am organized, prepped and ready to go all day, every day (except for the weekend, of course). I do love it. It does mean that I am generally pretty tired by 5:00 p.m. especially if I've woken up at 4:30 a.m. to try to sneak in an early morning swim or run.  I'm not sure many of my (non-teaching) friends understand why I am usually not up for much socializing during the work week. I'm flat-out tired. And frankly, if I'm too tired at school, I feel like I am not being fair to my first graders. I owe it to them to give it my best effort every day. I'm sure that I appear to be a hermit. Perhaps I can catch up with some of my long-lost friends in June & July (bless those months).
It may sound like I'm annoyed by my different work schedule, but I'm really not. It's just a different way to balance my life. Although I had more time in 2007, I wasn't as happy. While I enjoyed undergrad and grad students, I think I was born to teach little ones. How I adore their quirky comments, curiosity, and innocence. I should keep a blog of the cute, sweet and sometimes crazy things they say. You'd smile, too.
Back to triathlons -  I'm training with some wonderful people, but I trained with some awesome folks in 2007, too. As a matter of fact, I've always trained with cool people - different groups, but all good people. Lately, I've heard about some unfortunate incidents involving triathletes. At times,  the animosity I witness between different triathlon training groups makes me sad - really sad. I don't really get it.  I mean...it's just a hobby - and it's supposed to be fun. Instead of animosity, we need to celebrate the vibrant triathlon community we have in Richmond. It's pretty incredible. Swim, bike, run - but try to do it with the joy you had as a six-year old.

March 11, 2012

So sorry! It's not very nice of me to post a "dramatic" blurb about my mom's heart condition...and then never give an update. As it turns out, she has recovered beautifully. She received outstanding care from the surgical team at Concord (NH) Hospital. My family will always be indebted to them. Throughout the ordeal with my mom, I kept thinking about how nurses and doctors deserve every penny they earn. Nurses (like teachers) are not compensated well for what they do, but it doesn't stop them from working so hard every day. And my mom's heart surgeon...well...he should be a ba-jillionare (or some kind of "aire") when you consider how many lives he saves - every week, every day. The only day he doesn't perform life-saving surgery is Sunday - and when there is an emergency, he's there on Sunday, too. Incredible. Amazingly, her doctor also is such a likable, kind man.
Yes, the fall was quite a topsy-turvy time for my family, but we all made it through. I try to remember these lessons when I don't feel like going to swim practice or I want to sleep in on a Saturday morning. Being able to workout with my friends and my husband is a gift from God (or whoever you believe in). It's also a gift we give to ourselves. Some people call training for a triathlon "selfish"- and it is in a way. But it's also keeps me feeling alert, happy, and healthy.

Thanks & giving

What a month. And I don't mean that in a joyous way. 
I am lucky in that both my parents are alive and well - and basically just all-around awesome parents. They have always set extraordinary examples for me and my siblings on how to be kind & generous with others. Example: when I was in high school, my mom AND my dad (they are divorced) both took in teenagers who were having trouble with their families. Mind you, they already have five of their own children to look after - but they both graciously looked after young adults who needed help & support. Frankly, I'm not sure I always live up to their example, but I am going to try a little harder.
Anyway, my mom started to have some strange (and scary) physical symptoms this summer. She would suddenly feel absolutely terrible, sweat profusely, and then vomit. Of course, being a nurse practitioner, she did the logical thing: ignore the symptoms and keep them to herself. VERY bad idea, Mom!
Fast forward to September: she (finally) sent us (her children) an email where she briefly discussed her health concerns. She mentioned needing an angiogram, but made it seem like that was as common as getting a flu shot (umm...not quite). The ol' mother-daughter telepathy kicked in (sometimes we have that) and I sensed she was either not giving us the whole story or in denial about what was really doing on. Turns out, it was both scenarios. Again, not good.
I was able to get a few days off to fly up to see what was going on. After the angiogram, the doctor confirmed the worst. My mom had FIVE partially blocked arteries in her heart (3 of them were 80% blocked - including the one they call "the widow maker.")
Yup - my mom was going to need a quadruple bypass procedure - not the simple little stent that she thought would take care of her issues.
Thankfully, the surgical team @ Concord (NH) Hospital is just incredible. My mom made it through the bypass surgery with flying colors. She is now at home - resting & healing. She can't drive, can't lift anything yet, and is pretty fatigued. But, she is going to be with us to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. That's about all I could ask for.
Her experience has certainly made me think twice about what I eat, too. Suddenly, kale, spinach, beans, and carrots are looking really good. Take care of yourselves, my friends!

wishy washy...

Oh boy...you all may want to stop reading this blog. It's going to make you a little dizzy with my back and forth thought processes. Yup - that's right. I'm back to wanting to focus on just one big race next year. IMFL is what floats back into focus for me. And, let's be real here - what race I do really only matters to me. I don't think it's really a blip on anyone else's screen, with the exception of  Rick. The poor man  HAS to listen to me be all "wishy-washy" - it drives him up a wall. Sorry honey!

Maybe I can...

I had a conversation with a friend this morning @ the pool. It turns out she is every bit as crazy as me - maybe that's why I liked her from the moment I met her.  I admitted to her that I had also signed up for IMFL - and she did too! She's also doing that little race in Quebec. The fact that she has also signed up for 2 big races in 2012 gave me some kind of strange comfort. Misery loves company? Maybe I can do both....might as well try.

Back to the beginning

In 2007, I completed Ironman Florida. It was one of the most terrifying, exhilarating and memorable days of my life. I have often wished that I could go back there one day - and do that race one more time. Guess what? Wish granted! I (along with some super awesome people) signed up to take on IMFL one more time. I had sworn off long-distance races in light of my creaky knees. But, after consulting with the ever upbeat & optimistic team of Mark, Grandison & Cyndi, I was reminded that in the world of Ironman, "Anything is possible." My marathon time probably won't be anywhere near the time I had in '07, but that's okay with me. This will sound cliche, but I honestly feel lucky to be able to do the race at all. This time around, I am not terrified (at least not yet). I am just plain excited for this experience. By excited, I mean flat-out, Christmas morning excited. I don't particularly love the state of Florida, but I just love that race.
Apparently, a lot of other people love that race as it sold out in 16 minutes. Thank goodness I invested in an iPhone. Rick and I were driving home from Deltaville - basically in the middle of nowhere when it was time to sign up. My trusty iPhone did not fail me (seriously - how awesome is modern technology?) I could not believe how nervous I felt just signing up for darn race. Imagine my surprise when I actually got in? Wow.
So...what does this mean for that little race in Quebec I am also supposed to do? Well...my heart is 100% invested in IMFL. I'm not sure there is much room left in it for Quebec. I know that many of my crazy friends have successfully finished two Ironman races in one year. More power to them, I say. As for me, I think I'll stick to one 140.6 race per year. Does that make me sane?

Chile

So...my super-cool niece Annie is spending her fall semester in Chile. She is already there - and has a most awesome blog. I'm fairly certain that the comics are even created by her - she has been wildly imaginative since she was just a tiny person (she's still pretty tiny). Enjoy!http://bylandbyseatravels.tumblr.com/

Priorities

I used to be such a devoted blogger. How times have changed!
I am enjoying my first summer off....ever. I know that most people think teachers lead the life of leisure in the summer (and some do). But, until this (blessedly peaceful) summer, I either taught, worked in a summer camp or took grad school classes. To stay out of trouble, I will do a little teaching at the end of July. I'm working with teachers brand-spankin' new to the culture of independent schools. This should be interesting as we have to stay in dorm rooms - not really looking forward to that whole scene. Oh well - it's not forever, just 5 nights. I'm also (with a colleague) revamping my entire writing curriculum. My teaching buddy and I meet every other week to discuss and plan how to improve our approach to teaching the little ones writing skills. I will admit to being ambivalent to recent trends like No Child Left Behind (not sure that did one thing to help schools) but I am huge believer in teaching children how to read, write, and think critically (and I guess math skills are important, too). Our schools spend far too much time and money on testing kids - it makes me crazy.
Anyway....
I traveled with Rick (and half of the Richmond triathlon community) to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to cheer him on in his 9th Ironman race (and his second go-round @ that particular race). While he didn't have a great day (he was more than 2 hours slower than the last time he did CDA), he did finish the darn race. The weather was perfect for biking and running, but not so kind for swimming (way too cold!). We did stay in a completely fantastic house (with a large contingent of friends) that sat right on the lake and the run course. We could stroll into the quaint town of CDA from our house.  While it was kind of fun to have so many familiar faces doing the big race, it was also kind of strange. I had heard there were 50+ athletes in the race from Richmond. I'm not sure what unusual forces conspired to make CDA "the" race for Richmonders, but it was. Sometimes it felt like too many people were worrying about how they did compared to this person or that person. Whatever.  I'm all about the effort at doing something big/scary/difficult, the training sacrifices and breakthroughs - at simply trying. Just attempting (and hopefully finishing) an Ironman is huge. Sometimes people forget that. And for Pete's sake,
don't take yourselves too seriously, folks. That is almost as annoying as No Child Left Behind.
As for triathlons and me - I have a few short races on the calendar this summer. I'm really looking forward to traveling to NH at the end of August to do the Timberman sprint with Rick and my brother Matt. We'll be able to cheer on the cool chicks from Richmond doing the half IM the next day. Now that should be a fun weekend. Please note how we opted for the Saturday race so we can eat, drink and be merry on Saturday night. I think I have my priorities straight.