I'm not crazy...I'm just bored!!

Woo hoo! Nice group for the Newton Shaggy Mtn loop. Neasts, Kelli, Becca, Chad, George, Dave, Scott and myself. Equal boys and girls. That never happens! I was slow as molasses on the way up. Again, those quads were screaming from Timp. Becca said she was sore, but she certainly wasn't running like it :) Luckily, one of the ladies would always fall back with me and let me drag them along. 

I love taking people on this loop. It is really a great loop with hills and dirt and pavement and a great downhill finish. If I was braver, I'd do it every day. I finally could pick up some speed on the downhill and I finished well. Almost kept up with Kelli and Neasts. 

splits (don't laugh, sometimes I walk!): 9:25, 9:35, 10:23, 9:29, 7:46, 8:46, 7:32, 7:42, 6:33 - last .2) 

Had a nice chat afterward with everyone and then got kiddos off to school. Lauren wanted to swim, so we went to the rec center and threw Adam in chuck-a-child while we hit the pool for masters.

A good pyramid workout with kicking, pulling and free. Total of 3100yds in the 70 minutes I was there. Longest swim, best swim, I've done in a long time. Lauren kicked my trash on the 500's! She almost lapped me twice. Man, that girl can swim. I still beat her overall yds though :) only because I did the warm-up and she didn't. 100 was all I got her by. She is too young to let her win now. Shortly, I won't have to 'let' her win!!!

If it wasn't for Becca this wouldn't have happened. I was still SO sore and tired from Timp. It really sucked the life out of me!! Becca came over to run and then get our craft on. I'm not a crafty person, but she convinced me to try a project. So, we made a day of it. Despite my whining she still made me run first. 

splits: 9:22, 9:02, 9:28, 9:15, 9:12, 7:57 - See? I was seriously dragging butt and I could NOT go faster. The last mile was a push...downhill! I had to stop and walk a hill too. Pathetic. Just Pathetic. 

After getting cleaned up and finding a home for a lost little boy we went to Hobby Lobby and then spent the evening gluing, modge-podging, eating and lots of other fun stuff. It was wonderful to spend the day with Becca. We need insta-transport! Seriously. So, she can live in TX, but come spend the day with me and I can live in UT, but go spend the day with her. Shoot. Wish I was smarter and could figure out how to do it!

At the end of the day I have some super cute stuff on my walls that was made with our own hands! Lauren helped a lot too. What a fun crafting day. You probably won't hear me say that again...ever :)

So, last week I bit the bullet and decided to sign up for the UT half again. This is the half Ironman distance race, but put on by Race-tri so it isn't IM sanctioned. Same distance, just half the cost. Brent invited me to go with Coach Keena's group again this year to the course preview. Since I was now in it, I decided I'd better take him up on the offer! 

We swam 15 min out 15 min back in the boat harbor. I think I did about 1500M. They said to the rocks and back was 1800M and I tried to watch as the speedy swimmers turned there, I turned where I was so I wouldn't be the last by 10 minutes out of the water! I had my wet-suit on as well and no panic attacks and good 3 stroke breathing. Gave me confidence that I can survive a wet-suit swim again, unlike Spudman the week before. 

Then we hit the bikes. Brent said he had no time goals, but as the first guys set out on a speed course he followed :) Once a runner.... I met up with some others and had a good chat with Brian who had also done Spudman in 2:27 the week before. Crazy small world. He then took off with a group of speedsters. I assured him I was fine on my own and I knew there were plenty behind me too.

This is where it gets tricky. See, the Ulcer (a bike race) was going on that same day. I knew the IM course and and the Ulcer were similar, but when time came to split onto a gravel road the Ulcer had a 'detour' - so I followed it! Why go on the newly chipped road when I could just take the detour? The problem is, the courses never met up again after that. I realized around mile 22 that I was headed South and not North like the IM course, but at that point it wasn't worth getting the map out and trying to figure it all out. So, I rode 28 miles of the Ulcer course, then turned around. I did see some familiar sights. The Payson 10K course (furthest West 'turn around') and the new Payson temple they're building. Not the right course, but the right distance and I didn't feel lost OR alone with the thousands of Ulcer riders I crossed as I headed back.

I finished the 56 miles in 2:56:37 which is just 6 min slower than I raced it last year which felt good! I'd also only stopped time at University Ave and the turn around, so keeping 19.0mph for 56 miles with stop signs and lights etc? I'll take it! Again, another confidence booster. My cadence was only 72, which I'd like to see closer to 80. Lower gears and more speed. I'll get there.

Since I'd 'gotten lost' on the bike course I got back a lot faster than the others. Paul and another speedy bike guy were there. Paul was going to run 3 and although I wanted more like 6-8 I figured it would be better to go with company than not. He said his usual AP was 8:30, so I hoped I could keep up and asked him if I could tag along. Had a great chat with him while we ran and at the end he thanked me for pushing him. What? I thought I was holding him back. We had a good laugh and he took off, but the rest of Keena's group was there so I took off with them. Brian (my spudman twin) introduced me to Jeff who also finished in 2:27! What a crazy small world. Of course their bike was faster and my run was faster. I guess I'll take it :) I lost them when I had to hit the bathroom at the turn around, but took off to chase them down the last 1.5. HA! Well, trick was on me. I finished and then as I waited around they came in behind me. I guess they hit the bathroom too and so I was chasing my own tail. Oh well, at least I got a good push in, I won't complain.

splits: 8:23, 8:14, 8:17, 8:38, 8:13, 8:19, 8:00 - last .1

It was a great 4.5 hour workout and half preview. I now feel like I can finish the half and not die. Well, the run at 11AM may kill me, but I'll do my best not to die at least. Thanks for the invite Brent!!!

Blackridge is on the horizon. Saturday. Sprint Tri. Ugh. They are like 5K's but that last for 75+ minutes. So, since I can I rode the course this morning. Rode up to Blackridge and then rode the full course. It is a bugger. It took me a lot longer than I wanted it to. Let's hope for some race day magic, shall we? 

Avg speed for the ride was 16.0mph and cadence only 62. It gets a lot lower on hill courses, I'm really good at grinding the gears thanks to spin classes :)

On the ride Lauren called me and said that Lucy had gotten out and run off. She decided it was better to stay with her little brother than chase the dog - smart girl! So, I had to chase the dog down when I got home and it didn't leave a lot of time to get my run in. There was a group meeting at Blackridge to do openwater swim and even though I would've liked to swim having my 3 year old means either Lauren or I have to watch him. She took shift while I rode, so it was her turn.

She swam with the ladies (1200yds or so) and I put Adam in the jogger and ran around the reservoir. He hated the bumpy gravel part I hated pushing the jogger through the deep gravel and into the head wind and it was just a lot of slow going. I could only keep him happy for 3 miles (okay, it was an excuse, but still) so after our 3 miles of loops I let him go play on the playground he had patiently passed 9 times before.

AP: 9:44 splits: 10:11, 9:48, 9:24, 8:54 - last .2

Lauren finished her swim and we took off for home. Everyone ready for a shower and a rest. Only good part for me was the heat training with the run and the eventual cloud cover the last mile :)

I really like Kelli off of school...well, her kids :) It is nice to have another girl to run with. I'm sure I annoy the crap out of her, because she'd rather be running with someone who has some speed in their legs, but I enjoy the company! 

Newton's Tuesday Ten. Chad, Dave, George, Scott, Kelli and I all met for the regular route. I sucked it up on the uphills. I'm serious! I don't know what is wrong with my legs, but I can NOT run uphill. I've lost it I guess...just plain lost it. My quads just burn and feel tight and like they are going to snap if I push them anymore. I'm not injured, nothing hurts, I just am super fatigued...and don't know why! 

When we got to the top of the course @ 4 miles I stopped to grab a drink and a breath. We took off and 50 yds later my stomach had had enough. Yup. I just had to stop and puke. I hadn't eaten anything so there wasn't much, but man alive. I think this is a first for me. Puking on a training run I'm not even running hard!! SO embarrassing. Everyone waiting for me as I clear my gut. I felt fine before and after. I just don't know what happened.

The downhill was nice after that and I was able to start running a half decent pace. The last mile-ish I finally felt like I was ready to push it. I pulled maybe 10 feet in front of Kelli and just knew that any second she would pull back up right to my side and push me. So, I was running scared trying not to look over my shoulder at speedy putting me to shame. Just pushed what I could. I felt strong, but exhausted at the end.

AP: 8:49 splits: 9:01, 8:49, 9:14, 9:30, 8:12, 8:30, 8:13, 8:02, 7:52, 7:30, 7:06 - last .1

It was a great morning! I loved chatting with Kelli and the push she unknowingly gave me from behind at the finish. A nice chat sent us all home happy.

When I got home my plan was to take Lauren out for a ride, but I got boys off to school and I was just feeling BLECH! Head and gut hurt and I was tired and exhausted. So, I climbed back into bed and my lovely daughter entertained my little one as I slept until nearly noon! Crazy, crazy, crazy. Woke up feeling a bit better, but dragged the rest of the day. I just felt off.

Sometimes plans with others are good...sometimes they are bad. I wanted to do more this morning, but due to my lazy sleeping in and thinking that we could get off on the ride on time and at a good pace set me up for failure. I should know better. 

16 miles with Kristy on the bike. I would push and then wait for her, but kept time running since we both wanted to get back in time for institute. It looks like my Average speed without the stops would've been closer to 18mph, but I don't know for my cadence. The average with the stops is 60. Low, but I know it is taking into consideration the stops, so I don't judge myself too much on that. 

Then when I got home Lauren didn't want to run, it was hot and late. So, I called it a day. Feeling lazy, but with how I felt yesterday, it might be a good thing for a little recovery day.

A good run with the Newtons. Without them I don't think I'd even be out and running this week. Seriously. I'm struggling, I don't know why. I have some guesses, but nothing substantial or that I can seem to fix. Meh...whatever.

I actually kept up with George on the uphills. I was impressed with myself. I'd like to know what the mile splits were, but I was an idiot and my garmin was on bike mode. All I know is overall time/pace and the last couple miles thanks to Chad. 

I walked the first big dirt hill on Sharose, but other than that I ran the whole way. I lost George due to my walk break, but caught up with him before the gate. The only other excitement was I got to take my dry-heave break again around mile 3-4. I'm loving that I barf (or nearly do) every run lately, loving it.

Stopped at the gate for a drink, then took off with the guys. George didn't stop, but I again caught and passed him by the last big hill. I again took a short breather and enjoyed the view and George continued on. Chad told me Tuesday I needed another good "chase George" run...I guess this was it. Because I made it my goal to catch him for a third time.

The last 2 miles were 7:34 and 7:30. I was able to catch George, but he turned it on the last 1/4 mile and I couldn't pass him until the last 40 feet...when he stopped and I didn't :)

Total time was 1:10:14 running time, which is a minute and a half faster than last week. Good push for walking a hill as well. 8:37 AP. I really need to put some speed back in my legs so that this isn't a good speed pace for me...really.

Exhausted, tired and not feeling really well afterwards, but I had some water and fuel and went to bed for an hour until I needed to wake my boys up for school.

Once they were off Lauren and I went on a short ride. She is starting to do really well and getting shifting for hills and cadence down well. I'm starting to have a hard time keeping up with her on my Mtn bike with Adam on the back. 8.25 miles in 30ish minutes, not too bad for my new little biker :)

Now to try and eat healthy today. I think my lack of eating is screwing me up. I need more GOOD calories. Calories altogether, but eating a chocolate donut and corn-nuts at 10:00 at night isn't the best course of action.

tired...lazy...nothing. Call it a rest day for the race tomorrow.

I love my hometown triathalon! Escape from Blackridge. On Thursday I got a call from the RD asking if I'd be the rabbit. I'd get a 1 minute head start and then ALL the women (except the 2 elite that started 10 min earlier with the elite wave) would be chasing me. If you catch the rabbit you get a special prize. Okay, a carrot and bragging rights with a picture. All the same, I don't think this RD knows me well enough. I have my pride...and that is about all :) 

If you've ever been to a racetri event you know the race briefing speeches are the best. Here I am during the speech with Jared, the male rabbit being introduced to the crowd...target on my back! I should mention Jared got a 13+ min head start...I got ONE!

I started right after the men 45+ and Clydes. Ugh. Swimming is my worst. The cold took my breath away. Should've swam before the start...don't know when I'll learn. Took me 20-30 feet to get it all under control, but then I started passing men. Felt strong on the swim, but still sucked it up big time. 9:14 on the swim...blech. This did include probably a .25 mile run up to the transition area, but still. As I was getting out I could see women around me. What the crap! I knew if people caught me it would be mostly in the water. I was a drowned rabbit already :) 

The monster wabbit emerges from the water....

I passed 2 ladies on the run up to the transition, but I could see others in the transition area and since I had a sweet spot at the front, I saw a couple leave before me. Shoot. Gotta get out!!! I took off and passed another couple women on the bike and I could see one in a blue shirt just ahead. I would pull her in a bit, but then she'd take off. On the "false flat" (UPHILL) of Main St she all but wasted me. I hoped she was the only one in front of me and that I could pull off a good run and catch her back. 

The bike was great, they changed the course and that is why my time was longer than last year and I'm sticking to that story! (47:06 - 19+MPH) An extra mile and an extra minute...makes sense, right? I have a love/hate relationship with this course and the cross/head wind the last half was all too pleasant. I dropped my water bottle on the bike with about 5-6 miles to go, but recovered it later in the day. YAY homefield advantage! I also took a gu along 11800 S - with caffeine. Hopefully in enough time to fuel the run.

T2 was slower than last year and I had a good spot. I guess I just lost my touch. Oh well. I got out quickly and had a water bottle (disposable) in my hand which was heaven sent the first mile with the nasty big hill. When I was at the bottom, I could see the lady in blue ahead of me. But, the uphill sucked it all out of my legs and I couldn't push faster up and then I lost sight of her from there on out. I passed lots of people, but hung on the heels of one guy that tried to pass me back. It was great to just push hard to pass him, but hang on his heels and know that I wasn't losing ground at least. Run ended up at 23:15 - 7:30AP. I can do better than that, but obviously not this year.

It was great to finish and know that only one woman had caught me! I was breathing hard and excited to see that my family surprised me and showed up to cheer me in. Fun times, I love being at home :)

Ended up seeing results @ 1:19:24. I was stoked! I wanted to break 1:20 and I'd done it!! I took 4th overall and 1st in my AG - no Athena for me...yet :) Didn't win the "Harry-(wo)man" contest for the longest hair. A lady came in with hair a good 6+ inches longer than mine. It wasn't even worth taking my braids out. The other women there competing I could've put up a fight with, but not her. Pictures as the rabbit and on the podium then some watermelon and a ride home on the bike. Perfect morning!

(The rabbit picture! The lady next to me in blue was the one I was chasing and the other 2 ladies were elites. They had a head start to begin with.)

When you put the amazon on the highest pedestal....

Then, I saw the splits online that had just posted (only overall was posted at the race). My swim time was the fastest! HA! No one with a brain would believe that. Especially all the women that beat me out of the water. I contacted the timing co and the RD. Luckily, they acknowledged the problem and I was only 2:30 back, which amazingly enough didn't change any placement/awards. Whew! I don't want a first place medal I didn't earn. Nuh uh. No way. Bad Karma! So, it all turned out okay, except that I didn't break 1:20...poo. Well, there is always next year!

It has been a long time since I've ventured out from home on a run of my own. Especially on a Monday! It was nice to be by myself. No ipod, nothing. Just me and my run. Felt good and I kept a decent pace to boot...not great, but decent. 

8.2 miles: AP: 8:21 splits: 8:15, 7:59, 7:56, 8:23, 8:35, 9:01, 9:07, 7:51, 6:52 (last .2) - guess where the uphill and downhill were? I really wanted to see NO 9's. Next time....

Got boys off to school then Lauren and I hit the bike for a little brick. Just 8.3 miles, me on the mtn bike with Adam on back. I can hardly keep up with that girl lately!

Then we came home put Adam in the jogger and went out for a 5K run. She was hot and tired, but like a champ pushed through to the end. It is always nice to be out with her and watching her grow as an athlete.

My goal this week is 10 miles/day and 15 on Friday. Then I have a 77 mile ride on Saturday, so I won't run then. a 55 mile week in 5 days will be a good week for me and with 2 days to recover with no running I should be ready to go Monday again.

Tuesday ten with the Newtons. It was just Chad, George and me. I was actually able to keep up with the guys on the uphills and I got to rest and wait for George at the top of the 10!! That hasn't happened in a LOOOOONNG time. Feels good to get some legs back. Lets see if I can destroy them this week, shall we? 10/day?

The way home on the downhill George caught up with about 2.5 to go and we all just stuck together to the end. I felt like it was a comfortably hard pace, but I was talking and not feeling like I was going to die. So, when I saw the AP I was ecstatic. Especially with the last few mile splits. 

AP: 8:13 splits: 8:43, 8:24, 9:02, 9:07, 7:52, 8:23, 7:52, 7:45, 7:39, 7:33, 7:07 (last .1)

Went home and my little guy was just tired and wouldn't wake up. Being up from 4-7AM I'm sure had nothing to do with it! I guess he was awake and upset when I left and then again when dad left just before I got home. Crazy child! Anyway, that put Lauren and me a little behind on our biking schedule, but I figured we'd work it out.

Biked to the rec center. I took Adam to mom & me toddler swim class and Lauren did Masters swim (2100ish). We then rode down to MVC and Old Bingham then home. It was hot and windy and I was tired...and hungry. It took a lot out of me to get Adam and I home! But, I'm glad we got the 15 mile ride in.

Thank you Neasts! She sent out a call for VB early morning run and knowing that I needed motivation to get out of bed I agreed. I proposed the idea to Chad and he was in as well. We met Scott, Ben, Craig, Jenilynn and others at the Chevron then caravaned up to the trail head.

It was still dark and someone was tired and couldn't find their garmin or their head-lamp! Scott took pity on me and gave me his headlamp. Craig told me I couldn't fall since I now had the head-lamp...HA! Divine intervention I think :) So, about 1/2 mile from the drinking fountain I rolled my ankle like a tortilla - as Craig put it. I usually can just bounce right back and it isn't a big deal, but this one was a little different. It hurt. I walked it off and got behind the group I'd been doing such a good of keeping up with. I made it up to the top, but because of my ankle gave myself the needed excuses to walk instead of keeping a run up the hills. I still think it may be the fastest running time I've made it up VB.

I love that peak! Such a great trail.

I started back down ahead of the crowd, because I knew they'd catch up. I needed to be a little more careful on the downhill with my ankle instability. It didn't really hurt to run, but when I stopped at the top for a while I could tell it was stiffening and swelling. I only got passed by a couple on the way down. I'm glad they lingered. I made the mistake of visiting and chatting at the drinking fountain though and then as we got started got left in the dust again. BUT, there were a couple times I could see the group and I was keeping pace with them the last bit. I was hitting the downhill well and enjoying it. Just wish I'd had my garmin to see HOW fast/slow I was going. Oh well. It was a great group and I was able to get home just in time to get my boys out of bed.

Then I had Lauren do just a 2 mile loop with me. I like running with my girl :) I gave her an easy day after 2 good pushes back to back.

Newton's Shaggy Mountain loop. Another Early morning...SO tired. Chad and George came as usual and Neasts and her friend Sheena joined in today too. We finally had more girls than boys!!! My legs were tired, believe it or not :) So, it was nice to have the group willing to amuse me and run with me slowly. I only walked on Sharose and the Real Estate sign hill. Knowing that, I was pleased with my nice, comfortable, easy pace. 

AP: 9:09 splits: 9:34, 9:51, 10:43, 9:55, 8:27, 8:55, 7:53, 8:15, 7:15 (last .2) 

Got home and took Lauren on our 8.25 mile bike loop. My legs were so tired I had a hard time keeping up with her today. She was smokin' my trash all over the place "on your left" in her sing-songy voice. Little turd :) Yes, I'm on a mtn bike with a 3 year old on the back, but still! Man, I hate it when my kids are like me :)

We got home and got ready for the brick. She didn't want to do 2 miles, but I convinced her to do the uphill first (a new loop) and it would be closer to 1.5...well, someone lied. I really thought it would be more like 1.5! It isn't my fault it was 1.98, not at all. But, at least the nasty, hot, hard uphill was all over with first.

My friend Di then put out a call on FB for anyone to join her in the 7 mile yellowfork loop. I figured why not?!? I could then sleep in and only have to do 5 to get to my 13 on Friday goal, but could do 8 and it would be 15! Awesome. I can handle a short run in the heat. So, I made it work to join her and did the 7 (6.85) mile loop with her. It was a wonderful evening and I really enjoyed the time out on the trails. Two trail runs in one week. I love it!

I was SO happy to sleep in this morning. It was a treat after dealing with early mornings all week. The only problem? HEAT! 

After I got kids off to school I went out for my 8 mile loop and I was feeling good. I could tell the fatigue was in my legs, but as the 2nd and 3rd miles came I started feeling strong and convinced myself to run an extra 2 miles in the Herriman hills up by the reservoir. Good thing I decided before I ran them! Because by mile 8 I was done. BUT was still a couple miles out from home, so I had to keep running. 

I don't know how crazy people run in this heat. Granted I was on hot blacktop and with no shade...this IS Herriman, but man alive I felt like I was melting. I really felt like a pansy when I got home and saw the temp was only 85. The uphills stunk and I chose the route I did so that I could run mostly downhill. I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment :)

When I got home I voluntarily took an ice bath, because nothing else was cooling me down. A recovery smoothie and an ice bath did the trick and cooled me down. I think this may be the first time I was happy to get into one! I will call this my heat training for the half IM I'm doing next Saturday. It certainly won't be any cooler!

AP: 9:06 splits: 9:33, 8:42, 8:11, 9:25, 9:38, 9:55, 8:35, 9:26, 9:23, 8:13 (can you guess the uphill miles?!?)

Wildflower Pedalfest!

My friend convinced me a few months back to do this 75 (77 actual, but who is counting, right?) ride with her. Promises of handmade breads and chocolates and a dessert bar swayed me into the ride. This was my longest ride yet!

We got there super early and so my friend helped me be cute by putting fingernail sticker things that were flowers on my nails. How fun, right? Doing nails in the car at 6AM :) At least we didn't have to catch a bus!!

We got everything ready and headed off. The first problem came at mile .5 - yup, only half a mile in Steph asked me if she had a flat tire. Sure enough she did! We changed her tire and thankfully a guy pulled over to give his wife her sunglasses and had a pump and some hand muscles to help with the tire. We found the little rock as we were inflating, got it out and we were finally on our way at 7:30...instead of 7:00!

The first stop was at only 13.5 miles. I didn't really need a stop, but since I'd signed up for all the food...well, we stopped :) Yummy breads and I pilfered a few gus, chomps, trader joe fig bars. Then, we were off again.

This section had a nice climb up to the dam at East Canyon Reservoir. I really only remember about the last mile getting to me and being done. It wasn't hard, but I knew I had a tough hill climb coming still and it made me wonder. We then stopped at East Canyon and indulged in watermelon and chocolate bananabread pb sandwiches...YUM! Only mile 28. I think I was eating more than I was burning.

Finally all that was left was the timed hill climb of 5.5 miles up the back side of Big Mountain. I had no idea what I was in for! NONE! So, I started off conservatively. A low gear and a cadence I could handle. Well, it worked out. I passed Steph who had taken off at the start and no one passed me. Lots of women were walking their bikes! They had signs every half mile up the road. Finally with about 1.5 miles to go I could see the downhill people pedaling. YEEE HAWW! I knew I had a break coming. It was a very nice one at that. A little downhill and flat to recover the heart rate and recommit to continuing strong. My official finish time was 43:47 - this was 59th overall/244 and 10th in my AG/41. So, top quarter...not too shabby for a girl that can't climb hills!

The way down?!? VERY delightful. 45+mph avg topping at 51.3...gotta love it baby!! Then we just had the trek back to East Canyon, then down the dam road and a last stop just 8ish miles from the finish. I was done. It was hot. I was tired. My neck hurt. I was getting a stomach ache and a head ache. I was done talking. I was just done. But, we stopped, because I really wanted to just stretch OFF the bike.

Coming into the finish was a little anti-climatic. No one to cheer at the finish line. No one even taking pictures. Kind of stunk to be honest. I guess a finish line of a bike ride is MUCH different than a finish line of a running race. We got some yummy eats (again!) - wraps from Roosters in Ogden and chocolate milk and more watermelon. Steph and I ate and then hit the desserts and were somewhat disappointed. I don't know if it was just that my gut couldn't really eat or if they really just weren't that good, but we really didn't eat all that much :/

No raffle prizes either, stink. Not even the toss outs. We did get a bondi band headband for making it to the top of Big Mountain, but that was all. We had a great ride home and it was a wonderful day with an incredible friend. I'm glad I had her there. I would've been a long, lonely, miserable 77 miles without Steph!

Best non-running day in quite some time. I'll have to post pics later....

Legs a little fatigued from the last week/Saturday. But, I got to sleep in, and go for a nice easy ride with Kami. Just a 17 mile jaunt around the city. 

Got home and with visiting teachers coming was pressed for time so I could do just a 5K. Perfect. Heat training and brick workout. A good little taper for Saturday's half IM. 

AP: 8:11 splits: 8:16, 8:34, 7:53, 6:56 (last .13 recorded) I'm impressed I kept a sub 9 on the uphills. I usually drag those out well :)

Nothing. A whole lot of nothing. Sigh. Ended up taking my 9 year old to the ER at 7:45 last night and didn't get home until 2:00 so mom didn't get to bed until 3:00. I skipped the 5:15 run with the Newtons and then I was so tired all day and stayed with my scraped up, stitched up, splinted up boy who fell off his bike to make sure he was doing all right as well. Just a recovery day from a crazy night. All is well now. Just some stitches, but the day was just shot in the proverbial butt.

Someone was grumpy after not getting anything in yesterday and then not being able to ride her road bike, because baby wouldn't go to the neighbors house who had offered to watch him. Ugh. So, I took off on the mtn bike with Adam on the back and Lauren on her road bike. We ended up going 15.6 miles and then I had her run 2 afterward. A big workout for her! Almost her sprint tri distance. She did it well and even chose the 2 mile route with the nasty uphill first. She knows what to get over with first!!!

On a bit of a taper for the Utah Half (Half Iron Man distance...just not IM sanctioned). So, I did the 8 mile Shaggy Mtn loop with the Newtons and felt good. Having a good 'taper' before this run I can almost run it well. It may have actually been my fastest time on this loop so far. PLUS I didn't walk once. Nope. No sir. Ran all the hills. Which is a rareity for this loop! This will be my last workout before the race. I'm excited, but very nervous. I want to do better than last year, but so far that hasn't worked out well for me in my triathalons. We shall see.

AP: 8:41 splits: 9:03, 9:17, 9:57 (worst hills, but under 10!!), 9:24, 8:06, 8:55, 7:38, 7:38, 6:16 (last .2 recorded). Woot Woot! I love those last few splits and I know I was talking and not feeling like I was dying either. Even better.

When I got home I made my sweet 7th grader pancakes for her first day of school. It makes me feel old that my child is old enough to be in Middle School. Seriously. When did this happen?!? I swear I just graduated a few years ago...

Ate well yesterday and this morning so that I could hit my Athena weight at packet pick up, but no one bothered to weigh me. Jerks! :) I know my scale at home said I qualified, so I don't feel like a cheater. Ready or not....70.3 up tomorrow.

Oh Why do I do this to myself?!? At the finish line that was all I could think. I was tired. These things are HARD! But, I had a great day and earned some cash too!! $100! My first cash prize. Ahhhh, basking in the glory!

I went to bed too late, nervous and missing my husband who has been gone all week. I made arrangements for the kids, but not having him there to talk to all week sure made me a bundle of anxiety. I need my BFF :( I checked at midnight before I went to sleep to see what time transition area opened. SO prepared. I decided I didn't want to get there at 5AM, but I would leave home around 5:15. I could do that. I needed some sleep, right?

I actually was able to get there in good time and thanks to my TTT crew got a decent spot at transition. Chatted and chatted and then it was time for the pre-race meeting and I hadn't even set up my stuff yet! Yeah...SO prepared. The meeting was crazy and wonderful as usual topped off with Aaron flying into the lake. Epic. I was the last swim wave to start, so I headed back and set up my transition area, hit the bathroom (wondering why if I was getting into the NASTY lake was I bothering to wash my hands?!?) and headed over to the start.

The swim looked longer than last year, but what do I know? I got to the front as they counted down for the Athena, Relay and 40+ group and just started swimming. The water had been deemed too hot for wet suits, but it felt a bit chilly to me! I mean even the outside temp was around 64, so shouldn't the water be cool enough to wear a wet suit?!? Oh well. Not having a wet suit didn't bother me too much, I know you can touch the whole way in that silly boat harbor. But, I'm sure not having it slowed me down. Swimming is my worst of the three by FAR! I can do it, but not very well. I would try to keep my mind off the drudgery of it all by doing little sprints. 33 - one for each of my years. 64 - one for each of my dad's years. 14 - years I've been married. Then a few others. I'd just count the breaths I would take then recover, see where I was at and continue on. The swim seemed to take forever and like I wasn't moving anywhere! UGH! I need to learn to swim. The good thing this year was that we didn't swim into the sunrise like last year and become blinded with no ability to sight. As I passed the last buoy and headed into the finish I noticed a guy next to me walking and his waist was nearly out of the water. Just a few strokes later I started digging mud. I pulled my head up and noticed everyone was walking the remaining 100+ yards to the finish. Ugh. I didn't want to tire my legs out THIS way. But, it was just too shallow to even try and swim...and I can walk faster than I can swim :) Final time for the swim and walk to shore and near quarter mile run to transition was 51:31 - SO slow. The course was long 1.4 miles instead of 1.2, but still...in comparison to other people's times, I was super slow! Someone needs to teach me how to swim...please?

(you can see the LONG line of people behind me walking in! See?!? I wasn't kidding, like 100M!)

T1: It was fun to be cheered on by my TTT peeps and I nearly forgot what I was doing! Started getting on my bike before I was even out of transition. A volunteer told me I couldn't and then I woke up. "I knew that" I said embarrassed, walked my bike to the mounting area and then got on as Kim took my picture. I was happy to take a second to pose :) 1:17

(don't ask me what I was doing. I don't have my garmin on yet, so it is really close to the start of the bike...I don't even remember a camera!)

Bike: I was off and away. It took a minute to get my garmin going on the bike and then get it on my wrist, but it was all while navigating out to the main road anyway, so it was all okay. Then, I hit it. I wanted to stay above 20MPH for the ride. I had chosen and planned out my fuel well and was ready to get this baby done. I pulled down in aero and went for it. Other than a couple yucky gravel strips and the horrible road past Lincoln beach it was a rather uneventful ride. I hit the turn around and had seen a few peeps in front of me that I got to cheer on. I love the out and back courses for that reason!! On the way back I started leap frogging this guy. I don't even know his name, but we exchanged a couple of humorous comments back and forth. I couldn't ever hear his bike coming, but I could hear his bib flapping in the wind when he'd come back up to pass me. I did end up in front of him at the end though :) of course....ha! I'm so full of it. I did feel like there was a head wind every direction I turned on the way back. My lower neck/upper back was killing me and I was SO ready to get off the bike. But, I always feel that way at the end of the bike. I like it, but it certainly isn't my favorite part. That comes next! My Garmin only caught 53 miles, but those with bike mounted counters got all 56. So, it has my speed at 19.9mph which I was ticked at, but if you take my total time and use the 56 miles you get 20.8MPH. Which seems more like it to me :) TT: 2:41:29 20.8MPH and my cadence was 83. I need to be able to push higher gears with a faster cadence. I now know where to work for next year! Still almost 10 minutes faster than last year on the same course! My new bike finally paid off. 13th fastest female bike time/93 - not too shabby.

T2: This wasn't my best transition. I had a hard time with my socks (I need to learn to run sockless in tri's!) and the TTT girls were chatting with me too. I mean, it wasn't super slow, but I just felt it wasn't as fast as I should've done either. 1:24

Run: FINALLY! The best part about tri's is always the last part :) I had discussed with myself that if things went well I could pull a 1:45. At least a sub 1:50. I didn't quite think it would happen, but I tried to convince myself that I could. You have NO idea until you've done it how much pushing for 2.5-3 hours on the bike takes out of your legs. Last year my run was horrendous. So, I was hoping for better, but you never know until you start running. At Blackridge I had put a water bottle by my shoes to take for the first of the run and I loved having it! So, I did it again and was SO grateful that I did. It was a lot cooler than last year, but it was still HOT and the sun was out and the first few miles are the most exposed. It was nice to just get water IN my mouth to rinse it out when I needed it and a little splash here and there as I ran was good too.

This course is a 2 loop course. Each loop has 2 out and backs. One at the beginning and then one about 2 miles later....so a total of 4 out/backs. On the first out/back I saw Angela and Di in front of me. Both of them started in my wave, but with Angela in a relay and Di a stronger swimmer and biker it didn't surprise me. I kept trying to see if there were any Athena's but I could see. The nice thing about tris is that they put your age/category on the back of your leg so everyone can see who their competition is! This was to my great benefit! After that first out and back I dropped my water bottle at the aid station and asked them to fill it up for me to have on my next loop. The volunteers were totally awesome!! So, my only goal at this point was to catch Angela and Di and keep my effort strong. The first mile marker I swore. Yup. I did. I could NOT believe it had ONLY been ONE mile! It felt like at least 3. This was going to be a long run...

The second out and back I saw a lady I thought could be an Athenaabout 3/4 of a mile ahead of me, but there was NO way. I was going to win this hands down...remember? Well, I glanced back and sure enough I swore I saw an A. I won't admit another cuss slipped from my mouth. When I'm tired and working hard I think I turn into a potty mouth!! The A lady (this is what I shall call the Athena leader at this point) was between Angela and Di, so I figured if I just caught them I could over take her. HA! Little did I know. Within the next 1-2 miles I caught both Angela and Di. When I passed Di I asked her if another A had gone past, because I hadn't seen her. "Yes!" Crap. Seriously?!? How did this happen?!? I asked how fast she was moving "About like you" Double crap. I now had my work cut out for me.

See, ever since Race-tri announced that they were giving away $100 to the winner of Athena I figured I'd win. I had done so by over 20 minutes last year, so I had it in the bag. Plus, I was faster this year! So, this lady really took the wind out of my sails. I wanted that win. I'd planned on that win. What would I do in my brain and to myself if I LET her win and didn't do all that I could do to catch her. Now, if she won and I left it all out there...well, then she won and I couldn't beat myself up, but if I didn't give it my all to chase her down? I'd kick myself for a LONG time. So, I was happy my legs were moving and I felt like I was ready to run. The chase was on! I was going hunting!!

The 3rd out and back (start of the 2nd loop, miles 7-8, last GU down) I tried to see her infront of me. I kept swearing she must've been a mirage. I would pass people I thought were her and they didn't have the A! But then, I saw her on the turn around. I now had less than 1/4 mile to close. I, again, thought I saw her and caught her after that turn around, but the lady had an R on her leg for relay. For a moment I thought "I've been chasing a Relay?!?" Then I looked up ahead at the aid station and I could see her just turning and heading down the long sunny road stretch. Here we go. I shouted to the volunteers about my bottle and they had it ready for me. I would grab a handful of ice and cold, wet sponges out of the garbage can as I ran by throw back what liquid I could and NOT stop. I was on a mission. I wasn't going to let that $100 run away that easily. The volunteers having my bottle ready nearly saved me, I swear! That long sunny stretch it was SO nice to have cold water to splash on me and in my mouth whenever I wanted. BUT, my legs were dying...oh, I had a headache. I needed water. I should just stop chasing her. She is in front. She deserves this. I don't, I'm tired. Stop. NO! Look!! You are closing the gap bit by bit. You can do this. You are strong. The run is YOUR thing. GO GET HER!! I kept willing her to stop at the aid station. Even for just 4 steps, but she didn't. I was having an epic mental battle! I'm glad I was slowly reigning her in. Otherwise, I would've lost that mental battle. I thought I could catch her at the next aid station, but she was still a good 30 feet in front of me. Crap. Well, then it was going to be the last out/back turn around. I could do it. Just keep going. Run hard. Chase her down. Then, I did!! At the turn around I was right on her heels. Those 180 degree turns when your legs are exhausted are torture to stop and restart all that momentum! I thought "What is going to happen when you pass her? Maybe you shouldn't. You're tired. You could just hang on her heels and let her set the pace then bust out a finishing sprint! Wait. What if she out sprints you?!? She may have more kick at the end than you do! What then? Lose by 2 seconds after all this?!? You've worked your stinkin' butt off to catch her!! Why are you going to give up now. Put space between you! You're running faster than her because you caught her!!"  I'm glad my good sense took over. I passed her within the next 10 feet and she said "nice work" as I did and I muttered "great job to you too!" as I passed. I think I could HEAR the moment her eyes saw the A on my leg. Her footsteps grew stronger. She was coming for me!!! I turned it on and ran scared as we passed mile marker 11. Only 2 to go....only 2!

As we finished that last out/back I saw Di and asked how far behind me she was "about 50yds" CRAP! No time to stop at the aid station. None at all. Did my run through grab of ice and sponges and threw back some gatorade. I was now running scared. Waiting for her to overtake me. That mile 12 marker took FOREVER to come!!! I swear I was running like a bear was chasing me. All the while my legs aching and fatigued, wanting to stop, head pounding....can't stop, must go faster....can't stop. I remember passing people, but it was all a blurr until I came off the Provo River Trail finally and saw the last turns to the finish. I had done it! I couldn't hear her behind me. I only had the finish sprint to go! I was SO happy!!! I'd earned this win. NO way would I have run that fast if I wouldn't have had her to chase. She kept me going. But, I truly felt like it wasn't handed to me, I'd earned that Win!! She was only 40 seconds behind me, but knowing all I went through...40 seconds is a lot for just 2.1 miles!

(see?!? no one close behind me! I did it!)

You must understand as well that this was a HUGE mental feat for me. SO many times recently I have given up the fight. Resolved that I suck at running and that is that. Take the HOMM trail half. I gave my podium away. I let that lady pass me and I didn't answer her push when I know I could've. My brain gets in my way SO often and then I beat myself up and regret it. I finally stayed strong. I finally stopped listening to the voices that told me I needed to stop. I finally realized the Lord has blessed me with a strong body and I'm going to use it to the best of its ability! I guess you'd have to know how acutally crazy I am to understand how much this win meant to me. Yes, the win was nice, but it wasn't beating that lady, it was that I won the battle in my head. That is a rare occasion.

TT: 1:48:09 AP: 8:15 splits: 8:18, 8:16, 8:07, 8:28 (the race is on) 7:54, 7:56, 8:24, 8:23, 8:06, 8:30, 8:22 (finally passed her!), 8:18 (running scared), 8:33, 7:48 (last .1 into the finish).

I was SO exhausted when I crossed that finish line! Proud of my hard work, but exhausted. They gave us only one water bottle and a bottle of recovery chocolate milk (my ultimate FAV! LOVED it!!). Then I sat and ate my weight in watermelon. I didn't see the other Athena come in and for a while I wondered what had happened to her. I just missed her in my post race daze. After I felt like I could walk, I grabbed another slice of melon and went to sit with my TTT girls and cheer people in. That is when I saw the A lady and we chatted a bit. I told her she kept me going for most of the race. She said that when I passed her she tried to answer, but I was just too fast. Oh, I love it! I'm glad I took off and didn't stay on her heels. Run MY race, not hers!

I wasn't sure then if there were any other Athena's out there. I checked results on the way to hang out and saw that the A lady was the only one in front of me. Woo Hoo Doggies! I'd done it. I'd earned my $100!!! Now, the cost of the race was more than that, but still cash prize baby. CASH prize. No longer eligible to run for a collegiate team...HA!

(someone is happy!!!)

(no one stuck around to podium with me, so I had to strike a pose! Big girls takin' it home baby! See the envelope?!? Yeah, not only my 1st place medal, but $100 cold, hard, cash! I'm thinking I might try and convince hubby it is the beginning of my Boston fund for 2014 :) ).

The rest of the afternoon was just fun. After I finally stopped saying "why do I do this to myself" I felt better and walk around, grabbed my phone, answered texts, did the awards, cheered in my peeps, took pics, passed up my pizza in lieu of a coke and bummed water bottles off people because I was SO thirsty! It was finally time to go home...4:00. I'd been gone all day and now got to go home and take care of my babies. It was definitely a pizza night!

Tried a new route this morning. My garmin was still dead from Saturday, so I used my "map my run" app to see how long it was. I didn't care about time. My legs aren't sore, but VERY fatigued. Plus, I slept in and ran with the baby in the jogger. Now that Lauren is at school I have no more built in baby sitter...except the jogger. Still beats the TM anyday!! So, it was super slow, but I'll take it. I got my lazy, tired butt out of bed and ran!

Pacing Pocatello full on Saturday. Not sure how I feel about that, but at a 4:00 pace hopefully it isn't going to be a horrible recovery. I NEED legs for SGM!

Tuesday Ten with the Newtons. I tried talking myself into sleeping this morning, but I got out of bed and I'm glad I did! It was a good run and Ronnie and Dave were able to join Chad, George and me on the run, which hasn't happened in a while. Ronnie and George got to listen to my IM story from Saturday the first few miles, then at mile 4 Dave and Chad ran with us for a while and George pushed on ahead. The last couple miles home Chad and Ronnie turned it on and Dave and I just enjoyed the run back chatting away.

I could tell my legs were still fatigued, but after I saw my AP I was pleasantly surprised at that as well as my splits. Since I'm pacing Pocatello full this Saturday I am now on a taper until then. Just a 4:00 full. I hoping it doesn't take me too long to recover. I feel like I'm just starting to get some speed back! I need legs for SGM, it is my goal race this year.

AP: 8:31 splits: 8:45, 8:32, 9:28, 9:54 (yeah, those hills killed me this morning!), 8:29, 8:36, 8:01, 7:49, 7:46, 8:01, 7:44 (last .1) Love those last few miles of downhill cruising!

Woke up with a headache and not feeling on top of the world...so I decided to take a rest day. Maybe a good idea with a marathon Saturday.

Thursday Shaggy Mountain Loop with the Newtons. Jonathan Hall joined us for the first time today. We might have scared him away :) This isn't the easiest course to run. But, he hung with it and did a great job. Since I am 'tapering' for the race Saturday I figued I was fine hanging in the back and just going easy so, it was a slower time for the loop for me, but I don't mind. It was great just to get out!

Last lazy rest day for the marathon tomorrow. But, I still mowed the lawn. It is now my Fritz good luck thing. Mow the lawn for a good marathon performance. I figure if it works for him, it has got to work for me! :)
 

Ahhh, the beauty of Pocatello and pacing! It was a great expo and chat with all the pacers Friday and a nice drive up. I got out of town late and so I skimped on my expo shift, but still recruited one person to run with me!

Up early and out the door with the pacers to the bus and start line. The drive up was a LOT shorter than I expected. We kind of went the back way to the start and had to take the long way home. POP lines were short and I got through once, luckily that was all I needed. I even remembered sunscreen so that Lowell couldn't say I wasn't protected from the sun when I would whine about how hot it got :) Lined up, met my crew that was going to run with me and before I knew it we were off.

It was still pretty dark at 6:15, but the dawn brightened quickly. The group and I had a great time chatting away and I even told them some good brain teasers. They all agreed that I should re-tell them around mile 24 to see how well their brains were working :) With only a couple POPs at each aid station I would kind of lose a couple at each place due to waiting in line. A few of them would catch back up, but some got lost for good. I really enjoyed the converstaion and banter and some of the people had even checked out my profile and were asking me questions from it. That was a little weird. Especially since I wasn't quite sure I remembered what was ON my profile! But, I just went with it. I really got attached to some of the people in my group and I'd love to go find them and train with them. All good people!

Mile 13.1  I clocked in 50 seconds ahead of time. Perfect for my plan. I wanted about 60 seconds banked by the half, because the 2nd half is rolling hills...and the heat was coming. We slowed on the rollers, but that cushion I gave us allowed for good equal effort pacing on them. I lost one guy who said "Rachel?!? My heart rate is 199...should I stop and walk?!?" What am I supposed to say to that?!? Umm...yes! But, then I feel bad, because I can't stop with them. When they've worked for 17 miles to get through the race with me I hate to leave them :( I told him to take a 20 second walk and then use the downhill (we were just approaching the top of a roller) to recover more and power up the next one. I never saw him at the finish, but I missed a bunch of people I was looking for!

I saw Terry at mile 20 as he was perusing his options of gu (he was running the half with some family) Oh, and at the out and back (7-8?) Lowell ran with the group for a minute and sang for us. Gotta love that guy!! After mile 20 is the last big hill. DJ and the cousins had still stuck with me. We powered up that thing and I got them to the top! But, the girls slowly drifted back after that. DJ was the last one left with me. Luckily, we picked up Scott and Kathy around mile 21. Gave some variation to the converstaion.

I was struggling myself and just wanted the thing over with. You know, it doesn't matter how fast or slow you run a marathon. It is still a marathon! That last 10K just kind of sucks rocks. So, I kept being the cheerleader outloud for myself. I would say the things I needed to hear. People would say "how are you?!?" I'd respond "fabulous! Excellent! We are having the time of our loves and lovin' every minute!" I wanted to sit down :) But, as a pacer we have to save face and pretend that it is the most wonderful moments of our lives, right? I would sing "we are fast. we are strong. we can run, all day long" to the beat of our foot falls 4-5X over to get it rolling through their heads (and mine). I'd tell them "we are amazing and can do anything! Think it, believe it, feel it, own it, DO IT!" one time a got a "yes ma'am! I own it!" out of someone. I liked that :) Kathy would start getting some shallow breathing so I would remind her to breathe from the bottom of her lungs and exaggerate my breathing to help her. She just chugged right along. It was her 56th marathon, but the first time in 3 years she had run a sub 4:00. She was more than determined! Scott was at his first full and finishing in good style. The last 1/3-1/2 mile I sent them off ahead. Telling them they'd done it. Go leave it all on the road and enjoy the moment that YOU alone earned with your own two feet. They both finished 20-30 seconds ahead of me.

My garmin was beeping at me with low batteries from mile 16 for low batteries. I was SO worried it was going to die on me. What then? Cross my fingers and hope the legs keep pace? Well, I crossed the finish line, stopped the time, looked down and the screen shut off while I was looking at it. Literally 5 feet over the line it died. Wow. Tender mercies! I was SO grateful I had it those last few miles, because I'd given up our 50 second bank by mile 21 and was actually 10-15 seconds slow that I had to push a little to overcome. Whew. My garmin does love me :)

I waited at the finish line for some of my other groupies. Cheered DJ in just a couple minutes after me and the cousins as well. I saw Josh later, but missed everyone else. Shoot. I did get to see Lowell and give him a congrats. I also saw Terry and his 13 year old granddaughter that had just finished her first half!! Poor Blaine was sick as a dog :( and had to drop off pace just to finish, but he did finish. I got to chat and talk to lots of people and just had a great time chilling after the race. Great post race refueling there too!!

Headed back to the hotel, said good-bye to Eliza (another tall female runner!) and showered then lingered and stretched in the quiet for a while. I've been alone for 2 weeks at home with the kids. Craig is now a traveling man, so I rationalized an extra 30 minutes of peace to myself :) Then had a pleasant drive home. It was nice to finally be HOME with Craig and the family. All back in one place. Then we went to Paul's reception and got to talk more running and fun. It was beautiful and Tiffany is amazing!! Her cooking and gardening skills and artistic ability is unparallelled! Congrats you two!

TT: 3:59:25 splits: 8:56, 8:47, 9:00, 9:05, 8:46, 8:58, 9:02, 8:58, 9:01, 8:57, 8:53, 8:45, 9:25, 8:57, 9:19, 9:34, 9:32, 9:04, 9:09, 9:18, 9:01, 9:32, 9:05, 8:53, 9:01, 9:03, 9:07 (last bit recorded).