They say to surround yourself with people of like mind and interests. I have such a group of friends. They are my Desert Tri Girls (soon to be Desert Tri Girls and Boys). This amazing group of women keep each other accountable and motivated. 

There are often times I find myself feeling guilty for not joining in a group ride or run but then someone always says..."don't worry about it" and they are right. That isn't what our group is about. They are not there to pressure you or make you feel guilty. They all realize we all have other priorities in life, mostly families and jobs.This is why we say TRI - Train, Race and Inspire.

Yesterday we did a group Sprint Tri with our friend, Kristen Lodge. Kristen is a two time Ironman and is currently closing in on her third. Kristen was able to organize the event and plan the bike route while another friend, Kristy planned the run. We all met at the pool for the final 50 meter lap day of the year. There were only 5 of us doing the "Mock Tri" but it was almost more rewarding than that of an organized event that is open to the public. 

The best part for me was that I had not planned on attending. I had a cake to do for an event and I didn't think I had time. Last minute on Friday night I decided I had time and that I was going to do it. So I did.

I prepped Friday night and had everything ready for my 4am wake up. Then I hit snooze until 4:30...so typical of me but I managed to get up, eat a quick half sandwich with almond butter and honey, fill my water bottles, down some GU and load up the bike and head out. 

The swim, I thought would be easy but I quickly realized I hadn't been swimming the 50 meter lengths for a while and was struggling with my air intake each lap. It was dark when we started and my goggles are mirrored so it made for a bit of gloomy swim. I finally pulled out of the water around 21:25. My past swims have been closer  to 18 min. Goal: 16-17 min.

Off to transition. This was a bit wonky because we didn't have an official transition area. Some of us prepped at the pool, some of us at our cars. I did a little bit of both and pulled a transition time of 3:75, not bad but I could have been faster. I think getting some Tri shoes would be a good start. I even considered a chamois cloth type of towel for quick and easy drying. I love my Tri suit!

The bike felt really good. It was certainly more challenging than the flatter roads around the University. This one had some elevation changes that tired me out a bit, overall I was pretty happy with the bike.I ate a Hammer Perpetuem tablet to help keep the legs in check. I normally do this on longer rides but I didn't feel like slugging down another Gu packet. I caught myself getting lazy in the saddle at times and when I would "come to" I felt stronger and faster. My pace was better than I had expected on some of the route. I was very thankful for only one short climb in the route. I know I need to do some core and leg workouts to help in this area. I managed a 47:32 time on the bike. Goal: get that down to 40 min.

Second Transition wasn't bad at all. I made it more complicated by carrying my phone to track my times. I need to work on riding/running without it. Maybe one day when I can afford a nice Garmen I will finally ween myself off my phone. I also took the time to put my bike in my car so that probably won't happen at an organized event. I managed a 2 min transition. Again, very pleased with that time and I know that will fluctuate in other events as it usually takes more time to get in the transition area and then get tagged going out. This was just to my car the from my car so the transitions will be shorter.

Last leg...the run. I have to say I was very pleased with my run. This was the first run from the bike where I wasn't having shin pain for the first 1.5 miles. My legs felt great the entire way.

Now this wasn't a race but it was nice to finally meet up with someone else. I didn't see anyone on the bike and I had Kristy in my sights on the run. Again it wasn't a race but I thought I will catch up and then we can run together. I started to narrow in on her then she would take off running again from her walk breaks and I found myself with more road between us. I was taking some walk breaks my self for the first mile but then after that my legs felt so good that I just kept the motion going.  I finally got a chance to run along side of her for a bit but felt I was running at good pace so I wanted to keep that momentum going. I should have pushed her a little more on the run so we could have finished together. I love running with her, she is one of the most loving and positive people I have ever met. She was my 2012 Tucson Half Marathon running buddy. 

I clocked in at 36.02 min. (11:38 per mile) Again the run felt so good I was OK with the time but I am setting a goal time for the next 5K run I do. Goal 11:15 min a mile.

When I came in I had smiling cheering faces to greet me. I love my Desert Tri Girls and my friends with like minds. 

We need to do that again....

Well, the long awaited monsoon season is upon us. We welcome the rain to the desert and look forward to the vegetation turning green and the pads of the cactus to fatten up. This year the wildfire danger level is high, the mountains and open land are still very much brown.
I think about the firefighters in Prescott that lost their lives fighting a fire up there in order to keep homes and families safe from the danger.

As I sit at my window blogging about how I want to complain about my lack of training my focus seems to be on the gratitude of the monsoon. Even though it makes for a challenging training schedule, it is needed and I welcome it to Arizona.

I am reading several books off and on and one in particular mentions training in all kinds of weather conditions so that you are ready for anything. I need to remember this as I have a tendency to say "it's too hot right now", "it looks like it may rain", "it's too dark", or "it will be getting dark soon" and the one I often  tell my self "it is too windy". Well, now it is time to buck up little camper and train, regardless of condition. I am certain that I will have more satisfaction training regardless of the weather than I would just sitting at my desk or in front of the TV.

I had a wonderful week last week with friends in town and that also lend a few excuses but now it is time to get back into the routine. 

Today I hope I can get a mid-day swim in during my lunch hour. Tomorrow I will be meeting some friends for hopefully a 6 mile run. Here we go....

Best laid plans.....

The good thing is that even though I haven't been blogging, I have been working out. Not as much as I would like but I do make an effort. I tried running last week and pushing myself to get back to my 4/30 run intervals. It felt good, honestly, to be back on the road. I know the more I make it consistent the better and easier it will be.

Today, we made the first real big step toward IM AZ 2014....we signed up as volunteers for IM AZ 2013. It looks like we may have a guaranteed sign up for 2014. I don't know if I am scared or excited.

I should probably get my butt in gear!

Blogging is taking some time to get use to for me. I thought I would be so excited to do this everyday, purge the thoughts in my brain; then work got in the way. I have been logging between 9 and 11 hours a day at work. I even brought some home for the weekend. I am finding it to be easier to just get my blogs in when I can. Everyday was an aggressive idea.

This last week of workouts have been good. Nothing more, nothing less. I am getting up and getting them in but now it is time to kick it up a notch.

My runs need to happen more often. My swims need to be longer, I need to get my short rides in during the week and I need to do more core/yoga work.

I started adding some crunches and planks into my core workout days and after 2 x I can already feel the difference. I am sure between running, swimming and some core, my stomach will start to tone and trim quickly. This isn't going to happen though without a better diet.

I am tempted to purge my fridge and pantry and start restocking it with more natural and lean foods. The problem: Tyler is home for the summer. That dude can put away the food. We are consuming 1 gallon of milk in a day or less. I bought myself Almond Milk knowing that no one would touch it and I would at least have it for my granola or my chocolate milk for recovery. Tyler discovered it when we had run out of milk and decided that he now likes it too...ahhhh...I am thankful he likes it but nothing is safe around here anymore...:) 

My friend shared with me this book on Yoga. I am going to do some  reading and create a routine for me that I can do at  home. On Wednesday morning I put my dogs outside and stood by the back window taking in the beautiful scenic view. I stood there and thought "I need to do some Yoga, right here, right now". I had no idea what I was doing but I had watched Tara Stiles on podcast so I incorporated some of those moves in my little routine. It was so peaceful and the stretch felt so awakening. I was so alert that morning.

The best part about this weeks workouts was that Shelby started to run with me. I was unable to go Monday morning but I wanted to get my run in so I decided I was going to go after work. I popped my head in her room and said "I am going running if you want to join me." lo and behold, she came. She is fast but then again she is probably 2/3rds my weight. She found the challenges in running for the first time. I didn't think she would want to go again, her breathing is tight and it gives her a sense of having asthma. Although what she doesn't know is that those with asthma still struggle even after they are done. She is calm and not in need of assistance. I think over time she will get the feeling, as I did. I am just so proud of her for going and she even said "can we do this everyday?". I know I should go every day in order to get faster but I don't really have the time to fit it in with the other work outs not to mention that all important thing called work.If there is one thing to say about me, I am not lazy. I am non-stop from 5am - 10pm. 

We did go running a second time and this time it was in the morning. The air is lighter the sun isn't as hot and it is definitely my favorite time to run. I don't think I will put that off again to do in the evening. Shelby has agreed to go with me on M, W and F mornings. I look forward to my runs now.

My swim is getting more comfortable. I am starting to practice my bi-lateral breathing a little more each time I go. The one thing I am really trying to focus on is my "pull". My rhythm on Thursday was great. I started to feel the strength in my pull and could feel that I was gaining more distance with each pull and it wasn't as labor intensive and just swimming faster. 

Tomorrow I am shooting for a 50 mile bike ride with Kristen and Dan. I wish everything was as easy to me as the bike is to me. Even though hill climbing is still a challenge, I feel like I could be on my bike forever and never get tired. Tomorrow's goal is 50 in 3.3hours.

Today I woke up at 7:45....it was amazing! Now off to the pool for my goal of getting in a mile. 

Have a beautiful weekend.

I have had a busy week. 

I know I said I would post every day but sometimes...stuff happens...like, the power supply going out in your computer.
Thankfully I have a very tech savvy husband who owns many computers. He spied one in his office that he could cannibalize and viola..I HAVE THE POWER! Thank you husband!

I am really trying to stick the plan I created for myself. It looks like this: 

Mondays- AM run, PM core
Tuesdays - AM swim, PM bike
Wednesdays - AM run, PM core
Thursdays - AM swim, PM bike
Fridays - AM track workout, PM core
Saturdays - run or swim
Sundays - bike

This is what my week looked like:
May 25th - Dan and I went for a small run...we left at 8am. Bad idea, it sucked. Nothing more to say. Then I thought about swimming, that is as far as that went.
May 26th - nothing
May 27th - Dan and I rode about 26 miles. This was the best ride I had in a very long time. We did our typical route. I felt fast. I drafted off of Dan which is amazing because he is so much taller than me and his broad shoulders break the air for me. I was able to keep on his tire during my toughest climbs then I would ride along side during the rest. I even managed to tackle the Sun City Vistoso hill, twice. Why 2x (any normal person would ask)? After Dan stopped mid way to help a bloke in need with tire inflation then we took off toward home, then we spotted a friend going the other way so we tried to catch up to her. Which meant we had to turn around to come back up the hill we just peaked. I was able to take that hill both times at around a 10mph pace. This is my pace goal on that hill. I know if I can ride it at 10 or better my overall pace will not be compromised. 

May 28th - swim
May 29th - small run (sub 3miles, feeling better) afternoon was a first time shot at "Insanity", never again. My calves are still sore today and have caused me much grief over the last several days, inclusive of some swelling in the ankles and feet yesterday.
May 30th - swim (this felt nice after Insanity)
May 31st - morning track workout, I felt so fast.  We did 6x100s and then 6x200s. I timed my 100s and  I was clocking them at 30 secs. That is very fast for me and I loved it. When I do the calculations that is something a like an 8 min mile...LOL...Hahaha, yeah right! <One day! It will happen>

I decided against Insanity. I am going to check out options for a gym. I decided that these are my requirements:

• A seated press machine (my knees can't handle squats or high impact and this machine will help my quads and gluts)
  
• A roman chair - great back workout.
  
• Free weights - I prefer free weights for my arm workouts. I keep a 10lb dumbbell by my sink and do some arm workouts once or twice a week, when I remember. but I love the seated fly. I love the way my shoulders look when I do this exercise.
  
• Leg machine (The type that lets you work the inside and outside of your thighs)
  
• Oblique machine twist- need to work on that side strength and break down those ever menacing "love handles"
  
• Elliptical - I enjoy the feeling of this over a treadmill
  
• and pool or sauna if possible.
  
• and a smoothie bar...one can dream right?

There is a new LA Fitness going in not far from here, I may have to check it out.

Also on Friday - My NOW bars finally arrived from TriSports. They are so delicious. Gluten/Peanut/Nut and HFCS free!

Saturday was all about decorating a cake and cupcakes for an order and then a lunch date with my daughter.
Today was a nice morning 40 mile ride with my friend Amanda. We finished in about 3:15 minutes. My friend Sharon just finished a marathon today in 3:30. I thought my ride was great until I saw that time! She is a BAMF (Bad Ass M....F...) I am going to buy her a running shirt one day with that printed on it.

My running friends are great cyclists. The have such great climbing power. It makes me want to be a better runner.

I was also thinking, I wonder if I could get sponsors? I could be the amatures-amature category. I would promote the crap out of the products that sponsor me. Here are my dream choices: Specialized, Gu, Hammer, Cliff Bar, LegLube (amazing btw), Rudy Project, Pearl Izumi

I started my morning with a Espresso Gu packet and a chaser of Hammer Heed. I really like the Hammer products and Heed is something that I like to have with me on my swims and usually in one of my bottles on the bike. I was hungry when I woke up so I decided to eat a few crackers before my swim because the GU was not going to be satisfying enough. 


Today I swam 800 meters. I am slowly getting back into the rhythm again. I do like the 50 m long course more than the short. It is easier to count my laps...:). I am going to do my swim workouts on the mornings when this is available. 

I have to figure out when to do drills and when to just swim. I know I need drills to help me work on my strength so I think I will do that during the week and shoot for distance on the weekends. This is the same mentality as it is on my run and bike, small faster workouts and intervals during the week and then long training on the weekend.

I enjoy analyzing my workouts.

I will listen to a group of people in the pool or watch others in the lanes next to me. I listen to the terminology, I watch their form, I remember what my friend Cara told me and I try to put that all together to better my swim.

My workout  today consisted of 2x200m freestyle and then a 100 meter kickboard lap and finished it up with a 200m freestyle (bilateral) and then a 100 freestyle.

My friends were talking about bilateral breathing so I decided to give it a whirl and what I discovered was that I am more efficient in the water when I do bilateral breathing. I need to work on it, it isn't smooth just yet. My left ear, for whatever reason, tends to fill with water when I breath out my left side. I think I may have to wear earplugs.


I know when my stroke is starting to get comfortable when I catch myself watching my hands go through the water and I can see the bubbles float off the back of my hand. I realized that when I am watching the back of my hand instead of the lane lines, I have a better reach. I think it has something to do with the placement of my head. If I am watching the lane lines my head is down and when I am watching my hands my head is more lifted. I love watching the bubbles off my hand, it is peaceful.


I was curious if I was doing my breathing right so I researched YouTube videos. This one is a great one to show the bilateral breathing technique: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v5IHIvnc88
I was happy to see that I was actually doing it like they show in the video. The stroke is comfortable. I am going to practice this breathing on a regular basis. 

When looking for that  video, I  was reminded of the sighting video I watched before my 70.3. I found it and want to work on this as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0-lP3exIfc
This is another reason that keeping my head higher is better. The sighting workout is hard on the neck so I will have to work on this drill as well. 

I love YouTube videos.  There is so much good information in YouTube videos.

I felt great after my swim. I am not sure if the GU makes a difference but It is something I take before any of my workouts.  I certainly get very hungry after swim. It is a test of willpower because I want to eat anything and everything.

No workout today. I feel like I did though, I was still up at 5am in order to decorate a cake and cupcakes for my niece's graduation. 

Pool swim today! 

The Oro Valley Aquatics Center is open on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings for the long course, early. I was up at 5 and in the pool at 5:30. I believe the water was about 75 degrees. 

It was hard to get in but once I did, no big deal. 

Getting back into a swim rhythm is a chore but I am excited about this portion of training. I do enjoy being in the water. I remember when I swam the long course, before the pool was closed for renovations, I loved it. It was nice to swim further without turning. I didn't really keep track of my complete distance as I mixed up a few lengths with some kickboard lengths. I want to work on the strength in my legs and kick a little harder. 

I thought that the idea was to kick less and pull more with my arms but I don't think I am kicking enough. I also want to work on my twist in the water during each stroke in order to help me reach further. 

I love thinking about all the things that I can work on as I am training. 

This will be my Tuesday and Thursday morning plan. I am tempted to swim after work as well on the shorter course at the YMCA just to work on some sprint drill and intervals. We shall see.

Weighed myself and I was weighing 136. I will be curious how the weight shifts or goes up and down based on what  I am doing. I am going to keep track of that also. My food intake hasn't been bad. I am really conscious about what I eat. I am actually starting to enjoy my coffee black.

One thing is for certain...swimming makes me really hungry!

I set my alarm for 5:30 and at 5:17 I was wide awake. I think I had  thought about my new wake up time so much yesterday that I had subconsciously changed my internal clock.
The sun is up so early now that I think I could even start getting up much earlier than I had planned.  I am going to shoot for a 5am wake up for the Summer.

I got myself up, dressed and out the door (after our overnight guest had left) for a 2 mile run. I finished my 2 mile run with a 11:29 pace. I really want to run faster. This time is far better than my original Half Marathon but it is still a far cry from where I want to be with my time. 

When I first starting running I was running at a 12 - 12:30 mile....slow! I was so thrilled when I went sub 12. I won't forget that feeling. I knew I could keep lowering my time. I just can't run consistently, nay...I wouldn't run consistently.  I think is a mental block because I feel that I am not good at it so I don't want to work at it. Yet, I know it is what will make me better. I find myself (often) apologizing to my friends on how slow I am when I run. I have decided that I need to run alone until I am comfortable with my pace and when I can run with them without feeling like I am holding them back.

I am friends with some great runners. It seems to be effortless for them and they run a lot. I want to be like them. I want to enjoy the run. I want to run effortlessly. Many of my friends say the same thing.... consistency will make you faster and you have  to do time on the track. 

I remember working on the track the first time. My friend Sharon Silvas is an amazing runner and I am thankful that she is willing to help me with my run. She organized a Tuesday Track night. When we were on the track we were doing Intervals. I really thought it was hard. I had not done any running on the track before but I remember watching my son, Tyler, in track meets. I would imagine myself as if I was in a meet; the crowds, the competition they were all in my mind. That visual helped me push a little harder each turn. It didn't make it much easier.just helped me get through it.  Once the workout was over I realized that I enjoyed it. I would say "If my elbows are sweaty, you know it is a good workout", and my elbows were very sweaty. 

It has been several months since my last running event and even longer time sine I had trained on regular basis.

Getting back out on the run has been such a challenge for me as I compare myself to my running friends and feel so inept when it comes to the run. There is so much to learn about running but the one thing that I will do going forward is run consistently. 

My coach, Kristen is working on my training plan and I plan to stick to it. We will work in some track workouts and intervals. My goal, for now is to reach a 10.5 min mile. I want to see the results and I want to be able to run again with friends. I won't apologize any more, for my pace. I will get faster!

Here is my motivational picture of the day from my coach. She is right, she knows me...I analyze. 

I need to feel my run.

I decided today that I can't give up my morning cup of "Joe" so I am learning to drink my coffee black. So far so good. 

Today's Nutrition:
Pre Run: Gu Gel packet with a chaser of water. 
Run: Water (not much, just enough to wet palet)
Breakfast: Blueberry Chiobani Greek Yogurt, Black Coffee
Mid-day morning: Blackberries and raspberries, water
Lunch: French Dip sandwich, no cheese, no mayo and watermelon on the side. Ice Tea, no sugar
Mid-day snack: Blackberries and raspberries, water
Dinner: Spaghetti with tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon (approx) of parmesian cheese. Barbecued chicken thigh

Last year in August, after completing my first (and only) 70.3, I had so much adrenaline I thought I could do anything. I was ready to sign up for more 70.3 events. A full Ironman, never crossed my mind. 

I am surrounded by Ironman finishers. I am in awe of them all. Most of them have completed more than one. When talking about the events that I wanted to do, they would often ask "when are you going to do a full?" I always answered...NEVER! 

My road to being a triathlete started after my 1st century bike ride in 2009. My century ride took me a while and I decided that if I can stay on a bike for 8 hours then I could do a triathlon. I had not planned on long course events, at all. Sprints were very do-able with one exception, my biggest hurdle...running.

In the beginning of 2010 I joined a group of friends as they were training for an local half marathon. I had never run any distance. You couldn't even catch me running up the street without being winded. I always used the excuse that I had bad knees (which is true and my family can attest to their constant creaking). I knew that if I could start training with them I would learn how to run. My thoughts were to just figure out how to run a mile. It was hard. I was taught to run an minute and walk a minute. That was the only way it was happening. I used this technique for a long time. One day I found myself waking up to the idea that  I could run a 7 mile run, then I did a 10, then I realized...I am running this half marathon with my friends. It wasn't my original plan but it was happening.

After that run, there was nothing that could stop me. I just need to get faster. I had continued to run and completed a few more century rides over the years.

At Christmas time of 2010 friends of ours paid for my husband's entrance into the Ironman Arizona for 2011. This was their way of getting Dan to commit to this crazy idea since one of them had already completed two. Dan took him on his first century ride and now this was his turn to take Dan on his first Ironman. This is when participating in the the long courses came into mind.

I would train with Dan, knowing that I wanted to get a few sprints under my belt and we could train together. Mostly, we went to the pool together to work on our swim. Dan and I hadn't really done much lap swimming before so we needed a little bit of help. This was a fun adventure. Thankfully our friend Cara was able to give us some pointers and some direct instruction. We made it to the pool quite a bit and was able to slowly get comfortable with distance. We signed up for some lessons from a swim school. One thing I was determined to learn was how to flip turn. This seemed like a pretty good technique for pool swims but one I would learn was not the best thing for me to do. 

My entire life, I have spent having having to consider motion sickness; on boats, on rollercosters, on car trips, on planes, while scuba diving or anything that created a motion that I was not in control of (even when someone spins me in my desk chair). This is something I didn't consider when learning the technique of the flip turn. I was able to perform it well and always on my mark after my turn. Once I was done, I was spent, I had to go home and sleep. It was not a good idea. So much for cutting my time on my turns.

During Dan's training and my co-training, I signed us up to do a sprint Triathlon that is held locally near the University of Arizona. It was the first in a three part series. I thought it would be fun to do all three and would serve as great training for Dan in the vein of bricks and what the Tri prep is like.

It went as well as it could, it was a nice morning workout. I was hooked on the idea of a Tri. My friend Cara mentioned doing a 70.3 in Racine, WI that year and I was thinking it would be fun to do it with her since she was one of my Ironman Idols. Then...she found out she was pregnant. 

Suddenly, I was in the mood for a 70.3 (which I had never thought about before) so I searched the ones available. My requirements; fairly warm weather and no ocean, then I found Boulder 70.3 August 6th, 2012. We signed up, we were in...locked and loaded and we made a plan.

The training started a bit later than I would have liked and we really didn't use a formal training plan. I just listened to my self and compared it to my bike as far as nutrition and preparation.

In August we drove to Boulder via Albuquerque. This was a brilliant idea. It allowed us some time for acclimation to the elevation. We did a training ride around our hotel and followed it up with a short run. Then we headed to Boulder and competed in the event, which is a whole other blog.  Not today. 

After Boulder, I felt like I could do anything. I was riding a wave I didn't want to get off. I was ready to sign up for more events right away. I didn't sign up for any other Ironman distances but I did do the 3rd Sprint in the series at the UofA. We missed the 2nd one due to it being sold out. I had also signed up to run in an half marathon with some girlfriends.

I was so happy to be able to complete that half marathon. I felt that it was my vindication for my 70.3 since my run was less that stellar, almost non-existent. I needed that Lady's Speedstick Half Marathon to shake me back up. My friend, Mairead kept me running to where I found my self with outwalk breaks...huge accomplishment for me. I had such a great time running with my girlfriends and the talk of another half was mentioned but I wasn't considering it. Then...Dan registered me for that half, as a gift. I was running again, and I again, really enjoyed the event. Those two half marathons made me want to be a better runner.

I have never considered a full marathon, that is insane! 

Then I finally admitted to myself, what my problem is and why I would never do a full Ironman. I am afraid of the Marathon and the long swim. I discovered in Boulder that I had never considered the swim to be an issue. I could float on my back and I can get through it but I never considered the motion sickness I would get with choppy water. Thank goodness that on race day, the water was calm.

The only events I will do this year will be a sprint or two and possibly another century ride. I need this year to work on my run and swim. I decided that if I can be comfortable in the water and swim easily without fear of getting sick again, I would have no issue on the rest of the course and the run, well...there is time to work on that too.

So I decided, today, after watching yet another person I know become an Ironman and watching my good friend, Kristen Lodge, complete insane events such as the Triple T in Portsmouth, Ohio...that...I want to do it, I can do it and I will do it!

So this is my blog...my goal is to write something every day during this adventure. I have 18 months from today to figure it out.


Wish me luck!