Thursday, October 31, 2013

33 Hours To Go Until…

I am in Panama City Beach for Ironman Florida and it is surreal. I am sitting here with a glass of wine trying to figure out all of these stupid race day bags – special needs bike bag, running gear bag, bag to go to your grandma’s house for the weekend…I thought the hard part was doing the race under 17 hours, but turns out it is figuring out the damn bags.

IMAG2224

Rewinding to yesterday. Guess who was on my flight last night? Mirinda “Rinny” Carfrae. You know, the one who just won the World Championships in Kona. I sat behind her on the  plane and kicked her seat the whole way. We are now pretty tight.

IMAG2210

This morning I woke up to howling waves and rough seas. WTF. I ‘m pretty sure no one told me the water was rough down here. Red flag warnings and all.

IMAG2221

But then when I went to the expo I learned everyone is just as freaked about water as I am. If it is like this on race day they will probably cancel the swim, so fingers crossed that does not happen because then I would not be a true Ironman. I would be a semi Ironman who covered 138.2 miles. Loser. I don’t even think they make a sticker for that.

I REALLY wanted to get in the water just to prove to myself I could swim those waves if I had to (this was right before they put out the red flag). I got onto the beach and found a young dude who was standing there debating whether to get in and try swimming. We decided to tackle it together. It took us quite a while just to get past the breakers and then we swam the swells and got airborne a couple of times. Then my friend, a 25 year old stud muffin, started freaking out about sharks, so we got out. Pussy,

Then I saw “Rinny” and her fiancĂ© , Tim O’Donnell, again at the expo. They get married in December and I’m pretty sure I will be invited. I might even be the maid of honor.

IMG_2725

I met some of my teammates that the x2 Performance team:

IMAG2216

I checked in and got all my cool swag, bib, etc. and went and picked up my bike from tri transport. I went to the mandatory meeting and met up with Shelly and Rick who are readers and SO nice…and wanted to say hi. See the backpack that guy is wearing? That is the one we all got at check in. LOVE.

IMAG2218

Then I finished the race and it only took me 45 hours.

IMAG2220-1

My friend Erika flew in from Denver tonight and went with me to the race dinner. She wanted me to show you the mess/garbage can I made of my carb-heavy meal. God I’m a pig and you clearly can’t take me anywhere, not even to an athlete dinner (I farted once or twice too):

photo

Okay, two things I need to tackle:

1. Tracking. A few of you have asked how to track me. Just go to Ironman Tracking and punch in my bib # 1054 or my name (Beth Risdon. I don’t think it will work if you enter SUAR or Shut Up and Run).

2. Goals. Yes, I have goals. Sharpie doesn’t want me to have goals set in stone because she thinks that just completing this bad boy is enough and she does not want me to be disappointed. With that said….

Goal #1: Finish this bitch

Goal #2: Finish under 13 hours

Goal #3: Finish closer to 12 hours. For this to happen, I would need to have the best day ever and meet around these times:

        Swim: 1:20
        Bike: 6:20 (~17.5 mph)
        Run: 4:20 (9:54 min/mile)
        Transitions (both): 15 minutes

I think the above times would really be a stretch, but you have to dream big, right?

With tons of family flying in tomorrow and just trying to get in the zone I won’t be posting again before the race so…here goes nothing!

Thank you for all of your amazing support and for sharing this journey with me. I seriously have gotten so much encouragement, advice and good vibes from you all and it has meant the world to me.

SUAR

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Here We Go

I leave in the morning for Panama City Beach. It seems impossible. When I got the email in June that I had been accepted onto the X2 Performance Ironman Team, I just said “yes,” and went for it, not entirely believing race day would ever be here. It’s like when you are pregnant – you know there is a baby in there, but for some reason it’s not real until the thing actually pops out (well, in my case they didn’t pop out – there was some effort, heavy breathing and mess involved).

So, here we are. I added it all up and these are my totals for the past 18 weeks (since June 17):

Total Swim: 99,100 yards  (~56 miles )
Total Bike: 1,745 miles
Total Run: 275 miles

Total Miles: 2,076 miles (basically the distance from Denver to Key West!)

Okay, seriously. I might just have to go into the creek behind my house and swim 900 more damn yards so I can get to 100,000 yards.

Despite those numbers, I kind of feel like I haven’t done enough to prepare. Apparently, this is the (IS) Ironman Syndrome. You never feel like you’ve trained enough. I guess it’s because you never get anywhere near to doing the full distance in training. It’s such a huge freaking long race that it’s hard to wrap your head around it, especially if you are an IV (Ironman Virgin) like myself.

Let me tell you, packing for an Ironman is a bitch. I have check lists coming out of my ass. I am sure I will forget something. Last night I had piles of crap everywhere and was kind of stressed about packing. Sam said, “Geez, mom. You’d think you were going to do an Ironman or something. Calm down!”

IMAG2195

I think Heidi either is sad I am leaving or sad because she knows I am going to suffer a bit on Saturday:

IMAG2207

This time tomorrow I will be sitting on the balcony of a condo overlooking the Gulf of Mexico (there might or might not be wine). By myself. Ken and the kids come on Friday.

Race day (Saturday) is looking a bit warm, especially since I’m not used to the heat and humidity.

image

Rest assured I will be stuffing those ice cold sponges all over my body. I will be this person:

ironman guy who took every sponge he could possibl

 

If you haven’t seen this post - 20 Types of Athletes You'll see at an Ironman Race (from a First-Time Spectator) – check it out now. So hilarious.

More from sunny Florida!

Ever had the feeling you’ve not “done enough” for a race? I did feel that the night before my first marathon because the furthest I’d ever run was 20 miles. I just wasn’t sure I could do 6.2 more. But I could.

SUAR

Sunday, October 27, 2013

What I Said Goodbye To Yesterday

Holy Crap. It’s real:

image

Right now my prized bike is sitting in a truck covered by a blanket and being driven on some highway between here and Florida. At least she is in good company with all of the other tri bikes (and let me tell you, Boulder people have some tri bikes that cost more than my car). I hope she is not intimidated by the fact that they all have fancier wheels, color schemes and gadgets. Let’s face it, she is a bit mainstream and plain. Just like her owner. At the end of the day (HATE that expression, but it fits here) it’s not the sword, it’s the swordsman, or something like that.

Yesterday was the second to last ride I will do on my bike before Ironman Florida. I’m using my road bike for these last few rides. I passed a herd of buffalo as I went out for my short one hour, 15 minute ride. Maybe I have dementia, but I can’t remember growing up in Maryland and seeing buffalo roaming around. I have to say, it’s damn special.

IMAG2181

Another thing that made all of this Ironman Florida stuff seem real? These came in the mail yesterday:

IMAG2194IMAG2193

Yes, I am hoping my family and friends who are spectating will honor me by wearing these shirts. I hope they are not mistaken for construction cones.

And guess what? My little Sam turns 16 today. I cried. He cannot be this old. I remember when he was just a pinto bean in my uterus.

IMAG2188

Tell me one thing you did or saw this weekend.

SUAR

Thursday, October 24, 2013

I Ran My 1st Half Marathon At 41 Years Old. She Ran Hers at 6.

Yes, I said six years old. As in, first grade - the time when most kids are picking their noses, eating glue and learning to read. The time when their most basic form of exercise is swinging, playing kickball and going down the slide as many times as possible at recess.

That might apply to MOST kids, but not to Keelan Glass. On October 12, Keelan completed her first half marathon in 2:46 (Showdown Half in Fairview, Texas). She officially became the youngest person ever to race that distance. She also raised $2,855 for the Pregnancy Resource Center.

Road runner: Keelan Glass, age 6, became the youngest person in the world to take part in a half-marathon

She is darn cute. And I love her purple Road ID

Her next goal? To run a marathon when she is 10 years old. Her mother did express some concern that that might be too much. The story goes that both of Keelan’s parents are athletic (triathletes) and used to run with Keelan in the jogging stroller. That is until she got sick of the stroller and started running with them. By age 4, she was running 5Ks.

There is no mention in the article if they parents pushed Keelan to do this or if it was all her own idea. The article did mention that the family talked to an orthopedist prior to the race, who gave Keelan the go ahead.

I’m not sure what to think (like it’s any of my business anyway, but we bloggers got to comment on all things running, right?). One part of me admires this girl’s determination and passion at such a young age (assuming it is hers and not her parents’). In the age childhood obesity and inactive kids, one could view her as an inspiration.

On the flip side, there is the argument of doing too much, too young, too soon. Is 13.1 miles excessive for six year old joints, muscles, bones and growth plates? I have no idea.  Do kids keep having to do more and more all the time?

What’s next? TIM (Toddler Ironman)?

Are you ever TOO young to run a half marathon? Why or why not?

SUAR

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Cliff Hanger

I loved this comment left on my last post: image

This time in my life could be a Lifetime movie called, “Ironman Diaries: Pain, Suffering and Ecstasy to the Finish” or something dumb like that. By the way – my favorite Lifetime movie title of all time? My Stepson, My Lover. 

Here is the update on my back because I know the suspense has kept you awake for the past three nights and you all need some rest, dammit.

PT Bob thinks that a tweak I made to my bike seat plus the cold morning air was to blame for my back seizing up after Saturday’s 30 mile ride. He did some therapeutic ultrasound and cortisone cream on my sacrum (sounds dirty, it wasn’t) and showed me some stretches to do. He promised me this would not happen on race day. I am not sure how he knows that, but I decided to believe him because it made me feel better.  He did not think this back problem was the universe punishing me for overflowing the toilet at the pool the other day (and not fessing up).

After getting rubbed, I got on the bike for a short spin and did about 1,500 yards in the pool. The back is tight, but manageable. YES!!!!!!  How does it look accentuated by frozen peas?

P1150029

Yes, Levis are still in style when you are 46.

I am now in a good mood again. Funny how when you can’t train and you are injured you are pissy as hell, then the minute it turns the corner, all is right with the world.

Okay, now I have to tell you what I saw on my bike ride today. I was on a sort of busy road (not highway, but busy enough to have a line down the middle). I saw a runner coming towards me. It appeared she was wearing running capris and a sports bra. As I passed her, I realized she was wearing running capris and a bra-bra, as in a real life everyday bra from somewhere like Victoria’s Secret.  And, it was not as if she was built like me, the President of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee. Oh, no. She was endowed. Can’t say I’d seen this before. You?

Off to watch the Biggest Loser. Will you be tuning in tonight? What do you think of how things have started out? I like the people this time around and somehow it seems less full of drama and more focused on why the people are there. To get healthy! I wonder if they will do the marathon this season. Please! Also, did you know the Biggest Loser is now putting on half marathons in six cities?

SUAR

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Trying Not To Panic

Yesterday started amazing and finished very un-amazing and awful. I had a 2 hour ride and a 1 hour run scheduled. The weather was perfection, but cold. Check out the full moon sneaking down behind Longs Peak.

P1130998

I swallowed down a Lara Bar (thanks Lara for sending this box of delicious goodness – my favorites are the nut rolls – I love nuts. And the chocolate chip cookie dough. I was sort of dissapointed in the Pumpkin Pie, however – sort of dry, IMHO):

IMAG2160

That white thing is an awesome Lululemon headband, which my daughter has already stolen.

I put on 5 million layers and my new shoe covers (best purchase I’ve made in a long time, maybe EVER)  because it was about 28 degrees, which on the bike feels like –28 degrees.

Here I am channeling my inner Maria Kang, but with more clothes on and without children because they were asleep and ornery and not as cute as her kids:

photo

The ride was uneventful, yet one of those gorgeous, crisp fall days that that simply make you happy to be alive and to be moving. I spent a lot of time thinking about Ironman Florida, knowing that in exactly two weeks I would also be on my bike and would be in the middle of one of the most fantastic and challenging days of my life.

I got home, hopped off the bike and changed for my run. I felt great. My plan was to run like I would right off the bike in Florida (which would probably mean all hunched over and crawling). I headed out and then…it happened.

I got about 50 feet from my house when there was a shooting and excruciating pain in my lower back. It stopped me dead in my tracks. I literally could not move. I stood there wondering what to do, not sure I could walk. My knight in shining armor (Ken in the Ford Edge) just happened to be driving home. He rolled down the window to ask if I was okay. NO! I am not f&cking okay! He tried to get me into the car, but my body wouldn’t bend that way. He helped me hobble the few steps home.

I put a bag of frozen peas on my back and downed some Ibuprofen. Ken got a hot bath going for me. I let myself have a quick and acute crying fit full of snot flying – the true UGLY cry. The big fear running through my head: what if I can’t do my race in 2 weeks?

I sat in the tub dumbfounded. What the hell had just happened? I hadn’t had back pain in months. I felt awesome coming off the bike. Just the day before I had been marveling at how unscathed I had come through my rigorous training. I have never had anything like this happen before. I am a back-seizes-up virgin.

I called Coach Sharpie, having crying fit #2. Her confidence that I would still show up on the beach in Panama City on November 2nd ready to kick ass made me feel better. She told me to stay in the moment, to take care of myself, to see my PT on Tuesday and to calm down. So, that’s what I did. I ate frozen pizza, drank some wine, watched House Hunters and slept for 12 hours. And, of course skipped today’s 50 mile ride. Sad smileTo be honest, I’m not stressed about missing workouts at this point. I just want to be able to actually move on Nov. 2.

Today the back is a bit looser and I can actually go up the stairs and walk. 13 days and counting to overcome this thing and go from barely being able to walk to 140.6 miles. How’s that for drama queen?

Send me all of your best and most sincere back healing vibes. I know you guys get it.  It’s going to be okay, right?

SUAR

Friday, October 18, 2013

She Probably Doesn’t Even Fart

Yes, I went there.

I debated whether to post this picture because it has been so viral and controversial and I honestly just didn’t care all that much. But, as someone who is of the “no excuses” mentality (hence the title of this blog), I wanted to give my two cents, and to hear yours.

Meet Maria Kang. 32 years old. Mother of three. Wife. Owner of two residential care homes for the elderly. Founder of a nonprofit fitness business. Freelance writer. Overall the kind of woman who some people love to hate.

She is quick to point out that she  does not have a personal trainer, chef or nanny. She says she is not naturally skinny. She works out about an hour a day, 6 days per week. She posted this picture of herself on Facebook and quickly became known as the Hot Facebook Mom. She also stirred up a huge discussion (as in 31,000 comments), some of them not so kind. She was referred to as a fat-shamer, a bully, a bad mom and someone who just doesn’t get it.

You know me - I am all about not making excuses for your life not being what you want it to be. So, I get that part of the point she is making. However, in my opinion, the message in this photo is not, “Stop making excuses and start working towards the body, health, fitness you want,” it is, “Hey women, you have no excuse to not look like me.”

Let’s break this down.

  • No matter how many hours a day I worked out or how much lettuce I ate, I would never look like Maria Kang. Never.
  • I don’t think those children are hers. She bought them at the farmer’s market (calm down, joke).
  • She looks amazing. She works hard. Hats off.
  • Yes, I know she works her butt off for that body. But, somewhere in her history there has to be some kick-ass genetics or at least some great boobs and skin.
  • She says she’s sick of people making excuses for being overweight or out of shape and wanted to post a picture to be provocative. Job well done. However, I can’t get over how attention seeking it all is. I know this because I have a blog and seek attention all the time. Maybe I’m just jealous. After all, I’ve never had 31,000 comments.
  • Some find the photo inspiring. Some just want to gaze at it at 1:30 in the morning while their family is asleep (hello, creepy pants). My fear is that some look at this picture and think, “Why bother, because I will never look like that.” As fitness advocates we should raise people up and make them feel good about themselves. I’m not sure she accomplished that.
  • In her 20s, Kang suffered from bulimia: “I was binging and purging three times a day, five times a week for four years straight.” I don’t have nor have ever had an eating disorder, but I wonder about those who have struggled with ED and how they view Kang now.  Is it inspiring to see someone with her past now “healthy?”
  • Yeah, yeah, yeah. Business owner. Gorgeous. Perfect body. 31,000 comments. But, can she do an Ironman?
  • Do you think she ever craps her pants on the run? Naw, she’s too perfect. She probably doesn’t even fart.

 

What do you think of the photo and the message? Inspiring or Infuriating?

SUAR

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Thank God I’m Still Alive

First of all and just to get this off my chest – I made meatloaf today in the crockpot. I make meatloaf on occasion, but never in the crockpot. It looks disgusting. Hope it tastes better than this brown turd it resembles.

IMAG2167

Moving on. It was 28 degrees when I went running today. I didn’t even care because it was so gorgeous outside.

IMAG2166

I think it’s funny how people hem and haw about getting out the door to run – oh, it’s too cold. I’m tired. I don’t have time. I have a hang nail. The trick is truly to not think about it and just freaking do it.

ifyou wait

Before I started my run I did that thing I used to do in elementary school where you pretend you are smoking because you can see your breath (or maybe I just did that). Those were the good old days. Can you believe I actually first tried cigarettes in the sixth grade? I mean, real cigarettes, not those candy ones with the red tip (they probably don’t sell those anymore. Hahaha! I said “red tip”). I remember going to 7-11 and telling the cashier I was buying them for my uncle. God, I was so smart back then.

I just think of all of the things I used to do that are considered risky and down right life threatening now (I am tapering now so I actually have time to think about this stuff).

  • I rode a bike/Big Wheel/tricycle/skateboard with no bike helmet
  • I rode in the car with no seatbelt and before that, no car seat (I did fall out of the car once when I was two and my dad went around a corner. My brother leaned up and told my dad, “Beth’s gone.” No kidding. Yes, I lived.)
  • I played at playgrounds where the ground was asphalt not soft wood chips or cushy black mats.
  • I babysat from the age of twelve and never once took a Red Cross babysitting course
  • I got my driver’s license and proceeded to drive unlimited friends around (these days you can’t drive anyone under 21 for the first 6 months unless a parent is in the vehicle. After that only one person under 21 at a time. Since my son is about to get his license I LOVE this).
  • I played with bottle rockets in the garage (not cool. This really was a time I almost became blind and deaf and disfigured all at one time).
  • I ate raw cookie dough. Lots of it.
  • I used baby oil as sunscreen. Lots of it.
  • I had the chicken pox.

I’m not saying these aren’t decent precautions to take, but it is interesting how things have evolved. TGIAA (Thank God I Am Alive!).

What did you do as a kid that is considered super risky these days?

SUAR

Monday, October 14, 2013

Taper Time and Scenes From The Weekend

Last night I fell asleep on the couch at 6:30 p.m., woke up at 7:00 p.m. to watch the season premier of Walking Dead, then went to bed for real at 8:30 and slept until 7:00 a.m. (dreaming about zombies being decapitated). That is 10.5 hours of sleep. I don’t know if I’ve slept that much at one time since I was an infant suckling at my mom’s breast (that’s a lie, I was formula fed).

I don’t know why I’m so tired. Possible reasons:

  • Flying across country on flights packed with screaming babies and grumpy/coughing  passengers (did you know Frontier now charges you for that half glass of soda or weak coffee that used to be free? Yep, now it’s $1.99. What is this world coming to? I swear next thing they will be charging you to take a dump at 35,000 feet. Yes, I do poop on the plane)

IMAG2129

  • Eating and drinking like I am in college again (I don’t think a bottle of wine a night and Lays potato chips are part of my fueling plan, but oh well)
  • Getting no sleep like I am in college again.
  • Putting in my last higher volume training week for IMFL (about 14 hours)

With only 20 days to go until Mike Reilly says “Beth Risdon You are an Ironman!” (and he WILL say that), I am officially in taper mode, although this still means 10+ hours of training this week.

Last week was decent for training, but I had to kick ass to fit in my long rides before leaving for Virginia on Thursday. Here’s how it shook out:

Monday: Swim 4,000 yards
Tuesday: Bike 35 miles, run 6 miles
Wednesday: Bike 100 miles (~ 6 hours). My jacket was stolen on this ride. I’ll tell you more later.
Thursday: Travel/rest
Friday: Swim 3,000 yards, run 7 miles (Virginia)
Saturday: Run 7 miles (Virginia)
Sunday: Travel/rest

Totals Hours: 13 hours, 39 minutes

Total Miles: 161

Swim: 7,000 yards (~4 miles)
Bike: 135 miles
Run: 20 miles

Total workouts: 7

In my most humblest of opinions, there is really no excuse to not train/workout when you are traveling. You have to stretch out of your comfort zone a bit and figure things out, but it is not that much of an obstacle unless you make it that way.

This weekend we went to our alma mater, James Madison University, for a little reunion of sorts. I found a Wellness Center in Harrisonburg and did my swimming there. It ended up being amazing because it was a saltwater pool, which I had never swam in before. It was exactly like swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, only without waves, jellyfish, sharks and 2,000 other people kicking, scratching and punching you.

RMH Wellness Center Aquatics Area

As for my runs, Ken and I just asked around and explored a bit. The runs were in the rain and on some busier roads than we would have liked, but they were still gorgeous and let us see some areas we wouldn't have otherwise.

I have been out of college for 24 years (gasp). When I go back, I look at the students and think they don’t know how lucky they are – what an amazing time in life! Here are some fun pictures from the weekend:

Here is the girl I LOVE to pieces and don’t get to see near enough. She lives in Richmond, kind of far from Colorado. We do, however, talk almost everyday on the phone. AND, she will be at IMFL to cheer me on.

IMAG2137

Here are me and Clair making a Glenn sandwich. Glenn is a dear friend and a superstar at JMU. He built the stadium and lots of other buildings on campus.

IMAG2138

I wanted to show you my freshman year dorm room. When I first got to college they put in my study lounge for three weeks due to overcrowding. Sucked. I then moved to the top floor of this building in the right hand corner.

image

It’s so funny how Ken and I both went to JMU (he’s a year older), but we did not meet until after college. We were destined to meet.

IMAG2145

Marching Royal Dukes! They will be in the Macy’s parade on Thanksgiving.

IMAG2150

And, I found my favorite running shirt of all time:

P1130996

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you went to college, where did you go and when's the last time you’ve been back to visit?  Before this weekend, we hadn’t been back in five years.

Do you like flying or hate it? I hate it, but it gets me where I want to go and I’ll never let my fear of it keep me from traveling.

Where’d you meet your spouse? We met in Richmond in 1992. To be specific, it was in the backseat of a car.

SUAR

Friday, October 11, 2013

Runner’s World Cookbook Review

Finally, a book that combines two of my favorite hobbies/past times: cooking and running.

I introduce to you the Runner’s World Cookbook150 Ultimate Recipes for Fueling Up and Slimming Down.

image

Let’s just say I am a lover of cookbooks and cooking magazines. While I’m not overly confident in creating my own recipes, I love trying out new ones that others have tested and perfected. Sure, we have favorites in our household, but I make an effort to bring in at least one or two new recipes a week. It keeps things hot and heavy and exciting around here.

I am not, however, a lover of all cookbooks. In fact, I have many that sit on the shelf gathering dust mites. I am rather picky that way. The Runner’s World Cookbook, however, is a HUGE keeper. Trust me on this one.

I picked four recipes to make. The first was one that I knew would be a slam dunk with my family: Quick ‘n’ Creamy Chicken Lasagna.

P1130987

Unlike some lasagnas, it wasn’t a major pain in the ass to make. Taking a few shortcuts like using oven ready lasagna noodles and a jar of store bought sauce ensured that this came together quickly. The cream cheese gave it that perfect creamy texture. The kids awarded this dish 7/10 stars, while Ken and I thought it was an 8/10. Make for great leftovers too. Recipe HERE.

P1130988

My second recipe choice was the Minestrone with Spring Vegetables. From September to May, I eat a lot of soup. Typically, I will make a big batch for myself on Sunday and eat it for lunches throughout the week. I have tried many, many minestrone recipes and have some favorites. But, I have to say, this one rates at the top.

The rich vegetable broth combined with two different kinds of beans (the recipe called for two cans of white beans but I substituted one can for kidney beans), peas, carrots and ditaline pasta made for a great combination. The addition of red pepper flakes gave it the perfect “kick.” Recipe HERE.

P1130986

Next up was Red Beans and Rice with Turkey Sausage. We eat a TON of beans around here, (hence all of my farting) and beans and rice with hot sauce is a staple for us. This recipe was quite quick if you make the brown rice ahead of time. Using chicken or veggie broth to make the rice is essential to adding flavor (if you do make this one – it calls for 2 cups of dry rice - that is a TON of rice. I knocked it down to 1 1/2 and that was prefect). I loved the addition of thyme to this recipe, an herb I don’t usually put in my beans and rice. The family gave this one a solid 8/10. Clean plates all around.

P1130993

Lastly, I did the most risky thing I have done in a long time. I closed my eyes, opened the book and pointed to a recipe. I promised myself that no matter what I would make it. I did this because I so often get drawn to the same types of things and wanted to branch out.

The winner? Greek Lima Bean Salad. This comes together in about five minutes flat. The combination of salty feta cheese, crunchy red peppers, chewy kalamata olives and tangy lemon juice makes for a great salad. If you are not a lover of limas (as I know many aren’t) you could substitute your favorite bean. Recipe HERE.

P1130995

I tried four recipes and had four dishes I would definitely make again. I would say those are some great odds. There are many more recipes I want to try from this book.

Yes, Runner’s World sent me this book for review, but all opinions are mine. I have nothing to gain by telling you this is a worthwhile purchase for the cook/runner in your life. For $27, I say go for it. Or, splurge and get it for yourself. You deserve it and dammit I like you. Find it for purchase HERE.

Best new recipe you’ve tried lately?

Do you tend to go with stand byes or try new stuff?

SUAR

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Ironman Training Week #14

Are we done yet?

I am told it is normal to hit this point in Ironman training (being just a few weeks out) and to start fading. It’s not just the physical aspect, but mentally I am losing it. Wearing slippers around town is not just for teenagers anymore.

IMAG2062

Tired or not, this was another solid week of training.

Swim: 7,700 yards (~4.4 miles)
Bike: 73.7 miles
Run: 33.1 miles

Total Miles: 112.2
Total Workouts: 8
Total Time: 13 hours, 2 minutes

I got a message from Sharpie about what’s coming up this week:

image

My “last long ride” is today for 6 hours (100 miles or so). Yesterday, I had a brick (34 mile ride followed by a 6 mile run), so I will be going into today’s ride a bit fatigued, which is probably a good thing. You know what they say, “7 days of tired legs makes one weak.” Get it? Week/weak? TAPER is right around the corner and I can’t wait.

Here are 9 things I learned this week:

1. Wearing this bracelet makes me feel more confident. Emma got one too. We made a promise to not take it off until after the race, or maybe never. Bet you can’t tell which is the 12 year old hand and which is the 46 year old hand – what IS that huge bump on my wrist called anyway?  (btw, these bracelets were only $3.00 on Etsy – actually I just found them cheaper .99!).

IMAG2123

2. I can no longer go without shoe covers on the bike (I did order these shoe covers today). I cannot keep stopping and putting my feet in people’s armpits (this is a re-enactment, but I have had to do this the past two weekends with Ken and Julie):

IMAG2126

3. GUs give me gas (but what doesn’t, right?) – sorry, no picture.

4. It takes a fair amount of coordination to eat oatmeal while driving with slippers on (I like my oats with a scoop of peanut butter and a cut up banana).

IMAG2118

5. If you hear the song Work B*tch enough by Brittany Spears you start to like it. Weird.

6. Most of you like running in cemeteries.

7. The new Runner’s World Cookbook is really good (review coming on Friday).

8. You can make your eyes uneven

IMAG2106

9. It is possible to scare your 15 year old by putting this in his bed early in the night and waiting for him to go in his room. It is also fun to drive with this baby in the passenger seat and to pretend you are nursing it.

IMAG2122

 

Ken and I are going to Virginia tomorrow to visit our amazing alma mater, JMU. I might love Colorado, but I will always have a special place in my heart for the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. See you Monday!

Cover Photo Image

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What’s one thing you learned this week?

If you could live anywhere else than where you do now, where would it be? I love Colorado, but I could see myself in northern California or overseas somewhere.

SUAR