Get a New Plan, Stan

The minute I finished my half ironman, my motivation went into the toilet. There is something about my Type-A, uptight, over-achieving personality that likes to have a plan. Give me a plan and a goal and watch the hell out. But, once I reach that goal and have checked off the last “to-do” on the plan, I’m like that show I never watched but a lot of people liked - “LOST.”

I’ve still been trying to do some sort of workout be it swimming, biking, running or yoga everyday. Running has taken a back seat because my ass hurts, but the other disciplines are alive and well.

Funny how when you get up everyday at 5:00 a.m. to workout you get very used to and it seems like no big deal. Funny how when you work out for 2+ hours per day you get used to it and it seems like no big deal. Funny how when you get out of this routine for just a week or two, suddenly getting up at 5:00 a.m. seems very painful, as do long workouts. Easy come, easy go.

The other issue with early waking is it is darker later in the morning. When it is dark my body likes to be where it should be: in bed.

So, when the alarm went off at 5:15 a.m. today for my cycling group, I was kind of pissed.

Tired? Why? Emma saw a spider in her bed two days ago and has been refusing to go to sleep. She has been sleeping on top of her covers and needing some reassurance. In the parenting world, a child needing reassurance means that the parent becomes sleep deprived.  When she first saw the spider and asked me to look for it, I did a Dumb Ass Parent Action (DAPA) and told her I could not find it. Ken looked at me like “WTF?” and reminded me I should have lied and said I found it so the drama could be put to rest. BAD, DUMB PARENT!

So, I was tired. So what? A workout is a workout and should NEVER be missed unless the worker-outer is vomiting or has profuse diarrhea or has a trache or something extreme going on.

I thought this would be a stinky morning and I would tire easily. Nope. My energy was off the charts. I felt so damn good. It might have been adrenaline, it might have been taking it easy for the week, it might have been thoughts of a spider in a bed somewhere, or it might have been my new, fancy jersey with matching arm warmers (review/giveaway coming soon). Funny thing is, I thought it was a jersey, but it is actually a running shirt. My bad. I never said I was smart:

Whatever the case, I was reminded that for me there is no better feeling than getting up early, sweating, working hard and getting it done. I was so jacked this morning it was a drug. So, when you debate your workout, remember that euphoric post workout feeling. Make a decision and follow through. Keep at it and who knows what can happen.

Iron Girl I’m coming for you sister!

After you complete a race you’ve been training for do you lose motivation? Do you need a plan/goal to keep your head in the game?

Would you have lied to your kid about the spider?

Do you like where the arrow on my “jersey” is pointing?

SUAR

Bated Breath

I got to expend some of the taper nerves this morning on a swift 27 mile ride with my cycling group. That’s me in the pink on the left. These girls are so strong. They pull me up hills, teach me how to be part of a pace line and never fail to give an encouraging word. Most of them race bikes, so I have a thing or two to learn from them.

Thanks, Jen, for the picture!

I know you have been waiting with bated breath to hear more about my computer situation since the Lightening Strike of 2011. Where the hell did that phrase, “bated breath” come from anyway?  XLMIC would know off the top of her head, but I don’t, so I’m off to look it up.

Okay, that was boring. Too boring to even repeat, except to say that “bated”  just  means “restraint” and I can’t find where the expression came from. I think it had something to do with Shakespeare and I am just white trash enough that if you mention Shakespeare I immediately become a narcoleptic. Not to be confused with a necrolpetic, which is just WRONG!

I will say that my curiosity took me to the Straight Dope site and I learned some other very cool things. Like the answer to, “Why do hotdogs come in packs of ten, but hotdog buns come in packs of eight?” I’ve always pondered this. The reason? bakers just don't like tens. They prefer dozens, or more generally, multiples of three and four, notably four, six, eight, and twelve. These quantities lend themselves to compact packaging. Meat packers like to package hot dogs in ten packs because ten usually equals one pound and it is neat and tidy that way.

Don’t ever say you don’t learn things here. We are all about education and intellectual stimulation through the discussion of crapping, “that’s what she said” usage and the occasional story about balls.

Back to the computer. I am not at Starbucks, which is a good sign. We got a new cable modem and now have our Wi-Fi back. I am using Sam’s laptop and my iPad to get by because my computer is still inoperable. Today the new power supply arrives and I should be back in business. This is when I will find out if my hard drive got fried or not. Bated breath. If it got fried, we will hope the external hard drive saved all my stuff. Bated breath.

Here is my makeshift office. It has a window and lots of light and overlooks the golf course, so not half bad:

I am Beth and I am a computer addict. There, I said it. Dr. Drew eat your heart out. I hate to admit how lost I am without my computer. In all seriousness, this has shown me that I have a problem. I am now working Step 1 of 12 Steps.  Maybe I am just a bit powerless over my addiction. I keep reminding myself it could be meth, so I am keeping it in perspective.

I had my second part of “You Asked, I Answer” ready to go when the computer burned down. So, I’ll have that up soon if it wasn’t lost. You guys had so many insightful questions that really made me think.

Are you a computer addict? I work from home. Between that and the blog and other writing I do, I spend tons of time on here. I don’t think that’s a bad thing in and of itself. I do think it’s negative, however, if you find yourself unable to breakaway or if you keep checking back every minute or so. Or, if you are constantly taken and away and distracted and not giving attention to important things like children. This is the reason I’ve never gotten a smart phone. I don’t want to be plugged in all the time, or tempted.

SUAR

Not a Cool Kid

It’s become very clear to me I will never be one of those cool athletes. You know the kind: they look all sleek and natural and like they were born to wear compression shorts and to cross finish lines, breaking the tape and throwing their arms in the air. They cruise along on their aero bars with their crazy-ass helmets that have tails and don’t miss a beat when they take a drink or eat a gel. Their sculpted muscles fit perfectly into their racing clothing and they always have on a game face. A look of pure determination and athleticism.

Chrissie Wellington

I don’t have it in me. I’m am just not that cool.

For example, today at my cycling group I was informed that triathletes don’t usually keep reflectors on their bike wheels. DOH! As I was being told this, someone else pointed out that I still had the price tag sticker on one of my spokes. DOH!

Bike lock combo = FART. I bet the pros don’t have a secret code like that.

Despite the dorkiness factor, I am one of those people that is so uncool that they are almost cool. We all knew those types in high school. The nerd who one day became popular because they could laugh at themselves and everyone started to think they were pretty funny. That was kind of me. I was never totally a nerd, but I was always the class clown kid. I knew I would never be noticed for my looks or boobs. My brains were okay, but nothing exceptional. So I played up the humor.

Once in 7th grade, I wore overalls which I guess invited torture and I was hung on the monkey bars, so high that I couldn’t get down by myself. I just hung there for a bit. But, I thought it was pretty funny, and some cute guy came and rescued me so it all worked out okay. Damsel in distress and all that.

Anyway, I digress.

Last night was my first open water swim ever. I got in a mile before it started lightening, so we had to get out.

I grew up in Maryland and Greece going to the beach, but it’s not like I would get in the ocean and swim 2,000 yards before breakfast. Too busy watching “I Dream of Jeannie.” (I used to love it when Jeannie would get in her bottle and you got to see the inside with all of its fluffy pillows and pink drapey curtains. I used to try to make my forts look like that).

I loved the open water. There is something so natural about being in “real” water versus pool water. The only thing, is I really wish there was a line on the bottom of the reservoir so I could see where the hell I was going. I got of course quite a bit. Guess I need to learn some sort of spotting technique. Any ideas?

If I ever start to feel down on myself because I am uncool, I can just gaze at this makeover Emma did of me on her iPod. Clearly I am meant to have a beehive.

Or, I could just get all excited that they are writing “suar” on the roads during the Tour de France to honor me:

Which do you like better, pool or open water? I’m new in the open water, but I think I like that more.

What’s your favorite older show? I love “I Dream of Jeannie” and “The Love Boat”

What’s the most uncool athlete thing you’ve ever done? My list is too long. Wetsuit worn inside out, crapping my pants, reflectors on bike to name a few.

SUAR

PS: Just tried Honey Stinger Waffles. Those things are the shit. My new favorite fueling. 160 cals, 21 g carbs. I ordered them from Runningwarehouse.com. Use coupon code “rwjuly” to get an extra 10% off.

Being Last Makes You Wise (Or Some Sh*t Like That)

Live every day as if it were your last and then some day you'll be right.  ~H.H. "Breaker" Morant

Have you ever had this experience before?

You are pushing yourself to your limit, making your legs work as hard as they can, and you are still last. DAMMIT!

It is humbling.

And, it is a good reminder that there will always and forever be people faster and more fit than I am (and slower and more out of shape than I am). I can only do my personal best and hope for growth and improvement along the way.

Today I could not hang with my bike group. This is only my third time out with these ladies, and the last two times I’ve held my own and been able to stay with the group.

After our first climb today, I fell behind as I wondered why I wasn’t still in bed or at least sitting at the kitchen counter drinking my coffee with a resting heart rate of 54 bpms. This puke threshold, heavy breathing and inability to speak is for losers!, I thought. Meanwhile as I’m huffing and puffing, these badass girls seem as if they are un-phased – barely breathing hard, a walk in the park. But I did not cry. I tried to HTFU (thanks, Patrick).

Seriously, has that every  happened to you? You are gasping and sweating and spitting and everyone else is barely glistening and shooting the shit about The Bachelorette? (Thank God she told Bentley to f*ck off. About time).

It is humbling.

In the end the ride was only 23.5 miles at 17.5 mph average with 715 feet of elevation gain. But it kicked my butt.

I have to remind myself that there is more to life than training and numbers on a watch and gear and time goals and carb: protein ratios and how to best avoid chafing.

There is real life and mountains to gaze at and birds chirping and children who want to play Trouble or have a lemonade stand. There is life beyond the workouts.

We get so wound up in our goals it can make us self centered. Training can become very self indulgent and give us tunnel vision.

I remind myself: not everyone cares about your training or your goals. In fact, not everyone gives a crap about running and triathlons and racing. In fact, a great part of the population doesn’t know what BQ stands for or that a marathon is 26.2 miles long. Case in point: my dental hygienist asked, “Isn’t Boston one of the longer marathons?”

My point is: let’s keep it all in perspective. Being fit and working out and having goals is amazing and is what keeps us feeling alive and rejuvenated. But it is NOT all there is to life. There is a balance to be found. This morning was a reminder that:

• It’s okay to be last.
• I don’t want to be so focused on the workout and my Garmin that I don’t look up to see how the light looks in the canyon or how blue the sky is against the snow capped mountains.
• Not every workout will be your best or your strongest. You don’t need to judge yourself. Let it go. Tomorrow is another day.
• Pushing yourself means putting yourself in positions when you will feel inferior. Don’t let your ego get the best of you. Always see it as a way to become stronger. Keep your attitude positive.
• There is life beyond training and racing.
• Not being able to keep up makes you insightful and wise!! Or that’s what I’m choosing to think today.

How do you reign yourself in and get perspective?

Ever run/bike/swim with a group and end up last? How do you cope or do you care?

SUAR

RIP Eugene

So, I got out of the pool yesterday after drinking my share of pee water and started coughing. Thought it was the chlorine (or the piss or the hairballs or the e-coli), but as the day progressed so did my cough. Last night Sam asked what the heck was wrong with my voice. I told him I had taken up smoking copious amounts of pot. And cigarettes. It helps with my training. And, my glaucoma.

I’m not sick SICK, so when my alarm went off today at 5am for my riding group it never occurred to me to not go. I mean, training under adverse conditions is what it’s all about, right? Makes us stronger or something like that?

There is actually a pro triathlete (well, he won the Ironman World Championship in 2010), Chris McCormack, who, in an effort to learn how to deal with GI distress during race, eats nachos with super spicy hot sauce before long runs. Yes, the dude deliberately instigates cramps and farts and the need to evacuate. In his own words (I find this fascinating!):

“I always had this problem of my stomach shutting down during the marathon of an Ironman. So I thought if I could run with my stomach shutting down, I could do it in a race. So once a week I would sit down and eat nachos with really spicy hot sauce. Then I’d get my running gear on, go for a run and of course, my stomach would shut down, but I’d just keep going.”

I don't see any shit in this picture.

“They were brutal training runs. But then on race day, when my stomach would shut down I’d think, “I can deal with this.” I’d be able to keep going. Doing this paid off so many times over. I’d do this 10 weeks out from Ironman until two weeks before race day. It’d be a horrible run, but it had a huge impact on my overall race performance.”

He is hard core. But, what he doesn’t tell us is about shitting on the side of the road, what TP he used, etc. (Thanks, Jason, for putting this on your blog).

I, on the other hand, do not need to eat nachos before a run because my body already knows how to cramp and shit itself without any hand holding.  It is a built in training strategy. I could win an Ironman.

Anyway, the ride was amazingly beautiful, but I have to admit I felt like dog crap. Probably smelled like it too. I think it’s funny when you start getting sick. At first you say, “Oh, it’s probably allergies” or “Oh, I have something in my throat.” You deny the sickness for as long as possible. But then there comes a point of acceptance.  I can’t deny any more that I’ve got some respiratory crap.

But, when you're with a group, there is no wussing out or turning back early, so I sucked it up. Shut up and do not be a pussy.

We headed towards the foothills, then up Lefthand Canyon.

As we passed the spot where Eugene Howrey, age 73, was killed on his bike on Friday, I took a moment to think of him and to send healing thoughts to his family. Here’s a guy well into his 70s just trying to stay healthy and to live an active life. To make matters worse, come to find out that the trucker who hit him was charged with reckless driving two years ago for nudging a cyclist into oncoming traffic. I know he didn’t do it on purpose, but he probably was being more aggressive or less cautious than he needed to be. 

Anyway, 1,400 feet of climbing (from about 5,000 feet to 6,400 feet) in the first 14 miles kind of kicked my ass. But it was downhill the whole way back, so I lived. I can’t tell you how much I love this group. Not just because the women are strong and amazing, but because it pushes me to whole new levels.

I call this the “tit” ride. Thanks for pointing that out Matty!

But, now it’s time to take a load off.

Are you in denial when you get sick? Do you still train? I deny it for awhile. If there is no fever, I can breathe okay and I don’t feel too run down, I still train. But, maybe a bit lighter than I would otherwise.

Ever purposefully eat crap before running just to see what happens? No, I don’t. I once, by mistake and before I was really a runner, ate beef stroganoff for lunch before a run. I think I threw up.

Are you an early morning workout-er? I love getting up and getting it done. Plus, morning is my favorite time of day. So full of possibility.

SUAR

Some Invigorating Miles

You know how I always say, “Do something everyday that scares you”?

This morning I was terrified. I hardly slept last night and woke up at 4:50 a.m., several minutes before my alarm even went off. I was anxious.

Taking risks is essential to living fully and experiencing your best life. I know this because I live outside of my comfort zone A LOT and I can honestly say that my life is never boring, it is always challenging and it is the best life I could ever have.

That said, sometimes I HATE doing new things, meeting new people. It is just plain agonizing. I fret about what people will think, will I fail, what if I shit myself, etc. Right when I am getting ready to take a big risk (think skydiving or running with Dean Karnazes last summer) I sit in my kitchen sipping coffee and thinking, “Seriously. You don’t have to do this. It is so safe and quiet here. You could just lay on the couch, read the paper and listen to the wind in the trees.”

And, I could. But that is not me and never will be. I am at my best when I am living on my own personal edge.

The edge is different for everyone. For some it might be bungee jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge (if they let you do that) or completing an Ironman. For others, it is running their first 5K or going to a mom’s group for the first time with a new baby. The event does not have to be hugely major. Not at all. It just has to be something that will result in you feeling ALIVE.

On the run with Dean last August, we were at about mile 18 when he told me he would be blogging about our day together. I wet my pants.  He wanted one word from me that I felt summed up the run. It immediately popped into my head – “Invigorating.” If you don’t believe me, you can read his post HERE.

Here’s the thing: You try new things, you are scared and then the pay off is that you are invigorated. I promise.

So, why was I terrified this morning? I thought you’d never ask. I joined a women’s cycling group and today was day number one for me. I have been cycling on and off for many years, but have never ridden with a group. Not once. My friend, Hillari, has ridden with this group for years and they have a reputation for being strong, tough and fast. Some days I can be strong, tough and fast, but not everyday, and I never know how I stack up next to anyone else. I just do my thing.

I showed up at 6am. About 10-12 women were there. They all welcomed me warmly, saying that they read the blog. That immediately put me at ease. I felt they knew me before they had even met me. Farts and all.

I had one little faux pas at the start because I was nervous and distracted. I went to put on my helmet, and it felt way too tight. Then I realized I still had my visor on.  Here is a re-enactment.

This could be a new trend! I call it vise-helm.

We cruised out on some roads northwest of Longmont  at a good clip. We all shot the shit and the miles flew by. Right before the turn around we had a major climb (Rabbit Mountain for you locals) and it hurt me a bit. But, I did it and I was not last.

All in all – 24 invigorating miles. I loved these women. They were strong, tough and fast but they were also warm, friendly, and inviting. I will be back. It was not that scary after all. I’m a believer in the fact that when we run, ride, etc. with people who are faster than we are, we are immensely challenged and we become faster too. I’m also a believer that our anticipation of things is almost always worse than the real thing.

This is how I look when I am invigorated – shiny!

 

Take any risks today?

Do you run, ride, swim with a group?

SUAR

PS: Don’t forget my Zensah Running Bra Giveaway!