Favorite Things September 2011

Here are some items that I’m glad were invented.

1. Pearl Izumi Arm Warmers – $20.00

Many people have asked which arm warmers I use. I love these things. If I am going to bother with arm warmers, I want them to provide enough warmth to matter, but also be small enough to roll up and shove somewhere (no, not there). These stay in place on my arms (no falling down) and I dig the jazzy design. I ordered mine from REI HERE.

2. Dear Foam Slippers – on sale at Kohl’s for $16.80

I don’t think these are made from actual foam from a deer, but I could be wrong. I live in these things. I hope wearing a cheetah print makes me more of a MILF. I hate being barefoot once we hit September because my feet have the worst circulation and are always freezing. If you don't believe me, ask Ken, because when we get in bed and I touch him with my feet he usually files for divorce. Find them HERE.

3. “Webcam for Seniors 101” on You Tube

This gem was posted last week by these two people’s grand daughter. These two senior citizens were attempting to use their brand new computer to record a video for their grandkids. They didn’t know they recorded themselves until later. The stars: 86 year old Bruce Huffman and his 79 year old wife Esther. It will make you smile (teaser: burp and boobs).

4. Wacky Cake

I grew up on this cake and it’s still a family favorite. It’s called “wacky” because it has no eggs, milk or butter. Plus, it has vinegar in it which is really gross and cool at the same time. People also call it “Depression Cake” because during that time it made sense to bake a moist cake without the expense of milk, butter or eggs.  It’s also vegan and dairy free!

I top it with caramel frosting. Last week I really wanted to bake something but had no eggs so I made this.

See the recipe HERE.

5. Yurbud Earphones – $29.99

Many people have also asked me which are my favorite earphones for running. I have a pair of Yurbuds that I got almost two years ago. I can’t say enough about these for sound quality, reduced wind noise, and MOST importantly, how well they stay in the ear. Get them HERE.

6. Profile Design T2 Aerobars – about $100

In action here (although I’m going around a turn on not using them):

The week before my half ironman, I added these aerboars to my bike. They are just simple clip ons. I didn’t anticipate a huge jump in speed, but I wanted to be comfortable for 56 miles on the bike and was hoping these would help me settle in more.

I am not kidding you when I say my speed increased from about 17-18 mph average to 19-20 mph average.  I am also incredibly comfy when I drop down into these things. I feel I can just power through and GO! I got these at Bicycle Village, but I found them online for much cheaper ($82) HERE.

7. Polar insulated water bottle – $9.99

I know these have been around for awhile, but I am just getting a clue. The two things I love are the size (24 oz) and the fact that they keep your drink cold (duh, hence the “insulated” part). They come in lots of fun designs. I got mine for about $10 and picked up a second one at the Irongirl event for $5. Score. You can get them for $9.99-$11.00 HERE.

8. Room

I actually read this a few months back, but it has been one of my favorite books of the year. It sucks you in. You won’t be able to put it down. That’s all I’m telling you.

What are you liking this month?

SUAR

PS: As is the case with all of my “favorites” lists, these are my personal opinions of tried and true items. I was not asked by any companies for reviews or endorsements.

Laying on the Airport Floor

Here’s what I want to know. How the hell do you do it? Fit it all in?

This half ironman training is ridiculous. I seriously do not know how anyone trains for a full ironman and ever sees friends, gets work done, reads a book, cooks a meal, takes a dump, or washes the stains out of their shorts. Or, maybe they don’t. It’s insane.

This week I am trying to do a ten hour training week.

This is harder than it sounds. This means that most days I am doing double workouts or very long workouts. Today, for example, I got up and ran 7.17 miles and a few hours later went and swam 1,800 yds. That’s a total of 1:43 in workouts for today. Might not sound like much but when I’m trying to sandwich it in between work, kids and breathing, I find it challenging.

But, I did shower today mostly because the stench of my sweat and chlorine made me gag. I might have also had a skid in my skort from the run, but I’m not saying.

And, no, there can never be a picture without my dog in it. I think he is licking my scab. Bad dog. He follows me everywhere I go. He even doggy paddled while I swam laps today.

I was thinking about something. Why is this training kicking my butt so much when I train for and run marathons? I realized that even with marathon training, I would max out at about eight hours per week.

Maybe what I feared has come to pass. I really am a pussy.

A very small part of me is questioning why I signed up for this thing. I swear, I would consider dropping out (pussy) if I hadn’t paid $250 to sign up. Well, knowing me that is a lie. I wouldn’t drop out, but I will continue to wonder if I can keep this up.

In other daily news, son Sam left to go to Chicago for four days with my mom and dad. Yes, he’s 13, but I run a prison and he’s never been away from home without me for more than two nights. I like to think I am not an overly hovering or controlling mom, but I’m sure my kids might say different. Last night while watching his baseball game I texted him.

Me: I miss you already

Sam (after the game): You do? I’m looking at you right now.

When he left today I told him to call/text me so much it was annoying. I quickly got a text with this picture:

It said, “mom and baby laying on airport floor. knew you would like this.”

Made me smile.

I lied and told him he and I used to always do that. NOT. You won't catch me doing anything on an airport floor.

And now, I had a work appointment to get to in a hurry and my car is dead. Can you come over and jump me? Not in the dark alley sense, but in the jumper cable sense?

Do you lay on floors in airports?

How do you handle high high training volume without burning out or getting bitchy?

Are you a controlling parent? I like to think I am involved, but not controlling. I may be kidding myself.

It’s only 1:57 pm, but wine might be calling my name. I’ll try to hold off until 5pm.

SUAR

Week 4: Injury Update

I don’t like it, but I’ve gotten used to not running. I know running and races are in my future, so I try to see the big picture. Kind of like when you’ve given up chocolate for Lent. If you know you'll have it again, it makes it a lot more bearable.

Most of all, I’d like to get rid of the crutches and just be able to walk again. I miss going to the grocery store alone while hungry and buying crap we don’t need. Ken has been a huge help taking my lists full of requests for hominy, hummus, ricotta and scouting the store for these items. But, like a good shopper, he sticks to the list and does not deviate. No impulse buys. No Ho-Hos and Cheez Whiz.

While I’ve held it together pretty well considering the circumstances, I have had moments of falling apart. Last night I got in an argument with Emma, my 9 year old.  She was upstairs so I surreptitiously (big, fancy, SAT word) crutched it to the pantry and took her 10 lb. Halloween treat bag. I had barely gotten to the couch and made my way through a fun sized box of Dots when she came in the room. Oh shit. I tried to hide the overflowing bag, but didn’t have time.

Emma: MOM! What are you DOING? That is my bag. My candy. You have to ask me!!

Me: C’mon. Really? You need to share. You’ve got ten stinking pounds of candy. CAN’T YOU SHARE?

Emma:  MOM! That is mine. I went out and got it for myself. I had to wear a box to get that candy!

Then it occurred tome she was right. She did wear a box around the neighborhood and this is her candy. She earned every gram of sugar. The least I can do is ask permission. I know she will say, “No” which is why I didn't ask in the first place, but still. You have to give respect to get respect. Another reason I need to go to the grocery store for Twinkies.

I am making progress with this damn injury, be it it slowly. Here’s how the week shook out:

Monday: Blood work including a metabolic workup to see if I have some sort of deficiency or absorption problem that could be leading to the stress fractures. Low mood day overall. Not seeing any light at the end of the tunnel. The weather was absolutely, stunningly gorgeous. Shitty, cold and rainy would have fit my attitude and would have made it easier not to run. My mom brought a yummy Greek dinner – Pastitsio (Greek version of lasagna) – and that helped matters.

Tuesday: Dexa Scan (bone density test). Again, to see if my bones are weakening. Another possible cause of the fractures. Mood was somewhat lighter. One week until I see the sport’s doc again and can (fingers crossed) ditch the crutches. Chipotle for dinner. A burrito the size of Texas always cures what ails ya’.

Wednesday: First workout in 27 days. Went swimming. Did about 35 lengths. Very little pain, just some achiness in the beginning. No post-workout pain. YES! Felt wonderful to be moving again and to get my heart rate up. Started taking a holistic food-based calcium supplement that is easily absorbed. I also got some a women’s multivitamin made by the same company. Cheap prices and free shipping at Walgreens.com.

Our Food-Based Calcium™ product is a holistic, whole body calcium system, formulated with magnesium to support bone and muscle health.  Important nutritional cofactors such a vitamin D ensure optimal assimilation to create a difference you can feel - in just one tablet a day.

 

 

 

Thursday: One hour of water running. I could feel some pain in my piriformis area.  This is the type of pain I had throughout my whole training cycle. I thought it was just an inflamed muscle. Now, I wonder if it is related to the hip injury and might have been a warning sign. Didn’t love water running, but I will do it if it keeps me in shape. Again, mood was better since I was moving and feeling like I kinda sorta got running back.

Friday: Not so great day. You might have read about it HERE. No workout, but I did get in a couple of glasses of wine and a frozen pizza. I read through the injury chapter of Brain Training for Runners.  The author believes runners can outsmart injuries by dong two things:

1. Running more naturally – the author switched to a pair of minimalist running shoes to correct gait and stride flaws. 
2. Never running in pain – he had zero tolerance for pain while running. If it occurred, he stopped. Didn’t start again until he could run pain free.

Saturday: Back to the pool. Swam 1600 yards (64 lengths) doing this workout:

Warm up (free): 200
Swim, Kick, Pull, Swim: 4 x 100
Pyramid (free): 4 x 50 (60 secs), 3 x 100 (2 mins), 2 x 150 (3 mins), 1 x 200 (4 mins).

There was more to do with this workout, but I was sick of swimming and ready to call it a day. Plus, there was some chick in my lane who kept hitting me each time we passed. I think she was actually hitting ON me, but I’m not sure. I get my swim workouts HERE if you’re interested. This is #38.

Sunday (today): Another beautiful weather day. I take the high road and bless all the runners on the roads and trails. I even include Jared from Subway and Edison Pena (Chilean Miner) who are running in NYC today. Secretly I have made voodoo dolls of them all and sit in the bathroom with stick pins. If Jared finishes the marathon with a knife in his back, you’ll know why.

I see the doc on Tuesday, we will review my next steps and my test results. Crutches, be gone!!!

One day at a time,

SUAR

Recovery and Guess That GU for a Prize

I can’t thank you enough for taking time to read my race report, to comment and to travel the marathon journey with me through the peaks and valleys, the emotions, the squirt and the distance. See? I can talk about things other than farts and poop. I really do have a heart just like the tin man or scarecrow or whoever. I never liked that movie much anyway. I found it a bit creepy.

I am still basking in the glory of my BQ. I wish strangers would ask how I am so I could tell them about my race. Maybe I will go to the grocery store naked wearing only my medal and see if anyone asks (or calls the police).  I’d even like it if the slow guy at Target who gathers the carts and tells me daily about the time he went to New Mexico on a Greyhound bus, would ask about my race. Lord knows I’ve listened to him enough over the years. Can’t it be about me just this once? Can’t it??

Coming down from this high is like the day after Christmas. So much build up, such a great day, then status quo and the thought, “What’s next?”

Truth be told, I never thought much about recovery. All of my momentum was towards race day and after that, there was a blank space.

Recovery so far for me has consisted of coffee, Jodi Picoult, vet visits, Modern Family, wine. Some experts suggest recovering one day per each mile run. That would be 26 days and 4.8 hours (yeah, just did that off the top of my head) of recovery depression. No way am I doing that. Hell, I’ve got a triathlon in 24 days.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I’m going to go out today on a long crap-inducing run or hit the track for my ten Yassos (which, by the way, kind of worked. I did my 800s at 3:30-3:42 and ran a 3:42 marathon. That Bart is a genius. And I’m not talking about the one who says “Don’t have a cow, man” and, “I will not draw naked ladies in class.” If you have no clue what I’m talking about, google Yasso 800s).

My plan is to do a reverse taper, build back up slowly, incorporate lots of swimming/biking and start 16 weeks of marathon training on June 27 (not that I have it planned out or anything) for the Denver Rock ‘n Roll on October 17.

Yesterday I had a post-race massage. Do you get naked for your massages? I got naked and wore my medal (just kidding). Yes, I strip down, but I only go to women. You see, in Mexico at a resort (five years ago) I had a Latino masseur who took some liberties. Let’s just say he got close to the honeysuckle, if you know what I mean. He didn’t officially cross the line, but he was in the ballpark. I came back to the room and told Ken I thought I might have just cheated on him, but I didn't mean to. Since that time I’ve gone to women in the United States.

Today my massage therapist told me my legs felt great (I don’t think she was hitting on me. If so, that would be two possible lesbian hits in one week. A first for me!). Anyway, she said the legs were loose and amazing. I’m taking this as a fine recovery sign. Other signs of a good recovery?

• I can sit on the toilet with no pain
• My appetite has returned with a vengeance (I couldn’t really eat the first 24 hours after the race). Hello Jelly Bellies!
• I took a huge dump yesterday. My first one since those awful hershey squirts on race day
• I can think about running and not be totally repulsed
• I laughed again at Ashley falling off the treadmill on the Biggest Loser (okay, this is not about recovery, but they showed it like 95 times on Tuesday and I can relate because I too fell of a treadmill. And, what is up with Michael’s headband?)
• I’m not sick.

What do you do for recovery?

So…Outside PR just sent me their newest flavor of GU*. I am one of the first to try it. Guess what the flavor is and I’ll send you one (first 3 to get it right):

*This product was provided to me free of charge by Outside PR.

Two Things

Two things to share before I start drinking wine tonight and can't type:

One of my children is in for it big time. Someone under the age 13 unplugged my Garmin charger, unbeknownst to me. I started my run with that dreaded "low battery" message. It immediately blacked out. Someone's gonna get it. I don't beat my children. I never really even spanked. In fact, I work for social services and am committed to preventing child abuse on all levels. However, you mess with my Garmin and things could get ugly.

Next thing. Someone from Shirts4Runners commented on my blog, so I visited their site. If you were going to get me a Christmas gift this year, I would like this because there is perhaps no greater gift for me on the planet:

Brilliant.

Drinking: Not yet drinking, but it is Friday and I'm on my way to uncork some chardonnay.