Challenge - Priorities

As anyone knows who is involved with multisport, prioritizing your time is a must.  It has always been a challenge for me since making the decision to move from run only to swim-bike-run six years ago this month.  

It was very difficult in the beginning, because not only did I have three disciplines to train for, I was a newbie swimmer, so I had lessons as well.  I didn't know how I was supposed to balance all of that, plus being a newlywed with a newlypuppy, teaching full time, etc.  The club I was with at that time had workouts that were a tad far from where we lived, so for Saturday group rides, for example, I would be gone until at least noon, cutting into time with Jon on the weekend.  After a while, it was wearing on me.

In my first blog post in early January, I explained why this year was the "now" for the 70.3s.  I ascertained that it was in my best interest to stick with sprint and Olympic distances because I didn't want it to take away from important aspects in my life.  The amount of training was perfect and I could still have a life.  That was the key.  STILL have a life outside of it.  I couldn't (and can't) see myself giving up more than half of my day for training on a weekend day, plus hours both before and after school during the week, thus never really being home.

On Friday morning, the FCA devotional that I received in my email had this in the subject line:  "Prioritize Your Life, Don't Let It Prioritize You".  What a concept.  Exactly what I had been mulling over for my blog post.  Let me share with you what really stood out to me:

"Most people are under the assumption that one must neglect his family and everything else that is important to spend every waking moment preparing his team for success."

"Would you give up time with your family and with God in order to win ten national championships?  Most of us know deep down that sacrificing our relationship with the Lord or our family for success, money, fame, etc., is wrong."

The great thing about having a coach like Frank, who is also a believer, is that he understood my hesitation to finally work for a 70.3 finish.  I told him that I was worried about an increase in training (physically, I knew I was ready) - which of course had to happen to some degree - and how that would take away more time from being home with Jon and Duncan, having my alone time in the Word with devotionals in the evening...a healthy balance that I need.  No matter what I have chosen to challenge myself with along the way, I have ALWAYS prayed about it and included Jon on the decision making.  God and marriage=priority.

In order to be sure that training does NOT take away from what is most important has meant some change.  Good change.  Never did I see myself logging workouts on the trainer or running with strength training at 3:40 a.m. before school.  What crazy person does THAT??  Good change has resulted in my afternoons being COMPLETELY freed up on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday for us to have dinner together, relax, work on little things here and there for school, etc.  On Monday and Wednesday afternoon, I have a swim workout only, then home with enough time again to BE at home.  Finally, prepping all breakfast, lunch, and snacks for an hour or so on Sunday afternoon takes away stress and frees up time during the week!  Again, what is MY priority?

I may get grief for doing so many indoor workouts, like the bike trainer or running on the treadmill, but I am completely happy with what I am doing, and my training is in a most excellent spot.  Everyone's priorities are different, and I respect that, so I ask for the same in return.  I'm completely fine not doing a 140.6 (oh, how many times I have been asked why I don't train for one) and no I don't get too bored being on the trainer/treadmill because I am working hard and focusing on my intervals. It is all about priorities.  For me, this is what works.  Don't be afraid to do what works for YOU.  :)

Challenge - Carlsbad Half Marathon

Carlsbad or Carlsgood?  That is the question...

2014 was my third time to race the Carlsbad Half.  It has become special to me not only because I love racing in North County, but because when I first did it in 2010, that race medal was the last one I was able to share with my mom, as she passed away not long after in February.  

Going into this race, I had high hopes.  And for good reason.  I had a streak going on, if you will.  It started with the Fountain Hills Turkey Trot 5K in November, where I placed 4th AG with an all-time distance PR.  Within the four weeks following, I knocked out the Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon in 1:56, my first time ever under two hours, then the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon in 1:55 - more all-time 13.1 PRs.  All along, I was following Coach Frank's training plan, and also decided to start working with Brooke from Fuel to the Finish to really tighten up my nutrition.  In my eyes, the stars were aligned for a lovely finish in Carlsbad...and heck, I already knew the course!

It was a BEAUTIFUL race morning on Sunday.  The temperature was perfect and the sun was starting to peek out.  I woke up at 5 a.m., started visualizing the course and what I did last year to get to that PR.  I enjoyed a Van's gluten-free waffle with peanut butter, some water, then headed up to the start.  I was relaxed and ready to get after it!

Gun goes off.  The mass starts moving.  We begin to climb out toward Highway 101 and I'm in a great mindset.  The Timex GPS Global Trainer then begins to act as though it is drunk; I had no idea exactly what my pace was, though I could "feel" where I was for the most part.  Very frustrating.  On my way out, I enjoyed the beauty that is the Carlsbad coast.  I mean look at it!!  No matter how tough it can get out there, you have to appreciate it.  I also had the chance to cheer in pros Matty Reed and Heather Jackson as they had made the turn around.  Super cool.

Then about three miles later, it was time to start heading back up the coast.  I don't know what happened.  I mentally started to check out!  WHAT??  The piriformis wasn't feeling THAT bad, but in that moment, it started to feel THAT bad.  By mile 9.4, half way up the hill between miles nine and 10, I had to text Jon to relay to Coach Frank that I wasn't feeling too fantastic.  Coach's response?  "Just need to get it done.  Good job."  I made it up to mile 10 and was STOKED.  Three miles left!  A VERY long three miles, it was!

I was praying, changing up my music for Britt Nicole and finally Mandisa's "Overcomer" to bring me into the finish.  I was a tad choked up getting my medal.  Yes, I PR'd from 2013...BUT part of me was disappointed because of that streak I had going on, then I found myself back at the 2-hour mark.  I wanted that 1 in front of my time again!  When I found Jon, I have to admit that I had some tears for about 30 seconds.  

After the race, I received a text message from Kristin Mayer, of Betty Designs, as we had tried to meet up over the quick weekend but were too busy.  We had a chat about the race.  I told her how I began to struggle mentally.  She messaged, "It's an awesome course but the race begins after the turnaround.  Mental struggles make you stronger."  Right on the money.  Right there.  Turns out that for the first half of the race, I was pacing at 8:49, and that mental struggle did slow me down.  But I never gave up.

I learned a lot from this race.  First, I've come a LONG way in terms of strength, endurance, and nutrition in the last 18 months, so I should be proud, particularly of the "streak" I had going - this was the first time ever that I had minimal to no GI issues.  Second, none of this would have been possible without the Lord on my side.  No way.  I had a devotion on my phone all weekend from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) that read, "We're all going to battle doubts and frustrations.  They're just part of life.  But that's when we must choose the road of faith by trusting and obeying God regardless of what we may feel or think."

Finally, there is so much TO BE thankful for.  I CAN train and race.  I have the support of family, friends, coaches, and Team Betty.  I am also thankful for the time our little family got to spend together in North County, even if we did get a crazy parking ticket.  So Carlsbad was Carlsgood after all.  :)

Challenge...or Triumph? - Nutrition

When I first started this endurance journey back in 2007, I never really understood the importance of nutrition.  I would stay hydrated, follow any training nutrition advice that I read in magazines like Runner's World and Triathlete, carb load before half marathons and have a couple of gels at races, have no idea what to do for triathlons as times, then add in my own bad choices here and there, and voila!  Nutrition plan...or something like that!  :)

Let's just say I wasn't properly educated.  When I first started training with Coach Frank almost two years ago, it was a swim focus with my plans, then we started incorporating CrossFit endurance...and finally, the (dreaded) nutrition talk came.  He mentioned paleo and gluten-free eating, so I started to clean up what I thought was a decent nutrition situation; it was challenging at first to meal plan (as if I wasn't busy enough already - something ELSE to think about).  Slowly, I began to feel better after meals, and my skin was also looking more clear.  I would look at photos from my first year or so racing when I thought I was "in shape" - and I was definitely not!  It's amazing what we think we know until we connect with the right people to point us in the right direction.

Now enter Brooke Schohl, dietitian and owner of Destination Kona Triathlon Store.  I decided with two 70.3s on the docket for the year that it would be a great idea to schedule sessions with her to make sure I am set.  I have to admit, I was a tad nervous about tracking myself for three days on myfitnesspal.com.  I would even have to admit to that one Dr. Pepper I drank!  :)

After our first session today, I was SO very glad for a few reasons.  First, Coach Frank DEFINITELY changed my nutrition for the better and so discussing myfitnesspal results wasn't the end of the world.  Second, Brooke is a wealth of knowledge and I am grateful to have the chance to work with her; today, we discussed the importance of the diet and metabolic efficiency.  And third, I have come a LONG way, which wouldn't have been possible if I wasn't redirected in the first place.  In the beginning (back to when I thought I was doing fantastic as an athlete), I was 141 pounds and was at 23% body fat.  Now I am at 131 pounds and 16% body fat; I hadn't weighed in forever, but should have known from the recent shopping trip due to a drop in almost three pant sizes that transformation was happening.  I couldn't be more proud of that progress.  Triumph!!  :)

So what is there to be learned from this?  Be smart.  Don't assume you know what you should be doing with your nutrition.  We are all individuals.  Find  professionals to help you!  You can make healthy changes and stick to your plan!  :)

Challenge - The Pain in the Rear

Yes, you heard it right!  The physical challenge as of late has been a pain in the rear...literally.  Today, after meeting with my chiropractor/ART practitioner Dr. Kevin Sherman at IronCare, we have an exact diagnosis - piriformis syndrome! Should I be excited about this?  YES!  And here is why...

Back in early August, during one of my weekly run workouts, I began to feel a sharp pain in my left IT band and hamstring, down the leg below my knee.  Every foot strike, it was there.  But wait.  I DON'T get injured!  NEVER!  Pffff if this is actually something to worry about!  

Oh but it became something to worry about.  I couldn't get through a run without stopping to try to shake it out, rub it, stretch it - whatever was necessary.  Then I would stretch and foam roll afterward.  It just wouldn't improve.  After talking to Coach Frank, we decided it was in my best interest to make a visit to Dr. Sherman to see what could potentially be going on.  There was a whole party happening on my left side only.  Imbalance.  Thus began a series of visits (two per week for about three weeks) that incorporated ART and acupuncture.  #1, I had no idea what ART was  (for more information, read here http://www.activerelease.com/index.asp).  #2, I was never a fan of needles as a kid.  #3, I never had a need for chiropractic treatment, so even the thought of him potentially throwing out the idea of an adjustment made me   concerned...okay, scared, really.  

I had no idea what a mess was going on.  Multiple treatments were necessary to work all angles from top to bottom on the left side.  I was left with swelling after the first few because of the manipulation of muscle, etc. during movements, but instantly started to feel better.  It was like the congestion was clearing.

Sounds good, right?  It was, but at the same time, my running mileage was slashed dramatically.  Since America's Finest City (AFC) Half Marathon was just around the corner, I had to scratch that race.  I was allowed three miles a week, at an easy pace, without any elevation change. Strength training also meant staying away from straining the lower back and upper legs.  All I kept thinking was WHEN can I get back to my regular training?

I raced TriRock San Diego sprint at the end of September and felt pretty good. My first running race back at it was the PATH 10K in Kona that kicked off Ironman week.  Fortunately, I had a few days to prep on the rolling hills.  Because I had taken Dr. Sherman and Coach's advice, the race went smoothly, and I was able to get in a decent amount of mileage on that trip overall!

But something just didn't feel 100% on my long runs.  Dr. Sherman sent me for an x-ray in November.  I had some nerves, but at the same time, we needed an answer.  The results were normal...so what was the next plan?  He continued to compile his notes, and after the last two half marathons, the consensus is we are treating the piriformis muscle.  All signs point to it.

Next week, I have another ART session and he will be analyzing my run, as well as really taking a look at my shoes.  We have made so much progress since August, so it would be the icing on the cake to really dial in and knock this out! And the praying continues!  :)

Why Now?

For years, I had been enjoying my "comfortable" space as a short-distance triathlete, sticking to sprint and Olympic distances, but still enjoying half marathons.  In that time, I was asked on numerous occasions as to WHY I hadn't decided to go long course.  I had so many reasons...I didn't feel ready, races didn't fit my teaching schedule, race fees were so expensive, etc.  It just wasn't my time.  Yet.

I finally took the plunge last summer and registered for both Ironman 70.3 Oceanside and 70.3 Kansas for the 2014 season.  

Many don't know, but it wasn't my first time planning to race an Ironman 70.3 event.  In late 2009, I registered for Vineman and even had a hotel reserved.  At the same time, my mom's health was declining quickly with her complications from rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  Why I chose to register I will never know, but shortly after she passed in winter 2010, I notified the WTC and received a partial refund, which then opened up a spot for someone who could do it from the waiting list.  To be honest, I wasn't ready at that time - aside from her illness - and did jump the gun.

Fast forward a few years, through a few coaches and then self-coaching to what became a breakthrough in my training with new Coach Frank Sole of Sole Swim Solutions - a very wise mentor who has stuck by me for almost two years now, and has brought me into the studio as a personal trainer and swim coach as well.  I'm in the best shape I have ever been in and he has consistently pushed me to believe I am a stronger athlete than I had thought, which has helped me immensely to consistently race PRs, and improve on the bike and swim.  It just makes me want to work harder.

So why now?

On December 15, all the work paid off and I broke my goal of a 2-hour 13.1 with a time of 1:57.37 at the Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon.

So why now?

On December 29, the previous all-time PR was broken with a time of 1:55.45 at the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon - one VERY tough course!

SO WHY NOW?  Now IS the time.  It's time to get those 70.3s crossed off my bucket list, to prove that I CAN do it, that I have been able to do it for a while now...to get out there and kick some swim-bike-run butt!  With the Lord, my awesome husband, fantastic coach, and Team Betty behind me, the question is WHY NOT?  I couldn't be more excited for the 2014 season!  I CAN DO THIS!  And if my mom were still here with us, she would tell me nothing different.  :)