Sunday, December 13, 2015

The "Pony" Tale

'Twas the seconds before Ironman...

And I was in a panic. I had lost my hair tie. A level of dread suddenly rose in my chest. Could I survive the next 12 hours without something to hold my hair back? Ugh! I guess. But it would not be fun. No. No, I needed a hair tie. I fell to my knees patting the ground in search of the black elastic “pony” that had disappeared while I was securing my swim cap.

The National Anthem had been sung and athletes were beginning to file toward the swim start.  “Help!" I shouted.  "Can anyone see a hair tie on the ground?” I understood that most men wouldn't have a clue a) why I needed that tie b) why I was in such a state of stress and even c) what a “pony” even was.

But one friend did. SHE dropped down with me in search of the needle in the haystack and then jumped up and ran away. I thought she was headed toward the start with that “oh well” attitude. But seconds later she returned with the prized possession in her hand, begged off the wrist of a nearby lady spectator.

I secured my hair, gave her a hug and we joined the others down the boat ramp to start our day.

Now this may not seem like such a big deal to most. But I will never forget this act of kindness that filled my heart “three sizes that day”. In the midst of my turmoil, SHE thought not of herself, but of me.

In the spirit of Christmas and the upcoming New Year, may we be more like HER: A little more selfless, a little more loving and a little more kind. Happy holidays, friends. May your new year be wonderful and secure.

Love,

Lorie 

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Let's Go Ride A BIke


If you've never witnessed the demeanor change in someone the minute they get on a bike -- I'm here to tell you, it's real.  I'm talking about the magical smiles that appear when a child or an adult straddles a bike and pedals off into the distance.

Working in a bike shop has taught me something about this great phenomenon.  There are times when a cyclist or triathlete comes in to pick up their hot new race bike with electrical components and lightning fast carbon wheels and aerodynamic frame.  It's like Christmas.  They oooh and aaah at their new ride, stroke it softly and crouch down to admire the gearing and pedals.  They roll it outside the store and carefully cradle it onto the bike rack and drive home with their precious cargo in tow.

Then there is the "off-the-street" casual consumer strolling by who gets a glimpse of our fat tire cruiser bikes.  They cross the street with a smile on their face to get a closer look at the delightfully colorful two-wheelers, imagining the slow speed cruising they could do around the neighborhood, or even better, as a vehicle for their next pub crawl.

Oh, but the kids are the best.  They come racing in the store to see the bike mom and dad just bought for them.  You can see the smile spread across their face and their eyes light up.  Instantly that child has a new sense of freedom.  They anticipate the feel of the wind rushing through their hair or the ability to have a little independence of their own.

If you get a chance -- go ride a bike.  Some of my favorite memories are renting the City Bikes in Washington, DC to quickly navigate the national monuments with my family.  And in Austin, my friend and I rented the City Bikes there to explore the wonderful trails and byways that were practically hidden by buildings and trees.  We laughed and smiled our way around the city for miles and miles.

It's no wonder that John F. Kennedy was quoted as saying "Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike."  Take it easy or take it slow, whatever your pleasure, go ride.







Thursday, November 19, 2015

Stop It


If only...

Two words I've heard over and over again in this 15-year triathlon journey I've taken.  If only I had a faster bike.  If only it wasn't so windy.  If only the rain had stopped.  If only the heat wasn't so oppressive. 

Then what?  You(I) would've run faster?  Your(my) bike split would've been better?  You(I) would've qualified for Kona in your age group?

The truth of the matter is, we triathletes are a competitive bunch.  We thrive off the minutae of more watts with less effort.  Our blood pressure starts to pump when someone passes us on a bike that we KNOW is slower than us.  We compare our times with our training partners' times -- on different courses and in completely different conditions, where nothing was the same except the distance.  It's in our DNA to go faster.  We want to improve.  It's the nature of our inner beast.

 But the competitiveness should stop there. 


In the big, bad world of competition and the thirst for more, we need to embrace the triumphs and successes of ourselves and others.  We should be proud when a friend gets his PR.  We should be truly grateful our bodies held up and we crossed the line safely. 

Because there is always going to someone better than you, faster than you and stronger than you. 



As my bike derailleur broke at mile 5 at Ironman Austin 70.3, I was forced to abandon the race and take a DNF (did not finish).  However, it gave me the opportunity to ride in the SAG vehicle over the next 50 miles of the bike course.  We passed cyclists who were riding with prosthetic legs.  We saw a blind woman who was the stoker on a tandem cycle.  We drove past fast gals and slow guys and everything in between.

What I was most impressed with, was the majority of triathletes on the course were smiling, tucked in and riding hard.  Some looked quite sleek with expensive bikes and the gear to match.  Others had ill fitting bikes and their rain jackets tied around their waists as they made their way across the farmlands toward T2.  It was fun to see the race from this perspective. 

My point is, we should all be grateful we can do these races.  Our bodies are a gift.  The ability to push the limits of what our bodies can do should be embraced and celebrated -- not diminished by others' accomplishments.   We should never be too hard on ourselves for not going as fast as we think can.  Or too cool to help a beginner who needs advice and counsel on how to lay out their transition zone. 

Let's choose to be  truly happy when others do their best.  And enjoy the journey that brought you your success.  Thank God for the little things.  Because in the end, THAT is what will make you happiest. 

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Moving Out of The Comfort Zone


We're closing out 2015 faster than the four-minute mile.  It's time to look ahead to 2016.  What are your goals?  What do you want to conquer in the upcoming year?  I have a quote in my laundry room wall that reads: " To get what you've never had, you must do what you've never done."

So what's it gonna be?  Let's move out of that comfort zone and dream big.  I'm here to help.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

The Not-So-Secret Secret

It's time to preach the good word of nutrition.

My Ironman last week was ONE HOUR ahead of my goal time.  ONE HOUR!  I couldn't believe it when I crossed the Ironman Maryland finish line in 11:18.  That included a five-minute penalty for not passing quickly enough (what?), crazy circling and treacherous winds, and a shorted swim by 800 meters -- so we'll call this 140.1 just to be accurate.  (But those winds made up for any gains on the swim, you can be sure.)  This was Ironman number five for me -- so what did I do differently?  How did I improve so much after a two year hiatus and two year age-up?

It all started last January, after signing up for Ironman Maryland.  I wanted to do a strong race that met or possibly surpassed my previous PR of 12:15.  So I formulated a training plan -- that's my job. But I also hired my associate, Katie Rhodes, a registered dietician.  Katie and I had worked together at Sigma Human Performance and I was ready to put her skills to the test.

The first step in my journey was to get a metabolic test.  With this test information, I was given training zones which told me when my body was burning fat versus carbs.  This was invaluable information when it came time to base train in fat burning zones, build in sub-lactate zones and then peak into my fast and intense sessions at anaerobic capacity.  My plan was based on three week builds with one week recoveries.

Secondly, Katie and I met and we discussed my goals and desires with this race.  She would email me weekly meal plans that included my diet, my grocery list, and the percentage of carbs, fat or protein for each meal.  I quickly realized I had been eating too many carbs and not enough healthy fats.  My portions were too large, also.  So I buckled down and did not stray from her plan, eliminated a lot of the sweets and empty calories I was consuming.  And things began to change.

In the first few weeks with my nutrition plan I saw noticeable weight loss.  And with that came increased speed and power.  I was able to hold faster paces in all three disciplines.  Things plateaued after several months, but when I was consistent with my training and my diet -- I saw measurable improvements.

A few weeks prior to race day I noticed Katie begin modifying my diet to be more carb-heavy with less fats.  To prepare me for the race she prescribed specific grams of carb intake instead of my usual calorie count methods.  And again, I felt strong and not fatigued or weak when I followed her instruction.  She always provided a post-workout meal for recovery, as well.

Then it was RACE DAY.  For the first time in all my Ironmans, I not only had a race plan but a specific race-day nutrition plan.  I listed everything I was to consume on race day down to the last gram of carbohydrate and sip of water.  And I was eating WAY more than I ever had in any race.  I did not just grab whatever was available at the aid stations -- I brought my own food and utilized my special needs bags carefully.  I was dialed.

They say luck is the residue of hard work.  Well it all came together on race day.  Luck was on my side but really, the hard work and dedication paid off.  I'm ecstatic with my race time.  And I can't wait to cross the finish line at Ironman number six.  I have learned so much on this journey -- and one of the main things I can preach is that you should not ignore your diet.  As triathletes we can get away with consuming too much food and especially the wrong foods.  We will burn it off and most of us end up thin-thin on race day.

Fueling your body with high quality foods is not really a secret.  But it is the key to a faster finish.  My life has changed thanks to Katie Rhodes.  My plates are colorful and balanced.  And I will never again disregard my daily eating plan.  Good luck to all you future Ironman finishers.  Let me know if I can help get you across the line with a new PR.  Email me here lorie.tucker@gmail.com or get in touch with Katie at Katie@OWN-Nutrition.com.  

Friday, October 23, 2015

Ironman Maryland Race Recap by Greg Davis

Six friends traveled across the country to compete in Ironman Maryland last weekend.  We ended up with five PRs, one Kona Qualifier, and one DNF.  I finished in 11:18, well above my 12:15 goal time.  My friend Greg Davis recorded his thoughts about the race and sent it to me.  With his permission I share his story here.  


 Overall, the race is in a great location.  It is a charming town – typical of the mid-Atlantic – although it is on the eastern shore which is a little rural or rednecky. It has an interesting history of race riots in the 60’s when supposedly the town was set on fire. You can still see an invisible line acting as a divider between the good side and the bad side of the tracks.  Still a great place – many good food options.

The course was awesome.  The Choptank River can get rough because it is so close to the Chesapeake Bay, but much of the swim is protected by a marina and a little bay that was formed – unless there are gale force winds (see below). The bike course is stunning.  Gorgeous.  You do two loops through farmland with the trees changing colors for the fall and then into a wildlife refuge that is a coastal tidewater area. It is awesome.  The roads are smooth and are made for a fast ride – unless there are gale force winds (see below).  The roads are also flat.  The run does 2.5 loops which was a little weird.  It was hard to do the little half loop when you felt like you should be done.  You run along the water for some of it and through downtown - very pretty.  Overall – I loved the course.  Registration went smooth.  All of the Ironman Maryland gear was 40% off which was a sweet bonus to compensate for the race being delayed by two weeks.

Race prep went great on race morning.  Conditions were calm until about 6:00 am when the wind started blowing consistently strong.  We were all ready to go and lined up for the swim.  At 6:40 (20 minutes before the start), they announced that because of winds from 15 mph – 30 mph, they were going to have to shorten the swim to 1.2 miles. There was a small craft advisory and it wasn’t safe for the boats or the swimmers as the water was too rough.  Obviously, we were very disappointed as this puts an asterisk next to our race.  The race was going to be delayed by 30 minutes also.  At 7:15, the winds had calmed a little (down to 10 mph – 15 mph) so they announced that we would do a 3,000 meter swim which is basically 1.9 miles.  None of us understood why at that point we couldn’t just do the full 2.4 miles swim.  It was a bummer to miss out on half a mile of the swim.  Basically, we need to make stickers for our cars that say 140.1 instead of 140.6.

At 7:30, the race started. Lorie Tucker and I went in together.  Ben and Mike were at the front. Jacque was a little behind Lorie and me. I don’t know where Mark was. It was rough in the water, but not terrible.  The wind created waves that pushed us down the outside of the buoys – helping the time.  There was lots of bumping and grinding at the start of the swim which is to be expected.  At the turnaround, I really focused on getting on someone’s feet to draft and block the waves which were now head-on.  It was two loop for 3,000 meters.  Sigh. I kept it very under control during the swim and felt great coming out of the water.  It was 54 minutes which would have translated into a 1:08 – 1:09 for a full Ironman swim.  That is basically what I was expecting so I felt good about.

T1 took forever to put on arm warmers.  I realized at that point how cold I was.  Wind was blowing hard and the temps were in the 40’s with wind chill in the 30’s.  I also couldn’t get the pee going in the wetsuit so I had to stop in a port-a-potty and I peed for at least two minutes. Grrr.

Got on the bike and hurried out of transition.  It was a long way to run before the mount line.  I waited to turn on my bike computer until I was on my bike – learning my lesson from Ironman Florida.  Ironically, my Garmin would not turn on – WHAT?  I had tested it the day before with no problem.  It was just sit there on the start-up screen.  I think because the wind was blowing so hard, it got stuck trying to find a signal although it wasn’t even showing that it was looking for a signal.  I turned it off and on four different times.  I tried different positions.  Finally, I gave up and hoped it would eventually find a signal.  At this point, I had no data – no speed, no power, no heartrate.  I was just riding by feel. I was trying to keep it under control and slowly warm up. It was clear that the wind had picked up again although I didn’t know how much until later.  Finally, after 8 miles, the computer turned on and I breathed a sigh of relief. It was nice to see what I was doing.

I tried to be mellow for the first 50 – 60 miles.  My target heart rate was around 115 bpm and I wanted the power to be around 180 watts.  However, I found myself consistently higher as I fought the side wind that was growing.  Heart rate was closer to 118 – 122 and power was over 200 all the time.  It felt comfortable so I went with it.  The first 30 miles went by fast and I kept thinking how nice it was – sun was out to warm us up, the road was smooth, and the scenery beautiful.  Wind was strong, but from the side and occasional at the back to help the speed.  I knew it was going to be rough once we turned.  The rest of the bike ride was a challenge.  I tried to stay positive, but it was pretty brutal.  The wind started shifting around and I felt like I fought it hard for most of the next 80 miles.

It was blowing so hard that even in areas where trees/reeds might have blocked it in a reasonable wind (5 – 10 mph) that the wind pushed right through the trees.  I looked down several times and was holding 240 watts and only going 15 mph.  That is discouraging to be working so hard and going so slow.  I know from experience that with my race wheels on with an aero jersey and aero helmet, at 240 watts on a flat road, I should comfortably be going 22 – 23 mph.  Instead, I was seeing 15 – 19 mph.  My average speed dropped from 21 mph to 19.5 mph. I averaged 205 watts over the 112 miles which was definitely above my target. There were some dark moments out there – which was universal to everyone who did this race.  The gusts were crazy strong and knocked us around.  The wind never abated and kept shifting directions. Since we were going in a circle, I kept waiting for the tailwind, but it came much less than I would want.  I felt that it was mostly a headwind or a sidewind that still slowed you down.  We had a few miles of tailwind on lap two when you could go 25 mph by lightly peddling. There was also an 8 mile section from miles 90 – 98 which were a life saver. Unfortunately, after that, the next 12 miles were some of the worst and directly into the wind. The final two miles were a tailwind.  I was definitely fading over the last 30 miles and really struggled from Mile 98 – 112.

As seems to happen in every Ironman, my stomach started to feel very queasy around Mile 80.  This is so frustrating because I train my nutrition and it seems to work during the training, but something switches in the race and I always struggle.  I stopped taking in calories from that point on and barely drank for the next 30 miles – trying to get the stomach to settle.  Basically, it just stops digesting and absorbing food/water so anything I add in there just sits on top and makes me feel more bloated and full.

I finished the bike in 5:42.  I was hoping to do 5:15 – 5:20 and at the power I held, I should have been 5:10 or less on a more normal day.  I also dug deep to even do 5:42 so I was a little worried about the run.  I had one long pee in a port-a-potty at mile 50 – otherwise held it until the next transition.  T2 went okay, but I was a little woozy.  I was surprised how few bikes were there so I guess I had a decent ride considering the elements.

I started the run at an 8:30 pace.  This was very comfortable and was hoping to build to an 8:00 minute pace eventually.  About mile 4, the stomach kept getting queasier.  I knew from past experience that I couldn’t get much in so I tried to sip a little Gatorade and water at the aid stations – definitely no gels or food.  Every time I put anything in the stomach though it made it worse.  I decided to try Pepsi at mile 8 and 100 yard later I almost threw up everything.  I stopped all nutrition and hydration at that point.  From mile 8 – 18, I did nothing at the aid stations.  Effectively, by mile 18, I had had almost no nutrition for the last 3.5 hours (since I basically stopped at Mile 80 of the bike).  That is a bad combo when exercising that long. I started to get woozy and dizzy. I knew I had to try something.  My strategy to that point was to try to run to the aid stations and then walk the aid stations even though I wasn’t getting anything from them.  It gave me a goal and something to look forward to.  My run times were drifting higher though – I was running 9:30’s now at best.  I also had to walk a few times between aid stations.  At mile 12, I had to throw up and went through the motions, but it was just dry heaving.  I don’t know why it didn’t all come up, but I didn’t force it out.  That happened a few times. Finally, at mile 18, I knew something had to change or I wasn’t going to make it.  I was getting dizzy.  I channeled my inner Ben LeSueur at Ironman St. George and grabbed a handful of potato chips and then walked for a while.  This made a huge difference.  I was able to keep it down and started running again. From mile 20 on, my stomach settled somewhat and I was able to run between 8:00 – 8:15 minute pace.  I had also been working out some of the bloating / gas in the usual way in those middle miles which helped it to settle. It was nice to finish strong even though I was still very tired.  I think my last 5k – 10k was the fastest part of my marathon.  I had a little nauseous bout around mile 23, but it passed in a moment and I ran it in.  Run time was 4:14 which is a bummer.  I should always be under 4:00 hours in an Ironman run.

Total time was 11:08.  I was disappointed not to finish under 11:00 hours. Even with the slower bike, I thought that I would be a lock for a sub-11:00 hour race because I am such a better runner now.  I am pretty sure without the stomach problems and lack of nutrition, I would have done it comfortably – acknowledging that it would not really have been a sub-11:00 hour Ironman because of the shortened swim unless I did it around 10:40.  I saw my brother, his wife, and their triplets at Mile 20 on the run and that was fun to stop and say hi to them.  They were at the finish line also.  The culmination of seeing them at the finish and the emotional burden of the challenge I had just completed caused me to cry a little.  I was weak and my stomach hurt badly. It was cold and the wind was howling. I only talked to my brother’s family for a few minutes and then they had to go home.
I went into the food tent and just sat down. I was delirious and couldn’t move – my stomach was hurting badly again.  It took about an hour to feel better. Chicken broth helped the most. Ben gave me his space blanket to help me stop shivering.  I don’t think I had a bad race, but still didn’t put it all together.  Weather made it harder too.  I can’t stress enough how strong the wind was blowing which affected the run too.

Overall, this is still an awesome Ironman race. With normal weather conditions, this is a really fast course. If you had normal winds of 5 – 10 mph, we would have flown through this course.  Jacque sat next to a guy on the plane home.  This was his 16th Ironman.  He said it was the 2nd worst weather he has had in his races. Most telling was this – he did this race last year and his bike was 30 minutes faster last year – and he had a flat last year.  That would mean at least 35 – 40 minutes faster on the bike.  And you would be less wasted from mentally and physically fighting the wind.  I know it had a huge impact on our times.

Some other thoughts.  Our race support friends were awesome.  Greg Arnett, Emily LeSueur, and Todd and Scott Tucker were awesome. At first, I was a little hesitant to give them high fives because of how sticky / dirty my hands were, but by the end, I embraced it and they were a huge lift for me.  These guys were so supportive throughout the whole race and helped so much before and after also. They were awesome and I am very appreciative.  We all stayed together in one house which was a lot of fun.

For the rest of the crew, I was really impressed with everyone else’s times.  Ben was Ben.  Of course, he crushed it.  It was 9:41 which would have still been a sub-10:00 hour time with a full Ironman swim – even in that weather.  That is amazing.  He was 3rd in our age group and qualified for Kona.  He looked strong all day, but couldn’t believe how hard the wind was either.  Mark Hatch improved by over an hour on his best Ironman distance and looked strong all day.  His time was 10:32.  Lorie Tucker was amazing.  She was dialed in.  She finished at 11:18 barely behind me.  She would have passed me on the run if not for the potato chips at mile 18.  This from a girl who for years said she couldn’t bike or run with us because she was too slow. I am so happy for her. She looked strong all day and was 7th in her age group.  Jacque Arnett was amazing also.  This is her first Ironman and did 12:10 in that weather.  She was positive all day and did so well.  For a first Ironman with that wind, that time is a huge accomplishment.  Sadly, our two-time Kona-qualifying leader, Mike Wares, had an awful day. The chest cold that he was trying to hold at bay bloomed into a nasty chest infection on race day.  With the cold temps, cold water, and strong wind, he was freezing all day.  He banged his head on a kayak during the swim and was disoriented. He couldn’t breathe well and finally had to stop at mile 10 of the run.  It was too cold to just walk the marathon because the wind ripped through you.  All of the volunteers were bundled up in thick winter coats and we were doing the marathon in tri-clothes.  I was cold the entire run even though I was running.  Once Mike started to walk, he knew it would be too cold.  It is a huge bummer that he won’t be going to Kona with Ben next year.

That is all.  It was hard.  It always is.  Probably my last Ironman. I say probably.  It for sure won’t happen for five years or more.  Work needs to be mellower and the kids need to be more grown.  In five years, we will almost be empty-nesters so I won’t say never, but it is unlikely.  I still PR’d in the race which is not a bad effort four months after knee surgery. I still feel like I have 10:15 – 10:30 potential if I can ever get my stomach to settle during a long race.

As usual for me, this was more about the training than the race.  I love doing the hard training.  I love being with my friends doing hard stuff.  Eventually Ironman training gets to be too much – but at 60% - 70% of the required Ironman training, I love this stuff.  That is where the good memories are made.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Can You Handle The Truth?

Todd, Eric and Owen at the start of their 206 mile journey 

Last week my husband competed in his second LOTOJA bike classic.  The event, touted as the longest one-day stage race in America, is a scenic 206-mile journey that travels from Logan, Utah, through the tip of Idaho, and finishes in the breathtakingly beautiful Teton Village outside of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Logistics for the race are not easy.  Riders and their support vehicles take different routes to each aid stations and precise timing and organization is required to assist and cheer on your participant.   My daughter Abby and I shared the responsibility of Todd, and enjoyed our 12-hour day in and out of the car, driving through amazing countryside and laughing and documenting the day via Snapchat to our friends and family.  It was a joyful and happy day.

Since I am new to this "sag" (support) duty, I learned a lot simply by watching other families support their riders.  Some cyclists rode up to their counterpart and exchanged musette bags, hardly slowing down their pedal stroke to grab their nutrition.  Others had a full-on family NASCAR pit crew, that wiped down the bike, oiled the chain, shoved Clif bars down their rider's gullet and replaced water bottles with fresh beverages.

Abby and I both agreed that we could improve our "sag"game -- like the wife who stood at the aid station with a tray in front  like an old fashioned cigarette girl.  The tray was loaded down with everything from 5 Hour Energy, Bel Vita cookies, Clif Shots, bananas, energy gels -- you name it, she had it on the ready.  She won our hearts and our prize for Best Support Staff that day.

Each stop we were there for Todd.  Our timing was impeccable.  We replaced his bottles.  We were prepared with food.  We encouraged him at each aid station.  But at mile 123 we saw him start to look...not so good.  His bottles were still full when we switched them out.  He was not drinking.  He started to look gaunt and his eyes seemed kind of foggy.  We had timed his finish, calculating miles per hour/distance/pace and when he did not cross the finish line at our projected time, we began the waiting game.

Ten, twenty, thirty minutes passed.  His friend and fellow rider, Whitey, had crossed the line smiling and happy.  He wasn't that far behind Eric, was he?  But the dehydration was real.  As the sun started setting behind the mountain, Todd came rolling through the finish - not hitting his ideal goal, but severely dehydrated and exhausted.   With help of EMTs and friendly spectators who lent us warm blankets to get Todd's core temperature up -- LOTOJA ended with a whisper instead of a bang.

Aaaand, he finished. 

But here's the truth that riders can't handle.  It doesn't matter.  Todd completed the race.  He accomplished his goal.  The finish time is irrelevant to any spectator/family member/friend who has an athlete involved in a major endurance event like this one.  As athletes we stress over our race times.  We want to set a PR.  We want to beat our friends.  We want to make ourselves proud.   We want to qualify for Boston.  But to our friends and family members the finishing time is less important than crossing the line safe and uninjured.  Sure we want you to get to Kona or win your race category.  But that is not the most important aspect of the day.

I try and comprehend my friend who stood at the finish line waiting for her husband to cross this same race three years ago and then receiving a call that he had crashed less than 20 miles from the finish line and died.  I remember my father, who set our for the short distance in Tour de Mesa and ended up living only 15 days later, having suffered injuries from a crash in the race.  I have lived this nightmare and seen it happen to others.

So friends, first and foremost --  enjoy the day.  Do your best, for sure.  Set high and lofty goals.  But remember you GET TO do this race.  You have made the choice to compete, because you can.  And don't let that crazy PR goal take the fun out of what you are doing.  Finish with a smile. High five those cheering you on.  Remember to hydrate.  Be safe.

Because the only thing that really matters, is that you get to go out again and do it again tomorrow.  

The reward for the effort, a stay at home in Park City, UT 



Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Eliminating Caffeine By Way of the Hydroflask

I've been caffeine free for 90 days now.  Ninety days.  It hasn't been easy, I can tell you that.  There are days when a cool Coke Zero in a styrofoam cup with pebble ice can really get me salivating.  It's been over 100 degrees daily here in Arizona for the entire summer.  And it gets to the point where all I want is that dark icy cold beverage in my hand -- something I can nurse all day and refill as needed.

But I have stuck to my goals.  And happily, I can say, life without caffeine is good.  Even great.  I have eliminated the drive-thru stops for soda.  I don't have to stock Crystal Light packets like they were an essential lifeline for survival.  And those afternoon slumps where I used to ache for a little buzz of caffeine are gone.

Let's face it.  As good as it is to be off caffeine, water is boring.  I've upped my intake of fresh lemonades when I stumble upon them in a restaurant.  I consider that a treat to myself.  However, the best thing I've done is buy one of these babies:


Let me introduce you to Hydroflask.  This water bottle goes above and beyond what traditional water bottles (even insulated) do.  I can fill my Hydroflask in the morning with ice and filtered water from my home -- leave the bottle IN MY CAR all day -- and still come out to an ice filled bottle in the afternoon.  It's crazy!  The Hydroflask keep my water cold when I set it on deck for my hour-long Masters swim at noon.  It stays ice cold through hot yoga.  And best of all, it doesn't sweat!  Believe it when I say I have a boss who is a stickler for condensation rings on his countertops.  But I don't even need a coaster with the Hydroflask.  It practically magic.

I tried to find out what was behind this nifty bottle.  Here a graphic that helps explain it's ingenuity:


I can't comprehend the physics behind this wonderful invention.  But I'm happy it's around.  And I urge you to get one simply because you'll drink MORE WATER.  Why?  Because your water is cold, icy, delicious.  The secret to drinking more water is drinking that water ICE COLD!  Say goodbye to lukewarm water and say hello to refreshment around the clock.

You can get Hydroflasks at Amazon.  I got the 32 ounce with the Hydroflip lid.  But my friend Jacque has the wide mouth straw lid and really enjoys that.  (** Full disclosure:  Jacque introduced me to Hydroflask.  And while I'd love to be the official spokeswoman for this product, sadly, I am just a fan.)

Don't buy anything smaller than a 32 ounce flask.  You'll just be bummed that you didn't go bigger. Then watch how fast you down the H2O once you get one.

Happy hydrating!



Thursday, August 6, 2015

Why I "Heart" Tim


This is Tim, crossing the finish line of his first Ironman in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday, August 2, 2015.

Tim and I have been working together as coach/athlete for almost a year in preparation for his race last weekend.  We have had only one face-to-face encounter, in Kona, where we were both competing in Ironman Hawaii 70.3 this summer.  Other than that, we have had weekly phone visits religiously for the past year discussing everything from race-day nutrition, power on the bike, racing strategy and weekly build and recovery weeks with an annual training plan.

As with every athlete I coach, I had Tim give me his race goals for Boulder, and Tim's A #1 best-case-scenario goal was 11 hours and 15 minutes.  As you can see in the picture above, Tim exceeded that goal with a time of 11 hours, 12 minutes.  And he finished waving a banner to his wife, daughter and family, honoring them with his I "heart" Susanna, Adair and Family sign.  A magical ending to a spectacular day.

When I think of Tim and his perfect day, two words come to mind:  CONSISTENT and CONSERVATIVE.  Let me explain.

First CONSISTENT.  Tim managed to fit in training in during the craziest time of his life.  He was finishing school, he and his wife welcomed a new daughter,  they relocated to a new state with a new profession.  But Tim carved out time by cycling indoors while his daughter was sleeping, or swimming when he was going to be on campus.  He made time to get things done and prioritized his time to even talk to his coach once a week.

Second, CONSERVATIVE.  While Tim is an excellent athlete, he didn't overestimate his goals on race day or training days.  His training did not overtake his life, but each workout was essential to his overall calendar.  He also did not expect qualify for Kona on his first attempt at the Ironman.  His goals were realistic, and pretty close to his estimated finishing time.  Also, Tim erred on the side of caution when it came time to do a "C" race sprint triathlon one weekend.  When the race turned rainy and muddy and cold, Tim opted out to stay safe and injury free with his eye on his number one goal.

I see all kinds of athletes doing all kinds of crazy training regimes for the Ironman.  But the most successful athletes follow this simple recipe for success:

* They formulate a realistic training plan with a coach (preferably Me!)
* Their training calendar includes base, build, taper and recovery weeks.
* They don't jump around and do whatever anyone else is doing in their biking group or running group.  They stick to their own plan.
* They avoid indulgent restaurants, and their diet is clean with colorful plates of healthy food.
* They avoid extended vacations away from training.
* Their training goals and race goals are realistic and not out of their range.
* They train within their own Heart Rate Zones.

There are lots of sacrifices one makes when training for an Ironman.   But every sacrifices makes race day a little more bearable.  And in the end, after paying a $700 entry fee, traveling to a destination race and paying for hotels, food, plane tickets and rental cars, a successful training regime makes crossing the finish line 100 percent worth it.

What tips do you have for a successful race?








Monday, June 22, 2015

Ironman Hawaii 70.3 Race Report

Kapoha, Hawaii


T1, Hapuna Beach

If you're going to do a 70.3, Kona, Hawaii might as well be the place to do it.  

The fam and I planned a vacation adventure around this trip this year for lots of reasons:  1. It's the perfect time of year - end of school/beginning of Summer  2. The course is challenging yet not outrageously hilly  3.  It's, well, it's HAWAII?  

My race recap is short and sweet:  go do this race.  It's not easy, but really, what Half Ironman IS easy?  There is a long (mile 19-23) climb up hill called Hawi, on the exact route of the REAL Ironman (full), which takes place in October.  You'd think that would make up for the climb with plenty of downhill as your reward.  But there are crosswinds coming down the climb that prevent any real serious speed gain here but plenty of amazing views of the Pacific.  

I digress.  Let's cover the Swim.  Beautiful, warm, clear, tropical fish, coral reefs, a bit of an undulating swell but no serious barrels to swim against.  This was my all-time favorite swim course of my career.  I loved everything about it from the white-sand beaches down to the crystal-clear water.  The race is a wave start so you're not clogging the sea with 2500 swimmers who take off at the same time. It's also warm, too warm for wetsuits.  There is lots of room to move around, yet one could enjoy the line and suck of the draft.  

Bike (again): No Alpe D' Huez here, just an uphill out-and-back course on the lava fields of the most famous road in triathlon history.  No shade, no relief, but nice, wide shoulders that were passable if you could navigate through the rumble strips that line the entire bike course.  Man oh man it felt good to turn around and head back to the Transition 2 (did I mention that there are two transition areas? ).

And the Run.   Well, let's just say it's not super fun to start a half marathon with 80 degree temps and 70 percent humidity.  This course is HARD but quite beautiful and kept me interested due to it's twists and turns and out-and-backs and ups and downs.  Aid stations were set up every mile providing plenty of relief for runners with endless buckets of ice and handy chilled sponges to squeeze over your head or push down into your tri top.  Thank you, Ironman Hawaii, for being so cognizant of those runners' needs out there.  Hot, no shade, and lots of running on grass -- even the pros add five minutes to their expected run times here due to the squishiness of the golf course conditions.

The race course ends on the grounds of the Fairmont Orchid Hotel, a spectacular locale for a finish line.  The emerald green grass of the golf course butts up to the pristene waters and white sand beaches that surround the Fairmont.  Polynesian dancers are entertaining the waiting crowds and there is plenty to eat for athletes and spectators there.  Nothing was as delicious as the shaved ice for sale by the food vendors.  I loved the tropical flower finish line -- so Hawaiian and perfect.  

If you decide to do this race, I'd recommend Tri Bike Transport to ship and haul your bike for you. Post race, I just wheeled my bike up to the nearby tennis courts and dropped it off to the waiting wrenches for home delivery.  They require your bike to be at their partner shops about two weeks before your race, so it's most handy if you have a secondary bike to train with before and after the event.  (My bike is still not back home three weeks after the race.) 

Another recommendation is lodging at the following hotels:  Fairmont Orchid, $$$ but so convenient  since that is where the finish line and expo is located.  Marriott Waikoloa $$, a beautiful spot less than five miles from the expo and finish line.  Hilton Waikoloa $$, same exit as the Marriott so just as handy for all the event.  

I had no clue Kona was as desolate as it was going to be.  I figured all of Hawaii was tropical and jungly.  But Kona sits on the lava field on the east side of the island.  While the resorts are quite wonderful here, the scenery on the course was similar to the Bush country of Africa (or so my daughter who has been to the Bush country says), very little vegitation, dry and hot.  We loved spending time after the race on the opposite side of the Island, near Hilo.  Our daily outings and adventures were truly breathtaking views of this dreamy place.  

Two thumbs up for Ironman 70.3 Hawaii.  I'd love to return here, if I can afford it.  Aloha and Mahalo to this wonderful place.  The race was great, and the memories will remain forever in my heart, and in my Shutterfly scrapbook. 

This rainbow bid us aloha on our final day in Kona. 


Below photos are all of Hilo's side of the Island.  
So many waterfalls and swimming holes

Rainbow Falls 

Shangri La, Pahono

Black sand beaches of Hilo

Sunset on the Red Road

The Red Road - a hidden gem near Pahono 




Thursday, May 7, 2015

The Evolution Of An Age Group Athlete

Athlete 1.0   
It all started with kids.  I gained weight, and my husband did too.  Those endless sleep-deprived nights,  drive-thru Happy Meals, sitting in the car for hours, all resulted in not enough mommy time and limited work-on-ourselves-time.  At the mercy of hectic schedules and too much indulgence on the weekends -- I'm talking full leaded soda with Junior Mints and a large popcorn at the movies -- we became soft around the middle and rounder in the cheeks. ;)

Then one day fitness sounded fun.  With a desire to "get back in shape" and compete in the local Turkey Trot, running and step aerobics became the exercise de jour.   My husband instantly slimmed down and could hold his own in the marathon pack.  But I never quite put together that after an hour at the gym with my kids in the daycare, that Pink Cookie and Dr. Pepper reward did nothing for weight loss.

Athlete 2.0  
Big changes came along once the kids were in school and we bought our first road bikes.  Instantly the weight dropped and we started having staggering fitness improvement.  We entered races and almost always finished in the top percentages of the field.  We finished century rides and charity rides and tour de whatevers!  It was fun.  We were thin again.  We were doing it!

I started competing in triathlons and drank the Kool-aid.  Before one Ironman was done, I had signed up for another, times four.  Over and over and over again - marathons, 200-mile rides, and open water swims -- if it sounded like a challenge, we were up for it.  Interestingly, after those initial huge gains, though, things leveled off.  It was like our bodies said "Ha! A four hour bike ride, no big deal!   You got this. Why dip into those fat stores?"  Some might call it a plateau.  But speed/pace/weight loss all came to a crashing halt.

So what now?  With a little more money to spend and more time on my hands with kids on their own, how would we make the best use of our new situation?  Well, how about a lighter bike, a more expensive pair of shoes, a professional coach? All good choices.  But gadgetry and those pricey bikes only get one as far as the engine that is propelling it forward: aka, me.  I'm a sucker for the latest, greatest nutrition supplement, wetsuit and electronic shifters, you name it!   But I was not improving leaps and bounds like I thought I would.

Athlete 3.0  
Recently, I have found the secret to a new, better Me.  And it all has to do with nutrition.  It seems like all those years, hubby and I  were working very hard to reward ourselves with a pint of Haagen Dazs on the daily, or homemade cookies after dinner, and then half the bowl of cookie dough in the fridge ready to snack on throughout the day.  We went heavy on food for the weekend date nights because, hey, we deserved it!  We rode 75 miles today!

I'm not saying rewards should be abolished.   I still LOVE my Vanilla Swiss Almond.  But I started working with Katie, my Licensed Dietician with Sigma Human Performance, and she has given me a new perspective on portion size and what my body really needed before, during and after a workout.  She trained my body to be more efficient at burning fat by (crazy enough) incorporating more healthy fats into my diet.  I now buy the bulk of my food from the outer edges of the grocery store:  tons of veggies,  fresh meats, high quality cheese, less bread and dairy.  I stock up on natural almond butter and avocados.  My cutting board is on the kitchen counter every evening chopping and dicing fresh veggies.  I feel less bloated and more lean.   My fitness is improving and I am running faster than I have in years.

This fitness evolution took me awhile to figure out.  But if you've ever seen the photo of the iceberg that shows 30 percent of it above the water and 70 percent below -- my new perspective is that diet is that hidden 70 percent.  If we can put premium fuel into our tanks, our bodies will thank us by becoming fat burning machines.  It's not about a high protein/low fat diet.  It's about a healthy balance, using fat to satiate the hunger and allowing us to use that fat to become a fuel source when we exercise.

The test comes at the end of the month.  Ironman 70.3 in Kona, Hawaii awaits.  I'm working against age and a "challenging" race course.  But if I can see any gains in my times and how I feel while racing,  I will credit diet for those results.  Stay tuned, blogger world.  I'll be baaack.... hopefully with great new and results!  And if you've gone down a similar path, leave a comment.  I'd love to hear about your fitness journey, too!




Sunday, April 19, 2015

Meb For Mortals

Just finished Meb's book on how to run, think, and eat like a champion marathoner.  Impressive, is all I have to say.  He values goals, commitment and hard work, not only in his marathon training, but also in life.

If you don't know Meb, he's the American runner who most recently won the 2014 Boston Marathon (first American since 1985 to do so). and the best spokesman I know for advocating the importance of running for a better YOU.  His book succinctly explains how to train better, run stronger and eat healthier in a way that will improve your overall health and your running capabilities.

In honor of Boston 2015, I salute you Meb, and also all the runners who will take to the streets tomorrow morning in the most exciting marathon in our country.  Run like the wind, everyone!  You're amazing.  And hopefully one day, I'll be back to run with you again.



Thursday, March 26, 2015

Taking The "Chore" Out Of Running

Recently l had a friend ask me how I take the monotony out of running.  "What can I do to run without it being such a chore?" she asked.   I've thought long about how I keep running exciting and fresh -- and it's all because of the ingredients listed below:

My daughter, Abby, smiling for the camera at her latest half marathon.  
1.  Run in the dark.  Almost all of the runs I do start before the sun comes up.  I like to run in the dark, quiet, empty streets of my neighborhood.  I like not being able to look up and see how far that mile may be ahead of me.   It's almost as if I'm dreaming while I'm running because I lose myself in my thoughts instead of watching my feet hit the ground.  And before you know it, I've finished six or eight or even 10 miles!   I especially like running into a sunrise.  There's no better place to be in the morning than watching the sun crest the sky in all it's pink, purple, orange, yellow glory.  Simply amazing.

2.  Run with a friend(s).  It's hard to get up in the morning and run alone.  Believe me.  I can see why people who don't have a running partner call it a "chore."  But if you've got a friend who will meet you at the corner, in the dark at 5am, then all excuses for staying in bed just got a little harder to make.  A running buddy with a story to tell is solid gold on a long marathon training day.  And someone who can push you just a little bit harder on a track workout is the best kind of  friend. I've got a great group of ladies who are die hard runners.  We usually sent out a mass text about with details of our  start time and distance the night before we meet up.  If they're going to be there -- without a doubt I will be there too.

3.  Run with music.  Sometimes those same friends drift in front or in back of me when I'm running.  Paces vary, after all.   And it's at times like these I push PLAY on my ipod and start listening to my favorite running playlist.  I've chosen songs on that list that are upbeat, energetic, and get me smiling!  When I turn my Ipod up I stop listening to how hard I am breathing and start enjoying the music.  Turning my thoughts away from being tired or heavy footed, usually brings me to a better cadence and I forget all together that I'm exhausted.  I save this time with my music for those times I have to be alone, though.  Nothing worse for me than people who shut others out with their music when they're supposedly on a group run.

4.  Buy a new running outfit or shoes.  Retail therapy.  It's a real thing.  Often all it takes for me to get re-excited about running is a trip to Lululemon.  I know, I know, it's a very superficial statement.  I'm just shallow enough to know that a new running tank top or pair of shorts will get me out the door a little happier and a little more excited to get outside.  I also use Tide Sport for all my athletic clothing.  It got a great scent that smells a little different than my other loads of laundry.  I love it.  And some days that's all I got.

5.  Get a race on the schedule.   Running without training for something specific is a bit of a cluster for me.  I need a goal.  I crave a schedule.  I love a training plan.  Without that - why/how far/how long/ ugh -- there's just too many questions for me as to why I am waking up in the 4's to go run instead of staying in my comfy bed.  I need an event to keep me motivated.  I need a reason.  It's the best way I know to stay consistent with training.  "To stay in shape" just doesn't cut it for me.  A runner, with a goal, and some friends with that same goal is the key to becoming and staying a lifelong runner.


Thursday, March 19, 2015

IF

Just finished Chrissie Wellington's book, A Life Without Limits. Wow, what an amazing story.  From a virtual unknown to Ironman World Champion, Chrissie tells her story of triumph over adversity.

I particularly loved her mantra, the inspirational poem, "If" by Rudyard Kipling.  Chrissie read it before every race as her guiding force of power and grit.  I'm including it here:

IF

If you can keep your head when all about you
  Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
  But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
  Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
  And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
  If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
  And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
  Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
  And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
  And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
  And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
  To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
  Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
  Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
  If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
  With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
  And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Que lindo es sonar despierto.
How lovely it is to dream while you are awake.

Dreams That Have Come True