Time to Play and Give Thanks

School is out for the week. (yeesss!) And I've enjoyed the slower pace of life--getting things done that have gone undone since August, visiting with family and friends, loving on my pups, and spending some time on the roads/trails.

JG did a 31-mile trail run this past weekend, and I joined him for the last five miles. It was a beautiful course, perfect day, and in general, a good deal of fun (other than the wait-around-for-five-hours part and the wake-up call at 3:30 a.m.). Congrats JG on a PR for a 50K.

I'm off for my long run--8 miles--to make up for the trail running on Saturday. The schedule is going well. I haven't been running with a watch or a Garmin and have loved every minute of it. I'll have another long run this coming weekend and then the Memphis 1/2. This time last year I was fresh out of the "boot" from my broken foot at Chicago--continues to amaze me how much can change in a year. I plan on taking it easy, finishing before the marathoners (hopefully ;o), enjoying a cup of hot chocolate, and cheering on all of the marathon finishers--first-timers, Boston-qualifying hopefuls, and everyone else in between--good luck to all of you!

Wishing everyone a festive, delicious Thanksgiving! Here's my list of thanks for 2009:

1. A supportive, adventurous hubby
2. Genuine friends and family
3. Three crazy dogs
4. Two working feet (so far at least)
5. Training schedules
6. 55-degree running weather
7. Turkey trots . . . and the turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie that follow :o)!

Being Irrational

Today I have been irrational.

I realized that I have exactly 12 weeks until the Mercedes Marathon . . . just enough time to fit in a "my-goal-is-to-just-show-up-to-the-starting-line-and-finish training schedule."

Why not, right? Chicago was a whim and it turned out well (minus the broken foot).

All things considered it's very rational compared to my threats to go ahead and register for IM Florida next year (something JG thinks I need 2 years to prepare for).

2010 is right around the corner and I want to start it off on the right foot (or both feet hopefully). So, here's to early resolutions, irrational goals, and the excitement of a crazy, new challenge.

The goals this go-round with the marathon:

1. Finish--no time goals yet
2. Finish without a broken foot
3. Finish my first loop before being passed by JG and all his speedy friends ;o)
4. Finish with an appetite for tons of BBQ
5. Finish with enough sense to not give JG my free beer at the finish line

Watch out 2010 . . . this slow-poke has big plans!

Reclaiming . . . and Counting Down

We're down to less than 20 days until Christmas break! It's survival mode until then, but I am definitely adding back my runs. This week I got in 20 miles--thanks mostly to my hubby who kicked me out of the house and told me to STOP working.

It was a beautiful weekend and I see the light at the end of the tunnel. If I can get in 20 more this week with school in session I'll be well on my way to at least finishing the Memphis half.

I hope you all had relaxing, fun-filled weekends!

And here are a few more pics of IM weekend . . . still waiting on JG to post his official race report. Special thanks to those of you who took time out of your busy lives to head south w/ JG and me. We had a great time with all of you--and personally, I enjoyed spending time with each of you throughout the 11 hours and 40 minutes. It made it even more memorable. Kudos to the support crew!!

Life is Good...I Made It

Life is Good... Good Luck Wishes

My bike and gear are checked in. There is nothing left to do. I'm either ready or I'm not. I've received so many good luck text messages, e-mails, and calls in the last few days from friends and training partners. They are all greatly appreciated. One had a link to this video, which was done by NBC after the 2003 Ironman Hawaii. I guess the goal tomorrow is to not be the guy laying on the pavement and just keep moving forward until I get there. And I will get there!!

Thumbs Up, Light Up 2.4-112-26.2

I can't wait to be down at the beach with you JG! I should be sleeping, but I've been mulling over in my head what I wanted to post as your good luck wish in the IM.

It won't be organized, eloquent (my posts never are anyway), or even slightly adequate--perhaps a reflection of my state of mind these days. Yet I do want you to know, first and foremost, how proud I am to know you, how thankful I am for your love, and how amazed I am by your fortitude and iron will.

Our almost 9-year journey together has been beautiful in even the most painful moments; it's been breathtaking in times of joy and continues to expand in areas I never imagined possible. Whether you are out on the course alone and I'm waiting at the finish line, we are running the race together, or (more often) you're having to wait on me after crossing the finish line, you will always have my thumbs up.

I can't be with you along the entire course on Saturday. I know that you will have moments of pain, elation, and exhaustion. Remember, that I will be thinking of you all day, doing my best to cheer you on, and at the end of the day I'll be there waiting for you at the finish line (cold beer in hand and ready to enjoy a beach vacation with my Ironman!).

Light up the course, babe, and come home safe to me!

Light up! Light up!
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear

. . . Have heart my dear

--Snow Patrol, "Run"



And the last bit of inspiration for the week . . . Remember that you have a choice and sometimes that's the only reason you need for doing something. Do it because you CAN.

Life is Good...I Have Arrived

Its Thursday. 46 hours until go time. The cold is still being a bit of a nuisance, but I feel fine. I had a great swim with Al & Dory yesterday morning. My splits were faster than normal, but with reduced effort. Let's just hope this was due to a successful taper.

My mom drove me down to the beach yesterday. We're staying in Seagrove, about 30 minutes away from Panama City. Katie will be arriving tomorrow night and I can't wait until she gets here. We don't spend much time apart and I miss her badly! Dad and Wess are coming down Saturday. I have to check-in today and attend a mandatory meeting this evening. I can't wait to get over there and experience the atmosphere.

This week has been so calm. 2 days of work, one run, one short ride, one swim, and probably another short ride today. Its been a week of reflection, mostly about the grueling training that is now complete.

Like the race, most of my training was spent on the bike and on the run, with 3 hours per week dedicated to swimming and the remaining 13-15 running and cycling. Some people prefer to train alone. I am not one of these people. 13-15 hours per week alone would be as bad as Chinese water torcher. Luckily, I have been blessed with great friends and training partners.

The Run

Nearing the end of my first marathon training schedule two years ago I started running with Colin and Julie. Having completed most of the build-up alone, I was thrilled to have people to run with. We all had the goal of running Mercedes in less than four hours, so our training paces worked well together. The first run we did together was a 20 miler. I distinctly remember getting dropped at mile 17. Julie went on to finish the marathon in under 4 hours, Colin and I did not. The three of us have continued to run together on a weekly basis, logging many hundreds of miles and completing more races. We've run through good times and bad times, through the deaths of family members and the births of children. We've improved so much as runners. Julie qualified and completed the Boston Marathon, and while Colin and I are not quite there yet, we're now well under that original four hour goal and our day in Boston is not far away. The picture above is the 3 of us running our second Mercedes Marathon together earlier this year, all well under 4 hours the 2nd time around.

The Bike

There was a strong group to ride with from March-August. Each week I looked forward to the rides with great anticipation. We pushed each other to get better, traveled to triathlons together, ate together, and drank together. It was a great season. I felt like a kid again. There was one lingering worry in the back of my head. Our last race together was in late August. I knew that as I was entering the hardest part of my Ironman training schedule, they'd all be transitioning into running season. Weekly rides during this period were between 80-100 miles, spanning 5-7 hours. Kyle had a 70.3 race in September, so I new I could count on him for a little while, but what about October. To make a long story short, Kyle is a good friend. He stayed with me for the whole deal. Together we rode through parts of Alabama I had no idea existed, up mountains I never thought would end, and got chased by dogs that looked rabid. We did the Mountain Goat Century, The Tour de Cahaba, and the Winnetaska 70 more times than I can count. I probably would have bailed on some of the long rides without the encouragement and the company.

Next year Kyle, Colin, and I are all going to do Ironman Florida together. It should be a blast, as long as I survive this year. ; )

JG

Life is Good...Thumbs Up

We had a fun Halloween as Pirates. I think dressing up may become an annual tradition.

I woke up with a pretty bad sore throat this morning. Katie's been sick for a few days and it seems that I've caught her cold. As someone who never gets sick, this development is a little frustrating, but hopefully it will run its course by Saturday. Katie says to get a steroid shot, but Colin, the king of colds, says they give some people insomnia. The internet says they also weaken your immune system. If the internet says it, you know it's true. I think I'll just continue to overdose on Airborne.

As part of my training for Ironman Florida I've entered all sorts of races in the last two years. Marathons, Half Marathons, 10k's, 15k's, 50k's, road races, trail races, duathlons, and triathlons. The Ironman will be my 17th race in 2009. It all started in the summer of 2007 when I was a little overweight and terribly out of shape. I wanted to start running again, but new it had to be approached differently than in the past. All previous efforts to maintain an exercise plan or drop a few pounds had failed.

An idea occurred to me. Maybe if I registered for a race, the registration fee and commitment to participate would motivate me to stick to a plan. I decided to go all out and register for the Mercedes Marathon here in Birmingham in February of 2008. I wasn't really sure what Katie's reaction would be. Never having run more than 5-6 miles, 26.2 seemed a little bit outside of my ability level. Thankfully she was very supportive, giving me the thumbs up. Throughout my training schedule she made so many accommodations to help me achieve this goal. On race day she even brought a cheering squad of family members and found me four times plodding along the race route. Its amazing how the encouragement of a few folks can lift your tired spirits.

The idea of registering for a race worked. 21 months and 31 races later I'm having the time of my life. Always having an event in the near future keeps me motivated to continue an intense training regimen Through countless hours of training, with thousands of dollars spent on registration fees, travel, and gear, with early bed times and even earlier wake up calls, I'm still getting the thumbs up.

From participating in our first triathlon together, hoping we didn’t get eaten by a shark, to running the Chicago marathon side by side, to sitting in the cold for seven hours wondering if I'd ever emerge from the woods in my first 50k, thanks for always being my support system and keeping me up Katie. Without you I don't know who or where I’d be. I realize this lifestyle is not the most normal, but for me its as good as it gets.

May we have many many more adventures together.

Thumbs Up

JG