Time to hit it.

It's go time. 9.5 months until Ironman. It's time to rock and roll. Start up the training and get ready to rumble!!

I've enjoyed my time off, probably too much. 10 lbs too much actually. But it has rejuvenated me and made me ready to go. I'm sure there will be several, okay, lots, of posts in the next few months where I bitch and moan about being tired and not wanting to do a workout. But on the inside, I love it. And remind me I said that when it gets really tough.

I'm going to be an IRONMAN!! How cool is that really? And how many people can say that? Plus, I'll be sharing it with so many people that are very important to me. And that makes it even cooler.

The holidays have been super hectic. I've hardly had time for myself, time to relax and be a bum in front of the tv. But I plan to utilize my couch and DVR on my rest days for the next 9 months. Satan (the cat who lives under the couch) will know the sounds of me well.

Just a couple more days of 2008. We'll end it and start 09 with a bang. Looking forward to the party....

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all in blog-world. This has been a wonderful holiday. If only a certain co-author and my brothers were here - it would be dang near perfect. Today in Wichita, we are expect 50 degrees - perfect running weather. So after a wonderful breakfast digests, Derick and I are going to go for a run and probably take a nap, and go see Marley and Me in the theater. Sounds like a great Christmas to me!

Blech.

Everyone that knows me, knows I LOVE CHRISTMAS!! This is my favorite time of year, but uck. I feel like a big fatty. I am totally enjoying the off-season, and I'm taking full advantage of being "off". Not swimming. Only going for a jog when I want to. When its warm enough. Not swimming. Doing Fit Pit when I feel like going. Not swimming.

But looking in the mirror the other day, yikes. I have put on the ell-bees. I've never been one of those calorie counter girls. In fact, they drive me nuts. But man, I was totally used to my tri-season body.

As I bitch though, I will enjoy every one of those Chocolate Crinkles that are baking. And every ounce of fudge. And all the candy and deliciousity of the next couple weeks. Then Jan. 1 will hit.

And I'll be back to the grind.

I can so I will

Well, Wednesday morning at the Fit Pit was rough.

1000m Row
500 Jump rope - single jump
250 squats (OUCH!!)
125 full sit ups
75 push ups (I'm horrible at these!)
50 pull ups
25 ball slams

When will the pain end!?!?

I was thinking about doing the Alternate Chili Trail Run tomorrow, but I don't know that my body will be up for it. But I must remember that with the pain comes the ability to actually do all this stuff. So many physically can not even try. And even some very close to me. But I can. So I will.

Running as punishment?

So last night at a board meeting for Girls on the Run we talked about how great running is. And we all wondered and scoffed at coaches who make their athletes run as punishment. I mean really, how is running laps and hating every minute of it going to to make a young athlete enjoy fitness for life?

Running should be enjoyable and a fun part of practices. After all, running increases fitness which will increase an athlete's aptitude and skill in the sports arena. Instead, I move that punishment should be sitting on the bench, not getting to participate. Maybe then the kids would quit jackin' around and focus on the drills and activities coaches spend time planning to develop their young athletes into the studs all want to be!

Let it snow!

This morning couldn't have gotten much better. I took Pete and Bailey (Derick's dog) out to Shawnee Mission Park to the off-leash area for a gorgeous trail run in the snow. It was so serene and spiritual. I was totally able to lose myself in the moment.

At one point, I just stopped. Looked around. Surrounded by fallen leaves, branches, rocks smothered in mud. To my right I could see the lake, as still as I've ever seen it. To my left, the two dogs bounding over fallen tree limbs, panting and playing with huge smiles on their faces. When I looked up all I could see was the snow falling only to land on my eyelashes and melt as quickly as they hit. I felt like I was in a movie. And once I started to run again, I felt like I was in a magazine shoe ad, where all you run with is your thoughts and your dog. It was surreal.

Trail running just might be my new favorite thing. And from the look on Pete's face, its his too. And when he shook off all the snow and dirt before getting in the truck, the slobber wrapped around his nose three times to prove he really had a great time.

Gobbler Grind

Races are so fun. Chels and I - along with several other friends - volunteered at an aid station on the half and full marathon course Sunday.

Days like that remind me of one reason I love this sport!! This community is so supportive, positive and fun - from handing out bananas and gatorade to cheering on runners when its cold and painful. Other athletes are one reason I will continue endurance sports and one reason I will finish Ironman!

Derick had a rough day due to cramping. Preston seriously rolled his ankle. Tim looked like a big dork in his "pilgrim" costume. But we all got back together post-race to celebrate everyone's accomplishments and poke fun at Carly for turning 30! Great party at Steve and Judy's!!

Ouch.

Fit Pit hurts.

My lower back is so sore. And this morning I couldn't move my right arm backward so I couldn't swim.

Sheryl, you're killin' me!!

Sigh...

Well, masters kicked my butt this morning. And after not really eating dinner yesterday and only a smoothie this morning, I am dragging!!

Fuel please! Luckily its almost lunch time!

And Enduracamp tonight and Fit Pit tomorrow. Man, I'm gonna be ripped before long. At least, I better be!!!

Fit Pit pain

Well, I tried Fit Pit for the first time this evening. Man, Sheryl kicked my butt!!

10 pull ups, 1 deadlift. 9 pull ups, 2 deadlifts.... etc.
10 weight swings, 1 dip. 9 weight swings, 2 dips...etc.

Then back squats. I started with just the bar - 45 pounds. I got all the way up to 100 lbs!!! It was pretty sweet to have Sheryl commenting on my strength. I think once I get a little more flexibility, I'll be able to do those pretty well.

Now that I'm home, showered and full of pancakes, I can tell that I worked hard tonight! My back is exhausted and I know my butt and lats are going to be super sore in the morning.

We'll see how I last at the dog park tomorrow!!

To fit pit or not to fit pit?

So, I'm thinking about doing Fit Pit. And I'm a little nervous about it. I've heard its a total kick in the ass, but it sounds really fun and like I'd really get my butt in gear! Any thoughts from any of you who go?

I'm also looking for some good swimming drills. Please give me ideas!

No More Poor Little Speed Racer

The last couple of weeks have been tough. Trish going to Enduracamps. Tim going for trail runs. Various friends calling and texting: Hey, come for a run! Or, let's go ride! And, me, poor little Speed Racer, has to sit on the couch or (as Heather would prefer) on the foam roller, watching everyone else enjoy the sports we love. Alright, fine. I'm entitled to feel a little sorry for myself. Come on, to go from being in tiptop shape, pounding out 60-mile rides like I'd done them my whole life instead of a few months, to the confines of the pool and a whopping 20 minutes on the elliptical is downright depressing.

No more feeling sorry for myself, though. I might not start training til January but that doesn't mean I can't get into my competitor mindset today. Goal #1 for IMOO is to get, then stay, healthy. And damn it, that's what I'm going to do. Every pool session, every 10-minute walk, every mini-strength training session after the elliptical is a step toward getting my ITBs healthy.

I might not get my runner's high and I certainly won't feel the rush of speeding around in aero (relatively speaking). However, I realized this morning, as I pretended to sprint to Papa Roach's Last Resort on the elliptical, that I'm in control of my health and my fitness. Self control now sets me up for stronger, more confident control as I work through training to the big day.

So, I'll put on my KCM jersey and Redman medal (we were assigned costumes at work today - I was told I am Iron Woman), reminisce about how it felt to cross the finish line at Redman, and anticipate just how sweet it will be to cross the line at IMOO healthy, happy and proud of the control it took to carry me there.

The rules still apply

One of my favorite triathletes and bloggers says it so well...

http://www.breakingthetape.com/little-miss-runner-pants/2008/10/running_rules_still_apply.html

Lessons from Enduracamp Fall Fitness Series

1. I love hills. OK, I don't love them, but I did learn that they will make me a machine. A diesel truck with turbo power!!

2. I think I can actually be a lot faster and better at this sport than I've proven to myself. I was able to really push up the hills in the sprint legs and I wasn't the slowest of the group!

3. My core strength is pretty good. I know I still have a long way to go, but I didn't do half bad today. If I can build some more upper body strength, I'll be doing pretty well!

4. Vegan cupcakes are delish! Thanks to Heather for bringing them, and Jennifer for having a birthday! Can't wait to get the recipe!!

A night like tonight really starts to get me excited about triathlon season. I know I am really enjoying a break, but tonight was a big confidence boost for me. Thanks to the coaches Ben, Ken and Tom!

Ah, the off season.

Its so nice right now to not have to worry about getting in a workout every single day. I'm enjoying workouts when I want to, and how I want to. Its a lot less stressful, yet time seems to be flying even faster!

Yesterday's "workout" was a short trail run at the off leash area of Shawnee Mission Park. The boys and I had a blast! We all got a little muddy, but got our heart rates up and worked the stabilizing muscles in our legs.

It was a great weekend for being outside with the dogs. And one of these days, I'm sure I'll be happy to be inside on the trainer or treadmill or in the pool, but for now... I'll take the sunshine and the rest!