Great day to run

So after our FRIGID days here in the not so distant past, I really enjoyed the gorgeous weather here in KC today. Even though I wanted to be a bum and lay on the couch - I forced myself to lace up and head out to Shawnee Mission Park for my 7 mile training run.

I took both Pete and Gage, and illegally let them run off leash while Derick and I ran the paved trails to the east of the lake. We took the trail north past Shawnee Mission Parkway. I turned back at Mile 3.5 and he continued on.

Running back with just Pete, I noticed how calm and beautiful the park is. I found myself hoping that my house would be just around the corner of the trail, hidden behind the trees. Maybe I should think about a more scenic location to call home one of these days...

All in all, the run felt great. I did struggle a bit to breathe on those hills. They are STEEP! But otherwise, my legs still felt great. They had a few more mile in them. I'm sure Pete would have loved that. I'm still pretty shocked at how well both the dogs did off-leash out there. They stayed close and behaved themselves. If you know my dog, you know that's an impressive feat. And Bomper of course found a couple squirrels to chase up trees, but he didn't venture off either. He was a surprisingly good listener.

Saturday moning I headed down to Velvet Creme for a little indoor spin with fellow triathletes. Riding inside is just SO different than actually being out there. Luckily Preston was his full self, so I was entertained the whole time. I also got my new Garmin Cadence Counter all set up, purchased through KC Triathletes' World Multisport. New gadgets make everything much more exciting!

My training plan this week has more 2 a days scheduled, but nothing too bad. Should be able to K.O. everything without too much difficulty! IMOO here I come!

This has nothing to do with IMOO, but....

So my brother Ryan went to help out at my nephew Ian's preschool class today (Catholic school too). They are learning about winter and made snowmen. Mr. Bradley the PE teacher, who is really young, was in helping too and was at the same table as Ryan and Ian when Ryan looking at the snowman said "Oh wow your snowman has some hair." Ian says (dead serious) "No Dad, it's a nest for his penis." Mr. Bradley bit his lip and had to leave the room he was laughing so hard and well Ryan just says "Hmm, nice." And then he proceeded to say that it's not appropriate to talk like that in public.

I'm still laughing!

Legacy

Today was pretty intense. I attended a funeral of a wonderful YOUNG woman who battled human's great enemy known as cancer for the past 10 months. She was a good friend to my brother, and though I originally attended to support him, I left feeling like she would have wanted me there.

Funerals always have a way of helping you put things in perspective, but this one hit me in a special way. I am lucky that I have not attended many in my life. I haven't struggled much with the loss of someone close to me. Her service made me especially grateful for that. It also made me start thinking about how I'm living my life. I think that was one message she particularly wanted to get out there. Hers is a message of hope and of life and of love.

They told a story about how she deliberately but somewhat subconsciously would reach out to those a few steps outside of the group to make them feel welcome and at ease. I think this is a great way to be remembered. It made me wonder, "How will people remember me?"

The service was at the biggest church in town, which easily seats 3,000 people. You walk in and think you might have mistakenly entered the Sprint Center. The place was probably half full - which is a complete testament to how wonderful this woman was and how she touched so many lives in so many ways. It made me wonder, "How many lives have and I will I affect for the better?"

The pastor spoke of her courage, her optimism, her hope. How she loved her family and prayed for them in her last days that God would make things easier for them. Her husband's message of continuing her life through our own lives hit me. "You can love your life. You can look at each day as a gift and make the most of it. You can smile more, and frown less. You can Love. " It made me wonder, "How can I adjust my lifestyle in order to create more happiness, more hope and more love?"

I know these thoughts don't directly relate to triathlon or my journey to Ironman, but in a way they do. This is going to be a year of self-discovery, a year of pushing myself to the limits, learning about what makes me tick, and finding the legacy I want to leave. I in no way mean to trivialize the loss of such a great woman and wonderful person, but I think she would be happy to know that she is making a difference even after she's gone. I'll think about her and her battle as I fight the hill on Old Sauk Road in September and ask for a little push and to borrow a bit of her courage.

Iron Year!

Ironman Training has begun!!!

It started with the "Resolution Run" from Muddy's for a little over 4 miles. I was definitely not fueled well for that run, but it was fun and a good start to the year. Many thanks to April and Stacie for keeping me running - and to Pete for dragging me up that horrible hill!

Today at the Fit Pit we had some fun. Girls on the Run came in! But before we had to do the leg matrix (24 squats, 24 lunges, 24 jumping lunges and 24 squat/jumps) and then 100 sit ups, 100 push ups and 100 pull ups. It was a lot of fun to watch the girls and their moms try some of the Fit Pit exercises. And even more fun to watch Sheryl be a food nerd and a health nut. Many thanks to her for being such an inspiration, role model and good sport! :-)

New Years Resolutions to come....

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!