Don't Push the Tush

Last week I pushed pretty hard. 70 mile ride w/ 20 minute run off the bike Sunday. 3950 yds in the pool, 5 mile run + weights Monday. 6 mile (part tempo) run followed by an intense hilly 23 mile bike Tuesday. Another 3200 in the pool Wednesday - cut short for a 7am meeting at work which required my presence.

By noon Wednesday, my legs and tushy had it. They proceeded to twist my right hip so far out of alignment I had to walk with my right foot completely turned out to the side to avoid knife-like pain. Although I only went a few hours like that before being able to get in to see the chiropractor (who abruptly popped my sorry hip back into place), my muscles were PISSED. They are still in recovery, although I have been nursing them like crazy - treating them to several foam rolling sessions, stretching, ice treatments, and self-massage.

A few lessons learned.
A) Don't do an intense hilly bike with tempo run 2 days after a hard endurance workout
B) Don't wear 3 inch stilettos the day after said hilly bike with tempo run 2 days after a hard endurance workout
C) Be nice to your tushy

A forced recovery is ok - I'm happy that I didn't end up with an injury; it could have easily ended up that way.

This coming week holds graduating-intensity workouts - always keeping the rear-end in mind. It will also be the start of more time management skills, as it's that time of the quarter that my freelance picks up - good for the bank, not great for training or sleep...

I think a professional massage will be in the schedule soon.

V is for Victory

This past Sunday I had my first "V" in triathlon. Sure, I've won my age group. But this time I was first female overall, and it was just the confidence booster I needed to kick my season off.

I could come up with all sorts of reasons why I won; no one showed up that day who was good, it was just a sprint, it was a first-year race back after a 10 year hiatus... but why would I do that to myself? A V is a V, and I earned it. That said, I do realize that I still have a lot of work to do before Nationals in August.

The next step to still having fun is finding cool, fun, helpful vendors to sponsor me. This sport is expensive and I love it, but to continue to be able to compete, I need help. I tried to apply, but was shot down, many times for no good reason other than they already have too many athletes. Well, considering all I want is some product (primarily nutrition) and a few race entries, I really don't think that's too much to ask. I use countless brands; Hammer Nutrition, GU, Powerbar, Honey Stinger, New Balance, Garmin, Pearl Izumi, TYR, BlueSeventy... the list goes on, and I've had to pay for it all.

So, if other "lesser" athletes can get sponsorship, surely I can. My issue?

I didn't use my curves!
Shoot, if those curvy lines aren't helping me race and aren't going away without lipo and a boob job, I'm gonna use those puppies to my advantage. If it's one thing I do well, it's knowing how to "clean up". One of my great assets lies in not only living the life of a hard core athlete, but at the end of the day I can pull off the latest runway attire with Manolo's on and LOVE it! Photoshoot, here I come.

Moving on. Sleep. Good food. Train smart. Keep pushing. Never settle for less than you deserve.

Moving Past Winter Training Blues and into Spring Fever

Napa Valley Marathon 2012

The holidays are long-gone and my early Spring marathon (Napa Valley, CA) is done; recovery almost complete. Napa went well, putting up 3:36:41 - a PR (personal best) by a minute - and negative split the last 1/2 by 3 minutes. Not a bad showing, but my perfectionist-self was aiming for 3:30 or better. I am not unhappy with it, and think had it not been so hot that day (compared to CO training), I could have easily sailed in at my goal. It wasn't an "A" race for me, but it's always good to set some sort of goal. I'm content with this.
Although we didn't have much of a winter here in Colorado, the longer days are a welcome relief for after-work training. The long months of solid marathon training have managed to get my weight down to a solid 127lbs. Not what I was looking for, but I have a feeling that will drop another 5 pounds or so by the time I race my first big triathlon June 10th (Denver). 
Coming off my marathon recovery, I've run into a couple of 'snags', but am managing to work through them. The first was the shifter break on my bike. A triathlete without a bike for a week is like an alcoholic with no liquor - you can get by drinking light beer, but it's not the same... At least, that's how I imagine it would be since I felt like I was going through cycling withdrawals. Thank goodness for my friends who have connections. I am back up on my girl as of this past Sunday with a new set of SRAM RED, and it has been amazingly smooth riding.
The second snag has been finances. Holy COW, this sport is expensive. I think it's an amazing feat in itself that I have not COMPLETELY bankrupted myself by doing this at a pretty competitive level for the past 3 years. Yes, I've only PARTIALLY bankrupted myself. I don't have any good fix for this one except to keep working 2 jobs - which puts a strain on the training... lovely catch-22.
I am very thankful for The Colorado Running Company, as they have helped alleviate some of the financial hurt with a few shoes, nutrition breaks, and coaching advice. Applications to additional sponsorship opportunities have so far yielded nothing, but I hope to apply next year - maybe with a picture next go-round - and put these curves to SOME good use!
As for the swim... it's coming along. Still getting back into swim-shape, but am feeling good about it. We'll see how 5:30am feels tomorrow morning...

Success starts here

When you miss a goal you aimed high for, it's easy to feel like giving up. 

That happened to me one month ago, and I went through all the emotions of losing something I put blood, sweat, and tears into. 

Now that I'm back on my track, a blog seemed like a good idea: an official way to track my emotions, put detail into race and training re-caps (that I can save and refer to later down the line), and a better way for friends, family, and mentors to keep tabs on my busy self. 

Why? Because I will not miss my mark again, and every detail counts. 

I've heard the adage, "If you make every goal you set out to achieve the first time, you didn't aim high enough." I've decided to use this saying in my life as my "go-to" for my mental stimulation, as it puts many things in a bigger picture and better light. Considering my biggest challenge is staying mentally positive in racing and training, this is the best place for me to start while planning next season.

My second biggest challenge? Curves.

Although I'm not a big girl by any means with a solid size 4 in most of my wardrobe, genetics didn't grace me with a typical athlete's body. I have a few curves, but nothing that most people would consider something to get rid of. However, it's hard to compete at an elite level when curves start impeding progress. I am determined to find a company who makes a women's triathlon line that fits without having to double up the top. I have not found one yet, but I will be sure to blog about it when I do...

I couldn't quite name this blog something about curves, because that wouldn't be quite accurate. The next best thing, with better 'class' and better definition of my situation: Chic. 

My goal for next season:

USAT Nationals top 10 finish with a qualifying spot for Triathlon Worlds on Team USA in London, 2013. I dare you to tell me I can't make it.