Marathon Years 4 and 5 - Triathlon Years

A Great Swim

2010-02-17T21:10:00.000-08:00

Today was my first exercise this week. I waited until lunchtime when The temperature had warmed and the sun was shining.I swam for 30 minutes and really enjoyed it.

Trying to Stay Motivated

2010-02-15T21:15:00.000-08:00

Between the nasty weather and my work schedule, I didn't get much exercise in until the end of the week. It was just too cold to swim and too wet and cold to run. I did one hour of hills with Adina on Thursday, 30 minutes each on Friday and Saturday and then a little over 3 miles on Sunday. My plan is to do better this week.

Gearing Back Up to Speed for Seabrook Lucky Trails

2010-02-10T06:20:00.000-08:00

It's been a few weeks since the Aramco Houston Half Marathon. I don't know why, but a few pounds always seems to find their way to me after the bigger races. Those extra pounds should be gone soon. I've managed to get two to three trainings in per week, plus 5 miler long run/walks each weekend. This past week included two 30 minute swims - if only the air was a little warmer!Next event: Seabrook Lucky Trails on March 21st.

So Much during the Past Few Weeks

2010-01-21T11:51:00.001-08:00

I went off the elimination diet on Christmas Eve and then tried to be more cautious with what I ate. The end of the year holidays got the best of me and I ate things that I shouldn't have. The fact that my body had been cleansed cause me to have a hyper reaction to some foods. I was out of town for the weekend of January 9 and 10, so Adina and I did hills for 1.5 hours in the parking garage the Thursday before. That was the week and weekend of freezing temperatures, so the hill training was a warmer alternative. The week after my trip, which was the week before the Houston Half Marathon proved to be a challenge. I had a migraine on Monday - one of the worst I had had in a long time - again due to the abrupt change in my diet (lesson learned - everything in moderation). Then I broke out with a terrible cold that night (probably because I hadn't taken vitamins for 30 days) and was afraid I would not be up to doing the half marathon on the 17th. The only training I got in was a 30 minute walk on Tuesday morning while I was still functional. I was feeling better by Friday, so Patricia and Shelley and I went to the Expo together to pick up our packets. We had a really fun time. I had an all day Toastmasters training on Saturday that caused me to be on my feet for most of the day. I went to bed at 8:00pm and surprisingly woke up feeling ready for the day's race.
The weather was fabulous (low 40's) and I ran one of my best Half Marathons - 3:05:48, just 29 minutes longer than my PR in Austin in 2007! I was pretty much by myself (if you consider being surround by 20,000 others, alone) for most of the race. Around mile 7, Helen and I connected and finished the race somewhat together.
I'm looking forward to March 21st when Shelley, Patricia and I do the Seabrook Lucky Trails half. We have vowed to stick together for the whole race which means some of us will be going faster while some of us will slow down - I wonder which!

Me and Patricia after the race

Me and Helen after the race

Still on Track

2009-12-28T20:41:00.001-08:00

As I continued on the elimination diet these past 2 weeks, my trainings became a little difficult because I was not consuming very many carbs. I swam and walked twice, including a 6 miler on the 20th. Last week I got in 4 miler, a 6 miler and hills. I had a pleasant surprise during my one swim last week - the Aquatic center was set up Olympic style. Since the weather has been really cold, I haven't been brave enough to swim again. Yesterday was an 8.5 miler with a 10 miler scheduled for next weekend. On the diet front, I did stay on the elimination diet until Christmas Eve when we went out for Chinese food at my favorite Chinese restaurant, Yao. 17 pounds lost in 17 days and no headaches, no swelling, nor achy joints. I felt a bit weak on my long runs, but otherwise terrific. I'm back on a modified version of the diet and hope to keep the weight and headaches away.

Back on My Elimination Diet

2009-12-14T19:20:00.000-08:00

My diet has not been what it should, and had resulted in a 10 pound gain. Several of my original symptoms returned - stiff joints,back pain and intermittent migraines. So I started back on the elimination diet on which I lost 55 pounds, 5 years ago. It's pretty severe, but works amazingly. Monday was the first day and unfortunately the caffeine withdrawal from going off coffee cold turkey caused a 2 day headache followed by a migraine. But all is well now. As of today, I have lost 12 pounds and feel like a new person. It's amazing, but I am still convinced that the "white stuff" (sugar, starch, dairy, etc)acts like glue and causes the weight to stick. The plan is to stay on the diet for at least another week or so. We'll see how it goes.
On the training front,I swam for 20 minutes on Tuesday, and ran 30 minutes on Wednesday and Thursday. I volunteered at the 30K on Sunday, so my long walk of 6 miles was pushed to today. It turned out to be only 5.25, but it was a great walk in the rain.

A Little Late with My Posting

2009-12-07T16:59:00.001-08:00

The last few weeks have been a blur between a Toastmasters Fall Conference, Thanksgiving and Post-Thanksgiving. I did manage to get my trainings in, although scattered an not on the usual days. My long run was 5 miles on Monday, November 23rd, and then on Thanksgiving, I did the Turkey Trot 5 Miler in Sugar Land. The Sunday after Thanksgiving and this past Sunday were both 6 milers.
I made three major decisions during these past few weeks- 1. To start swimming again (I've done 3 20 minute swims since last post)2. To drop down from the Full to the Houston Half Marathon on January 17th and 3. To start back on my elimination diet.
Number 3 is the biggie. I really have not been watching myself the past 6 months, and although I have given up the "white stuff" (sugar, flour and processed foods) from time to time, it has only been temporary. This time I am going to be true to diet and follow it closely. So many of the symptoms that had disappeared early on have returned - achy joints, water retention and lower back pain. I am ready to feel good again.
Today was my first day back on the diet. I had a dull headache from going off coffee cold turkey. I did not take any of my vitamins or herbs and have just eaten the basics - some lamb, yams, orange roughy, spinach and a little melon. I'm looking forward to the transformation.

6 Miles at a Very Leisurely Pace

2009-11-15T17:33:00.000-08:00

I met Bob and Shelley at Oyster Creek. Bob left after 3 miles and Shelley and I did the remaining 3. The weather wasn't too bad, but the gnats were horrible. Even though we had sprayed with bug spray, they still bit us.

A Brick

2009-11-13T17:30:00.000-08:00

This morning I had to drop my Mom off at the Dentist. The office is within a mile of the Aquatic Center, so, dressed in my Tri Suit, I dropped her off and headed to the pool, went for a 30 minute walk, I swam for 15 minutes and finished just in time to pick her up. That sure beat sitting in a waiting room for an hour!

Swimming and Hills

2009-11-11T22:14:00.000-08:00

I swam for 20 minutes at the Aquatic Center and really enjoyed the quiet time. Tonight, Patricia and I did hill for 45 minutes. I was tired by the time we were done, but it felt good to get those muscles cranking again. And it was nice to catch up with Patricia.

35 Minutes of Intervals

2009-11-10T17:30:00.000-08:00

Today I decided to try 3/1's. After a short warm-up I managed 3 sets but found the 3 minute run too much. I dropped down to 1/1's and finding that much better, continued the intervals for 25 minutes and then walked the last 10 minutes. I'd really like to try to do the Houston full - I just don't see how I can shave an hour off my time.

15 Minutes Swimming

2009-11-09T21:08:00.000-08:00

I took this past week very easy and did not exercise at all until Sunday. It felt very strange. Bob and I did a leisurely 3 mile walk in Oyster Creek park on Sunday morning. It was the perfect distance and pace. I decided today that it was time to start swimming again so I did 15 minutes at the Aquatic center. It felt great to be back in the pool.
Now that I'm rested, I'm reconsidering my race strategy for the rest of the year and thinking that I might try to stay with the full marathon if I can improve my speed.
I have until December 10th to decide.

NY Marathon - all that I hoped it would be

2009-11-05T16:15:00.000-08:00

I missed out on hill training with Patricia and took it easy on Thursday. We arrived in New York on Friday and after settling in the hotel, took the subway to 42nd street and tried to find the shuttle to the Expo. We finally gave up and walked a mile or so the the convention center. On Saturday, we walked around the city, saw a show, met Eric and Tom at Grimaldis for pizza and attempted to watch the Greenwich Village Halloween parade. Apparently, 2 million other people had the same idea so needless to say, it was pandemonium. It was pouring down rain and since we couldn't get a spot to watch, we decided we would head back to the hotel. Unfortunately, they closed the entrances to the subway. We couldn't hail a cab, so we walked 2 miles in the rain, back to the hotel. It wasn't how I wanted to spend my pre-race, taper evening. We made it safely back, took hot shower and went to bed.
4:30am rolled around very quickly.
How was my marathon experience? A little history first: Many of you know that Steve and I did the NY Marathon last year. We spent 3+ grueling hours in the cold, waiting for the race to start. Steve didn't know it at the time, but the freezing wind on his back was the catalyst for the start of pneumonia by race end. We were the last people in the last wave. Mile 8 was the last water station for us and the half marathon marker was the last mile marker we saw. We were relegated to the pedestrian walkway, so we didn't get to hit the mat. At mile 17 we stopped in Starbucks. Steve got a hot cocoa and I got a latte. We had to wait for all the red lights to turn green on 1st Avenue and made it in as DNF after 8hrs and 15 minutes.
I enjoyed the time I spent with Steve but was disappointed with the race experience. When I got into this year’s race again, I had several goals: 1)Finish under 7 hrs and before dark fall with an official time; 2)Experience the "fabulous" race that everyone had raved about, a race that included water stations and mile markers and 3)Hit the mat at mile 13.1.
I must say that it turned out to be everything I had hoped it would be. When I picked up my packet at the Expo, I discovered that I had not been given my Ferry assignment. I was pretty aggravated but decided I would go to the Ferry anyway. After all, it was public transportation - how could they turn me away? Plus I had an email confirmation. I got to the Ferry at 5:30am, and after talking to the volunteers, discovered that the requirement to have a pass was all a scare tactic. The ferries were running every 15 minutes, and the buses would be on the other side until the 8:00am ferry arrived at Staten Island. I stayed in the comfy terminal until the 7:45 ferry (the rain stopped around 7:00am) and got to my "village" in time to drop off my bag. I headed to the corral area and somehow managed to start in wave two instead of three. What a huge difference being in the middle of the race made. The crowds were terrific and very supportive. I didn't have my name on my jacket this time and I regret that. Those who did got great big shouts of encouragement from the spectators. The weather was great – overcast and in the low 50’s.
One of the funniest things that happened was when I had to make a restroom stop and didn’t want to wait on the portapotty line. I bee lined for the McDonalds that was on my right. When I got to the restrooms there were 4 female customers waiting for the women’s’ restroom. They saw I was a runner and told me that no-one was in the single potty men’s room. I darted in and after about a minute the door knob started shaking and there was loud banging at the door. I yelled that I was inside and they still kept banging. When I opened the door to leave, a male runner who apparently was in distress yelled at me and shook his fist in anger. I found it quite funny. Most of my fellow female runners would probably agree that it was payback time for all of those guys who were peeing off the bridges and on the side fences at the start. My other memorable moment was when I received a text from Harris. I had just pulled my phone out of my pocket to get to my camera when I saw his text saying that he hoped I had a great race. I responded with “mile 17 now”.
I was disappointed that I missed Tessy at mile 8. Stan tried to connect with me on First Avenue, but he missed me because the 59th street subway exit was closed. The route going into the Bronx changed so that we runners could see more of it. The route was not very pretty and did not make me want to visit there again. I saw a number of athletes, who were part of the Achilles Foundation, handicapped runners who had two to four guides assisting them. They were a great inspiration!
The setting sun came out during the final 3.2 miles of the race as I was heading down 5th Avenue and into Central Park. It brightened the already blazing fall colors and created a perfect backdrop for the race finale. There was a “1 mile to go” sign after the 25 mile marker, a welcome warning that the finish was near. It was followed by another half mile alert, then the countdown – 400 meters, 300 meters, (there was Stan -I waved and kept on going), 200 meters, 100 meters and the Finish! I got my bottle of water, my medal, a Mylar blanket and a most welcome deli sandwich. I finished in 6:55:29 (and that was with 4 potty breaks), not my best race, but a PR for NY and under my goal time.It was a great race and I highly recommend it. The good news for fast runners is that there are automatic qualifying times which include half marathon times, too. I signed up for the Houston full marathon, and as much as I enjoyed this race, I think this will serve as my last full marathon for a while. This January it will most likely be the Houston Half for me!

New York is Just a Few Days Away

2009-10-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

The past 10 days have been pretty hectic. Eric and I were doing our 20 miler make-up on the 18th when we decided that 18 miles would do just fine. Our justification was that in prior years, we never did more than a 30K for Houston, so what difference would 2 miles make at this late date?
I got a few trainings in least week but missed my hill workout. This past Sunday was an easy 8 miles. Bob joined me for my first 3 miles in the park and it was just like old times. I finished up the remaining 5 on my own and remembered why I liked the taper so much. I ran intervals for 30 minutes this morning and will probably do a little bit of hills with Patricia tonight. Then it's nice and easy for the rest of the week.

Greatday Houston Appearance

2009-10-26T10:09:00.000-07:00

This morning I represented District 56 Toastmasters on the Debra Duncan show. It was a lot of fun and we got some really great exposure for Toastmasters.

Lots of Eating and Little Exercise

2009-10-16T18:52:00.000-07:00

Sunday was to be my 20 miler. Eric and I met at Sugar Land Memorial Park. My part was cut short, sadly because Stan's Mom passed away.He came and got me at mile 8. Between family obligations and the funeral there hadn't been much time for enough exercise to offset all of the food. I did get 2 30 minute walks plus an hour of hills in with Patricia. Eric and I will attempt our 20 miler again this Sunday (he only got 13 miles in). Hopefully, better days are ahead.
The weather should be great this weekend.

Prepping for Sunday

2009-10-08T20:29:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to get a little more mileage in this week in preparation for Sunday's 20 miler. I did 30 minutes on Monday, 50 minutes of hills with Patricia on Tuesday and 6 miles this morning with Shelley, Jacque and Sallie.

A reasonable week plus 14 miles

2009-10-03T20:21:00.000-07:00

I swam for 15 minutes on Monday, the first time in 2 weeks. I walked 40 minutes on Tuesday and then 45 minutes on Friday. I had a migraine that lasted from Wednesday through Friday morning and totally knocked me out. I felt much better on Friday afternoon and was able to get up at 4:00am today (Saturday) to do 10 miles with FBF. Shelley and I did the route together. June was waiting for me when I finished. We "picked" up Harris along the way and did another 4 miles. I really appreciate everyone's support.It's 20 miles for next weekend and then the taper!!!!

18.5 Miles - Thanks Harris!

2009-09-27T19:09:00.000-07:00

Facebook to the rescue. I posted my feelings of uncertainty concerning NY and several people responded that they would train with me. I made the decision that if I could get my 18 miles in, that I would do the race. I was able to complete 3 trainings during the week; 2-30 minute sessions and then an hour of hills with Patricia. Harris accompanied me today and we did 18.5 miles. It was tough - hot and humid and we went very slowly, but we did it. And Harris had done 12 miles yesterday. What a guy. I guess I am still NY bound.

14 Miles Split

2009-09-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

I walked 30 minutes on Thursday and 40 minutes on Friday. I managed to get my 14 miles in today, but it was tough. I did two loops of walking and running in Oyster Creek for a total of 9 miles. It was hot and the scenery was getting old. I left, grabbed a breakfast biscuit at McDonalds and then went home. I parked the car and did 5 miles in the neighborhood. I'm havving my doubts about NY. I'm vacilating about NY. I don't want to think about doing 18 miles by myself next weekend.

A Mixture

2009-09-16T21:23:00.000-07:00

I finally got to swim for 15 minutes on Monday. My last time in the water was the Tri on the 22nd. Tuesday was a 30 minute run. Today I spent 25 minutes on the bike.
I'm down for 12 miles this weekend and have to decide if I'm going for a little more to make up for last week.

More Cruising and then Home

2009-09-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

I found myself eating way too much even before we had gotten on the cruise ship. I indulged in the endless buffets and desserts through Sunday. We were getting a lot of walking in, but nowhere near enough to offset the calories. I really started watching myself on Monday and ate carefully that whole week and through the weekend. We got home really late on Friday evening. I slept in this morning and could only fit 10 miles in before I had to get home and shower in preparation for an afternoon meeting. My mileage was supposed to be 16. There was nothing I could do about it.

Anniversary Trip

2009-09-05T20:57:00.000-07:00

We left for our 30th Anniversary Celebration on Tuesday afternoon. I was able to squeeze in a 30 minute run that morning. We spent 2.5 days in Seattle and Vancouver.I did 30 minutes of true hill training on Wednesday morning on the hill next to the hotel. We did a lot of walking throughout the rest of Wednesday, and Thursday. Friday morning we walked from our hotel to the Space Needle - 1.5 miles each way. I was very proud of Stan for making it without collapsing. We boarded the cruise ship around noon and sailed off to Alaska at 4:00pm. The weather on Saturday was cold and wet. The waters were very choppy.

I tried to do my mileage on the treadmill in the fitness center, but it was too rocky and gave up after a mile.

My only option was the deck. It was wet and cold. I did my first set of 7.5 miles and a second set of 6.5 miles, a total of 56 laps.

A Fairly Light Week

2009-08-29T20:54:00.000-07:00

I took it pretty easy this week, just did my walk/runs. 3 miles on Monday, 35 minutes on Wednesday and 30 minutes on Thursday. I did 10 miles in the park today. We'll be on a cruise next weekend and I'm scheduled for 15 miles. I hope I can pull that one off!

Clear Lake Triathlon

2009-08-22T20:50:00.000-07:00

The Swim in Done!

This was a week of the conundrum. I was on a taper for the Triathlon, yet was on course to ramp up my mileage for New York. I decided to focus on the Tri and then deal with the missed mileage later. I did a 15 minute swim on Monday, 15 minutes of cycling on Tuesday, a 35 minute walk on Wednesday, 20 minutes of cycling and a 10 minute swim on Thursday. I rested on Friday. The weather was really bad Friday night with lightening, rolling thunder and torrential rains. Luckily it cleared up by midnight and the skies were clear this morning. The open water swim was great - I finished the .46 miles in 19:06. The bike ride was tough with a really steep bridge in the middle of the course and lots of wind. I averaged 15 mph and finished the ride in 1:12:47. The 5K was very hot, but I managed to finish in 43 minutes - overall time totalling 2:22:01. I left shortly after the race and didn't find out until tonight that I placed 2 in my age group which means I should have received some bling (of course there were only 2 people in my age group ).

Bike is over!

FINISH!!!