Friday, September 3, 2010

First Grade Here I Come!! Exercise, Where Will You Go?

Fabulous news! I just got a job Tuesday afternoon as a first grade teacher. I'm excited, nervous and looking forward to starting the year. But wow! I have a disaster of a room to organize and plan for the little ones to be successful and it is taking me a long time and it only feels like I have only made a tiny dent in my work.

Needless to say I haven't worked out since last Sunday. I ran 8 miles in preparation for my half marathon on Labor Day (which is also my 33rd birthday!) and that is all the running I've done. I guess it looks like I'll keep my record streak of half marathon times getting worse instead of getting better ;)

I worry that a lot of my exercise this summer will go by the wayside because of work. I need a plan to keep me in tip-top shape while being the best I can be at school . I know one teacher is a swimmer and we have talked about going once a week to the pool down the street to a master's workout. That's good. School is also by a great running trail. While I think running at lunch will be impossible, it's something I can do after work and then return to work if I need to.

Really though, it's too much to think about! Oh yeah, I also have one more tri of the season, an Olympic distance. And I haven't been on my bike in weeks. It will be fun... real fun! Wish me well blogger peeps!

I know some of you are teachers, how do you fit it in exercise in your schedule?

Monday, August 30, 2010

Cherry On Top Award!


Thank you Java Joggers for the award! It made me smile! For accepting this wonderful award I must answer some questions and pick 6 other recipients for this Sweet Reward!
#1 Answer this question: If you could go back and change one thing in your life, would you, and what would it be? Hmmmm, I think I would have been more competitive with my swimming. I really had the potential to at least get into a top swimming school. But neither my grades or my swimming were a top priority back in the day. I was much more into socializing and having fun! I'm glad I had fun, but should've concentrated more on trying to get into a Division one school. But I love my life and I am glad I actually got the chance to swim in school for two years.
#2 Pick 6 other people to pass this award to, and then let them know that they're winners.#3 Thank the person that gave you the award.
Stephanie@ In Steph's Shoes

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Your Other Hobby

What is your hobby other than health and fitness? Someone asked this question on a message board and I responded with nothing.I thought to myself "All I do for fun is health and fitness related". It took me a few days for my brain to really think of an appropriate response. There are certainly more things that I do frequently that I really enjoy. So, one of my other hobbies is reading!


I used to watch TV every night before going to bed, even had a TV in my room. Then I got married and my husband COULD NOT sleep with the TV on. So I had to make some changes. I started reading every night to calm my brain. I often only have to read about 30 pages and sometimes I even fall asleep with the book in my hands. I no longer need a TV to lull me to sleep. Here is a list of books I have read so far this year, links included if you are interested in a more thorough review!

Ironman Canada! Here I come!


No, not to race but to spectate! I am really excited! My cousin who is an amazing athlete will be participating in hopes of qualifying for Kona...again! She just aged up to the 50-54 age groupers and will have to come in either first or second in her age group and I'm sure she will do it! She has been doing triathlons since before they became so mainstream. She really is my HERO!!


Part of me wants to take the plunge and just sign up when they open up registration. But right now I just can't fathom the cost to sign up for such torture! I think the registration fee for an M-Dot race is at least $500! Not to mention the time spent training. I think I'll give myself another year with Half-irons and some Olympic distances and then I'll try it. But there is still that itch to just say "F" it and sign up! Gahhhh! My husband would kill me! Did I mention that we just bought a car too?


I'll report back with a spectator's P.O.V. after the race!


Happy Training!




Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Omaha, Somewhere in Middle America

My husband and I are leaving on Thursday for a trip to visit his family. We start off this amazing mid-western adventure flying into Chicago. Oh, how I wish I could stick around and check out the city. I've only ever been to the airport. Then we hop on another plane to Peoria, Illinois and from there to a tiny town called Galesburg. Thankfully, my husband's grandparents live in a neighborhood with a nice pool where there are lap lanes always open. Because there is nothing else to do in this town, we will be spending much of our time at the pool.

After our stay in Illinois it's going to be a lovely 5 hour drive to Omaha. We will see LOTS of corn on our way to O-Town, it's so exciting! Since it's so hot there I probably won't be running outside at all, but thankfully the downtown Y is very nice and if you are a member of a Y anywhere else you get a few complimentary visits. So, again needless to say I'll be there probably every day.

I was really hoping there would have been a race for me to do. There is a triathlon in Omaha but it will be during the weekend we will be in Illinois. Plus what a pain to send my bike there for a sprint tri. So, no racing for me, just lots of swimming and hanging out by a pool!

Next year I vote for a family trip to somewhere with access to an ocean. Perhaps, Hawaii, or maybe even Australia.

Just to put it out there, does anyone know of a tri team in Omaha that does any open water swimming anywhere? Not even sure where they would do it, but thought I would ask!

Triathlon Pendant Giveaway

Not from me but from Amanda from Run to the Finish! Check out her blog while you enter the giveaway!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Moments of Grace

Moments of Grace are like a prayer of thanks to God or whomever you believe in or don't. Look around you and see your moments of Grace. A moment of grace can be that lovely sunset last night. It could be holding the hand of your child, it could be a friendly wave you got from the person in the car in front of you. A moment of Grace can be anything and everything you want! What were some of your Grace moments today or in the past week?

Some of mine:
* running with my mom this morning, even though I was complaining... a lot!
*seeing our garden grow!
*sharing a very expensive dinner with my husband on our three year anniversary.

Share your Grace moments here!!! I would love to see them!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Island Bike Ride

I am very blessed to live where I do. I have access to some great outdoor playgrounds and one of them is just a short one mile bike and 15 minute ferry ride away. Yesterday, I planned on a 50 mile solo bike ride on Vashon Island. I've only been there once so I am not familiar with this place at all!


I was armed with my turn-by-turn directions thanks to the Cascade Bicycle Club, my iPhone (complete with GPS directions, turned on),three water bottles filled, a flask full of Hammer Gel, debit card and cash, I set out on the ferry. I was a little nervous as I am not good with direction and GASP, I don't know how to change a flat, nor do I carry things to change a flat with. This one day will change ;)




I floated to the island and disembarked and hopped on my bike straight up a giant hill. Not a great way to start without a good warm-up, but I made it to the top. Then I stopped to figure out where to go next. Which I had to keep on doing because there were so many turns right off the bat.


I came to an intersection and was completely confused. The name of the road in front of me was not on my direction or on my GPS. Hmmmm, maybe I was to turn way back there at the top of that giant hill I just came down. I was frustrated, until this nice lady stopped and clarified that this is a confusing intersection and to ignore the street name as it will change into the street that I want. Yay! Thanks nice lady! That is also when I decided that since I was in the middle of nowhere I was not going to be riding 50 miles that day.


Throughout my ride I kept stopping because I had no clue where I was and did not want to miss any turns. I came across a little town that was so cute. Beach cabins everywhere, crystal clear water and just beautiful. I stopped at the town's hardware/grocery store to make sure I was heading the right way back to the ferry. I was told I had 11 miles to go, but I could take a bus if I wanted. I decided to ride... of course!


I made it to the town of Vashon to eat and have some coffee. And to just relax. This ride of 25 miles was actually pretty difficult with all of the starting and stopping and HILLS! I am going to probably do this one again as it was good for hill training without a ton of traffic!

I found an organic fruit stand and bought a peach. YUMMMY!!




The town of Vashon is pretty cool. Lots of green and hippiesque shops and restaurants. I went to Cafe Luna and ate a yummy tuna melt and drank an icey cold vanilla latte. I also saw this: water that has been filtered 10 times. Starbucks only filters theirs three times!!



After my lunch it was time to head back to the ferry, which by the way was ALL downhill. It was great!


I wasn't following the directions while waiting for the ferry to go home: "No Parking, Stopping or Standing"


Sitting on the ferry waiting to go back home. Good bye Vashon!



Monday, August 2, 2010

My 6th Half Marathon!


Five years ago I would have laughed out loud if someone told me I would be doing my 6th half marathon in September! My mom signed me up as an early birthday present and we will both be running, although most likely not together. The half will also take place on my birthday and Labor Day. What a great way to spend the day, not only with my mom but racing too!

Technically, this would be my 7th half marathon but one of those was during my half-ironman, so do I still count it?? Probably a yes!
The week after the half I have my last triathlon of the season an Olympic distance race, that to be honest I am not putting all that much effort into. We will be out of town for a week, and school starts soon and I will be very busy. I'll still give it my all but my "A" race is done for the season. I just want to have fun and also relax the next couple of weeks before going back to work!
Training for this week, includes a nice solo bike ride on a local island, with coffee and lunch stops included, plus a nice ferry ride. I am very excited about this. I have never done this ride before and I will be all by myself with my directions in hand ready to chart new territory... sort of!
Happy Training!


Tuesday, July 27, 2010

My Thyroid and I


Three years ago this week I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism caused by a toxic nodular goiter. The week before my wedding was a scary one and one that involved not only a happy time with family and friends to celebrate our marriage, but one that involved waiting to hear either good or bad news.


It all started like this:

It was my first year teaching, not a whole lot of working out, but VERY, very tired. I was living with my parents at the time and would come home and crash the very second I walked into my room. My mom kept telling me to go to the doctor. I just chalked it up to a stressful first year of teaching. I also ate like there was no tomorrow. I could eat my husband under the table! I would also get up several times at night and just eat and eat. I could eat a whole box of cereal and still feel hungry. I could eat a giant portion of Thai food and then eat the rest of my husband's. And I lost weight.


Before I turned 30 I decided I should have my cholesterol and everything else checked just to make sure everything was healthy, wealthy and wise. I got the results back and went over them and noticed something wasn't jiving with my thyroid numbers, they were nowhere near the optimal range. But the doctor said everything was fine. She looked again and told me to get a blood test again. Sure enough thyroid ranges were nowhere near normal.


I came into the office and she palpated my thyroid and felt a small lump. And then got me an appointment for a radioactive iodine test. If the thyroid tested hot it was good, if it was cold it was not good. This was where I had to wait until we were on our honeymoon to find out. A "cold" test result could mean cancer. A "hot" result meant something not so serious, but still needed to be taken care of.


Anyway, my symptoms were as follows:

Nervousness, and anxiousness

hungry all of the time

sweaty hot all of the time

heart palpitations

fast heartbeat

shaky hands

losing weight

Eventually the goiter on my thyroid becoming large enough to see.


While awaiting treatment, I went to an endocrinologist and started taking beta-blockers to help with slowing things down, as being hyperthyroid speeds everything up. I was still a nervous wreck and had difficulty with my nerves even with the beta-blockers. But the doctor wanted to get some symptoms under control before deciding what he wanted to do.


I found out I had two options. One was a partial thyroidectomy and the other was Radioactive Iodine Therapy. After consulting both the surgeon and endocrinologist I decided to go with the RAI. It was very simple. A giant radioactive pill had to be swallowed and I couldn't be around children for three days. I felt fine during the treatment and about three months later everything tested normal! The endocrinologist said there would be a chance of swinging the other way and going into hypothyroid, but so far so good. I had to get a blood test every three months and then every 6 and now just once a year.


I could not believe how sick I was until I started feeling better! I thought everything I felt had to do with the stress of being a first year teacher, but it was really my whacked out thyroid.


The moral of this story is to listen to your body and if something is not right, find out why! And also, listen to your mom, she is probably right!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

2010 Goals revisited

I made some goals for myself in January and revised them again in May. Today is another revisit to my goals and possibly add some more!

Here are my original race goals that I wrote in January. Here is an update and I would like to add a few more.

1. Run in at least two more marathons, I would be happy with one as I have found it's pretty tough on my body. I want to run in 4:30 or faster. Need to find a race or two and sign up.
I've signed up for the Seattle Marathon set for Thanksgiving weekend. It looks like I'll only being doing one this year. That's ok! Time for a PR! Can I break 5 1/2 hours? I think so!

2. PR in a 5k. I can't believe how long it's been since I have PRd in a 5k. I am embarrassed to admit that my best time is only 28 minutes... yeah, I'm slow! Check! I have another 5k coming up May 22, except it's untimed. Will it still count if I use my own watch? I would like to go a :26 or faster!

3. PR in a half marathon. I think the 1/2 is the best race distance. I need to go faster than a 2:13. So far the last three 1/2s I have done have all gotten slower. Here is to a fast 2010 for my half marathon. I am on the fence about doing a half marthon this weekend. I'm not really ready, but it would be nice for a training run and perhaps a PR! No PR yet, but I would like to do 2 half marathons leading up to the marathon in November. I have not signed up for anything yet!

4. Sign up for and finish my first half ironman. I just got a new bike trainer and I am hoping that will keep me in bike shape until I can get outside. Well I have signed up for this race and I am scared to death! Now I just need to finish and finish strong! CHECK!!!! I did it! I finished and I think I finished strong!!!!! Woooooot!!!

5. Swim a sub 6 minute 500 free at a masters meet! I haven't done this since high school. I think I can do it for sure. My first meet in 2010 is in April. It would be helpful to achieve this goal if I actually signed up for a swim meet! This month I am planning on ramping up the swimming. It's something I love and want to spend more time doing, however, there aren't any swim meets any time soon!

New 2010 Goals (May 2010):

6. Sign up for a 10k. I've never done one before. No 10k races on the schedule yet!

7. Get a PR in a sprint triathlon. I need to go faster than a 1:29. I think I can smash that this summer! Not yet :(

8. Get a new PR in an Olympic distance tri. Check back in September. I am hoping for a strong race to be proud of!!

New Goals for 2010 (July)

1. Join a triathlon team.



That is enough for now!! I'll update in a few months!


Happy Training!!


Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Our Garden

Our garden is out of control!! Too bad it hasn't produced anything to eat yet. But it does look amazing. We are growing corn; some from seed and some from starters. The starters are doing much better, they are starting to produce some edible goodies, but nothing close to being ready to pick. We are also growing tomatoes, again nothing to eat yet. There are some squash growing and they could be ready to eat soon! And last but not least, pumpkins. We are hoping for a great pumpkin harvest this fall. So far there are flowers and fruit growing, albeit small.






My husband made the raised beds and together we planted everything. We tilled the soil, put down compost and planted. We also added some grass to the top of the soil. All seems to be good. We go down every day to check out the progress.






















Monday, July 19, 2010

Chelanman 70.3 DONE!!!!!

I did it! I finished!


Packing: I laid out all of my things before I put them in my race bag. I took a picture. Looked at picture and realized something was missing. Can you tell what it was?





Morning of the race: We camped and arrived at the campsite on Friday night. We realized the campsite was about 12 miles from the race start. Not exactly ideal but it worked. I woke up at 4am and stumbled to the bathroom to brush my teeth and try to wake up from a not so sound sleep.


I got back to our campsite and lit the camp stove to boil water for my oatmeal. Made my oatmeal and almost gagged each time I took a bite of food. It was awful. I had to force-feed myself. I also ate a half of a plain bagel and one banana. All of it was GROSS!


Transition area: I checked my bike in on Friday night, so all I had to do was bring my race bag and set up my transition area in the morning. I laid everything out, put on some sunscreen, got my cap and goggles and headed to the potty. And from there down to the swim.

The Swim: It was a fairly breezy morning, but a warm breeze. The lake temperature was 71 degrees. I decided last week that I didn't need a wetsuit for this race. The water was the perfect temperature. However, the water was so choppy and wavy I knew I would be in for a challenge.
I was really lucky enough to be in the first wave. I really wanted to just start and get it over with. The gun went off at 7am on the dot. I positioned myself to the left of the pack towards the front. I got going and about five minutes in I had a panic attack. It was so incredibly wavy I could not catch my breath. I waved down a lifeguard in a kayak and told her I was panicky and she told me to take three deep breaths and start again. I did that and was fine! I was really worried that the anxiety would continue but it didn't.

I made the turn around and headed for the swim finish. It was rough and it was challenging, even though I am a strong swimmer. Most everyone I talked to agreed it was a brutal swim.

I finished the swim in 39 minutes, much slower than my average mile pace but managed to finish 4th in my age group and 67th overall! Not bad for such a difficult swim!




Notice all of those dudes in wetsuits and notice the STUD without one!!!


The Bike: HOLY COW!!! This was HARD!! The first 30 or so miles were rolling hills, not bad, beautiful scenery, somewhat challenging. I was very good about taking a serving of gel about every 15 minutes, sipping on Perpetuem (YUCK! Didn't finish the whole thing), water and Nuun.

The last 26 miles were BRUTAL for me. Including a giant climb up the side of a mountain. By this time it had become fairly hot and the ride was not in shade. All of the racers were so awesome, everyone kept cheering each other on and helping out when it got rough. It was great.

I ended up finishing in 4 hours because of all those incredibly challenging hills. My husband met me in transition and asked if I was OK, I was. I had trouble getting my right shoe on and kept swearing up a storm. I told him that I would see him in a very, very long time. I was so tired and it was so hot! But I knew I could do it. I just kept telling myself that "I can do it, I can do it!"


The Run: The most difficult thing for me during a triathlon. It was HOT, HOT, HOT. During my training I was not able to train in hot weather because we have had such cold spring and not a very warm summer.

I was able to borrow my mom's Garmin for the run! It helped me so much. My goal was to keep my pace at an 11:00 minute mile or under. I was able to do this for about 6 miles. By this time the temperature had crept into the 90s and again there was no shade on this course.

This race was so well supported, it was awesome! Water, gel, orange slices, Heed and ice at every stop! Thank God! By mile 6 I was hurting. I could feel a blister forming on my foot, but I kept thinking how I just need to keep going, it's just a little blister. I kept on trucking along, taking two minute walk breaks when I felt I needed to. I would kind of mosey through the water stops because it was so hot.

There was this incredible woman that was not racing but coaching some of her clients. She stopped to see if I was OK. She was asking all sorts of questions and saying such motivating things to help me keep going. She left and said she would be back after she checked on some people (she was on a bike). She ended up coming back and I told her my hands were really swollen. She quickly gave me a salt pill and said that should help a little. She caught up to me again and gave me another! Bless her heart, she did not have to do that at all!


Mile 13: Wow! Hot much?? I could see the finish line in the distance but still knew I had a ways to go. At this point I was crying and then I would stop and get my head straight. I was crying because I could not believe I was so CLOSE to finishing! It was an unbelievable feeling! The closer I got the more emotional it became. There was a hill right at the end and I actually ran up it because I knew at the end of the downhill was the finish line! Once I started running downhill I could not contain myself. I was crying like a baby. I couldn't believe that I was going to finish this!

I saw my two friends at the finish line and they were cheering for me, the announcer didn't say my name :( and I didn't see my husband :(. But my girls were there and greeted me with hugs and cheers and told me I was their hero!

The other person that greeted me was the medic. Apparently I had no color in my face, which could indicate something was wrong like heat exhaustion, dehydration etc. He put his arms around me and walked me to the medic tent. I laid down, they took my shoes and socks off, I took my shirt off and they put bags of ice in my pits. They took my pulse which was fine, gave me water and made me stay there for about 10 minutes. I was so high on adrenaline that I didn't even realize that I was overheated.

My friend called my husband who was nearby, constantly checking to see if I was coming in, but since the announcer didn't say my name he missed it. She told him I was in the medical tent and he raced over to see me. He felt so bad he missed my finish, but at least someone was there to see it!


Results: I met my two goals! Finish, and not to come in last! Boy was I close to not meeting one of those goals! I finished 185 out of 200 and 11th in my age group in 7:50. Eeeek! Oh well, I finished!


Things I have learned:

1. I can do anything I set my mind to!

2. Obviously I did something right by training all on my own... I did finish ;)

3. Would like to join a team to help me get better and biking and running.

4. I need to ride my bike MUCH, MUCH more! The trainer will be my friend in the winter for sure!

5. I will do another one soon!

6. I'm not ready for an Ironman... not yet!

7. I don't have swim that much!

8. Bring salt pills when you know it's going to be hot!

9. Encourage your fellow racers, they will encourage you!

10. Don't camp while participating in a big, long race. Get a hotel! It's much more comfortable!


Monday, July 12, 2010

Triathlon #1 Complete!

Yesterday was my first triathlon of the season. I'm jealous of all you triathletes who live in warm climates and are able to race sooner! Looks like next year I'll have to do Lavaman in Hawaii in March!
Anyway, yesterdays race was really fun! I woke up at 4:30 left the house by 5:30 and made it to set up my bike and transition gear and was down by the lake before transition closed at 6:45. Did I mention it was incredibly foggy? Thankfully we have had some hot days this past week and the water was a warm 71 degrees, the fog must have kept in the warmth!

The swim was not very good :( It was foggy and I already race without prescription goggles so it was very difficult to see the buoys and other people in front of me. I have done this race two times before and was able to swim it in a little over 12 minutes. This time I did it in a little over 14 minutes. I was so disoriented by the time I got out I almost tipped over. Thankfully they had a guard rail set up or I would have fallen back into the lake. It was kind of funny :)


The bike: I was really surprised that I didn't do the bike very fast :( but I felt VERY good. I can't figure it out. I guess I just have to try harder next time! I finished 12 hilly miles in 48 minutes.


The run: Was really hilly and we had to do the course two times. I ran four miles in 41 minutes. Not impressed with my time at all. But I was passing people on the hills, which NEVER happens! I guess hill training helps!!


I was 6th in my age group and 35th overall! I am happy with the results, but just thought I would do much better! Onto bigger and better things next weekend!



Friday, July 9, 2010

Things I have learned while training for a 1/2 Ironman

1. It's hard training on your own. Yes, I had a training plan, a good one it seemed, but it would have been so much easier training with a group for all three events. Next year I am joining a local team. They have planned workouts and have an awesome coach that I have talked with before.

2. Nutrition, Nutrition, Nutrition. Triathlons fourth event! I started thinking that what I was doing on my own was not working. So I talked to a tri coach and he fed my mind with way too much information three weeks before my race, and I am hoping to god that my not so thought through nutrition plan will work.

3. Wetsuits: We have had one cold spring. Not enough warm temps. to warm up the lake. Lake temp. as of last week was 62. I reserved my wetsuit for race day weekend, but I have never swam in one during a race. I guess that is what race day is for...practice ;)

4.Bike: I LOVE my bike and I LOVE biking! I have actually been able to ride my bike much more than I ever have and I have so much fun, every single time! I went out on my last long ride on Wednesday, it may have been a little slow thanks to a headwind but I loved it!

5. The Run: I am really starting to feel very confident in my running! Yay! However, I have never run 13.1 miles after a 56 mile bike ride, that scares me. And I have to confess, I have only done one brick workout (see what I mean, I need a team and a coach!). But, I do have a sprint tri this weekend and that is where I will get to squeeze in a second brick!!

6. I feel great! I have made it through training with:
Zero injuries!
One cold
Hives and an epi-pen
A brand new speedy, awesome bike!
Very little swimming
LOTS AND LOTS of running!
A skinnier me!
A Smaller bra size!
A huge sense of accomplishment!
Knowing I can do anything...even without a team or coach!

7 days and counting until race day! I am nervous but I can't wait to get it done once and for all!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Your Advice, Happy Thoughts and Words of Wisdom Needed!


I am about to embark on my first half-ironman! (7/17) Wooo! Hooo! I can safely say that I am ready! I won't be coming in first and I swear I won't come in last! Either way though it's an automatic PR. But, I need your help! I am very negative sometimes, especially as race day comes closer and closer. Negative self-talk can cause havoc on race day. Whether it be "Everyone looks faster than me." "They have a better bike than me!" "That girl next to me must be a better runner than me" "I'm not ready, so I'll take it easy" "I've never done this before, so that gives me an excuse to walk more than run" and on and on!


I need your help! I need your words of advice, happy thoughts and words of wisdom. I don't care if you have done a 70.3, a full ironman, or just completed your first 5k. Your words WILL inspire me! So bring them on and feel free to pass on my blog post to anyone who you think will give some great advice!! I appreciate it very much!!


Saturday, June 26, 2010

My New Workout Buddy




I have a new workout buddy and he's a lifesaver!




Lately, after my long bike rides and long runs I have been experiencing hives. The first time it happened I was running with my mom and started itching my legs like crazy. After we were done they went away pretty quickly. They came back again on a long bike ride. This time on my face and legs. Again, they went away pretty quickly. I wasn't too worried about it although I thought it was strange. But, my mom gets this on occasion as well.


My last long bike ride of 50 miles it happened again. I had hives on the back of my legs, arms, lips and chin. My face was incredibly blotchy. I started getting itchy while I was riding and then when I was done I was like an itch factory!

I put in an email to my doctor explaining what was happening. That it only happens after long runs and rides, never really has happened before, no new exotic foods, same detergent etc. She emailed me back pretty quickly saying it could be two things. 1. Exercise induced uticaria, which happens when one gets hot from exercise, showers, hot-tubs, weather etc. Usually you would see small hives, very itchy etc. or 2. Exercise induced anaphylaxis. Which causes hives and then anaphylactic shock; trouble breathing, headache, nausea etc. The two can be very difficult to tell apart. Here is an interesting article I found on EIA (Exercise Induced Anaphylaxis). So, my doctor prescribed me a daily dose of Claritin and an Epi-Pen to carry with me when I workout, just in case. Thankfully, I have only experienced hives and that will be it, but I am glad that she thought it was necessary for the epi-pen to be prescribed because who knows what will happen next time.
Sooooo, where do I carry this puppy when I am running and on my bike? It's huge! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!




Saturday, June 19, 2010

We're on the Board!!

My friend and I went to a small event at our local running shop to get a discount on race registration and with that a ticket for a raffle drawing. Back where we signed up for the race there is a big white board that lists people's races that are coming up. I asked how we get on the board and the owner came over and added our names and races, I feel so special!!


Thursday, June 17, 2010

Words of Wisdom from Dad

In honor of Father's day I impart upon you the wise words of my father.

"Did you have fun?" My dad would always say after a swimming a race, after dancing in a recital or just trying something new. I would always say an emphatic "YES!!!" Even today after I tell him about a race he will always ask if I had fun. His number one concern during all of those long swim meets and rehearsals and performances was that I was having fun! It wasn't whether I won or lost or just did OK, he wanted to make sure I still was enjoying all of those activities and if I wasn't maybe it was time to try something new or just take a break for awhile.

I still live by these words today. Why would I do something over and over again if I didn't have fun? Sometimes in the moment a workout or a race isn't fun (my first marathon wasn't fun) but usually afterwards I say "wow that wasn't so bad, I should do that again!"

Again, in honor of father's day ask yourself after a workout or a race if you had fun. If not time to reevaluate your workout or goals!

Thanks Dad and Happy Father's Day!

Happy Training!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Running Group and Sickness... Oh My!!!

On Friday I started getting a sore throat and I knew that a cold would soon be around the corner. My new running friend and I met at the track and did a small speed workout. She is pretty new to running so we kept it short. We did a one mile easy warm-up and 4 x400 each and then a mile cool down. We timed each other and I ended up doing my broken mile in 6:23!! I was really shocked! Granted I did get to rest between each 400 but to me that is really fast, even with a sore throat! We ended with a one mile easy cool down. It was a fun track workout especially with a buddy!

On Sunday my mom and I met up with a new running group. They just formed Memorial Day weekend. They were started by a new running store in my area, West Seattle Runner. On Sunday they offer a 3, 6 or 10 mile run. We were both set to run the 10 miles and I still was feeling not so great, but didn't have a full on cold yet. It was a beautiful day for running, warm and sunny! We started out really fast because it seemed like everyone there is faster than me (I guess that could be a good thing!). We weren't exactly sure where to go for the 10 mile route and someone accidentally pointed us to the 6 mile route. It was ok with me, I was not feeling good at all! I think 10 miles would have been way too much for me. It was really fun to run with a large group and I am definitely going back. On Wednesday the Mizuno bus is coming to hand out free goodies and size shoes plus the running group will be going on a three or six mile run. It should be a fun Wednesday for running!.

Monday I felt terrible. I really wanted to go to my Zumba class but I really needed a rest! I am feeling much better today and I am ready for a running workout.I have a new route planned. I have no idea how many miles it will be I just know there will be some steep hills involved.

Happy Training!
 
Health Blogger