Now, a Word from Our Sponsor

Hooray! So, my bike team just picked up a new sponsor, Clif, and I could not be more excited.

All of last race season, I lived off of Clif Shot Bloks, which I swear, were designed just for me. They are easy to carry, easy to digest, and easy to eat. I tried to do the whole GU shot thing when I trained for my first half-marathon, and I'm just not coordinated enough to eat them. I open them up and get sticky stuff everywhere—all over my hands, my face, and yes, even in my hair. No thank you.

So, when I discovered the Bloks, I was really excited. No more stickiness! Before I was proficient in pulling them out of my cycling pockets, I would stick them on my bike frame. During my half-Ironman run and my marathon, I stuck a few tubes of them in my sports bra for easy access.

Also, I am accustomed to eating 2 protein bars for breakfast on race days. The have been Kashi 'Go Lean' Bars, but for 2010, I'm looking forward to finding the right Clif product for me.

Thank you, Clif, for your sponsorship!!

Goodbye 2009, Nice to Meet You 2010

New Year's Eve. I've never been a big partier, and this year, Kevin and I are spending the evening at home with the pupster. I'm really ready for 2010 and to officially start training for Ironman.

Here is what else I'm resolving to do in 2010:

* Blog more
* Eat less
* Ride my bike to work more, or at least take the bus more
* Take better care of myself

Sounds fairly simple, right? It is always best to keep resolutions somewhat vague ... that way they are easier to attain.

Welp, Happy New Year!

New Attitude Towards Running?

Today is day two of running home. What? Yep, two days in a row of over 4.5 miles each.

I've never been a fan of running. I have always been slow, no matter how in-shape I was. It makes my lungs burn, makes my heart race, and all around puts me in a place of extreme discomfort.

Well, it's no secret that I'm training for Ironman, so I thought I should get back at it. But, I did some reading over the Christmas holiday and thought I'd try the advice of trying to keep your heart rate down while training. The theory says that you will get faster at that heart rate over time and will burn fat. Sounded pretty good.

Holy moly. I had so much fun. I did a 2,25o-yard swim practice at the Masters swim workout and then changed for the run home. I left about 8 pm from the WAC, where I work out. Shortly after I started my run, it started to rain. Didn't really bother me. I had a fleece vest a an iPod full of songs my friend Danielle gave to me. It was actually challenging to keep my heart rate in the 155-165 range. I almost felt like I was dancing home! Light heart rate means slow shuffley steps, but I was home in no time! So, I did it again today.

I'm so happy that I've made peace with running ... for now. Slower is better ... for now.

Totally Off Topic

So, I'm kind of having a rough day. No one specific reason, just am. The cure? 'Pets on Furniture' posts on Desire to Inspire.

How can this not make your day a little brighter?

Worst Blogger Ever

I know. I'm an awful blogger. Who wants to read a blog that is super-patchy and goes months without a post? No one. And I know that because I'm pretty confident no one has ever read this blog. That's okay. My resolution for this upcoming year is to get better at it. Not be perfect, but better. Who knows? Maybe someone will even read it.

Currently, I'm waiting to start my official Ironman training. That will start up in January. Lately, I've just been dinking around on my bike and in the pool while I gain a few 'holiday treat' pounds. I'm trying to get more structured without going crazy—they'll be plenty of time for that.

Actually, I should mention that I'm still recovering from my first marathon that I did the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. Hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I don't recommend doing a marathon without training. It makes for some seriously long recovery time that I just don't have.

Changing subjects—

Today, I will go to spinning for half of the class and then go to my master's swim workout. Hopefully, it doesn't kill me. I am 'trying' to lose about 12-15 pounds by April so I've only consumed 335 calories so far today (3:30 pm), and usually I put away the calories pretty fast. 

Danielle and I are also working on some ideas for my 'superfan' Ironman shirt. Details to follow!

Tomorrow is The Big Day

Today is wonderful! Why? Well, because today is the day before my birthday. Yep, I'm one of those people. It's funny - Kevin asked me if I was excited for my race. I said, "What? My track race? I guess so." And he returns with, "Um, no ...." Oh yeah! My Half-Ironman this weekend. I can't think of anything past by birthday.

I don't really know why I love my birthday so much. When I really think about it, it isn't all that exciting. I guess I just am happy to have a mini-holiday to celebrate me. Every 365 days.

Well, today I swam 2,100 yards, and later found out that distance is just 12 yards shy of the 1.2 miles I will be required to swim on Sunday. I did a 300-yard warm up followed by a 1,600-yard long set and closed with a 200-yard cool down. My main set took me exactly 30 minutes.

I'm hoping that means that I can exit the water this weekend in approx. 45 minutes. You never know what will happen when it comes to open water ... all that bumping and flailing. I'm also a bit nervous that the starting waves are so close together and some of the really fast age groups will start after me, which hasn't really happened before. I have to keep reminding myself that pacing will be key and that I'm out there to do my own race, nobody else's.

Just a few more days til the big race! And just a little over an hour until my special day!

One Week: The Half-Ironman countdown and other musings

So much for keeping an up-to-date blog.

33 bike races this season ... 32 since my last post and two triathlons on top of that. I've been busy.

So busy that somehow, I've managed to secure 3rd place for the Garmin Women's Category 4 Series. My original goal was to crack the top 15 so I feel pretty darn good about it. I was the leader at one point, until I crashed about 2 months ago. I was wearing the jersey when it happened. That was my first major crash and feel very blessed that the damage was not worse.

I've met a lot of great people along the way and have mixed feelings about the season coming to an end. BUT! I have one major race to complete before it does ... The Lake Stevens Half-Ironman on Sunday, August 16. Now, I'm not sure if I'm really ready for this race, but my goal is to finish and to learn how to handle myself during such a long race. Did I mention that I'm signed up for Ironman CDA for next June?

I will be sure to give a race report for that.