Chicago Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon

It wasn't pretty, but it got done!  It's been a long time since we've had any activity on this blog.  The other Ironmoms and I have been a bit out of touch with the racing scene (I think I can safely say that for all of us!).

I had a long winter--some injuries and other things got in the way of training and racing.  And, general dislike for training kept me from getting up and getting things done in terms of racing.  As a result, I was less than prepared for the Chicago Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon.

The day prior to the race I was in Minneapolis where I ran/walked the Bacon Chase 5k with friends (it was a fun race--I recommend it!).  Then, I hopped a plane and arrived in Chicago.  After surviving the chaos that is a Rock 'n' Roll race expo, I had my packet and set out for a lovely evening hanging out with a friend in Chicago.  All the while, I had this dread hanging over my head--I knew this race was going to be painful.
 
If I am being 100% honest, the last time I really ran was back in November for the Women's 1/2 Marathon.  I had done some short distances since then, but nothing consistent or really much more than 3-5 miles at a time.  Once the hot weather hit in Phoenix, I did ZERO running (or biking for that matter).  I decided that I would use a walk-run interval to survive the Chicago race and held to it for the first half...then my walk intervals got longer...then my run intervals got shorter.  Finally, for miles 11 & 12, I think (I know) I walked more than I ran.

I finished and could feel my lack of training in just about every part of my body.  I vowed to start training for my October/November half marathons (4 half marathons in 6 weeks).  Here it is, August, and the training has not really started...yet.  So, here I am back on the blog and committing to getting trained for those races!!

If you're curious about how I handled the incredible muscle soreness following the race, check out my other blog (Oil Have What She's Having) where I talked about that.  oilhabit.com/2014/07/sore-muscles-aroma-siez/

Happy racing (and training!!) everyone!

It's been a really long time!

Elliot and Mom after the Mesa Tri

Wow, it's been so long since any of us Ironmoms have been on the blog to update about our races and training.  I guess that this year has been more about being moms and less about being Iron.  :)  I was at IMAZ 2013 this weekend and I couldn't believe that a year ago I was out there racing.  I volunteered to help--mostly because I know how much those volunteers mean to the racers on that long day.  Also, I had some friends racing and I wanted to be sure to support them.  I can't say I missed racing.  It was great to be around the energy and excitement without the stress and the long hours of training that go along with racing.  I saw fellow Ironmom Kristin while volunteering.  She had baby Eden with her and looked awesome.

Women's Half Marathon

Meanwhile, I have done tons of races!!  So many, that I can hardly remember all of them.  Since the last update--SW Valley tri, Marquee tri, Espirit de She tri, Tempe International Tri, MedCity Marathon Relay, Minneapolis Marathon, Timberman tri, Waseca tri, Skirt Chaser 5k, Cheese Fest 5k, Peoria tri, Mesa tri, Nathan's/Lifetime tri, the Women's Half Marathon, the Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge, and even a virtual marathon.  I think that's all of them.

Truth be told, I think I am a little burnt out on racing.  Completing the Ironman gave me sort of a bad attitude about training.  I tend to have the "I finished an Ironman, so how hard can this ____ race be?" mentality about everything.  As a result, I haven't really been enjoying the races nearly as much (because I have not been training for them).  The ones that I have enjoyed have been the ones I've gotten to do with friends (which are always the best ones anyway!!).

Jessie and I at the Timberman Tri

I only have a few races scheduled in the coming months.  Elliot and I are going to do a Thanksgiving tri, I am doing the Hot Chocolate 5k again, the Rock 'n' Roll Arizona 1/2 Marathon, the Awesome 80's run and the Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon.  And, that's all I have planned for now.  I am going to focus on having more fun with races and doing races in more interesting locales (I've had about all I can take of the area around Tempe Town Lake for now!).  

Katie, Jen, and I at the SkirtChaser

At the Mesa tri a few weeks ago, a woman asked me if I was an Ironmom from the blog.  She was really sweet and encouraging.  I am glad people are still interested in the blog and I will be better about updating about races and training.  I hope my other Ironmoms will join me.  :)

As for training, I have really started to mix things up since IMAZ last year.  I found a dance studio where I could take tap classes (which I did when I lived in MN and have missed since moving to AZ).  It's been so fun.  Also, I have been trying out different classes at the gym to make up for the significant decrease in running, biking, and swimming I have had since IMAZ.  

Happy training everyone!

Tap!!!