Double Down!!

Runner's Den Road Race--Double Down= 5k + 10k

The day was perfect for a run...or two! It was cool and overcast, but not windy. This race is well organized and well run. The course wasn't too crowded and there were free pancakes!!!

The 5k went well. I tried to hold back a bit in anticipation of the 10k. After finishing the 5k, I had about 45 minutes to relax before the 10k started. It did feel a little chilly after running, but once the 10k picked up it was great.

The 10k went well too. Around the 4 mile mark, a car ignored the police roadblock and almost hit me and another runner, but otherwise the run was uneventful. I was definitely tired by the end of the run, but I generally felt good during and after the run. Next up--Ragnar!

Awesome 80's 10k and Rock 'n' Roll Half

Wow, 2013 is taking off fast!  I am already two races behind on my updates.  I ran the Awesome 80's 10k on January 12th and it was, as advertised, awesome!  I convinced my husband to run the race with me and he, in typical Adam fashion, did no training for the race, but was ready to go and run anyway on race day. 

Awesome 80's!

It was a cold morning--very cold by Arizona standards, but it felt very nice to be running in it after things got started.  The race was relatively small, which was great.  There wasn't a mad rush to pick up race numbers on race morning and the crowd at the starting line was very manageable even though both the 10k and 5k started at the same time and ran the same course. 

The course was flat and easy.  The 10k was two loops of the 5k course.  Adam kept pushing the pace with this long legs and we finished in 1:00.48--a PR for me.  It was a good run and I felt great afterwards.  I would highly recommend this case in the future--it was fun and relaxed.  My only hesitation in recommending it is that if more people sign up in the future it may get too crazy and crowded.  :)

This past Sunday I ran the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon.  It was my 4th time running one of the P.F. Chang's races--my third time running the 1/2.  I wasn't really excited to run this race again because it has gotten increasingly more crowded and crazy each year, but I wanted to try the newly revamped 1/2 course, so I sucked it up and signed up. 

The girls were ready to rock!

As it is every year, the expo was a madhouse.  I had signed the girls up for the kid's run on Saturday, so I had to go on Friday after work so I got the double whammy of expo insanity and downtown traffic.  The girls had a blast at the kids' run--lots of entertainment and nice, fun running experience.  I would sign them up for this again in the future. 

For my race, things were a little more hectic and rushed.  Adam and the girls dropped me off at the starting line, which was nice because parking looked like a nightmare.  I arrived around 7:15 at the starting area.  The race was scheduled to start at 7:50 so I had plenty of time to use the port-a-potty and get set...or so I thought.  The first thing I did was jump in the port-a-potty line...which was pretty much the whole pre-race time period.  Just after I stepped out of the port-a-potty, they started the National Anthem and then the race. 


I usually like to eat an energy bar or something before the race and I had brought some salt sticks to use as well, but I didn't have water with me (there's usually plenty at the start).  I didn't have time to look for water, so I figured I'd just take the first salt stick at the first water break, which is usually just after the first mile.  I was in corral 9 and we started about 12 minutes after the first corral, which made me wish I had looked for water and then just got back in the corral, but oh well. 

Another RNR Down!

Things started out well.  I was maintaining a pace that felt comfortable and was on par with what I had run the Awesome 80's 10k.  Around mile 7, I started to get hot and very thirsty.  I was anxiously looking for the next water stop around every corner.  When I finally got there, I took my salt stick and ate a bit of my power bar.  I think I ate the power bar too late in the race, because from mile 8 to the finish I just kept fading.  I was tired and my feet were super hot.  I had debated between running my Newtons (which I'd worn for the 80's run) and my old Brooks and went with the Brooks since I was still worried about the lack of distance I'd run in the Newtons.  I should have worn the Newtons. 

Also, I think the hills in the 2nd half of the course really took a toll on me.  No doubt about it, I was under trained for the race.  Reflecting back--the only real running I've done since IM have been a 5k in December and 2 10ks in January...so that shouldn't have surprised me. All in all, the Rock 'n' Roll race series is getting a bit tiresome.  The races have been really crowded and the expo is always a huge ordeal.  And, there's nothing that exciting about the races (other than the cool medals) after you've done a couple.  The race fees are always really high too...so this might be my last RNR for awhile. 

I will definitely be getting more miles in before Ragnar in February!!  I also need to get back on my bike, though I have been less than excited about that prospect since IM.  I am hoping Kate and Annette share their adventures/misadventures on getting back on the bike yesterday. 

Next up:  Runner's Den Road Races in Feb.

Polar Dash 2013

This race update is a bit late, but here it is! I started off the new year with what's becoming a chilly new tradition. I headed to St. Paul for the Polar Dash 10k. Last year, Danie and I ran this and decided it was not a great idea. Somehow, after a year, we could no longer remember anything but the fun!

We were able to recruit a bigger group of friends to join us. Among the group were a number of 10k newbies. It was so much fun running with a group of friends without a care about the pace. And, one of my friends who had planned to finish her first 5k that day--decided to make it her first 10k instead!!

We polished it off with a fantastic lunch at one of my favorite St. Paul haunts.

Coming up--Awesome 80's 10k and PF Chang's Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon.

Happy Holidays

Hope all you ironmoms have a great holiday season and that Santa brings you all some sweet gear!!

Hot Chocolate 5k

Kim and Annette with friends at start

This was a super fun race!!  I wasn't sure how much I would want to do as far as races after IMAZ, so I signed up for this 5k as a way to stay motivated and because the swag promised lots of chocolate!!  It was good and cold at race start.  I was happy to find Annette and another friend who had come up from Tucson (yay Hue!). 

Yummy finisher swag!

The race started on time and things were well organized--especially with 7,000 runners.  I have been working on getting over the cold I've had since before IMAZ so this was the first run I'd done since then.  I felt pretty good--a little congested, but no coughing fits.  I happily finished in under 30 minutes.  It's so nice to do a race that doesn't take up the entire day!  I look forward to more short races (especially sprint triathlons) this season. 

My favorite fans

I have signed up for a bunch of races already in 2013 (the discounts were too good not to get signed up!).
January:  Polar Dash 10k, Awesome 80's 10k, PF Chang's Rock N Roll 1/2 marathon
February: Runner's Den Road Races (5k and 10k challenge), Ragnar
March:  Phoenix 1/2 Marathon
April: Marquee Sprint Tri
May: Medcity 1/2 Marathon
September: Nathan's Olympic Tri
October:  Soma 1/2 Iron Tri

I'm thinking I need to get some bike rides planned too!



Here's to a great 2012!

DANGIT!!!!

Sometimes the best laid plans just don't turn out the way we want them to go.

It's been a few weeks since the Ironman, and I've spent this time in reflection, tears, disappointment, and just good ol' sitting on my pitypot. Well believe it or not, the sun has continued to rise, the calendar keeps turning, and the clock keeps on ticking.

The morning started as planned, woke up with enough time to eat some oatmeal and coffee. I even stirred in some blue corn meal to give it some extra Diné umph. Night before I had everything packed and ready to go. Enzo was already parked and just needed a water bottle.

Michelle, Ella, and Cole drove me down to see me off. Traffic to the parking area was crazy, and while waiting for cars to move it dawned on me that I didn't pack an extra swim cap. Y'see, I chose to pass on a neoprene cap and use two swim caps instead. luckily Triple Sports was open, so while the car wasn't moving, I jumped out and bought another swim cap. ok...crisis diverted.

Parked.

Got to the transition area...Wow the portapotty lines are long! First stop - Bodymarking

Had my special needs bags that needed to be dropped off. Nothing special, just a PBJ in each, but dang the drop off area is far! Got back, waited for the potty - check.

Wha?! already calling pros to swim start, and I still need to get in my wetsuit. Am I forgetting anything? Am I forgetting anything? Am I forgetting anything?








Gosh, I sure hope not.






Here's how I'm hoping the rest of the world sees me

.....but, here's how I'm REALLY feeling

Ha ha!

Time to head down to the swim. I was hoping to find the other Ironmoms, but I was also trying to keep from having a panic attack too. Luckily I ran into Melinda and stood on the side watching the rest of the group jumping in and swimming out to the start. I was really scared. Well, here goes nothing and I jumped in. DAYUM that's cooooold! Easy swim out to the start under the bridges. I got there just in time to tread for a couple minutes then BANG!!!!! Time to go!

I intentionally seeded myself toward the back to avoid the punching, kicking, pulling, and getting swam over. My race plan allowed me a good two hours to complete the swim. I started my Garmin when the cannon went off so I could track the day.


Dang its cold.

I'm in there somewhere.




I was probably sighting and checking my time too many times and the big crowd was pulling away, but I wasn't alone so its still ok. There was a mixture of kayaks, canoes and motor boats in the water. Somehow one of the police boats decided to stay in front of me so I spent a lot of time breathing in the exhaust fumes.....YUCK! Checked my time, still on track...ok.

FINALLY get to the first turn buoy, make my turn and thankful to get the sun out of my eyes. Second turn buoy and heading back, check my time....awesome right at one hour! Plan is on track. Stroke, stroke, stroke, breath. Stroke, stroke, stroke, breath. Stroke, stroke, stroke, breath. HOLY CRAP!!!!!! What the hell?!?!?!?!!! OWWWWWWWWW!!!!!! Hamstring cramp.....NOOOOOOOOO. I popped up screaming and a kayak came over to help. I was pulling my "toes to my nose" and trying to activate my quads to release the cramps. I was asking, more like pleading, for salt or Ironman Perform. The lady in the kayak let me know that she only had plain water. No, no, no.....I NEED SALT!!!!

I'm not sure how long I held on to that kayak. Kayak-lady asked, "Do you want to give up?" Oh HELL NO! Ok Brown, c'mon and get yer arse in gear!

Face down. Stroke, stroke, stroke, breath. Stroke, stroke, stroke, breath. Stroke, stroke, stroke, breath. Just keep swimming dammit! That IS NOT a muscle twinge. Relax, don't tighten up, it'll pass. Stroke, stroke, stroke, breath. Light posts are going by. Stroke, stroke, stroke, stroke, breath. Thanks old guy on the SUP for keeping me on track...just stay there on my right. Stroke, stroke, stroke, breath. Stroke, stroke, stroke, breath. More light posts going by, a little quicker now.

You can make it, you can make it.

Stroke, stroke, stroke, breath. Lost count on the number of light posts that went by. I've gotta be getting close by now, but don't want to take time to check. Just let SUP-man guide you in. Stroke, stroke, stroke, breath. No, no, no....that is NOT a muscle twinge. relax. relax. RELAX! I'm starting to hear the crowds and music! You can make it, you can make it!

BAM! NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Calves

Toes to the nose.....toes to the nose!

Hamstrings

AAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGH!!!!!

SUP-man is right there. "More cramps?" He asks. Yes! "Where?" Calves. "That's it," he says, and calls in the Tempe PD boat. I can see the last turn buoy. Ow, ow, ow, ow. Check my watch - 02:12 - Yup, that's it.

"Hang on ma'am, we got you." I'm pulled onto the boat sobbing, cramped, devastated, sobbing.

"Pull around, we got another one over here." An exhausted older lady is also pulled on next to me. She's shivering and coughing and coughing and coughing. She turns to me and says, "We are going to be ok! We will do this again! We'll come back and do this again!"

Next thing, pulled up at the dock, and lots of people and hands. They try and stand me up to get out of the boat. OW OW OW!!! Muscles in legs still cramped, I can't stand. A blanket is brought and I have to roll on it, then I'm carried up onto the dock. What the heck, I have to climb over a railing to get into the medical tent? You're kidding right?

Suddenly, my best friend Traci appears! "Annette! Annette! I'm here, I'm here!" I'm still sobbing. I'm uprighted enough to strip the wetsuit, and Traci takes it. Lifted over the railing, and slid straight into a tub of warm water. sobbing, sobbing, sobbing.

"Here's some warm chicken broth" Thanks. Needed this an hour ago.

Sobbing

Lots of rushing and people bringing in another guy for the warm tub next to me. He was in pretty bad shape. Thrashing about, incoherent, vitals being called out - pulse ox 78 - holy crap! "Get an IV line started!" "Someone call his wife!" "We're going to have to transport!" "Sir! Sir! can you hear me!?"

Can I have some more chicken broth?

I finally look around and there's at least six people huddled under blankets in beach chairs. Traci is still there, holding my hand, letting me know she called Michelle. They were already out on the Beeline for the bike leg. "Did I want them all just to meet me at home?"

No, no, I want to go out there! I have to go out there...the rest of the Ironmoms are out there. If I'm not going to race, I'm going to cheer on my friends. My day is not over yet!

Yes, I need one more chicken broth. Yes, I think I can move over to a beach chair now. I try standing. Pretty wobbly. "Sit down, you're not ready yet." Ok, no I don't want anymore chicken broth. Yes I'm still crying because I can't go on anymore. No, don't cut-off my wristband! That's too final, too real....my day is not over yet!

Finally in my beach chair, huddled under a blanket. Gurney comes in, the other guy is loaded up and buckled in. Thankfully I can hear him responding to their questions.

Not sure how much time went by, but I'm finally feeling like I can stand and move around. I need to go collect my T1 and T2 bags. My glasses are in my T2 bag. I have no dry clothes other than what's in my bags. I'm still cold. Traci and Amanda were there to watch the start. Little did they know, little did I know, that I'd be riding to the Beeline in a car, and not on my Enzo.

I'm thankful for the cheers, and "good jobs". It was great to see the other Ironmoms, new friend Linda, Peter, Caroline, Doran whizzing by! My dad came upon a couple cowbells, and we rang them non-stop until Caroline went by going north on her last loop. She'll make it. It's okay to go home now for a shower, a bit of a rest, and change to head back down to the finish line. My day is not over yet! 'sides, there's still the business of collecting Enzo.

Michelle and I went back down for the finish line. I was tracking everyone with my IronTrac app on my phone. We got back down to the finish line and just missed Kristen's finish line dance. dang.

The Ironman finish line has to be the funnest place on earth! Dancing, cheering, dancing, yelling, willing your friends to make it! "YOU. ARE. AN. IRONMAN!" I tell ya the energy is amazing!

Collected Enzo and put him in the backseat of the car. Got some yummy noodles, and met up with Kate to wait for Kim and Linda. Peter and Caroline finished. YAY!

I was tracking Kim, and knew that any minute we should see her coming around the corner. Then all of a sudden, there she was! "KIMBERLY HOLST...YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!!!" Hooray!

Linda, where's Linda? Ok, she made the third loop cut-off. Just gotta wait. Dancing, dancing, and more dancing. Here she comes! "LINDA CATALANO....YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!!!" Hooray!!!!

One of the best finishes was the last person. Linsey Corbin (Montana girl who won) and the second place finisher run down the chute and practically drag her, sprinting down the finish chute to just make it! AWESOME!

Found Linda with her friends and gave her a hug!

Time to go. NOW my day is done.

I'll be back.

Blog Update

Hey Moms - I'm playing with the blog to start a new race season.  Feel free to edit and or give suggestions.  I'm thinking we need a whole new look for 2013.  Let me know what you think.