Based on Real Life

2012 TryCharleston 70.3 – Week 8

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:03:00 +0000

8th week of training – 13 weeks until Race Day

	Scheduled	Actual
Mo	Rest	Rest
Tu	Bike 75	Bike 75
We	Swim 45 / Run 40	Swim 45 / Run 40
Th	Bike 120 2x10 minute race pace 10-min Brick	<--- ALL OF THIS #BOOM
Fr	Swim 45 / Run 45	Swim 45 / Run 40
Sa	Bike 150 (w Hills)	Bike 150 (w Hills)
Su	Swim 30 (Recovery) / Run 75 (hills)	Run 75 hills

Total training hours scheduled/actual: 10:25/9:55

*P*

That's me pumping my fists in the air. (One of my 2012 goals is to invent either an acronym or emoticon. Bear with me, Focus Group.)

All week, the Thursday workout loomed. Once completed, my first brick of the training would be just 50 minutes shorter than I've ever exercised at once, ever. I was very, very excited about this test (Weirdo!) and even decided to finally start testing some of that protein/electrolyte powder stuff that will supposedly be vital in helping me sustain energy for my >6-hour race.

Added to the excitement of Thursday's training was that Jim traveled Tuesday and Wednesday, so I got to spread out lady-of-luxury-like for two big nights' sleep. And boy did I. #laundrysnackscomputereverywhere

The alarm went off at 4:30am Thursday morning and I was ready. Small snack and I was clipped in. I watched Twitter wake up and 2 episodes of Breaking Bad (Will Jesse ever stop being a bonehead? Bringing Walt straight to the RV!), plus a little taste of Louis CK standup (pretty funny!). and then it was time for T2. I even simulated a T2 setup.

Sneakers, long pants, long-sleeved shirt. Earwarmer, gloves, and housekey were upstairs right by the door (didn't trust my 4:30am self THAT much).

For the 10-minute run I went straight up the street outside our house until it dead-ended in Fairmount Park and then back down. It was strange to come up from the basement and dive into a world that was already in the mid stages of waking up. Weird to think I'd been riding a bike for 2 hours already.

Legs felt light and loose and I thought my breathing was fairly measured. Twice though, a person ahead of me on the block looked over their shoulder to find out what noise caught their attention. That noise was either my lumbering legs or heavy wheezing. Or Eminem's Lose Yourself playing on Earth stereo at my approach.

Either way.

Thursday's mental milestone was a great gut-check for training. Sure I have 12 weeks left to work out anything, but I loved getting in that brick. And passing my first nutrition test. The fruit punch Accellerade I picked up tasted like shit, but that's to be expected I'm told. The instructions said to combine 1 pack with 12 to 16 oz of water, but that seemed very dense, so I cut it in half. Seemed to work. I picked up a few different kinds to test out over the next few rides, so we'll see.

Saturday and Sunday were also big training days, especially since I started feeling a little tickle in my throat only a few hours after wrapping up Thursday's brick. Friday's Swim/Run was a downer because the pool wasn't heated and then I forgot to check my schedule and ran 5 shorter minutes than I was supposed to. Bummer because my legs felt great, too.

I started wiping sweat off my face just 20 minutes into my ride on Saturday and knew it'd be a grueling ride for the remainder of the 2-1/2. Again, the longest I've ever exercised at once was at the Philly Olympic Tri last summer, where I finished in 2:59. It's crazy to think that I'm 8 weeks into training for my first half-ironman and am training at almost that same amount of time. (minus 30, but still. Wow). Despite having a piece of peanut butter toast before the ride, and small bites of Clif bar during, I was positively ravenous at the end of this ride. Ravenous.

Sunday's 75-minute run was a blast. Hear that? Jim joined me for the first 40 minutes, which went by all too quickly. It was nice having a buddy, although he did have us running a bit faster than I would have liked. Slowed down significantly after he peeled off, but the loops still went by pretty quickly. The only time(s) I broke my pace were when I struggled to put my fluid pack back into the holster on my fuel belt. Not bad. Finished with 8 loops of Lemon Hill (about .75 per loop) plus the out and back to complete the distance.

Compression socks are my new Sunday best friend.

That and hydration.

2012 TryCharleston 70.3 – Week 7

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:00:00 +0000

7th Week of Training – 14 Weeks until Race Day

	Scheduled	Actual
Mo	Rest	Rest
Tu	Bike 60	Bike 60
We	Swim 45 / Run 30	Swim 45 / Run 30
Th	Bike 90 Easy Spin	Bike 90, Same as Always
Fr	Swim 45 / Run 40	Swim 45 / Run 40
Sa	Bike 120 (Easy w Hills)	Bike 120, Same as Always
Su	Swim 30 (Recovery) / Run 65 (hills)	Run 65 indoors

Total training hours scheduled/actual: 8:45/8:15

This was a boring week. (Ed's note: This is not really an effective way to open a post and expect to retain readers. Pls edit.)

I was greatly looking forward to Week 7, which my training plan calls the 1st Recovery Week of the program. I knew this was a huge mental milestone – enough training to require my otherworldly muscles to recover – and was looking forward to the drop down in training as well.

Neither mind nor body really got that message this week, because, to be honest, the segments didn't really feel that much shorter than the previous week's. Really, it was just the bike that got cut, and thanks to the incredibly captivating Breaking Bad episodes the bike is no longer my nemesis. (OMG, Season 3 Finale!)

This week's highlights:

Tuesday I added a weights session to my 60-min ride. Since this was a "short" ride, I decided to knock it out at the gym so I could double up, AND, finish up my Ironman book. Done and done. Also, I cried pretty much through the whole final chapter. So inspiring. Girl sweating through last 15 minutes of bike ride and crying? So hot.

This ride was also a great opportunity to check in on my pacing, since I'm not riding with a cyclometer at home. 14.72 miles in 60 minutes. I need to hit 16.xxmph if I want to make my goal of finishing the 56-mile ride in 3:20. Granted, we're not getting aero at the gym, but I still need to start powering up these rides. Good check-in.

I definitely felt the results of Tuesday's weight session during Wednesday's swim. Since I'm starting to feel a little bored with my swims, I decided to start focusing on breathing every 5 instead of every 3. It was awesome. Immediately I felt my body stretching the strokes more fully in order to grab the water and reach that 5th stroke sooner. I knew my heart rate was up, and it felt great.

Not surprisingly, I had a sluggish run. I think I pushed a different setting (fitness test?) on the treaddy, because, DAMN that thing kicked my ass in a way it hasn't done before. I actually had to turn down the speed at 27 minutes. SHAMEFUL! 3.33 miles in 30 minutes.

Also, after doing weights I was finally able to raise my arms above my head by Wednesday evening.

Thursday's ride was non-eventful.

Friday's combo was very strong, despite having the most crowded pool ever. I had to share my lane with three different people throughout the swim, which was great practice for pulling my head FAR out of the water to breathe. Pretty surprised how much easier 5 strokes was on just my second outing. I held it for the entire workout and then still had a great run. 4.41 miles in 40 minutes on a flat/no hills setting.

Also of note on Friday was the meeting that I interrupted to ask how much longer would continue and would anyone mind if I excused myself briefly to get a snack. New goal: do not get Triathdooced.

It snowed here in Philly on Saturday, so we spent a glorious, lazy day playing games and I didn't hop on the bike until 5pm! And, Gentle Reader, here's a secret: it felt like a blink of an eye when I came back upstairs 2 hours later. I mean, a blink of an eye that included 2 episodes of Breaking Bad and 2 full, waaay-back magazine issues. Although I felt strong and awesome after the ride (even foam rolled for a few!), shame, shame, shame on my beverage consumption.

2 hours and look how much liquid has been consumed. I drink when I'm thirsty, which amounts to about a sip every 5 minutes, alternating between Gatorade and water. This is fine for a standalone bike workout, but I need to be using these long rides to simulate nutrition as if I were to continue the rest of the ride and then a 2-hour run. I have no clue how to plan for this.

However, this ride did have one very significant highlight. I held aero position for 1:50 of the 2:00 ride, pausing only to shift for comfort or grab water. This is absolutely incredible, as when I started training, I could barely hold for 5. And, lest we forget, when I started my first triathlon I looked like this:

That's a race, Gentle Reader. Not a leisurely Sunday bike ride through the country. A race. With other people. (Supposedly.)

Was looking forward to Sunday's long run all week (Ed's note: Your computer appears to be infected by a virus that types crazy statements. Please run diagnostic.) to see if last week's amazing 75-minute was a fluke. Unfortunately, one look at the ice-covered street and I knew an outdoor run wasn't in the cards. Hopped down to Jim's gym and put away 6.5ish miles on a very fancy treadmill that I never really figured out the settings for, so instead of awesome, random hills, I just did flat on a 2.5 incline. Total snoozefest, plus the channels kind of blew so I ended up watching my first two episodes of Law and Order ever. Zzzz. Highlight of this run was the woman on the bike in front of me who was watching a Modern Family podcast and laughed outloud 3x. So adorable.

And that's the recovery week.

Help me decide: Ironman 70.3 National Harbor?

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:55:00 +0000

Late last night while I was procrastiwriting, I came across a tweet from @IronmanTri announcing that registration for the first-annual Ironman 70.3 National Harbor race would open Wednesday, January 18th (that's today!) at noon.

When considering my first 70.3 race, I had few criteria:

1) Close to home

2) Early in the season; I didn't want my first race to be in June/July/August

3) Fast and flat. I'm a wimp.

While the TryCharleston half is 2 of these 3, the third was easily filled in because I have family in the area that I can stay with, and who will come cheer me on.

The National Harbor race is exciting and intriguing because it is

1) Close to (my parents') home

2) ...

3) described as fast and flat, with one "challenging" hill on the bike.

Here's where I seek your expertise, fellow endurance geeks and addictive personality types!

Should I happily whip out my credit card and check off the I Agree box today at noon to plunk dow my monies for my second 70.3 test, this one on August 4th in our nation's capital (sort of)? In order to help facilitate your decision, I've created this handy matrix. Read, absorb, make an educated decision for a (probably) perfect stranger. My fitness is in your hands, Gentle Reader.

Ironman 70.3 National Harbor PROS

1) Can stay at my parents!

2) New racing location!

3) 6 weeks into training for first 70.3 race, feeling great, loving it.

4) No August race currently on schedule

Ironman brand race – excitement! And I can finally say I'm training for an "Ironman" instead of a "half" or "70.3" so the branding mafia don't chase me down and steal my USTA keychain tag.

Ironman 70.3 National Harbor CONS

1) I would be signing up for my second 70.3 race before having completed my first.

2) Training through the summer

3) Racing in August = HOT

4) 1 in 10 chance I may be training for the New York City Marathon at this point. (<- lottery. hahahahh)

What say you? Comment or Tweet me your decision.

Tick tock!

Age Courage Encourage

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:54:00 +0000

He reaches forward with both arms to show me how far they can go, hands in fists. The arms stretch out straight. Then he raises them up, over his head. This time the left arm bends slightly. "See?" he says, "in the beginning this one could only go up 60%." He passes the ball around behind his back. "I couldn't even reach all the way behind in the beginning.

Everything is reported by numbers. He repeats the squeeze tests, which I remember are the same from the last time he told me. The number of seconds to hold a position. Repetitions. Number of times a day.

They're numbers to start with, but starting is something. They're good numbers. I hope they'll be better. Longer.

"Are you taking walks?"

"Mmmhmmmm."

"Great! How far?"

"Around the house a couple times."

"Do you feel better when you get up and walk around?"

"Yup."

"Does it hurt to walk, Dad? Is it hard to move around?"

"Not really."

Then he says there's a new exercise, and I follow him back to his worn-in seat on the sofa. It still unnerves me to see him walk like this. Like a robot, legs moving jerkily, in parts and angles. It all happened so fast, and I think about the others who haven't seen it at all. Who can't understand from emails and phone calls what things are really like without seeing for themselves.

He grabs two 2-pound weights, and springs forward so spryly off the seat I'm taken by surprise. His ankle teases, but holds, long enough for him to does two quick bicep curls before falling back into the welcoming cushion. The whole routine is over in about 10 seconds and my eyes go back to normal size and the laugh stays in my throat. It feels foreign to laugh; we've been without laughter since the fall, since the various tests and diagnosis, since the surgery, and still none now during the recovery.

This is not the time to bring back the laugh. I will my mouth to close. It's impossible to think that he's actually doing an exercise at that speed. Exercises that are supposed to help his strength and mobility.

Then I get it. He wants me to be proud of him.

I just want him to seize his second chance.

2012 TryCharleston 70.3 – Week 6

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:52:00 +0000

6th week of training – 15 weeks left until Race Day!

	Scheduled	Actual
Mo	Rest	Rest
Tu	Bike 75	Bike 75
We	Swim 45 / Run 35	Swim 45 / Run 35
Th	Bike 105	Bike 105
Fr	Swim 45 / Run 45	Swim 45 / Run 45
Sa	Bike 135 (hills)	Bike 135
Su	Swim 30 (Recovery) / Run 70 (hills)	Run 70 (hills!)

Total training hours (scheduled/completed): 9:45/9:10

Look at all those matchy-matchy columns, Gentle Reader! Overall, a pretty ho-hum week, with few notable events to report.

Monday I had my physical, where Doctor Really Urgent Summary of Health performed a series of tests on my body parts that felt more like the longest magician trick ever without even producing a quarter. (Although he did find out why I couldn't hear in my left ear. Nothing a little warm water and a pressure hose can't fix! Ahem. Moving on.) Related: I'm pretty sure I can hear what's happening in the next room right now.

Doc R.U.S.H blasted through the results of my bloodwork, fine; EKG, "fine;" 52 resting heart rate, BOOM (emphasis mine), and "oh by the way, your cholesterol is somewhat high. Nothing to be concerned about because you're still young, but keep an eye on the amount of meat and cheese you eat."

HAHAHAHAHOUSTON we have a problem.

Invention: new greeting-card line. Thank you mom & dad; sub-category, genetics.

Then, with one hand on the doorknob, Doc R.U.S.H assured me for the second time (just in case there was anything he forgot to say after "nope" the first time) that there was no reason to be concerned about The Incident getting my blood drawn.

I told him that as he could tell by my records I don't do doctor visits often and was only there to identify any issues that might indicate I shouldn't be taxing my heart for 6+ hours in the half-ironman I'm currently training for. After Doctor Hurry assured me I was in tip-top shape he wished me luck in my marathon and was gone in a whisper of his black tasseled shoes.

My marathon.

Next doctor will be an athlete.

On to our training recap.

This week I made a point to focus on breathing every 5 strokes instead of 3. This was interesting/exciting/fun (this is where we are now, people, re "fun") in that it forced me to stretch my stroke harder to reach that 5th so I could take the breath. Would like a measuring stick to confirm the inch that I'm pretty sure I've grown thanks to streeeeetching my abdomen.

It was awesome and definitely got my heart rate pumping more than the straight laps (I know!) that I normally do. Great workouts. Surprisingly, Wednesday's run straight out of the pool was incredible and I hit 4 miles in the 35 minutes (random setting). Very happy.

Unfortunately, it also made for an emergency, low blood sugar, expensive decision.

Me, leaving the gym: "OMG, need, hungry, so much, where am I? How much protein is in this lipstick?"

Note to self: stop forgetting food!

Friday was the hardest day to get out of bed thus far in training. A couple late nights of freelance work finally caught up to me, and I'd heard the rain (January) pounding our roof the better part of the night. I dreaded going to the car at 5:30 in the morning in rain. Dreaded it so much, I procrasti-checked email and wasted enough time to not have enough time do do the swim and run before work. Instant decision to skip the swim and focus on the run, which ended up being fast and awesome. Crushed 4.3 miles in the 45 minutes and felt great.

Then something weird happened. The server at work was down all day. Pure chaos – clients sending faxes. Hand marking up copies and copy changes. The poor traffic manager. (The poor IT team.) The perfect opportunity to sneak away at lunch to make up the swim. Which I did, and thought I got away with, by piling makeup all over the goggle marks and swim-cap marks. Kudos to my coworkers' professionalism, because the second thing Jim said after kissing me hello was that I "stunk" like chlorine. Walk-running past the locker-room mirror after my swim, I glanced at my reflection and saw a perfect replica of the Before, in every Waterproof mascara commercial. You sacrifice a few things when cramming in a lunch workout sesh. (BTW, special thanks to reader Jess for the dry shampoo suggestion. Rocking the Tresseme!)

Saturday's 135:00 ride was an endurance test of an empty stomach. Another ride first thing in the morning, I tossed two handfuls of trail mix beforehand and consumed 3/4 Lara bar during the ride, beginning after an hour in. I finished 2 full bottles, one each of G2 and water. I remember looking down at my watch for the first time at 37 minutes and thinking that there was once a time I couldn't even go 5 minutes without looking.

Seat discomfort arrived after the first hour, but not too bad. At the end of the ride, I was ready to get off, but felt I could gut out another hour if I had to. The goal now is to make it feel like I'm not gutting it out when the time comes I have to.

I actually thought about doing a quick shakeout jog to see how the legs felt, but I gave in to eating breakfast instead. I kind of regret it. I'm dying to run off the bike and test my legs at this point.

Other bicycle notables: I finished Breaking Bad season 2. Get it together, Pinkman, and I love Walt's darkness that's emerging. Sinister and creepy. So good. Absolutely love how they strung us along all season with the pink stuffed animal. Well played, writers.

/Spoiler.

But here's, by far, my favorite part of the week. Sunday's 70-minute hill run. <-- Says the girl who once cursed every step of the 10th mile of her first Broad Street.

Sunday was my favorite day of training. Maybe ever. I'm only one season into winter running, but I dare say I love it. The heat wears me down. Gets in my head and toys with my mental game. I can't explain it, I don't mind the cold. Clear eyes, cold breath, can't lose. (Thanks a lot to you, Under Armor cold gear)

22 degrees, hills, 70 minutes. I knew it'd be a lonely run and I wasn't disappointed. I saw my first other runner on my 3rd loop, and thanked him for not making me feel so crazy. He replied that we're both crazy. I love the camaraderie shared by people who know they're outside the mainstream. In 70 minutes I completed 7 Lemon Hill loops, alternating directions each time so I got the benefit of the up/down both times, and a finish with the run up 25th Street in Fairmount. Link to course map, ~~including elevation~~ ~~to come~~.

This was also the first time I've ever worn a fuel belt with water jugs (?). Surprisingly very comfortable, so that made me feel a lot better about wearing it during race day.

Also first run in my new kicks, which I quickly up and bought when the mega-blister appeared during last week's 4 miler.

1st race-day gear simulation: check.

Naturally, because of the cold, I didn't feel thirsty and took my first sip at 50 minutes. That's way too long, and I'd never do that in warmer conditions, so I should watch that. At the end of my run, the container with the G2 was semi-frozen. At the end of my run, my legs and body felt awesome. Suck it, drink.

It was also my first time wearing compression socks.

They're fun. I have no idea how I'll know if they worked, but if I'm not hobbling tomorrow, I'll definitely wear them again.

This is the first week that starts a 3rd swim, combined on the same day as my long run. I've made the decision not to do this swim, mainly because there's no pool near my home and I don't feel like getting in the car for a 30 minute swim. Feel free to point out this critical decision if I have a terrible swim on April 21st.

Next week is a well-timed recovery week, so I'm looking forward to taking my new swim paddles out for a few laps.

Before signing off, a question for you, readers! Surprise, it's about nutrition! This happened at work this week,

So I'd love to hear what you keep on hand at work when the hungries set in?

I finally d/l Daily Mile, so hopefully I'll update more frequently if you'd like to connect and share workouts and motivation. Happy training!

2012 TryCharleston 70.3 – Week 5

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:02:00 +0000

5th week of training – 16 weeks until Race Day!

	Scheduled	Actual
Mo	Rest	120:00 bike
Tu	Bike 75	Bike 75 (at gym - finished hunger games)
We	Swim 45 / Run 35	Blood tests. REST
Th	Bike 105	Bike 105 AM / Run 35 PM 3.8 hills treadmill
Fr	Swim 45 / Run 40	Swim 45 AM & weights / Run 40 LUNCH 4.5 mi
Sa	Bike 120 (hills)	Bike 120 split into 2x60
Su	Swim 30 Recovery/Low intensity Run 65 (hills)	65 with hills

Total training time scheduled: 9:20

Total training time actual: 11:20

On paper, this actually looks like a pretty successful 5th week of training, but there were definitely a few hiccups and observations that made this quite a memorable one.

For starters, that Total training time scheduled vs actual. Overall, this week's schedule added 55 minutes of training time over the previous week's, but kicking off Monday with a 120:00 ride was a real ass kicker and calf burner. That's seven straight days of training, thanks to the Rest switcharoo I did with Monday's scheduled and the Actual subbed into the travel day on the previous Sunday. In hindsight, I wish I'd made Tuesday a swim/weights day and made done a Wednesday bike AM / run PM combo.

Live, chart your training, learn.

Monday I did this for the first time.

First ride clipped in is So. Much scarier than first dive in murky, creepy water that gets bacteria tested, trust. The fall is going to happen, I know this. I really, really hope it doesn't involve an automobile. FYI, I lasted 3.5 minutes because I wasn't prepared for the tornado-esque winds. Back to my beloved basement.

Tuesday's 75 was surprisingly un-painful, with just 24 hours following the 120, although I rode at the gym, and found the cushy seat there much more uncomfortable than my Cannondale. Go figure. Gym riding bonus: I FINALLY finished Mockingjay, which I'd cast aside a month ago despite tearing through Hunger Games and semi-tearing through Catching Fire. Katniss is exhausting.

Wednesday I had to have blood drawn for my (first) annual physical (in 10 years). The two tragic deaths at the finish line of the Philadelphia marathon really gut-checked me. Knowing that I'll be taxing my heart for 6+ hours, I made immediate plans to see my general practitioner for the first time in 2 years. Step 1: bloodwork

Problem 1: Needles. Specifically ones aimed at me. Cliche, I know. So is the dizzy, sweating and shaking. Ugh.

If I've learned anything in these 5 weeks of training, it's that half-ironman training requires incredible time managementzzzzzzz. That also must be made flexible for when life requires adjustment. (See above Sunday/Monday/Tuesday recap.) It's one thing when training disrupts my life, but I want to do this with minimal disruption to my husband and loved ones.

So I suited up for Wednesday morning's "We Welcome Drop In's", literally in my bathing suit. By arriving when the clinic opened at 6:30, I estimated I could be at the gym by 7:30, with plenty of time for a Swim, and maybe squeeze in a run. No biggie.

I began the day by waking up at 6:30. Followed Siri's perfect directions to Quest Diagnostics. Corporate Headquarters. (Seriously Siri, could you suck any more?) Found the REAL Quest a mile down the road and was checked-in and seated in my own Vampire corner a mere 15ish minutes later. Despite the morning's setbacks (flexible!), I felt great. Strong, confident. I even read a very entertaining article, which kept me preoccupied.

About 5 seconds before the needle came out, it started. Like the cheap, store-brand hand sanitizer gel lolling around in my head. Needle out, sweats, blurry, a cold compress. Oooooh that felt soo good. I laid my forehead down on cool towel on the armrest and wondered if I was going to throw up. I wondered about the 3 other people sitting in a row of blood cubicles next to me. A nurse with a wheelchair came in and we all rolled past the other 3 people and the waiting room. She smelled so strongly of cigarettes. They told me a hilarious story about another man who "wasn't good" and the story was so good I rested my head on my hand on the arm of the wheelchair. They put me on the bed and turned out the light. Business, and blood drawing went on around me, while I laid on the bed and thought about how I definitely couldn't run, but swimming might be okay.

So that was Wednesday.

I decided to be a smart person and skip an AM workout; those readers paying close attention will recall that I was wearing my bathing suit at Quest. Yes, I changed at the nearby Starbucks. No there's no shower in the Starbucks bathroom. Let's move on. My team of doctors (mother and scientific director at work) encouraged me to take a full rest day.

So that was Wednesday.

Thursday, and here's where we note the writer's transition to madness, I did the 105 in the morning and the run at night. I do NOT know how people can handle Night Gym by the way. Every treaddy was filled and I know I was getting the glad eye for not adhering to the 20-minute wait myself (sorry bro!). But the worst thing? No one wipes down the machines? What IS that? I'm not saying Morning Gym people are Mr. Cleans, but after people have been touching these machines all day, I'd be wearing GLOVES when I lift. Anyway, great people watching. Pounded out 3.8 in 45. Ate a chocolate mint chip Clif bar, which was disgusting. Also, this happened.

Excited to announce that I am now accepting gym partners to subsidize a small table/space for my in-gym sundries shop called Gymcidentals®.

Silver lining: at least I didn't choose the argyles that morning.

Other silver lining: I am so serious about starting Gymcidentals®.

Friday was so boss again! 45-minute swim in the morning (must find swim workouts rather than straight swimming), of 3 sets of 15 laps, with short rest between. 20 minutes of weights; felt great to stretch out the glutes again. Ready for the Boss? I did the 40-minute run at LUNCH. First time ever working out at lunch.

So intense.

Which, it was, by the way. Felt the stomach growling about 15 minutes before I needed to leave to squeeze in the workout, and right as I ripped open my beloved Peanut Butter Clif Bar, my boss came into my office with an important work issue to discuss. She knows I'm training, but not the intensity, so I apologized for eating, but also said I would not be stopping.

And it's true. Week 5 officially marks Interval Eating Training. If I don't answer the first faintest calls of hunger, note well that I will be an irrational crazy person dressed in workman's clothes in less than 15 minutes. It's crazy, really.

5-minute drive to work. 40-minute run. (4.5 miles with 20oz water cut with 50% Gatorade. Crushed it, felt awesome. Watched the "Bedroom Kandi" episode of RHOA on the treaddy with another woman and man. Fun!) Quick shower. And here's where I'm really proud of myself: I called ahead to the sandwich shop to place my order as I left the gym. Roundtrip lunch hour: 1:15. Looking for a high-five!

Saturday and Sunday's long run and ride were also great. No food, great nutrition, although I had to split the ride into 2x60s to fit in some personal appointments on Saturday. I also walked about 4 miles to attend a local conference in Philly on Sat. Sunday run with a girlfriend was awesome; haven't had a good run/gossip fest in months and forgot how awesome. Rounded out the run with 25 minutes of hills – 2 Lemon Hill repeats and 1 other hill.

Today's Reader poll: do you wash/wet the hair after lunch workouts? What if it only kind of looks sweaty. I'm not clear on this. Pls advise.

2012: The Dirty Does

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:33:00 +0000

I love goals. But you knew that because I've put it out there before.

I'm keeping it deceptively simple in 2012.

1) Find my writing voice again; I fear I've totally lost it. Reading the archives here is fascinating. So different, yet so familiar and I miss that I don't have the words that mark my evolution over the past few years to get me to this person today who feels so different from that girl who blasted into the blogging world from a hotel room in Atlantic City. I miss writing long, introspective thoughts about the world and life and hope to get back to it this year. (Lucky you. Mom.)

2) Bring my damn coffee cup to Starbucks. I mean honestly, how hard is it to remember your plastic, reusable cup in the morning. I hate the amount of garbage I contribute by this necessary, non K-cup habit.

3) This.

This monstrosity has been growing instead of shrinking and honestly I don't even know what's at the bottom of the pile. Fact is, my standard reading situations –– commuting and bedtime –– have been erased (driver/audiobook and totally exhausted) and there's no replacement. The book on my nightstand was started in January 2010. The book in my handbag has been there for 2 months. I need a readcation. Reality: make a dent in this pile.

4) Replace the 2 doors in our house that still have the cat holes put in by the previous owners. Who we bought the house from 6 years ago.

Like I said, deceptively simple.

2012 TryCharleston 70.3 – Week 4

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:21:00 +0000

4th full week of training – 17 weeks away from Race Day!

	Scheduled	Actual
Mo	Rest	40 MIN MASSAGE OMG
Tu	Bike 60	Bike 60
We	Swim 45 / Run 35	Swim 45/ Run 35
Th	Bike 105	Bike 105
Fr	Swim 45 / Run 35	Run 36 - on the beach!
Sa	Bike 120 (hills)	Run 60 - on the beach
Su	Run 60 (hills)	Rest

Total training hours: 8:25

Greetings Y'all! See all this energy? That's from finishing my first MONTH of half-ironman training. Which, luckily for me include 2 outdoor runs and a massage. Shall we dive in?

On Monday I had my first-ever massage at one of those mall shops where all the tables are right out there in the open, so you know there's no funny business, but since everyone you see lying on those tables is wearing clothes you wonder if you're better off just throwing a couple twenties into the Food Court fountain and making a wish.

I digress.

It was day 3 of Christmas With The In-laws and when the ladies extended me the invite, I jumped. I also drove. I trust my mother-in-law not to steer me into any funny business. On the drive over the gals chattered about various soreness and tightness they couldn't wait to get worked on, saying they hoped "Daniel" was working, because he's the best. Honestly, I didn't care what happened in that mall, I had started feeling a bit of a crick in my neck on the left side, which I think is because the ceiling in my basement just grazes my head when I'm training/riding down there, and I might be favoring/hunching to the left side a little. It's a fancy life, rest assured.

She set the clock to 40 minutes and 90 seconds after I placed my face inside the little donut hole I became concerned I might drool onto the rug. It. Was. That. Good. Seriously. For the next heavenly 40 minutes Nancy (She had a nametag) kneaded, prodded, pressed and smoothed. Just when I started getting worried that she was spending too much time on my upper body, I felt an intense pressure on my buttocks, and upper hamstrings that extended down to the backs of my knees. Was it? Yes, in fact, Nancy was kneeling on my legs. I made a mental note to teach Jim how to do that right Now. Please.

NamaSTAY RIGHT THERE. I left exhausted, looking like shit and yet somehow totally refreshed and... here's where we get sort-of out-of-body, I left there super-pumped to see how my next run felt. When things like this happen I wonder if this is what runners think/do.

Tuesday, bike ride. And Episode 1 of Breaking Bad! First episode that starts with a scene that doesn't end the same episode! Don't tell me what the creepy stuffed animal in the pool means, because I'm not there yet. 60 minutes on the bike, no big deal. I didn't even wear bike shorts. So badass.

Wednesday and Thursday were normal training days, my swims and runs have been mostly consistent with distance and overall feeling so I'm happy with that. Friday we flew to Charleston for a friend's wedding, so I skipped the swim and hopped out to the beach where we were staying on Kiawah for the quickie 35-minute run. I didn't run with a distance watch, but those in the know estimated close to 4 miles, which I'll be happy with because the headwind in one direction was FIERCE. Double-time for the next day's 60-minute run, which Jim joined me for.

Oh hi, 70 degrees in December. Oh hi, windburn.

Please note the lack of hills, but what you don't see is that mighty headwind. I'm counting it as hills. Sometimes I couldn't even hear Jim complaining about the pace/time! (Related: left ear still clogged, although did sense some delightful pressure changes and popping during plane ascent/descent, so am slightly less worried about being deaf. Progress!)

The other long workout of the weekend, the 120:00 ride was a bit trickier. While I don't mind skipping a swim here and there, or some weight training (really good at that!), the bike is my nemesis. Saddle time and nutrition are still very much variables, so these long rids really can't be missed. Unfortunately, this is what was available to me during the family vacation on Kiawah.

Instant decision: Sunday rest day. Maybe 1 more round of Just Dance before hopping on the plane back to Philly. Oh and a very happy New Year – one I rang in withOUT a hangover despite attending a wedding. Growing up, are we?

Overall thoughts on the training week #4: my appetite is officially in Grow Mode. I don't feel I need anything prior to workouts yet (unless tum is rumbling, which it only woke up doing once. And was very interesting.), but I could do better with the Eat Within 30 Minutes of finishing workout rule. Midmorning snack (greek yogurt/oatmeal) is pretty much essential, and more times than not I find myself getting hungry before leaving work for the day.

Triathlete in training seeks suggestions for office snack variety.

Also, if you drink Gatorade in front of nieces or nephews they'll want some too.

Also #2: if airport food choices aren't depressing enough, then you get to hear an intercom announcement about the flight being filled to "weight capacity" and looking for volunteers. Keep your accusing eyes off my Combos bag, they're made with "real cheese!"

2012 TryCharleston 70.3 – Week 3

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:17:00 +0000

3rd full week of training – 18 weeks from Race Day!

	Scheduled	Actual
Mo	Rest	Rest
Tu	Bike 60	30 laps in 30 min / 3.8 hills in 35 min
We	Swim 45 / Run 35	Bike 60
Th	Bike 105	Bike 105
Fr	Swim 45 / Run 35	45 laps in 45 min / 3.8 mi in 35min - flat treadmill
Sa	Bike 120 (hills)	Bike 120 no hills
Su	Run 60 (hills)	5.6ish in 60 w sort-of hills

Total training hours: 8:25

Overall I'm pretty happy with how this week turned out, as the two mid-week bike days jumped up significantly from last week and switching Tues/Wed workouts meant 2 big days on the bike. Since the ride is definitely my weakest leg, it was a great test. Recovery day-to-day has been pretty good, and the most soreness I've felt is getting out of the car after the 45-minute drive to work each day an hour-ish after riding. Interested to see how recovery feels as the distances get longer.

Staying in aero position is still pretty challenging, and the longest I'm able to go is about 4 minutes. (GAH.) Though I notice a direct correlation to length holding aero position and intensity of Breaking Bad scenes. (On a related note, cruised through Season 1 and Bryan Cranston deserves every one of those Emmys). I wonder if come race day, holding aero position will make me think of crystal meth? Should probably start taking suggestions for lighter movies and/or series as these training rides get longer.

Nutrition is still minimal, although I started drinking water during swim workouts for the first time and then Gatorade for the runs that follow directly. For each of the bike rides over an hour I have a handful of trail mix right before hopping on (all weekday rides are before work, so we're talking 5, 5:30am) and a full bottle of water and G2 for the ride. I'll finish the whole water and most if not all of the Gatorade, sipping in 5-min increments. No food/Gu's etc yet at this point.

Swim and runs continue to feel great, but I really want/need to start working in an actual swim workout instead of just straight laps. I honestly have no idea how to pace myself and don't know how much faster I could get in the pool. My greatest fear has always been burning too much too early. Incorporating that Random set on the treadmill has really helped, although this week I did 1 flat so I could work on speed. Sunday's long run was outdoors with Jim on Christmas Day. Gorgeous, cold weather, only saw 2 other brave foot soldiers out there. We had a blast and it was nice to A) be outside and B) have a pal. Felt great.

Left ear is still semi-clogged and am hoping a big ball of wax makes an appearance very, very soon.

2012 TryCharleston 70.3 – Week 2

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:16:00 +0000

2nd week of training – 19 weeks from Race Day!

	Scheduled	Actual
Mo	Rest	Rest
Tu	Bike 60	45 laps in 45 min / 3.25 hills in 35 min
We	Swim 45 / Run 35	Bike 60
Th	Bike 90	Bike 90
Fr	Swim 30 / Run 30	45 laps in 45 min / 3.8 mi in 35min - flat treadmill
Sa	Bike 90 (hills)	REST
Su	Run 50 (hills)	5 Lemon Hills! & 60 flat ride

Total training hours: 7:05

Week 2 of training (19 weeks away from race day), was exciting in that I experienced my first injury. Gentle reader, your not-morning-person was carrying computer, phone and 2 water bottles down the stairs to the ~~basement~~ home fitness center when she tripped on the last step. Ankle went left. Body, technology, hydration went right.

After (cursing) gathering myself, I did a couple ankle alphabet stretches (S-H-I...) and diagnosed minor clumsiness. Strapped into to bike shoes and checked in with my pals Walter White and Jesse. That night I went shopping for a pair of shoes to wear with my "Dress to Impress" office holiday party dress code and saw this.

Where do YOU keep YOUR spare golf ball?

Badass that I am, I did NOT let that stop me from Thursday's 90-minute ride and then totally wore those shoes to the party (for at LEAST 20 minutes). I did however forego the run on Friday. Lots of ice and elevation and I felt surprisingly well enough for testing a brick on Sunday instead of spreading out the bike and run. Moving ankle side to side was a bit tender, but no problems walking or making running motion.

Feel free to remind the self-described Badass of this post at a later date.

2012 TryCharleston 70.3 – Week 1

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:13:00 +0000

Week 1 of training – 20 weeks from Race Day

	Scheduled	Actual
Mo	Rest	REST
Tu	Bike 60	Bike 60
We	Swim 45 / Run 30	Swim 45
Th	Bike 90	60 AM; 30 PM
Fr	Swim 30 / Run 30	REST
Sa	Bike 90 (hills)	30 flat. Frisbee golf
Su	Run 50 (hills)	Jingle Bell 5k + 25 min Lemon Hills

Total training hours: 7:05

Here we go, yo! Although I've already been working out somewhat lackadaisically (e.g., wandering around the gym, lacing up running shoes, drinking milk), this marks the official start of training for my first half-Ironman, also known as 70.3, also known as Are You Nuts?

Warning: This triathlon-training post contains spoilers regarding the acclaimed television program Breaking Bad.

As a goal-oriented Virgo, I assumed I'd come out of the gates with my shoes laced and my red pen ready to check off all these little training boxes on my calendar, but alas. Adjustment was necessary. It should be noted that all skipped workouts will heretofore be classified as REST.

First big adjustment? I'm trying to do all swim/run workouts at once and in the morning so I can actually see my husband once that day, and in Week 1 I learned how much is NOT enough time to get to the gym to complete both. 1st run skipped - CHECK.

Second big adjustment? 10pm bedtime. I do a lot of freelance writing (which I love and would hate to give up), but which keeps me up late. I need to figure out how to balance my two time-consuming but rewarding hobbies. I've never double dated before!

Third big adjustment? Bye, bye pedals. I finally upgraded to clips, although since most of the training will be indoors on the trainer I'm nervous about practicing clipping in and out quickly. The next step is to upgrade to aerobars. (Lest you think I sound like I'm getting ahead of myself, rest assured, I am.)

Look ma, no clips!

Fourth big adjustment? Entertainment! I don't run with music anymore. Somehow, somewhere along the way I started going out sans tunes and have never looked back. This is where one day I might look back and recognize the transition to "runner" began, as I started enjoying taking in my surroundings rather than training as World's Best Runneroeke'er®. I knew this mental Zen-ness would not transfer to my winter months of training in the basement on the bicycle, so the iPod playlist of 2012 is actually Netflix. I started with books, but I didn't like sweating all over them, and then I switched to the iPad, but again, my sweaty fingers couldn't register the Dictionary function, which is why I love reading on the damn thing in the first place, so as soon as I finished Pnim (Perhaps one day I can say that someone found this blog from googling Nabokov + triathlon) I knew triathlon training would not coincide with my lifelong goal of finishing Infinite Jest. Movies. TV shows. Mindless blather. I want a good, meaty series to sink into and so far the top contenders are Breaking Bad followed by Band of Brothers.

Verdict: Must believe that a 6am viewing of a dead, chemically-treated meth dealer's body fall through the 2nd floor bathtub will pay off in some mental toughness development when I truly need it on race day. Ancient triathletes, how did you succeed without such modern training enhancements?! Thank you, Mother Technology!

The Recap:

We'll officially classify Week 1 as an Adjustment week, (Gentle Reader, this expert procrastinator has not seen "Frisbee- Golf" as a cross training or substitute for hour bike ride, in any training plan thus far) although there is one mega highlight to point out. Sunday's "Run 50 w Hills" was accomplished by adding a 25-minute hill workout to a local 5k race that Jim's company sponsors. I have a love/hate relationship with this race, as I used to hate it in the old days before I really started to love (OMG, I said it!) running, and especially winter running ('til death do us part, cold gear). Oh those hills.

I was interested/excited/curious to see how I'd do on the course this year. Obviously my goal is always to give Jim a good race, but I've only ever beat him in a 5k once, and I'm pretty sure that's a fluke. It's always in the back of my mind, but I don't have the confidence or history to boast that I'm going to take him. But I started doing Lemon Hills on weekends and have really enjoyed them, so I thought this could be a good test. Not only did I catch up to him at the 2.5 mile mark (on the last up-hill push!), I beat my 5k PR by :05. I'll take it.

70.3 training, you are officially kicked off.

Chasing Happiness

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:57:00 +0000

For the first time ever I led Grace at Thanksgiving dinner. There was a time when I'd address solemn, sentimental moments with a sarcastic rejoinder, but I've noticed more vulnerable, honest and sharing moments coming from my lips, arms and heart. This was one. Maybe it was seeing dad walk confidently without a cane for the first time in almost a year, maybe it was the number of plates left piled inside the China cabinet. Maybe it was something else entirely.

A change took hold this year, and I'm thankful I was able to witness it.

Somehow, somewhere, I stopped chasing happiness. The next job would be the right one, the next mascara would make my eyelashes look even better. Always chasing. "Do you love yourself?" asked my therapist, which was the first insight I ever had that this wasn't normal. Hearing friends answer "things are great," something I'd never said, was a second. Reading books like "The Happiness Project" didn't help, neither did new jobs or new mascaras.

Maybe, probably, it changed when I turned my focus on the finish line. And, truthfully, this is probably when I truly did start loving myself. Loving what my body was capable of doing. First 5Ks, then Broad Street, then my first half-marathon, then I can truly say everything changed with my first triathlon.

Gentle Reader, I know what you're thinking, "Aren't you just trading one for the other?" and you may well be right. I'll always be goal-directed, and I'll always be harsh on myself, and probably too quick to judge others. But now I have 2-hour training rides to find resolutions and craft apologies.

Bless her hawrt

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:55:00 +0000

This entry/memory falls into that gray area when we were still dating and it was important to show him the Important Things of my past, which in this case took us to Clemson, South Carolina.

After the football game (against a forgotten team, and tallying a forgotten score) and he had been summarily convinced that fun college football exists outside Happy Valley, we did something I'd never done during my days as a Tiger. We went to The Fancy restaurant. The place where your roommate went when her parents came for Parent's Weekend, or the guy who wanted to impress you took you.

There was a wait when we arrived, but we didn't mind. We were still in that halo phase, where waiting was just an excuse to sit closely, talk quietly and steal a kiss or two. We had all the time in the world.

When the hostess called "Swaayknee" and party of something more than 2, I gave Jim a funny face before going up to the desk. He got a kick out of everything Southern that happened that trip, and I experienced all his firsts with some entertainment. Particularly the look on his face when we pulled into the parking lot next to a dead turkey splayed out in the bed of a pickup.

"That's us" I said to the hostess, feeling someone standing behind me. "But it's just two."

She looked at me oddly, and slightly shifted the menus locked against her chest.

"We're raaaht heah" said a voice behind me. I turned and faced the woman who was now looking at me, as her group began assembling in front of the hostess. I realized then, that this would not be our table.

"Two Sweeneys here at the same time. What are the odds?" I said. Or something similar. I'd only just moved to New York City, where for the first time in my life Sweeneys happened frequently. On police badges and in Irish bars, but still. Sweeneys had never happened the four years I was in Clemson, South Carolina. Until now.

She smiled back at me, filled in with the rest of the group and headed off to to enjoy dinner at our fancy restaurant.

A few years later, Clemson's football team fired the head coach Tommy Bowden. Assistant coach Dabo Swinney became the new face of Clemson's team.

And it all made sense.

Go Tigers.

Teacher and Student

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:54:00 +0000

I wish I could say it's when he makes an extra ham and cheese. Or when he doesn't (ever) ask what's for dinner or expect me to take it on. But it's not because those are the norms. I know I'm lucky for it – the husbands tell me so when I meet them on the stoop the night before garbage day. Just me and the Guys.

It's when we carpool and he hears the Marketplace Money music starting and curses because the Dow is down again. "It's the music" he says after I ask how he knew. "They always play the sad music when the market's down and 'We're in the money' when it's up." How many commutes in and out, how many years have I listed to Marketplace Money and never put this together. I'm supposed to be the one who notices things.

And in the email he sends back when I remember the name of the dynamic Princeton professor who we've seen on Colbert a few times. "He seems so complex and interesting" he says, and I make a mental note to order one of West's books to surprise him with. Because I love when he still reveals little pieces of himself 8 years and counting later.

Just because.

5 Best Decisions of Your Adult Life

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:52:00 +0000

For the first time since ever, I'm answering the "How are you" and the "How are things going?" with something different.

Great. Really great.

It's not things before were ever Not Great, but I was always searching. And aware of it too. (Remember the MLIS?) I'm a searcher, a driver, a goal-oriented Virgo. Searching for the man. Chasing the job title. Filling my closet and my social calendar. The chase didn't make me depressed, but it obviously wasn't making me happy, either.

The Change didn't happen overnight, which is why it was such a curious delight the first time I noticed my new answer, and then started noticing it regularly. There have been lots of big changes I can point to recently, so it's not that I've abandoned the search and become stagnant. Rather I had begun to find, recognize and appreciate my better, truer self. This I can get behind. (And, thank you, therapist who asked if I loved myself.)

I saw this blog post and thought it'd be a nice time to reflect on my own five best decisions of my adult life. I don't think I'll ever stop searching, but I can do better about appreciating where I am in the moment.

---> Trying my first triathlon. If you've been here for more than a minute, you're probably not surprised by this one. And if you were one of my college roommates who knew how much I hated mornings, you're definitely not surprised. The triathlon has shown me what my body is capable of and gotten me to bound – yes, bound! – out of bed to be in the pool at 6am. I'm hoping to do my first half Ironman in 2012.

---> Speak in front of a crowd. On purpose. About something I'm passionate about. I'm an INFJ with mad eczema. Speaking at a Philadelphia First Person Arts Salon about Better Off Soaked taught me tons about myself and helped me gain confidence. I would be absolutely, 100% okay with never speaking in public again, but at least now I know if I have to, I wont faint.

---> Moving to New York City after graduating from my rural university. New York, the other man. The one who got away. The one who will always beckon. I see N.Y. through different eyes now, can see it more honestly as a place where I didn't have near the social life I have now, and was more often lost and searching than found, but still. It will always be the first place where I was on my own and had everything at my fingertips. For better or for worse. I learned a lot. Three words: pied a terre.

---> Going with my roommate to a Halloween party her brother's roommate and a bunch of his friends from his hometown near Boston were hosting together at a bar in Manhattan. (I had to choose this one, right?)

---> Putting myself out there. On the Internet. First with the blog (my hello world during a business trip in a hotel room in Atlantic City. Aren't they all?), and then the other blog and then a personal website and every new social media website that came along and introduced me to new friends, new business contacts and new ways to keep me creatively hungry, inspired. You are never alone on the Internet. Hate cats? So does that guy. Want a good triathlon training program? Follow her. When you're having a great day, someone else just had their world shattered around them. The Internet brings us together, and I have witnessed amazing acts of generosity and support because of it. This world has been a big part in helping me get to Great, Really Great.

It's interesting to see that the 5 have in common one glaring theme. Saying yes. Trying something new outside my bounds of comfort. Yes, please. As I type this, I'm enjoying a snapshot of the networks' finest fall lineup, which includes a gross amount of laugh track. So I'd like to add that I hope one day this list will also include "Gave up Cable." But for now, I'm a very, very lucky girl.

I'd love to hear your Top 5. If you choose to write, please send a link so I can take a peek and share your appreciation.http://k8iedid.blogspot.com/2004/10/this-ain-no-party-this-ain-no-disco.html

LBI: the new PR

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:41:00 +0000

My first race after the Olympic Distance, and I'll admit I slacked off a bit with the training. Weights kinda went out the window, and it wouldn't have hurt to spend a bit more time in the pool. It's not a recommended approach, but the race distances listed (400 yard swim, 10 mile bike) tricked my brain into thinking I had this one in the bag. Plus, I was being joined by my sister-in-law, doing her first race, so I wanted this to be more about supporting her than pushing myself.

After almost 2 months without a race, I was itching for this start line. Also exciting to be racing a somewhat "small" community race after the summer masses had exited Long Beach Island. I looked forward to pushing myself out there again and closing my first full triathlon season with three awesome races to better know and understand the experience and my body.

And with four races under my belt, I'm definitely still climbing the learning curve. 4 minutes in transition? There's a goal for 2012. Also, I still don't have this whole wetsuit thing down. I assumed bay water in September would be similar to bath water but brought along the old LBW just in case. (Intimidation, mostly.) As I set up transition, I saw the majority of others pulling on their rubbers and decided to do the same.

I do not have full range of motion in my right arm.

Lesson #1: If you own a wetsuit, and the water is wetsuit legal, you wear it. I love this thing (that I rented off the internet without trying on and then ended up buying, because why not) for the instant confidence boost it gives you before pushing off. Every footkick jabs a little less and even the water tastes a little less salty when wearing your LBW.

6 minutes later my foot touched sand and I was tearing up the shore (see above: short course and complementary current). The bike course was 3 loops of a very flat course with a delightful tailwind going down and laughable headwind coming back. By my second loop I found the perfect gear and cruised through, but I was still running my own race and not paying much attention to where I thought I was in the pack. I figured solid middle, although I didn't see many of my agegroupers, instead mostly men.

Jumping out to the run I was immediately passed by three women in my agegroup, which made me guess I was right in the middle. Surprisingly, given the challenging bike ride, my legs felt great and I started out at a comfortable pace, letting the legs dictate before I rewarded myself with a glance at the Garmin. The dear, sweet, lying, this-thing-must-be-broken Garmin that showed me an 8:20 pace. I'm a 9:30 runner, gentle reader, but the Garmin told a different story that day. Maybe it was the pumpkin-shaped Reese's Peanut Butter Cup (aren't the holiday versions so much more delicious) I snarfed the day before; maybe it was the almond-butter I'd tried for the first time that morning. Garmin never saw the 9:00s that morning, and each time I peeked the numbers were fluttering around the 8's. I started paying attention to the runners around me and saw only men; I tried to remember what wave the 50's were in – and what is it about race day that turns your brain to mush?

The finish line approached and I cruised under with the official clock showing something in the 1:20s, so whatever calculation required to give my actual start and finish, I knew I'd PR'd. Would it count if I knew my other two Sprint races had longer distances? Psht. At the very least, I'd improved with every race. And though this bike distance wasn't close to last year's SheRox 15, Garmin said I rode more than the advertised 10 (Official came in at 11.8. Details, race directors!) I'll take it.

What I was not expecting was to receive an email a few days later with this:

T1 transition training begins NOW.

Resolushuns

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:37:00 +0000

The spine of Infinite Jest remains rigid and firm, and the closet doors are no closer to being painted and rehung than they were in 2010. However, I'm proud to say that I've now been to more live shows in one year than ever (ish?). For a grand total of 3. Expert that I am now, I can conclude with statistical significance (P=loud,yo) that I am not into discovering new music while waiting for the main event (thanks for making 'em short and sweet Band of Horses intro dude!), except when I'm there for the opening band (love you better, M.Ward!). Thirdly, seeing Neil Young a few hours after a 10-mile race is a very expensive nap.

This is all to say that I'm going big in 2012. No more "take a class" (haven't yet, thanks) or closet doors (why start now?). Big. Like half-ironman big, and get invited to tour a distribution facility big. (Automation is so sexy; and a fleet of UPS trucks gives me shivers.) Also, maybe Infinite Jest. It's THAT big.

And because we don't need a January first to start: What's the biggest goal you've ever undertaken and achieved?

You may not be getting enough exercise if

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:26:00 +0000

The same woman is still at the locker-room sink doing her hair and makeup when you get back out of the pool.

I may need to question my training plan's "Base Week" swim program.

Or my ability to count laps. That's totally a valid option here.

Turning Off

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:25:00 +0000

What's the nicest, most luxurious, indulgent thing you've ever done for yourself? Last year I purchased a bicycle, at the very indulgent price of $500. One triathlon and a few times riding said bicycle to work later, it disappeared. I was furious with the wretched thief, furious with the man from the nail salon across the street who told me he sees it happen all the time, furious with my company for saying there was nothing they could do, and furious with myself for not being responsible enough to have nice things.

It's been a crazy year. I've taken a new job that's far out of my comfort zone, and as a result I'm learning a lot, both on the job and about myself. I'm working harder than ever; I'm hovering over keyboards and bicycle handles, which, while exhausting, is also rewarding.

"We should be grateful for our jobs" he likes to say while watching the latest unemployment numbers blip across headlines. It isn't that we aren't grateful for our jobs, I say one evening as a sports game plays soundtrack to the clacking of Dell keys on one sofa and Mac keys on another. It's that we don't take time to appreciate what these jobs enable us to have. When did we start bringing laptops on vacations? Checking emails over coffee and bagel, while pulling on socks? Pulling over to charge a cell phone at a gas station during a conference call. It should be noted here that neither of us are brain surgeons, rocket scientists or C-title anything. Or self employed.

Maybe, for me, it's that I care too much. That I align my identity with What I Do. I thought that when you recognize who you are it's supposed to be easier to exact change, but how do you stop caring? Actually, there has been some progress. I said No to a job for the first time this year. She came to me with the project, and deep in my belly I felt a tightening that I knew was a sign. "I don't think I am the right person to help you" I told her and never regretted it.

And suddenly another summer has gone by and we're talking about Q3s and Q4s, when I have an idea. Another treat. A reward, an indulgence to reward myself for the late nights, the long calls and the headache come tax season. But I've learned my lesson – no bike or something that could be taken away. This time, food and drink. With friends. And no dishes. We're all going to dinner.

Because it doesn't end at the finish line

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 01:05:00 +0000

The athletes come into view from around a corner, for a few hundred feet or so. First, a man and woman swoop under the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon banner, hands clasped. A man crosses the line right behind them, and they're all moving at a nice steady pace that belies the timeclock creeping toward 3:00:00. A gap of three or so seconds and then another group of runners appears. Our leader's legs are moving in short, strong strides, but the shoulders tell a different story. She is seconds from crossing the finish and we're holding our breath, afraid that the energetic one in the threesome behind might make a sudden move, when our leader raises her arms over her head pumping the air 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 times. She stomps over the red timing mat arms in a V; as her head goes down we get a glimpse of a triumphant smile. We are watching her moment.

The feeling returns with each replay (we're up to 10 I think?). I did this. My body did this. I did not die. I did not even stop. For three whole hours. Actually, 2 hours, 59 minutes and 54 seconds, which was 15 minutes shorter than what I expected. You're damn right I ordered the finish line photo.

In some ways I feel like I know my body better than ever, yet at the same time I feel like I don't know my partner of 32ish-years at all. Before the race I sat in the grass stretching and sized up the hundreds dressed as un-selfconciously as I was that surrounded my barefoot, spandexed self. Thing one: tats, everywhere. Thing two: muscles, all over the place. But lots of not muscles too! This made me feel better, because I'm no Muscle-bound Mary. Thing three: really dudes smoking the pre-race cigarette without exiting to the side of the crowd?

And then it was my turn. A sea of lime-green caps bobbing in the Schulykill, until the horn sounds and they're off.

Thoughts during the swim: This water is really quite refreshing. Ok she kicked me but it didn't really hurt. Ok, I kicked that girl and I hope it didn't hurt. Is the bridge seriously still that far away? I wonder how much time has gone by. I wonder how many people I've passed. Is that a red cap? Is that a yellow cap? Maybe I'm moving really fast! Is the bridge seriously still that far away? There's the swim exit!

Thoughts during the ride: I should have ridden the course once before this race. This is so hilly I can't take my hands off the bars. I'm not eating enough. I'm not drinking enough. Oh hell yeah that dude's calf said 28. Please don't get a flat tire. Oh my gosh, I'm almost done, I need to drink more and eat more!

Thoughts during the run: Jelly legs, feels.like.12-minute.miles. Am I going to listen to these liquids slosh around in my belly for 6.2 miles? Oh hell yeah two more dudes with 20s on their calves. I wonder where I am in my wave. Could I use any of these bushes as a bathroom? Water. Food. Gatorade. Bathroom. One more mile to go. .2 miles to go and I can hear the finish. There's the finish. :52, :53, :54.

2:59:54.

When can I do it again?

WFH

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 02:07:00 +0000

Truth be told, I like the 21st century version of a Snow Day. I never sleep well when it's in the forecast – waking up throughout the night to push back the curtain to check for accumulation and assess the chemistry under a streetlight. Am I the only one who thinks snow makes things sound different? I'm calmed by the peacefulness that comes with the fat, white fluffy stuff. Occasional interruptions of a crunch under boots as someone carves their path. The rhythmic scraping of the bottom of the shovel. Not the hungry spinning of tires. Definitely not that one.

Of course, if you have to go out in it, we're talking a whole other story. That last storm blew in a few hours later than predicted, so off to work I went, timing it just perfectly so that I could white-knuckle it for two straight hours, with two detours around cars and hills that couldn't be navigated.

Truth be told: I may feel differently were I balancing conference calls with the blare of Dora the Explorer or tiny hands tugging on my heartstrings and coat hem for the opportunity to make snow angels together. But for now.

So when work says Work From Home if you can, I do. With my creature comforts and corporate calm.

Peaches 'n Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 02:14:00 +0000

Oh how I do love a red carpet fashion analyses. Dropping designer names faster than the line of limousines crawls, the borrowed bling, the lies about eating whatever she wants and loving cheeseburgers. Assessing fashion risks like stock buys and making fun of the interviewers' small talk.

But every year, every time, there's just one thing I want to see. Who and how will The Best Dress In The Whole Wide World be adapted. We're all in agreement that this is hands-down the best dress ever, correct, Gentle Reader?

The Muse:

Maybe it was because my Barbie was busy running her Travel Agency -slash- Interior Design shop, but this was the first dress that elevated her to real red carpet style. In the Peaches 'n Cream dress, Barbie could accept an award for Best Travel Program and Best Home Decor, or scoot off to a military ball with G.I. Joe (Barbie and Ken were on a break). Peaches 'n Cream gown was so popular it was often the center of many fashion scandals between we three Barbie friends: myself, sister and neighbor. Arguments were somewhat squelched when, five-fingered-sister showed up* with another gown after a playdate with another friend.

Needless to say, now that I have grown-up and have outgrown pink Corvettes, realized great hair days are a lot harder to come by, and don't even get me started about the Travel Agency -slash- Interior Design Shop - I still have my red carpets.

So when someone shows up in a Peaches 'n Cream update I want to:

1) become best friends with them

2) become best friends with their designer

I thought Lea Michele pulled off Peaches 'n Cream 2011 supremely at the Golden Globes. Like she just stepped out of her pink Corvette. Major J.

Christina Hendricks in 2010 drew my breath. It was such an obvious homage I knew, just KNEW she must've had the dream house. Designed by Christian Soriano. OF COURSE IT WAS.

Demi Moore wore Atelier Versace to the 2010 Oscars. An age-appropriate execution with a gorgeous color that looks great against her dark hair. Nice execution, but lacks the va-va-volume of a true five-star PnC. (It should be noted that your editor is currently wearing yoga pants with remnants of today's kitchen painting adventure while writing this piece.)

Photo credit: AP/Chris Pizzello

Nicole Kidman - what do we think about this here? For starters, no Travel Agency -slash- Interior Design executive would EVER be caught in a nip-slip. Ahem. But I do think this counts because because can't you just see the flower embellishments and shoulder ruffles as a nod to Barbie's beautiful stole? That's a yes. But still a no.

So here we have it fashionistas. The nominees for Best Peaches 'n Cream update. And the winner is...

Christina Hendricks.

By a landslide of peach ruffling.

Sigh.

*Not condoned.

So I'll remember the day I began parenting my parents

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 02:15:00 +0000

We'd just finished a family funeral some years ago - it must've been Uncle Bob's because it would have been our first time seeing cousins; seeing people who could have been us dealing with the grief - we were at some point in the transition from the Church to the graveyard to the restaurant where the family gathered, when my oldest brother said "Just so you know, I'm not going to be able to do what they did up there today." And I knew exactly what he meant.

When we were home a month ago helping to paint the kitchen I noticed - again, probably - for the first time how old he seemed. He tackled the painting project with less energy and it seemed to take him a beat longer to stop what he was doing to turn his attention toward my question. His glasses didn't come off when he put down the newspaper. Any last doubt was erased when I watched him slowly descend the stairs to the basement. He took each step one at a time, while holding the banister for true support. Old-man style. My father.

But because we were raised in a house that never addressed the bad things, I didn't understand. Tonight, when he called to ask if we could come back down to help with part two of the project, I know.

"Your mother got me a cane" he says, as if it's as common as a new pair of sneakers. "It's just a little trouble with my balance." Except that tingling fingers, handing over the keys and two MRIs don't sound like Little Trouble. It's only been a month since we were down there. I recall the incident played off so casually when his foot "slipped" off the brake last winter and began to understand that the house they lived in 30 years addressed nothing.

"We really don't want you to come if it's too much trouble" she says, and I know. That the biggest trouble is not finding out until it's too late.

Fitness ain't easy

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 02:17:00 +0000

2009 was the year of mileage. Inspired after watching a friend complete his first marathon, I signed up for one of the most fun races in Philadelphia - a flat, fast 10 miler. When I began training I'd never run further than 5 miles at one time. While I never (thought that I) caught that runner's bug I loved how powerful my body felt with every additional mile I added to my training. I set a goal for race day, which was completely forgotten in the last mile as every step reminded me how badly I had to use a bathroom. I crossed the finish line in the pouring rain and looked up at the clock - I was three seconds - three seconds - under my goal time. And I immediately began thinking how three miles to make a half-marathon didn't seem impossible.

And it wasn't. I completed one four months later. At the end of that race I knew I didn't have another marathon in me, but wasn't sure what I wanted next for running or health.

Last year I did my first triathlon, and I loved every second of the training. The injuries that plagued my legs through running stayed mute; the cross training made my body strong and powerful. I ate more than I'd eaten ever before, but my body craved healthier options. I loved how I felt and began thinking ahead to 2011 and how many races I could fit in.

Then my bike got stolen. (Love you, Philly!)

Now it's 2011 and I've signed up for my first Olympic distance triathlon. I hope to also do two more Sprint distances, but the goal this year is to kick it on a Mile Swim, 25 Mile Bike and 6 Mile Run. I can't wait.

My goal is to update and share my training progress leading up to race day for the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon, June 24-26. The official training program I'll be following doesn't start for a few more weeks, but my jiggly triceps called and said they'd like a little extra time in the pool if that's okay.

Love means green

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 02:18:00 +0000

The tree had stopped drinking water at least two weeks ago, so perhaps yes, maybe I could now concede that picking out our holiday talisman from the parking lot around the corner a week after Thanksgiving may have been a bit early. But how could I have known that then? He decided not to press it. Trees started appearing on sidewalks, hunkered on their sides, occasional pieces of tinsel or garland the only reminder of a short reign as center of attention - more trees the closer we got to trash pick-up day. "Ready to take it down?" he asked.

"There's a recycling drop off next Sunday." I offered the words tentatively.

My husband has a great sense of humor, an open mind, and generally humors my personality. Having his life... inconvenienced... by my dedication to recycling tests all three of those character traits. His eyebrow raises when I tell him I couldn't go grocery shopping because I didn't have canvas bags in the car, though he (mostly) remembers to throw the plastics in the right can. But after discovering a pile of sandwich crumbs at the bottom of his sandwich bag of potato chips he kindly asked me to draw the line.

So I knew that I had a small window to dispose of this tree the way I wanted, or else.

Seventy-five dry, brittle needles, I estimated, separated as I plunged my hand into the branches, searching for the trunk. They sprinkled onto the carpet, onto his legs and onto his sweater; more fell each time his body moved and grunted as he unscrewed the trunk from the plastic base.

We smooshed the tree through the front door and onto the sidewalk. Hundreds of needles.

Chopped it into thirds and shoved it into the trunk. Thousands of needles.

Neither of us commented as we drove up to the recycling site and saw nothing out of the ordinary. It was business as usual at the site, which is to say no trees, no chipper, no recycling. I gulped and hopped out of the car before he could possibly say anything.

I ran inside the building as he circled the block. Fortunately, we'd arrived on the wrong side of the building. I ran out, waved him down and we circled the block, hearing the whirring of the chipper before we saw it.

Relief.