Hello all,
I challenge you all to take the following clues and to guess what is happening:
- I am tired all of the time
- I am hungry ALL OF THE TIME!
- I am grouchy
- I have had a couple of those days where I just don't want to run anymore
- My body is achy - more particularly my lower body
That's right it is taper time!!!
So here is what has been going through my head lately. I have no idea if I am ready for this race. I feel as though I have not trained enough, but lets be honest I am doing 1/3 of the training that I usually do. I would have to be running miles upon miles upon miles everyday to feel the same way going into an Ironman.
I was pretty excited to get the terrible taper feelings because that means my body is recovering and I must have done some training to feel this way. Also going to Saskatoon did not help my training at all - 1 week no running other than trying my damndest to keep up to Rexy on the course...maybe I can count that as training!
So here is what I don't know - I have no idea if I am ready, I have no idea if I have trained enough, and I have no idea how this is going to go. Here is what I do know - I am going to go and run my first marathon and see what happens, I have done this before when biking and swimming first (how bad can it be?), I will embrace the race and have some fun out there!
All you marathoners and ultra marathoners out there - any advice for the big day?
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Marathon Training
Hey guys!
So I am a triathlete at heart because during all of this running I am doing I am thinking about when I might possibly fit a bike ride in! That's right, Lucy and I need to do some bonding. I have been riding to work once a week (when I am downtown) and every time I get on my bike I remember how much I love it. OK back to running.
So training has been going ok. I have a few BIG days under my belt now, completed with ice baths, recovery drinks and training on dead legs! Oh how I miss the feeling. What has been a big challenge is trying to do high volumes of running when your hamstrings are sore for 5 days after bootcamp! OUCH. This is why I don't lift weights very often anymore. I get so sore that I can't train.
I am still trail running on Sunday mornings with friends. This is my long run day so I try and rope them into a minimum of 90 min, but usually around 2 hours and then I go home and rest up and head out again in the evening. I need to start working on my nutrition plan for the race and figure out how I am going to get calories into me without getting sick on the run. Something I have yet to master in an Ironman run too!
I tried my hand at mountain biking on Monday...which is a lot different from road biking! My friend Kathie and I rented bikes from the outdoor center and decided to try out goat trail (the one from Canmore to Banff). I went to pick up the bikes and they gave us these giant monsters! I could barely lift it into my car it was so big! After a day of long riding we ran into some people who told us that we had downhill mountain bikes - no wonder that was so friggin hard to climb up hills. This thing weighed 30 lbs MINIMUM which is bloody heavy for this triathlete! Needless to say my legs were dead at the end of that adventure.
In other news Rexy has been invited back to superdogs and we are off to the show in Saskatoon for 6 days next week! Yay Rexy! She has also been my training partner and I think she is just as tired on Sundays after our big run.
Happy Training!
Leslie
So I am a triathlete at heart because during all of this running I am doing I am thinking about when I might possibly fit a bike ride in! That's right, Lucy and I need to do some bonding. I have been riding to work once a week (when I am downtown) and every time I get on my bike I remember how much I love it. OK back to running.
So training has been going ok. I have a few BIG days under my belt now, completed with ice baths, recovery drinks and training on dead legs! Oh how I miss the feeling. What has been a big challenge is trying to do high volumes of running when your hamstrings are sore for 5 days after bootcamp! OUCH. This is why I don't lift weights very often anymore. I get so sore that I can't train.
I am still trail running on Sunday mornings with friends. This is my long run day so I try and rope them into a minimum of 90 min, but usually around 2 hours and then I go home and rest up and head out again in the evening. I need to start working on my nutrition plan for the race and figure out how I am going to get calories into me without getting sick on the run. Something I have yet to master in an Ironman run too!
I tried my hand at mountain biking on Monday...which is a lot different from road biking! My friend Kathie and I rented bikes from the outdoor center and decided to try out goat trail (the one from Canmore to Banff). I went to pick up the bikes and they gave us these giant monsters! I could barely lift it into my car it was so big! After a day of long riding we ran into some people who told us that we had downhill mountain bikes - no wonder that was so friggin hard to climb up hills. This thing weighed 30 lbs MINIMUM which is bloody heavy for this triathlete! Needless to say my legs were dead at the end of that adventure.
In other news Rexy has been invited back to superdogs and we are off to the show in Saskatoon for 6 days next week! Yay Rexy! She has also been my training partner and I think she is just as tired on Sundays after our big run.
Happy Training!
Leslie
Saturday, July 17, 2010
SUPERDOG Videos!
Howdy!
Here are some videos of Rexy in her Superdog debut at the Calgary Stampede on Saturday! Except for the 3rd video when she missed a couple of tunnels, things went well! So good in fact, that they invited us back to be there on Sunday as well!
They talked today about putting her into some frisbee catching stuff, so I'll try and get Chad to catch a video of that tomorrow!
Below are a couple photos of after the day...the first one is is when people get to come and meet her after the show (you can see me in the middle with the sparkly gold shirt); the second is Rexy in her kennel in the back (she NEVER lays down like that)!
All said and done...a very good day! Wish us luck tomorrow! If you are bored, shows are at 12, 2:30, 5, and 7pm! See you there!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Big News!
Hey!
Whitefish Montana here we come. Thats right I finally signed up for the marathon so we will see how that goes on September 12th.
More exciting is that last Saturday Rexy had a try out for the Superdogs during Stampede. We got a call on Sunday and we are going down to the grounds this Saturday. We will not be in the show for sure, but there is a chance. Basically we can train in the equipment inbetween the shows and if they decide to stick her in the show then they will. So we won't know until the day of but here's hoping!
Whitefish Montana here we come. Thats right I finally signed up for the marathon so we will see how that goes on September 12th.
More exciting is that last Saturday Rexy had a try out for the Superdogs during Stampede. We got a call on Sunday and we are going down to the grounds this Saturday. We will not be in the show for sure, but there is a chance. Basically we can train in the equipment inbetween the shows and if they decide to stick her in the show then they will. So we won't know until the day of but here's hoping!
Other than that it is training as per usual. Have a good one guys and Happy Training!
Leslie
Monday, June 28, 2010
Hey!
It is official I am not racing any triathlons this year. I am okay with that, I still want to do the marathon though...I guess I should sign up for it!
I am running, hiking, going to a bootcamp, trail running - all kinds of good stuff. I do miss Lucy though. I am sure she is feeling neglected upstairs all by herself. I should take her out for a spin one of these days!
Chad and I just got back from holidays in the Yukon. We went up there for a week to visit my family. I think that drive gets longer everytime we do it! Here are some photos from the trip:
First rest stop along the way - some logging road!
After awhile Rexy finally went to sleep and we could relax!
These are the caribou Rexy so kindly got off the highway for us!
Summit Lake - Stone Mountain
Ready, set, go!
It is official I am not racing any triathlons this year. I am okay with that, I still want to do the marathon though...I guess I should sign up for it!
I am running, hiking, going to a bootcamp, trail running - all kinds of good stuff. I do miss Lucy though. I am sure she is feeling neglected upstairs all by herself. I should take her out for a spin one of these days!
Chad and I just got back from holidays in the Yukon. We went up there for a week to visit my family. I think that drive gets longer everytime we do it! Here are some photos from the trip:
First rest stop along the way - some logging road!
After awhile Rexy finally went to sleep and we could relax!
These are the caribou Rexy so kindly got off the highway for us!
Summit Lake - Stone Mountain
Ready, set, go!
This was taken the day before solstice
Hmmmm...what doesn't belong in this photo?
Whitehorse
Miles Canyon
A view from the top of Miles Canyon
We went to the Salmon Ladder
Fishing at Butterfly Lake
Chad caught a fish in the lake behind my house, this is my dad cleaning the fish.
Here is the fish before it was in my belly!
Moose at Toad River
On the way home...
Hmmmm...what doesn't belong in this photo?
Whitehorse
Miles Canyon
A view from the top of Miles Canyon
We went to the Salmon Ladder
Fishing at Butterfly Lake
Chad caught a fish in the lake behind my house, this is my dad cleaning the fish.
Here is the fish before it was in my belly!
Moose at Toad River
On the way home...
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
SURPRISE!!!
Hey!
As many of you already know Chad COMPLETELY surprised me for my birthday by taking me to San Diego. This was hands down the best birthday present! I had no idea - he did video tape me when I found out so if you get a chance to see it it's quite funny. Here are some pics of what we did!
Here we are bright and early at the airport - probably around 4:30am and had been up since 3:15 am.
As many of you already know Chad COMPLETELY surprised me for my birthday by taking me to San Diego. This was hands down the best birthday present! I had no idea - he did video tape me when I found out so if you get a chance to see it it's quite funny. Here are some pics of what we did!
Here we are bright and early at the airport - probably around 4:30am and had been up since 3:15 am.
I am only a Palm tree hugger!
It wouldn't be a holiday for Chad and I if we didn't hit up a stadium. Here we are a Qualcomm stadium, home of the Chargers and SDSU Aztecs.
First baseball game ever! I don't even like baseball but I had a lot of fun.
Hotdogs and beer for dinner. This is the first trip in 6 years where I didn't have a bike, swim gear, or running shoes and was able to kick back and relax!
Sea World at the Shamu show
Walking along Pacific beach watching all of the crazies in the COLD COLD water!
USS Midway - retired aircraft carrier
Lastly, in this pic we are on the double decker bus tour at the San Diego Zoo.
It wouldn't be a holiday for Chad and I if we didn't hit up a stadium. Here we are a Qualcomm stadium, home of the Chargers and SDSU Aztecs.First baseball game ever! I don't even like baseball but I had a lot of fun.Hotdogs and beer for dinner. This is the first trip in 6 years where I didn't have a bike, swim gear, or running shoes and was able to kick back and relax! Sea World at the Shamu showWalking along Pacific beach watching all of the crazies in the COLD COLD water!
USS Midway - retired aircraft carrier
Lastly, in this pic we are on the double decker bus tour at the San Diego Zoo.
Since we have been home I have been recuperating from our trip! There is always too much to see and do on holidays so we never rest at all!
Happy Training!
Leslie
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Hitting the trails
Hey guys,
So I have been busy...maybe not with triathlon but with everything else in my life!
Rexy has been doing great in agility classes...here we come superdogs! woooo hoooo! She loves to work hard and is ready to do anything anytime. Our challenge for the last couple of weeks was to work on her "off" switch. For anyone who has met her will immediately know the challenge we are in for. Surprisingly she is getting there. We still have to give it a command...so to her she is still working...we tell her to "chill!"
We volunteered for the Spring Thaw Trio on the weekend at an aid station. It was weird because we had 2 stations: the first just past the turn around - the idea was to go around the turn around and then hit the aid station. The 2nd aid station was for the 15km racers just past the 10km turn around. This shouldn't be hard...but for the majority of the runners it was. They kept crossing the pathways to get to the aid station - good thing it was a small race and there weren't people running into each other!
I also headed out to West Bragg Creek with the ladies from work again and we miscalculated the distance of trails - aimed for 7 km and ended up doing 10 km. That was a challenge for this road junkie. All of the snow was still melting out there so we were all full of mud and dirt - tons of fun!Not to mention I did an 80 min run 2 days before that! Whew! I also through in a day of hill repeats in there last week and I did them again tonight!
These were white when we started!
This weekend is a little slower than the last - whew! Rexy and I will be without Chad for class this week, we will see how it goes!
Good luck to everyone running the Calgary Police Half Marathon and 5km this Sunday!
So I have been busy...maybe not with triathlon but with everything else in my life!
Rexy has been doing great in agility classes...here we come superdogs! woooo hoooo! She loves to work hard and is ready to do anything anytime. Our challenge for the last couple of weeks was to work on her "off" switch. For anyone who has met her will immediately know the challenge we are in for. Surprisingly she is getting there. We still have to give it a command...so to her she is still working...we tell her to "chill!"
We volunteered for the Spring Thaw Trio on the weekend at an aid station. It was weird because we had 2 stations: the first just past the turn around - the idea was to go around the turn around and then hit the aid station. The 2nd aid station was for the 15km racers just past the 10km turn around. This shouldn't be hard...but for the majority of the runners it was. They kept crossing the pathways to get to the aid station - good thing it was a small race and there weren't people running into each other!
I also headed out to West Bragg Creek with the ladies from work again and we miscalculated the distance of trails - aimed for 7 km and ended up doing 10 km. That was a challenge for this road junkie. All of the snow was still melting out there so we were all full of mud and dirt - tons of fun!Not to mention I did an 80 min run 2 days before that! Whew! I also through in a day of hill repeats in there last week and I did them again tonight!
These were white when we started!This weekend is a little slower than the last - whew! Rexy and I will be without Chad for class this week, we will see how it goes!
Good luck to everyone running the Calgary Police Half Marathon and 5km this Sunday!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
My Feet Hurt!
Hey all,
I haven't been up to much since my last post. I have taken to trail running of late and needless to say it is kicking my butt. There are some pretty good hills out there and I am loving the challenge.
I am still battling with my asthma - this spring sucks big time. Especially with the crazy wind, rain, and snow we have been having.
A girlfriend and I went out to Bragg Creek today for an easy 5 km run and it was so nice to be in the mountains. Within 5 mins I wiped out on the ice...but I managed to catch myself on the way down and there was no harm done. I do need a new pair of trail runners as the bottoms of my feet are very sore.
Other than that nothing new here, I can tell that summer is on the way because we are getting busier and busier.
Happy Training!
Leslie
I haven't been up to much since my last post. I have taken to trail running of late and needless to say it is kicking my butt. There are some pretty good hills out there and I am loving the challenge.
I am still battling with my asthma - this spring sucks big time. Especially with the crazy wind, rain, and snow we have been having.
A girlfriend and I went out to Bragg Creek today for an easy 5 km run and it was so nice to be in the mountains. Within 5 mins I wiped out on the ice...but I managed to catch myself on the way down and there was no harm done. I do need a new pair of trail runners as the bottoms of my feet are very sore.
Other than that nothing new here, I can tell that summer is on the way because we are getting busier and busier.
Happy Training!
Leslie
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