Clueless Runner: Attempting a Triathlon

Fish. Out. Of. Water.

I should probably stick to running! I see why sometimes 'pure-ist' runners don't mesh with with triathlons/triathletes. The mentality/experience is a whole different ball game.

How did my triathlon go? Well, it was hard, but fine.
After the race was over, I felt way more exhausted--and beat up--than I did after 26.2 miles of running. And I did the short version of the sport.

Here are some pics:

Everything about my experience=awkward.

Mentally?
Huge difference between runners and triathletes. I see that now.

Also, triathletes I feel are more about crossing it off the list, whereas running is a release. As a list-crosser-off-er, I enjoyed the training! I had so much fun swimming and it even turned into another love of mine. Training for the swim/run of this race was actually a blast, and it was fun to switch it up. I also gained a ton of muscle and thus gained some weight in the process, which is again another awkward for me who is used to the opposite happening in running.


Training Summary.
Cindy's Bicycle: 1 Cindy: 0.
Well, I definitely did train. For the swimming. Alone.  I focused my energy on swimming--assuming it was the hardest part. Well, I ended up being able to swim a mile in 45-50minutes after a month of training. However, my Awkward Race went something like this.....

PANIC--okay--Swim, swim, swim--Lost nose clip PANIC--Swim, swim, swim. Where am I--Right, Out of pool, PANIC,  Run, run, run. Find bicycle, put on gear, What the heck am I supposed to do now, Right, Bike, bike bike. Still on bike, it's been 25freakin minutes are you serious, Bike, bike, bike. Am I still on this thing,  What's that,  I have to do TWO loops, why did I sign up for this, Another hill, no way. Getting off bike, running with bike up hill, now I'm making some progress. Other cyclist sees me, gets of his bike, does the same, We're all running with our bikes this is ridiculous. Get back on bike, finish loop, find bike rack, Get off bike, What the **** happened to my legs, Oh my gosh My legs are gone,  Knees hurt, Keep going, run, run, run......Finish.

Collapse.

And I came out alive but minus one buttock. Whatever, I'll do it again I know. Even though nothing about triathlons feel 'natural' or 'normal' to me, it was a fun and challenging experience I wouldn't mind doing again before baby #2.

Clueless Runner: --er Triathlete?

Why haven't I been blogging as much lately? First of all, still recovering from party-madness. We had honey-bear's first bday, then Honey-Bear's 30th birthday, after which I collapsed. How is it so exhausting throwing parties? I feel guilty  for being tired because I had so much help from Grandmas! But it does wear you out, in addition to teething/baby hating whole milk/ poopies out the wazoo.

Whew.


Got the idea from my brother, who is doing the Ironman in 2012. Not to mention.....I have an irrational fear of both bicycles and open water. (& middle eastern camel spiders eating my flesh in my sleep, but nevermind that). I thought doing a tri could help me overcome a fear of these things. So I had to sign up for one because I knew if I didn't, I would forever be tormented by my lack of basic-life skills that will make me an uptight-non-risk-taking-Claire-from-ModernFamily-kind-of mom if I don't learn at some point.

And, who knows, triathlons might be an easier hobby than running to maintain as I age, right.

 So here I am, committed. But it's actually not so bad--  borrowed a bike from my step-mom, am using our neighborhood pools, and will just have to buy all the other junk I will never want to use again. (Fortunately, Justin is starting triathlons so he'll just use all the stuff). I'm actually growing a lot! (both as a person, and physically...my calves are the size of my face I fear )

My training so far? Well, it's working out well! I *actually know how to swim now!! It's incredible. Years of swim lessons as a kid did nothing for me, but pressure to not to humiliate myself in front of hundreds of meat-y athletes did the trick. Justin&I spent the first week of 'training' learning how. It took me every night that week but by the end, I was swimming laps! That was week one, then last week, I kept pushing myself to go 400 meters straight. This week I went on my first bike ride--6miles of hills. (It's amazing how motivated you become when the other option is walking home...) The biking was the hardest. I will say that marathon-training gave me a good base, so the cardio isn't as difficult as it would have been, but it was hard.  I thought swimming would be a nightmare, but I actually enjoy the swimming, and it's the biking that feels stressful and time-consuming. Kinda like driving. Have to use your brain and junk ;)

I'm not really going to blog much about this process, this will probably be the last of it. I just wanted to share, in case anyone wonders--why I am MIA for the next 6 weeks. (I am tweeting about it after each workout though if anyone's curious (cinders_gr))

Because even though Justin already laughs a little too hard when we watch her,  I refuse to become Claire Dunphy.

legs are still attached to my body; my first marathon

Well, I didn't die.

Can it be possible? Not only are my joints not popping, not hurting, not sore--but I didn't have a heart attack, either!!


At mile 1, I was REALLY scared. As everyone had to wait in line to turn corners (the half&full started together for 4 miles so it was crowded), I thought, "This is going to be a long, long day". The humidity, (it was supposed to rain), the heat (at the end it was almost 90 deg), and my hamstring strain from the day before made me really anxious beforehand.  But, as it turned out, as I ran I got used to that tight feeling in my hamstrings and I got used to running with "pain". (Not a shooting pain, more like a 'sore' pain). I focused on how hydrated I was from the day before (mentally), and, let each gust of wind mimic the wave of the ocean over my body.

Poetic, right. Ha.

I did forget to thank a couple people who helped me along the way--Jason C.&Kelcey who gave me training tips (because I wasn't able to train with a club). Also, John whom I met at the race around mile 19...he has run 60 marathons and he gave me encouragement the last 6 miles! (He had run a marathon the day before!)

 (Yes, we made shirts. I figured, if it ends up being my only one, I'm going all out)


Overall Cons:
--I loathed this particular race. Not the course, although a friend told me it was harder than the Austin course because of hill amount& placement? Well, thank you God for Brushy Creek Trails for training! My problems: the dis-organization, the LACK of water stations (people were fainting, puking which always happens but really?), lack of adequate medical stations, and Oh Yeah, Let's start a race in late Spring at 8AM! Even winter races start at 7!
--It was hard? I use a question mark because this is both a "Con"& a "Pro". It was challenging, and I had to push through at parts. But, I was never 'breaking'.
--Training was hard on me physically and was time consuming, though I chose to train for 4 weeks. (Training is the hardest, hardest part. It is the only deterrent in keeping me from going at it again)


Pros:
--I 'beat' my goal time
--I never hit the "wall". I perhaps could have gone longer? Which I know is CRAZY to say. That last stretch was not my favorite.
--I was able to thank God during my run for where He's brought me over the year--which is why I ran it.

Which brings me to making a long post even longer. The reason I *really* ran this race was a thanksgiving to God for my body.

I've had a rough year in terms of dealing with my body--in terms of body image, hormones, extreme wear. I went from being a stick figure (pre-pregnancy mind you!) to gaining almost 45 pounds in my pregnancy, to nursing the baby and the extreme stress that was on my body, to losing some weight, and back to a healthy place again--all within a year. It all is a normal human thing to go through (obviously) but it was difficult mentally and physically. My hormones were hard on me, I had extreme nausea and fatigue--to the point I couldn't go to work during my 3rd trimester. Torture for someone who loves staying active.  I had days I would cry out to God in such anger, frustration, helplessness over my body--"Am I stuck in this huge fat-suit glued to my bed forever??" I seriously thought that was it for me. Even post-pregnancy, I thought, this is it for me. I'm stuck here.

I couldn't even finish decorating the nursery, and decorating's my FAVORITE.

Thought I would never be able to be my 'old self' again. So, when I started running for the first time, it was a huge celebration in my heart to God. I knew He had given me back something I didn't deserve in the first place. I realized the health I had experienced my whole life pre-pregnancy--was something I had taken for granted for 27 years. God has given me my life back now--and it really IS more abundant! The more he teaches me the MORE abundant my life gets. And having my baby here now---Oh, Lord. Oh my gosh oh my gosh, God is better to me than I deserve.

So, that is why running a marathon was such a big deal to me. If you would have seen how sickly I was a year ago, you would not have believed I could move again, much less run a marathon at 10months post-parptum. (Yes, I used the word "sickly" past 1892). God created my body, in every stage, and I finally understand what it means to "lift up your body as a living sacrifice". I run because I CAN. And when I do, it's me saying, "See, what I can do with what You gave me, God? The possibilities are BEYOND what I realized, You made a miracle in me".

P.S. Oh and Labor is Harder.

welp. this is it

So, I kindof feel the way I did about having a baby. You know, the way you feel right before you're about to go into labor: I have no idea what's about to happen to me/my body, but I know it's going to hurt and I know it will probably last at least four hours.

My first (and probably only) marathon is OFFICIALLY in 3 days. It's supposed to be 85degrees. It's supposed to rain thunderstorm. I'm already tired.

Let's do this!
(and I will let you know how it compares to labor. I really feel like I've already been through the worst a woman can physically, right, so here's to my Personal Running Slogan:  "This isn't as bad as labor"...(which, is the phrase I will repeat to myself the last 13 miles)

okay okay I'm not really dying

Okay so after my last post I received numerous emails/phone calls from my mother.
No, I am not only eating pizza and chick-fil-a the *entire time I marathon train. I'm eating yogurt and almonds every five seconds as well and fish and chicken here and there. But, yeah, the past two weeks, I *have been chowing down a loooot more than usual.....

And, no, apparently, marathon training is NOT the reason I am fatigued. Doesn't this completely negate my previous post?? Ha, I don't think so. It might be some nutrition, but the fatigue we discovered is *definitely hormonal. I am getting blood work done this week to check for anemia just in case. So, maybe marathon training isn't my problem? I definitely don't think I'd do another one with a baby in the house though.

Back to food--Is it me, or is it SUPER hard to stop eating like you're pregnant???
I say this 10 months post-pregnancy. Old habits die preeetty dang hard. The irony is, I have always usually been fairly healthy in eating habits, until I got pregnant and started eating for two. (Although, technically, you only really need a couple-few hundred calories more a day when pregnant, which is like a measly slice of bacon but nevermind that). So, I am re-comitting myself to good nutrition again. Starting today, I purchased three tubs of cottage cheese, which I loathe.

So there, mom.

Here are some past "Nutrition Notes" I took during one of my nutrition courses last year (Yes, I'm a nerd and keep all my notes). Am in Definite need of being reminded, so I"m posting here:

Top 11 Interesting Nutrition Facts I Learned in Grad School (keep in mind, this is verbatim ha)
"
1) Vitamins&Mineral supplements are not regulated by FDA whatsoever. Prof recommends we not take any at all, unless pregnant or in a severely poor state of health. If you feel like you *have* to take vitamins, generic brands usually have less chemicals and are healthier than name brands (she recommends HEB brands)


3) 60% of our produce comes internationally, and we inspect only 1% of this imported produce as of 2007. Do more research, and be mindful of fresh produce.


4) Frozen vegetables can be just as healthy as fresh, sometimes healthier, depending on when the vegetables were frozen. Be okay with buying frozen.


5) Microwaving vegetables with water preserves more nutrients than steaming or boiling many times, so it's better for you. Be okay with microwaving. (I will probably still steam broccoli)


6) Females especially need to be weary of dietary intake. We are supposed to eat similar nutrient %s as males but can have a fraction of the calories because of our higher body fat to maintain healthy proportions. So women need to really curb empty calorie intake ((guys too)) such as any sodas, table sugar, hard candies, molasses, brown sugar ((white coated with molasses)), butters ((though butter is healthier than margarine((I wrote this in 2009, might be different now because it changes every two seconds)), alcohols, even orange juice provides a ton of calories ((two oranges have the same amount of calories as one cup of OJ ((as in a CUP serving size not a glass-full)) and the two actual oranges provide 5X more calcium, 3X more riboflavin, 3X more iron with same calories. So women should eat *low energy foods, but dense foods.


7) You should switch brands of foods frequently. Just like shampoo with hair, using the same brand repeatedly can build up contamination, since each brand comes with its own contaminants ((this is FDA approved regardless of this))


8) A child's size meal at McDonalds is an actual adult serving size for foods. (and 1 chocolate shake at Mcd's =2 big macs, isn't that odd?)


9) 30min of exercise a day to maintain...60min to lose. However, does not have to be at once, walking to parking space, taking stairs, the exercise can be throughout the day. (This is different if you are nursing, and this is for adults ages 30-40)


10) UV exposure and stress significantly cause premature aging because it keeps telomerases (enzyme that elongates DNA after replication) to stop working and the DNA to shrink! DNA shrinking happens with age but we can shrink our DNA faster by stressing and being out too long in the sun.


11) Breads are NOT empty calories, they are great calories. Carbs are actually very good for you, depriving yourself of carbs is terrible on your liver, and typically those who lose weight on atkins gain it back right afterward, and are susceptible to gaining even more weight. Overall, don't stop eating carbs!
 "
Well, this was a random post. But, perhaps if anyone reads this, they will get good use out of  thousands of dollars wasted on grad school. Ha. Bitterness, much? :)

Truth is, I'd trade it all again in a heartbeat:)

marathon training: did i make a mistake???

Okay before I gripe, I will list the things I love about running.

A) It's efficient. Short amount of time, and I'm giving my heart a great exercise.
B) No gym membership, no driving somewhere, time efficient, wallet-efficient.
C) It feels awesome.
D) It is worship. For me, starting at 2-3 weeks postpartum, it is a way I physically thank God for my health. Hard to explain.
E) It's can be *good for your joints, and good for your heart. (See articles I linked to previous post)

But, I will say, I'm not gaining muscle. After running a certain mileage (which really isn't very high), your body gets so used to it, it stops being a way to lose weight/build cardio. (Look in any running journal to find the scientific mumbojumbo, I don't have the energy to link right now). So, it's probably not something you do to lose weight or get in great shape.

But, it's something I do because I *love.

Up until my 16mi run, it gave me energy, endurance for my day, and a time to focus on God.

My muscles and joints feel awesome. Doing taxes on the computer hurt my joints worse than 20miles. A little tight 3rd day, but no pain.

But, I. Am. Exhausted.

...I basically use every ounce of energy in my day to spend time with my baby and teach him things. Which, let's be honest is more important than spring cleaning.

Everything else: Gone To Pot.

What's funny, is I am just running ONE time a week, but I am drained all week from my one long run.

That being said...... I'm not training the way a runner should be training for a marathon. I'm eating fast-food and PBJ's and pizza. I'm running one time per week instead of three, and I'm doing no muscle-building. And I really feel that that is the reason I'm wiped.

But, I am training the *best I can while being a mom (minus the poor diet, that's just bad habit), while putting my baby first and my husband first. (Which is why, they say being a stay-at-home mom is a full time job..if it's really your priority, it IS a full time job!)

What I wasn't expecting was that being a mom is incredibly and unexpectedly draining physically, emotionally, spiritually.

And, I'm glad I'm not training for the whole 4-6month period that most runners train, because that would be a long amount of time to train for ONE short event.

So, what has training looked like for me?
Three weeks ago, I ran 16;  Lots of hills, but nothing to report except hamstring soreness that lasted 4 days.

The week after, I ran 18.9.  The hardest run by far. It was 82 that day, I ate three Goo in the first half hour (stupid, stupid mistake) and my legs felt like ten million pounds. Awful day.

This week, I ran 20.8. I felt really good afterwards, definitely had another 2 miles in me, no complaints. Okay I'll find one. It's hard to 'stay off your legs' when you have a 10month old. I think that's why I can't recover quick enough energy-wise to run during the week.

This week: Exhausted. I am literally having to push myself to get laundry done, to take Elijah out, to go to Target and I LOVE Target.


So......do I still love running?
Yes, please!
Will I ever run another 26.2 mile-marathon?
Not while there is a baby in the house!

my crazy life in a minute update

So.
The past 2-3 weeks have been kinda strange.
1) Ran my second half marathon (and beat my old time, making it in 1hr40, a personal goal)
2)I decided to run my first full marathon (which takes place in a couple weeks!)
3) I started selling my crafts, for the first time.
4) Auditioned and got a call back for a reality TV show.
5) Did our taxes

That's why I haven't posted in awhile.

On #1) :

Hills of San Marcos. 13.1. "Rolling" hills my HINEY. Friggin EKG. We were literally running next to cows, chickens, and barns. I laughed out loud a few times in spite of Texas.

#2) Yes, I know it's crazy. After my San Marcos run, I started thinking...I *never* thought I'd be able to run a half so soon. And yet, God gave me the strength and it is such a cool feeling to say YES to myself instead of a BUT, I CAN'T. So, I thought, why not a full 26.2? So I'm doing it

a) Because my baby will never be this low maintenance again. I'll never just have *one* baby again, and as they get older, it gets harder to slip away

b) I'm so close in training (at the point in which I write, I ran one 18.9mi run last week and ran a 20.8 mile run Sunday...I won't go through this again)

c) Marathons DON'T necessarily kill the knees or produce heart attacks. (Here's why ) (And here's why)

c) I've had a couple of people tell me I can't

d) Because I CAN (if it's God's will)


On #3)---It was an accident, really.

I thought, I use my Heating/Cooling ice pack on my sore muscles after every run, and me and Justin are always fighting for his. So, why couldn't every runner use these eco-friendly, machine-washable, multi-purpose packs? Beats using those gross gel cooling packs that get grimey and could be ingested by my baby! So, I called up local running stores/chiropracters, and they ordered some! Score!
(I also sell them on etsy at: my temporary etsy site    but, if anyone ever wants one pls don't waste $ on shipping and just ask me!

4) The reality show..... I auditioned for this show, because they were going to pay me to travel to Dubai which sounds pretty awesome to a SAHM, let's be honest. (Even though I've never left baby for longer than a day and that in and of itself was torture). I got a call back a month later, "Oh we're really interested in you", yadda yadda. I go to the second call back and I'm in a waiting room full of Reese Witherspoons wearing low-cut shirts, tight jeans, and heels. They are all holding their headshots and name-dropping. I am wearing an Old Navy tank top, shorts, and flats and I'm sporting, of course, my diaper bag. (Because, who has time to switch stuff from diaper bag to cute purse? Not this girl). The audition itself was less intimidating, but I doubt I will be getting a call back!

5) Lame, lame lame.

Next week, I my goals are to sit at home, watch Wendy Williams, and read some People, let the dishes pile high, eat some more Krispy Kremes, and slack-off to recover from the atypical madness that has comprised my every second the past weeks....wish me luck

How to Run a Half Marathooooon

Okay disclaimer...I am not an expert. Far far from. However, I have had multiple friends asking me how I trained for my last half-marathon (okay, it was my FIRST half marathon, first RACE since....pubesence.)  I decided to run a half-marathon a couple months after the birth of Elijah, because I wanted to lose the baby weight because I was starting to feel like this

And, at a week post-baby, I had a Target clerk ask me when I was due.

That'll do it.

Instant motivation.

Running the marathon was seriously one of the best feelings. Super empowering. I think 2010 was a very empowering year for me, and after having a baby I felt incredibly strong, incredibly empowered...if I can carry this massive baby and have him, and provide food for him and care for him, ...I mean a marathon starts to sound schmeasy-peasy. 

And in comparison to childbirth....it was

                         My only disclaimer--besides the fact that I'm not an expert just writing from my own experience--is that running may not be the quickest, most efficient or effective way to "shed baby weight". I have a friend who found another way to healthfully work out and lose some baby weight(and no she wasn't Heidi Klum, she was a normal human being with hips)...and her work out schedule was totally different from mine. (Hers was intensive in fat-burning exercises alternating with muscle-building)I will add hers to the end of this post in case you're interested

How I Ran a Half Marathon Post-Baby

BabyStepNumber1) Taking baby steps. About three weeks post-baby, I decided to go for a run. I do have a history of running (which helps) but it had been awhile. So, I figured, 'Oh, I'll just go for a mile'....pause...remembering Target clerk... 'maybe a two-mile jog'. Wrong. I ran three steps and was heaved over feeling like I was dying. What the heck. I came home (I made it to the end of my cul-de-sac) ready to turn in my Asics. Nope, running's not my thing.

Which leads to

BabyStepNumber2) Motivation. I know it's sad--but I continued to remember that Target clerk's comment. Cue slow motion voice and close up of Target clerk's mouth: 'wheeeen arrrre youuuu duuuuuuueeee'.  A couple days after my trek to the third house on my block, I decided to try again. And again. This continued to be my motivation. Now that I've lost about 50lbs, my motivation is to be a role model for Elijah. (in general my goal is to set standards HIGH for Elijah's future wife. Unattainably high.;) )

BSN3) A Race. So, I knew I probably wasn't going to stay committed to a work-out "plan". I always fall short of those things. So, I knew if I wanted to be committed to running a long distance, I had to sign up for a race (which are usually non-refundable) and just go for it. So, I ran on my own, in the mornings before Justin went to work, for about three months after baby. I didn't run everyday, I didn't even run every other day, but I tried to run every week. (Again--like I said--this isn't the most effective way to lose weight (at least the way I did it). It did however up my metabolism by the end of the ordeal.) So at three months post-baby, I signed me and my husband up for month 5 post-baby and it was done and done.

BSN4) A Route. We happen to live near one of the best running trails in Austin (Brushy Creek Trail, it's 13 mi long) so route was pretty convenient. I am not one of those people who will ever just pick up and DRIVE somewhere to go work out, I am just not that committed. So marking out a five-mile course in your neighborhood, regardless of trail or not is key. After that--I literally would run as far as I could in one direction, then be forced to run back home the same amount. 

BSN5) A Reward. After I signed up for the race, I knew I had to start running a lot more. I started trying to run every day (knowing I wouldn't make every day) and I made it a routine to go run at night when Justin got home, leave him with the baby, then when I got home Justin would let me have 'me' time during which I would watch the Bachelor (the season with Ally). Every time I would dread going to run, I would remember I don't get to see which faker she ditches this week if I don't go running.

BSN6) The 'Plan'. So two-months before my race, I knew it was crunch time and I had to make it to 13.1 miles. My only goal with this race was to run the entire time. I didn't care about my time, I just wanted to run the whole thing without walking. So I knew I had 8 weeks to learn how to run 13 miles. I called my sister-in-law (who has run a full marathon) and she told me if I can run 7 miles without stopping, I can run the 13.1. I was skeptical, but committed to that plan. So:

Week 1: I ran three miles twice

Week 2: I ran three miles twice

Week 3: I ran four miles once or twice

Week 4: I ran four miles once or twice

Week 5: I ran six miles once and two miles once

Week 6: I ran five miles once and eight miles once 

Week 7: I ran nine miles once and two miles once

Week 8: I ran three miles once.

Race Day.

I showed up Race Day (in Houston, October)and ate two pancakes, streteched for 45 minutes, and ran the entire thing without a glitch! I'm serious, it was God's grace to me. I felt no humps, no hard parts, and no temptations to walk. I give credit (of course to God) but also the the fact that I started slow, and worked up to it. ANd I never even had to run 13 miles before race day. My time was 2hrs 14 min, but I wonder if I could have been faster had I run harder.

*****
So now I'm 'training' for the Austin half in February. I am not training as much, or as consistently. Plus, I have the running stroller I have to train with now (which is...like pain-central the first few times). I will let you know how it goes!

(this is how I feel running with a baby)


Footnote:
Friend's Post-Baby Routine
** Per my friend, she worked out 5 days a week starting at 3 months. No excuses, never missing a day. 
** Her routine was lifting for 25 min straight, then cardio for the last 25 min (running, or stair-stepper set on 15). This is basically every day mind you. 
**Strict diet: Lots of protein for breakfast (big breakfast), vegetables and meat for lunch and dinner, and No carbs past 5pm. (This is the reason why this workout would never work for me.((But again, she has a six-pack and looks like Heidi Klum))
**She did this for a year, and continues to do this to stay in shape. 
Way to go her. 
Not for me. 

 

Ugh.