Unexplainable Happiness

Today was a day of contentment.

Usually I notice days of sadness without really understanding why but today my heart was full.

It is rare to have an entire day like this.

My birthday is in 2 more days.  Could this be it?

I love birthdays.

Unexplainable happiness.

All day long.

I did not make it to swim at 5am this morning but I did go after dinner.  Nice long swim alone.

And I did make my run yesterday.  Yes, hip still sore but I ran on a dirt track with friends and that seemed to have helped with the pain.  It faded away after a mile.

33 weeks until Ironman Lake Placid.

21 days until the 55 Hour Ultra.

Week 1: 2 hours swim/2 hours bike/3 hours run (7 HOURS TOTAL)

2014 Baton Rouge "Chicken" Marathon Report

So my quest to complete a marathon in my 8th state was a fail.  

Lousiana. Baton Rouge Beach Marathon (BRBM)

On the bright side, I did get a half marathon medal.  

Somewhere between mile 5-6 I tripped on a sidewalk drop off.  To keep myself from falling, I did some cool matrix type moves but in the process of looking so bad ass, I tweaked my hip. 

The rest of the loop was a combination of walking and running because my right hip area was on fire.  At the rate I was going, I knew I would not finish the second loop under the 6 hour cut off.  I cut my losses and stopped after the first loop. It was somewhere around 2:47.  RESULTS FOUND HERE.

Forty five minutes later the skies opened up and the rain poured down.  But at this point I was cozy and dry in the shuttle headed back to the hotel.  Part of me felt sad that I did not finish what I set out to conquer but at the same time, I was happy that I was not suffering out in the rain in pain.

Regardless of not getting my marathon medal, I absolutely loved this race.  

The race started off with a little Expo, where I met and chatted with a few race directors and race buddies.  I learned there was a speaker who was the first lady to run the Boston Marathon that I had not heard of before.  

I was intrigued.  

When we came down to get a good seat, I was excited to discover we were going to be served dinner.  Homemade Cajun food and drinks (and pizza).  Then Katherine Switzer got up to speak.  I was mesmerized.  She spoke with such energy and intensity.  I did not want her to stop telling her story.  

She gave us some special takeaways.  Here are the top 3 I remember.

1.   Show up.
2.   Influence a young person.  Encourage them to do anything.
3.   Life is for participating, not for spectating. 

All time was suspended.  Listening to her speak made me feel so lucky to be there. I wanted to soak up every word.

Next her husband introduced Spirit of the Marathon II.  Another round of goose bumps. Gave me a new perspective on why we run.  I highly recommend it.  (Word of warning, it will make you want to run Rome.)  

So even though my run was not one of the best, the race organization was top notch.  The food was incredible, the event was so well organized, the course was beautiful, and I was able to enjoy it with two beautiful friends.  

Oh, and I did make it to swim last week.  I was so proud.  This week, I will do the same schedule, but this time, I need to keep up with my running.  After all, Ms. Switzer says running changes the world for the better. (I could just do without the clumsiness.)

Winning...3 day Streak

Whoop.  I have 3 day workout streak.  Spin. Swim. Spin.

Look at me now.

Well...let's just wait to see if I make it swim tomorrow morning before celebrating.

I still have not gotten my runs in this week and I am supposed to run a marathon on Saturday.

Yeah, so this one may hurt, but at least I will get another state medal. I am slowly working my way up to the 50 States Marathon Club.

1. California ('11) -Big Sur
2. Pennsylvania ('11) -Philly
3.Texas ('12) - Houston
4. Florida ('13)- Disney Goofy Challenge
5. New Jersey ('13) -Asbury Park
6. Virginia ('13) -Marine Corp
7. Arizona ('14)- Lost Dutchman

Louisiana will be number #8.  Baton Rouge Beach Marathon

I signed up because there is a cute little chicken that is on the shirt and medal.

Need I say more??

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

New beginnings.  This time I want to document the process from the first step.  Something I wish I did my first time around.

My training for Lake Placid 2015 started last night by attending an Indoor Cycle class.  Already I came home from work and felt lazy.  My morning running partner is out-of-town and so I already missed my Monday 5am run.  I had urges to skip the evening cycle workout as well and "start fresh tomorrow".

No.  Not this time.  I need to make changes if I want a different outcome.

Besides, what would I really end up doing if I skipped?  Sit on my ass and play on the computer.

Yeah, that is what I thought.

And it was such a great class.  I finally got an email from the coach last night and the plan for December and January is to start building a base. One hour of indoor cycle is equal to two hours outdoors if done correctly.  The instructor I go to at the YMCA gave us an intense 65 minute workout.  It was just what I needed.  I forgot how much I enjoyed his class.

My next workout was getting back in to the pool.  I made a deal with my friend Leslie that if I skipped for any reason, then I would pay her $20.  The only valid excuses was a doctors note, family emergency or pool was closed.

After 4 hours of sleep and feeling like hell.  I woke up and felt sniffly and throat scratchy.

Hmmm....I think I am getting sick.

Sick enough to go to the doctor and get a note?

No.

Damn.

Maybe someone pooped in the pool last night and the pool is closed?

Ew, why must you have that thought?  Just disturbing.

Maybe I will just pay up?

But then that would make it $65 for the month to swim in December.

Ugh.  No and no.

I dragged my butt to the pool and got her done. Day 2 goes down in the books.

Now must rinse, wash, and repeat on Thursday.

IMLP 2015 Support Page