Frankenmuth Olympic Triathlon

My Mom and I competed in our first triathlon on August 2nd up in Frankenmuth. We had a blast doing it together. I found out I was pregnant shortly after I stared training, so I got a little derailed...but I was determined to still complete the olympic distance: 1500m swim (about 1 mile), 40K bike (about 25 miles) and a 10K run (6.2 miles). Even the minutes before the race began, I was considering dropping down to the sprint distance due to my lack of training and pregnant "condition", but I figured I may as well go for it.

I was so proud of myself for finishing, and so proud of my mom who took first place in her age group!!! We were able to start the race together; jumping off of a big ferry boat into the Cass river. It was the longest swim of my life, but I kept passing people and never got passed. Then we hit the bike, after my seven minute transition time (I'll have to cut that down next time!). Mom caught up to me in the transition and we took off on bikes together. She flew past me, and I ended up riding next to another 30-year-old and we chatted for the last five miles. It was pretty fun. My second transition was only a minute, then on to the run. I caught up to mom in the last mile and we actually crossed the finish line together! It was such a blast!!! Then we got a whole chicken dinner and stuck around for the awards...and it was a good thing we did. Mom had no idea she even placed!

This race was definitely one that I hope to participate in again. It was pretty well organized, the routes and scenery were wonderful, just the right amount of fellow racers, and the perfect weather. I'll be taking a break from racing for the next few months (to have this baby), but this may be the event that I return to racing with next year!

Post Marathon

After such a rough experience in the marathon, I think I'm going to hang up my distance shoes for a while and try out a different kind of race. You guessed it...I'm signing up for a triathlon this summer.

I know I'll be back for the marathon. I know I can only improve. But I need a break from so much running. And I have a new love in swimming. And I want another medal. This time my Mom and I are going out for the 3D triathlon in Frankenmuth on August 2nd. Training starts May 12!

The Martian Marathon

Yesterday was the big day:

The weather was perfect and I was feeling really great!

We couldn't have had a better day. The first 10K or 6.2 miles of the Martian Marathon were great: the best 10K I've run!

I swear this is me giving the thumbs up.

I ran that 10K in 54 minutes...Unfortunately, I still had 20 miles to go. I started to slow down after nine miles and around mile 10 I started having some pretty severe abdominal pain. I was feeling like I had to pee the whole time, so I finally stopped into a rest room. My pee was dark brown and it burned: I had a UTI! Not only that but I had straight blood coming out the back. It was bright red and there was a lot. I knew this wouldn't be good. To go along with all this, I also started my period the night before. That's pretty much three strikes!

Of course, I had to keep going. But I also knew I wouldn't be running the rest of the way. I started walking for a couple minutes in between running. At mile 12, I felt like I was being squeezed around the stomach, and at one point I could hardly breathe. If I slowed to walk, the pain went away, but if I continued to run it would just get worse. I stopped at a bathroom whenever I saw one, and stopped my Garmin every time I went in. I later calculated that I had spent half an hour in the bathroom!

I tried to distract myself with music or eating coconut butter, but I just hated everything. I called Bryce and talked to him, then I called my Dad to see how he was doing. Between the halfway point and mile 20, most people had passed me. Up to this point, my longest mile time was still under 12 minutes, but I was still in pain every time I tried to pick up the pace. To add to my tummy problems, my foot with the stress fracture was beginning to throb and prick with pain.

By about mile 20, Bryce made it down after dropping the kids off and he ended up walking the last few miles with me. He had water, ibuprofen and UTI meds for me, and after taking them I felt so much better! I was able to run the last 3/4 mile and finally crossed the finish line at 5 hours and 35 minutes. I was totally bummed that I didn't make it under five hours. But I still made it, got the shirt and the medal and PR'ed!

The medal is pretty sweet:

And I'm getting a decent collection going:

A full marathon, two halfs and two 10Ks. This marathon was a pretty rough experience for me, but the good thing is that I know I can only do better from here on out!

MMT Week 16

T-6 more days!! The hay is in the barn...there's not really any more training that will make or break my run this Saturday. I just have a couple things to work out before the big day: my entertainment for the road (podcasts, music, audiobooks), my nutrition (for the days leading up to the race as well as during) and my gear. I might try to start a good book this week so that I'll be totally into it come Saturday. And I have a bunch of music to upload to my phone. For the two days prior, I'm going to avoid fiber like poison. (I've been having some issues with that...) Just lots of fats. And I need to pick up some cream cheese packets and get some macadamias in a baggie for during. Maybe some almond butter, too. That should due for the race. I'm going to wear my Sugoi and tights; I'm usually cold and don't ever get too hot while running. If I do get too hot/hungry/emotionally unstable, I will have some meetup points with Bryce.

The final week of training is as follows: a 5-mile interval workout, an easy 3-miler and a 15-minute shakeout the day before the marathon. It's go time!

MMT Week 15

Oh man... two weeks till the big day. Am I ready? No. Could I have been ready? Possibly if I hadn't gotten the stress fracture. But I'll be able to do it. Slowly. I will cross the finish line...hopefully in under five hours. That's my goal. Super easy week coming up: a 5-miles + strides, a 6-mile slow/fast/slow, an easy 5-miles and a 6-mile long run. Maybe I'll be able to do most of it outside...if another Polar Vortex doesn't strike!

MMT Week 14

I can't believe it; I got all my miles in last week, and they were all from running! And so far so good. After 18 miles yesterday, I thought I would be so wasted today. I'm a little sore, but nothing bad. The 18 miler took me three hours and fifteen minutes. I ended up having to walk about half a mile total; I just could not run any more uphills in the last two miles. One big mistake I made was not bringing any fuel. I think I probably could've run the last hills if I had brought something to fuel with. I will definitely remember that for the marathon. I'm thinking a cream cheese packet and maybe a coconut oil packet or something like that. If I am going to crash, they will have GU at the water stations that I can eat as a last resort. But I'm going to be prepared, so I doubt it will come to that.

Week 14 starts the taper. The total mileage is 26 compared to last week's 36. Then the week before the marathon is only 22 total. This week I have an easy 4-miles, a 6-mile slow/fast/slow, an easy 6-miles and a 10-mile long run.

MMT Week 13

I'm back in the game!! I had an x-ray on Friday, and the doc said everything is all healed up so I can run again. YAY! So I ran two laps at Stoney Creek, or 12 miles. It was so nice to run again. I have a lot of catching up to do though: I was pretty slow. It took me longer to run the 12 than it took for either of my half marathons... Hopefully I can make up some of that time in the next month.

Week 13 has the most mileage of all these training weeks; a total of 36 miles. It is as follows: a 4-miles + strides, an 8-mile slow/fast/slow, an 8-miles + strides and a 16-mile long run. I still think I might have to do some on the elliptical, and I'll do a mile or two in the pool, just because I love it so!

MMT Week 12

This past week I got all 35 miles in, but it only happened on two days. My schedule got pretty upset when I found out I had to get a tooth extraction on Wednesday. It was very sad. I sat out Monday and Wednesday's workouts due to tooth pain, then I sat out Friday's as I was recovering. So I did 9.5 miles on Monday (bike/elliptical/swimming), and then 26.2 miles on Saturday (bike/elliptical/treadmill). I now understand what runners mean when they say their legs felt like lead... the last 4.2 miles on the treadmill were pretty heavy. I'm glad I got all the miles in, though.

Week 12 is as follows: an easy 5-miles, an 8-mile slow/fast/slow, an easy 6-miles and a 14-mile long run. 33 miles total. I'm definitely going to break back into running this week. Perhaps the 5 and 6 mile easy workouts will be a good time to make it happen.

MMT Week 11

Shoot... we're already to week 11! That means there are only six more till marathon! I got on the treadmill this past week to see how my fitness is keeping up, and I ran a 5K no problem. My foot was good, but I'm still going to take it easy for a little while. I think I may not even run on it up until the marathon, as swimming/biking/elliptical are keeping me in decent shape and I'd rather not aggravate it as much as possible. I'm not worried about meeting a time goal or anything, so whatever I can do to just finish, I'll be happy with. But I won't be able to finish if it breaks!

Week 11 is as follows: an easy 5-miles, an 8-mile slow/fast/slow, a 6-mile tempo and a 16-mile long run. It's a big week, and I am still totally bummed that I'm not running it... but there will be many more marathons to train for where I can run till my heart's content!

MMT Week 10

Another week of swimming, biking and elliptical. I've decided that I'm going to race in a triathlon this summer (pending the status of my foot post marathon...). There is a great one in Frankenmuth at the beginning of August, in which I'd be stoked to participate. And none of this "sprint" distance stuff, I'm in for the olympic tri. I guess I've gotten pretty confident in my swimming and biking skills with all this cross training. Of course, it had all taken place indoors, so I'm sure I'll be in for quite a shock when I transition to the real stuff.

Anyway, I did my 16 miles on the elliptical this past week on no fuel and I felt great. I'm even more sold on NSNG for endurance events. Weight loss has slowed, but I feel healthier and stronger than I ever remember feeling. My stress fracture has finally stopped swelling: I can actually see the tendon again when I flex it! I'll go see the doc in two weeks, so I probably should still stay off of it until I get the green light, but I'm really tempted to get back to running in the next week or two...not to mention the marathon is less than a month and a half away!

Week 10 is as follows: a 4-miles + strides, a 7-mile slow/fast/slow, an easy 5-miles and a 10-mile long run.

MMT Week 9

Well, I should be coming up on running again... Every now and then it still feels like a nail in my foot, but every week brings me closer to the marathon without actually running. I think I have a high level of fitness because my swims are pretty easy and my "long runs" on the elliptical aren't very taxing. I think I'll still be off my foot for another week or two, after that, it's time to get running again. Week 9 is as follows: a 5-miles + strides, a 7-mile slow/fast/slow, an easy 5-miles and a 16-mile long run.

MMT Week 8

Things are going well. My 14 miles on the elliptical was a little rough going, but I got it done. NSNG is going well...I'm still on it and I think I'll stay on it through the marathon. I decided that even if I can't run the marathon due to my foot, I'll do 26.2 miles on the elliptical! And I'll still go to get my shirt and get the medal, if I can figure out a way to do so.

Week 8 is as follows: a 5-miles + strides, a 6-mile slow/fast/slow, an easy 5-miles and a 15-mile long run. So swim, bike, swim, elliptical. Bla

MMT Week 7

Well, I ran a mile on the treadmill again this week. I've come to the realization that I just need to stay off of it. Ugh. At least I have swimming! Week 7 is as follows: a 5-miles + strides, a 6-mile intervals, an easy 4-miles and a 14-mile long run. So swim 2 miles, bike 11 miles, swim 2 miles and 14-mile elliptical for me...

MMT Week 6

Good workouts this past week: a 13-mile bike, a swim, a mile jog on the mill, a 12-mile elliptical and a yoga class. My foot is starting to feel better. Maybe I'll do another short jog or two this week... especially since it looks like a pretty easy week. Here's what's on the schedule: a 4-miles + strides, a 6-mile slow/fast/slow, an easy 5-miles and an 8-mile long run.

MMT Week 5

Still no running... =( And I swear my stress fracture is getting worse, not better. There's still lots of swelling and bruising, despite my efforts to stay off of it. It's been about three weeks, so I guess I'm only halfway through healing, but I just want it to be better so I can get back out there! Although I am loving the indoor swimming, especially when it's cold and snowy out. Dawn hooked me up with the lady who runs the high school pool, and we get the whole pool and locker room to ourselves in the mornings. It's so nice!

This past week I did two 2-mile swimming workouts, a 10-mile bike, and a 12-mile elliptical workout, as well as tabata squats and planks and took a yoga class. I've lost three more pounds on NSNG, which is still going great: plenty of energy, no cravings, an overall healthy feeling.

Week 5 is as follows: two 4-miles + strides, a 7-mile interval workout and a 13-mile long run. Unfortunately, I still don't think my foot is ready for any running, so it's pool/bike/elliptical for me!

MMT Week 4

This past week has been full of trying different things to avoid putting pressure on my foot: cycling, swimming, rowing and strength training. Unfortunately, nothing is nearly as enjoyable and strenuous as running...but I'm kind of taking pleasure in the diversity. And I've been pretty sore in places that never get worked as a result of just running. So it's a good break to round out my fitness.

As far as week four goes, I'll be doing much the same of the cross training and trying to stay off my stress fracture. Here are the deets: two 4-miles + strides, a 6-mile slow/fast/slow and a 12-mile long run. I'll probably do two of those on the bike, two swims and maybe the longer sesh on the elliptical. We'll see...

As far as the NSNG, I'm feeling pretty great and I have plenty of energy to do my workouts. I'm down 2 pounds this week, so it must be working!

MMT Week 3

Last week, my training followed schedule up until the last day where I had to bail on my 10-mile long run. I've developed a stress fracture in my right foot. =( I am SO bummed. I'm pretty sure it's from doing too many barefoot/minimalist miles too soon. I just didn't give my feet, ankles and calves enough time to build strength and adjust to the new form. And the only way to heal a stress fracture? Stop running... for six to eight weeks. AAAHHHHHH!!!!!

So I sat out last week's long run. And I think I'm going to have to sit out the next week of running, too. Which is good timing, I guess, since we just got the arctic blast of the century. A foot of snow in 24 hours and -30* wind chills. Forget that junk! But I'm still gunna hit the gym for biking and strength training and maybe elliptical.

On a positive note, the NSNG is going really well! I never really had the "hangover" feeling, but I still feel pretty hungry all day. I don't think I was getting enough calcium (hence the bones cracking), so I've upped dairy and green leafies and started a supplement. With all the pounding and limited food intake on top of nursing, I really need to focus on making sure my bones stay strong.

This is what my week three looks like, but I doubt I'll be getting it all in as runs: two 4-mile + strides workouts, a 5-mile slow/fast/slow workout and an 11-mile long run. We'll see how it goes...

NSNG

It's the new year, and it's time to buckle down. It's no secret that the lighter you are, the faster you can run... so I'd like to lose a couple more pounds in preparation for the MM. I really enjoyed the holidays, and though I didn't put on any weight, I know I wasn't fueling my body properly.

I'm going to start the new year by cutting out sugar and grain (aka no sugar no grain (NSNG)). In cutting out grains and sugars, your body becomes "fat adapted", where you burn fat to fuel workouts. Supposedly on NSNG you don't get hungry as often, you don't crash or bonk, blood sugars stay stable, you lose more fat while training and you just feel better. There's a slogan for NSNG: Eat fat, burn fat; eat sugar, get fat.

I'm going to try it out for the month of January...and maybe into February as well; we'll see how it goes. If I don't notice a difference in my energy levels, weight or training, I'll just go back to small portions and cutting calories to lose the extra weight. But if it does work...who knows how long I'll stay NSNG?