OK, Nike…I Get It!

I'm not a huge fan of Nike.  But, I think they got one thing right.  Just Do It.  There are just so many places we can use this idea in our lives.  It's come up a lot lately for me.  Monday, I had a run scheduled for 10:15 am right after coaching masters swim.  At 10:15, I was sitting on my couch.  "Maybe I could go later - maybe it will be warmer.  Nope, weather forecast says it's going to get colder.  It's SOOOOOOO windy out.  Ugh.  Maybe I could go run after I drop the girls off at church later today.  I wonder what the weather will be like at 4pm?"  I spent probably 20 minutes on the couch negotiating with myself about doing this run.  Finally, it clicked.  Just do it!  Just change clothes and get out the door.  So, I did!  Right.  Then.

Another Skirt Sports ambassador summed it up so well.  Even though I LOVE to run, love to work out,  love to train, it's still a decision - every time.   And, it's not always an easy decision.  But, I never regret getting out there!

So, back to that windy run.  I have a wind scale that goes from 1 to Ironman Arizona 2014.  Those of you who raced that year know what I'm talking about.  It was awful.  There were tears.   So, Monday's wind rated from a 6 in the first half of the run to an 8-9 later in the run with a few moments of IMAZ14.    That race years ago has forever changed my perspective about wind.  When we go through hard things, it definitely changes our perspective.  Giving birth to two babies has changed my perspective about what's hard.  Labor and delivery - HARD.  Ironman - fun.   Raising two girls - HARD.  Getting out to swim, bike or run - fun.   It's all how you view things - where you've come from, what you've been through.

So, on day 68 of my workout streak, I'm feeling good, making the tough decisions to push forward, moving closer to my race goals for 2017.

60 days…and an injury?!

Wow!  60 straight days of workouts!   It's not always easy, but it feels great!  Some days, it's just a short 2-3 mile run.  Other days are 2-3 hours running on tough trails.  Many of my workouts have been really fun adventures with friends.  Others have been slogs on the treadmill late in the evening to get it done.   Day 60 included a few miles on the treadmill with a couple TNT athletes.  Treadmills are way more fun with friends!  Overall, I'm just so grateful to be out there!

And, I have two new favorite words - PAIN FREE!   I feel absolutely amazing on my runs.  No pain. So, what's this talk of an injury, you ask?  Apparently I slept REALLY wrong on my arm/shoulder last Saturday night and have had issues with my right arm since.   I went to Djimmer and Christiaan - my amazing physical therapists at Rebound Therapy and Wellness - to get it checked out.  "What did you do?!"  Um…I went to bed and then I woke up.  Yep - I hurt my arm sleeping!  That sounds about right.  Other than having a t-rex arm for a few days, it has not held me back much and I can still run without any pain.  Yay!  PAIN FREE!

A workout streak is pretty easy when the weather is great.  But last week, I ran 10 hard trail miles in 3 inches of snow and then ran the following day in more snow.  Thankfully, my friends are tougher than me, so I'm grateful to them for the inspiration to just get out there!  I'm still nervous about my first trail marathon in April, but I'm really excited for this new adventure!  Onward to day 70…thanks for reading!

50 Days and Counting - Thanks to Great People!

Whew!  The streak is alive.  Barely.  50 straight days of workouts.   The streak almost ended Friday.  The kids were out of school, so I juggled play dates, errands, swim lessons and gymnastics.  By the time Brian got home near 6pm, I just didn't want to run.   The 13 mile trail run in Deer Creek Canyon left my ankles and feet feeling like I'd run a marathon.  Or two.   I was tired.  It was dark.  I just didn't want to.   Brian encouraged me to just head to the rec center and get in a few miles.  Nope.  Don't want to.

All I could think about as I laced up my shoes, drove to the rec center, did some dynamic warm ups - I don't want to.  But, I did!   I ran 1.5 miles on the indoor track and 2.5 on the treadmill.  My shortest workout in 50 days, but got it done!

Saturday - the 50th day - was much easier to get motivated.  Dry, warm weather and I got to coach the TNT Lavaman team on the bike.  Plenty of climbing, which I love.  The TNT team always provides the motivation I need to get out there.  They are excited about their race and you can tell!

Then, we had a going away dinner for a friend last night.  There were 15 of us at dinner.  I met all of these amazing 15 people through endurance sports, specifically TNT.  They range in age from late 20s to late 40s.  All different backgrounds.  But, we met in an atmosphere of support and encouragement, so as we have moved on to different things from our first meetings, we continue that atmosphere of love and support as we send Mike off to his next adventure.

I've said this a million times.  I've met so many great people through endurance sports and through TNT.  I'm so grateful for these people!

So, off I go chasing the 60th day of this streak.  I feel like I can get there because I have the support of my family and friends!

3 Things I've Learned in this 40 Day Workout Streak

So, it's been 40 days straight of workouts.   Today's workout was a 2150 yard swim.  It's hard to believe.  It's been a rough 3 years to get to this point.  So, with every workout, I'm filled with gratitude!  I've definitely learned a few things along the way, too.  Here are the biggest three so far...

1)  Consistency breeds consistency.  Once I was about 7 days into my workouts (which were never intended to be a streak), it just got easier and easier to get the workouts in.   I found that I had fewer excuses NOT to work out.  I found that I really WANTED to get my workouts done.  The more I get the workouts done, the easier the workouts are.  I haven't been sore or really that tired.  My body feels better with every workout.  What's the saying?  If you're tired of starting over, stop quitting in the first place!  It really does get easier with consistency!

2)  Training makes me a better person.  I feel happier in the other parts of my life (work, family, household chores) when I've gotten my workout in.  I'm even happier to see the kids when they get out of school, even happier to see Brian when he gets home.  I feel calmer, more organized.  It helps me so much mentally.

3)  Scary goals are great for motivation!  If there is that little feeling of wanting to skip a workout, I really think about what I've committed to for 2018.   If I can't suck it up and get out for an hour today, what will push me to train hard in 2018 for MANY hours a day to get ready for Ultra520K Canada?!  The goal helps get me out the door.  But, truth be told, I love the process.  I love the training as much if not more than I love racing.

So, right now, I'm running about 5 days a week to get ready for some upcoming trail races.  I'm swimming twice a week to start to build some consistency there and work through the muscle weakness in my arms.  And, I'm riding occasionally as well.  Doing something every day!

Are You Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone?

My comfort zone - road running, road cycling, swimming.  I understand these things.  I feel safe and comfortable doing these things.   So...trail running.  Shouldn't be that much of a stretch, right?  Wrong.  I'm learning lots about how different it is.  It's physically different.  And, it's definitely mentally different.

But, I think this year will be good for me.  Two trail marathons (hard ones) and one trail 50K (a relatively easy one) this spring/early summer.   How many times do we think about trying something new, only to retreat to the things we are comfortable with?    But, what can happen when we get (and stay for a while) outside our comfort zone?!

I have a client who was a treadmill runner.  She was new to running and felt safe and comfortable on the treadmill.  When I started coaching her for her first half marathon, I encouraged her to do most of her running outside.  This was scary for her, but she committed to doing it.  The latest text from her this week was asking if she could rearrange a few days of her training so she could work around her work schedule to get her runs done outside so she wouldn't be stuck on the treadmill.   It surprised me and I'm sure this change in mindset has surprised her!

The biggest change for me moving into trail running is the mindset.  I'm used to running in a fairly straight line on fairly straight-forward terrain for a long time.  I know exactly what my pace should be/will be.   I'm trying to embrace the trail running mindset a bit more.  Getting out there, exploring the terrain, understanding that I will have to hike the steep uphills, that I will not "run" the whole thing and my pace will be considerable slower than on the roads.  And, that's OK!  So far, it's been fun.  Hopefully it will still be fun when I'm close to last place in the marathon in Fruita in April!

Anyone else challenging themselves in 2017 to get out of the comfort zone?!

I Accidentally Started a Workout Streak

What?  How does a person accidentally start a workout streak?  I don't really know.  It just kinda happened.  And, as of last week, it turns out that it's a really good thing!  Read on to find out why!

2013-2016 had some rough spots.  Medical issues really set me back.  But, coming out of that with negative test results, I set into 2017 to have fun and get back to feeling like myself.  So, I signed up for some new and different events - trail marathons and a 50k trail race.  Out of my comfort zone and a bit scary!  Just what I need to get back!

So, I set to training.  And, here we are 32 days in.  (The streak started on December 31.  Don't ask why - remember, I didn't intend to start a streak!)   I have worked out for at least 45 minutes every day for 32 days.  Mostly running, some swimming, a tiny bit of cycling.  And, it has been awesome!  My body feels good.  Not fast, but solid.  My mind feels good - focused and happy.

So, it's a good thing I started this accidental workout streak.  As of last week, I found out that I was accepted into Ultra520K Canada for 2018!  http://ultra520kcanada.com  This is my absolute dream race!  I had the honor of being on a crew for an athlete at this race in 2014, and I swore that someday I would do it.  And, here we are - I'm going to do it in 2018!    It's in one of my favorite places on earth.  It's super scary.  It's probably crazy.  But, I cannot wait!  So, 2017 is building a base to get ready.

I could not do everything I want to do (being a mom, coaching triathletes and runners, training for big, scary races) without the support of Brian and the girls. (Brian is running a 50 miler in 2018, by the way!)  And, our extended family and wonderful friends.   I will also be relying on my support system that includes my massage therapist, Djimmer and Christiaan at Rebound Therapy, the amazing peeps at TriBella, the crew at SwimLabs, etc.

I'm as excited about the journey as I am about the race.  It's one of the things I love about endurance sports - the journey, the training.  It will be A LOT.  But, I plan to embrace it.  So, if you're up for a swim, bike or run - hit me up!  Gotta do something every day now - darn streak!

What's in Store for 2017?

It's 2017!  Can you believe it?!  I'm not sure where 2016 went.  But, it's time to be planning for this year.  What are you doing to challenge yourself?   Taking on a new distance?  A new sport?  Often the scary goals are the ones that motivate us to get out of bed, get out in the cold, and get our workouts done!

I'm excited to help my clients reach their goals.  I've already had some great sessions at SwimLabs with some new swim clients there.  And, I know my triathlon clients are pumped to get their training underway for the year!

As for me, for 2017, I'm planning to take on a new sport.  Trail racing.   I've never raced on trails.  I've done a bit of running on trails and love it!  Spending time in Leadville over the summer watching Brian run the Heavy Half and some friends race the Leadville 100 mountain bike race really sparked a desire to try to do some trail racing!

So, some trail racing in the spring.  Then, I'll switch gears into triathlon mode to race some fun sprints and then probably the newly-resurrected 5430 Long Course half Ironman distance race in September.  Another fun-filled year to come!

I hope to hear that many of you are taking on fun new challenges this year as well.  Happy New Year!