I'm a junkie...

a workout junkie, that is. I was an idiot and ramped my miles up too quickly and now am paying the pied pipper. My IT band hurts. OK, not hurts as in oh ouch I stubbed my toe. No it brings me to my knees. My wonderful husband has been rolling, rubbing, and just beating the crap out of my IT for me, yet to no avail. It still hurts. Today I was able to do a whole mile and a half of running before it screamed at me to stop. So what to do? I'm feeling my fitness slip away. I can kiss my PR that I was going to run at the girlfriends half marathon on October 17th good-bye. I won't be able to run 8:15's for the half. Now I'm not sure I'll even be able to run it at all.

I guess when you can't do what you love, you find alternatives to get your fix. I will be cross-training doing swimming, spinning, and cross-fit. It's easy to get a run in when you have kids, it's hard to get the time to cross-train when you have kids. I will just have to be creative I guess. Maybe call in a few favors and begging of my mom and sister in law. What do you do when you can't run?

What? Already another fun run with the Vancouver Marathon peeps?




When: Tuesday September 21 at 6pm

Where: Vancouver Hilton

Why: Seriously that's just a silly question. Because it's fun. Free prizes. Free race entries. Free fun!

I personally am going to be one of the first 10 people to show up so I can get the "I'm training for the Vancouver Marathon" shirt. For FREE! Yeah, baby. Mama likes free. It's within my budget. See you guys there tonight. Laugh and run on, my friends!

Warrior Dash...great now I have a rash.

On Sunday I journeyed with four friends (one of whom was our own personal photographer) to North Plains for the Warrior Dash. My day started off like any other. Get up before kids, make coupious amounts of food for the kids, feed kids, clean kids, and then dress the kids. A process I have down to a 30 min science. A non-stop 30 minutes of go, go, go. Because if you don't hussle there is going to be blood and it's usually mine. :)
After the battle at home was won, I kissed the hubby and reminded him why he loves me as I dashed out the door to meet my friends. The five of us carpooled to the race. Which was wise because it was a good 1/2 mile warm up to get to the registation table.

(photo courtsey of Quisa Morrow)

This is Dave and I checking in.



Once we all checked in, it may or may not have been a race between my good friend Dave and I as to who could get the chip onto their shoe the fastest. A little caveat about my friend Dave and I is that we rib each other in every workout or run we do. We encourage each other but also push each other. Some days he stomps me (always in workouts) and some day's I stomp him (Warning! Caveat coming. Sometimes on our runs because if I hear him behind me I can bust out a pretty quick pace just so I can rib him about it until he beats me) So to say that we are a little competitive with each other would be the understatment of the year.

So here we are all bibbed (is that even a word?) up and ready to race. 

I think one of my favorite parts of this race was the people. I love to people watch and let me tell you Warrior Dash is like people watching on steroids. I mean check out some of the people we saw in our little time frame. 

 

Who doesn't love the TMNT?

Or these guys in suits. Sweet!

So after some great people watching we watched our friends take off in the 10:30 wave. Then my friend Dave and I talked and jumped into our chute and chatted away until it was 11:00 and we were released. It was everything I read about in Joe's post about the down hill start. My friend and I must have passed at least 30 people on that trail going down. Then it was all up hill from there baby. I mean UP HILL. I may have cursed my coach while going up the hills because just the day before we did stair repeats. Three miles of Stair repeats. Oh, my quads my poor quads. But you know it was great to see all the costumes as I passed them. You know the saying, "It's all fun and games until someone gets dunked in the log rolls." What? Never heard that saying? Well it should be a rule. They said the log roll water was only waist deep, yeah maybe if you are 6' 5". Dude, this 5' 6" chick did not have waist deep water. The nice part was that people behind you helped roll the log over, to get you on the other side. I like to think it was all about the men behind me being gentlemen and helping a lady. No. It was not. As soon as I finished all the logs and was trying to climb claw my way to up the muddy bank I was knocked pushed over no less than four times. Yeah, thanks guys. Then again I might have been giggling like a little school girl once I was passing those same guys on the trail a minute later. What? You would have done the same thing.

At this point I could do a blow by blow of the course and how hilly the thing was but you already recieved that information from Joe's post. However, I want you to realize how much fun it is to run with friends. I was on the last hill about to do the last two obstacles when I slowed to a walk to look for my friend Dave. He was behind me at the halfway mark, yelling at me to hurry up and pass that guy in front of me. So I thought he was still close behind. At this point I knew I had the fire logs and mud pit left, and I wanted to finish it with my friend. So I walked. I walked really slow, heck I even walked backwards up the hill thinking he must just be a few seconds behind me. I waiting for what seemed like 7 mins (it was probly more like 4 minutes) waiting for my friend. He still wasn't there by the time I was at the top of the hill so I decided I would just have to finish without him. (Although, I did tell him I had enough time to take a nap and eat lunch while I waited for him. So you guys are going to have to back my story up if he ever asks. ) I did the most beautiful jump over the fire logs you ever did see and then it was onto the mud pit.

These are my friends going through the mud pit. You have to crawl in the mud under barbed wire before you run to the finish line. A little known fact about me is that I hate... HATE... to get dirty. Muddy is several steps beyond dirty. So for me to do a crawl through the mud and not have it be to rescue my kids from the pits of hell is saying something.

Can you see me hating this part? Well I didn't. I was already muddy and wet so the competitive side kicked in. I kinda had fun through this part. Yes, I giggled like an idiot while running through the finish line.

My friend was 1.5 minutes behind me. But when he came through we smiled and said, "Next year...." That's right we are already planning on running it again next year if they come back through the NW. Only next time my hubby is coming, too. I can't wait to share it with him next year and with more friends. It was so much fun.

After the race you can hike another 1/2 mile to the wash off area. My friends and I dubbed this the Roman bath. It's a pond that was clear yesterday but after thousands of people 'clean' off in it. Well it was not clear as you can see.

Once we were clean and changed we took our muddy shoes to the donatation area. Warrior Dash cleans them and recycles them.

This is us happy to be clean and not taking our smelly shoes home with us. Our friend Quisa told us all to flex our Warrior muscles for the camera. After that is was beer time. We wandered down to the beer garden to listen to the band, which was great because they played Fat Bottom Girls by Queen. Not many bands can pull that one off. Being married to a muscian who does a spot on Freddy Mercury vocal impression I have an ear for such things.

While in the beer and food area we found our beloved 'suit guys' again.

While they were waiting for the next band to set up, the mc had the people doing crazy dancing. A train line, people on each others shoulders, hokey pokey, and running man were just a few of the dances he had them do. It was AWESOME!

I must say, this is the one race you must do for fun. It's not for time. It's for a good time. Next year I recommend grabbing a few friends and heading down to the Warrior Dash. You just might be lucky enough to get some cool battle scars like my friend Dave. Laugh and run on, my friends!

Friday's musings.

I have been busy these last few weeks (who hasn't) with getting school stuff together, finishing the add-on to the house (namely the master bedroom and another bathroom), and just finding places to stick all our crap after the move.

I am happy to report we have found our living room floor. It was piled with boxes of 'what do we have this' kind of crap. I'd would call it stuff but it's plain and simple crap. Nothing more than a misc sock, kites, and hair things.

This last week I was able to get back into working out. Here is what I did:

Yesterday (Thursday 9/9)
12 miles of hills. At a 9:02 pace. I was tired and hungry. But it was a run.

(I would call this a speed bump. This is what the small hills looked like)

Wednesday 9/8
I did a 3/4 mile swim in the morning with my friend Stephanie. I was supposed to have track practice but I have been wanting to try a crossfit class, so I did that instead.
1 hour of crossfit. So much fun. I think I will add this to my weekly workouts.

Tuesday 9/7
4 rounds of each


inchworm down and back in raquetball court

21 turkish get ups with 10lbs each side

21 box jumps on 20 inch box

21 push ups with 10lbs each side

21 hanging knee lifts to elbow

It was supposed to be only 3 rounds but my buddy Dave was there so a challenge what thrown out about doing one more when we were done. Who am I to say no? :)

Monday 9/6
I did a recovery run. 4 miles at 8:22 pace.
Mile 1-
Mile 2-
Mile 3-
Mile 4
 
Sunday 9/5
My big 15 miler
1-8:28


2-8:15

3-8:34

4-8:28

5-8:25

6-8:11

7-8:30

8-8:39

9-8:27

10-8:41

11-8:59

12-8:56

13-9:20

14-9:18

15-9:55

Yep, hated mile 13-15. It's uphill and I was done.
 
I took Friday and Saturday as a rest day. Well Saturday I made two birthday cakes for my girls birthday and Friday we spent all day at Enchanted Forest. So not a real 'rest' day but a day of not workouts.
 
Thursday night was first thursday 9/ 2
3 miles. I didn't really feel like running. Did a 3/4 mile swim in the morning.
4x25 free


4x25 kick only

4x25 free

4x25 arms only

4x25 free

4x25 kick only

4x25 free

4x25 arms only

10x25 sprint (did the first one at 19 seconds. the rest at 23 seconds. )
 
Tuesday 9/1
5 rounds of each


1 min dips on ball

1 min push-ups with 5lbs each arm (switch after 30 seconds)

1 min tri push ups

1 min hanging knee lifts

1 min 8 count's
 
Monday 8/31
10 mile run at 8:05 pace. I have no idea how that happened. I felt great and my friend and I chatted the whole way. I took Hammer gel at 1/2 hour mark and 1 hour mark.
 
 

Warrior Dash here I come.

You friends are great for a run or for suggesting you try a race with them. My friend Dave signed up for the warrior dash that has coined the phrase "Craziest freakin' day of your life". It looks like fun but to call it the craziest freakin' day of your life might be over the top. I've done some fun and crazy things in my short 33 years. Competing in a triathlon with only 5 bike rides under your belt. Pretty crazy. Giving birth to four kids, crazy and fun. Raising four said crazy kids... an adventure that changes everyday. So bring on the Warrior Dash. I can handle you.

Why do I run?

There is a contest at Run Like a Mother that begs the question:

When I run, I feel…. (They had four ellipsis' when you only use three grammatically speaking)

I said that it makes me feel like me. Running is the one time it’s all about me, Angela. Not mom, not wife, not blogger, not friend. Running is where I get to be me, just Angela. It's refreshing when I run, bike, swim, or workout, I get to demand only what I can give. I'm the only one asking me what can I give of myself. This might sound a little strange or coincided. Let me attempt to explain.

My life revolves around taking care of my husband and children, which I love! Please don't ever think I'm one of those mom's or wives who runs away from their family. I really enjoy playing with my kids all day. I have, however, made a small shift this last year to focus on me, too. By this I mean to focus on my athletic abilities. To push myself and see what I can do. The problem has become that I am meeting a lot of resistance to achieve this. I like to think of myself as a giving person and I really do love doing for others. So when I changed to do something for me, it's not surprising that a rebel force has joined together to squish that goal. I can see the land mines placed before me each day to derail my training plan. So far the land mines and hand grenades have out witted me.

I started a training program on June 14th. Do you know how many day's I've been able to stick to that training program? 10 days. None of them the running days. All were cross training days.  It's stressing me out. The training program is easy. Very doable. That is unless you have four children to take care and a husband who is working full time and going to school full time. Oh, and he plays in a band. Now don't get me wrong I don't want my husband to stop doing any of those things. He needs to do those things. Don't forget moving into a small house that we own and have to fix up because the renters didn't do the house any justice. The last two months have been the most stressful months since I was a kid and I am unable to workout to relax. I think I'm more upset that I was letting other people place their problems and expectations on me and my family. Free help is never free and it's never worth the strings attached. I know that but I think someone else had to learn that and still has not learned that lesson. So they are stressed and waging a battle with me. Here's the thing. I'm not playing in that sandbox anymore. I'm done fighting the wrong battle. It's not worth it. So here's where I am going from here on.

I'm getting back on my training program. Getting back my upbeat outlook on life. Life is far too short to stress about the little things. Who cares that I'm living in limbo in a really small, smelly house? The upside? A ginormous back and front yard that is a clean palate to design as I wish! The children have a very safe and fun place to play outside! My husband is busy and needs the evening to do homework. I am changing to working out in early morning again. I enjoy the cooler and quieter hours of the am anyway. The girls will be in school next month and that means I can run during the mornings with my friend Laura. I'll find a double stroller and run with my boys. This will give me more outside quality time with them. I'm going to get a sub 4 hour marathon next June. Hopefully better, but that won't happen if I fight the wrong battles. Besides I think I'm someone worth fighting for not against.

So I run to remember me. Not to run away from things but to come back me. Fun, optimistic, sarcastic, sexy, hard working, me. Angela! Laugh and run on, my friends!

I'm a triathlete

To get a full picture of my first triathlon we must first rewind to June 22, 2010. I decide I'm going to do a triathlon. I've been swimming 12 whole times in the last, 15 years and it was all done within the last two months. I figured, hey I can finally swim non-stop for 5 whole mins. Why not do a triathlon? Which one to pick was easy for a two fold reason:


1. A few of my friends were doing the girlfriends and dudes triathlon.

2. I love any event Sherri owner of NW personal Training puts on. Since they were putting on the triathlon I was sold.

At this point I tell my friends I'm going to do it. Another one of my friends lends me his really nice Lemond road bike, complete with clip in pedals. My first question about the bike was how much does it cost? You know for when I crash I know how much of my savings is going to disappear. I'm practical that way. He told me how much and I said, "Holy moly, Can I borrow your less expensive mt. bike instead?" To which he laughed and said no, you have to use this one. OK, but will we still be friends after it comes back all dinged up? I wonder in my head. So a week or two pass and I pick up his bike from his house and meet my friend who has been teaching me how to swim for a ride. A few points about biking must be observed here:

1. It's best to have the owner of the bike teach you how to use his clip in pedals.

2. Learning how to unclip is (I think) the most important thing you must first learn how to do. Especially if you are a person with control issues (not that I know anything about being a control freak or anything. I've read about it. Yep, just did some research about it. What?)

3. Shifting makes hills a breeze. Also something you must have an experienced rider teach you.

4. "Those" sensitive areas will hate you after your first and second ride, no matter how thick or good your bike shorts are.

5. Get a bike that fits you, otherwise you will have cramps in hips and arms from some freakishly long legs that you inherited.

6. You are going to forget to upclip and fall. Just smile and laugh. I fell twice. Both while stopped. Both in front of lots of people. I laughed both times. Luckily only my pride was hurt.

7. If you borrow a friends really cool spendy bike, you will be ruined and want one as good (or better).

8. If you really want to do a fast time on the bike leg, you must practice riding more than 5 times. Sal-ave

My thoughts on the running part was, easy. I know how to run. This will just be the icing on the cake. No need to get any runs in. No need to practice the transition from bike to running. Really how hard can that be? (sure my mom's voice rang in my own head about you might want to practice this before the race but I shushed it with a quip about when will I find any extra time to do that?)

So the day before the race goes a little something like this: Get to bed at 12:30 am. Wake up at 2:30 because Ayden peed his bed. Wake up at 3:12am because Zander wants a sip of water and get into the room in time to hear Ayden say "Zander it's OK, mom's coming. Are you OK honey? Hush, sweetie mom's on her way" (cute huh?) Wake up again at 5:12 am because Zander is awake. Get some packing and work done on our house we are moving into (did I forget to mention I'm remodeling a house and moving into it this month? Oh not just a small remodel, a let's add a bathroom and another bedroom remodel. We can do it ourselves and save lots of money.yeah, that's smart.) Feed all kids, kiss husband and make a quick dash to Frenchman's bar to do a practice swim with about 50 other people and NWPT. Come back. Run errands all day and work on house some more. Take kids to my mom's house to stay the night (because I fool myself that I'm going to get to bed early tonight) Go back to house work, realize it's getting late and head home to an empty house. My husband has a gig in Klicktat and won't be home until 2am. It far too quiet for me to sleep. Finally at 11:30 sleep takes over and I'm up at 4:30 because I don't know what to do with that much sleep.



Day of the race. Once up, I get on the computer and waste far too much time reading and then my friend shows up and we load her car up. Then we pick up our other friend and were off to our first triathlon. Once we arrived at Frenchman's bar we sprayed each other down with mosquito spray and sunscreen. Off to get marked (something I tell my kids never to do and knew I'd get an earful from them when I got home). From there we set up our transition area (to which I just looked at everyone else's set up and just copied) Here is where having friends with you makes it fun. We giggled, took pictures and just kept each other busy. I played the part of mom and help with my friends shorts (the string decided to disappear), made sure everyone peed, and had sunscreen on.



It was time and Sherri, did some announcements that sounded more like a comedy bit than boring announcements. She is one funny gal. We did our 1/2 mile walk (a warm up Sherri said) to the swim start. The charity wave went first and then it was my turn to get in the water. Once in I turned to all the gals around me and said, "This is just a blanket apology right now. I'm going to bump into you during the swim and I'm sorry." We all chatted and laughed. Then we were off. Here are a few things I learned on the swim:

1. You are going to get swam over. Don't panic. Stop and let them go.

2. Get over it and put your head in the water. Don't think about the fish pee and poop (or worse) in the water. If you don't it's going to take a long time to finish your swim.

3. When you finally do get your head in the water look up often. You are more than likely going the wrong way.

4. Waves suck. And if you are facing the wrong way on a wave you will suck in water.

5. If you are going to use a wetsuit, use one that fits. I borrowed one from a friend and it was a bit big.

I was so happy when the I saw the chute at the end of the swim. Off like a flash I was on my way to my first transistion area. I decided to heck with being shy about my stretch marks it was hot. I'm biking in just my skirt and sports bra. I down a gu (because I ate at 4:45am I was hungry) drank some water and was out to bike. At this point I felt great. I pedaled my little heart out, but slowed to a crawl on the 180 turns and upcliped my left leg just because I was scared to fall and lose time (Yes, I'm a bit competitive) So I'm cruising along and passing a lot of people I was passed by one gal who was Tracy with Max Muscle in Vancouver. She rode beside me and shouted some encouragement and then was gone. That did help me pick up my pace. On to the next transition.



Now this one was hard. I wasn't tired from the bike, my legs just didn't work. My hubby had made it down to encourage me and ended up running the last leg with me. He must of seen the 'What the ???' look on my face when I dismounted the bike and knew I need some distraction. This was my favorite and worst part of the tri. My favorite because my husband and I were able to spend some time together sans kids. Favorite because my husband supported me and distracted me. Worse because I ran a really slow 5k (for me) and it hurt. Favorite because you get to do an out and back so I was able to cheer on people and my friends on the way back. That was cool.

I sprinted when I saw that finish chute. And when I crossed that line, I was freaking proud and couldn't wait to do it next year. When you cross that line they hand you an ice cold bottle of water and your necklace that is better than a medal (In my never humble opinion). The volunteers were so nice, the course was pretty, the participants were encouraging, and the staff of NWPT were so positive. If you ever want to do a Triathlon for the first time, I recommend doing this one. Join me next year as I try again only with more training. My little girls said I had to win first place next year. I guess 2nd in my age group and 12th women overall is just not good enough. And that's ok. I'm ready to come back next year and do it again. How about you?

Laugh and run/bike/swim on, my friends!

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