2011 in Pictures

I stole this idea from Mama C and MK and I'm so glad I did!  Wow, it has been awesome looking back on my year!!! I am one lucky lady.  I formed some unbelievable friendships this year that have really been the backbone of 2011.  I went on 10 camping trips, 3 of which were with my parents and one was with my favorite in-laws.  I played in the Jemez mountains, the Smoky Mountains, the Rocky's not just once but twice, and the Black Hills.  I ran my furthest distance ever, 50 miles, and I got first place in my AG in a triathlon (a long time goal).   I saw parts of the country that I never had before and I explored parts of myself that I never had before.  So very thankful most of all that I found a partner who is so supportive of all my adventures.  My favorite place to be will always be curled up on the couch with my husband!

A few of my favorite memories from the year:

January:  cheering my #PIC (partner in crime) Erin to a PR in the half marathon

February:  Ft Worth 20 mile training run with Greg, Suann, and Mama C
The first time I met Greg aka Ninja!!! Who knew that day the adventures that we'd have together?!

March:  Texas Independence Relay
Team HOORAW!!  Leana passing me the wristband before my first leg

April:  Too Cool Backwoods Scavenger Hunt + family camping trip at Pace Bend State Park
Mitchell and I were the 5th placed team out of 63! This was SO much fun!!

April:  weekend of running and camping at Tyler State Park
Quite possibly the hardest I laughed all year!!! Erin, Rick, Me, and Troy

April: Beer Mile one of two for 2011! This was extra special because Courtney and Julia were there!

May:  Another awesome weekend of camping and running, this time at Lake Texoma
Alan, Greg, Me, and Rick

May:  Trackies Track Meet
My first ever track meet! The only time I've ever timed my mile: 6:39.

May:  Jemez Trail Runs Los Alamos, New Mexico with the Walkers, Beth, and Troy!

Top of Mt Caballo during Jemez 50k

June:  Rock Creek Stage Race in Chattanooga, TN
3 days 60 miles!!! 18, 22, 20
Me and Gretchen on one of many swinging bridges in the Smoky's!!

The whole Chattanooga gang at our rental house!!
From left Greg, Gretchen, Jon, Dat, Kevin, Tini, Rick, Troy, Michelle, Brad, Fiona, Me

The gang before day 3

Icing our legs in the creek after day 2

Story of the forgotten shoes on day 2!

Well deserved post 60 mile refreshment!

July:  El Scorcho
This race sucked for me but it's always a great time when these people are around!!
Jon, Me, Mama C, Fiona, Gretchen, Tini, and the Kennemer's in back!

July:  July 4th 5k in The Colony with the gang! Waffles at MK & EK's afterwards!!
Drum VS Ninja

Cherry and E at El Scorcho

July:  Camping in CO State Forest State Park with the Blackard's

Me and Evan on my new favorite trail, Big South!!

Evan and Carol

Lindsey, Craig, Me

July:  Whittier/Dominquez Camping Trip!!! Oddly enough, back to CO State Forest State Park
Chrissy, Mitchell, Dad, Mom, Joyce, SJ, Joe, Me, Christie, Steve, Carolynn, B-Dog

Me and sweet Carolynn and Mitchell

August:  Mount Rushmore with PIC!!

Lean Horse 50 Mile Race
Hot Spring, SD
Greg, Erin, Troy, Me, Byron, Kevin

Lean Horse 50!!!
1st AG, 4th Female Over-all

October:  Palo Duro Trail Run
Lulu, Cherry, Me, Anne, Psycho, Flask, Monica

Finishing up Palo Duro

My camping buddies for PD!!
E & Mama C

October:  Monster Triathlon
My awesome cheer squad!!! E, Mama C, Me, Marci, Cherry

Monster Tri: 1st AG
I was ridiculously excited, that's why you can't see my eyes. Haha :)

November:  Wild Hare Trail Race in Warda, TX
Camping with Cherry and Mitchell

We cheered and made bridges for all the 50k and 50 mile runners!! 

December:  White Rock Marathon, volunteering at the  RAW Water Station
Courtney, Me, Kelly, Monica, Debby, Leana

Greatest cheer squad ever at WR marathon!
Erin, Cassie, Me, Marci  (Mama C is taking the picture!)

December:  Isle du Bois Trail Race
2nd female over-all!!

Hanging out at Isle du Bois
Cherry, Mama C, Derek, Marci, Me, and the awesome race director David

December:  Reunited with the best running buddy ever, Beth, in Ft Collins for some snowy trail runs!

(Carol Blackard photo)
December:  Annual Murder Mystery Night during Blackard winter week of relaxation!!
Ft Collins, CO
Craig, Grandma, Lindsey, Susan, Mike, Evan, Me, Scott

Christmas at the Whittier's!!

**Big thanks to Mama C and Helene Walker for a lot of these photos! 

Ironman: It's time.

Yesterday I signed up for my first 140.6 distance triathlon, Ironman Arizona.  I'm so excited to train for this race and cross the finish line I can barely contain myself!!! One of my biggest support groups is my running and triathlon friends on Twitter but they have really only known me as a runner.  As a self pep talk I thought I'd summarize why I will be able to be an IRONMAN!! :)

* My first triathlon was KidSport Triathlon when I was in I think, 5th or 6th grade.  I loved swimming and only kinda hated biking but I strongly, fiercely hating running.  My dad's final training for me involved swimming in our pool, doing a short bike and finishing with a 1/2 mile run around the neighborhood.  I don't remember the yelling part, but apparently I hated my dad in that moment.  Haha!  He was the meanest dad ever for making me do it.  I don't remember much of that tri but I do have a few memories from the run.  The next year I did it as a relay and I was the just swim leg.  That was much better. :)

* Didn't do another one until 2006.  It was the Baylor Tom Landry Triathlon.  My dad did it too and the day went great!  I was hooked and wanted to do more.  I had been running for 5 years at that point and loved that in a triathlon when you get tired with one sport, you get to switch!

* Not including the KidSport Tri I've done 16 triathlons.  Two 70.3 distance, two Olympic distance, and 12 Sprint distances.  Two years ago when I started trying to become a faster runner is when I become more competitive in tri's.

* Both my 70.3's were horrible.  The swim and bike on the first one went great but the run was horrible. The swim was great on the second one but both the bike and run made me not do another tri for a long time.  I was so discouraged.

* Since those bad 70.3's I've concentrated on my true love, running.  I've become a much stronger, more confident athlete through running.  My bike has improved dramatically because of the mental toughness running has brought me.

* My love of the bike is renewed.  I took a lot of time off and I'm having more fun on it than ever before.  I have such a bigger community of friends to bike with me and train with me than I've ever had before.  I can't put in all those bike miles alone.  I won't make it until November.  

* Running 50 miles was the best thing I have ever accomplished as an athlete.  It has given me a new outlook on myself as a person and an athlete.  I know some 100 milers that think anyone can run 50 miles, it's 100 miles that really separates people.   While I do believe some of that is true, I don't agree that anyone can run 50 miles.  At least not actually run them.  Maybe run 30-40 and walk the last 10 in.  To me, I ran 97.5% of those 50 miles and it was without question the hardest thing I have ever done.  To keep my body running when all it wanted to do was walk, to know that without question my mind is stronger than my body, these are the reasons I know I'm ready to be an Ironman.

* When I was in HS I remember thinking I would do an Ironman before I was 30.  I'll be 33 next November 18.  Not too bad. :)

* I have the most amazing husband, family, and friends who support me daily in my training and racing.

* I love and always have loved training.  It's why I race.  I love the daily accomplishment training brings.  I can't wait for the full training spectrum that is required for Ironman training.

* I am determined to beat Troy out of the water. :)

Fall Quick Hits

It's amazing how healing writing that last blog post turned out to be.  I almost instantly started to feel better just getting all those feelings off my chest and into the world.  I got lots of great feedback from friends who had been there before and gradually my legs started to come back as well.  It's amazing how fast time has gone since I wrote that post!  A quick list of things I've been up to:

October 15 Palo Duro 12.5 mile race

I love Palo Duro!!! Last year it was my first ultra and this year I did the short race.  It was COLD race morning which my body just loves.  I felt great from the beginning and just kept picking up the pace each mile.  It was my longest run since Lean Horse so I was nervous about my IT Bands and stuff but everything went great.  I had bad neuroma pain in my foot for the last 3 miles but I'm used to that. The after party is what makes PD so fun.  Hanging out in the Canyon, cheering for the 50k and 50 mile runners, and enjoying new and old frunners. 

Erin, Corina, and me on Sunday in the canyon

October 22 Double Trouble 5k

My running club puts on this race and I decided last minute to do the 5k.  I had to forgo two 5k's in Sept because I hadn't recovered from Lean Horse yet so I figured it was time to see just where my speed was at.  Training for ultras all late spring/summer really slowed me down but it was worth it.   My "out of speed shape" 5k pace tends to be around 7:30 - 7:35.  My 5k PR from last December was a 6:57 pace so I'm considerable slower but it was good to have a "fitness check" to base my training paces off of.  Always love doing club races, the support and volunteers are so amazing and although it's a hilly course, it's a course I've run a million times.

DT 5k coming up the last hill to the finish.

October 30 Monster Sprint Triathlon

Having not done a tri since August 1, 2010 I was feeling really excited and kinda nervous about this.  I had one goal...to get first in my age group.  When I made my goals for 2011 last December one of them was "1st AG in a triathlon." I only gave myself one shot at it.  Haha! Monster Triathlon was my 16th tri since I started in 2006 and the first time I got 1st AG!!! I had been 2nd a few times but never 1st.

Hanging out before the race start

To say that I was excited about winning my AG is an understatement.  I didn't train long, only about 5 weeks, but I trained hard.  Short bike rides but always focusing on strength and speed.  Same with my swims and runs.  I didn't need endurance, I needed some speed.  It was freezing race morning which really helps me, I knew my legs would still be able to run fast even though I had only done 2 bricks.  

The swim was uneventful, I felt just ok the first half and felt great the second half.  This was the only thing I was worried about.  All summer I had trained my body to run 50 miles, it takes me A LONG TIME to feel warmed up.  This race was going to be over before I normally start to feel good.  Pushed as hard as I could on the bike, staring at my mph the whole time. I was always about 19-20 except on the hills so I was excited about that.  Didn't wear a watch on the run and couldn't feel my feet they were so numb but just pushed hard.  I had no idea of my pace but the last mile kept trying to pick it up and couldn't so I figured I had to be going close to 7:30's.  I had the fastest bike and run (my 5k run was faster than the previous weekend's 5k race) split in my AG and 3rd fastest swim. It was a great day made even better sharing it with incredible girl friends Marci, Erin, Corina, and Stacy.  I felt like such a rockstar having them there, it was really special for me!

Erin, Corina, Me, Marci, Stacy

November 19 Wild Hare Trail Race

Coco, Rick, Me, Byron, George

Heading down to Wild Hare was a last minute decision.  I didn't have any November races on the calendar and with the weather getting better, a weekend camping strip seemed great.  My brother said he'd camp with me so it was a done deal.  I signed up for the 25k realizing it was going to be my longest run in 10 weeks. My plan was to take it easy for the first loop and pick it up for the second loop.  Well, my nightmare weather situation played out instead.  My body yells a big fat eff you when it's super humid.  I just couldn't do anything.  My upper body felt like it weighed a million pounds and I was just soaked from head to toe with sweat.  I overheated so bad with chills, goosebumps, swelling, and dizziness.  This has happened to me a number of times now (even in just the last year) and so I knew I needed to slow down and just treat it as a training run and not a race.  Ran decent until 11 and then had to walk it out and concentrate on getting my core temp dropped.  It sucked and I was frustrated but still loved the trail and the race and getting to run with my brother.  

Mama C, B, and me

This was two bad weekends of long runs in a row for me.  My weekday intervals are going great, I'm hitting my paces even when I'm tired but I could use a strong weekend run any day now.  I could also use a few consistent weekends of cool weather.  


Best part of WH was our camping zone.  Mitchell had found what turned out to be the perfect zone.  We were right on the trail and in the shade.  We stayed there all day and night cheering for the 50k and 50 mile runners as they did their loops.  We played Bocce ball, grilled fajitas, and drank beer.  Knowing how horrible the humidity conditions on the trail were it was just amazing to watch these runners knock out loop after loop.  (It also made me frustrated because how come their body seems to handle it better than mine??  It's not the heat...it's the humidity that I can't do anything with.)

Camping zone in the back!

Next up is volunteering at the White Rock Marathon on December 4 and running Isle du Bois 10 mile trail race on December 10th!

Post Lean Horse Blues

Racing a 50 miler was one thing.  Recovering from a 50 miler is a test all in itself.

I've had a rough go at it the last month.  I thought I was doing things right, I started nice and slow.  The first week back I didn't do anything but 2 yoga classes.  I would have done more yoga but I was still so dehydrated and since I do Bikram yoga I just didn't have anything to sweat out.  I had a headache for 9 days I was so dehydrated.  I did a few runs the next week and I just went a little too far and just a little too fast on each of them.  I didn't run far and I didn't run fast but it was more than my body was ready for.  Such a very fine line.  So, my IT Bands on each leg really starting give me some trouble.  I stopped running and have stuck with swimming, cycling, yoga, and weights for the last 2 weeks.

It's been great to get back into swimming and cycling.  Erin needed a cycling buddy and I was reluctant, cycling isn't normally something I look forward to but I changed my flat tire, dusted off the cobwebs and met her for a Saturday ride.  Well, it was awesome.  I hadn't had that much fun on the bike in a long time.  I have basically taken 14 months off from the bike.  I'd maybe been on my bike 10 times in the last 14 months.  My last triathlon was RiverCities in August 2010.  That time off seems to have done the trick because my passion for cycling and triathlon is renewed.

Me and Erin on that first ride

I'm still amazed at how much Lean Horse did a number on me.  In one sense, I'm really happy it has taken me so long to recover.  That to me means I left everything and more out on the course that day.  It means my body was ready to quit but my mind was stronger than body.  I've had probably the worst post-race depression I've ever experienced.  After my last 70.3 triathlon that I trained so hard for I finished and thought, "meh." I didn't feel this overwhelming accomplishment, I was just tired and pissed at the weather and mad that another 70.3 didn't go the way I wanted.  After Lean Horse, I'm still very proud of my accomplishment.  I wouldn't change a thing about that race and it satisfied so many internal wants for me I think I'm scared that no race or challenge will be able to live up to it.  I feel lost and confused on where to turn next.  My body is loudly telling me that it needs a bit of a change but I'm not sure what my mind wants.

I ran 9 trail miles today and was just in heaven.  I wanted to run all morning.  I didn't have a ton of leg pain but I was very cautious.  I know that there's no need to make a decision on anything right now.  I don't need to sign up for a race, I don't have to push myself.  But that's not me.  I'm a goal oriented person and I want to push myself.  In this "recovery" month I've done two-a-days twice a week, three-a-days twice a week and something all the other days.  None of it is running, but my enthusiasm for becoming a better, stronger athlete is higher then ever.  I have a few races that I'm signed up for and a few races that I've had to forego.  I know with more time the fog will clear and Lean Horse won't be the "Everest" to me that it is now.  In the mean time though, let me know if you want to join me for a ride.