Love to Boston

I’m not sure how I can put into words what to feel right now. Sadness, anger, disgust, disbelief, the list goes on. I can’t help but to feel complete confusion and ask why, over and over again.

I wasn’t there and thankfully my friends are safe, but I just need to get it out there. I feel like this was an attack on my own family, because this entire running community is my family. It’s your family. It’s our family. And this is completely senseless and gut wrenching, but we will not let it hold us down.

The Boston Marathon holds a special place in my heart, as do all of you, and I can’t imagine all of that being taken away. So with that, just a note to say I love our running community, please be safe, and my prayers are with everyone in Boston.

Tomorrow, hug a runner. Then your mom. Then your dog. Then the person next to you. Then go for a run. And then read this.

#HugARunner

   
6 Comments | Posted in Uncategorized

WTF, Swimming?

HEY SWIMMING!

Ya you, I’m talking to you.

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No, not that other guy. I like cycling, I love running and they’ve both been fairly decent to me.

I want to talk to YOU because you and I, we’re having issues.

I don’t get you, seriously, WTF man? You and I both know that our relationship is still new and we started out slow. I gave you time to grow on me, got special gear for you, and even shoved my oversized head into too small of caps for you. I’ve been hitting the pool more often than ever and by this point in the game, I was hoping you could reciprocate some of the love?

I’m not asking for Michael Phelps-like performance. I’m realistic. But at least we could be moving our relationship in the FORWARD direction. When I plug my data into Training Peaks and it spits out such hateful and negative paces, I seriously want to kick you in the knees.

So what gives? I know I’m not a fast swimmer and it’s likely due to my gangly chicken arms, but for the love of all that’s wet, can we puh-leez just get past this swimming hump and produce some semblance of paces that we had last season.

Yours truly,
Page

   
20 Comments | Posted in Swimming

IRONMAN COEUR D’ALENE: WEEK 12

Week 12 was what I call “flexible” with some great wins along the way. Flexible in the sense that I didn’t get in a traditional long ride, but winning because of a run that reminded me just how much I love running, swimming three times in a week (given that I tend to loathe swimming), oh, and MY NEW NEPHEW!

Here’s a look at week 12:

Mon., 4/1: Swim & Strength

Some morning strength compliments of my DVD collection and an evening swim. We’re finally getting into lengthier pool swims: 3,400 yards of staring at the blue line and talking to myself. Oh the conversations I have…

Tues., 4/2: Run & Swim

There’s nothing quite like morning mile repeats and given that I haven’t done them in forever, I love, love, loved it. I’m getting antsy to work on my speed rather than endurance, but Coach Paul is always reminding me of our strategy to get to that end goal. Patience, grasshopper. Morning miles were followed by 3,000 yards in the pool later that evening.

Wed., 4/3: Yoga, Ride & Run Brick

It’s Wednesday which means a short indoor ride and run brick! Pretty standard folks…

Want to know how to make the workday that much more bearable? Sneak out for a 45 minute lunch yoga break. I’ve never taken a lunch yoga class before and my oh my, it was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Thurs., 4/4: Strength, Yoga, Swim, Ride

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Now that I typed that all out, how in the hell did I fit that all in on Thursday? Don’t be too impressed, it was a short yoga and strength session, but I still consider it a win – especially given the fact that I dragged my ass to the pool for the third time. This Ironman stuff is starting to get real…

Fri., 4/5: Long Run

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I took Friday off of work as Chicken Face and I were headed to Reno in anticipation of my sister’s baby. I planned it so I could get my long run in before we left and it was simply perfection.

Overcast, a great route for 16 miles, properly fueled, no gut issues, no ankle issues, no knee issues and even a few friends to keep me company along the way:

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I didn’t push too hard and was happy with my longest post-injury run to date and the pace that is slowly but surely getting back to where I used to be. I’m still smiling thinking about this run.

Sat., 4/6: Ride

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Saturday was supposed to be the day Kaleb arrived, but as we should have guessed, the labor plans didn’t go as planned. Thus, when we knew that it wasn’t going to be happening for a while, Chicken Face headed back to the house to finish some homework and I hopped on the trainer for two hours. After our mini breaks, it was back to the hospital to wait for Kaleb.

Sun., 4/7: Waiting…

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…all day, all night, with Netflix and Arrested Development at our side – we waited at the hospital for Baby Kaleb. But man oh man, it was worth it…

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I closed out week 12 with:

12 hours and 44 minutes of training:
8,600 yards swimming (the most in this training cycle thus far)
57.34 miles cycling 
25.87 miles running
50 minutes strength
1 hour and 15 minutes yoga

Happy Running!

   
9 Comments | Posted in Weekly Recap

Welcome Baby Kaleb!

If you asked me about kids more than 72 hours ago, I’d say, “Umm…yeah. Cute.” Then that would be the end of my conversation.

Sure they’re cute and cuddly, but I never really had a strong connection to anything that wore a diaper. But this weekend changed everything — my nephew, my god son, and the first baby in our family was born and O.M.G. I can’t get enough.

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Welcome baby Kaleb.

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Kaleb’s mom (my sister) had a tough 50-hour labor and we anxiously spent the weekend in the hospital waiting for his arrival. When he came, we were all instantly obsessed.

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He may live another state over, but I can’t wait to take him running… err…I mean take him to ice cream… err…I mean do whatever normal aunts do. He’s not even my kid and I just can’t wait to spoil him rotten.

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Now where can I get a baby tri kit?

   
5 Comments | Posted in Life

Cycling: Helmet Straps

Attention! Attention!

This public service announcement is brought to you from a forever cycling newbie to other cycling newbies, or those who may just be afraid to ask.

Your helmet straps. Cut them.

h1 It may seem harmless, and in fact it is, but that extra helmet strap fabric is made to be cut and fit to you. Don’t be like me and just tuck it in for over a year and a half. No, you are much wiser than I am.

Simply follow these easy steps for the perfect helmet straps.

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1 – Put on your helmet and figure out where you want to cut the straps. Err on the side of caution.

2 – Cut.

3 – Burn. Don’t hold it in one spot, but move in a slow and steady fashion for probably 10 seconds total. (Thank you Chicken Face for being the hand model.)

4 – Rejoice! You are one step closer to that yellow jersey. Now if only I can learn to change a flat tire…

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Happy Running and Cycling!

   
13 Comments | Posted in cycling

IRONMAN COEUR D’ALENE: WEEK 11

This week was ripe with lingering injury pain, mini bouts of strength, yoga and massage, quality time with the treadmill, challenging hills and a day when you are reminded just how much you love being on two wheels. This is week 11.

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Photo courtesy of Coach Paul, five second before my precious last piece of PB&J fell to the ground and I had to make a very serious decision. I ate it.

Mon., 3/25: Strength

Oversleeping = moving your schedule around and just getting in a quick strength training session. The highlight? A Monday evening “hurts so good” sports therapy massage at my chiropractor.

Tues., 3/26: Swim & Hill Repeats

The swims are getting longer and so are the hill repeats. The hill repeats were challenging, but not as much as the foot pain I got at the end of the last repeat. Cue the nerves.

Wed., 3/27: Ride & Swim

Paying close attention to my foot pain, I changed my indoor ride and transition run to a longer indoor ride. Later that night, more time in the water.

Thurs., 3/28: Ride

Another indoor ride. Nice and sweaty, trying to focus on my petal stoke (think oval, not circle).

Fri., 3/29: Long Run

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Guilty confession: I’m afraid of running solo in the dark. I will do it only if I know that the majority of my run will be in the light, rather than the other way around. I’ve tried to conquer these fears, but it’s not the night that I’m afraid of, it’s just plain runner safety. If I was with anyone else, it’s not a problem. Just solo running in the pitch black seems unsafe and something I don’t want to risk if I don’t have to.

Thus, with 15 morning miles on tap, I did the unthinkable: I ran 15 treadmill miles. I used to do long runs on the treadmill when I was commuting to my old job, but since then, I have done that sort of mileage on the dreadmill. Thankfully, the ClubSport treadmills all have personal TVs, I had my podcasts, my fuel, and of course, Matt Lauer soon kept me company.

Sat., 3/30: Long Ride

Every so often, you are reminded why you do all of this. This moment came again on Saturday.

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75 miles through Morgan Territory, Diablo and beyond, where we climbed for what seemed like an eternity – over 7,700+ in total elevation gain for the day! There were points on the Morgan Territory climb that I thought my bike would actually fall over it was so steep, and the VIEWS, oh the views! I was tempted to stop and take photos, but then I’d have to figure out how to start climbing again and that wouldn’t be a pretty picture.

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I heeded Coach Paul’s advice and really focused on getting in the right gear to keep my legs spinning to preserve them, and would you look at that, it worked! I rode for the majority of the ride by myself, just breathing and smiling so hard you could probably hear it. It was challenging, humbling and motivating all at the same time.

I love you cycling.

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Oh, and I love you new sushi place that we just found. Thanks for filling my calorie defecit.

Sun., 3/31: Ride with Chicken Face

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To top off my cycling high on Saturday, I woke up on Easter morning and made Chicken Face and I breakfast: orange vegan cinnamon rolls (SO, SO GOOD!) and spicy veggie scramble. It was heaven in my mouth.

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Just when I thought the morning couldn’t get any better, Chicken Face asked if I wanted to go on a ride. Of course I said YES and we went on our first-ever ride together. 21.5 happy miles for his first “real” ride. I shared a few tips (weight back on the downhill, grip the horns, this is how you signal for debris) and it made my heart wanted to explode! He’s a natural already!

I closed out week 11 with:

13 hours and 33 minutes of training: 
5,800 yards swimming 
125.43 miles cycling 
19.69 miles running
30 minutes strength
15 minutes yoga

While little injuries started to act up again this week, the weekend left me the happiest that I’ve been in a while. There’s nothing quite like finding the joy in what you love again, then sharing it with those you love.

Happy Easter and Happy Running!

   
24 Comments | Posted in Uncategorized, Weekly Recap

The Living Room Recovery Kit

We’ve all heard it and we all know it to be true: preventative care is of vital importance for any athlete. Stretching, rolling, massaging, you name it…it’s the key to preventing injury and prolonging our athletic dreams.

Yet for some strange reason, as much as it has been harped on over and over again by every magazine and blogger out there, somehow we find ourselves brushing it off and I completely understand why. We only have a limited amount of hours in the day and if I have to choose an hour of running, or 45 minutes of running and 15 minutes of stretching, my endorphin-junkie mind carelessly picks the hour of running every time.

But then you’ll find yourself just sitting on the couch, catching up on Bob’s Burgers because somehow your husband’s TV-taste has rubbed off on you and you think, “I should be rolling right now.” Somehow your ass in glued in place and you just can’t be bothered to get up, walk to the next room and grab the punishment pieces needed to take preventative care/rehab seriously. Yup, that’s me. But fear not young one, I come bearing a solution!

Enter: The Living Room Recovery Kit!

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I know, I know, the true originality of this is mind-blowing and my interior decorating skills are something to be rivaled. But this simple trick has helped me stick with my rolling routine. Here’s how it works:

1) Get a basket.
2) Fill it with preventative care goodies (details below).
3) Put it in a highly visible spot in a regularly trafficked room.
4) Watch it stare at you, taunting you, as you sit there doing everything but rolling.
5) Let the guilt magic set in and finally use the contents of said kit, shake your fist in the air and proclaim, “Damn you, foam roller. Daaaaaaamn you!”

It’s that easy! Now, for the contents of my living room recovery kit:

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1) A Yoga Mat, because you need one for obvious reasons. Carpet burn is never cool.

2) A Mini Pilates Ball for core and hip strengthening exercises. But you should probably inflate it more than mine.

3) A Kettle Bell. I keep this little five pounder handy for core work as it’s cheaper and smaller than a medicine ball, and I can use it for Nike Training Club app workouts.

4) A Foam Roller. Go with the trigger point for some real torture, not just the black foam. Plus, this compact size is much better for traveling (should you be so inclined) because I have no idea how you’re going to pass a three-foot foam roller as a carry on.

5) The Stick. I like the travel size for obvious, space-related reasons.

6) Foot Massage Balls. I actually won these in a Secret Santa gift exchange two years ago (thanks Katie!) and love them. I keep one at my desk at work (gross — who cares) and one in the basket. The bottom of my foot has been giving me some issues as it’s overcompensating for my ankle, and a little time with these bad boys help immensely.

7) A good ol’ fashioned Lacrosse Ball. Truth be told, Coach Paul found me this one as we were doing transition laps around the track. Get one, put your butt on it, and try and roll out the magic.

I should also give an honorable mention to the tub of Aquaphor that I keep next to my nightstand to massage my ankle. I’m not sure if Aquaphor is made for massaging, but Emily sent it to me and it works really well!

So there you have it, my living room recovery kit. Tell me, how do you ensure that you are rolling/stretching/etc.? Anything else you would add to the basket?

Happy Running!

   
35 Comments | Posted in injury

IRONMAN COEUR D’ALENE: WEEK 10

For those who are still battling frigid temps and are stuck on the indoor trainer, I apologize for what you are about to read…

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It’s March in NorCal and it’s FRIGGIN’ GORGEOUS!

The sun was out, the birds were literally chirping and the mid-70s helped create a perfect week 10. Sure there was one day with a little rain and wind, but all was forgotten when you consider what the rest of the week had in store. Now on to week 10, which is the biggest week thus far (notice a trend?).

Mon., 3/18: Yoga/Core & Swim
The swims are getting longer (~2,800 yards) and my chicken arms are working hard to get used to it. Speed is lacking, but then again, I never claimed to be a strong swimmer.

Tues., 3/19: Run & Strength

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Hill climb Tuesday! Thanks to Layla for the recommendation, I found a new hill climb just a couple miles away from my work. While I did feel like I was running uphill, in the rain and wind, both directions, it was enough to give my heart rate a run for it’s money.

Wed., 3/20: Ride & Run

Lately, after a hard ride and when I transition to running, I’m getting some pretty weird pains on the bottom of my injured foot. I take it slow and steady to loosen up the bottom of my foot. I’m not quite sure what’s happening, but massage and being careful with it seems to be working.

Thus., 3/21: Indoor Ride & Swim

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An a.m. indoor trainer ride and a p.m. swim kicked off a busy next couple of days. Thursday was also the day that I said goodbye to my favorite Speedo “Long Hair” swim cap as it snapped on me right before I entered the pool. Thankfully, Club Sport has huge noggin’ caps available that didn’t leave me stranded. I also threw out my red training suit as I realized it had become a baggy, saggy disaster. Why didn’t anyone tell me?!

Fri., 3/22Long Run

I was determined to get my long run done on Friday so I could enjoy our Sunday plans. But getting in 14 miles for work would have meant that I’d have to run over an hour, in the dark, by myself. I’m try to be extremely cautious of my personal safety while training and running solo in the dark never seems like a wise idea. Thus, I opted to run after work.

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Gah, let me tell you, the last thing you want to do on a Friday after work is your long run. I found a general route and made my way around town for 14 miles. It started out a little toasty, then cooled down to the perfect early evening temps. I even got in a few lovely neighborhood trails.

At 10 miles, my ankle/foot/knee started giving me a little grief, but I took it slowly and steadily to ensure that I was able to finish my longest post-injury run yet. As I neared then end of my run, it was a race against the sun to get back to my car. When I finished, I was in my running euphoria zone. Not because of a great pace, but just the bliss of running. Better than any Friday night happy hour.

Sat., 3/23: Long Ride

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Last year, Coach Paul hosted two long rides in Half Moon Bay and when I found out that this week’s long ride was in Half Moon Bay again, I was so excited as it is simply stunning.

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My friend Ray and I started by the ocean, rode through towering eucalyptus trees, past rural pastures, and climbed…boy did we climb. I heeded Paul’s advice of going slow and easy up the climbs, rather than going for speed, and my legs thanked me in the end. 68 miles later, I was one happy camper (longest post-injury ride yet!).

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If anyone has the chance to ride Half Moon Bay and it’s surrounding areas — DO IT! Your legs and soul will thank you.

Sun., 3/24: Rest 

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Chicken Face and I finally took advantage of the local wineries by getting tickets to Livermore’s Barrel Tasting Weekend. We probably only made it through 1/3 of all of the wineries that were participating, but after 17 tastings, this light weight was done and became increasingly hangry (note to self: must remember snacks). It was the perfect way for us to actually do something outside of train and school, and it was just another reason why I’m falling more in love with California (despite it’s ridiculous housing prices).

I closed out week 10 with:

13 hours and 02 minutes of training: 
5,300 yards swimming 
94.73 miles cycling 
24 miles running
1 hour and 15 minutes strength
30 minutes yoga

How’s the training weather where you are?

Happy Running!

   
16 Comments | Posted in Weekly Recap

COOKIN’: MARCH RECIPE ROUND-UP

With Chicken Face finishing his latest quarter of school, I’ve been taking some extra time to relax with him this week and catch-up on movies that we’ve wanted to see for a while (Note: I highly recommend Argo; Zero Dark Thirty is also worth your time).

With that, I’ve also discovered a few new easy cooking favorites that I just had to share.
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(1) Spanish style Spicy Turkey Burgers
(2) Perfectly sweet, yet not fried, Sweet & Sour Chicken
(3) Easy, yet not too many crazy ingredients, Chicken Pad Thai
(4) The “I’m so frickin’ proud of myself for making these” Vegan Veggie Burgers

Other great recipes I’ve tried this month include Vegan Banana Bread and Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos.

Also, thank you for all the love on Pinterest! I wanted to share that I used to have one giant board for all my recipes, but have reorganized them all by meal. Hopefully that makes life a little easier.

Happy Eating & Running!

   
1 Comment | Posted in Cooking, Uncategorized

IRONMAN COEUR D’ALENE: WEEK 9

Are you one of hundreds, if not thousands of bloggers who are fretting the loss of their beloved Google Reader? Indeed it is a shame and a decision I strongly question, but dry those tears fellow social-media addict, a solution exists. Enter: BlogLovin.

I haven’t explored too many other options because they all look like they are straight out of 1998 and need a screeching dial-up to go with it. BlogLovin is the antithesis of said monstrosity: clear, easy to use and it’s not too bad on the ol’ eyeballs. Even better: importing your Google Reader feed only takes two steps and I thought I’d show you how.

Step 1: After you’ve signed up for BlogLovin, simply hover about your name and click “settings.”

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Step 2: Scroll to the bottom and click “Import Blogs.”

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Wham, bam, presto! Your Google Reader blogs are now in BlogLovin. Want bonus points? You can follow Twenty-Six and Then Some on BlogLovin right here.

Phew — now that we’ve adverted that crisis. Here’s a look at the biggest week thus far, which also happened to be a recovery week, how did that happen?

Mon., 3/11: Swim

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What’s that?! You swam again at Club Sport Pleasanton? In a pool? With water?! I’m as shocked as you are by this revelation. Let’s take a moment to let it all soak in.

Tues., 3/12: Ride/Run & Strength

A short little ride on the trainer followed by a transition run where my legs and bottom of my injured foot felt like death. This was one of those days that you just do it despite what your brain is telling you.

Wed., 3/13: Run

What was supposed to be a timed trial turned into “just finish the damn five miles.” My legs were in a state of shock after the prior week’s half marathon. After more than 3+ months of not running anything close to what I did at that race, but legs just needed some active TLC.

Thurs., 3/14: Ride & Swim

Getting’ sweaty on the trainer followed by a confidence boosting Club Sport swim (finally)!

Fri., 3/15: Yoga & Threshold Testing

This is Paul, my coach. Don’t let his endearing little smile fool you.

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On Friday night he hooked me up and put me through the cycling ringer. In return, I left perma-sweat marks all over his garage floor. You’re welcome, Paul.

This testing was to determine my heart rate training zones and to analyze my fitness progressions (you can see round one from last year here). The zones are the same but the good news is that my fitness and associated heart rate has improved (even with the injury time off). I’ll take it.

Sat., 3/16: Double Brick

30 mile ride, 30 minute run, 20 mile ride, 20 minute run… all with my new favorite cycling partner by my side: Cate! We rode, we climbed, I cursed, we rejoiced in the wicked-fast downhills while gripping our brakes and fearing for our life. It was Saturday at its finest. So fine, in fact, that this was the best shot of the day…sexy.

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Sun., 3/17: Long Run

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Sunday was 10 miles through my neighborhood where the hills were green and the weather was simply perfect.

I closed out week 9 with:

11 hours and 29 minutes of training: 
5,100 yards swimming 
82 miles cycling 
23 miles running
30 minutes strength
30 minutes yoga

 Tell me, how do you read blogs and how will you read them now?

Happy Running!

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14 Comments | Posted in Uncategorized, Weekly Recap