Category: Training

Life’s a little different now: Some observations on Ironman training

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I’m a little over 25 weeks out from Lake Placid Ironman. During this early phase of base training, along with the training I did in preparation for the HIM Bassman in October, I’ve noticed several changes in my life. I thought I’d share some. Maybe some of you can relate? Observation #1: Positive Correlations Most athletes preparing for an Ironman expect that the longer the race distance, the longer the training times and miles. What I didn’t account for was the fact that those training distances aren’t the only times that increase. While the training plan may have anywhere from …

Aqua jogging

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A few years back, I had some trouble with my right ITB (iliotibial band) during a run. The pain was significant enough that I had to take frequent walk and stretch breaks to get back home. I didn’t run again for a few days. I started ridiculously slow. Alas! The pain returned. At that point, I resigned myself to the realization that I had a problem with the ITB. I knew what this pain meant: Stretching. Icing. Using the foam roller to lengthen and release the ITB. And, the worst part: no running for at least a week–maybe more. So, …

“Nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so” – or how I came to love my heart rate

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Yes, it’s Shakespeare again. This time, the Prince of Denmark himself – Hamlet – offers wise words to keep my experiences (in training and life) in perspective. This quote reminds me that our thinking plays an integral role in how we perceive our abilities, our training, and our potential. Think negative thoughts, increase the likelihood of negative outcomes. Think positive thoughts, increase the likelihood of positive outcomes. Sounds easy enough. So, why am I so mean to myself? I know better: I’ve read plenty of articles that talk about the power of positive thinking. I know that our brains are …

5 days to my first ultra: The PHUNT 50k

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In five days, I will run my first ultra marathon. I’m feeling a little apprehensive about it because I’ve been on a self-directed mission of nutrition sabotage since my birthday. Cookies. Rich meals with lots of fat and bad carbs. Wine. Lots of wine. Sadly, I’ve been feeling it lately in my runs and workouts. I’m hoping that I can reverse course over the next 5 days and get myself back on nutrition track. (So far this morning, I’ve been successful. I’ve thrown out the leftover Christmas cookies, and ate a hearty bowl of oatmeal.) Other than my nutrition derailing …

This week in training – 12/21-12/27

I often require my students to write a paper of reflection regarding their achievements throughout the semester. I explain to them that such reflection helps them identify their week points, while also boosting confidence regarding goals that they achieve. It occurs to me that such reflection might be quite useful to my training as I begin working toward my 2010 racing goals. Nutrition Christmas week might not be the best time to reflect upon one’s commitment to healthy eating.  Let’s just say this commitment was tested severely over the past few days. This past week was particularly destructive to the …

My (Morning) Process

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Morning is my favorite time to workout – just not first thing out of bed in the morning. Ideally, I like to wake up about an hour before I want to workout. So, if I want to start at 6 a.m., I will get up at 5 a.m., maybe 5:15 a.m. Why? Because I need to go through what I call “my process.” My husband John thinks I’m nuts. Last week as I was going through “my process,” he commented, “I don’t get it. How can you just sit there, relaxed, and not go?” I laughed and replied, “I need …

I’ve got a cranky tendon

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My foot started with a dull ache on Thursday afternoon (Thanksgiving) as I was preparing food to bring to my brother’s house. It felt “tight,” so I tried some stretches. But, the pain lingered. And lingered. And then did some more lingering. It was lingering and lounging on the top of my foot, as indicated in this picture. (Notice, also, the use of dark nail polish to hide the black toenails underneath.) If you read my blog regularly, then you already know I have a deep-seated paranoia about *stress fractures*. (Shhhh, say the word in your quiet voice…) So, I …

Three dogs, one beautiful morning, and 14 miles of flow

 Shady, one of my three dogs, woke me at 5:30 a.m. She was whining because she needed to use the doggie restroom, a.k.a., outside. She was ahead of my alarm clock’s schedule, which wasn’t set to go off until 6 a.m.    As I shuffled to put on some warmer clothes to take them outside, my dogs clustered around me. Mag’s tail banged loudly against the wall as he waited (impatiently) for me to be ready to take them outside and feed them. One of Mag’s nicknames is Mag-the-Wag because we are hard-pressed to find a time when that tail …

Treating a sore ankle with angst and ice: 6 tips

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I woke up one morning about 3 weeks before I was to run the Philadelphia Marathon with a sore ankle. Damn. I had just completed a 21 mile run a few days prior, and despite a few rough patches, the run went well. But, when I woke up two days later, the ankle was officially sore, and I was officially in a terrible mood. An injury or pain that keeps me from running–even for just a day–is enough to turn on the wicked witch switch. I had plans to do about 7 miles of speedwork on Sunday. But, my ankle hurt just …

Balancing life’s demands: Work, training and helping others

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As of late, my available “spare” time has dwindled to almost nonexistent. Despite a reduced load in training, I’m experiencing an increased load in work expectations. So, that “extra time” I dreamed of after the Bassman? It’s never appeared. But, I suppose that is the rhythm of life, our priorities and expectations ebb and flow into and out of the different responsibilities and interests that make up a life. At least, that’s what I’ve been thinking lately: priorities need to be organized and reorganized as we hit each major and minor goal we set for ourselves. Even as the pressures of …