Run. Bike. Run

I raced my first duathlon yesterday. I placed 3rd in my age division, I was extremely shocked and very happy! I finished in 1:14:32, my transitions were slow, but I have a lot to learn still about them. To say transition area is controlled chaos is an understatement. I'm not usually one to have anxiety or panic attacks, but the minute I arrived on scene, I wanted to turn around and drive home. I was so far out of my comfort zone and I was alone. I just couldn't make Taylor wake Sophie up at 6am to come watch me, so I told them to stay in bed.
Thankfully, I wasn't the only beginner there and this helped me feel a little better. I had originally signed up for the triathlon, but found it extremely hard to open water swim because of my husband's unpredictable schedule and not really having someone to watch Sophie. So a few weeks ago I switched to the duathlon part. I was so grateful after arriving that I had made that decision. My transition times were slow, I can't imagine throwing in swim gear to the mix.
My wave started at 6:45 with a one mile run. I ran it in 7:55, my goal was under 8:00 minutes, so I made it. Next was a 10 mile bike, I did it in 34, the wind was rough and my poor legs felt that 10 mile run the day before. I have to say the hardest part of the whole race was dismounting my bike and having to run in to transition area in bike cleats, with jello legs. I'm sure I looked like a complete idiot. I managed to get my bike racked and change back in to running shoes, grab my iPod and head out in about 2:00 minutes, see slow? The run was supposed to be a 5K...but it was really 3.45, I did it in 27 minutes. I was shooting for under 9 minute pace, so I also made that. It was a repeat loop, which I wasn't thrilled about, but it wasn't as boring as I had thought it would be. The music definitely helped. I was a little surprised it took 27 minutes because it did feel faster, which I was happy for at the end! Overall, I told myself I wanted to finish in 1:15 and I made it, so I'm very happy with the race.
I found out last night about placing in my age division, which topped off the whole experience.
After experiencing transitions, I'm even more terrified of racing in a triathlon. I'm looking at an all-female Tri in August that looks like a lot of fun. I know I just have to make myself face my fear and do it.
So after my marathon in a few short weeks. I hope to keep training for this Tri in August and end my year doing the SuperFrog, which is a half-Ironman distance Tri that was started for Navy Seals. I know it's a lot to work towards, but it keeps me motivated and I reallllly want it.
Can't wait to race again!!

Sophie is 2

My dear friend Danielle took some '2 year' pictures of Sophie for us. She did an awesome job and captured a lot of cute moments!

I haven't blogged in a while, mainly because nothing has been going on! Training has been slow because I felt myself running on empty and decided to scale back for a few weeks. This past Monday was a disaster of a training day. Taylor and I set out for a 30 mile ride together, only to turn around early for a grand total of...5 miles. There was a wreck involved, but no one was injured, just mad. So we decided to try a couple mile run, again, another injury occurred when Taylor twisted his ankle. So we turned around early again. Tuesday we hiked all over the desert and mountains, and yes I considered all that cross-training. So today I decided to run from our church to the end of Point Loma, which was 6 miles of rolling hills. And let me just tell you, the first hill was brutal. But I made finished with a good time but sore toes and shins. I'm not used to running hills, so my poor shins were feeling it every time I started to descend. But it was an awesome (hot) run and I was so happy I made myself do it. I'm going to ride the next two days and run tomorrow and Saturday. Then I have my first duathlon on Sunday. I'm already nervous about the bike portion, not that I won't be able to comfortably complete the distance, but just the unknown. It's only a sprint distance, so that part shouldn't be bad. I haven't really trained for transitions and that makes me a little nervous. I keep telling myself it's just for fun and experience. I still don't consider myself a cyclist and have a lot to learn!

Taylor's parents have been here this past week and we've been non-stop GO! Sharing a few pictures from our Anza Borrego Desert visit. We hiked up to see the Palm Springs Oasis, which is just that in the middle of the desert. So amazing!

This little hiker hiked a good portion of our 5 miles. She was a trooper!

More to come!

60 to 0.

So you know my 60 mile training week last week. Today, I finally got a 4 mile run in. I mean, seriously? Today is the first day in 5 I haven't limped down my stairs and now I have a wicked sun burn on my left leg. But boy did I feel it while running. Felt like I had sand bags attached to my ankles or I was pulling a car.

I've got to find something that helps me recover after long runs. I'm so at a loss with this territory. Stretching and baths aren't really helping. I ice my problem areas, but that's hard to do when it's your whole lower body. I honestly feel great during runs, but can't walk for 5 days after. Which leads me to missing at least 1 run and ride.

Hopefully my legs won't fail me during my 20 miles this weekend.

Pain of Discipline

I have no idea who Sarah Bombell is, but I love this quote. I had my second long training run this morning, 17 miles. I repeated this quote several times during my run. I'm most proud that I ran this run mostly solo. And finished in just around 2 1/2 hours. I was right on target most of the time. I reached 13.1 right at the 2 hour mark and was still feeling very strong. I'm still experimenting with energy gels, blocks, & liquid. I only consumed 1 GU before I set out. Tried to choke down a shot block, but won't be doing that again. I took along de-fizzled Pepsi with me and that seemed to help a lot. 

It's been a good training week. Taylor and I will probably ride tomorrow for about 20 or so miles and that will put me over 60 miles of training for the week. 

I have another long run this upcoming weekend, then a 5K race the following, and my Duathlon in 3 weeks. No rest for this girl!

Train insane!!!

Defeated.

Maybe I'm bring dramatic, but I don't really care at this point. Parenting is h.a.r.d. These past few weeks have been mentally and physically draining. Sophie knows every button to push and pushes them often. I'm starting to realize the importance of 'picking your battles'. But man, when everything is a battle, when do you cave and when do you stay strong? I expect a LOT from my 2 year old, but I'm that way because she is SMART. She knows how to communicate better than most 5 year olds and her vocabulary is well beyond her age. She knows how to spell her name, can recognize numbers & colors. 

Our biggest battles are sleep, diaper changing, and going out. Taylor had the pleasure of joining us for a Target run on Monday and boy was he in for it. I've learned that I cannot let Sophie 'run around'. After all, she is still 2 and gets in to EVERYTHING. So she stays in the shopping cart or stroller if I can get away with it. He likes to let her run around, but Monday, she was in an extra special mood. UGH! And to top it all off, she has started biting herself if we tell her 'no' or she doesn't get something she wants. She has little marks and scabs all over her hands. I spank her, she just bites harder. I mean, where is my handbook?

Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful she is determined and strong willed, that will serve her well later in life. If I'm being 100% honest, and judge me all you want, I don't really like my child right now. I don't like who she makes me be. I'm so snappy and exhausted at the end of the day, poor Taylor. Poor Sophie. 

I know all children go through this phase, I don't think it's just me. I just feel like we exit one wilderness just to enter another. I think I've got her figured out and BOOM goes the dynamite. Literally. 

And for the sake of my sanity, please don't ask me, the mother of a 2 year old, when we will have another child. You might just get an earful of pent up frustration and anger. There is your warning. 

And just so you don't think I complain all the time about my daughter, whom I really do love...lol. We had spiral ham on Easter Sunday and Sophie knows her meats. She is a pork girl to the core. We were sitting there and Taylor asks her "Sophie, do you know what you're eating?" I know, we sound like wonderful parents...ha ha. Her reply was "Aww, so sorry piggy." 

My mother and mother-in-law are my heros. Raising multiple children and they still have their sanity intact. This gives me hope! :)

Racerback Tank

I saw this blog tutorial for a gathered raceback t-shirt, made from t-shirts you already own and decided I was going to transform all my old t-shirts and race shirts that are HUGE, that way I can wear them again. 

Original Blog here.

You can use a sewing machine or just a needle/thread. There is very little sewing involved, I promise. :)

My t-shirt.

1. Cut collar off.

2. Draw how deep you want the shirt to be. Remember it will draw up.

3. Cut out new collar.

4. Cut off sleeves.

5. You will need to make the shoulder/new sleeves.  

6. Shirt with 'new' sleeves, you want the straps pretty thin. 

7. Use extra fabric to create the 'strap' for the back. I pinned mine together before sewing. I just used fabric from the sleeves.

8. Sew a hem line across the bottom. Again, you can hand sew this as well. 

9. (Sorry about the shirt change). Now find where you want the shirt to gather in the back. I ended up cutting the back in to a 'V' shape as well. It's not as tight around the neck this way. 

10. Place your fabric strap around the back sleeves. You will have to sew the two sides of the strap together now. 

11. Then cut excess fabric off. 

Finished product. This is an actual technical race shirt, so you can use this kind of fabric or just regular cotton. 

Back.

Also showing you a cotton shirt. 

Back.

Now, I probably wouldn't wear these out like the original blog says. Because your collar and sleeves are now just open. But they will be good to run in and use at the gym or beach. :)