Ocala HITS Half IM 2012

So, I know I have been bad, bad, bad about blogging. Case in point, I raced a half IM last weekend - one I was really looking forward to and the only one I will be doing this year - and I have yet to blog about it. This is not due in fact to my unexcitement about training, but rather the busyness of the year. 

I had set forth my goals this year to train for IMCDA whilst ALSO keeping up with my business and the kiddos. I am happy to report that I have been doing all these... but blogging has then taken its toll (ie, have not been), unless it is this blog.

So, here's a quick recap of my race last weekend.
OCALA HITS HALF IM:
This is my first (and only) half IM I am going to be doing in training for Coer d'Alene, so I wanted it to be good.
My mental goal: I was going to go out, do my best and see what it brought me.
My time goal: I really hoped to beat my time from Harvest Moon - a half IM I raced last September (although I didn't really have a strategy in how I was going to do it).

A quick break down about Ocala HITS Half IM:

Beautiful venue!

Going to pre-race meeting the day before.

Despite the prettiness, I feel I need to mention it is in the middle of NOWHERE. Seriously. My parents have a home 40 minutes away, so that is why it was feasible for me, but unless you live around there, logistically this race seems very hard to manage (the host hotel is also 35 minutes away) and somewhat costly to get to.

HITS is in their first year of planning events, so don't expect a lot of hype, goodies, volunteers, etc. They are not there.

The best thing about racing in Florida.

My parents

Swim start. Obvi.

THE SWIM: Nice out and back. Not confusing. I concentrated on swimming straight (a weakness) and keeping my stroke even (another weakness). I had trouble getting my heart rate up and I wasn't sure if that was due to (a) the (lack of) altitude or (b) that I still didn't know how to properly "race" a swim. I guessed it was a little of both. Came out of the water to see my parents and was happy as could be that they were there.


THE BIKE: Now, the course was described as a rolling course and, for Florida, it is. I guess there are parts of the state that are flat, flat, flat - but this was not one of them. We went through Ocklawaha (a town) and then out onto the country roads. I was looking forward to the fact that it was one giant loop (no double-backing), but then I was unprepared as far as what to expect later in the ride. One of the first things I noticed was that it was windy! And I was ok with that, thinking I would get a tailwind on the way back (never happened). I don't really like time goals on the bike, so I had set my goal as to maintain 85 rpms in as hard of a gear as I could. I guess it worked, because I cut some time off the bike.

THE RUN: I got off the bike and was on the run. Unfortunately, as soon as I started my legs hurt. I mean they HURT. Now, I have done a lot of running on sore, tired, aching legs, but none on legs that were just screaming at me from step 1. Much to my dismay, there was no racing this run. This was "put one foot in front of the other and see how long it takes me to transverse 13.1 miles". The first 3+ miles were on trails and I thought "wonderful!", but it was a sandy trail and was harder than I thought to run on. Coming out of the trails, I saw my parents at an aid station and then knew I was on the road for the rest of the run. My parents lifted my spirits and the road lifted my legs.

Drinking on the run. It was HOT!!!

As I made my way, mile after mile, it was simply a countdown to the end. Mile 8.5 was the turnaround and I was happy for it. I do like out and back courses, as you know what to expect on your way back. This being a rolling course with a downhill at the end, I was just looking forward to the downhill. And, before I knew it, I was at the end!!!

So, there you have it. My race in a nutshell. And how did I do? Well, turns out I meet both my mental and time goals, so that made me happy.
In addition, I was proud of my performance while also tabulating a number of things to work on - which is precisely what a 'training race' is for - so: SUCCESS!

Us, recovering at Gator Joe's, a biker bar on the beach.
Nothing like some yummy seafood after a race to refuel.

On top of that, I  got to spend time with my parents and involve them in my life and my goals. It means the world to me that my parents continually support me in all my endeavors - whatever they are.

More relaxin' with daddio in the pool!

It's TAPER TIME!!!!

I love my taper. Seriously, it is one of my favorite parts of training.

I used to hate it and a lot of athletes do. After training SOOOO much, it can be hard to cut back. You get antsy. Feel like you should be doing something more. I mean, your race is only (insert short time period here) away. I remember for my first marathon I thought: How am I POSSIBLY going to be able to run 26 miles after not running over 20 in  weeks? Believe me, it can be done. It IS done and it is a good way to train.

After dealing with that anxiety over "not training enough during taper", I have come to look at my taper more for the mental side of my training.

1) I get to my taper and I know that I have done everything I can for the race and, at this point, there is nothing more training-wise that I can really do to be prepared. I love this feeling. There is always a point where you have to let go and trust in your training. Some athletes this doesn't happen till race day (if it happens at all). For me, it starts with the taper. The race isn't about what you do the week or two before, it is about ALL the training you have put in. And, in endurance sports, that is weeks and months before your race, not days. By getting to the taper, I have done my job. Now, I need to sit back and see what my training has done for me.

2) Not only does the taper give my body a time to rest, but I am giving my mind a time to wrap itself around what I am about to endure. Whatever distance I am about to race, I need some time to reflect on my goals are and how I am going to achieve them. I know you have heard that saying, "it's 90% mental", or a similar one. And that applies to race day AND before. For me, I need to be prepared mentally with how I plan to carry and take in my nutrition,  as a race plan and race goals in order to really be successful with what the day will bring you. For some reason, I try not to think about this too much, or at least make these decisions, until the taper.

After my workout on Friday, I started my taper. I am only tapering for a little over a week, but it will be a well-rested, well-thought out week. This weekend I race the HITS Ocala half Ironman.
At this time (I haven't thought everything out), I am not entirely sure what my race goals are. I want to do well, but I haven't completely defined what that is to me. I am using this race to see where I am in my Ironman training, so I am excited to see the results - whatever they may be. And, I am excited to see my parents (I'll save that story for another posting).

For now, I am relaxed and resting my body, keeping my legs snappy and preparing the best I can mentally. Physically, I will be pushed on Sunday, and I want to be ready-- IT'S TAPER TIME!!!

A Lucky Seven(teen) Miler

It just struck me the other day that Boston is only a month away. A MONTH AWAY!!!

So, naturally, it is time to step up the mileage for the race. I have been doing a lot of training, but the thing about training for a marathon whilst ALSO training for a triathlon is that you don't put in the mileage on the run that you do when you are JUST training for a marathon. Is it better? Is it worse? I don't really know. I just know it is different and freaks you (a runner) out a bit mentally, but it all seems to be ok in the end, since the endurance from swimming and biking crossover somehow...

Anyways, so I was super-pumped when I found out that the Runnin' of the Green was not on the weekend of the St. Patty's Parade. The first year we were here, Ross and I discovered the race (toted as the country's largest LUCKY 7k) and had a blast.

Us all at our first Runnin' of the Green! Yep, H&L rode along!

 But in the past couple of years, the St. Patty's parade has become an annual event here in the Strand household. It is big, long and fun and my kids would be devastated (read: DEVASTATED) if we were not to go.

The ONE (and only) time of the year the horns come out.

Ok, so the parents have as much fun as the kids!

Conversely, the parade AND the run are just too much action for one Randi in one weekend. Hence, with both events on the same weekend, no Runnin' of the Green for Randi the past two years. But this year, with the two events on separate weekends - I was all in! Of course, I asked my favorite little leprechaun to join me (Jan) and she gladly accepted.

Then, I learned Heather (also training for Boston) was running and we both had to get in a bit of mileage for that day. No problem. Time to do some fun logistics and whoola - we turned our lucky 7k into a lucky 17-miler. Nothing like getting creative to get the miles in.

Sunday morning rolled around and I was up and atom and down to Heather's. My neighbor (Chris) joined us for a few laps around Wash Park - allowing us to get 8.5 miles in. Then, it was back to Heather's for a quick wardrobe change and meeting up with Tim and Candace for a nice, little jaunt (3+ miles) down to the race site.

Pre-race running partners!

 By the time we got down there, I was tired... and thirsty! With no water anywhere, it kind of stunk. Note to self: ALWAYS carry water.

It was there we met up with everyone, plus 4,000+ of our fellow Irishmen.

Jan and her AWESOME toe sock/arm warmers. Genius!

As it was time to line up, I went to go into wave 1, but it was all full. So I stood around and waited for the race to start and just jumped in wherever and that seemed to work out fine. I wasn't shooting for any pr's. According to my watch, I had 12.23 miles in already. I just wanted to finish and see what I could do.

But as the race started, it hurt. Like, ow! Standing around for so long, my legs had really seized up. I now know why you are supposed to warm-up just before entering the corral. Something I will forever take with me. So I just plodded along, running, trying to see what I could do. My feet hurt and I was running as fast as I could, but I could tell the first 12 miles had really taken a toll on me. I raced along and tried not to look at my watch. The race is filled with hills, so it doesn't seem right to watch your pace. And, before I knew it, it was over (thank goodness!).

And then, there was water. Lots of it! And beer (which took FOREVER to get), but well worth the wait. And then there was more post-race fun, including some photo booth, food and bloody marys at a local establishment with everyone. {FAIL on the group picture here, sorry.}

The couple things I will forever take from this race:
- Don't let yourself get too "cold" (ie, not moving) before a race. It really, really hurts to start and get going. Plus, you will be slower.

- HYDRATE! and plan for it. I didn't want to be "the dork with the water belt for a 4-miler", but I wasn't running 4 miles. Lesson learned: plan for myself. Don't think about others.

- What it feels like to race on really, really sore, tired legs. Believe it or not, this is a very, very good experience for endurance athletes and running long before a race is one way to do it.

- Do a proper cool down. As much as you think it may hurt, it actually pales in comparison to how you will feel if you don't do one. 

- A corned beef sandwich can REALLY hit the spot after a run. Who'd of thunk?

- This race is really, REALLY fun and should be shared with friends. I am a lucky girl to have such great ones. Had a blast with everyone pre and post! Bummer: no group shot, but...

...here are a few of my fun mates! Luv ya Ginger and Jan!

One of my favorite pictures

I was cleaning out my office today. I was sure there was a desk under there SOMEWHERE. And, under a bunch of stuff I found it. Along with a ton of other crud, I came across an envelope of pictures. I quickly sorted through them to find this one.

 This was taken on my first (ever) trip to Moab and it is a picture of me with some of my (now) good friends running through what I believe is Hunter Canyon. At the time, we were just mere acquaintances who had shared a car ride and a yearning for a good run. This picture has a lot of what I love about running in it. The beauty, the comradeship and the adventure.

 I guess it is no coincidence that 2+ years later I have only developed a closer bond with some of these runners and we are again embarking on more adventures together.

What's your favorite picture?

Operation Valentine

I have been busy lately. Really busy. And for most people this is followed by a "woe as me statement" and a small pity party. Not here. I have been busy, but with things I LOVE to do. My family, my work (I work for myself and get to be creative, so yes, I do LOVE it), running, biking, etc. So I have been busy, busy, busy but loving it.

Fast forward to yesterday 3 p.m. I say to Ross, "I have to go run an errand before the kids get home." "What errand?", he asks. Not trying to be nosy, just making conversation. Oh no! BUSTED. Yes, today is Valentines Day and I have done nothing (read: NOTHING) for the man. The love of my life. Who gives SO, SO much to me daily. So I confessed. He admitted he hadn't gotten anything "big" for me either (although flowers were waiting for me when I got home n Sunday and who know what today brings). Regardless, I felt like a schmuck and instead of going to the store to get him a Valentine yesterday, I stayed home since the 'surprise' was gone. Now, I HAD thought ahead to at least ask Ross to get things for the boys, which he had, but no Valentine - which to me is what the holiday is about.

So when I said I was busy and loved it, let me explain. I currently get up around 4-5 a.m. just so I can start working and get a good flow going before the day even begins, then I see the kids up and off to school, get some training in, more work, etc. Yes, that is how strange it is. I start my day that early, just so I can get a lot of work in. It is like instead of a 'runner's high' I am getting a 'creative high' with some of the stuff I am doing. Weird, but good, I feel like. (Some of my latest creations here and here - keep in mind I am not a web designer.)

This morning I awoke at 4:45 just juiced to get going on the day. I roll over and Lincoln had left a valentine under my pillow. How sweet! I made my way down here to my computer and thought, "I have no Valentines for the kids or my husband". I sat down at my computer and started working and then forced myself to stop. Am I really TOO BUSY to get Valentines for my loved ones?

Surely, this work needs to get done, but does it need to get done RIGHT NOW? I went to my basement and pulled out some glue, cardstock and old valentines (think circa 1999) and got going.

Here's what I came up with:

(I made one for Ross, too. Not pictured for personal reasons. ;)

As I worked I contemplated my predicament and came to a few conclusions.
(1) I need to prioritize better. 
(2) I need to TAKE TIME TO PRIORITIZE.

I feel like with training, I have a set schedule, so I get things done. But with life, there is no set schedule, so if I don't plan it into my life, sadly, it does not get done. Ross often jokes that we live and die by our planner... and he is right. I have no "set" schedule that says "you must make Valentines for your kids", "You must plan extra special things to do with them on the weekends", "you must blog (because that keeps you balanced)", etc. So, I need to apply those to myself.

Return of the multi-weekly planner

The best part is that it has space for all the aspects, so not one gets forgotten.

And that's the conclusion I came to this morning. 

Yes, I am busy, but at what cost am I busy? And is what I am busy with affecting the other aspects of my life? Just like with training, the time it demands can sometimes put other things (like family time) in jeopardy. Over the years I have come to balance that, so I need to be just as conscience of that as I do with my work. 

How about you? How do you keep your life balanced and sane? Please let me know, since obviously, I am struggling with it.

Chocolate RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What do you do when someone asks you if you want to run for Chocolate? RUN!!!!!

A couple months ago, I was planning a trip to see a dear friend from high school -- Allece. Here we are with Lisa, getting ready to go to a Halloween dance party.

That's Allece in the middle.

And that's her at the dance. Rock on!

 She's a crazy girl that I love and I hasn't seen her in 4 years, so I was planning a trip down to see her and we decided to plan it around something that our husbands wouldn't do with us... so we would do it together.So that's when she asked if I would want to run her first 5k with her and my answer was... FO' SHO'. Allece chose the Hot Chocolate 5k. Good choice for a newbie. Highly supported. Good swag. I was all in.

Here's Leena, her daughter, modeling the swag - a running jacket.

 I was happy to arrive in Dallas to hear from Allece how she had started running - something she never thought possible since she had asthma that has acted up ever since I have known her. I was so excited to hear how the running had started and evolved and so, so proud of her. We talked a lot about running and I tried to impart any bits of wisdom that I had, which I am sure at times was too much, but friends put up with each other, right?

Fast forward to the night before the race and one of my "race rules" was to get EVERYTHING ready the night before that you possibly could -- lay your clothes out, pin on your number, put your tag on your shoes, everything and anything you could do the night before...do it! There are enough nerves on race day, you don't want to have to "think" about anything that you don't have to.

Getting ready for race day!

 The morning came and we headed out to the race. Good thing we headed early because the traffice was CRAZY... and I got my first lesson in smart phone gps'ing on side streets -- SUCCESS! (Or at least I will say that, I am not sure Allece has the same interpretation...)

But, we got to the race grounds on time and headed to our corrals.

Yay! Here.

In corral. With the sun coming up.

Allece ready to ROCK this race!

The starting picture. Look how fast she is going!!!!

We started off and got rolling and Allece was doing awesome. The route wasn't too scenic, so about mile 1, I was wondering if she would be annoyed if I took out my camera. Instead of asking, I jud took it out... and here's what I got.

Obviously, we were having fun and in good moods about the whole event.

Mile 2 came with its own challenges. Mainly a hill. But, I was proud of Allece for taking it in stride and actually making up more time on the downhill than she lost on the uphill. Good girl.


We plugged and plugged through the third mile.

Our pace slowed and I could tell we were hurting. About a half mile from the finish, I told her where we were (helped that I had a Garmin) and to think of all the times she had run a half mile and that she could do it now. And she knew she could. So we pushed on to the end.

At this point, we could see the finish and had a short time to finish it in.

End in sight -- look how speedy she is

And we crossed! 35:04. Just what she had been hoping for! It was fun to see and hear he interpretations for the race and what she had thought, liked and found challenging. I was so proud of her for running it. There are many times where we will not push out of our comfort zones to get what we want, but she had done so. Not only had she pushed beyond her emotional comfort zone, but also her medical one. For me, I was so happy to share this experience with her 5k with her. I am a big advocate for making your "first" whatever monumental and I was so happy that I got to be a part of her first 5k.

And what could top off better first experience than the post party... or more important the post party food. And being a chocolate run, well, you can't really go wrong.

What we were about to dip in our yummy, yummy chocolate.

Yum! Fondue platter!

Race - check. Post party - check. Onto recovery and relaxation...

Recovery drink. Fyi, not race associated, but HIGHLY recommend the Palamor in Dallas for their blood mary bar.

In front of art museum.

And what better way to top off a race with my old friend than hanging out at an art museum? Totally un-race related, but in my head it is. Something only Allece may get, but that's ok with me.

If you can't beat it, join it.

It's no secret that Denver has had its share of snow lately. 

That's 18"  in our back deck after the last snowfall.

 And, to be honest, I don't really mind it. It is fun to get snowed in every once in awhile. Considering that we have a sled hill in our back yard, and two ambitious, little men to entertain, we tend to make the days quite fun around here playing outside, skiing and sledding in our backyard, building igloos, drinking hot chocolate and chilling with books and board games when we are all tuckered out. Not to mention, when it is all over, we head to the mountains and take advantage of the snow that way, too.

That's us exploring the Mary Jane side of WP.
I give them till the end of this season till they totally
out ski Ross and I.

The fun never ends in the snow...

BUT today, today I had a busy day planned. I had a lot of goals to meet (in part to make up for the snow day and ski days we just took), BUT I figured out how to play "catch up" and meet all of those goals by following a certain schedule I put forth for myself. Even with the 1" of snow possibly predicted, I was all good. I had a plan. I was actually really proud of myself that I was going to achieve everything I wanted to and I was going to make it all happen.

Until I woke up and saw this...
 

See that my backyard bike path?

Yea, I don't either.

I got to my computer and got an email from my coach pertaining to a ride later that week (since the roads wouldn't be cleared) and he stated how "sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate with us". Yes. This would be one of those days. I think that what got me the most is that I had planned for what the weather peeps had said and was still SOL.

So what's a girl to do?

Most of you would say "hop on the treadmill". Not just because it's the obvious, indoor alternative to running, but also because I am known to be a little obsessed with the treadmill (running through the winters in Green Bay will do that to you. That is, if you aren't Alicia or Brad or Jim or some of the other crazy GB peeps).

But running on the treadmill wouldn't fit in with what I was planning for the day. If I did that, I would have to either give up (a) time with my kids before school or (b) a Crossfit workout... and I wasn't prepared to give up either.


I reassessed my plan. I had originally wanted to run bike paths to Crossfit - I could make it the perfect 7 mile route, allowing me to leave when the kids got on the bus AND give me a good 3-mile stretch in the middle of the run to hit my tempo goals for the workout. Now, I thought about how I could safely and effectively get to the gym, considering the weather and traffic, and came up with another route that would be mostly on sidewalks and side streets that would have been cleared from the last storm (or so I thought) and only fresh with a little new snow where my yak traks would come in handy (I have learned that yak trax are effective, but only in some terrain).

Off I went...

Running through my neighborhood, still a little unsure of things.

Once I got settled in, it was really fun. Mad props to the neighboring HOA who continually clears their sidewalks. Not so much props to mine... But, I ran and ran. It was slow, but fun. Frustrating not to be hitting the paces I normally hit, but I also thought about how I was creating power in my legs by working so hard tromping through the snow, instead of speed.(Yea, Crossfit was going to be fun after this.) I got to the point where I was supposed to start running "fast" and realized that running "fast" in the snow (and at this point uphill) was another definition of "fast". I let go of my expectations and just focused on enjoying the workout.

This... this was nice (and short-lived).

 Then there were parts that were totally uncleared. There were parts where I had to run on the street for a little bit. And there were parts where I was totally entrenched in the snow. But I looked at it as all a part of the adventure.

Cool down and last stretch. Fun stuff.

 I got to the gym was tired and ready to recover... before working out again. I was really proud of myself for not letting me let the snow get me down. I know plenty of others who roll with the punches much better than I and today was one more step towards being like them.

To me, training this year is more about making it part of my lifestyle and not giving up the other things in my life - family, friends, work - that I truly enjoy as well. I want to participate in triathlon, not let it overtake my life. And today, getting out there and running in the snow was the perfect (read: only)  way to do it.