What to do post Ironman

What do you do after you spend 6 months preparing for the biggest race you've ever done?  After the race you surely come down from a high.    With that said, I think there's more than one answer.  Rest, fun, think about your next race, and catch up on the neglect to your friends, family and house.  The rest part was somewhat enjoyable.  I rested for a couple days and then on day 4 I was out on the fat tire bike with Todd and the dogs.  After my bike crash at the beginning of training in the summer I didn't ride my mountain bike at all to avoid the jarring to my shoulder.  I so missed it!  Glad to be back out there.  I must say I have been fighting the urge to swim and run.  Why?  I don't really know why.  I think because I told myself I was just not going to swim or run during the winter.  I must say I do feel a calling when I pass by the pool.  Maybe I'll jump in one day soon.  I may go for a run tomorrow as it's warmed up enough to melt all the snow we had and ruin the skiing I had planned for this week.  Hoping things cool down enough to get us back to a normal Alaskan winter. 

Out enjoying a fat bike ride on a really cold day.  Temps hovering around Zero!  Burr

Ranger rockin his new coat on the ATV.  He loves riding it.

This off season I'm going to focus on getting leaner and getting my strength back.  I have been in the gym lifting almost every day and I have really been enjoying it.  I forgot how much I enjoy lifting.  I'm not a gym talker though.  I like to put my hat on, put my headphones in and get my workout on.  Sometimes I don't even look at people.  So if I see you in the gym and I don't tell you hi I'm not ignoring you, I just haven't noticed you.  I will tell you hello, but don't expect to stand around and chat for too long...just sayin'. 

Another though is to work on cycling.  As much as I thought I was so done with sitting on the bike trainer.  It's like I've been having withdrawals of that too.  Weird huh?  Definitely feels weird to me.  But I think I may use a cycling book I have to work on my bike power.  I feel like I've lost power over the years.  I definitely have the endurance now after sitting in the saddle so long.  Time for a new challenge. 

I think the biggest thing I'm looking forward to is working with my new trainer and nutrition coach!  Her name is Tiffany and she's a bad ass!  She recently won her category at a national bodybuilding championship.  I used to be so much better at all this stuff, but now I feel that when I think about nutrition I just go blank.  It will be nice to have professional guidance in this area.  I know it's what I need.  Congrats Tiff I know Dave is proud of you and your Alaska family are super stoked for you!!!

My new coach!  She rocks...I know I'm going to love/hate her :)

Well, it's Thanksgiving day and I feel like I got a lot done.  We finished painting the big room downstairs and we also changed out all of the receptacles and switches.  It's nice to have them all matching and fresh paint on the walls.  It looks like a whole new room that I actually want to spend time in.  Since it's warm and slushy which equals major muddy dogs we chose to stay home and do some work here.  It was nice to get some things organized into piles of donate, garbage and keep.  I love getting rid of things that I don't need, use or better yet that someone else can get some use out of. 

New paint.  So glad the tacky bright yellow is gone.  I actually want to hang out here now.  Time to decorate and fix things up

That's it for random thoughts on a nice Thanksgiving Day.  Happy Thanksgiving!

My view from the gym.  I can lift here all day. 

Austin 70.3 Ironman Recap

Me and My sister Amy at 5am keeping warm before the swim start

This by far was my biggest athletic undertaking.  It's the longest I've trained and prepared for one particular event.  I think that made my finish incredibly satisfying.  For the most part I truly enjoyed all the training I did.  Of course there were days where I didn't feel like doing certain things or anything at all, but for the most part it was quite enjoyable. There were some days where I didn't feel good and I took off of training completely.  I think that makes a difference in your mental state.  You have to be comfortable with your training plan and know when to say when.  My husband told me to rest on a few occasions.  He said no miles are better than junk miles that may make you sick or sicker for longer. He was right!  With is triathlon resume who can doubt him.

My awesome hubby packing my bike.  He's the best!  He lugged it, packed and unpacked and repacked it again!

Race day it was up at 4am.  I can honestly say I don't miss this early morning stuff.  At least here in Alaska most of the races start at 9 or 10 am.  You never sleep super great the night before a race so I was up at 330 or so.  I got up and made my breakfast, drank my tea and we were out the door.  I had dropped off my run bag and bike the day before so it was nice to have one less thing to worry about.  I got to T1 and checked my bike and went back out to hang with Todd and Amy.  It was a little chilly for just wearing a tri suit so I put on my wetsuit 1/2 way and that was perfect.  Had a jacket and hat already.  Was so great to have family there to be able to hand them my stuff as I was going off to start. 

Me and My friend Christine getting ready to race

The swim was not the easiest, but I didn't think it was that bad.  It was windy and choppy and they actually reversed the course to help with the wind.  There were about 100 people pulled from the water.  My swim time was on par with what I thought it would be so I was really happy with it.  The swim used to be my most feared thing and now it's just not that bad.  Even in suboptimal conditions.  I felt calm and cool the entire time even though I woke up with a cough in the morning and I seemed to cough a good bit out there. 

swim area

folks getting ready to start

And we're off

The bike was enjoyable although my neck was hurting a bit toward the end.  I just adjusted my position a bit and kept going.  I knew it would be over soon enough.  I know a lot of folks were complaining that the bike was so hilly, but I'm used to riding in Alaska and to me it was a dream route!  The road conditions were not the best, but I thought the race organizer did a good job of marking potholes, etc.  Those areas that were particularly bad had a person standing there warning you of the dangerous area.  I was quite pleased.  I was honestly done with the bike around 2 hours in.  Only had to ride another 1.5 hours.  Once I got off the bike though it all went away.  Time to run!

Coming into the finishers chute. 

The run course wasn't bad either.  Of course I would have loved a completely flat out and back course, but it is what it is!  This is the only thing I was slightly disappointed with.  I thought I could complete the 13.1 in about 2:15, but it ended up taking more like 2:45 or so.  I'm not too upset though.  I had no idea what to expect and my original goal was just to finish and I did that.  I was a little more pooped on the run than I expected.  On my last of the 3 loop course a girl asked me if she could run with me.  I said sure.  I'm glad I could help distract her from her pain.  She just chatted away and was really nice.  I wasn't too chatty, but was glad to listen to her. 

Finish Line!

Seeing Todd, Amy and Janet as I came around toward the finish line was the best.  I just kept thinking "I did it".  I was all smiles and ready to be done moving.  After 7.5 hours of continuous movement I was just a little tired!  After I crossed the finish line I got a really big hug from Todd which was the best!  To know he was proud of me means a lot.  I know he was proud I finished, but I know he would have been proud of me regardless.  That means everything. 

I must say I was disappointed with the post race food.  There was some not so warm spaghetti and bags of chips torn open.  I thought I'd be starving, but I could only eat a little bit.  So I forced a little down and I was very ready to go.  I just wanted to be shown the way to the couch.  We got back to carol's place and I went straight to the shower.  That shower felt as good as any shower I've ever had.  It was like the been at the cabin for a week with no shower good!  After that I hit the couch.  I have never been so exhausted before.  I was able to only eat a little bit about every hour.  I slept really well till 3am then I was up!  I was STARVING!  So then the eating began. My sister was up at 5 so we just watched TV and hung out.  It was nice to get to spend some time chatting.  For the next 3 days I think I ate everything in sight. 

I must say I wasn't as sore as I thought I'd be.  My knees and ankles hurt the first day a bunch.  I think it's because there was so much running on pavement.  I'm used to running on trails.  It's definitely a lot softer.  My muscles were just fatigued more than anything.  We were able to hang out on Monday, go to a movie and just hang out!  It was nice and relaxing.  I felt so good!  On Tuesday Todd's buddy Steve was in San Antonio so we took a drive over to have lunch and hang out for a bit.  It's always nice to see Steve.  He's quite an accomplished athlete and someone to look up to in that aspect.  I hope to have a long career like he has!

My friend Kim watching my pups had them send a message. 

Overall this was a great first 70.3 and a great trip.  I got to have my husband with me for the trip.  He was so great and put up with me and my friend watching scary shows and stuff.  I got to see my friends and have my sister in town and all of them hung out all day while I did the race.  I mean it's not the most spectator exciting thing to watch folks swim, bike and run.  I am truly appreciative of all the support and love I felt!  I'm looking forward to getting back in the gym now and working on strength.  I can't wait to get out and do some skiing and fat tire biking this winter.  It will be a nice change of pace.  Will I do another 70.3?  I think so.  I enjoyed the distance and the training.  It's nice to have the support at home to put in the training time too.  Not all spouses are so understanding, but Todd having done so many races understands.  I'm so grateful for him! 

San Antonio riverwalk tex mex and drinks after the race with Steve and Todd

Well, that's it for the race recap.  Off to planning and training for the next challenge!

Carol and Amy.  Best race supporters ever!

Sickness and Healing

It's been somewhat a tough training week.  Came back from Salt Lake, felt great for a few days then not so much.  I've felt much worse before, but I've just been a little fatigued.  Coach Todd says rest and recovery is better than putting in "Junk" miles.  I'm sure he's right about that.  Today I was in the pool and cut my workout short because I was just so tired and not swimming very well at all.  Tomorrow I've got a 3 hour bike ride, most likely on the trainer.  Mental toughness to get through that is all I can say.  I'm going to do it though.  It's been nasty and raining outside for a while now and I'll gut it out.  I'm going to have a good breakfast and fuel myself and get it done. 

Last night I was looking at some of my old race results.  I was averaging 19mph on the bike in the past.  I've gotta up my game.  Now is not the time to work on strength in my training plan, but I think I've got my goal for next year.  Going to do a few races for fun with a focus.  Look at me already planning next year and this year isn't done yet.  Gotta live in the present, but prep for the future I guess. 

Training volume increases quite a bit this week and next.  I am enjoying this training and hoping I come out strong tomorrow for my ride.  I'm going to wear my race gear so it's simulation of race day.  Continuing on with nutrition practices as well.  Just like life and training you have set backs, just gotta keep going.  Overall I'm doing really well.  Ok time for a good nights sleep.  It's about time!  Been having a bit of trouble with that.  Somehow wish I could make this more interesting, however it's life...and life isn't always interesting.

Proven Assumptions

So this is just a quick opinion on a previous assumption that I made years ago that proved to be true to me this week.  Had a great day the other day.  Sold our old phones and got some cash for them.  It wasn't much, but it is better than letting them sit around the house.  That was the good part.  The interesting part is we ended up at Gamestop to do this selling.  So probably spent an hour in there waiting, etc.  So here comes my generalization.   Adult men who play video games are losers!  I very rarely have seen a very responsible, driven, successful ADULT man who plays video games.  I'm not saying there can't be a possibility of one, but I'd say it's a very slim percentage of these gamers.  I mean talk about the weirdos I saw in this place.  First of all, they were all overweight.  Can you say no social skills??  I wish I could describe the social interactions I witnessed.  This one guy wanted to buy this game.  You could have sworn it was going to explode in his hand.  I actually interrupted my transaction to let this guy go because I thought he was going to go postal if he didn't get his game right then.  When I did this do you think he said thank you?  Nope, not even a response really, just "I must check out, I must checkout".  After he was gone it was a little comical.  Until then I was a little uncomfortable and hoping he wasn't armed.  As for the other people in there....a few kids of course and all the other adult men in there were for the most part short, out of shape and sloppy looking.  The whole time I was there I never saw a decent looking, well dressed man....oh wait those guys were probably at work.

So why did I pick this today?  I have experience with an adult gamer in my past and I thought it was just my experience.  You know how it goes...you come home from working hard all day and there is nothing done at your house, but there has been time to play hours and hours of video games??? What I realized by this is that many more people are living with overgrown children who waste hours of what could be quality family time, work time, even relaxing time playing expensive games which burn no more calories than sitting on the couch watching TV and probably kills more brain cells than we can count. 

Games are for kids!  I think kids can learn and develop parts of their little brains playing games occasionally.  I stress occasionally!!!  After the college years you should hang up the game controller.  I think it's a super turn off too.  I mean who wants to go out on a date with a guy and you talk about what you do in your spare time and he says "I play video games".  I don't think I could hide the disappointment in my face if I heard that.  Do any other ladies find this a big TURN OFF?  Just a bit of advice to those guys.  If you want to ever get a date or have a long term relationship with an intelligent woman you may wanna donate those games to some kid who won't look like an asshat playing them. 

Ok I just couldn't help do this little rant.  Definitely not my normal, but I just had to share this experience.  This video pretty much sums up the cast of characters that were in the store.  Enjoy

Summer Trippin

Summer Trippin

This has been a pretty amazing summer.  After the last couple years of work, work, work, it's been nice to be able to spend so much time together doing all the things we love.  Normally we don't leave Alaska during the summer because really??? Where would we go!  Alaska is the place to be during the summer months.  Plus the airport is so much more crowded with all the tourists going in and out.  However at the end of this summer we decided to take a trip.  For several years I went to the AANA (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists) annual meetings.  The meetings are not only good for continuing education, but for networking, bonding with other CRNA's throughout the country, supporting our profession, finding out issues that are being dealt with throughout the states.  CRNA's are a fun bunch who know how to have a good time.  This years meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah was definitely an example of that.  The meeting was so well done!  This was my first year attending the banquet and it didn't disappoint either.  Surely a good time! 

CRNA's and future CRNA's leading the way for anesthesia care in the USA

It was so good to reunite with these great CRNA's from Texas

Again, good to see my coworker from Texas.  Awesome people!

AANA wellness run.  So much fun to do with friends

Utah State capitol early morning after our run

We Alaskans don't clean up too bad

The Alaska gang at the annual banquet

Park City, UT

Prior to the meeting Todd and I spent a few days checking out Park City.  Super cool little town!  It was definitely our kind of place.  I'd love to go back in the winter to ski.  Todd said the snow there is amazing.  We did so much there.  One day I ran around town, we rented road bikes and did a 3 hour ride, went to the olympic park where the 2002 winter Olympics were held. So much to do and see there.  The highlights were watching the ski jumpers practice, sliding down the ski jump hill on an tube and going down the bobsled course on wheels.  Until the last olympics in Canada that bobsled track was the fastest in the world.  It was 1 minute of pure adrenaline!  You could feel the forces bearing down on you.  So crazy and super fast. 

All of the food there was good. Thank God for YELP which I've been using a whole bunch to find places to eat, drink and have fun.  The reviews of others are so helpful.  We have decided that traveling right when school goes back in is the best.  Things are so much less crowded and enjoyable.  We stayed at the silver king in park city and we were alone to enjoy the hot tub and indoor/outdoor pool every night.  So damn relaxing and enjoyable!

Trail running in the Park City area.  Elevation effects are real folks.  I was out of breath all the time.

Ate breakfast and dinner here one day.  Good food, good service.  Utah liquor laws are so strange.

On our road ride.  Again elevation effects.  It was so nice to ride in such wide open spaces.  I'd love to visit this town again.

Todd Riding Utah!  Beautiful scenery

Really liked this place.  The No Name Saloon.  Great rooftop patio.  This is a shot of Park City Main street.  We had some really great weather for the most part. 

Almost to lake blanche.  This was a great hike for sure. 

Todd and I at Lake Blanche.  All up hill hike to the lake worth it for the beauty.  Pictures just don't do it justice.  We were pooped after this 8 mile round trip hike.  Totally worth it!

Me and my bud back in the anchorage airport.  We look pretty good after a week of being busy and flying all day!

Well, there you have it.  The latest update.  Now we are back and the leaves are changing.  Soon the snow will be flying.  It's back to hard core training for Longhorn Ironman and back to work.   This trip for the AANA meeting was perhaps the best I've had.  I really enjoyed seeing all the people I used to work with in Texas and it was great having my Alaska folks along.  The people made the trip. 

CRNA's are the future of America's anesthesia!  It's an honor to be among this amazingly talented group of folks.  Remember when you're having surgery, getting an epidural make sure you ask for a CRNA!  They will take amazing care of you with that nursing touch behind the awesome skill! 

Alaskan Summer Wonders 2015

There are so many wonders of the alaskan summer.  This summer is particular has been completely amazing.  Thanks to Todd, we've had so much time to play, family visitors, plenty of flying and of course triathlon training.  It has also helped that the weather has been completely amazing.  I'll hit a little recap of them all.

Training
Training is coming along well.  I am officially discharged from PT for my shoulder.  It's still bothersome, but now it's progress is up to me.  In fact today we rode for a couple hours in absolutely beautiful weather.  It's nice to ride in a place where you can see mountains, glaciers and just the best scenery you can imagine.  Thanks to Todd for riding with me.  It was actually our first time road biking together and was fun.  Could not have asked for better weather.  Rode the same place I crashed...felt good to make it back to the parking lot safely!  Overall training is going well.  I've learned that you have to adjust things sometimes.  Just like anything you can't blindly follow the menu (training schedule) or you'll fail mentally trying to get it all done.  I'm not saying I didn't get the workouts in, but maybe not on the day I was supposed to.  Sometimes I had to adjust things for injury, sometimes for family visiting, either way I just didn't stress.  I woke up a little earlier, stayed home when everyone else went on a little trip or did 2 workouts in a day if I needed the next day free.  It can be done.  At first I was nervous about changing things up, but life happens and you sometimes have to roll with it. 

IT's always nice to stop for a breather and get a puppy photo op

This is a special picture...This man sat on this couch and hung out with me for an hour and and 1/2, yes 1.5 hours while I rode the bike trainer.  He's the best and I am a lucky woman for sure.

Bike ride selfie

you never know what you find on the trails

Not only did he ride with me for 2 hours he cooked for us when we got home!  Awesome coach and husband.  Again, I'm lucky.

Visitors
Our first visitors were Todd's parents.  We did some cool stuff.  Of course they got to go to the cabin while I worked, we took a train trip and just enjoyed the fine weather we have been having.  It was nice to have them up as the yard got weeded.  Don't worry, we won't weed again until they visit next.  A nice relaxing time!

Once again nice weather

a little hike

Whittier, AK

Our next visitors were my sister and her hubby.  They got to take their first trip to the cabin which I think they actually enjoyed a little bit.  Don't get me wrong, maybe not enough to stay a 2nd night in the wilderness without creature comforts, but I think they enjoyed it for what it was and see what we appreciate about it.  They got to go on a jet boat ride in Talkeetna and see that cute little town for the first time.  It's a good day trip.  They were also lucky with weather.  Only one day of rain for them I think.  Maybe the biggest thing is that we went shopping, or I should say I went shopping for clothes.  It's probably been several years since I've actually bought new clothes.  I mean don't get me wrong, I've here and there bought a shirt, shorts, and let's face it mostly workout clothes.  I finally broke down and bought a few cute things.  I think everyone was surprised.  Let's just say I was ready!!!  I should be set for the next several years. 

Amy getting to know a seal at the sea life center in Seward

Amy's first flight lesson

Amy ready to go

What the city folk do at the cabin...should have told them phones didn't work.

The girls after shopping

yes, the shopping receipt

If the fireweed is right, the summer is nearly over.  If you haven't gotten out and enjoyed how awesome this summer has been it's not too late.  Seize the day! 

Hammerman & Inspiration

Inspiration can come from many places.  Some get it from professional athletes, things on TV.  I'm lucky to be able to get my inspiration from the awesome people I am surrounded by.  I guess I'll recap the Xterra Hammerman race first.  Since my shoulder injury I went from a solo triathlete to a team.  Todd was our swimmer, a friend from work Nate Eastman was our biker and I did the run portion.  We did awesome.  Todd swam well, Nate knocked the bike out and I ran just ok.  We ended up 3rd in our division.  My highest finish ever.  Kikkan Randall ( yes the olympic skier) was on the first place team, The bikers from the Trek store were on the second place team.  So with those teams finishing in front of us I'm considering it a victory!

Team Nateapodd!  3rd place coed team Hammerman 2015

My good friend and coworker Sarah Moore won our age group!  I say our because it's the age group I would have been in had I raced as a single.  I'm coming for you next year Sarah!  I'm so proud of her I know how hard she's been training.  Our other friends did great also.   It was so nice to have such a great turnout of folks from our team.

The ANMC Crew

Another great happening is my friend Sara Sayre ran the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 miler.  This is a 100 mile trail race.  What an accomplishment.  It's truly an achievement as not too many folks attempt this much less finish it!  She'll now be sporting a new belt buckle that not many other people in the world have.  Great Job Sara!  This young chick has quite an athletic resume and is a great example to young runners everywhere.  Oh and she's a pretty good little nurse too!

Sara Rockin 100 miles!

This was a great weekend.  It is the first weekend I have not worked in a long time.  Racing with my husband on a weekend I'm off is such a bonus.  He's such an awesome husband, racer, coach, and my biggest inspiration and supporter.  I can't say enough how great it is to have someone who truly believes in you.

Post Race hugs

Well, there ya have it.  A recap of a lone weekend off! Quite eventful.  It's back to the work grind next weekend. 

70.3 Training and Fishing Fun

Sometimes it's hard to balance life when you have a big race in mind.  I feel this even more than normal this go around because it's a bigger race than I've ever done and I'm starting off with an injury.  I think it's important to remain positive about the situation and continue to move forward with what you CAN do.  What you can't do, you'll eventually be able to. It's all about having fun, pushing yourself and learning on the journey!


FISHING KENAI

Days off from training are important mentally and physically!  After all, I do live in Alaska and there's a lot of fun to be had.  This week was week 4 of my training plan which is a recovery week.  So I had a little bit of reduced workouts and a couple days off completely.  As an Alaska resident I am able to dip net for salmon on the Kenai river.  I had never taken advantage of this Alaskan privilege and  since I had a day off and a couple great friends who asked us to go fishing it was time.  It was a little rainy (ok a lot rainy) at first, but it ended up being a great day.  Not too much sun, not too much rain.  Warm enough and super fun.  Fishing was a little slow, but we still got a few fish to put in the freezer.  Not only was it good to get fish to eat all winter, it was a great experience.  As I was sitting on the boat waiting for the next fish to come aboard I was looking out at the beautiful scenery and thinking to myself that I'm so lucky to live here and be able to have these kinds of experiences.  Some people wait their whole lives for a trip to Alaska and I get to wake up to her beauty and experiences every day.  It was a long day on the river, but such an awesome day.  Thanks so much to our friends Brad and Mary who asked us to go along.  Here are pics from the day on the river!

Me fishing standing in the Kenai River

Captain Brad

Mary and Todd working hard

Look at that beautiful meat.  Thank you mother nature for what you provide

The boys working hard at cleaning fish

Todd Being Todd

Last catch of the day.  Mary's Baby Flounder...who was returned to the river to grow!

TRAINING NOTES

On a positive training note for the week today I tried swimming for the first time since my injury.  It went very well.  I wouldn't say I'm able to fully extend and really pull a lot of water, but going through the motions isn't painful so I'm going to call it a success!  Thanks to my friend DeAnn for asking Todd and I to go out there with her.  Who knew it would be such a positive for all of us.  Tomorrow will be DeAnn's first open water swim race.  She's going to do great.  A natural swimmer!  Here are a few pics of us from the day.  Fun times.

Todd, Myself and DeAnn Entering the water

Me and DeAnn Post Swim trial