It was time for a break...

Just a quick post here.
Yes, its been a while but there have been many wonderful things going on. Give me a little bit longer and I'll be back!

Sign Stephs Petition to Be Strong

Just a Quickie. Please stop over at Tri to Be Strong and read Steph's post. I can't say enough on how strong and inspiring she is. I remember when I went out for a long run and Steph was running the Komen 10k. I ran the course backwards to find her and finish the last few miles with her. Thats the longest she had ever ran and she did the whole thing with a big-ass smile on her face! I just ask that you read her post and sign!! Thanks So Much!!

Friday Treat: Protein Bar

This are looking up! I'm officially signed up for the Huff 50k - Team IE Blondies relay! I've made some serious progress this week as I attempt to get back in good form. I'm now fully signed up for master's swimming. Since its already halfway through the session I choose to only get the 4-punch card. I swam for the first time since IM yesterday - 1200m and I thought I was going to drown!!! SO I know I won't be able to go to the 90min Distance swim practice but for the next few weeks I'll be trying out the 1 hr mid-distance practice, I'll let you know how it goes on Friday.

Friday Treat
I used to always have Fridays as my off/rest days, it was my little treat. Well while training for IM Friday's no longer became my rest days - those were switched to Monday. Truly it was a blessing because Mondays are the hardest days to wake-up early (next to Friday), I was able to get all my Wifey chores done for the week (grocery, dry cleaning, some big meal that resulted in leftovers), and it allowed me to recover from the weekend's workouts. Still though, I miss my Friday treat, and so as a compromise and end of work week reward I stop and purchase breakfast. Last week I went to Protein Bar in the SW corner of the loop. Not only is it convenient to get to from train to work but its the healthiest bfast option (bye-bye egg mcmuffin)!! I got a make-your-own oatmeal bowl - steal cut oats, Almond Milk, Sliced Almonds, Aguave, Strawberry protein powder, and Sliced Strawberries. They also carry Kombucha drinks and Chobani - you know, just in case you need a fix! Hubby even ventures from his opposite end Loop location - although he refers to it as the place I go to get jacked-up...... too much coffee there Hubs!

MMMmmmmmm Oaties!!!!

Meet my new love - Oat Bran. I recently attempted a recipe that included oat bran. Nonetheless the recipe (coconut & oat bran talapia) was Not a hit. But a few other food bloggies have been making morning oat bran and since the bag was just hanging out in my pantry I thought I should try. I have now entered Oat Bran Bliss.

1 c. Water
1 c. Vanilla Almond Milk
2/3 c. Bob Mills Oat Bran
1 T light brown sugar
1 t Trader Joe's Agave
dash of cinnamon
Toppings
Pumpkin Butter
Vanilla Almond Butter
More Brown Sugar (i was on a sugar kick, I could have done w/o the T in the mixer)

I do not believe I have ever eaten oat bran before. It is very much like cream of wheat which is the best way to describe the texture of the oaties.


Sunday, Hubs and I went to Orange on Roscoe, the place for brunch. I got pan seared steel cut oatmeal. Very Delish!
There are numerous Orange restaurants in the Chicago area. We decided on the one in Roscoe village thinking it would be less busy. We were seated right away but out server didn't arrive for 15 minutes. Also we were sat near a speaker that blared what I can only describe as Dolly Parton music.





Here is this mornings Yummies!
Pineapple Chobani
1 Kiwi
1/2 Banana
1 c. Natures Path cereal










Last Week's Workout Progress
*I didn't swim
*I didn't try the class at the gym, no yoga either
*Sacked the QB!
*Ran 3 times but didn't get in the long run

Workout Goals this Week
*Win the last game of the Football season
*Swim, Swim, Swim - and sign back up for Masters
*Get up and bike with AK on Thursday
*Run 7 miles

Two More Races added for 2009

Today I signed up for the Buffalo, NY YMCA Turkey Trot. And to be honest, I would drag myself across the line just so I can wear the T-shirt. Turkey Trots have been the rock to my late fall training session. I've ran one about every year since I was 9. I've won overall titles and giant turkeys but really is just a great day to go out and run! This year I am following my husband to visit his mother's family in Buffalo and boy was I excited to hear about this race!!
Established in 1896, this race will mark its 114th start on Thanksgiving morning, making it the oldest continually running footrace in North America (even older than the Boston Marathon)!
I've even convinced some other family members to register - and most of them didn't even know this race existed.

Second I've been apart of a two-day email thread that started with one team of three to four teams!! I'll be running the Huff 50k Trail Race as part of a women relay team. We're starting to think that the number for women's relay teams is going to beat out the number of men's teams - Go Team IE!

The Weekend Warrior

Hubby and I have been some serious Weekend Warriors for the past two weeks going to 3 football games in 3 different states. First was homecoming weekend at IU. My baby sis is a freshman and hubby's fraternity was having a together so there was plenty of grilled food, snacks with dip, and cheap beer to go around. Then this past weekend we drove over 800 miles to go Hubby's high school homecoming for an awesome MJ Thriller themed halftime show (choreographed by his sis) in Michigan then head down to Cincy for the Bears and Bengals game. Yes it was a looonnnnggggg weekend.

When being a Weekend Warrior anything goes - food wise. And after this weekend I am in dire need of a detox! I tried to be good and pack a cooler of deli meat, cheese, whole grain bread, apples, pears, and TLC crackers. This all lasted for one meal. My go to road trip foods are McDonanld's crispy chicken snack wraps (no sauce), bottled green tea, and original chex mix but hubby and I crossed the line and got Bear Claws and Twinkies (man i love those!). I really need to stay in the car when we stop for gas - I'm a sucker for convenience marts!

Workout Goals this Week
*Swim at least once
*Try out the Barre bootcamp at the gym (supposed to be like a ballet boot camp, I'm hoping it does ballet exercises that open the hips)
*Don't fall as much and try to catch the ball at least one time in football
*Run 4 times this week
*Get in a long run over 7 miles

I'm Back - Chicago Marathon Race Review

I'M BACK .....WHOOO HOOOO - START THE PARADE. I'm am coming back to my blog.

Two weeks ago I completed my second marathon in 6 weeks. Luckily I had miss LB to pull me along. I was extremely skeptical before the marathon, was I really ready, had I recovered enough since the Ironman to run another marathon and not further harm myself?? After a two week training hiatus/IM recovery I did very minimal training. I slowly ramped it up to a 16 mile run then spent two weeks tapering back down - was this even possible?? The week prior I felt winded running 4 miles and as much as I told myself 'take it easy at the start and you can do this' I had serious doubts. Still LB was there telling me I can do this. Is it bad before a race to plan a bail out point? I checked the race map, compared it with the CTA map, and decided that between miles 16 and 18 I can take the red or blue line to the finish line. So Yes, I ran with my CTA card just setting myself up to DNF.

Well just so you know I did not DNF. I finished the Chicago marathon in 4:07:00. This was the first time I actually RAN a marathon. My last two attempts (2004 Chicago) and (2009 IM Louisville) there was a TON of walking involved. LB was not allowing much walking, maybe a little here and there to get through the aid stations but besides that tiny bit of rest it was run, run, run.

I ran on behalf of Girls on the Run, Chicago chapter raising almost $600.


Now that it is officially my off-season (BTW there is no off season in running) I'm going to change the focus on my blog. I did an Ironman, I ran a marathon, and while training for those events I've gone through a number of changes and have created a list of things I want to focus on. These include to continue with my goal of healthy eating, increase my yoga practice, and start weight training (mostly to combat my hamstring/hip issue).

My very fitting horoscope

The time for thinking about exercise and diet is over; now you must put your good intentions to work or you could start to lose momentum. Mercury's direct turn in your 6th House of Self-Improvement is the natural time to step up your workout routine. Don't get discouraged if the first week or so is challenging. Just keep doing the best you can until you are over the hump of your resistance.

I could have used this a few weeks ago. The marathon is only 2 weeks away - so all the stars and moons out there - thanks!

Good Ol' Quote from BK

Mike sent me this today

“Everyone has got the will to win, its only those with the will to prepare that do win”

- Bobby Knight.

Race Blog Added

Ok, I've been pondering this decision for a while but I have decided to create a separate blog to track race week and the actual Ironman. In coordination with my Girls on the Run fund raising event I am also including information about my Ironman journey. This includes a link to the new blog, how to track me during Ironman, and date/time of the fund raising event.

I do not advertise this blog to many friends - there are a select few and hubby, those people are also triathletes who "understand". I know there are a number of friends out there who I would find to be judgmental against the blog, mostly because they just don't get it.

So for the next few weeks please go to IronKelli to follow me through Ironman Louisville.

10 Days til Ironman

In the past month I hammered in the hardest two weeks ever with logging over 22+ hours and over 250 miles of S/B/R each week. Now I'm half way through a 3 week taper with only 10 days to go and I'm at the cusp of FREAKING OUT! I recently re-read a friend's IM race report from last year and this weekend I plan to watch my DVR'd copy of IM Kona for some more motivation. Its not that I'm struggling for motivation its that I just need to focus and get in the right mind set. Pre race I may seem calm on the outside, just roaming around with headphones on but on the inside its a different world. I stay quiet more in fear if I was to express any emotion I may just loose it all.

Ironman taper time is a strange thing. You go through months of living out of laundry baskets of workout clothes then all of a sudden everything is folded in drawers. Two-a-day works out, 4am wake-ups, 3000+ calories per day to one-a-day short bricks, 6am wake-up, smoothies, salads, and lean meats.

Here I am with another off-day catching up on everything else. This weekend I plan to pack and organize all my lists. Since Ironman camp in June I've begun lists split out in to separate categories (bags). There is Weekly Food, Travel, Transition, Hubby's O-Crap, Swim, Bike Transition, Run Transition, Bike Special Needs, and Run Special Needs bags. Believe me when I say all this is necessary, well I hope it is.

The Offical Crazy Countdown Has Begun

I'm just under 6 weeks til Ironman Louisville and I am hitting the hardest of the weeks!! These past two weeks I had a nice taper, the Muncie Enduration Half IM, a recovery week, a sinus infection, and now its time to haul ass. For the week I've ticked off 69 of 241 miles of S/B/R.

Muncie was the craziest weather I have ever raced in. The swim was uneventful except for a crosswind making it difficult to site. During the second half of the bike a storm rolled in bringing downpours so bad I couldn't see more than a few feet in front of me. My legs and back were tight during the bike and made it quite uncomfortable to be in arrow so I rode a ton on my hoods hoping they would loosen up. The rain continued off and on through the run. Not having my legs during the bike was a blessing because I had the best run I've ever had in a half. I've never broken 2 hours and at Muncie I was 1:48 (yippie). The only disappointment (and I sound nuts for saying this) was that I signed up for this race because I've heard it can be a very HOT, grueling day. This was supposed to be building me up for IMLV...so I'm praying this cool summer continues through August otherwise Hot Betty and I will be cooked!

I PR'd with a time of 5:38 where my previous time was 5:52 from Racine. Olympic, Halfs, and soon to be fulls are the only races I keep track of PR's. The distances for Sprint races fluctuate so much its hard to judge. Even though in the longer distance races sometimes one of the disciplines are short (or long) I think the times are all relative.

Next week I hope announce my Chicago Marathon - Girls on the Run fundraising event. I plan to send the email early next week, get a donation link set up on the blog, and a link on facebook.

Some Yummy Stuff
Here's been my staple breakfast for the past couple of weeks:
Chocolate Hemp Milk, Vanilla Almond Milk, 1c Frozen Spinach, 1T Flaxmeal, 1T protien powder, 1 Frozen Banana, 2T Naturally Nutty Peanut Butter, and sipping some Kombucha on the side to keep me healthy

Gimmie Taper

That's right, it's a taper week and boy do I need it. Last week I maxed out...to the max. It was my longest week by far in my IM journey but what made it toughed and pushed my limits was doing it over a holiday weekend. Granted I was in a beautiful location, I take that back, this place is perfection, my family lake house in Northern Michigan IS my numeral uno haven.

Here's a recap of the week. Mon-Thurs was the normal routine totaling out 4500m swimming, 4 hrs bike, and a 10 mile run. Fri-Sun was different once I arrived at the lake. Friday I swam 20min then ran 9 miles. Then on the 4th of July I ditched out on seeing lake buddies the night before and woke-up at sun-up. I drove into town and headed on out on Hot Betty.

My scheduled workout was a 90 mile ride where I planned a 30 mile loop from Boyne City to East Jordan to the Ferry and back to BC - times 3. Fun, Fun! I love my dad, the guy is just getting back into shape and he got up early, dragged out the Lemond, and rode most of the first loop with me!! Awesome job Daddy-O! Loop two was solo. Luckily BC was hosting a 10k in the morning then a parade around 11am, I missed most of the traffic and EJ was a ghost town. Loop three was a turning point for me. It actually started at the end of loop two and I was a 1/2 mile from the car and I ride up behind another cyclist - "hmmmm I thought, they have the same jersey as my dad but the same helmet as mom....MOM?". "Hey hun, I didn't have the right top so I wore your dads. My bike is making noise and can you put air in my tires?" So back at the car I fixed her all up and out we go, loop 3.

We started a little slower than I would have liked but I thought that this is good, I need to ride smart. When we rode into EJ I gave Mom the map and pointed her the shortcut back to BC while I completed the course. In the end I felt GREAT. When I did my first 75 of the season I bonked around 60 miles, my first century I bonked at 85, but back to 90 - no bonk. I think my nutrition plan is working out for me!!

Sunday unfortunately was not a good day for me. I had a character breakdown - crazy was taken over. I didn't know what to think of it, was I just being a wimp and wanting to hang out on the boat for the last few precious hours of my vacation or was I donzo? I had a scheduled 16 mile run which I easily could have done, I know my legs gtg were but my head wasn't. The feeling is like being asleep, the alarm goes off at 5am and you debate about hitting the snooze. But this time I was awake, I had already eaten breakfast, and I was screaming to myself "Kelli just put on your shoes and go!" But I did't go, instead I thought "No just swim, you need to swim, clear your head". I should know after 19 years of running ONLY running will fix the head. But I swam anyway, 30 minutes open water. I felt good, strong, and confident (i even opened my eyes under water). Punishment - I got swimmers itch probably from swimming near the public dock and beach. Thanks!

Warsaw Sprint Triathlon

This past weekend I raced at the Warsaw Sprint Triathlon. Since the race is a sprint distance there was no easy week and is to be considered a tempo brick workout. The race itself is great. If you are ever looking for a fantastic small town sprint distance tri I would definitely recommend this race.

Overall it went well, the swim was warm so wetsuits were not allowed, but it was the usual weedyness. I had a good T1 time and then for the bike I had a planned LT test. I reset my powertap before the race then didn't hit the start button until I got passed the beginning portion of the bike course. It was ON for the next 20 mins. It ended right before the turn around point. I was really happy with my results since I went up 9 watts from my last test. The rest of my ride was in tempo watts zone. Then off on the run I go. Out of T2 there were 4 girls all in my age group heading out together. The first 2 were picked off in the first half mile but I noticed the girl further out stayed within the same distance from me. So I played it smart and slowly caught up to her, the girl with pigtails. Then I just hung behind pigtails and let her pick the pace. I was feeling pretty good and my garmin said we were punching 6:38 pace. Then the worst thing happened, I cramped but it wasn't in my legs and it wasn't in my side. I felt like I got punched in the stomach. This occurred at mile 3 of 3.5, the big hill, and also the same time I saw my Dad who was screaming his heart out at me to keep moving. I've never had a cramp like this before. I used my thumb and tried to rub it out. A few strides out of the hill it started to go away but by now pigtails was long gone around the next turn. I knew I was coming into the end so I increased my pace and focused on the back of the person in front of me. I saw a bunch of guys from the Team a quarter mile to go and they were convinced I could pick off the last guy. Off I went - it's nice to have a little stored speed at the end because I caught the guy right before the finish.

Place 6th female overall. Third in my AG.
Next Race - Muncie Half Ironman July 11th.

A few things on swimming I want to add. These past two weeks I've made it out to the lake front for some OWS! My schedule says 60 mins straight. Which I can do in the pool but open water is a different story. Like I said the other week it was cold and my little fingers just can't hold the heat and stay together. Last week was better, warmer, and little miss Amber was joining me. This time we went to the second buoy for a total of 1600m at 34mins. This week my goal is 2400m and I estimate around 42 mins. If I work my way up to it I'll eventually be comfortable and confident to go all 4000m.

8 Weeks and 4 days til Ironman Louisville

First Cold Water Swim of the Season

I had my first open water swim of the season in Lake Michigan. It currently is 62.5 degrees!!! My planned workout was for a 60 minute straight swim but I had a feeling it wasn't going to go well. In the past I have had 2 other very cold swims. One was in Connecticut in the Long Island Sound. It was right after I received my sleeveless wetsuit so of course I had to try it out. Bad idea!! I believe the water temp was somewhere in the low 50's. Midway through the swim my hands went numb and my fingers started to separate. Luckily we were swimming the beach line and I immediately flipped over on my back and kicked my way in. Then I ran the half mile back down the beach.

My second cold water swim was at the Racine Half Ironman 2008. Water temps were 56 and I was freaking out! The day before I stuck my toesies in the water. Again, Bad Idea!! All evening I was psyching myself out, I even dreamed I drowned from going numb in the water. The next day it was still cold, duh! The start was delayed due to fog and the race coordinators also decided to bring the buoys in a little closer in case the fog rolled back in. The delay allowed me to acclimate myself to the water temp. Each time I would go in a little further then 5 mins before the start I went all the way under. There were a few race participants trying to be clever in keeping warm - like duct taping yellow kitchen gloves to their hands (which I totally think is against to rules). I believe neoprene caps are allowed, booties might be up to race director, but I'm sure gloves are not! Either way I had on two swim caps and my sleeveless wetsuit. Funny thing about the swim was that when they pulled in the buoys it 1. shortened the course and 2. had us swimming over a shallow sand bar. So when I felt my face going too numb to breathe or my hands starting to separate I would just stand and swim-run. Yes swim-running is a glorious thing!!

Now for yesterday. Maybe if the air temp was warmer or if it had not been raining for the past 3 weeks I might of been okay. Also since the last cold swims I have lost a few lbs and gained some muscle...there are days I miss my flab. The swim route is along a break wall with depths at 6-10 ft deep. So if I freak out or numb up there wasn't much I could do. I ended up swimming 10 mins out to the first buoy which I think is 500 meters out. At that point I was to scared to go to buoy two, another 500m. So I turned around. At the beach I debated going back out for another 1000m. At the time I was freezing but today I kick myself for not going back out. Besides the cold I did feel good. I just need to get used to the gloomy waters of the lake, suck it up, and Swim!

Here's me, the drowned Rat!

10 Weeks til Ironman Louisville

I have hit the point of training where this is IT, this is what will make me an Ironman. For that reason I have had to let a few things go such as showering, napping, laundry, cleaning, blogging, but not reading blogs, yes I am still reading just lacking on the commenting. On a high note I have better organized my google reader. Since I've enter blog-world I have stumbled upon a number of awesome daily reads. I actually felt quite overwhelmed [and distracted] by the habit I have developed. Reader has been categorized into Foodies, Running, and Triathlon. My next goal is to update my page a bit, tri-accentuate it more, and update the blog roll!! I do need to write more because I've been going to bed with craziness going on in my head. I wish there was a device out there that recorded my thoughts and pasted them on my blog, maybe it would help me sleep better...zzzzzz.

Here's a few of those thoughts which haunt my sleeps at night

• MIM Race Review (long awaited)

• Mexico (Lynnie's Wedding)

• 1st Century Ride

• IM Louisville Camp

• 1st Hemp Milk Smoothie

• Chicago Marathon via GOTR???

It was Hands Down Amazing!!

Last night was the Grand Opening for the New Whole Foods, Lincoln Park - I don't even know the words to describe how amazing it was. I did get a few comments from a guy working in the fish dept that "its okay", "everyone had been walking around in an amazed daze" and "you can breathe now". This is how great it is - I PR'd at my olympic distance tri this weekend and the first thing I blog about is the new WF!!! I so wish my camera wasn't broken so I could have captured the atmosphere. I didn't have anything to buy except chicken but I bought a container of 2% Fage and a Key Lime pie (post race treat) anyway. I did spend over an hour in the store touring around. Don't worry I plan to write more about my experiences at the new WF - especially since I'm planning a secret date night there with Hubby!

I do need to write a race report but I've been busy since the race and trying to play catch up at work. So to come - 8 minute PR at Memphis in May Olympic Triathlon.

Things to be Excited For

1. Lincoln Park is a getting a new Whole Foods

• http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/thestew/2009/05/new-whole-foods-market-an-homage-to-chicago.html
• I've been watching this being built for the last year and a half. The gym I go to has a spinning room looking right out over the new location. I first thought it was to be a massive parking garage. This place is MASSIVE.
  
• I finally don't have to deep breathing exercises before I go in to calm the anxiety - the old location was insanely small. Ok, maybe the first few times just because its awesome!
  

2. Memphis in May is this weekend

• I leave tomorrow - In a suburban, 6 people, 3 bikes, & who knows how many wheels!
• 3 Hotel Rooms - 4 people per room
• 1 Spaghetti Warehouse - 20 people

3. Had my longest workout week - Last week I maxed out at 14 hours

• Mon - Yoge 30 min
• Tues -Run 7(60 mins), Yoga 20min, Swim workout 3100yds
• Weds - Bike 2hr, Run 3 miles (25min)
• Thurs -Run 5 miles(43min), Yoga 20min, Swim workout 1800
  
• Fri - Bike 90 mins
  
• Sat-Bike 52.6 miles (3:15), Run 4(34 mins)
• Sun -Swim 500yds, Run 8 1:04 (tempo 5=7:15, 8=6:55)

Is It Monday Yet?

I've been starting to dig into to my newer/tougher training schedule. My usual schedule has been bumped up to include more biking - meaning I some how have to fit a 2.5 hr workout in my day. Last week I tried the morning and it didn't go well. 5 am wake, ride 2 hrs on the trainer, and a 2 mile run off. It was cut short because I ran out of time for the run. So this week I tried it at night. Hurried home from work, pulled out the pork roast I knew i wasn't going to have time to make, rode 2 hrs, ran 3 miles, got home 9pm!!!!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!! Ate a PB&J and some Annie's Bunny cereal then went to bed all nasty but I was spent. Next morning 6am wake, run 5, arrive to work completely disheveled, and a little pissed I wore a skirt because now I can't wear my compression socks (I dont think they can pass as knee highs!!).

To answer my thought from the last post - I'm not going to the comedy show tonight. Hubby is going with a friend and this way I can get in my swim workout tonight, bike tomorrow morning, and be semi rested for the weekend. I am going to the CUBS game next week!!!

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