LA Girl On The Run

The race is so close I can feel it!  Over the last several weeks I have been playing around with different combinations of foods/drinks on my long rides.   I have read A LOT of blog posts, information, etc about what to eat, calories, etc.  I have it close to narrowed down for the race but still want to test on another combo on one of my last long rides this Saturday.  I reached out to my Ironman pal Reilly, who races for Hammer Nutrition, to see what he would recommend.  A while back, in between a double spin class, he had me try a concoction of Hammer Heed and Perpetuem.  I was not sure if I should go down that road again.  I am glad I asked him because he recommended that I take a bottle with perpetuem and a bottle with energy drink (nuun is my preference).  You can read his full answer here.  I weigh less than 150 but more than 120 (more like in the middle) but when I followed up with him, he reported back to still use three scoops.  I will try it out on the ride this weekend and report back.  

In addition to the two bottles, I plan to take a peanut butter sandwich (cut into pieces) and a couple of clif shots.  I have tried stinger waffles but I think I would rather have peanut butter.  My body likes/responds well to real food. 

Congrats to everyone that raced over the weekend!  My So Cal Ragnar Teammate Angie finished her first IM at Coeur d’Alene in 12:18! She completely killed it.  I cannot be more impressed!  Way to go Angie!!!!

There are only 20 days until Vineman 70.3.  Sand is passing through the hourglass at a rapid pace.  By completing the 44 mile Malibu to Pt. Mugu ride on Saturday morning, I am a PCH* newbie no more!  I must admit that the first downhill had my heart near my throat. My confidence was once again tested on Encinal Canyon.  It seemed unassuming but then you find yourself going up up up blind corners as cars and other cyclists speed by on decent.  By the end of the morning, I had a lot more confidence.  My run after the ride was a lot less dramatic.  I have had a hard time holding speed.  We shall see how it all comes together on July 15.  

This week is more of the same- another long ride on PCH, a long run, shorter runs, shorter rides, and some swim sessions. 

*PCH = Pacific Coast Highway 1 for those who do not live in So Cal

It was supposed to be cloudy along the coast this morning but instead it is a beautiful sunny morning. I forgot my garmin so I will have to rely on my riding partner to keep track of our numbers. Does it really matter? No, not really. It is all about putting miles in the bank. 50 mile ride starts shortly.

23 days.  Wow.  I hardly know what to say.  The time has flown by.  On my run this morning, I started to hear all of the doubt creep up in my head.  Did I train enough?  Am I ready?  Blah, blah, blah.  I guess I must be in the right place because I know that these feelings/doubts are normal. Right?  Plus, I have my first phantom pain - in my foot.  I am not really tapering for this race although tomorrow may be my last by big brick - another 50 mile ride followed by up to 10 mile run (going to go by feel for for the run).  I will keep doing bricks up to the race, just not as long.  

Last night I spent hours reading Vineman race recaps.  One piece of valuable advice, run up the hill out of T1 and do not clip in until the top of the hill.  Duly noted!

It is not surprising that the inagural Ironman Lake Tahoe sold out in less than 24 hours. After a long talk with my husband, I decided against 2013. I have other plans brewing for 2013 so it looks like my first full Ironman will be in 2014. I will be turning 40 (gasp!) so it seems like the perfect way to celebrate.

In the meantime, less than 4 weeks to Vineman 70.3!

I had high hopes for epicness when I received the traveling austin shirt last week.  Unfortunately, sickness delayed the epicness.

I knew that I wanted to take it to with me to the Pacific Ocean as part of a long training brick.  Today, I was finally able to make it happen!  65 mile bike ride followed by a 25 minute run in the shirt!

Me, wearing the shirt, on at California/Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA (also happens to be the finish line of the LA Marathon). Santa Monica beach below. 

Me, trying to take a self portrait with my bike. 

Tales from today: Go off the charted path and make your training an adventure.  When you fall, get back up.  Laugh at yourself!  Enjoy the journey!  That is what it is all about.

I am so happy that this little piece of tumblr accompanied me on my journey towards 70.3.   Next stop for the shirt: michaeldoeslife!

So, 50 miles turned into 65 miles that included some brutal uphill and technical downhill. My nutrition seemed to work well although next time I will probably bring perpetuem. Today, I survived on endurolytes, nuun, and clif shots. I had some oatmeal at our pit stop (mile 28). That likely helped a lot. I may need to bring a pb&j next week.

Thank you to E, my new riding partner, for teaching me the ropes. I survived my first fall. Thankfully, nothing serious. Next weekend, we are headed up PCH to Pt. Mugu.

I cannot be more excited right now!  Ironman is coming to Lake Tahoe, CA in September 2013!!!!  I may be an LAgirlontherun now, but first I was a Nor Cal girl who grew up skiing and snowboarding in Lake Tahoe, CA.  It is one of my favorite places.  I just told my husband that my first full Ironman will be Lake Tahoe. There is no place* I would rather lay out 140.6! Not sure it will happen in 2013 but we shall see.  Stay tuned!

*Kona does not count. 

After another rest day yesterday (taken for good measure), I was back at it with my running group at 5:15AM this morning for an easy 6 miles.  It was a bit of a slog, with hills that felt tougher than they should have, but I got it done.  The weather was perfect, overcast and cool.  

Tonight, hour and a half swim session - long set free. 

33 days to Vineman 70.3!

I am experiencing the consequences of my Sudafed induce long ride this morning.  I do not feel well at all.  Ugg.  Moral of the story: if you hop yourself up on medicine to make it through an endurance workout, be prepared for the other side.

I hope that if I get to bed early tonight, all will be better in the morning. Fingers crossed!

Yesterday I decided that no matter how I felt this morning, I was going for my planned long ride.  I took at 24 hour Sudafed last night and crossed my fingers.  I did not sleep well (which is not unusual when I take Sudafed).  I woke up at 6AM, had some coffee and small cup of oatmeal with nuts and dried fruit and left to meet my riding pals.  We took it easy and for the most part, I felt great.  We rode south and ended up running into the Redondo Beach Triathlon.  The race slowed us a bit since we had to stop and walk our bikes along the run route (part of the bike path).  I enjoyed cheering for the athletes.  We continues on and wound our way up through the hills towards Palos Verdes then had to head back.  40 miles in 2:45.  Next week, more hills. 

Five weeks to 70.3 and I have been sick for the past three days.  I have not been in the water since my illness has taken the form of plugged ears and dizziness (combined with congestion and sore throat).  I took a couple of rest days in hopes of being able to hit it hard this weekend.  We shall see what my body allows me to do tomorrow.  

I was supposed to attend a dear friend’s birthday gathering tonight but instead I am sitting on the coach, typing on my laptop, thinking about getting some shut eye soon.  Tomorrow afternoon is our So Cal Ragnar Tumblr team reunion and BBQ.  I hope I am feeling better after a good nights sleep so that I can attend.

It is times like this where I am really thankful for my health.