Tour of Sufferlandria Recap

"To live is to suffer, to survive is to find meaning in the suffering." Fredrich Nietzsche

I Will Beat My Ass Today To Kick Yours Tomorrow
 IWBMATTKYT

When I started this triathlon stuff, my worst sport was cycling.  I tried to improve by riding indoors in the off-season at computrainer classes at local coaching centers.  These work for most people, but it didn't work for me for two reasons:

1) They weigh you (with biking shoes, no less) and then display the weight in front of everyone the first class.  I know how much I weigh to the ounce and I don't need to advertise that to everyone that I am riding with.

2) They display the progress of everyone that is taking the class on a computer board.  Inevitably, I was the last one displayed.  

So, what I got out of this shaming was: Yes, I am overweight and yes, I suck on the bike. Now, I already knew this, but now everyone who took the class knew it too.  I spent $200 for this?!

Something had to change and I needed to get better on the bike.

Thankfully, one of my friends 'liked' The Sufferfest on Facebook.

  

What was this Sufferfest?  It is cycling training videos you can do in your own home on your own trainer.  And they are affordable!  These folks at Sufferfest have created a fictional land called Sufferlandria where pain, suffering and humiliation take place.  These videos are hard, but they do motivate you to get on the bike in the dead of winter with officially licensed footage from races like Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix, Giro D-Italia and more.  The music is also badass, which is especially needed for climbs and countless intervals during the workout.  For newbies like me, there are instructions on the screen with perceived exertion and cadence suggestions.  AND, most importantly, they make you FASTER!

For the second year, I have participated in the Tour of Sufferlandria.  The Tour is not a race, but a challenge to get your butt on your bike for 9 days and suffer.  It. Is. Epic.

HONOR! GLORY! VICTORY!

The first day of the Tour is a time trial called "Rubber Glove".  They suggest during training that you do a time trail every 10 weeks or so to see if you are improving.  And yes, I am improving this winter!  

The second day is a 2-hour video called "ISLAGIATT" (I Thought It Was a Good Idea At The Time).  This video focuses on climbing and endurance.  I hallucinated during this video it hurt so bad.

Day 3 was a Monday.  Thank goodness that the race director had heart and we only had to do a 45-minute video comprised of 1-minute maximum intensity repeat intervals called Revolver.  No big deal, right? Wrong.

Tuesday (Day 4) featured one of my favorite Sufferfest videos: Hell Hath No Fury.  It is a 1:15 minute video that includes 2 x 20:00 interval workout.  Boring, right?  Not so because the race footage is the UCI Pro Women's racing footage from the World Cup.  A video of the sisters and not of the men.  Inspiring.

Wednesday (Day 5) featured my other favorite video: The Wretched, plus Extra Shot.  You start off with Extra Shot, which is a 20:00 'booster' video you can add on to another one of the Sufferfest videos or if you are crunched for time, a short workout. It is just cruel to start with that one.  The Wretched has Tour de France footage of climbing, except for the sprinting at the end…oh, and there is no resting either.

Thursday (Day 6) is A Very Dark Place.  After the previous day's climbing and sprinting, it was time to go back to those fun, sustained 4:00 minute intervals.  Ugh.  Each interval takes you to a darker place that you thought you couldn't or didn't need to reach.

Thank God for Friday (Day 7)!  If you made it this far without your soul being crushed, then you were in for twofer today.  The first video was Angels which includes 3x 8 minute climbs after doing 10:00 worth of over/under intervals.  After completing that one, get started on The Hunted, which is more climbing with 5:00 inverse intervals at the end.  And then you get to go do your real job for the day…

Saturday (Day 8)- you are almost done, but first let's settle in for an 1:40 ride called The Blender.  I don't remember this one…it was so horrific that my memory has blocked it out.  All I remember was that there were three courses, but it wasn't a meal…there were pain shakes.

Sunday (Last day)- I thought to finish with this video was cruel.  Violator is a video that features 64 sprints.  If that isn't enough, the video includes a shark, a hamster, a leopard (which actually scared the sh*t out of me) and an airplane.  So wrong, but so right.

Yes!  I completed the Tour of Sufferlandria and left X-t in the dirt.  In fact, he was so traumatized by ISLAGIATT in the first hour, he got off of his bike.  He hasn't been on it since.

So, what's next?  The suffering will continue as I bought the Novice Training Plan to complement my triathlon training.

Thank you to The Sufferfest!  You gave me 9 days worth of motivation and something to look forward to doing during a difficult winter that we are having.

I cannot wait until summer.  IWBMATTKYT!

Monthly Motivations

“Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.” - Ernest Hemingway

Doesn't this look cozy?

Let's face it.  This winter has been very challenging.  If it isn't bone freezing cold, then we are getting dumped on with snow.  It makes a girl just want to crawl up in a ball on the couch with a nice glass of red wine (Cryptic Red Wine, preferably) and a roaring fire in the fireplace. 

But that isn't how I roll.  Instead, I have been inspired by these monthly challenges.  In December, X-t and I did the 100 mile challenge, which was to run 100 miles between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We also did the plank challenge in December too.  

In January, it was the "Brazen Ab Challenge".  

Now, you would think that two months of ab workouts would have my abs look like the ones in the Brazen Ab Challenge, but alas that 6-pack is still in the cooler.

Tomorrow, I start my February Challenge: Lose the Love Handles.  We will get the 6-pack out the cooler yet!

Challenge Courtesy of Shrinkingjeans.net

I do these challenges in addition to my off-season triathlon training.  This is my off-season training looks like:

Monday: Run 6 miles, Yoga class

Tuesday: Interval training on the bike, 30 minute home yoga

Wednesday: Training to Tri class

Thursday: Strength training (climbing video) on the bike, 30 minutes home yoga

Friday:  Swim, Run 5 miles

Saturday:  Long run between 6-12 miles 

Sunday: Swim, Yoga class

Next week's blog:  The Gory Details of the Tour of Sufferlandria!

Mission I'm Possible

"Good morning Ms. Frey.  Your mission, should you choose to accept it will be to run from Chicago to Charleston, South Carolina. As always, should you or any of your I.M. Force be caught or killed the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This tape will self-destruct in five seconds.  Good luck Lisa."

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, X-t and I participated in a Ho Ho Holiday Challenge.  The challenge was to run 100 miles between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It was a great way to stay motivated through the holiday season.  

So we were thinking…how could we challenge ourselves throughout the year?  There are a lot of great challenges out there to participate in, but we wanted a good reward too.  We decided to run 1,000 miles this year.  Using Google Maps, we charted a course that would take us someplace 1,000 miles for a vacation.  Charleston, South Carolina is 1,001 miles away and looks like a pretty nice place to take a vacation.  We are going to make it a car trip and follow the route that we ran.  

For every mile that we run, we are going to put a dollar in the savings account.  By the time the challenge is over we will have saved $2,000 for our trip.  I am currently 20 miles into the trip and have saved $20.  On the map, it shows that I am in Park Ridge, IL. X-t is a little behind me since he only runs outside.  

I will give you a report on my progress every now and then so as to keep you updated as to where I am and to keep me honest...

How are you motivating yourself in the new year?  

I resolve in 2014 to...

"My New Year's resolution list starts with the desire to lose ten to three thousand pounds." Nia Vardalos

 

Every year I have my list of races to do and a list of resolutions.  This year, I thought I would share them with you.  In past years, my resolutions have included losing weight (like that happened) and moisturizing (this actually was a successful resolution!).  

In 2014 I intend to race:

Gaspirilla Distance Classic  in Tampa Bay: 15K race on 2/22, 1/2 Marathon on 2/23.

Indianapolis Mini Marathon: my 15th consecutive running on this race on 5/3.

RAGNAR: my first relay race with some of my closest friends the weekend of June 6th.

Route 66 Half Ironman: my 4th time doing a Half Ironman and my first visit to Springfield, IL on 7/26.

Dairyland Dare: a fun, hilly bike ride near Dodgeville, WI.

Madison Open Water Swim following by one loop of the Wisconsin Ironman bike course.  This is a test to see if I REALLY want to attempt an Ironman in 2015.

I also may throw in a fall marathon if I am feeling up to it.  If I do decide to do one, I will probably do the Des Plaines River Trail Marathon on 10/18.

As for my resolutions, I only have one:

Stop worrying.  I worry about money, time, weight, people liking me, everything.  It is a supreme waste of time and energy. I resolve enjoy the present moment and let events unfold rather than worrying about them.  

My wish to you is a happy and healthy New Year!  May you achieve your goals and resolutions and make this the best year yet!

Knox County SIS Triathlon Race Recap

"It was a good day." - Lisa Frey

This never happens to me.  Usually there is some sort of disaster awaiting me during a race, or I sabotage myself by mentally psyching myself out.  

But not on June 9, 2013.  

It was a day I put the voices to rest.  It was a day where the water temperature was perfect.  It was a day where the air temperature was perfect.  It was partly cloudy and no wind- perfect.

It was my day and I kicked some arse.

The SIS Try occurs in my hometown of Vincennes, IN, but not this year.  The community pool is not open because they are building a new one.  The race was moved to the neighboring city of Bicknell.

When I was little, I went to Bicknell once a year for the Knox County Fair.  It was awesome.  I equate Bicknell with Pronto Pups, demolition derby, carnival rides and 4H.  I love Bicknell, IN.

Bicknell means something different to me today.  It is a wonderful city, who stepped up and hosted a well-organized triathlon.  The residents welcomed us triathletes and cheered us on.  Thank you!

Now to the nitty, gritty race details.

The swim portion of the race took place at Swimland, the local pool.  Some modifications had to be made to put in lane lines and some mesh at the end of the pool to see the end.  Balloons were placed on the lane lines to also assist swimmers where the end of the pool was.  They didn't work out too well, but it was a good idea.  The swim start was allowing one swimmer jump in, swim to the end of the pool then the next swimmer jumped in.  This was perfect for beginner swimmers to have some room to freak out, composed themselves and continue the swim.  It was a 'snake swim' through the pool.  Once out of the pool it was a short distance to the transition area.  I did the swim in 5:16- not my best, but not my worst.  The bonus was that I kept my composure and passed 3 people.  Sweet!

My transition was 1:51.  This is a world record for me.  I was a woman possessed to get on the bike.

The bike route was nice rolling hills on a county road.  It was an out and back route, so you could see other cyclists and encourage them.  The road was so smooth!  We biked to Freelandville and turned around at the fire station to ride back.  I finished the ride in 45:44, which was a 16.8 mile pace AND I passed people (this never happens to me on the bike)!  This is where I saw my biggest improvement.  I give credit to my Sufferfest videos in the offseason, Team TNT, Golden Legs Cycling Club and my cycling buddy, Rebecca Atkinson.  Thank you!

My transition time was 1:37.  Another world record.

The run was hilly and it was challenging.  It was a great course which toured the city of Bicknell.  Since I have only been to the fairgrounds, I enjoyed discovering Bicknell.  I finished the run in 32:05, which was a 10:21 pace.  What?!  I shaved over a minute off of my mile since my injury.

I ended up being 34th out of 117 participants and 5th in my age group.  It was a good day indeed.

The finish was wonderful.  There were massages for the participants and PLENTY of food- chocolate milk, grapes, oranges, cookies, apples, pizza.  Yes, pizza.

There were medals for finishers and special medals for those who have competed in this triathlon for 5 or more years.  That is motivation to do it again.

I would like to thank all of the organizers and sponsors who put on a wonderful triathlon.  More importantly, I would like to thank all of the volunteers.  You were out in force and easy to see with your orange shirts.

I did this triathlon with my sister, Laura.  It was her first triathlon.  She did great!  I am so proud of her. For her first triathlon, she finished 5th in her age group too!  Next year we will be in the same age group.  This could get interesting...

Perhaps I can convince her to do this one again next year?!

Indianapolis Mini Marathon Race Recap

"Do you smell something?  It smells like dog poo."- Lisa Frey

13th Consecutive Indy Mini Marathon

I would have never thought I would run a race 13 consecutive times.  The Indianapolis Mini Marathon was my very first half marathon.  It is also the largest 1/2 marathon in the country.  When I ran it for the first time in 2001, I was blown away.  All of the people running, the bands playing on every corner, the cloggers clogging at mile 4 and the finish- I just fell in love with this race.  Oh, and my sister lives in Indianapolis, so I also had a place to stay.

Speaking of my sister, she ran the Indy Mini for the very 1st time this year.  I was so excited that she was able to run with me and share the awesomeness of this race.  My cousins Edie and Ellen also participated in the Mini for the first time as well.  My tri training buddy Rebecca and her husband Mike ran the race too.  I am proud to say that we all finished the race with smiles on our faces.  

My awesome sister at the finish!  

Packet Pickup:

The Indy Mini Expo is by far one of the best expos I have attended.  This is the expo that I purchase my year's worth of running stuff.  This year was no different.  My sister and I picked up socks (always needed), headbands and of course necessary magnets for my car.  It was raining when we arrived at the expo.  We parked at Circle Center and was able to walk on the covered walkways to the convention center, so we didn't get wet.

Race Day:

We had an inauspicious start to the day.  We woke up early and I took Bakon out for his morning walk.   Bakon did his business.  It was 5AM and it was pitch black.  I couldn't find Bakon's present- I walked around, sniffed- still couldn't find the poo.  I made a mental note to go back after the race to pick up the poo since it was too dark.

We were on our way to the race when I asked my sister if she smelled poo in the car.  She said yes and then asked if I had stepped in any.  I looked at the bottoms of my shoe and didn't find the offensive odor.  Unfortunately, it was on the back of my heel and while inspecting the bottom of my shoe, I had smeared it all over my running capris.  To make matters worse, I then stuck my finger in it to try to scrape it off of my capris.  

We grossed ourselves out and had to roll the windows down so we wouldn't gag.  

Yes, I ran 13.1 miles with poo on my pants.

The Start:

My sister works for Eli Lilly.  They have a WONDERFUL fitness facility at their place of employment- complete with a soccer field, track and state of the art equipment.  Oh, and a smoothie bar.  The fitness facility was a party zone on race day with raffles, water, Gatorade, music, clean pottys and a SHUTTLE to the start.  No walking one mile to the starting line for me this year!  Unfortunately, there was an accident and the shuttle was not able to pick us up, so we still had to walk to the start line. That was a bummer, BUT the shuttle did pick us up at the end to take us back to Eli Lilly.  Lilly had chocolate milk for us when we returned to the fitness center.  It tasted so good.

The Race:

What can I say- Indy puts on one helluva race.  The course is nice and flat.  The only complaint about the course is going over all of the railroad tracks, but that can't be avoided.  It is a blast to go around Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  The bands were great.  The water stations were well-manned and the volunteers enthusiastic.

I especially like the finish of the race.  Over the loudspeakers, they blast the exciting finishes of the Indianapolis 500.  It puts more kick in your pace and makes you feel like a rock star (even if you do have poo on your pants).  

Thoughts:

Over the years, I have raced the Indy Mini in blazing heat, in rain and one year in a 40 mph steady north wind.  I have seen people conquer their fears and celebrate the lives of others.  I am so honored to be a part of a celebration of the first time someone has completed a half marathon- like the 20-year old girl who I was talking to in the porta-potty line in the family reunion area.  It is just an amazing community of 45,000 people moving through Indianapolis and Speedway, Indiana on the first Saturday of May.  I am so glad that I am able to be a part of the experience.

Will I run the Mini in 2014?  You betcha!  Gotta keep the streak alive!

Bike Riding Anxiety

"My knickers are in a twist."- Lisa Frey

Me and my ride, Blue

A quick post today to let you into my neurotic world.  

Today is Training for Tri day.  We are supposed to do a 20-mile ride today at 6PM.  My bike is in the shop getting a tune-up and some adjustments.  It should be ready by 5PM.  

I have been looking forward to this bike ride all week.  The weather is perfect, my bike will be perfect and I even have my outfit laid out so all I have to do is come home, change my clothes put the bike rack on the truck, get my bike and RIDE!

Herein lies the rub...I have a 3:30 meeting today.  It is an important meeting.  Already some of the members of this committee have stated that they may be arriving late to the meeting.  I MUST leave work by 4:30 in order for me to get home.  

You know where this is going.  The meeting won't start until 3:45 and will drag on until 5PM.  I am not going to make the ride.  I know this.  I am anxious and starting to get upset about it.  

Why do I do this to myself?  Instead of letting life flow, I have already resigned myself to being anxious, watching the clock and getting my knickers in a twist.  I am not in the moment.  I am already trying to come up with plans to ride by myself.  This also makes me anxious as I do not like to ride on the street by myself for fear of getting hit by a car, especially during rush hour.

If I am late, I could ride with the later group who is doing less mileage.  This upsets me too as I am supposed to do 20 miles, not 15 miles or 10 miles.  This is an 'all or nothing' proposition.  'All or nothing' is another dangerous problem I wrestle with.

This is how I get 'stuck'.  I can feel myself getting 'stuck'.  Why can't I enjoy this beautiful day?  Why can't I be grateful for the volunteers that are coming to the 3:30 meeting?  They are taking time out of their beautiful day to meet with me.  If it so happens that I can make the ride, then so be it.  It is what it is.  

But I don't think like that.  Instead, at 9:30 AM I am already worried about what is (or isn't going to happen) at 6PM.  I am going to lose this day to this worry.  I don't want to do that.