Race Report: The Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon

"Boogidy boogidy boogidy, let's go racin'"- Darrell Waltrip

Hi Folks-

Yes, it has been a while.  I didn't have much to say that hasn't been said already about the Boston Marathon Bombing and my training has been in taper mode, so there really wasn't much I thought I could write about that would be meaningful.

It has been a couple of weeks, but yes, I do have something to talk about: The Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon Race Report!

Last weekend, my friend Rebecca and I traveled to Louisville, KY to run in the Kentucky Derby Marathon.  I ran in the mini marathon and Rebecca did the full Monty.  Rebecca and I ran together until the two races split, which was at mile 9.

We stayed at the Galt House Hotel, which was the host hotel for the event.  It was a nice hotel.  You could take the covered walkway to packet pick-up at the Convention Center.  The start/finish line was only blocks away, which was good to loosen up before the race or to cool down after.

The marathon was not the only event that was using the Galt House Hotel.  Kentucky Muscle, a body building contest, was also holding a contest at the hotel.  Talk about a real mix of people!  Marathon runners + Body Builders = interesting people watching! There were a lot of orange spray-on tan people in bathrobes who carried around full-length mirrors wandering about.

Notice the orange tinge...

Back to the race report...

Packet Pickup:

The packet pickup was located at the Convention Center.  It was easy to get to and well organized.  A nice thing in our packets were disposable gloves for the start of the race- sweet! The marathon packet had a Asics hat in it, the mini marathon packet did not.- incentive to run the full. The expo was ok.  If you forgot something, you could have easily picked it up at the expo.  Humana had a photo booth to take pictures.

Rebecca and I having fun at the Humana booth.  Which way to cross the finish line?  

The Race:

The mini marathon race was well organized.  The route went through many neighborhoods and parks.  The best part was running around the infield at Churchill Downs.  They were exercising the horses so we could watch the horses as we ran around. Beautiful.  I have never been to Churchill Downs- it looks a lot bigger in real life than on TV.  I would love to go someday and watch some races.

At mile 9, the mini marathon split from the marathon and headed back into town.  The race went through the University of Louisville campus.  It was neat to run through the 2013 NCAA Basketball National Champions campus.  For the most part, the mini marathon course was flat with no substantial hills.

The Volunteers:

The volunteers were fabulous!  All water stops were well supported and had plenty of water and Powerade.  

The Finish:

The mini marathon finish was well organized.  We got a Mylar blanket and our medal and then proceeded to help ourselves to some snacks.  There were bananas, peanut butter Ritz crackers, some biscuits, bagels, Sunchips and cookies.  There was plenty for everyone.  The friends and family reunion area actually was the Kroger's Fest-A-Ville.  The Fest-A-Ville had a carnival, a stage for concerts, food and lots of fun.  It was a great place to hang out and wait for Rebecca to finish her marathon.

Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon Medal

The Marathon:

The marathon route went out to Iroquois Park (which was hilly) and back into town.  One word of caution to the back-of-the-pack marathoners: The course closes 6 hours after the start of the marathon (NOT after the last runner starts the race).  If you cannot finish the race in 6 hours, you will be asked to run the rest of the race on the sidewalk.  All water stations were also shut down, so bring your water with you.  

Will I run it again?  

Yes!  I had a great time running the race.   I would run the mini marathon again.  Initially, I was supposed to run the marathon, but got injured with Achilles Tendinitis.  This marathon as well as Detroit's marathon are still on my bucket list.

Next week: 

Indy Mini Race Report

Learning to Forgive Yourself

"People can be more forgiving than you can imagine. But you have to forgive yourself. Let go of what is bitter and move on."- Bill Cosby

It has been a rough winter.  Between a bout with the flu, the weather and Achilles tendinitis, I have just about had it.  I had to adjust my plans of running my 13th marathon at the Kentucky Derby Marathon and move down to the 1/2 marathon.  It is funny, when you cannot run, the more you WANT to run!

No marathon for me...1/2 marathon instead.

I have been going to Bannockburn Chiropractic and Sports Injury Center to get back to running injury-free.  I see Dr. Brian Allen.  He incorporates Active Release Therapy to help with my Achilles tendinitis.

Yes, that is where it hurts.

The real bummer about having Achilles tendinitis is that it affects everything else- my hips, IT Band and of course my low back.  I wrenched my back at the end of February which was a bit of a setback with my recovery.

What was a girl to do?  I tell you what she does, she gains weight!  Boo.

So, I am making a deal with myself.  I have rededicated myself to running, swimming, biking, yoga and eating reasonably.  But this time is different.  Instead of an all or nothing approach that got me injured in the first place, I am only going to try to be great 85% of the time.

Why not 100%?  Because I am human.  Being human means you are not perfect.  You are not 100%, so why set yourself up for failure.  I am going to try to eat great 85% of the time.  I am going to try to make 85% of my workouts.  

Many of you probably think that I am copping out.  I have realized that if I don't make a workout or eat something that is not healthy, then I beat myself up.  It becomes an 'all or nothing' proposition.  If I succeed 85% of the time, then it is a 'win'.  I can still improve and allow myself to be human.  I can forgive myself if I sleep in and don't run.  I can forgive myself for having dessert once (or twice) a week.  Before learning this, I just constantly beat myself up, told myself I was a loser, slacker and how stupid of me to think that I could even attempt to be a runner/triathlete/cyclist/swimmer/yogini!  

That negative chatter doesn't serve anyone.  It holds me back.  It prevents me for being the best Lisa I can possibly be.

Yes readers, I am still doing my 5-minute headstands (almost) every day!

Who Needs a Pep Talk?

"Attitude, not your aptitude, determines your altitude."- Zig Ziglar

Kid President gives a good pep talk.

"All I wanna be is awesome."- Lisa Frey

In my quest of awesomeness, which I have a LONG ways to go in attaining my perceived awesomeness, I have learned some amazing things.  Here are just a few observations:

• Awesomeness means getting out of your comfort zone and feeling a bit of discomfort. 
• When you are out of your comfort zone, you find people to help you along.
• These people are their own journeys' out of their comfort zone as well.  You are there to help them along! 

My Training for Tri Coach, Nancy, encourages us to get out of our comfort zone in every practice. This week, we did the dreaded time trials in swimming and biking.  After a long day at work and still recovering from the flu, this practice was an easy one to bail on.  If it wasn't for a post on Facebook from a teammate, Melissa, I would have firmly planted myself on the couch.  This post asked for luck in our 10-minute swim.  Immediately, there were words of encouragement from teammates and friends. Some posted their own concerns with the time trial.  After reading this, I reluctantly put my swimsuit on and went to practice.  Thanks friends for that kick in the butt.

Did I post my best time?  Nope.  I'm recovering from the flu- duh.  I was proud of myself because it would have been so easy for me to park it on the couch and hack.

The same goes for my yoga practice.  Starting back in December, I started to practice headstand 5 minutes a day.  Next Friday, I am going start my practice of handstand.  This is going to be interesting since I am afraid to kick up into one.  If I have assistance, then I can do it.  My goal is to kick up into handstand all by myself.  I wonder how many days it is going to take me to get this down?

Headstand practice- I highly recommend.

If you listened to the pep talk by Kid President, then part of all of this is to thank those who have encouraged you.  I would like to thank:

My husband, X-t- every crazy idea I have had, he has always supported and believed in me.

Family: My sister, Laura and my Mom

Running buddies- can you believe we have run thousands of miles together?  Wow.  MAP, Diane, Cathie, Nikki, Sarah- we have solved many of the world's problems.

Training to Tri Coaches- Nancy, Debbie and Stacy

Training to Tri buddies- Karen, Rebecca, Melissa, Jen, MJ, Peggie, Maggie, Linda, Tracie, Kristina, Sherry and Dina...just to name a few.  Special shout out to my triathlon and swim buddy- Carla- I wouldn't be in the pool every week if is wasn't for you!

Yoga Instructors: Silvia, Page, Brooke, Mary, Andrew, Sarah

Work: Laurie and Janice as well as all of the volunteers we work with

And of course, you!  Thank you for reading my blog and being on this journey with me.

I Fought the Flu and the Flu Won

"Sickness shows us what we are"- Latin Proverb

Last Saturday, I went out for my long run.  It was a beautiful day and the run was going pretty good, that is, until mile 10.  I started feeling not very well, so I cut my run short.  I was supposed to run 14 miles, but only got in 11 miles.  I got home, took a shower and over breakfast, I started getting the chills.  I was still in denial.  I was feeling ok, just a little off.  It was cold on the run, perhaps I was just having trouble warming up?

Sunday, I woke up and got in my swim and yoga.  I was still feeling off.  I was going to take it easy for the rest of the day.  Whatever this was, it was going to be a 24-hour virus.  I was convinced.

Thank you X-t for sharing the flu.

But alas, it was not.  Monday, I woke up to the full-blown flu.  Body aches, chills and just overall malaise made for a long day.  I felt nasty.  So nasty that I didn't run or practice yoga, but it didn't stop me from not going to work.  

By Thursday, I was over the body aches and chills and had acquired the hacking cough, runny nose and sore throat.  I also lost my voice.  Today, I still feel awful.

This has really thrown a wrench into training.  This is what this week's training looked like:

Monday: Sick

Tuesday: Sick

Wednesday: An attempt of a 5-mile run that resulted in a 2-mile run. Stupid.

Thursday: Sick

Friday: Sick

What is a girl to do?  I have taken this 'opportunity' to heal myself and rededicate myself to training. I am hitting the reset button.  My plan is to resume where I left off with my training when I feel better.  

The lesson of this whole flu debacle is to not give up training.  Yes, it is a setback.  Adversities such as illness, injury or other responsibilites that cut into training serve a purpose.  The purpose is not to give up.  Nothing is easy and nothing is perfect, which also applies to training.  And, by the way, race day is never perfect either!  These challenges help you adjust to the conditions that you are given- great practice for race day.  At least this is what I am telling myself...

Training Update

"I will beat my ass today to kick yours tomorrow-IWBMATTKYT"- The Sufferfest

This is this year's training mantra...

Hello!

I know it has been awhile- my apologies.  Since my last blog post, I have completed the Tour of Sufferlandia.

A 9 day Sufferfest of bike training videos

During this time, I also maintained training for the Kentucky Derby Marathon.

April 27th!

Even though I should be proud of myself, I don't feel that way.  "So what?  There are people out there who are faster and stronger than I am."  It is a terrible mindset- I shouldn't compare myself to others.  I should compare myself to myself!  I haven't trained so hard in all of my life.

During the tour, this is what training looked like:

Monday:  AM Speed work, Sufferfest and PM Yoga

Tuesday: Sufferfest

Wednesday: AM Run and PM Sufferfest

Thursday: Sufferfest

Friday: AM Swim, Sufferfest, Yoga

Saturday: AM Long run then Sufferfest 

Sunday: AM Sufferfest, Swim and Yoga

I completely burned myself out.  I was running slower, my legs felt like rubber bands and I was cranky.  I had a long talk with myself.  "This is stupid," I said to myself.  "I am working out all of the time and not gaining anything".  

I took a long look at my schedule and modified my training.  Here is my "new and improved" training program from this week:

Monday: AM Speed work and PM Yoga

Tuesday: Sufferfest

Wednesday: AM Run and PM Training to Tri (I didn't go this week- I had a board meeting for work)

Thursday: Sufferfest

Friday: Yoga

Saturday: Long Run

Sunday: Swim and Yoga

I dropped the swim on Friday morning.  I feel really guilty about that because swimming is one of my favorite activities along with practicing yoga.  Logically, I know I need the rest and should be enjoying my 'sleep-in' day, but today I woke up all nervous and jittery that I wasn't at the gym working out at the crack of dawn.  Why am I putting myself under all of this pressure?  Isn't this supposed to be fun and enjoyable?  Isn't this my hobby?

Perhaps 'Beating my ass today to kick yours tomorrow' shouldn't be my mantra.  Perhaps this year's mantra should be 'Train hard, do your best, enjoy the process'.  It just doesn't sound as badass as the Sufferfest mantra.

Weighing In

“In two decades I've lost a total of 789 pounds. I should be hanging from a charm bracelet.”

 - Erma Bombeck

The Enemy.

Hello Dear Readers-

Yes, I did it.  I stepped on the scale Friday.  I shouldn't have done it.  I am the heaviest I have ever been.  You know what?  I don't care any more.  

I eat healthfully.  I track every morsel of food that goes into my pie-hole.  I eat a mostly vegetarian diet.  I drink two glasses of wine every night and I am not going to stop because I enjoy it.  

I exercise every day.  Here is last week's routine:

Monday: Yoga

Tuesday: Speed work 8x400s with a mile warm up and a mile cool-down

Wednesday: Training to Tri- swim and bike

Thursday: Run 4 miles, Sufferfest Climb

Friday: Swim 1800 yds., yoga

Saturday: Run 10 miles

Sunday: Swim 2100 yds., yoga

I started training from the Kentucky Derby Marathon last week. 

April 27th- my 13th Marathon!  

I finally came to the realization that I would rather be healthy and be able to complete marathons and triathlons, than to worry about a stupid number on a scale.  I am TRUSTING my body to tell me what fuel is going to power me.  By the way, BBQ doesn't work well with speed work.  I learned that lesson last Tuesday.  

Life is too short.  Enjoy moving your body, exercising your mind, fueling your body and playing with friends. 

Changing subjects...

I finished by 40-day headstand challenge.  I am enjoying it so much that I have decided to extend it to a 100 days. 

One of the many photos with Bakon.  More Bakon headstand photos to come- promise!

For me the headstand is meditation.  It gives me time to quiet my mind and focus on my breath.  I must stay present otherwise I will fall over!  My goal for the 100-day challenge is to do a headstand in the middle of the room.  I have to tell you that I have never been one to practice yoga at home, only in a class.  This experience has really helped me discover a self practice with yoga.  

Until next week...do something you enjoy.  You deserve it.

New Year, New Plan, New Routine, Same Sturdy Girl

"When the determination to do well is felt as stress rather than enthusiam, trust yourself more and push yourself less." - Unknown

Happy New Year to All!

Now that the holidays are over, it is time to get back into a routine.  If you recall, my 2013 intention is to TRUST myself.  To that end, I have planned some interesting goals for 2013.

Yes, yes, I do have the usual race calendar goal.  Here is the list of confirmed races for this year:

April 27th:  Kentucky Derby Marathon
May 4th: Indianapolis Mini Marathon
June 23rd: Pleasant Prairie Triathlon (Olympic Distance)
July 21st: Door County 1/2 Ironman
September 23rd:  Canada Army Run (1/2 Marathon)
October 19th: Des Plaines River Trail Races (Marathon)

I would also like to get in a century ride sometime in the fall.  We shall see how things shape up.

So, how does all of this add up in helping me to learn to TRUST myself.  I have changed up my workout routine and have added things that scare me, namely interval training and training by myself.  I love working out with a group, but I need to save some coin.  The training I am doing by myself is on the trainer for cycling.  I have found some cycle training videos to ride called the Sufferfest.  So far so good in keeping my promise to myself to get on the bike and ride after work. They have a 9-day tour of Sufferlandia starting on January 26th.  Each day you complete one of their videos that has been predetermined.  I am going to give the tour a go.

"I Will Beat My Ass Today To Kick Yours Tomorrow" is their tag line.  I'm sold!

I am also on day 38 of my 40-day headstand challenge. I have really surprised myself.  I haven't missed a day.  After the challenge, I am going to keep practicing my headstands every day.  The headstand challenge started as popping up for 3 minutes against a wall.  I am now doing my headstand not as close to the wall (I still need the wall to get up), but I can hold my headstand for 5 minutes all by myself.  After my 5-minute supported headstand, I am practicing my tripod headstand in the middle of the room.  I am not there quite yet, but I can get up into a tuck position.  I am also practicing crow pose.    I am learning to love crow pose after 9 years of practicing yoga...yes, it has taken quite some time to embrace crow pose!

Headstand with Bakon

So now you know the race schedule and my scary, challenging training goals to help with my 2013 intention of TRUST.  What does the workout schedule look like for the first half of 2013?  Here it is:

Monday: Yoga

Tuesday: AM Speed work, PM Sufferfest

Wednesday: Training to Tri

Thursday: AM Run, PM Sufferfest

Friday: Swim, yoga

Saturday: Long run 

Sunday: Swim, yoga

Once the weather gets nicer, the Friday swim will be replaced with an outside cycle and a Sunday cycle will be added.  I am also planning on riding my bike to work on Tuesdays and Thursdays as weather permits.

I wish you luck in achieving your 2013 intention and goals!