Shuffling, 10k-ing and Focusing

Well, the Shamrock Shuffle was a few weeks ago, and blah. I was battling a week long sickness, ranging from swimmer's ear to allergies, and it wouldn't go away. I only had the energy to exercise one day, and that ended up being a 2 mi run at a fast-ish pace. I was happy with that but I had this feeling that with the lack of exercise the upcoming race wouldn't fare well.

Fast forward to Friday. I fell asleep around 9:30/10pm (thank you melatonin) and woke up at 8 to coach the triathlon group. I was still so out of it so I couldn't run or swim with them. I spent the day relaxing with Kevin and trying to feel better. Saturday night I didn't get much sleep because I didn't pack my stuff earlier in the day. (Shame on me, I know better.) I was also excited to race and get my 2011 season started right. 

Sunday morning rolls around and I make my way to the race site. Checked my bag and met up with Emily. I started drinking water around 6:30am that morning and even brought an extra water bottle. I had been so thirsty all week, but even the extra water bottle couldn't prepare me. This year the organizers moved the race back a few weeks into April but kept the same start time at 9am. If you know Chicago it is entirely possible for a day in April to start with flurries and end with bikinis. Well, we had a freak day where the temps would hit the 80s on Sunday. Just my luck.

Long story short, I ran with Emily the majority of the way, but around 5k things went downhill. Dehydration really began to set in and as usual, my right ankle and right hip were screaming at me.

Fast forward to this past weekend, April 23. It was time for my long awaited 10k with Jen. Monday, April 18 began the first night of Passover and with that comes a restricted diet. Blah. I never enjoy the holiday and I'm always hungry and irritated because we can't eat anything with leavening, corn syrup or yeast. This leaves out: bread, cereal, pasta, beer, most liquor (except potato vodka), granola and any grain you can think of. (The debate is still out there on quinoa, and yes, we ate it. Take that!) Wonderful! Not only can I not fuel myself for the week but the first two nights will be filled with late night family gatherings and stuffing ourselves. (Love me some family time, but this does get in the way of training. But hey, you do what you've gotta do.) I was unable to workout in the mornings because I was still somewhat sick, the weather was crap-tastic and chose rest over working out. I was still able to get in a 2 mi run before my 60 min spin class, booya!

Saturday morning, I was very excited. I picked up Jen and we were off to the race site. I knew what I had gotten myself into and based on my previous performance at the Shamrock Shuffle I knew I was in for a long run (pun intended, you can laugh now). I hydrated so much that I had to take three potty breaks before lining up! While we were in line I needed to go again! We started off, and as always I felt fine, minor aches. Well, I quickly learned that mother nature wasn't going to be kind to me for the entire 6.2 miles, so sadly at mile 1 I had to depart from Jen and take care of business. Quick transition, only about 45 seconds off my time, but still. I wouldn't be able to race side by side with Jen, but oh well, had to keep going.

I was keeping a decent pace, around 10:30-10:45 but again, that dreaded 5k had something in store for me. Just like clockwork; right ankle, right hip. To make a long run short, I finished, and even with the potty break and occasional walking I manage to finish at approx. 1:13:00. I was relieved to be done and very proud of what I had accomplished.

Time to work on strengthening my weak sides and focusing on my pace. I think it's safe to say that I'm even more hooked on racing!

I'm No Ironman, But I Still Tri.

April Races

As you may have heard, I have two big races this month. They're not long, but they're challenging for me! I am participating in my second Shamrock Shuffle 8k (registration closed with 45,000 runners, WHOA). 8k = 4.97 mi, but for purposes of this post, it's 5 miles. Last year I ran with two good friends, Emily and Jess, and we finished in just under 1 hour. We were so happy considering our previous training and our first time doing that distance. It was so great to run with them too.

This year I have a much better base, although I don't have the high mileage yet. I've been routinely running this whole off-season. I've only had two 4 mile runs (on a treadmill sadly) but I'm hoping for a 4-4.5 mile run today or Sunday. I was out of the country for almost two weeks without any running, but I stayed active mostly every day. But with the base I've built, this should put me in the clear for the 8k. They pushed the race back this year to April 10, which is amazing. I would have missed it otherwise had it been in March, but hopefully the April 10 race day will bring us nice weather. (Although we're still in chilly temps and it's April 1 - okay Mother Nature, we get it. April Fools.)

Then, April 23 (Easter weekend) I'm racing with my close friend Jen S. for my first 10k (6.2 miles) at the Wrigley Early Start 10k. I'm a little anxious about that because I haven't hit the higher miles for that either, but I still have a few weeks to hit the longer distances. And hopefully finally be able to run outside. I can't wait to race another race with Jen. We have such a good time together.

Triathlon coaching is also going well. I'm inspired every time I meet with them and I love sharing my knowledge with them. There are a few who started the training very uncomfortable with the water and I've taken them from shallow end standers to entire length swimmers! (I think I am supposed to be a teacher in my next life.)

And how could I forget?! It's Birthday Month!! That's right, April is birthday month! One day shy of being a Tax Day baby (although some years it is Tax Day), so April 16 it is. What a great birthday month; an 8k and my first 10k. I couldn't be happier! And then triathlon training starts early June and I have four races lined up for the summer. It's going to be great!

I'm No Ironman but I Still Tri

P.S. If you want to see a photo album that captures the adventures of my traveling squirrel, take a look here. I started traveling with him almost 6 years ago. He's been all over the world!