The Bonk, and the Bike

       It has been over five months since I've touched the keys to write.  Why?  Well, a lot has occurred.  Growth aka divorce, and the death of a very special friend, Gracie...yes, my mini Yorkie.  I'll talk about growth but Gracie just isn't a subject I'm ready to discuss, possibly never.  That may seem silly to many but for some, understood.   I will tell you she was very sick with Blastomycosis, and for the sake of her not suffering, I had to make a very difficult decision.  That is all I can really say about it.

      I started this blog discussing trying to qualify for Boston.  Well, it went about as well as can be expected...much like the marriage....it started out very strong and promising.  I was clicking the miles off on pace for Boston.  After twenty miles, I thought to myself, "Damn!  I really may get this!  I only have a 10K left!" Then, much like my marriage, shit just started to go south.  Not like sweet tea south or good BBQ south, but hot, humid, sticky August pissed off south. My body refused to listen...I kept thinking, "Run!" but my body answered in a slow drawl, "Naw, not today. Today, I'm going to feel tired after twenty miles and want to sit down and take a nap."  Like, literally sit down on the side of the road and catch a snooze. What was happening??!!

     I was bonking.
 
     My body had hired it's own lawyer and was divorcing me from the chance of making it to Boston. I was completely bucked at that point because once you start to bonk, it's only a matter of time before your body says, enough. Just reaching the finish line, much less trying to maintain a pace to qualify for Boston, becomes the new goal.  Pride put aside, I did finish the marathon.  Did I cry?  Of course. Especially, when I watched the pacer with the bright yellow Boston knee socks jog out of sight and disappear completely.  It was painful. I had to walk a few times at the end and the tears of defeat fell.  All those early morning miles, tired legs, endless hours of sweating, gone in an added thirteen minutes tagged on to the 4 hour required time for a fifty year old female to run Boston.

     I didn't run for weeks after the marathon.  I couldn't. I didn't want to. In fact, I bucking hated to run even a mile after bonking like that.  What happened to ignite my training?  The bike. It actually came as a blessing because I realized a few things while riding my bike again...there are things about riding, that are very similar to life.

1. Learn to use your gears: You've got to use your gears on the bike. All of them. The routes you ride, much like life are not all flat and fast, so you've got to learn to make changes that will enhance your ride, much like your life. It's foolish to ride for miles stuck in the same gear, knowing you've got an arsenal of them. Shifting gears is good, so are changes in life.

2. Draft when needed: Drafting can save up to 30% of energy expenditure on a ride. It's OK to accept when you need someone to help pull you a little, so you can get your strength back. Recognize you can't suck their wheel forever, but do realize when you may need a little help when it's windy. Get rested, then pull for them. (Sorry, triathletes...in a race you're on your own, but you may draft once in a while on a training ride. 😁)

3. Embrace the climb: Not one of my favorites but I've learned the hard way to embrace it because   I keep in mind the grind to the top of the hill or mountainside is worth the view from the top. Is it easy? Hell no. There will be times you'll have to stop and have a "moment" then get your butt back on the bike and continue to grind. Put your head down and finish it out. It's tough but if you are lucky, you'll have someone that will ride quietly by your side supporting you. 💕

4. Enjoy the descents: When you reach the top of a tough one, smile on the descent. Allow yourself to enjoy what you've accomplished and laugh out loud on the way down the hill or mountainside. You've earned it.

5. Avoid potholes, rocks, and vehicles: Pay attention when you ride. You can look ahead and see potholes, obstacles, and vehicles. You can't assume someone will mark the dips and rocks. You for damn sure can't assume a vehicle will watch for you. You are your own responsibility and can make decisions to avoid such negative and sometimes deadly things. Again, pay attention and avoid the drama and negatives. Yes, you DO have that choice.

Well, there you have it, Buckers.  A few life lessons I've learned and been reminded of while riding my bike.  I'm even back to swimming and running to train for my 7th Ironman in Chattanooga on September 24, 2017.  Join me on the journey.  Peace. ✌

It's All About Balance

    For the most part, I eat clean.  It's that "for the most part" that keeps me from those few pounds that actually may make a bit of a difference over the 26 miles..wait..26.2...you can't forget that .2 of the marathon.  If I was math savvy, I could give an example of the difference of carrying 137 pounds for 26.2 versus 133-135.  (Although, when the woman at the drivers license counter just this week asked,"Is everything correct from your last license?" Me:"Yes." Her: "Still an organ donor?" Me:

"Yes." Her: "Still 120 on the weight?" Me: without hesitation "Yep"  She looked at me and smiled. She knew damn well I was telling a lie but women have an understanding that whatever weight is on the license at sixteen, remains.)  So! According to my license, I'm good to go!  ;-)

     The thing is, if I try "dieting" I do awful, and let's be honest...athletes need food.  I even got The 21 Day Fix...which lasted about one day..and didn't fix me because I'm quite certain they sent me the version that was used for a smaller scale display or something.  I kid you not, a golf ball filled the carb container.  Definitely not my style.   

     It really is true, if you want to perform well, it does matter what fuel you are putting into your body. Not eating enough while training for a marathon (or any training) can be disastrous on longer runs as well as recovery. However, just as disastrous is having the mindset that if you run 18 miles, you can eat the whole pizza and dessert.  You tell yourself, "Oh, this won't matter.  I've got a huge run this weekend."  That's not quite how you should be thinking.  It's about balance.  Just because you are doing extreme training, doesn't mean you can be doing extreme eating.  

      You have to find what fuels your body and not go by the latest trend, or even worse, try something new the week of the race.  I try to eat the same things prior to long runs, so I can see if what I'm eating is really working.  I'm into the longer runs, like 18 and 19 miles now, so I eat the same things I'll be eating race week.   Prior to the run, it's oatmeal with a scoop of protein and a piece of toast with half an avocado sprinkled with red pepper.  During the run my necessities are a gel every 5-6 miles and BASE (it's an electrolyte salt) every mile if it's very hot, or every couple if it's average temp.  One hip bottle has Gatorade and the other hip bottle has a water.  I'm currently practicing getting the gel down without slowing down...or not dropping my water or Gatorade bottle while unclasping it from the belt.  I haven't decided if I'll carry my own for the marathon or use what they offer on the tables....just as long as it doesn't slow me down.   Oh! I forgot the morning coffee. That's a must.  Yes, I roast my own beans that I order and grind it fresh every morning..it's like crack.  I've never tried crack but I'm sure it's probably close. :-)  

     So, there you have it, Buckers.  Some random thoughts about balance and being prepared for what you will use on race day.  If you want a treat, then have it...just not every day..or every other day...once a week is probably good.  I'll either be completing a long run this weekend or in line at the Dairy Queen. Balance, Buckers.  

     

The Garmin Faceplant

On January 28th, my life as I knew it came to a screeching halt.  No, there wasn't a tragedy or death...though the next seven days of my life I'm pretty sure I thought I saw the Grim Reaper.  I had influenza, and my Garmin activity took a turn for the worst.  In fact, it looks like I completely face planted and didn't move for seven straight days.  I had an amazing training run that included speed work on Thursday the 26th, then Friday came and it began....the aches, fever, chills, headache, kill me now symptoms.  Three days into the sickness, I started to make deals in my head.  A prayer if you will, to the Great Wellness in the Sky.  It went something like this..."I just want to feel better so I can run, hell, okay just to even walk, okay, even get out of this recliner..I'll, um, well, I'll never say f*%$ anymore. (a very long pause) Or at least not as much.  Like only when things are bad. Like now, they are really f&(*&& bad.  If I could just suddenly get better, that would be so f*(&^^ awesome.  Amen."

  

OK, so I need to work on my prayer skills a little. I'm pretty sure I was heard but didn't seem sincere, so the sickness continued.  That's the thing with prayer, you have to be sincere.  I thought about that for a while, then the marathon in April came into mind.  I have to be sincere in my training if I truly want to qualify for Boston.  I do, and I am sincere. I'm doing everything I'm supposed to be doing.  The speed work, the mid runs, the long runs, and most import, the rest.  Often ten miles are completed before school in the morning, so I don't miss out on family time.  Believe me, getting up at 3:52 (I have a thing about the number 7) in the morning to run ten plus miles is being sincere.  I couldn't be any more bucking sincere if I tried.  But will it be enough?  It will help for sure.  However, after completing six Ironman Triathlons (no, not bragging), I can honestly tell you, it comes down to the sincere belief in oneself, that crosses that finish line and reaches a set goal.  The miles can be stored and the speed work completed, but if my mind isn't set for the pace, it won't happen.  Does it hurt?  Yes.  Am I obsessed?  You have to be.  Do I picture the finish line?  Every day. 

Do you have a goal?  If not, get one.  Life is short, Buckers.  Your health is precious, so set a fitness goal and go for it this spring or summer...because somewhere today, someone is lying in a bed with failing health saying a sincere prayer to be well...and you are healthy...so get up and use it.  I mean that sincerely, Buckers. :-)

Being Present in the Run

     There could be several titles for today's blog.  I contemplated "The Energy," "The Spirit of the Run," "Running Spirits," etc, so before it just got weird, I satisfyingly typed the title at the top and felt it fit like the last piece in a thousand word puzzle.  "Being Present in the Run."  Yes, I purposefully used "in" instead of "on" because that is the meat of this brain snack today, the "in." Even if you do not consider yourself a runner, the concept of being present in any situation has the same benefits.
     Running, whether a short one or long one, is most often a positive, almost spiritual experience for me.  I say most often, because I'll be the first to admit, and runners will agree, there are once in a while, runs that feel like the running spirit has been sent on a route leading straight to hell.  Runs like that mentally feel longer than they should, and the body just isn't in the mood. Yet, I want to concentrate on the positive energy, so I'll save the "Even Satan Hates Me" for another day.
     It is the "in" that I intentionally make myself aware and present while swimming, biking, running...or driving..or sitting in the evening..or (you get my drift) that I want to discuss.  It is within this "in" I am present and aware of everything, and I become grateful to be doing what I am doing.
     On my last run, I had enough miles I had to complete that I was able to truly be present and aware of the colors of winter in Illinois.  I love the Midwest because I am treated by Nature to all four seasons. Over the passing of a year of running, one of my same routes changes in colors as well as landscape.  Take for instance, in January, the same dull and chalky asphalt country road that stretches for miles separating dark brown plowed fields on each side, changes drastically. In the heat of July, the very same asphalt road becomes shiny and jet black because of the hot summer sun melting the asphalt into tiny bubbles.  The road still stretches for miles, but in July becomes encased no longer by plowed fields, but six foot thick walls of deep green corn.  I have a friend that refuses to run on country roads in the summer due to feeling boxed in, but I just picture an Ironman finish lined with people waving their arms and cheering.
     It's not easy to stay "in" the run or workout because thoughts often drift to time outside of the run. Our busy lives and the lists for tomorrow or what happened yesterday are too often the focus.  It's time to take charge of the things that come to mind while training and guide them to the present. You can start out by choosing one of the five senses, and as you progress, you'll be able to take in more.
      First, be aware of your surroundings.  (you can even do this now where you are sitting) What colors do you see?  How many different colors do you see?  What shades of the same color do you notice?  Did your breathing slow?
     It takes practice but it works.  When you have the colors down, move on to the smells.  Recognizing this can be done in the country or the city when you are training.  Relax your shoulders. Again, be aware of how you're breathing.  If running...mile two just drifted into four ......

Enjoy the present, Buckers.

The Dreadmill

     With all of the rain, it's been difficult to run outside, so again, I've been stuck on the treadmill for several runs.  I've made peace with the treadmill but have definitely created a mental list of pros and cons while putting in the many miles, as well as discovered the history of the treadmill.

     Before I mention the pros and cons, you may find it interesting that according to Treadmill Reviews,
                 "treadmills were invented in order to try to reform prisoners, a practice
                  that was established all the way back in 1817 by Sir William Cubitt. The
                  invention of the treadmill for the purpose of use in prisons can be traced
                  to an economic need. In England in the 19th century, many laborers found
                  themselves out of a job after the Napoleonic Wars, and the country could
                  not afford to allow convicts to take jobs away from English laborers. As a
                  solution, Cubitt came up with institutional treadmills whose purpose it was
                  to offer power to mills. The prisoners were forced to hang on to the bar and
                  climb up the paddle blades, which made them constantly lift up their legs."

     I'm not sure if a treadmill will ever help reform me in any way, but I'm quite sure it feels like a prison sentence when I have a fourteen miler even with the TV on the front.  That leads me to my list of pros of running on the treadmill.

Pros:
     I can watch HGTV.  (Home and Garden Television)  I make a list in my head of things I can purchase at Menards to redo my entire house...myself, because after all, I've watched how it's done.

     Even though it's icy and or raining outside, I can still get a run completed.

     I save money shopping because by the time the run is over, I've realized I won't be going to Menards to get the materials because that would take time away from my running.

    All water, Gatorade, GU gels, tissues, cheater glasses..yes, I need those, BASE salt, and phone are in their places on the front of the treadmill...and the bathroom is private.

Cons:
     I don't get to revel in  the beauty of nature and the energy in everything as I run outside. (watch I AM documentary.  Beautiful.)

     Running is not the same with the belt moving under me vs me creating the movement on the road or trail.
   
     I have to actually get off the treadmill, walk to the bathroom, wash my hands after, etc. if I have to pee.  On the road (I'm out in the country lol  I can watch for a car and if no one is coming, pop a squat if needed.  Yes, yes, I do .  Right on the side of the road.  No one is watching...live a little people...

     I can't spit or fart on the treadmill at the gym.  Nature outside is OK with my habits.  You don't fart or spit when you run?....not even a really long run?  Are you running fast enough?  Getting the right foods? :-)  If you aren't OK with farting, well, our running friendship will be short. :-)

     Running outside allows me to not get pissed due to some moron running out of the woods, then all of a sudden RIGHT next to me.  This happens on a treadmill, and I get SO pissed when  a person gets on the one RIGHT next to me when there is a line of empty treadmills.  (I always get on the end one next to the wall. It's mine.  All mine.  No exceptions.)

I could go on  and on about the cons of running on a treadmill but I will say, I am grateful for the option.  

Stay safe running or walking on the road or treadmill this week, Buckers.

 

"The Treadmill: A History." The Treadmill: A History 2017 | TreadmillReviews.net. Treadmill Reviews,      
     2017. Web. 19 Jan. 2017.

The Gym Yorkie

     Training this week for Boston is going as well as can be expected, despite the fact that last weekend Mother Nature was a hormonal wreck..many can relate...and was so irritated with the Midwest last weekend, she transformed into a complete psycho and only turned up the temp to 8 degrees on Sunday. My option to running outside? (No, skipping a long training run is not an option.)

     I was forced to run fourteen miles on a treadmill.

     True story.  I was forced (forced by me) to go to the gym to run because my treadmill needs maintenance...again...many can relate...and I needed a treadmill that could handle the mileage.  Off to the gym I went and successfully completed the fourteen.  That's not what I want to discuss today.  It's what occurred after the workout in the locker room that is definitely blog worthy and needs to be addressed.

     I can't speak for what it is like in a gentleman's locker room, but in a female's locker room, there are two types of gymies.  There is the type that is modest with her parts, and there is the type that lets it all hang out like it's a Mardi Gras parade, and beads are expected to be given as tokens of appreciation, regardless of size or sag.   In case you are wondering, believe it or not, I'm modest...though quite bead worthy, I'm modest.  However, after showering, and yes, I was covered up, there  was a group of elderly ladies that had just come from swimming in the pool.  They had finished swimming, taken off their suits, and were just chatting it up without a care in the world and not a stitch of clothing on their bodies.

     That wasn't the issue.

     It was when I was addressed with a "Hello, how are you?" and brought into the conversation with three naked women standing in the middle of the locker room with nothing on..not a stitch of clothing or any indication that a towel would be reached for at any moment in the near future, that I began to feel out of the club.  Yet, that wasn't the issue either.  I'm perfectly comfortable conversing in a locker room with bare bottomed women, but well, how do I put this lightly, one of the women either hadn't looked down in twenty years to groom, or my mini Yorkie dog had snuck into the locker room and attached herself to this woman's lower half!

     No, I wasn't checking anyone out but this couldn't go unnoticed.  Apparently her friends were used to it.  All I could think was, No,Gracie! Get down! Bad dog!  Next, in my head, I'm telling myself, Only the eyes, just look at her eyes. Then, she turned around to grab a towel, and I swear I let out a breath.  I must have been holding it and not realized it.  Things were fine once the towel covered parts, but the disturbing vision remains.

    Why did I mention this?  Because grooming is important.  If you are going to spend time working on your cardio and building your muscles, it's important to remember the little things like shaving and using lotion, especially lotion on your elbows...dry elbows on myself as well as others, a pet peeve of mine...I know. odd.  (You just felt your elbows, didn't you? :-) Well, lotion those elbows
up and groom downstairs.

     Have a great weekend, Buckers. :-)

   



   

Knocking on 50's door...

    During an early morning run this past week, my thoughts were drifting from how badly I had to pee...and was about to in my running tights, due to lack of ability to hold it since mid forties...to how awesome I was feeling...to am I really going to turn 50 tomorrow?!  Then it hit me...yes, yes, I was.    
     Damn.  50.  That year when black balloons and laughter from coworkers fills break-rooms, and all kinds of weird shit like fake pills and farting whoopee cushions are given as gifts....but the joke is on them. As I was running this morning, I glanced down at my watch, and I was holding an 8:30 pace.  Now, that's not track star, Olympic pace, but still...after four miles, I was maintaining an 8:30 pace with  two more miles to go.  It then occurred to me.  F(*& 50.  I feel better now than I have ever felt.  Two kids, two divorces, a survivor of Melanoma cancer, and six Ironman triathlons later, yes, I will be 50 on Saturday, and I'm training to qualify for the Boston Marathon on April 22, 2017.

   I'd like to invite you along for the journey.  Join me on my journey to Boston and my journey to Buck50. Regardless of your age now, I have a few things to share that I've learned and witnessed over these past fifty years. I look forward to many early morning runs as well as the trials and jubilations I'll face over the next fifty years.  I've learned some valuable lessons and tricks on how to stay fit, maintain a great outlook on life, as well as truly umderstanding the meaning of honesty being the best policy.  So, follow me and join me every Thursday, because I assure you, it will be bucking interesting and often entertaining. :-)

                                         1995-1st Triathlon                      2016