Triathlons and training

It has been 2 months now since Ironman and I didn't go through the typical depression after a big-time race. I went through a euphoria for two weeks, then back to normal. I am always planning the next race and don't want to stop training, so I don't usually go through a down phase after crossing a major finish line.

However, with that being said, I have gone through major, major difficulties in stamina. My endurance isn't what it was before Ironman when I was doing 5 hour bike rides followed the next day by a 15-20 mile run and swim. Now, I have a hard time mustering 13 miles of running. I did 15 miles last weekend and could barely muster the energy past mile 12. I have planned on doing a marathon on Valentine's day (as I thought that is the perfect way to spend a silly holiday), but now not so sure. I should run 20 miles this weekend and see. If I don't make it, I'll switch to a half marathon on Feb. 14th and complete a full in the spring... maybe 2 fulls in the spring when I'm hoping my stamina level is back and 20 miles is a walk in the park like it used to be pre-Ironman.

I am also planning my international marathon and very excited at where I will be heading. I will also find out if I won the lottery into the NYC marathon.

Plus, triathlon season is just around the corner. Unfortunately, I do not hear the pool calling my name. I can, though, hear my goggles yelling "don't touch, don't touch." Hmmm...

Wimp

I have become a weather wimp. I grew up in Seattle for 20 years and had rain almost every single day. Now it has been raining and I can't stand it. Use a treadmill? Blah. Wear closed toe shoes? I can't find any in my closet. Umbrella? Do I even own one? I think I gave mine away at a white elephant gift exchange.

It takes forever to drive in rain because no one knows how. They are shutting down the airport. Shutting it down! If they shut down the Sea Tac airport because of rain, no one would ever get into the Puget Sound area.

But the rain will go away and it really isn't a big deal, even though everyone is making it out to be. I lose my cable when it rains so I read and my house stays quiet for the evening. So I'll curl up with a good book tonight. Too bad I will miss Burn Notice and the Real Housewives of OC.

Weekend

Well I should be at mile 9 right now of a half marathon race, but instead I am at home checking email and Facebook and sleeping in till 8am, rather than get up at 5 to head to the start line. Oh well, it was my choice not to do the big race this weekend. Rather than feel guilty about it, I think I will donate what I would have spent on my registration to the Red Cross to aid the rescue efforts in Haiti. Then I won't feel so guilty.

I did run a really poor 8 miles yesterday and did not run well at all. I am about to go out for a 20 mile run in preparation for an upcoming marathon. I am doing a half marathon in a couple of weeks then hopefully a full. I may end up switching back to the half if I keep running like I have been since Ironman (slow, slow, slow).

I went to go see Kathy Griffin perform last evening with one of my girlfriends and it is nice to hang and have girl talk and laugh amidst such a terrible time in the world.

Guilty, Guilty, Guilty

That is how I am feeling by not doing the P.F. Chang's Rock N Roll Marathon this weekend. It is one of the largest races in the country and I always do it, but not this year. I am going to do a half marathon in a couple of weeks and then *planning* to do another full in February...depending on my training. I am quite tired after Ironman. I did a half marathon and 10 mile race just weeks after Ironman and both felt harder than they should.

So I'm setting this one out and it feels very strange. So many people at work are running in it. I see all the advertisements for it. I hear about the expo and get emails about it. My training group is having a lunch get together to support all those doing it. And I'm not. It's weird. But it is my choice. I'll save my legs for many other future races.

Pet peeves

1. People who run faster than I do and don't even try or train. They just can run a marathon and run it quickly with little effort. Some people just naturally qualify for Boston every year.
2. Men who lie about their age. It's okay for women, but for some reason, I'm not okay with it when a man does it.
3. When all the radio stations take a commercial break at the same time. Same with television stations.
4. People who obviously hate cyclists. Share the road.
5. Scam charities. Sick people are profiting off of the current situation in Haiti by setting up fake charities. There's a place in he** for you I'm sure.

Haiti

Life is so short. Seeing the images on the Internet of the destruction makes me want to get on a plane right now and just do anything I can to help.

Mother Nature is one big beast.

I believe...

I believe that Starbucks can make life feel better
I believe that if you challenge your body and push it harder, it will respond
I believe that all men are innately jerks. Some can overcome this, but most don't
I believe that everything happens for a reason
I believe that a good run can make you feel better
I believe that if you really want something bad enough, you will do what you need to do to make it happen
I believe that dancing will liven your spirit
I believe that sunshine lifts your spirit
I believe that you have to smile when eating cake. It just makes you happy