Maybe some people were just meant to be slow runners.

What do you think about this idea?   Do you think that some people will always run the same pace or close to it no matter how hard they try to get faster?  I have to wonder this sometimes as I read about people knocking minutes and seconds off their run pace and my pace stays the same (for the most part). While I don't run 5 times a week, I run enough that there should be some improvement. I would even feel better about things if I felt that my running was becoming more efficient even if the pace stayed the same.  I don't feel that however. It is just as hard and just as slow as it always has been.  The only exception is running downhill. That is the one time I can run at a faster pace and get an idea of what most people's "slow runs" feel like :)   Thank goodness I can ride a bike!

2010 in Review

This is the first year that I kept record of miles, yards, time and other workouts, so I don’t have previous numbers to compare it to.  My training slowed down during race season due to a dental infection and surgery that plagued me through the summer but even with that I am content with what I accomplished. 

2010 totals
Bike: 155h 53m 15s  - 2255.26 Mi
Run: 126h 36m 36s  - 685.73 Mi
Swim: 38h 33m 27s  - 104348 Yd
Strength: 28h 58m
Stairmaster: 6h 48m
Walking: 7h 53m 23s
If I had to pick one goal for 2011, it would be to get more running miles in in less time. 
126 hours is a longtime to be on your feet for that amount of miles!


A look back at 2010 (these pics look much better when clicked on)


January 2010. My first half marathon and the only one that I have completed by running the whole distance.


Beating the winter blues with  friends.


Platte River Half Marathon.  I fell apart at mile 6.5 and it was down hill from there. The ongoing battle with GI issues while running started with this race.


The new addition to the family


First tri of the season and first time racing on my new bike.



The start of the MS 150.  Not one person in line. Amazing!


Boulder Peak.  Finally got to meet Julie who was handing out finisher medals


Boulder 70.3 in the books


Aimee, Julie and me at the Iron Girl Tri.







Crescent Moon.  While a bit blurry, I like this picture because it is one of the few that shows that on occasion my feet do get off the ground


At the end of the Rock and Roll Denver Half Marathon and before the GI horror started. (do you see the pattern starting here?)


Miami Man’s famous swim cap!


Arizona Ironman 2010. Fun to be a spectator and volunteer.
  










 What is in store for 2011

Tentative. I am not sure I will be doing the whole Boulder series
4/10/11 Platte River Half Marathon 
6/19/11 5430 Sprint Triathlon
7/10/11  Boulder Peak Triathlon (Olympic)
8/7/11  Boulder 70.3
11/20/11  Ironman Arizona (gulp)

Thanks to all of you for all your support and encouragement.
A special thanks to Brian for being a great spectator and capturing my year in pictures.

Happy Holidays!

Wishing all of you a wonderful holiday season.  You are all very special!

 He is always in a rush.

"Runner Crawls to Finish to Win Title for Her Ailing Coach"

I want to thank everyone who has posted such positive comments about the news of IMAZ.  It really  means a lot to me and I appreciate the support more then you can imagine!
I have been battling the "crud" for a week and have done little to no training. I see the light at the end of the tunnel though and hope to be back at it in the next day or two.
My father sent me this article from the NY Times and I thought I would pass it on to you. It is a great story and one that I know all of you will be touched by. Runner Crawls to Finish to Win Title for Her Ailing Coach"  The article even links to the video showing the girl's efforts to finish the race.

Happy Sunday!

Guess Where I was This Past Weekend?

Let me share my weekend with you in pictures.

 

Sister Madonna Buder "Iron Nun"

Chrissie

Matt

Chrissie and the camera man

Lindsay

Why they do this

Guess Where I Will be on November 20th, 2011?

Congratulations! You are now registered for 2011 Ironman Arizona

Miami Man Race Report

 And so the day begins....

 I had numerous requests to have a picture taken with the "Nemo" swim cap on

 The swim cap seems to be a hit with everyone who sees it.

 The HIM started before the Olympic distance race so I had lots of down time (1.25 hours to be exact)

 Finally my wave (the last one) takes off

 The fins at work

 The sun was blinding on the long stretch to the finish. I couldn't see anything or anybody in front of me and went off course. Fortunately a a guy in a kayak got me back on course before I cut it without even knowing it.

 Bike time. This was a long way to the bike mount line

 I plan on purchasing this pic so I feel it is ok to use it :)

 bike complete. Very flat and strait course (not used to that in CO). Some winds on the return but overall a good ride. First time I have raced a course that I hadn't even laid my eyes on.

 Well, I knew it would have to come sometime. The dreaded run. Nice "Tri Tats" don't you think?

 At the first aid station right outside of transition and I am already prepping to pour H20 over my head. It was getting hot!

 Check out the elephants :)  I made it a point to smile at the camera. I never think to smile so of course the reaction from my friends who saw this pic was a repeated "you smiled" or "nice smile". 

Both feet seem to be on the ground but my upper body looks like there is movement.

 At the finish, determined to hit the timing mat (I always worry my time will be missed. Don't know why)

This picture cracks me up!   I was again practicing my smile and pose for the camera but I look like I am in shock that I actually finished.

 Happy to be done and in one piece. I drank tons of fluids during this race and survived without GI issues.

By far the cutest medal I have ever received!

Over all things went well. I started way in the back on the swim and ended up 8th out of 35. This includes a detour off course due to swimming into the sun and not being able to see anything or anybody (literally).  At one point I had to stop and tried to shade my eyes to try and see where I was going but it didn’t work. (The swim was a .6 mile swim). I was number 3 out of 35 on the bike and I am very happy with this. Like I have said in other posts, the bike is my strength.  For all women, I was 40 out of 232 (my little victory before the run)

My run was slow but I am OK with that (this time).  I walked every aid station and spent the time to put ice in my hat on at least three of the (6.6 miles). I drank at every aid station and drank almost all of my bottles on the fuel belt. (I also drank my whole aero bottle full of Infinite and almost a whole other bottle of water while on the bike).  I was drinking a lot! I took four Salt Stick capsules (two on bike and two on the run) and had some Gu Chomps on the bike as well. At about mile two of the run I wasn’t feeling all that well. I walked a short bit and then started to get my second wind after that. A brief period of clouds/shade was a life saver and I just worked on keeping my HR at a certain level which seemed to help.  I ran almost the entire run except the aid stations. I must have looked like I needed ice as one of the volunteers offered it to me before I even asked.  I felt pretty good at the end and didn’t really have any problems after that.  So, an uneventful finish, thank goodness .(17th out of 35 in my age group. Once I figure out how to run, watch out people..LOL)  I was supposed to do this race last year but surgery put an end to that. I was able to transfer my slot to this year and I am glad I did. It was a fun race with a lot of character and special touches.

Finally, one of the highlights for me was having Greg Simony and one of his three friends in my swim wave.

Check this out.http://www.justnews.com/video/25789496/index.html