So, I set out today before dawn on a long mountainous run...couldn't wait!! All this tempo work has me pretty much close to wanting to quit! I ran this course yesterday at the beautiful misty sunrise and felt so wonderful afterwards that I just wanted to go again today (even though it's supposed to be my ONE day off).
Not a soul out on the trail I was on. The beginning of the run was still dark, the sun hadn't poked through the trees nor had the birds started their morning song. The air was crisp and rejuvinating. The smell of the redwood trees seemed to have had an awakening effect as does the first hints of an early a.m. brew. For awhile all I could hear was my steady breathing which seemed to pant a little harder today as I began the ascent of the first roller. I felt so ecstatic to be out there until I heard a monkey-like sound repeat itself many times, and immediately I felt like I was in another world. What the heck was it??? I know yesterday I ran among heards and heards of turkey vultures who had their heads down in the fields slowly creeping their way to find something nutritious. I told myself it was probably just one of those big birds. I kept running.
Now, maybe I've been criticized by my friends for being fearful of romantic relationships, fearful of making mistakes, fearful of the future of my family members or friends...whatever. My mom and I have likened me to the character "much afraid" in the book Hinds Feet in High Places. BUT...one thing I've never been afraid of was the dark or scary monsters. I have a risk taker streak in me and I can do wild and crazy risk taking things that any "normal" person might not do. For example, backing up along the 101 fwy with a car full of friends screaming so I didn't have to cross the bridge and pay the toll. Jumping off a high tower at 4 years old igniting crazy fear in my dad, standing on my bike while it was rolling along with one foot high up in the air behind me balancing on the handle bars at around 12 years old, wanting to smuggle Bibles into closed countries as a teenager, going tuley whomping with all guys only to discover an angry beaver who chased us out of it's cave growling ferociously, racing cute boys on the freeway (back in the day of course), having under water pool cover races or playing tag under there after hours (we were crazy lifeguards in high school), doing what it takes to make a difference even if it's highly hazardous to my health. Haha!
So, when I heard the noises in the mountainous trees above me while running my first thought was, "it's just the birds" then when I heard heavy footsteps I thought, "it's just the deer" but when I couldn't see a shadow, or any sign to confirm my thoughts...I stopped running, quieted my breathing and my spontaneously appearing "what if" thoughts, noticed the fight or flight response in my eyeballs (pupils dilated, and eyes as big as can be)and heart rate. I listened and watched and listened and watched. Then, I remembered my mace...which was cozily nestled uselessly in the comforts of my home (grrrr!). Without another thought, I bolted back to the car as fast as I could. I was pretty bummed out that I missed my long run today. But, next time I think the security of having mace (or my dad suggested a BB gun and im thinking it may be a better idea) in my hand will allow me to venture on and climb my mountain.
Instead, I got to listen in on an early bird conference call with my sister Erin and my papa about loving people with purposeful hopes of getting NOTHING in return. The concept was beautiful. The knowledge and gratitude of what God has done for all is heightened when this approach is used in life. Instead of keeping tabs on love (I do this so you do that), as most people get into a natural habit of doing, they talked about how much more peaceful life is because you don't give others to power to influence your peace and joy in life. It's a perfect shield against disappointment and yet it allows genuine love to be given freely. So much of this idea is exactly what God has done for us. In retrospect I am thankful that I missed out on my much desired run to hear such wisdom from my own family members. They are so sweet and I love them so much!!
The past week has been pretty stressful. Not so much the training (though, the speed workouts are most challenging for me and with our race coming up next Sunday that's all I've been doing lately) as much as the realization that this triathlon training thingy is forcing me to get organized on every level of detail in my life. I truly can't run around doing three-a-day workouts while trying to find my goggles, or trying to remember which bill to pay, or trying to eat a balanced meal every few hours and all before work. There's just absolutely no way I'm going to continue living like that. It's absolute madness!
The more I think about the marathon the more I'm falling in love with it! I love simplicity. I'm a simple and average girl. So, the idea of putting on my shoes and going for a run is like music to my ears. The idea of packing my car for three sports and focusing on making quicker transitions all before a day at work is quite a load on my shoulders...and im feeling it loudly.
THE GOOD NEWS: this is forcing me to be the organized self I always resisted. My freedom is limited, my options are few, my routines are stern. I am daily working on getting rid of extra junk in my house, cleaning, routines, bills are being paid online, all so I can train in peace! I want to enjoy this training. I feel like I'm truly changing into a completely different person, finally maturing into an adult and part of me grieves the loss of my freedom to do whatever whenever. I'm not sure I will ever gain that back again as this is teaching me so much about responsibility...not sure why or how this is teaching me all this but it is nonetheless. I guess I'm a late bloomer. Haha!!
One more thing. I'm also learning that most of the time there won't be all my cheerleaders cheering me on. I'm out there alone forced to be my own cheerleader. Forced to believe in myself. Forced to be my own coach. Forced to commit and do. Forced to be content and in forward motion without any support at all. This is hard sometimes when my motivation is on 'E' but all the more for building my character muscles and truly learning that God is my number ONE coach and with me through it all! I totally love HIM!!!
not to forget the mace!
Jenny :)
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
I did Pine Flats!!!!!!
So I woke up today and ate a substantial breakfast ( i was in rare form). Showed up to our Friday ride and of course Warren our leader decided to take us up Pine flats...the highest point in Sonoma which climbs for 14 miles with the last half mile being a 19% grade. I've only done it once before earlier this year. This is a ride they usually only do once or twice a year.
So, about twenty men and myself hammered the first five flat miles to get to the bottom of the climb and I was feeling strong so I pushed the pace. Six of us took off and dropped the rest of the group. Then, it became three of us and we talked all the way up the climb until we got to the last part when it was with a scorching hot sun (what do you know...i forgot sunblock!) out of fluids and puffing away. The two guys had to stop twice, and to my surprise I was able to stay in my own zone and focus on my own pace...i didn't stop once. So, the male ego always intrigues me and Tom (a very strong rider) caught up to me and said, "well I think I'm going to bail" I said, "ok" (silence). Then, he replied, "are you going to keep going?" I said, "yeah, whatever it takes"...I was on the 19% grade and going about 2 mph!!! It's hard to make even just a single pedal rotation. Silence again. So, I looked down and sure enough he was still plugging away, but I was able to really drop the two guys and cruised to the top!! I can't believe it!!!
So, I turned around at the top to begin my 14 mile descent...alone. As I cruised and recovered I started noticing ALOT of wild animals. One baby rattle (on the way up a guy ran right over it with his bike accidently and killed it), turkey vultures eating a dead young rabbit, turned a corner and came head to head with a BIG BUCK!, and then started dwelling on the fact that we were in the home of most of the moutain lions!!! I kept imagining one looking down at me from the hanging rocks and fear started to grow...so did my pace!! I think in the future I will carry mace with me...I have some just need to remember to take it.
I really couldn't believe how incredibly beautiful it is here!! How amazing God is!! How He is a creative, gentle, loving, kind, and detail oriented God and I really sensed it all on this ride. Which is why I rode the entire way down with an EAR TO EAR GRIN!!!!!!!!! This ride is like euphoria...and I can't wait to show my friends...especially Angela as it will be a perfect training ground for France. I truly believe Sonoma county is one of the most beautiful places on earth and most people who live here don't get to see the most beautiful parts...the charming back roads...i know because I've lived here for 15 years and never knew of these places!!
Well, that's it for now. Going for a 3 1/2 hour study group and then to the gym for hopefully a ten mile run!
Jen
So, about twenty men and myself hammered the first five flat miles to get to the bottom of the climb and I was feeling strong so I pushed the pace. Six of us took off and dropped the rest of the group. Then, it became three of us and we talked all the way up the climb until we got to the last part when it was with a scorching hot sun (what do you know...i forgot sunblock!) out of fluids and puffing away. The two guys had to stop twice, and to my surprise I was able to stay in my own zone and focus on my own pace...i didn't stop once. So, the male ego always intrigues me and Tom (a very strong rider) caught up to me and said, "well I think I'm going to bail" I said, "ok" (silence). Then, he replied, "are you going to keep going?" I said, "yeah, whatever it takes"...I was on the 19% grade and going about 2 mph!!! It's hard to make even just a single pedal rotation. Silence again. So, I looked down and sure enough he was still plugging away, but I was able to really drop the two guys and cruised to the top!! I can't believe it!!!
So, I turned around at the top to begin my 14 mile descent...alone. As I cruised and recovered I started noticing ALOT of wild animals. One baby rattle (on the way up a guy ran right over it with his bike accidently and killed it), turkey vultures eating a dead young rabbit, turned a corner and came head to head with a BIG BUCK!, and then started dwelling on the fact that we were in the home of most of the moutain lions!!! I kept imagining one looking down at me from the hanging rocks and fear started to grow...so did my pace!! I think in the future I will carry mace with me...I have some just need to remember to take it.
I really couldn't believe how incredibly beautiful it is here!! How amazing God is!! How He is a creative, gentle, loving, kind, and detail oriented God and I really sensed it all on this ride. Which is why I rode the entire way down with an EAR TO EAR GRIN!!!!!!!!! This ride is like euphoria...and I can't wait to show my friends...especially Angela as it will be a perfect training ground for France. I truly believe Sonoma county is one of the most beautiful places on earth and most people who live here don't get to see the most beautiful parts...the charming back roads...i know because I've lived here for 15 years and never knew of these places!!
Well, that's it for now. Going for a 3 1/2 hour study group and then to the gym for hopefully a ten mile run!
Jen
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Carnivorously...
Well, I made personal history Sunday evening. To my very own surprise I went out and had a few bites of some well done steak and LIKED IT!!! This was unbelievable to me, as some of you who know me would agree that I wouldn't even touch a fork that was near any kind of meat (not including fish) for the last 15 years! (Thanks to my microbiology class back in 1993).
To those of you who think I'm stubborn as a mule, relentless as a pitbull, set in my ways, unteachable or just plain hard headed...POOF!!! Haha! While those "qualities" may be true and have been used to my advantage I must say this is an instance where I am proud to know that I can break those bonds of self-determination and actually be teachable. Woohoo!! So, with that being said I have to find out from coach how often I should eat the good tasting garbage because I do believe once all this training stuff is over (when I can actually buy a harley) I will return to my staple beans and rice. Haha!!!
So, yesterday I spent a half hour on the phone with Christy discussing nutrition and key workouts. We were laughing at how I just decided to not do my swim test and went for a 6 mile run instead. I now understand that this coaching thing is something I'm not sure will be so easy...it's like trying to tame a mule and I just realized I'm going to miss my ability to just get up at 3:45 am and go for a 20 mile run. I realized that I liked the idea of saying I have a coach but the part where I have to listen and do what she says, well let's put it this way...it'll take awhile adjusting and learning how to be her student. I am excited and I DO know that I have NO idea how to do all this.
Lastly, she mentioned that I in no way eat enough. She said based on my food diary that I eat nutritious foods but that I need to be packing away foods every three hours...which she wants me to start doing now. PLUS, she wants me to add a recovery drink immediately after every workout and a protein drink with fruit (blended) a few hours after each workout. She wants me to have almonds, yogurt, fruit and snack foods all day long!! I realized yesterday that she is and will be turning my world upside down and that I will no longer be able to eat based on my hunger...every detail will be planned and carried out for the next YEAR!! I gotta get my butt organized!! This is all so new and kind of overwhelming which is why she wants to start training now so when December comes for the real triathlon training (when all the racing stops) she and I will have all the kinks firgured out and I will understand each and every key workout. Oh, and she said all my gains from training will happen in my recovery periods, so we will be doing two weeks on pretty strong, and one week not so strong to focus on recovery.
I'm on a steep learning curve and even just trying to think about all that she is saying is kind of tiring...but very interesting. She knows her stuff!
Off for the swim test...
Jen
To those of you who think I'm stubborn as a mule, relentless as a pitbull, set in my ways, unteachable or just plain hard headed...POOF!!! Haha! While those "qualities" may be true and have been used to my advantage I must say this is an instance where I am proud to know that I can break those bonds of self-determination and actually be teachable. Woohoo!! So, with that being said I have to find out from coach how often I should eat the good tasting garbage because I do believe once all this training stuff is over (when I can actually buy a harley) I will return to my staple beans and rice. Haha!!!
So, yesterday I spent a half hour on the phone with Christy discussing nutrition and key workouts. We were laughing at how I just decided to not do my swim test and went for a 6 mile run instead. I now understand that this coaching thing is something I'm not sure will be so easy...it's like trying to tame a mule and I just realized I'm going to miss my ability to just get up at 3:45 am and go for a 20 mile run. I realized that I liked the idea of saying I have a coach but the part where I have to listen and do what she says, well let's put it this way...it'll take awhile adjusting and learning how to be her student. I am excited and I DO know that I have NO idea how to do all this.
Lastly, she mentioned that I in no way eat enough. She said based on my food diary that I eat nutritious foods but that I need to be packing away foods every three hours...which she wants me to start doing now. PLUS, she wants me to add a recovery drink immediately after every workout and a protein drink with fruit (blended) a few hours after each workout. She wants me to have almonds, yogurt, fruit and snack foods all day long!! I realized yesterday that she is and will be turning my world upside down and that I will no longer be able to eat based on my hunger...every detail will be planned and carried out for the next YEAR!! I gotta get my butt organized!! This is all so new and kind of overwhelming which is why she wants to start training now so when December comes for the real triathlon training (when all the racing stops) she and I will have all the kinks firgured out and I will understand each and every key workout. Oh, and she said all my gains from training will happen in my recovery periods, so we will be doing two weeks on pretty strong, and one week not so strong to focus on recovery.
I'm on a steep learning curve and even just trying to think about all that she is saying is kind of tiring...but very interesting. She knows her stuff!
Off for the swim test...
Jen
Saturday, August 16, 2008
8/15 Coach Christy
Hi all! So, yesterday I met with my new coach at her house. She is an amazing woman and I feel so honored to have her coach me!! She was a pro cyclist and triathlete for TEN years!! She has her masters degree in Exercise Physiology (my dream career) and has been coaching for a long time. She is also Holly's coach (the woman who won 2nd place at the ironman in Nice, France this year).
The way this will work is that she'll post an online calender of my workouts and we'll be in contact over the phone and through email in regards to my training. She will do several tests to see my VO2 max on a training bike to know where exactly I need work. Before I even arrived yesterday she looked up all my races and times and split times. She said I have a set pace for running that absolutely does NOT change. I usually run a 9min/mile marathon and she thinks I can go faster if I do tempo work. I truly never do any speedwork so I'm excited to have a little guidance in this area.
I'm really excited because she said I can do all the races I've signed up for and even two that I'm considering...most people tell me I'm retarded. So, the plan until December 10th is; half iron, sprint tri, 2-3 marathons, and a 200 mile century (bike). Even though right now I'm in recovery mode for this week, I'm really getting excited! She did make me promise after these events that I will NOT sign up for any more races as she will focus on weight training and strengthening which does not go well with racing. I promised. EEEK!! That was a big promise...help! haha!!!
Lastly, we talked a bit on nutrition. Get this...she asked me to eat red meat! I mean she flat out asked me to do it! Can you even believe that??? She said with the level she's going to take me in training that red meat has nutrients that delivers most efficiently to the body than by trying to get them in supplements (which she also asked me to start taking). She said after ten years of racing she was tested and found to be completely deficient! She was serious when she asked me to eat it, and well I can't even imagine doing so! She said at least keep an open mind and look in the organic section of meats. Ugh! You all know I'd be super serious about training if I did that, and I'm just not feeling like getting that serious to be honest. I haven't eaten red meat for like 16 years!!! My brain doesn't even recognize that as food. It'd be like trying to chew on a cow patty!
Well, that's all for now. I'm excited to have her on board. She also recommends stretch and yoga classes, which my gym offers for free. I have a feeling she's going to turn my world upside down!!!
Jen
The way this will work is that she'll post an online calender of my workouts and we'll be in contact over the phone and through email in regards to my training. She will do several tests to see my VO2 max on a training bike to know where exactly I need work. Before I even arrived yesterday she looked up all my races and times and split times. She said I have a set pace for running that absolutely does NOT change. I usually run a 9min/mile marathon and she thinks I can go faster if I do tempo work. I truly never do any speedwork so I'm excited to have a little guidance in this area.
I'm really excited because she said I can do all the races I've signed up for and even two that I'm considering...most people tell me I'm retarded. So, the plan until December 10th is; half iron, sprint tri, 2-3 marathons, and a 200 mile century (bike). Even though right now I'm in recovery mode for this week, I'm really getting excited! She did make me promise after these events that I will NOT sign up for any more races as she will focus on weight training and strengthening which does not go well with racing. I promised. EEEK!! That was a big promise...help! haha!!!
Lastly, we talked a bit on nutrition. Get this...she asked me to eat red meat! I mean she flat out asked me to do it! Can you even believe that??? She said with the level she's going to take me in training that red meat has nutrients that delivers most efficiently to the body than by trying to get them in supplements (which she also asked me to start taking). She said after ten years of racing she was tested and found to be completely deficient! She was serious when she asked me to eat it, and well I can't even imagine doing so! She said at least keep an open mind and look in the organic section of meats. Ugh! You all know I'd be super serious about training if I did that, and I'm just not feeling like getting that serious to be honest. I haven't eaten red meat for like 16 years!!! My brain doesn't even recognize that as food. It'd be like trying to chew on a cow patty!
Well, that's all for now. I'm excited to have her on board. She also recommends stretch and yoga classes, which my gym offers for free. I have a feeling she's going to turn my world upside down!!!
Jen
Thursday, August 14, 2008
New Coach
Hi everyone!
So, yesterday I met a girl named Holly who owns a shoe store nearby, and who also won 2nd place in Nice, France ironman this June, 2008!! She spent an hour and a half talking with me on all kinds of tips. She'll be at the half ironman that Angela and I are doing in 3 weeks (Santa Cruz), and she'll also be running the CIM marathon in Sacramento. She'll be an incredible support for Angela and I. It's just amazing to me to see how things work out. Another major blessing is that she suggested that I use her personal coach who is a woman with her master's in excercise physiology and has trained Holly all along.
I have been to the local bookstore many times so far and unlike the marathon (you can figure out a marathon from a book) the triathlon books were sooooo detailed with information that I just cannot understand. Things discussed included "periodization" and all kinds of ways to train for multisports. This is crucial to understand or this level of training can lead to severe injuries. Holly said her guy didn't pay attention to these details and ended up having bilateral hip replacements at a very young age. She talked about nutrition and healthy approaches to training. The first thing she said was, "make sure you ALWAYS get your period! Women who overtrain lose their period are decreasing in bone mass faster than their great gramas!"
Another vital tidbit I got from her is that life goes on while training. She said after she did the local vineman (her first) years ago that she went home and scrubbed her kitchen floor, did laundry and that her husband was tired from being at the race all day so he had to go straight to bed. She said she was up early the next morning to take the kids to school. She works 10 hours a day and still trained and even WON 2ND PLACE at France! So, what that tells me is that less is better, and that organization is the key! I realize that I will become robotic-like in my routines. Every detail will be planned for the next 11 months from time alone with God, to time with family, to work, to training, to cleaning house and food prep, enough sleep, social time (scant), recovery and rest, training races, to bill paying etc...every detail needs to be in place. Granted I'm not going out to try and win this race (obviously) but my goal is to feel strong the WHOLE WAY THROUGH and that presents A TON of work before me.
This also means I can't just sign up for any race I want. This means I have to listen to my coach and allow her to guide me....eeek! But I THRIVE on races! Oh well, we'll see.
Another thing I want to mention is that my mom and dad are probably my greatest supports and resources that I ever could imagine! I have the best phone dates with my dad each and every morning in which I sip coffee and share and listen as we talk about what God is teaching us and he (being a marathoner in the past and body builder now) always has the best tips for me in training both spiritually and physically. I love him so much!!!
So then I usually talk with my mama before work and she believes I can get a GOLD MEDAL in the OLYMPICS. She loves to tell me how she sees me in the Olympics, and how she sees me writing my childrens books, and anything that is outstanding she sees me doing! She makes me laugh!!! But, despite the seemingly absurdness, there's something to be said for someone who thinks so highly of you! It's a solid motivator! It's something that keeps me focused and going strong. It's a powerful support. It's so incredibly cute!!! She's my sweet mom who has the gift of encouragement and I love her so much!!!
Ok, enough of a blog for today.
Jen
ps-it's a choice.
So, yesterday I met a girl named Holly who owns a shoe store nearby, and who also won 2nd place in Nice, France ironman this June, 2008!! She spent an hour and a half talking with me on all kinds of tips. She'll be at the half ironman that Angela and I are doing in 3 weeks (Santa Cruz), and she'll also be running the CIM marathon in Sacramento. She'll be an incredible support for Angela and I. It's just amazing to me to see how things work out. Another major blessing is that she suggested that I use her personal coach who is a woman with her master's in excercise physiology and has trained Holly all along.
I have been to the local bookstore many times so far and unlike the marathon (you can figure out a marathon from a book) the triathlon books were sooooo detailed with information that I just cannot understand. Things discussed included "periodization" and all kinds of ways to train for multisports. This is crucial to understand or this level of training can lead to severe injuries. Holly said her guy didn't pay attention to these details and ended up having bilateral hip replacements at a very young age. She talked about nutrition and healthy approaches to training. The first thing she said was, "make sure you ALWAYS get your period! Women who overtrain lose their period are decreasing in bone mass faster than their great gramas!"
Another vital tidbit I got from her is that life goes on while training. She said after she did the local vineman (her first) years ago that she went home and scrubbed her kitchen floor, did laundry and that her husband was tired from being at the race all day so he had to go straight to bed. She said she was up early the next morning to take the kids to school. She works 10 hours a day and still trained and even WON 2ND PLACE at France! So, what that tells me is that less is better, and that organization is the key! I realize that I will become robotic-like in my routines. Every detail will be planned for the next 11 months from time alone with God, to time with family, to work, to training, to cleaning house and food prep, enough sleep, social time (scant), recovery and rest, training races, to bill paying etc...every detail needs to be in place. Granted I'm not going out to try and win this race (obviously) but my goal is to feel strong the WHOLE WAY THROUGH and that presents A TON of work before me.
This also means I can't just sign up for any race I want. This means I have to listen to my coach and allow her to guide me....eeek! But I THRIVE on races! Oh well, we'll see.
Another thing I want to mention is that my mom and dad are probably my greatest supports and resources that I ever could imagine! I have the best phone dates with my dad each and every morning in which I sip coffee and share and listen as we talk about what God is teaching us and he (being a marathoner in the past and body builder now) always has the best tips for me in training both spiritually and physically. I love him so much!!!
So then I usually talk with my mama before work and she believes I can get a GOLD MEDAL in the OLYMPICS. She loves to tell me how she sees me in the Olympics, and how she sees me writing my childrens books, and anything that is outstanding she sees me doing! She makes me laugh!!! But, despite the seemingly absurdness, there's something to be said for someone who thinks so highly of you! It's a solid motivator! It's something that keeps me focused and going strong. It's a powerful support. It's so incredibly cute!!! She's my sweet mom who has the gift of encouragement and I love her so much!!!
Ok, enough of a blog for today.
Jen
ps-it's a choice.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Vineman ironman 70.3 (my first triathlon)...
GOOOOOOO!!!!
The green waters produced a bit of anxiety...
More smiles...oh brother!
Looking behind wondering how I got to the VERY FRONT!! Thinking...this is not good!
The Vineman ironman 70.3 (my first triathlon)...
"It's pretty cold out...50 degrees"
The announcer felt the need to comment on my wetsuitless start...the only one out of 129 girls...but seriously, with all my adrenaline I wasn't even cold!
The girls were hi-fivin' me until the race started when it became all elbows and I thought, "wait I thought we were friends?!"
Don't think my mouth could get any bigger!
Thoughts crept in like, "oh brother, I should have paid $300 for a new wetsuit!"
Pre-race massage by my sweet mom, and encouraging words from my sweet pops!
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