Sunday, December 21, 2008

Week 6: Calorie Depletion and Training the Mind - Coach Wayne's World is not so excellent


Unless you have less than 2% body fat, Coach Wayne guarantees that his calorie depletion workout will not kill you. He was right, but I was lucky Dennis didn't kill me when I got home, because calorie depletion makes me very very cranky, even after I've eaten.


We were instructed to stop eating after 6pm on Friday evening, and skip breakfast on Saturday morning. Workout part 1 started at 9 am and ended at 12 pm. We did a 3 hour brick workout (Bike 40 min, run 20 min x 3) on nothing but water and electrolytes. The intention of the workout was to creat a 'bonk' scenario (condition when an athlete suddenly loses energy and becomes fatigued, the result of glycogen stores in the liver and muscles becoming depleted.) We were instructed to take note of how we were feeling mentally and physically. At first I had a growling stomach, then I felt really tired - like I could lay down in the grass and take a nap, then I felt really annoyed - like this sucks, then I felt a little dizzy - nothing serious, but equilibrium was a little off, then I couldn't keep track of what number interval I was on or how many I was supposed to do. During the workout, I tried not to think about my lack of food, but it was pretty much impossible since everyone around me kept saying things like "I'm so f*ing hungry" or "I can't stop thinking about cheeseburgers".


At noon, we took at 20 minute break for lunch, Yes! Unfortunately, due to poor planning, all I had for lunch was a whole food whole meal bar and more electrolyte drink, bummer! This was enough to replace the missing calories, but it didn't do much for my emotional need to eat real food. Lesson learned, I'll be packing turkey sandwiches on race day. Again, we were instructed to take note of how many calories we were consuming and how we felt physically and mentally. The point of the calorie depletion excercise was to 1) train our bodies to continue physical effort when our mind is telling us to lay down and take a nap and to 2) train our minds to recognize the symptoms of calorie depletion and to take in measured calories with the confidence that we will recover.


After our 20 min lunch/bathroom break it was back in the saddle for Workout part 2. Cycling clinics and drills followed by strenth training. The drills and clinic were really helpful. I seriously need to work on my bike handling skills. I can ride my bike for 56 miles, max out at 40 miles per hour, and climb a 5 mile 1,000 ft grade - but I cannot ride my bike with no hands. Lame!


Strenght training was a blur. I did all of my crunches, squats, push-ups, etc. but my mind was on the prize - pizza and a beer!


Condition: Hungry like a wolf


Sunday, December 14, 2008

Week 5: Giving Masters Swim the Ol' College Try


Swimming has always been my most comfortable discipline of the three (swim, bike, run), but I was greatly humbled this week in the pool. My friend, Steven, talked me into giving Masters Swimming a try. I hesitantly joined him at the Temescal Pool in Oakland and spent the better part of an hour trying not to get lapped by the much faster women in my swim lane. [It was anyting but comfortable.] The focus of the workout was hypoxic or breath control. Coach Monica screamed "I want to see your lips turn blue!" as I attempted to breath every 9 strokes, but never made it more than 6 without sucking wind. As challenging as the workout was, I loved it! Everyone in the group was very friendly, and as loud and aggressive as Monica was from the pool deck, she was equally as warm and encouraging to come back for another workout. So I went ahead and registered myself with the USMS and bought a Master Swim Pass. No pain no gain!

Condition: Out.....of.....breath.....

Monday, December 8, 2008

Week 4: Getting into the Swing of Things


Week 4 rocked! Our IronTeam spin session made all the difference on my Marker Set Ride. Pushing hard gears is helpful when simulating hill climbs :) I completed the 3 Bears loop (19 miles) in 1 hour and 26 minutes. Throughout the season, I will do this same route and benchmark myself against my original time. Hopefully I get faster.

We also had a Swim Market Set. I completed 900 yards in 15 minutes. Woohoo! I hope I can beat it next time...

I made a guest appearance to a Team Modified workout at the Piedmont Track. Coach Claire's 400 interval workout helped me get out of my slow running pace slump. It's amazing what a difference track workouts make on distance running. [This would be a good time to mention that Claire Blaney is my hero...her time for the Philadelphia Marathon was 3:19:08, she came in 68th out of 3,000 women. Amazing!]

Condition: Pumped!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Week 3: Happy Thanksgiving! What Ironman?


So week 3 was all about giving thanks, being with family, and lots of eating and drinking. I did run a little as well.

Big News...Dennis and I got engaged - woohoo!

Random Note....I cut 10 inches off my hair and donated it to Locks of Love

Condition: Refreshed

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Week 2: Realizing my need for a better plan




Week 2 was all about figuring out how to fit everything into one day. The hardest part of training so far isn't the distances, it's fitting 2 disciplines of training into one weekday. I am going to need to figure out how I can fit one training session in before work or during lunch and plan to do the second session after work.

This is a picture of our coached swim workout. Coach Nancy is awesome! She's all about the drills and good form.

I did not accomplish all of this...
Swim: 120 minutes
Bike: 300 minutes
Run: 85 minutes
Strenth Train: 80 minutes
Condition: Tired

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Week 1: Kickoff & Ironteam University


Week 1 started with an entire day dedicated to Kickoff and Ironteam Univerity. We went through gear, nutrition, life balance, training calendars, technique, and strength training. I've already made lots of new and old connections with teammates. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that one of my teammates is from my hometown in Michigan AND we both went to Michigan State, just one year apart! Small world huh?


Swim: 50 minutes
Bike: 240 minutes

Run: 135 minutes
Strengh Train: 80 minutes


Condition: Very sore!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Nike Women's Half Marathon aka "Diva Run"


Six months ago, I was lucky enough to gain entrance to the Nike Women's Half Marathon through random selection. Since the race was one month after Big Kahuna, it seemed like a good idea. It would have been a great idea if I had actually continued to work out after Big K. Lucky for me, Nike is such an amazing event that adrenaline and pure enjoyment was enough to carry me through the race. I think there were around 15,000 runners. Women from all 50 states and 25 different countries were on the course.


This race is really unique. Great Dj’s, Live Music, Cheer Teams, Pedi Care Stations, Ghiradelli Chocolate Station, Free Post-Race Massage. And when you cross the finish line, you walk through a tunnel of San Francisco Firefighters dressed in tuxedos holding out silver platters with Tiffany boxes piled high. Yes, your finisher’s medal is a Tiffany’s necklace. At the beginning of the race, I was thinking to myself, “Why is everyone around me wearing diamond earrings?” Now I know – Because Nike is a "Diva Run". Next year I’m bringing my bling…

It was an amazing and unique race experience, but what was my favorite highlight? Having an entire high school cheerleading team do a “Go-Trish-Go!” cheer. Thanks Dennis :)


Tuesday, October 14, 2008

I Drank the Kool-Aid


Ironman: 2.4 mile open swim, 112 mile bike ride, 26.2 mile marathon.

I used to think this race was impossible and the people who trained for it were insane. But then those people became my friends and I've found myself pushing my own endurance boundaries farther than I could ever imagine. This summer, the TNT chatter started, "Who's signing up for IronTeam 2009?" Once the 2008 IronTeam triumphed in their races, the chatter was full blown, "Are YOU signing up for IronTeam?" I went back and forth in my mind with this for awhile. I'd already determined that I want to be an Iron(wo)man, the question was more a matter of when. Training for an Ironman alters your life, with every great reward comes great sacrifice. But then I realized that my life isn't going to get any simpler than it is right now. I'm 26, I live in Northern California, I don't have kids, and I have a super supportive and active boyfriend. And the icing on the cake? Coach Wayne is back!

Life is short.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Bridge to Bridge - October 5, 2008


What better way to spend a Sunday morning than a 7 mile run along the Embarcadero followed by mimosas and brunch?


Dennis and I joined the Daymon Crew for the beautiful Bridge to Bridge Race in San Francicso. Since I hadn't done any form of excercise since Big K, I was a little concerned that I wouldn't be able to get through it, but at my leisure pace, I managed to cross the finish line. Dennis handed out Obama Campaign Stickers to fellow runners and I focused on putting one foot in front of the other. We had a great turn out of Daymon associates and friends - Karishma, Hank, Aimee, Chellind, Nancy, Toni, Lonnie, Chelsea, Judd, Dan, Morgan, Ron, Dennis and Me. I should drink mimosas after running more often.
Cheers!