Chilly Cheeks Duathlon Race #1

Yep, I made it to a race and actually did the whole thing!  Amazing!  Particularly considering that when I woke up all I wanted to do was stay in bed.  But I got my big boo-tay out of bed and made the drive to Denver.  Here are the summary details:

And here is are the particulars bullet style because I am lazy!

• First the weather was awesome!  We had temps around 60 degrees with a slight wind.  
• The race is low key and small.  I loved the atmosphere.  I have not done this series before but I have always heard good things.  It just sucks that I have drive to Denver to get good really good multisport activities.
• I met fellow blogger Aimee.  She is a Ironman rock star with two adorable little boys.  I hope I get to see more of her at the other races!  Plus, she wore some really cute Xmas socks!
• I did not have high expectations for this race.  I have not been working out much lately.  I just wanted to have fun and not look like an idiot.  Check and Check!
• Run
• I ran the first two miles with an about a 10:30 pace.  Woo Hoo!
• I ran/walked the third mile.
• I ran slowly the last mile.  
• Beat expectations with this!
• Bike
• Wow, where did my bike legs go?!
• I tried to really go out fast on the bike but my breathing seemed to be keeping me back from really killing it. 
• The course was moderately hilly so I know I will be able to do better next time.  
• I am still happy with going an average of 14.6 mph for the 10 miles.
• Time to hit the trainer!
• Overall
• I need to send out a big thank you to KC!  Just knowing that she may be watching my motivation level has been getting me out and working out.  So thanks KC!  Even though you are probably not thinking of me at all, you are still motivating me!
• I would suggest this series to all my friends.  If you are in Colorado go check it out!

Here is a bonus for today's post!

A great song for a great movie.  If you haven't seen Skyfall yet, then go now! Great movie!

Tuesday's Workout

I stuck to the 30 min treadmill workout but was able to run for a continuous period of time.  That would be 15 minutes straight of running at 5.2 speed.  I am happy with that for sure.  After my run I then completed the 30 mins by walking at 4.0 speed.  I did not dread this workout and got changed immediately when I got home.  Plus, as an added bonus I am very excited about tomorrow's run because I am going to do the intervals again.  I have not been excited about a workout in awhile!  So I am very jazzed!

Next week I am going to continue my treadmill running and then throw in some full body strength training that I can do at home and generally without weights.  I just have to find the right program for me.  If anyone has any suggestions please let me know!

A gratuitous picture of my kitty, Tequila

Until later keep riding, running and swimming to your personal greatness.

Monday Workout!

Okay, I am trying to get the motivation back so I thought if I posted my workout here it might help.  I had to fight myself to get the workout done when I got home from work.  My conversation with my son on the drive home from the office was a tad stressful and my first impulse was to blow it off.  However, I know that I have to quit falling into that trap.  So I put on my big girl panties on and I went downstairs to the treadmill.  I decided to do 8x2 min intervals.  Where it was two minutes fast and two minutes slow.  Of course fast and slow are relative at this point in time.  I did 5.2 speed for the fast and 4.0 speed for slow with each at 2% incline.  I plan on doing something similar tomorrow but to be truthful I will just see what my body wants to do.  If I can't run continuously for 30 mins then I will do the run/walk method.  Here's to consistency!!!

Until later keep running, riding and swimming to your personal greatness!

Gratuitous Reba photo!

Howdy Y'all!

I just wanted to pop in and say Hello and that I love you guys!  Stress has once again been a major driver in my life as many things I thought were resolved decided to fall apart.  Don't worry we are all well and for that I am thankful!  I hope each and everyone of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!  I am off to see my family in Kansas!!! If you are traveling please be safe! 

Until later, keep riding, running and swimming to your personal greatness. 

Where the Hell Is Christi?

Remember the game Where in theWorld is Carmen SanDiego? Well, now you can play the game with me.  No not really, I just have been missing from the blog world for a very long time.  I don't know why. Work is keeping me busy and I just don't feel like getting on the computer when I get home.  That is my excuse and I am sticking to it! 

I completed Redman a couple of weeks ago.  I didn't do the tri but rather the aquabike.  True to Christi form I injured myself and got sick about a month out from the race.  Did you know that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results?  Yep, that is me.  I continue to train completely wrong and expecting that I won't get hurt or sick before a race.  Whoops!  If anyone of my blog buddies would like to take me on as a training project I am completely amenable for some advice!  Anyway the race was so much fun.  My plan is to do it next year but to do the 1/2 triathlon. 

In other news, my son is about 2 weeks out from basic training.  I am so excited and nervous for him.  I remember very vividly my basic training.  I enjoyed every minute of it but it wasn't easy.  I am sure he will be fine because come on if I can do it then anyone can do it!  I am going to miss him terribly but it will be nice to not worry about him every night.  Oh wait that probably won't go away!

I have already started thinking about my races for next year and in fact have signed up for two events already.  Yep, I am doing the Platte River 1/2 marathon in April and the Colfax 1/2 marathon in May.  I am considering the Chilly Cheeks duathlon series this winter, IM Kansas and Redman.  I want to make next year a great year!  Now to get my butt back to the gym again.  Seriously does anyone want to coach a really stubborn athlete?  You can yell at me and everything!  I just need a drill sergeant to help me get my act together!  Liz or KC???  Anyway, I am excited for a new year with new goals with me rockin' some great races!

Okay, another thing I have been working on is my running gait.  I am trying to move from being a heel striker to more of a fore foot runner.  I am starting real slow.  I have been doing it for a week now and so far I think it is getting better.  I can tell because my calves have been feeling it.  I have moved into Saucony shoes with less support and I am not using my orthotics.  I ran .5 miles the first day and have inched up the mileage to a mile over this week.  I don't run more than 2 days in a row.  My goal is to move to Newton shoes but first must modify my gait or it's just not worth the price of the shoes if I don't.  I will just be a bad runner in really minimal shoes. 

Well, that is all I got for now.  I hope all y'all are well or at least anyone that is still reading my blog!  Until later keep running, riding and swimming to your personal greatness!

Training is Going Great!!!

I have been called out by my bro, BDD, so I can't let him down.  Here is a new post and I will even add a music video!!!

I have had great training over the last couple of months.  I am riding on this high hopefully all the way to Sept 22, when I tackle the 1/2 IM distance again at the Redman triathlon in Oklahoma City.  My brother, Chad, and are doing this race together and this will be Chad's first race.  I am definitely excited! 

I have had some great rides.  I have been riding about 50-60 miles each Sunday over some very hilly terrain.  My times have been good given the hills and last week I really killed the ride.  I averaged 16.1 mph of course I only had 1230 feet of climbing!  Given the course in Redman is flat, I am very confident I will have a great ride.  My swimming is going well also.  I am averaging 1:50 in my 100's and that should put me swimming the 1.2 miles in 38 minutes, according to a swim pace chart I found on Trinewbies.  If I don't choke I will be ecstatic with that time.  Now it comes down to my run.  I will admit, I am having problems with my ankle this week but my running is getting better.  Yesterday I did 11 miles in 2 hours for an average pace of 10:50 per mile.  Jazzed again.  And oh yeah, BDD, I did puke a little in my mouth during my run so do I get a pukie?!!! I think I can pull together a great race.

I haven't even done my race yet but I am already trying to figure out what is going to be my next race.  I need to get a couple more 70.3's in my body before I jump up to the full.  But it is tempting to just take the leap and go for the next distance.  I love training!!  I don't like thinking of not having a goal race in my future so any suggestions would be appreciated.  Are any bloggers congregating at one race next year?

My job is going very well.  I actually like it and if you knew me and jobs you would be surprised by this statement.   The work is not hard and I get to wear shorts to work.  That is not to say that I still don't want to move closer to family because I absolutely do!! I am just willing to wait a little longer so that I can pay off credit cards.

I hope y'all are well.  I am sorry I haven't visited your blogs lately.  I just don't have the time I used  to have in the past.  If we aren't Facebook friends then please hit me up.  I am great at keeping up with pals that way!

And as I promised here is my favorite summer video and song.  I hope you enjoy it!



Until later keep swimming, running and riding to your personal greatness!

Wow, you are alive!

Okay, I knew that I had not posted in awhile but I didn't realize it had been so long.  I am sorry for the extended break but I think I just needed the time away.  Things have been absolutely crazy!  Many things have occurred that proved to be very stressful. 

1.  I am continuing to look for a job.  As many of you know this is not easy and I have had a lot of ups and downs on this front.  I am still hopeful that the right one is just within my grasp. 

2.  The Waldo Canyon Fire did affect me and my family.  We were evacuated for about a week but luckily we did not have any damage to our house.  I just wish the same could be said for our best friend's house and their neighbors.  They lived in the Mountain Shadows subdivision and it looks like a war zone.  I am still emotional when I drive go through the area.  There are many great signs supporting our firefighters and first responders but each one brings a tear to my eye.  The city has really pulled together and there is no doubt we will rebuild and be stronger but the pain is really hard to explain.  So the next time you meet a civil servant in your community, be it fireman, police officer or just a city official, give them a big thank you.  They often have unsung jobs that deserve our praise.  Okay, that is all I have to say on that.

3.  My training has been sporadic at best.  I have trained a lot with my brother because I have spent about one month of my four month layoff in Kansas/Oklahoma.  That has been great because I have spent a lot of quality time with my family.  I will take that for sure. 

So I guess that is all I have right now.  I hope each of you are doing well this summer.  Let me know how y'all are doing!