TRX!

I am hesitant to even reveal this, for fear of failure, but here it goes: I signed up to become certified as a TRX instructor. I'm super excited & super nervous. And honestly, I know it's a great work out and everything, and that being certified in it will be a huge help - but what I'm really excited about? If I teach the classes, I get to pick the music. Wish me luck!

Working Lunch

Did a nice rolling 7.5 mile run on my lunch break today. I thought it was more around 8 until I came back to my desk and checked my mileage on Map My Run. It was a nice way to break up the work day. I'm fortunate to have a locker room and shower in my building, I know for some people they don't always have that option.

I'm starting to plan out my competitions for this spring, so far it looks like: Napa Vintage Triathlon (half iron distance) in April and the Paso Robles Century Ride in May. Is it coincidence that both events are in amazing wine counties? No... that was planned :) Also would LOVE to do an Alcatraz tri in June --- they book fast though, so we'll see.

Pain is Temporary - Pride is Forver

Hats off to Tony who completed the grueling 50 mile trail run hosted by Northface in the headlands. Above is Tony and his group of pacers after crossing the finish line. We took turns getting Tony from mile 27 to the finish. Kate took the first shift and helped push Tony up the horrible Steep Ravine trail. Kevin was next and did the 16 miles from Bootjack to Tennesse Valley. It was then my turn to take Tony from 46 to 51. At that point night had set in, so I got to wear the headlamp. Very cute.

I love spectating at events! My all time favorite thing to do (besides make posters like the one above), is to pull a car up next to the race and blast Eye of the Tiger for the race participants. I like to mix it up with Gonna Fly Now (Rocky 2 song), and Born to Run.

It was very inspiring to see these athletes gut it out and fight hard to the end. You don't feel great after 26.2 miles, I can't imagine getting to 30 miles and still have 20 more to go. Especially when it was raining and cold like this weekend. There were definitely runners out there that you could tell were in pain, but they were too focused on finishing to stop. Very glad I could be a part of it and proud of everyone who was out there. Tony finished the race with a time of 12:30.

Holidays

Ok!

Officially in the holiday season. I am determined to not get derailed in my training. Last week was a bit light, but I snuck in a few work outs while still enjoying festivities.

Did the spin bike yesterday and 60 minutes of interval weight training yesterday. Going back to the spin bike today, and more interval training tomorrow. I desperately need to get my tires replaced on my bike so that I can start riding to work again (and seriously, it does save money) and go back to Saturday AM rides. And next Monday I start bootcamp. Of course I pick the night the Patriots are playing MNF to start bootcamp, but I suppose that just helps with the whole, staying on track thing.

I am determined to be in a good place come mid January when real training begins.

Ultra Running

The North Face Endurance Challenge is rapidly approaching. It's a series of long distance running events offered over two days - the challenge has a few locations and one of them is in the Marin Headlands. You have the pleasure of selecting a 50 miler, 50k, marathon, half marathon, or marathon relay. My friend Kate did the 50k (32 miles) two years ago, this year, our friend Tony is doing the 50 miler in hopes to secure a spot for himself in the 2012 Western States race.

To help Tony prep for his race day - the three of us did a trail run on Sunday just shy of 16 miles. We covered all our favorite trails: Troop 80, Alice Eastwood, Bootjack, Sun Trail, Dipsea. And some new trails: Heather Cutoff, Lost Trail, Fern trail. It's been raining like crazy in the bay area (which means snow in Tahoe) so the trails were nice and muddy ... and wet. So it was a bit tricky coming down a few of the switchbacks, but it was also beautiful because the waterfalls & creeks were going full force. Fern trail might be my new favorite trail.

Highlights of the Day:

1. Tony clapping & making weird noises at the coyote to scare him off the trail.

2. Kate swearing she could clear the creek (that Tony had barely just cleared - and he's over 6 ft tall) and missing it by two feet.

Also - if you have a friend who is registered for an upcoming race, joining that person for their training runs/rides/swims, is a great way to get a good work out in with some company. You don't necessarily have to be doing the same race to train together. Plus going out for group burritos post run is always a good time :)

Staying with It

Biked to work today and it felt good. Really don't feel as beat up as I usually do after a marathon, and feel 10x better than I did after Tahoe. IM training doesn't really start til mid January. That's when I'll do the back to back Saturday-Sunday work outs, brick workouts during the week, and really increase my cycling miles. For now I need to start doing crunches and lifting weights. And get back in the pool. My core is not nearly as strong as it used to be, and my biceps appear to be shrinking.

Holidays are a great time to indulge and relax, but I'm still working off my October indulgences. I don't want January to arrive and start training when I'm out of shape.

Numero Cinco!

I registered for this marathon back in August. I planned on dropping down to the 25k race, but the thought of going an entire year with out running a marathon really bothered me. So I said to hell with it, I'm going to run this thing.

As you can see by the course map above, this is no easy race. It's brutal. You literally start on the beach (sea level) then run up the west side of Mt. Tam. Only to immediately drop down it, and run right back up it on the south side. It's cruel & unusual.

I actually felt pretty good running it. It's all trail, so completely different from a road race. There were times where I felt guilty for not pushing harder and going faster, but I spent the majority of the day running on the edge of the cliff, so I thought it safer to take it easy. So many runners who were in the lead had blood on them & ripped clothing. A one point I thought, this is a marathon of carnage.

I came in 4th for my age group. Total time was 5:21. First trail marathon & first time completing an Envirosports marathon. It was my fifth marathon - insane that I've decided to torture myself like this so many times.