After our 10k road race, we headed out and watched our 10 year old niece in an ice skating show. It was her first solo performance and they all had worked really, really hard for it. I sat there in amazement, watched as little boys and girls got out on the ice--some by themselves, others in groups and wondered if I would have the guts to do that. You put yourself out there. It's out on the ice, in front of EVERYONE--you are on your own--and each step, you own it.
But I guess the Ironman is that....except you're surrounded by 2700 people. It's your day, it's your race and your reasons.
No one else that can get you up when you fall (and you will fall). There is the sideline encouragements and excitement and worry but it's you, all you. You Own It.
You own your training: your easy days, your Hard Days, your days when you just want to sleep in and not really do anything. You are the one who is out there (or Not) and reaps the benefits: better health, sleeker build, placement in age group, traveling a mental journey that you may not have known or understood, etc.
Now these benefits, I think, are different for everyone. Some are going for a PR or top 5 or a placement to qualify for a bigger event (even in skating). Some, like myself are going to finish with a smile on my face. Some are just performing to perform (like theatre) because its what they love to do. For everyone, the journey is a different one. That step on the ice means something. Just toeing the line--means something and whatever happens on race day happens and whats in between it--the everday journey just makes you stronger.
I got my training plan for next month and its kicked up a notch. My palms got sweaty when I saw it. Longer rides outside, nutrition plan in check, longer runs and longer swims--higher intensity. One day at a time.
I am Ready.
My journey this year is for The Care Center--giving girls a second chance to make a better life for their families and I can't wait!
Peace
kodiacbear
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
First 10K Road Race--Done!
St. Patty's Day 10k road race : 3,500 runners through the uphill streets of Holyoke.
And since this was my first 10k ever I had no PR to compete with and just had a great time...
Just in time....
The morning started a little hairy--needed to head to the race site to pick up the race numbers and then to the mall to get a belated birthday present for my sister in law (and it's not like I did not remember--I just HATE buying stuff just to buy it--seriously now)
Ran around the mall without a plan--Bad Idea--Very Bad when short on time and trying to get to a race..
Ended up a with a Pandora bracelet for her and now a gift for many more occasions to come:
It starts as a bracelet and have more than 300 different beads to choose from--mix and match or buy sets, take off, add on, it's all good and a great idea for moms.
Okay, back to race report:
Crazy mall shopping spree (dressed in running apparel mind you)-fly back home, meet in-laws who take the boys, pick up husband and off to the race--forgot to eat--wolf down banana and gel and water. Leave with 40 minutes to race time--forgot Garmin--turn around and go get it--35 minutes to go...
Head into the city and try to find parking along with the 3500 other racers that are already lined up--find one about 1 mile away from starting line...all the while getting dressed in car with numbers, Garmin, and timing chip.
Turn our jog to start line as warm up--7 minutes to start and we are almost there..Scramble our way to back of line, find a good friend named Carole, and GO--no porta pottie break and holding empty water bottle the entire way!
What an awesome sight! Since this is such a hilly course, we got to see the mass of people heading up the hill, so very cool--I cannot believe I have never done anything like this before (except for the Ironman last year--but thats sooo different). It was a blast. There were water stops along with beer stops. Spectators decked out in green.
Official time: 1:04:22 for the 10k and Garmin time 1:00:14 for 6.14. I needed to go by the Garmin since this was a mass start and was pretty happy with end result. I kept Zone 3 Hr until the last 2.2 miles and raced the end. Felt great and not sore at all. Worried a little about that but according to Coach all is well with HR and pace. I must be coming along. Slowly but surely.
Wow--there is something to this running thing.
I may just do some more of it.
Oh Yeah:
half way throught the course the finishers are doing the course in reverse and meet us half way to cheer us on!!
Happy Day everyone!
angie
And since this was my first 10k ever I had no PR to compete with and just had a great time...
Just in time....
The morning started a little hairy--needed to head to the race site to pick up the race numbers and then to the mall to get a belated birthday present for my sister in law (and it's not like I did not remember--I just HATE buying stuff just to buy it--seriously now)
Ran around the mall without a plan--Bad Idea--Very Bad when short on time and trying to get to a race..
Ended up a with a Pandora bracelet for her and now a gift for many more occasions to come:
It starts as a bracelet and have more than 300 different beads to choose from--mix and match or buy sets, take off, add on, it's all good and a great idea for moms.
Okay, back to race report:
Crazy mall shopping spree (dressed in running apparel mind you)-fly back home, meet in-laws who take the boys, pick up husband and off to the race--forgot to eat--wolf down banana and gel and water. Leave with 40 minutes to race time--forgot Garmin--turn around and go get it--35 minutes to go...
Head into the city and try to find parking along with the 3500 other racers that are already lined up--find one about 1 mile away from starting line...all the while getting dressed in car with numbers, Garmin, and timing chip.
Turn our jog to start line as warm up--7 minutes to start and we are almost there..Scramble our way to back of line, find a good friend named Carole, and GO--no porta pottie break and holding empty water bottle the entire way!
What an awesome sight! Since this is such a hilly course, we got to see the mass of people heading up the hill, so very cool--I cannot believe I have never done anything like this before (except for the Ironman last year--but thats sooo different). It was a blast. There were water stops along with beer stops. Spectators decked out in green.
Official time: 1:04:22 for the 10k and Garmin time 1:00:14 for 6.14. I needed to go by the Garmin since this was a mass start and was pretty happy with end result. I kept Zone 3 Hr until the last 2.2 miles and raced the end. Felt great and not sore at all. Worried a little about that but according to Coach all is well with HR and pace. I must be coming along. Slowly but surely.
Wow--there is something to this running thing.
I may just do some more of it.
Oh Yeah:
half way throught the course the finishers are doing the course in reverse and meet us half way to cheer us on!!
Happy Day everyone!
angie
Saturday, March 14, 2009
the beginning...
In the Beginning--was a lot of failure....
A. Lot. Of. Failure but all good...all good...
First and foremost I needed a coach and a bike. Yup--I only owned a mountain bike and that I had not been on in about..UMM..lets say.Years.
I found a coach, Martha Grinnell, local and really cool. We talked and agreed on a plan starting in October 2007 to take me through to July 2008, broken down to 8-10 week increments.
But I still needed a bike. I have a really nice mountain bike but I don't think that would cut it. I began my search in July, right around the time I entered. After weeks of research and riding, I found one and bought it in Sept. 2007 (only 10 month 'til the Ironman). The last time I rode a road bike was a ten speed about 20 years ago. Man, things have changed!
In the meantime, I began swimming and running--yes, BEGAN running--I hate running therefore I need to work on it. I started out with the kids 2.4 mile trail run weekly with my 7 year old that June and much to his pleasure, I had to walk 4 time with 3 shortcuts to catch up with him. I realized I really need to work on this. I started slow, running about 1-2 miles every couple of days, really easy and it got better, much better--I don't hate it anymore.
All this with the Ironman in mind....2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run in one day...
Swimming I did for fun about 2o minutes 2 x week at a local fitness club. I didn't hate it but definately needed to get better at it--so I read a book and tried to learn from it and then met with Martha and it got better.
I got my bike the beginning of Sept.2007--and it didn't come with pedals--most of my friends think that was pretty funny. The more expensive the bike the less it comes with--like learning how to clip out of those damn pedals before you stop and fall over in traffic, assuring everyone passing by calling out to see if your okay--that you are okay. Then explaining to your kids that Mommy falls off her bike too and can proudly show off your bruises. Then the practice comes--clip in/clip out/ clip in /clip out for the next 1 mile or so. I need to get out there and ride, again and again....
So I fell off it--again and again and BUT GOT UP... Again...and Again.
Peace!
A. Lot. Of. Failure but all good...all good...
First and foremost I needed a coach and a bike. Yup--I only owned a mountain bike and that I had not been on in about..UMM..lets say.Years.
I found a coach, Martha Grinnell, local and really cool. We talked and agreed on a plan starting in October 2007 to take me through to July 2008, broken down to 8-10 week increments.
But I still needed a bike. I have a really nice mountain bike but I don't think that would cut it. I began my search in July, right around the time I entered. After weeks of research and riding, I found one and bought it in Sept. 2007 (only 10 month 'til the Ironman). The last time I rode a road bike was a ten speed about 20 years ago. Man, things have changed!
In the meantime, I began swimming and running--yes, BEGAN running--I hate running therefore I need to work on it. I started out with the kids 2.4 mile trail run weekly with my 7 year old that June and much to his pleasure, I had to walk 4 time with 3 shortcuts to catch up with him. I realized I really need to work on this. I started slow, running about 1-2 miles every couple of days, really easy and it got better, much better--I don't hate it anymore.
All this with the Ironman in mind....2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run in one day...
Swimming I did for fun about 2o minutes 2 x week at a local fitness club. I didn't hate it but definately needed to get better at it--so I read a book and tried to learn from it and then met with Martha and it got better.
I got my bike the beginning of Sept.2007--and it didn't come with pedals--most of my friends think that was pretty funny. The more expensive the bike the less it comes with--like learning how to clip out of those damn pedals before you stop and fall over in traffic, assuring everyone passing by calling out to see if your okay--that you are okay. Then explaining to your kids that Mommy falls off her bike too and can proudly show off your bruises. Then the practice comes--clip in/clip out/ clip in /clip out for the next 1 mile or so. I need to get out there and ride, again and again....
So I fell off it--again and again and BUT GOT UP... Again...and Again.
Peace!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
For those of you who don't know..
I feel like I have started a new book--not just a new chapter in my wonderful life. So here is a recap for those of you who don't know how all this started about a year and a half ago....
I have been questioned how did you get into this? What started it?
It started about May 2007 with a tiny voice in my head...
First of all, I would like to put a few things out there: I LOVE MY LIFE--and truthfully, I could not be any happier. I have been blessed with a beautiful family, including the dog,cats, and hermit crabs. I have a wonderful husband and kids and a profession that I would not trade for anything.
But, and here is the BUT--there are a couple of things that I have wanted to accomplish in my lifetime aside from all of the above. One was to finally finish my B.A.--and it doesn't matter that it won't make me any more money, I love learning, and in order to take any graduate courses, you need to have it. Secondly, I want to be really healthy and in great shape.
Sooo, nearing the end of school in early spring of 2007, knowing that both my children will be in school full time in the fall of 2007, knowing I will have more 'free' time because I will have graduated in May, and undecided for which graduate program to apply to, the idea of a triathlon festered.
There were local sprint triathlons around and I worked out, but being in school full time and working full time and having one child at half day preschool and one in all day school and driving to speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy for him, I didn't work out nearly enough to stay centered nor compete at any level, yet. And here is that word--YET
So I looked around and began planning. I came up with this crazy idea of doing the big one--the full boat 140.6 mile IRONMAN and talked with my hubbie and hired a coach. I registered for the 2008 Lake Placid Ironman.
Now for those of you that know it, that itself was challenging enough considering it sold out in minutes--but thats another story..So, on the following pages you will find my journey...
So the idea began about may June 2007 and has gotten me here today with unfinished business in Lake Placid and now paying it forward for someone else....
PeaceKodiac
I have been questioned how did you get into this? What started it?
It started about May 2007 with a tiny voice in my head...
First of all, I would like to put a few things out there: I LOVE MY LIFE--and truthfully, I could not be any happier. I have been blessed with a beautiful family, including the dog,cats, and hermit crabs. I have a wonderful husband and kids and a profession that I would not trade for anything.
But, and here is the BUT--there are a couple of things that I have wanted to accomplish in my lifetime aside from all of the above. One was to finally finish my B.A.--and it doesn't matter that it won't make me any more money, I love learning, and in order to take any graduate courses, you need to have it. Secondly, I want to be really healthy and in great shape.
Sooo, nearing the end of school in early spring of 2007, knowing that both my children will be in school full time in the fall of 2007, knowing I will have more 'free' time because I will have graduated in May, and undecided for which graduate program to apply to, the idea of a triathlon festered.
There were local sprint triathlons around and I worked out, but being in school full time and working full time and having one child at half day preschool and one in all day school and driving to speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy for him, I didn't work out nearly enough to stay centered nor compete at any level, yet. And here is that word--YET
So I looked around and began planning. I came up with this crazy idea of doing the big one--the full boat 140.6 mile IRONMAN and talked with my hubbie and hired a coach. I registered for the 2008 Lake Placid Ironman.
Now for those of you that know it, that itself was challenging enough considering it sold out in minutes--but thats another story..So, on the following pages you will find my journey...
So the idea began about may June 2007 and has gotten me here today with unfinished business in Lake Placid and now paying it forward for someone else....
PeaceKodiac
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Something for Others...
This year my Journey to the Ironman Lake Placid will be to raise funds and support a local cause: The CARE Center (Community for Adolescent Resource and Education), Holyoke MA through the Janus Charity Challenge.
Each of us throughout our lives encounter challenges, varied as they may be. I am at a point right now that I am fortunate enough to take on the challenge of the Ironman triathlon as a fund raiser. Last year a knee injury prevented a finish--but I am back this year and at it again, this time with increased awareness, support and resources!
The Care Center (Community for Adolescent Resource and Education) Center was founded to address the issues of one of the highest drop out rates and lowest literacy rates in the state of Massachusetts. It was established for pregnant and parenting teens to get their GED and has grown over the last 20 years.
Today, the Center has high expectations of every student who comes though its doors. At The Care Center, it is expected that all students have intellectual hunger and capacity. Not only can these young women succeed, they must -- for themselves, their children, their community, and the health of the nation.
The Care Center offers a curriculum including the humanities and athletics in addition to math, science, history, and literature.
It provides the resources and support that a young mother would need to accomplish this: transportation, child care, health care, and the educational tools on their campus. Support to local area colleges along with daycare are also provided once the GED is passed.
The Care Center takes a situation, and instead of posting blame or pointing fingers or admonishing actions, says let's see what we can do to help them to provide for themselves and their family. It's an amazing program
Peace
Kodiacbear
Each of us throughout our lives encounter challenges, varied as they may be. I am at a point right now that I am fortunate enough to take on the challenge of the Ironman triathlon as a fund raiser. Last year a knee injury prevented a finish--but I am back this year and at it again, this time with increased awareness, support and resources!
The Care Center (Community for Adolescent Resource and Education) Center was founded to address the issues of one of the highest drop out rates and lowest literacy rates in the state of Massachusetts. It was established for pregnant and parenting teens to get their GED and has grown over the last 20 years.
Today, the Center has high expectations of every student who comes though its doors. At The Care Center, it is expected that all students have intellectual hunger and capacity. Not only can these young women succeed, they must -- for themselves, their children, their community, and the health of the nation.
The Care Center offers a curriculum including the humanities and athletics in addition to math, science, history, and literature.
It provides the resources and support that a young mother would need to accomplish this: transportation, child care, health care, and the educational tools on their campus. Support to local area colleges along with daycare are also provided once the GED is passed.
The Care Center takes a situation, and instead of posting blame or pointing fingers or admonishing actions, says let's see what we can do to help them to provide for themselves and their family. It's an amazing program
Peace
Kodiacbear
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