Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Bridges.

"Sport is a universal language, building more bridges between people than anything else I can think of." 
-Sebastian Coe

Base miles with the boys.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

10K Swim. (too brain-dead to think of a more creative title)

I am proof that the holidays can make a person a 'lil crazy.  (No, I'm not referring to my recent trips to Target).  I've been pondering what my next  big thing will be on the race calendar for 2014.  So far, nothing stood out.  Then, after listening to Hillary Biscay's race report of Ultraman and how she swam a 10K once a week to prepare for that, I was inspired.  This past year, I raced the Del Valle Open Water 5K swim, and visions of racing the 10K next year suddenly made me excited.  So excited, that I wanted to revisit once again how that distance felt.  The last time I did my 100x100s was in February of 2012.

This time around, I enlisted the support of Coach, who was kind enough to join me for part of it.  He even let me borrow his Phoenix triathlon cap so hopefully some of that Aussie speed in the pool would rub off on me.


Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!
We swam at Heather Farms in Walnut Creek since I knew this would take awhile, and the 8-11am timeframe at Dolores Bengston Pool wouldn't cut it.  


Steamy swims under the full moon in the mornings have been the usual at Dolores Bengston.
Heather Farm's pool was too warm and so gross.  I knew it was going to be a long day.  Luckily, longcourse was on the menu for today, which was a pleasant surprise- cutting the number of flip turns in half made the sets easier to digest mentally.


Funny how Instagram filters can make the water actually look clear! #totalfacade
Here's the set, in case anyone is interested.  I found part of Rappster's workout for his 10K swim sets, and I liked the variety that the 400s added.  Honestly, the last set of 3x400 IMs were done with one-arm butterfly drill.  After 7000 meters in, I could barely manage to swim let alone pull out some butterfly.  (maybe next year??)

10x100 (50 drill, 50 swim)
10x100 swim on 1:45 
3 x {400 IM/ 400 pull paddles/ 100 kick/ 100 back}

10x100 (50 drill, 50 swim)
10x100 swim on 1:45 
3 x {400 IM/ 400 pull paddles/ 100 kick/ 100 back}

Have fun, kiddos.

Here's some things I learned in the 3+ hours I spent in the pool today:

1) Company makes things better.  Coach joined me for a bit, and it helped to have someone next to me, count with me, and commiserate with.  When he left, it took more to stay focused and motivated.
2) Be focused on the lap at hand.  I would find myself thinking about the next set and how much more I had to do, and I would want to quit.  Then, I'd bring myself back to the lap and tell myself, "At this moment, I am focused on quality freestyle pull with these paddles..." which brings me to my next point...
3) Quality trumps speed.  I didn't concern myself with pace too much.  I wanted my stroke form to be my first priority- doing an incorrect or sloppy stroke for that far of a distance could cause some serious damage and potential injury.
4) I should have eaten more.  For most of my normal swims (3500-4000 yards), I just drink water or an electrolyte drink.  I started eating my ClifShot blocks around 5000 meters in and felt like I had fallen behind.  When you can feel yourself actively bonking, it's a bad sign. 
5) I felt weird eating.  At the end of each 1000m, I would reward myself with some chews and the girl sharing my lane would just stare.  I felt like the chick at the gym who was drinking a 400 kcal protein shake after doing 30 minutes on the elliptical.  A part of me wanted to say, "Sistalove, pleeease. Put your snorkel back on and mind your own beeeezness- I've been swimming long enough to have shared my lane with 2 different people before you who all did their workout already."  And another part of me just said to myself, "Eat, put your goggles back on, and swim."
6) I feel invincible now.  Why?  Because I swam a 10K?  No, because I swam through a bloody bandaid and a yellowjacket without barfing or screaming.

During the swim and after I had finished, Coach gave me some really good things to think about for the future- about racing vs participating, about how I am still learning what 'my fast' is, and how it's not about the races that you do, but rather how you race them.

So, am I going to race the 10K swim?  I don't know.  It's like asking someone after they complete Ironman if they're going to do another one.  For now, it's back to the drawing board again for me, hopefully with something exciting in the making.

Ask me in a week.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Mosaic.


I got two massages this week by different massage therapists.  And they were two completely different experiences- not necessarily 'bad' or 'good,' but each had a unique 'thumb," so to speak, while working with my muscles.  One had an extensive knowledge of muscle physiology since she was an athlete herself, and I left the room feeling like all those painful knots finally got some attention.  The other massage therapist had a lighter touch and perhaps less experience, but it was her life story that touched my heart.  There's something about being completely naked on a table in front of a stranger that makes me ask really good questions.  It's like the act of being stripped down makes me turn the tables and strip down their walls and find out who they truly are.  And she was equally as vulnerable and answered my questions and was not afraid to unveil her past and share her story that led her to massage.  I left that massage feeling profoundly different- not necessarily muscularly-speaking, but my heart was touched, loosened, more malleable.  Both were amazing experiences but in completely different ways.

Even if it is the same activity, different people can provide different perspectives.  Today's bike ride with some new (and old) friends was the perfect solution to my off-season burnout funk.  It was motivating to hear some of their 2014 race goals (Ironman Cairns! Wildflower!) and hearing their excited chatter about race wheel deals and powertap machines reminded me of why I love this sport so much.  It's about having fun, getting better, getting stronger, getting faster, and having goals.

I'm still nailing down the last one- it's been a work in progress.  I know for a fact though, that a good goal for me right now is to look forward. I need to stop overanalyzing (Coach's wise words, not mine). 


I need to stop looking back in the past.  Forward facing, from now on.
Bring it on, 2014!


Proof that winter base miles can be fun!
Oh, you know, just doing our usual mid-ride yoga stretches...
                                 
Oh yeah, and new toys make it more fun too!
So yes, lots of work to do, lots of fun to be had in the near future.  For now, I am celebrating the joy that comes from hearing about different journeys, and being inspired by different people.  A mosaic, if you will- and when the light shines through, that's when it's the most breath-taking and beautiful.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Five Kernels of Corn.

This past Thanksgiving, we all sat down to this...


Five kernels of corn.
I listened to my mom as she shared the story of the pilgrims- it had literally been years since it's been told to me.  Usually we are so busy filling our bellies with sweet potatoes and turkey and stuffing- such a stark contrast to staring down at a plate with five lonely kernels of corn.

The first winter for the Pilgrims, the food shortage was so severe that each person was given a ration of five kernels of corn per day.  The next spring, the Pilgrims planted the remaining corn, and that fall, they had an abundant harvest of crops.  Every Thanksgiving thereafter, they placed five kernels of corn next to their plates to remind them of their blessings.

The first kernel reminded them of autumn beauty.
The second kernel reminded them of their love for each other.
The third kernel reminded them of their family's love.
The fourth kernel reminded them of their friends.
The fifth kernel reminded them of their freedom.

This was such a powerful object lesson for me.  Daily, I am making an effort to be more grateful, more aware, more awake- and to recognize and appreciate the kernels in my own life.  Especially in this season where everyone is inundated with purchasing, buying, wrapping and consuming- it becomes so easy to gloss over these fundamental truths of what truly fuels our fulfillment and happiness in life.

And it's funny, because all of these five blessings are free.  They do not have a price tag.  Yet they are priceless.


My first kernel- autumn beauty on the trails...



My fifth kernel- freedom from running pain.

Five kernels of corn.  Have you counted your blessings lately?


Sunday, December 1, 2013

Butterflies.

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." -Maya Angelou


Seen on my run today...
Change has been a prominent theme in my life lately.  So it seemed fitting that during today's short run close to sunset, I was accompanied by butterflies.  It was strange phenomenon- I didn't even know butterflies resided on that hill.  So I took it as a sign- a symbol- validating that this current stage of "change" was exactly where I needed to be in life.

It's a fact that everyone changes.  We need to change in order to grow.  It is a gift to have friends who stand by you, especially during those crucial years- who love and accept every single beautiful and flawed aspect of yourself, and remain loyal.  Other friendships come into our lives, serve a direct purpose, and then suddenly exit.  It's these others that I am learning to let go of, with grace, with non-judgement.  Sometimes the foundation of the friendship is based on a common thread (and not always a positive, empowering one), so with change comes goodbyes.  In most cases, I am the one doing the exiting.  

Today I had the privilege to spend some time with a woman who I deeply admire.  She has witnessed me grow up from a little girl, has celebrated my triumphs, encouraged me during my darkest hours, and has inspired me to never lose hope.  We also happen to share the same birthday.  She is transparent, humble, and hopeful always.  I looked her in the eyes- here is a woman who has been through hell and back, and not only survived, but is thriving. I saw in her someone who has embraced change- not only in the letting go, but also in the allowing back in.  As she shared her wisdom, I looked at her and saw a butterfly.  

These were given to me a few weeks ago and reminded me of today.
We were both born on November 2nd, but one is much wiser...
And in the spirit of this blog, I feel like a caterpillar finally emerging from the cocoon (aka. cam-walker boot and brace) and testing out my wings (running feet)... It's been beautiful and refreshing for my spirit...

Changing leaves + crisp weather = happy girl
This is true ananda (bliss)...