20 Miles and Mac and Cheese

Several blogs ago I mentioned how I have been having terrible GI trouble after my long runs. Well, I have figured out what the problem is and I have solved it. I think.

   This past Sunday I had to do a 20 mile run in preparation for my upcoming marathon. The day before my run I decided to do something a bit different.  Usually I try to eat wholesome, healthy food but I am slowly starting to figure out it isn’t always the right thing to do before long endurance training. J The day before my last 18 mile run I ate lots of whole wheat pasta. As you know whole wheat pasta has LOTS of fiber and therefore caused me horrible stomach cramps, pain, and diarrhea for a continuous 4 hours after my 18 mile run. It felt a bit like giardia (which I have experienced once before). To make matters worse this wasn’t the first time it had happened either. I was experiencing this “running giardia” after all my long distance runs. It didn’t stop me but I always dreaded the several hours after the long runs.

  Before any of my long distance runs I have to gear up mentally several days before. As the long distance run day was approaching me I started to rack my brain as to what to do different. I didn’t come up with the answer until I was talking to my brother’s sweet girlfriend Mariah. Mariah and I were planning our Sabbath dinner menu. She mentioned at one point that she wanted to make macaroni and cheese. Her Mac and cheese is to die for so I didn’t refuse. Sabbath lunch arrived and we were all eating our fantastic meal. Typically I would eat a little Mac and cheese but I wouldn’t take too much due to the cheese content. Well, as I sat there eating my small portion it dawned on me that I needed to eat a big portion of Mac and cheese because quite possibly the cheese would bind me up and not cause “running giardia” the next day. So I ate that Mac and cheese like crazy. Sunday morning came; I geared up, went for my run, felt fantastic, came home, took a shower, ate breakfast and continued my day WITHOUT ANY RUNNING GIARDIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a big breakthrough for me. I have finally figured out how to solve an ongoing problem that I originally thought was going to be much harder to solve.

  Mariah’s Mac and cheese is going to be on the menu the day before any of my long distance training days or races. Mac and cheese baby!!!!! I have never been able to enjoy so much mac and cheese before without feeling guilty!!! Thanks Mariah for making my training so much easier!!!! You have no idea how happy you have made me!!!!

Happy training, Alicia

Swim Security and Registartion

It was pitch dark out as I walked down the street. It was 4:50 a.m. and already athletes were on site getting ready for their big race day. I was supposed to meet up with my volunteer group at 5a.m. at Mirror Lake. We were all swim security which included keeping spectators out of the swim chute. We all had our swim security Ironman shirts on ready to roll. At first my job was simple and easy but then it got chaotic. Athletes were streaming through trying to reach the bike and run special needs area or the beach. Next thing I knew family members were trying to enter the chute for various reasons. I was given very strict orders to keep everyone out except athletes. Eventually I had to ask for back-up. It was crazy. Before I knew it things started to quite down and athletes started to crowd the beach area. At 6:50 a.m. the first gun went off and the pro athletes started their Lake Placid 2011 Ironman adventure. Ten minutes later the second gun went off. What a sight. Thousands of athletes were kicking, crawling, and thrusting through the water. It was scary, unnerving and thrilling to watch. Hands-down the swim is what makes me the most nervous about next year. It looks brutal to say the least.

  Thankfully Ironman takes many precautions to make sure the athletes are safe during the swim. First of all below the water is a cord the whole length of the swim. If you are lucky enough to swim close to the cord you can follow it the entire swim. There are also big buoys to watch for. The whole swim course is surrounded by kayaks, canoes and boats watching for any struggling swimmers. Also Ironman has divers watching the swimmers from below. The divers look for struggling swimmers and also for cheaters. There are lifeguards on duty and paramedics ready to move quickly in case of an emergency. Thankfully all the swimmers exited the swim, although some had bruises and bloody faces from being kicked.

Once the swimmers started exiting the water I was moved to the end of the chute where the athletes were entering the transition area. There were several steps they had to take so I had to yell at the athletes to ‘step up’ over and over and over. It was actually a lot of fun. Before my shift was over I was moved to the bike mount area where I had to keep spectators out of the way. The bike mount area got so congested. I was glad I could see it.

  My 5-10a.m. volunteering shift was over before I knew it. As soon as I good I found my family and spent the rest of the day watching the bike and run course. We stayed until after 4pm. By 4 I was totally exhausted and ready for sleep. Jamie, Tuck and I headed back to our campsite to get ready for supper and bed. I had to go to bed at a decent time since I had to get up early to stand in the registration line.

  My friend, Matt and I stood in line from 6:15ish until 10ish to register for 2012 Ironman. The line was so, so long. I was surprised. Many people camped out the night before in order to be near the front of the line. Registration was supposed to open around 9am but thankfully they opened around 7:15ish. It still took us awhile to enter the gym where the registration was taking place. Once we entered the gym I started to get very excited. Next thing I knew I was registering!!! There was a girl about my age, from Maine, registering beside me. We both congratulated one another and wished each other a great year of training. Before I left the gym I took a picture with my friend Matt. We held up our Ironman paperwork and smiled for the camera. Wow, it has begun. And, just like that I am on my way to doing my first Ironman. I am just praying that I can race July 22, 2012 and finish the Ironman feeling strong. So many things can happen in a year.

Smile, Alicia

Volunteer/Training Camp Lake Placid

So we (Jamie, Tuck, my parent's and I) are leaving for Lake Placid. I am not racing, just volunteering this year. I am volunteering in order to register for 2012 and in order to educate myself about race day as much as possible.  I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. Why am I nervous??? Because I am getting ready to commit to an Ironman that will take place in one year.This coming Monday morning I will be handing over my cash to race Lake Placid July 22, 2012!!!!! Yikes.The count down is about to begin. My race season is about to start. My Ironman is 12 months away. I have so much to do between now and then. I am feeling good about the base I have built thus far and feel it will definitely help me out this coming year but I have so, so far to go.

  The plan for the week-end is to ride the 112 mile bike course this Friday, starting at 7a.m. Then Saturday I might go for a run in the morning followed by my volunteer meeting at 9a.m. (Usually I do not train or go to triathlon related meetings on Sabbath. I might run this time since I will be going with people that know the course and can show me around. Also I  hope to focus more on just relaxing not racing. The volunteer meeting is mandatory and I must be there in order to volunteer Sunday. Saturday I receive my volunteer shirt and bracelet. As soon as my meeting is over I hope to spend the rest of the day with my family enjoying the Sabbath.) Sunday I will be volunteering as swim security from 5a.m. to 10a.m. Then the rest of Sunday I will be cheering on my teammates and I will be soaking up anything and everything related to the race. I hope to check out the transition areas, view part of the bike course and run course and watch as racer's finish. Monday morning I hope to line up early to register for 2012!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe I am about to do this. I can't wait for the new challenge.

   I hope to take lots of pictures of IMLP and to document everything I learned. I will blog about it when I return.

It's about to begin!!!

 

 

Smiles, Alicia

Presidential Traverse

After 5 hours of sleep Jamie's alarm went off and woke us both up. Needless to say we both wanted to throw the alarm clock out the window and keep sleeping, but we couldn't. It was July 16, a day we had been counting down to for many months. Not only was July 16 going to be a mini vacation for Jamie and I it was also going to be the weekend of the Presidential Traverse. My parents generously offered to watch Tuck for the weekend so Jamie and I could stay in a cheap hotel close to the trail head the night before. It worked out great since we were suppose to start our hike between 4:30-5:00a.m.

  Friday afternoon we dropped Tuck off at Grandma and Grandpa's and then we headed to Gorham N.H. Once we arrived in N.H. we unloaded our van at the hotel and then drove the van to the AMC Highland Center where we left it. Jamie's brother drove Jamie back to the hotel. The van would commute us all back to the start after we finished the traverse. Finally it was time to get some sleep. Before we knew it the alarm went off and we were up and going. I made Jamie and I each 3 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to go along with all our other snacks. We then finished packing our backpack's, loaded up in Greg's car and drove to the Appalachia Trail Head. We met up with 2 other friends, Mike H. and Daniel B., at the Appalachia Trail Head.

  We started our hike at 5:06 a.m. Mt. Madison was the first peak we had to conquer. It was a beautiful hike to the top. We then hiked to the Madison Hut where we had breakfast. The Madison hut was remodeled this past winter and is just beautiful. They did a great job. After a quick breakfast we continued on our way to Mt. Adams and then to Mt. Jefferson and then to Mt. Clay and to Mount Washington. We hit every peak, never taking the trails that dodge the peaks. Once on Mount Washington we ate lunch, filled our camleback's, used the bathrooms and then we were on our way to Lake's of the Cloud Hut. By the time we got to Lake's of the Clouds our feet were starting to feel the stress of the day. Daniel and I took our boots off and soaked our feet while we waited for the other's to stroll by. It felt so so good!!! Before we knew it we were off to Mt. Monroe, Mount Eisenhower and then to Mt. Pierce. We ended our hike at the AMC Highland Center.

  By the end of the day we traversed over 8 peaks, hiked 20 miles, and our cumulative elevation gain was 8,500 feet. The weather was perfect, the views were amazing and the temperature was just right. We couldn't have asked for a better day.

  Some of you may wonder how we felt after the hike. Jamie was exhausted, scraped his arm pretty good, and was badly sunburned but he was strong all day and finished without a problem. He did an excellent job. The next morning he found himself a bit sore and stiff but was proud of his accomplishment.

Greg was tired as well, burned his neck and says he might lose a toe nail. Greg also did an excellent job all day and covered the distance without a problem. I heard he was a bit sore the next day.

Daniel moved quick the whole day which might have caused his left knee injury.  But I am happy to report that as of today (three days after the hike) his knee is already feeling better. Daniel was born to hike. He is a crazy hiking machine.

Mike (or Sneaker's the thru-hiker-man) made the hike look like nothing. He wore his sneakers, a small pack and I didn't even see him eat much food. He had lots of energy all day and probably could have run the whole distance. I did hear him say that his knees were bothering him at the end of the hike.

 As for myself, well I felt great the whole day except for the rather painful blisters that I developed on both of my heels. My energy felt great and my legs felt pretty strong. I was exhausted though and really found out how exhausted I was the next day.  Let's just say I might have taken a nap the following day. :-)  I also burned my neck and the back of my legs. I woke up the next morning feeling stiff and ready for more sleep. I was able to get back into my training without too much trouble. 

  We can't wait to do the hike again some day. Who wants to join us????

 

Smiles, Alicia

 

 

  Two years ago Jamie and I attempted to do the Presidential traverse but were discouraged from even starting the hike since the clouds above were throwing inch thick chunks of hail down at us. The weather can change so fast on the Presidentials. It's a great idea to have a couple back-up plans just in case.

Long Bike Rides and Long Runs

  The long bike rides, though far fewer than what I need to be doing this time next year, are going well. In fact I find myself enjoying riding in the saddle for hours on end. It's fun to really cover mileage with your own man(woman)-power. Biking is definitely my favorite of the three tri sports.

 

  So what is a long bike ride? Is it all about mileage, time or both? I use to only watch mileage and keep track of my training using only mileage but now I mostly use time. It's a whole new method for me. The Ironman is one long day in the saddle so the more I train, the more I sit in my saddle, the better off I will be. A long bike ride ranges from 4-7 hours in the saddle.

 

  You may be wondering why I am worrying about long saddle rides a year from Lake Placid. Great question. In less than two weeks my family and I will be going to Lake Placid for the 2011 Ironman. I will be volunteering Sunday during the event in order to register for Lake Placid 2012. Since I will be in Lake Placid and possibly not return again until 2012 race day I have decided to bike the entire 112 mile course. I have not yet ridden 112 miles on my bike and am a bit anxious about it. I hear the course has some good hills and downhills (stating the obvious). I want to ride the entire course and begin to memorize the miles that are ahead of me.

Once I know what kind of a course it is then I will know how to train.

 

  Have I mentioned yet that I absolutely LOVE my Specialized bike?! It's an amazing machine. I have put hundreds of miles on it, each mile better than the one previous. The bike is ready for it's first tune-up but I am having a hard time parting ways with it even for a couple days. I need to do it before we leave for Placid though.

 

 

  Running has been going pretty good. It's definitely not exactly my "cup of tea" but once I am out there doing it I enjoy it. I am starting to figure out that half marathon distance is my favorite (I think). This marathon distance increases risk of injury and exhaustion a bit more. My 6-10 mile runs are quick and short. I do not carry a fuel belt and usually finish the run feeling energized and good. My 11-18 mile runs are a very different story. I definitely use my fuel belt when running anything over 10 miles. My fuel belt carry's 4 small water bottles, fuel and my phone. I love having the belt and wouldn't be able to cover the distance without it unless I planted water bottles and electrolyte drink and fuel along the way (what a pain that would be). My long runs can be daunting when I first start but I remind myself to just put one foot in front of the other. Also, what works for me is to just think about the first half of the run. So if I'm running 18 miles I focus on the first 9 miles only, which isn't a big deal. Once I get the 9 miles covered then all I have to think about is getting home. It works great for me. I usually feel pretty good during my runs and haven't had any problems. The trouble comes after my run is finished though. I have been having terrible GI trouble. After my run I will start to get terrible stomach cramps to the point I feel like I'm going to throw up. Also, I find myself running to the bathroom many times. It feels alot like the stomach flu except with a bit more pain. This lasts for about 4 hours then I feel fine and start thinking about my next long run. :-) You might be wondering what my problem is. I believe it is fuel related. Either the Perform electrolyte drink isn't settling well or my Shot Blocks. Not sure which one yet but I am in the process of figuring it out. I just recently bought different chews to try.  

 

   I have been increasing my run mileage in preparation for Lake Placid as well. My goal is to bike the 112 mile bike course on Monday and to run over half of the marathon on Tuesday. That should give me a good feel for what I have coming in a year. Once I finish my Lake Placid training I will decrease my running mileage for a bit and then start to build again just in time for my marathon in October. 

 

 

  Until next time happy training.

 

Smiles, Alicia

Kancamagus Highway

Kancamagus Highway

 

  Several weeks ago my husband, son and I found ourselves relaxing in the White Mountains with my husband's family. We were staying at Loon Village in Lincoln, NH. If you are familiar with New Hampshire you know that Loon Village is situated at the beginning or end (which ever you think) of the Kancamagus. It was a no brainer that I had to bike the Kanc while there. We arrived in Lincoln Thursday night. I waisted no time and jumped on my bike Friday morning. I was so excited to crank the Kanc. I left Lincoln and biked to Conway then turned around and biked back to Lincoln. It was only 63 miles but included some great uphill. The climb wasn't too bad, just slow and steady. I felt like the climb from Lincoln to the top was shorter but a bit steeper and the climb from Conway to the top was much longer but not so steep.

  At the end of the ride my husband asked me if I stopped at all and I told him I didn't and there wasn't any need to. Once you get to the top of the pass you have 15-20 minutes of downhill. The downhill allows plenty of time to rest. It's a beautiful thing.

  I definitely recommend the Kanc to any bike enthusiast. The Kanc not only gives you a great little climb (both ways) but also some beautiful views and some wonderful downhills.

 

  So go crank the Kanc.

 

Smiles, Alicia

Training Update # 2

Time for a training update. Things are going okay but the monotony of training is hitting me as well as sleep deprivation. It's time to shake it up and get more sleep. 

 

  Family: Jamie is a real trooper. My training definitely affects the morning routine. Jamie makes our oatmeal every morning, feeds Tuck and takes care of Tuck's morning needs. When I come home I make Jamie's lunch and take over Tuck and the house duties. In the evening I make dinner, take care of Tuck and send Jamie on his way to mountain bike. So, Jamie has morning duty and I have evening duty. Seems to be working really well. As of right now, during the week, Tuck doesn't see Mama for only the first hour of each morning. The weekends are a little different and are getting worse. Saturday I do not train but Sunday I don't get home until 8am or much later.

 

  Spiritual: I just finished this excellent little book called "Inside Out" about raising your kids to love and share Jesus. The book was wonderful and encouraging. I am now looking for the next book, etc to boost my spiritual life and give me a great lift at the beginning of each day. I find myself praying and talking to God while training. I thank Him over and over for the ability to move much less train. I was doing a great study of Philippians and feel the need to start that back up. I put it on hold when I started reading "Inside Out". The Philippines study included much reading out of the Bible which I loved and need to start up again. I think it is so important to read from the Word daily but I honestly haven't been reading out of it daily. Game Plan: read from the Bible every day and apply lessons learned to daily living.

 

  Rest: Are you ready to hear what time I am suppose to go to bed? This is slightly embarrassing. 8pm!!! That's right I need to go to bed by 8pm every night to feel my best. When I go to bed after 8pm I am always exhausted and not able to function at my best the following day. I was doing really well at going to bed at 8pm until about a month ago. It has slipped to about 9 or later. I need to be getting up around 4ish in the morning but am really struggling with it lately. I find myself getting up around 4:40ish instead. My body needs at least 8 hours of sleep a night. When I don't get 8 hours I pay for it. Right now sleep/rest/recovery is my biggest problem. I feel overly exhausted. Game Plan: go to bed at 8pm most every night.

 

  Food: Jamie and I eat a pretty healthy diet. We love our veggies, salads, whole grains, complex carbs, fruits, proteins, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, etc. We are vegetarian and close to vegan. My little ice cream cravings steel the vegan title away from me though. LOL!!! Although our diet can improve I am feeling pretty good about our food sources except for one minor detail...desserts. Yikes!!! Desserts are going to be the death of me, I swear!!! Do any of you have any ideas of a healthy "dessert" I could eat after dinner that is sweet, healthy and not a whole fruit? Game Plan: Start to really watch my dessert intake, try to only eat desserts on the week-end. As of February 1, 2012 no more desserts for me until after the Ironman. Might as well start cutting back now though!!! 

 

Swimming: Frustrated!!! That says it all. Haha!!! Swimming is my weakest link in a tri. I had a sharp learning curve awhile back with Russ but now I just feel stuck. Currently Sponge is having me work on flip turns which adds a whole new element to breathing. I feel like I am having to start all over again on my distance swims since I get out of breath sooner with the flip turns.  Soon my tri buddies will be doing open water swims, which I look forward to. I am getting really tired of looking at the Y's pool floor. Game Plan: get out of my funk, stay focused, stick to my swim routines. I must go into the Y with a plan and leave feeling successful.

 

Biking: Happy, go lucky!! Currently I am having alot of fun biking but I have got to get serious about it again. I went from hard focused training routines to fun, unfocused routines. Time to snap too. I have got to get a couple long bike rides in ASAP. I need to do some 4-7 hour rides. Question is when? Game Plan: stay focused on the bike, remind myself what I am training for, set up several long rides with Jamie so he knows how to plan, and start my long rides early in the morning.

 

Running: Blahhh!! Haha!!  This past Monday I had to make myself do the distance run. I actually had to trick myself into doing it. I went out for a "walk" that ended up as a 2 hour hill run. My distant runs are going pretty good, but my shorter mid-week runs are being somewhat neglected. I believe the lack of sleep is the biggest reason I am struggling with my runs.  Game Plan: Get sleep. Get those mid-week runs in, work on hills, speed, and distance. Keep up my transition runs.