2010: A year in Review

‘Tis the season for reflection.  So much happened in 2010, I’m not sure where to start. After reading back over what I’m publishing, parts of this post are going to be a bit melodramatic---if that’s not for you skip down to the fun photo recap at the end! 

A major lesson I learned this year is something I’ve heard a couple of other bloggers talk about recently, I learned that my success as a runner and a person shouldn’t always be measured by whether I achieved a stated goal, sometimes as cheesy as it sounds the greatest reward is in the journey.  For example, my 70.3.  Sure I finished, which was the goal and crossing the finish line was certainly special my success and greatest reward was the journey to the finish line.  Through my training I learned how strong I really am.  I deepened my friendships with some awesome people who trained alongside me when they could have been doing a million other things instead of climbing hills in granny gear or freezing in pond water when it was pouring.  Eventually I’d like a rematch with the 70.3—minus the alien water balloon please—but I’m really happy with my performance and the dedication it took from me (and my friends and family) to cross the finish line.

In terms of checking the boxes next to other goals I set for myself at the end of 2009, I fell short.  However, as I just mentioned, I might not be able to check boxes but I can certainly be proud of my accomplishments.  One thing I’m really proud of is inspiring another runner.  I never thought someone would come to me for a training plan or ask me what kind of running clothes I like best—it is great to see someone else pick up the hobby and get joy out of it.  Keep it up K!

For Christmas I got the Pfitz book “Road Racing for Serious Runners.”  Reading through the first couple of chapters I realized something about the past couple of years—I set a LOT of goals.  Pfitz training plans are really focused on your “goal” race with the occasional “tune up” race here and there but he focuses on one goal race and bases the training plan around that one goal.  I like goals and I like to have a lot of goals so if one thing isn’t going so well I have something to fall back on.  Having all those goals on paper somehow makes me feel like a better more accomplished athlete.  But I think I’ve been doing myself a disservice.  Melodramatic I know, I did warned you.  Anyway, for 2011 I’m going to try something new.  Instead of posting a bunch of goals, I think I’m going to post just 3.  According to Pfitz logic that’s still too many but I’m going for baby steps here people.  I’m also not going to consider everything I want to do a “goal.”  I think that’s something else I got into the habit of doing, everything became a “goal.”  I think somehow posting everything I wanted to do as a “goal” made me feel like I was living up to some internal ideal I set for myself. So instead, I’m going to create 3 solid goals and really put my attention and effort into them, instead of half assing a list of 20 things.  Lots of things I’m going to do in 2011 aren’t going to make the goals list and that’s okay, I’ll still do them and gets lots of enjoyment out of them.  I’m going to learn that I don’t need to check a ‘goal complete box’ to get the same level of fulfillment and satisfaction.  I also want to get away from fitness goals that always revolve around the clock.  There is certainly something satisfying about getting a new PR but I don’t want that to always be the focus.  Having FUN and never giving up are going to be my new mantras. 

Okay, so there you have it in all its melodramatic glory!  2010, a year of reflection!  Now for the fun photo montage:

Christmas 2010 + Goofy Recap

So much to recap.  Honestly, with the new job and the holidays I haven’t had a lot of energy (or time) to update the good ol blog.

Christmas

Christmas was a blast, the Pi family was spoiled once again.  I didn't take very many pictures but here are a couple from Christmas morning with Mr. Pi's family.

Tree with a pile of presents

Christmas chaos

Running/Goofy Training

After my horrible bout with food poisoning it took a little bit to bounce back.  Before the food poisoning I was also starting to feel some twinge pains in my IT band/knee and also a bit of burnout.  I rallied and got in a wonderful 18 miler, with negative splits even, down in sunny CA.  The American River bike trail is one of my all time favorite places to run, maybe it’s because when I run there I know I’m home or maybe it’s because I always see fun creatures (foxes, bunnies, jack rabbits, deer, snakes) either way I really love running (and riding) on the bike trail.

My “race” and I use the term “race” very loosely, is now a week and couple of days away.  I wouldn’t say this has been my best training cycle but not my worst either.  If I can just stave off the inklings of the cold I’ve been feeling I think I’ll be a-okay.  I’m really looking forward to the half marathon.  Not only because it’s a half, which I’ve decided is my favorite running distance, but also because I’ll be running with my sister-in-law K.  I’m so very proud of her!  We are already talking about our next half together, we are thinking of running Avenue of the Vines in May---which would be a special race for me since that was my very first half marathon back in 2007.

I never hit my 40 mile goal for this training cycle but I did get close.  My peak mileage was a few weeks backs with 36 miles.  In general, I ran more miles per week than I have in training cycles past but I did less speedwork.  Since my goal for Goofy is to just finish both runs, running the miles is really all that mattered in training.  While I think it’s going to be a very tough weekend of running, I think it’s totally within my capability to finish.

And it all falls apart... (arcticease winner at the bottom)

Well, it's not quite that dramatic but the recap of weeks 11 & 12 are kinda sad.


Week 11


Highlight-- I FINALLY got back in the pool (Thanks Amy).  Hooray! It's really the only form of exercise that no matter how long of a break I've had I always feel great when I'm done.  Note to self: Get in the pool MORE.


This was a busy week closing out things at my old job.  This meant long hours and rough nights of sleep---wondering did I do the right thing by taking the new job?  What about all the projects I'm not going to finish, etc?  Anyway, I managed to run three times for a total of 33 miles, not the 40 I had hoped for but as I mentioned in a post once I get above 33 my legs really slow down and I feel pretty worn down.  I did squeeze in my 20 miler after shopping for 5 hours the day before and before hosting a fun little holiday party at my casa.  


As for the close-out of the old job, Friday came and went, my last day of work came and went and it all went just fine.  Needless worrying and lost hours sleep were of course unnecessary.  Last day was a bit bittersweet but I know I made the right decision for my future career.


Week 12


Highlight---I survived!


I forgot how overwhelming and exhausting the first few days of a new can be.  I came home Monday and Tuesday absolutely drained.  I waited until Wednesday to run and ran from work in the cold, dark and drizzle.  Luckily, I was met with a pleasant surprise.  While my old job had a great running path through a forested area new work is really close to some spectacular Christmas lights and gigantic houses.  I even found a high school track about 1.5 miles away for future speedwork.  Success.


Sadly, that was the only running success of the week.  Thursday and Friday I was just too tired to do anything but lay on the couch.  Then, the worst of it struck.  Saturday morning I woke up feeling super nauseas and dizzy.  Oh no!  Oh no was right.  All I was able to keep down on Saturday was some sprite, water and a few bites of chicken noodle soup.  So much for my 15 miler on Saturday.  Since I was pretty sure the culprit of my ickyness was the veggie burger I had eaten on Friday night I had high hopes for Sunday.


Sunday morning I woke feeling less nauseas but pretty weak.  So, today was spent wrapping presents (which was more than I could do yesterday) and sleeping, at one point sleeping among the wrapping paper on the floor.  I'm hoping I'm feeling all better by tomorrow.


Total miles for week 12--5!  Yikes, it was supposed to be a stepback week but not quite that far back.  Here's hoping to a better Week 13!


For the ArtcicEase winner, sorry it took so long to announce.  Winner is:  RUNNINGLAUR (who I get to meet soon, hooray!)  Email me and I'll get your address so I can ship out your ease!

Arctic Ease Review + Giveaway

I was contacted by Arctic Ease to test out their cold compress wrap.

What Arctic Ease says:

"Arctic Ease wraps and pads are an incredibly simple but effective alternative to traditional cold therapy. They absorb heat energy from the body to cool the covered area. The absorbed heat is then lost to evaporation, which allows for hours of targeted cold therapy. Arctic Ease is ready to use right out of the package -- no refrigeration is necessary. And mobility isn't limited since Arctic Ease conforms to the affected area without the need for clips or tape. Arctic Ease is reusable, odorless and environmentally friendly."

My thoughts.

After 16 miles

After 18 miles

Overall rating: A

I’m a fan of icing, ice buckets, ice baths.  One thing I really liked about this product is that it’s not as cold as ice. (Anyone else want to break out into Foreigner tunes?)  While I do love ice, I hate that shocking feeling you get when you put on something or submerge yourself in it.  I was surprised that Arctic Ease quoted a research study about this very issue. 

Research says, “The optimal temperature for effective cold therapy is above 59° F (15°C).*  When skin temperatures go below that, tissue damage such as frost nip and frost bite can occur - it's one of the biggest risks associated with traditional ice therapy. And it's why you have to put ice on, then take it off - over and over again. Arctic Ease eliminates this inconvenience, reduces the risk and discomfort associated with temperature extremes and makes it easier to get relief from pain and swelling so you can get back to doing what you want to do. *Lee, Pardun, Buntic, Kiehn, Brooks, Buncke, ORTHOPEDICS, “Severe Frostbite of the Knees After Cryotherapy”, January 2007;30(1):63.b Cheng, Thompson, Yakobi, Dermatology, “FROSTBITE”, Updated: May 13, 2009

Another thing I really liked about this product is that it is self sticking and adds a bit of compression while it is also icing.  It accomplishes two birds with one stone.  It’s also reusable!

Where can you get Arctic Ease? They list several of their retailers here: http://www.arcticease.com/where.php and look for them at your next marathon expo.

How much do they cost? I've seen them range from $8.99 - $11.99.  However, for one lucky reader it'll cost nothing!

Here’s how you enter the giveaway, please answer the following questions in one comment to this post, giveaway will close Wednesday 12/15 winner announced 12/16:

1.  Do you ice regularly?

2.  What is your most troubling ache?

3. Please go to their facebook page and “like” –then tell me you did in your comment.

Rev3 Comes to Portland

I have no intention of doing another half ironman this coming summer but it's awesome there is now an option in Portland!  Though anyone thinking about doing this race, the bike course has some hills and some traffic-y streets.

Portland Peeps, more info found here:  http://rev3tri.com/!/portland/index.htm

I've heard such great things about the REV series, anyone out there done one that wants to tell me about their experience?  I'm thinking this is a maybe for summer 2012.

Week 10 Goofy + NEWS + Holiday Goals Check In

I didn’t have the best running week, I’ve been in a little of a slump.  My legs started to really feel the miles after I got above 25ish miles.  In training cycles past, I usually peaked in the late 20’s sometimes early 30’s but this training cycle I was trying to run more miles and more days per week.  I’m still increasing my mileage but I’m being a bit more careful, going slower and trying to listen to my legs.  I cut one run this week so my mileage was lower than it was supposed to be but I got in 3 solid runs, including an 18 miler on Sunday.  That’s right an 18 miler—Wowza!  My long run was actually pretty good this week.  The first 6 miles were great I was right at 11:20 min mile, the next 6 were actually faster they averaged closer to 11:00 min mile, the last 6 miles were brutal—I ended up walking a lot and just ran outta energy.  My overall average dropped to 12:45+, what I learned is I need more fuel (I only took 2 Gu’s) and I need to get my leggies used to long runs again.  29.5 miles this week, next week we're bumping it up.

While I might be suffering from a bit of marathon training burnout, I have other things to keep my mind occupied.  Namely, I will be starting a new job in another week.  I don’t like to talk about work much on this blog but I’ll just say this, I have really enjoyed my time in my current position but am super excited about the new opportunity!  On the day my new job became official Mr. Pi had these waiting at home for me, what a guy!

Needless to say, lots going on in my life these days.  Time to do a check in on my holiday goals.

1. Month November and December 100-mile months.  November clocked in at: 119.5-so far so good.

2.  Start my memory quilt. I have cut all my shirts—making progress.

3. Finish holiday shopping by Dec 1—miserable fail, I’m nowhere close to being done.

4.  Run to see Christmas lights.  Well, I haven’t run to the street near my house but I did do the Holiday Lights Run—I’d say that counts.  I’m still waiting for pictures so I can write a race report.

5.  Finish my swim goal for the year.  Um, probably not going to happen.  I miss the pool a ton but haven’t been able to get back into it.

6.  No gaining weight. So far so good.

7.  Get up early one day a week.  Miserable fail here too! The dark, cold and rain SUCK.

8.  Read two books.  Well, I have our next book club book hopefully I can finish before January 1.

9.  Strength training—another fail.  Boo!

10.  No holiday tunes until the week of thanksgiving.  Totally made it!

Member how I said I’d have TWO giveaways coming.  One will be this week and one next week—stayed tuned.  I’ve already written them up and they sitting in blogspot waiting to be published.