Gotta Change to see Change

In my last post I talked about Summit. While at the event I sat down with one of the Luna Pro athletes to discuss my tri season and some other things. After a whole discussion I got up the gumption to ask "will you consider taking on an athlete?" Long story short- I have a new coach! I am excited and feel like I have a new focus to my training! She is pushing me! I needed someone to do that! I can't wait to see what it becomes!

Luna Summit- The Kick Start to My Season

As you can probably tell by the lack of blogs and the most recent post. I was looking for some motivation to get going this season. I had been to Team Luna Chix summit 2 years ago. For those of you that don't know I am a Boston Run Team member of Team Luna Chix. We are the ambassadors of the brand, coach women to get out there and run, and raise money for the Breast Cancer Fund. Every year Luna hosts us in Berkley CA for their summit. We fly out there and spend the weekend with the Pro and sponsored athletes and get to train right along side them for the weekend.

I have a lot of friends on twitter and such that are athletes that train and race. But this was having all of them in one place. The food was all up to dietary restrictions, the talk was all about training and racing and the fun was focused on being active. I landed Friday and scooted out to the hotel. Upon check in we received our Team Luna Chix kits- running shirt, running singlet, running shorts, socks, running jacket, long sleeve shirt and arm sleeves. We even received a special Luna charm and road ID gift card.

We rushed to change so we could join the run with the pros on Friday afternoon. I was so looking forward to that after being stuck on a plane for 6+hours. It started to drizzle and get windy as we ran around the Marina but we got in a good 3.6mi run. I ran and chatted with one of the new sponsored athletes and some team members from other towns. Got to meet Kara, one of the new Luna Sponsored athletes and chatted tri. After the run it was time to get ready for Friday night at Clif. They had an 80s party planned this year. It was awesome how ALL out everyone went with their 80s costumes. Here are some of the pictures:

After a night filled with dancing and fun after getting up at 4am for my flight I slept hard. Got up early with my room mate for the trip and Boston Run Teammate Lisa and hit up strength training class. We learned from Luna Pro Suzie Snyder, about different circuits with mostly body weight. And even ended with a quick HIIT circuit. I can't wait to get a hold of the notes and pictures for this one!

Finally we got some breakfast and had some great talks from Luna about product plans and nutrition advice. I then went to the sports nutrition clinic. More on this one another time! Taught by Sarah Jane from Self Magazine

Following the clinic we went into our sport specific talks. Since I am on the run team we had a run clinic. Ours was with former Ironman and Luna Pro Terra Castro. She is now a Luna Sponsored athlete and a coach for cross country and triathlon. She taught us all about the skills we can offer to participants of the Luna runs. And what we all needed to realize that after years of running we can offer our tricks of the trade. What we do that helps us with running. Then we headed to the track. I have never done a real LEGIT track workout. I know I know- I should! It was awesome. I even chatted with http://kineticfix.com/ about her upcoming Tri as we did the warm up. Come to find out she works with Sweat Pink- small world!?

As we got going on the track workout- I looked at what my 400 times should be and pushed myself up to the group that was running the sub 25min 5k'ers. Why not right?! I am close! I was happy my 400 times were way faster than the 2min I was supposed to do. Terra and the other Pro Luna members were cheering us all on. The 19 min 5k girls were flying with me bringing up the rear but it felt great to push. I haven't done much out of my comfort zone in a while. I even got a motherly talking to from Suzie about how one of my runs a week should be a track workout. The motherly talk even included the stink eye! haha :)

It was so nice to be in an supportive atmosphere to attempt something outside my comfort zone. I am not usually one for the "yaya sisterhood traveling pants" of women's events. I am an engineer. I work with mostly men. I am generally the only women in my meetings at work. I went to a school that was 80% male and I was sometimes the only woman in my class. I have gotten used to having that testosterone around. Don't get me wrong I am not afraid of it. But it was kind of nice to be in a place where you could put your guard down a bit. I am not one that needs an all women's gym to get the job done. But it was nice when I went to push myself at the track to have a supportive group of women who went "Sure go for it!"


Saturday night we heard the stories of the pros and sponsored athletes and some of the team members from across the country. We got a great talk from the president of the Breast Cancer Fund.

Sunday was back to the training. I got up early to do a 3 hour ride through the hills. I was so excited to get out on the bike. I hadn't been out in sun and on the bike since the fall. I found a new friend on the Seattle Tri team. She is a swim coach too. So we rode talked swim coaching, tri racing, and everything in between. I really enjoyed the views. I even got to talk with the Luna Pro Katerina Nash, who was leading our group. I talked to her about her season her plans for this year and even tried to convince her to hire me as her gopher or chef so I didn't have to go home!

The weekend was like taking all my friends from twitter and blog universe and putting them all in a room to hang out and train together. It was really awesome to have like minded people to train with and talk with. To sit down to eat a meal and not have people asking why you aren't eating something but rather see what other people's dietary restrictions were to maybe better understand your own digestion issues. I decided this year when I was going to go to Summit I was going to make the best of every moment of it. I was going to talk to every Pro I could. I was going to listen to other people's stories and tell my stories. I have never been in an environment that I so quickly felt completely accepted and welcomed. This was truly being in my element. It was being put in that bubble for a little while surrounded by athletes and people that think and train like you. No one who thinks you are crazy for wanting to do extra miles after a track workout. They just go "I think I'll join you!"

Been a while....LOOOOONG WINTER!

So its been a while... I honestly think I needed a little break. I trained. I raced a bit. In February I ran Hyannis Half Marathon, not one of the races I enjoy. But my run team had to be there to volunteer so I didn't want to just drive down and head home. I decided I would run with a team mate and help her through her second half marathon. I have to say running and coaching her along- though my muscles were super sore the next day- was one of the most rewarding things I have done in a while. I really enjoyed helping someone else have a good race.

In March I decided to set some goals to keep myself going. We had a rough winter up here and I needed something! I wanted to keep up my cardio, up the lifting, get into yoga, get myself off my candy kick and eat better. I downloaded an e-book http://leansecrets.com/ It was full of some good tips, recipes and the thing I took most from it was the lifting routines. I needed something new. I had been using what my personal trainer gave me 5 years ago. They were a great mix of cardio and lifting. Really helped get me back in the gym with a focus.

I was pretty good at getting the lift 2-3 days a week for March. I got in yoga most weeks. And I cut out the candy successfully. It has gotten me to the start of training for tri season with a bit more focus. I did my winter computrainer classes and as always the hard work paid off.

This past weekend was the kick off to tri season here- The Multisport Expo. Got to see all the friends and the race directors. Had a great time! I was sick with a fever/cold last week so it gave me that kick in the pants to get going. We even came home and hit the bikes in the gym for an hour and 15. Sunday was cold and rainy again so I had to hit the treadmill. I am hoping that was the last of it.

Yesterday finally brought spring warm temps. I got out for a 4 mile run! It felt like I could run forever. I think my mojo is coming back. I had a 5k PR in March 25:59. I cut 6 min off the course from the last time I ran in 2012 it running with Alex at Hyannis 2:11.22. I am ready to start talking season plans. Start figuring out some goals. And even mark complete on some of the goals from last year.... Here we go! Bring it on!

Bikram and Triathlon Complimentry

So I have written on here before about Bikram- 90 min 26 postures in a room that is what some would consider surface of the sun, I like to go with tropical. 105 degrees and 40% humidity. I really try to make sure in the winter I get in there. It is hard in my heavy training months to get in for 90 minutes so when I am not 100% focused on swim bike run I try to get in more Bikram.

Last winter I tried to do the same. Then my first A race of the season happen to be on the hottest day we had thus far last summer, Quassy, it was 90. The thought of suffering through racing 6+ hours in that heat would make most people crawl away (not to mention the course but that's another story). This winter as I take Bikram classes I sometimes find myself mid class meditation thinking about that hot day at Quassy. And I know on that hot day at Quassy I thought about my Bikram classes.

The breathe to get through it I have learned from Bikram has served me well in many applications, especially HOT race days. And I often find myself thinking well 90 min is nothing compared to the hours I spend on a 70.3 race course. I can remember the days when that 90 min felt like an eternity.

I think the Bikram has not only stretched my body and helped me heal a lot of my injuries over the years, but it has taught me how to deal with uncomfortable situations, and breathe my way through them. You are going to be hot and sweaty and uncomfortable the whole 90 min in there. But if you can turn off your brain and just breathe you will find a whole new world. I often find long training days and race days I have to turn off my brain and just breathe. I know that race days will be uncomfortable but if I just breathe and try to turn of my brain I'll get through. So I am not sure which one is helping the other more but I can sure tell you they are really complimenting each other!

My Morning Routine

So I am far from a Morning Person. Actually if I could stroll into work around 11 and work my 8 hours I'd be happy. But I try to get things done in the morning to help me survive. Lately life is really hectic. I am coaching swimming at night so I don't get much time to do the little things. Workouts need to be squeezed in. And add in the Holiday rush- URGH! So here is my morning to get me through these crazy times.

I get up after hitting snooze probably a DOZEN times! I set 2 alarms and still hit snooze. Did I mention I am not a Morning Person

When I finally get out of bed I walk into the kitchen and turn on my tea kettle. Get coffee going in my coffee maker. When the water is warm in the tea kettle I get a mug of water and some lemon.

That goes on the sink and I hop in the shower. When I am out of the shower the lemon water is at a temp I can drink. While I finish up my post shower face toner and moisturize.  Its so dry here in the winter I am using coconut oil on my skin and even throwing a little in my hair to help it stay healthy.

While I get dressed sometimes I'll finish laundry or pick up the house. I'll figure out what leftovers are going into work with me for lunch. I make a seltzer in my Soda Stream for the day. Make sure work out clothes are packed. Since I am trying to make it to the gym at lunch or when the weather is decent get outside for a run.

I pour my coffee into my travel mug and the left overs go into the mug after I finish my water to sip on while I do my make up. When I am dressed I will start making my breakfast. Generally its something I can have in the car. Egg white with spinach and cheese sandwich or a smoothie. This way I am getting in protein and some veggies and/or fruit. I have found without protein in the morning I am ravenous!

I take my multi vitamin, probiotic and lately some vitamin D. Do my hair. Throw my lunch and my breakfast in my bag. Throw my TYR workout bag on my back and head out the door, I sip on coffee and my smoothie on my ride or eat my sandwich.

This is how I am getting through the craziness in the morning this time of year! How do you manage?

Cold Weather Running- My Rules of Thumb

With everyone doing their SPONSORED Holiday Running blogs I thought I'd add a non- sponsored version. Last night a friend and I were talking about how many layers to wear for a cold weather run. Now I am someone that gets warm. We have dipped into the 20s so far this year. Not super cold but cold. Some of my cold weather staples are:

Fleece Lined Gloves
Light acrylic "toss" gloves. The ones they sell for 99 cents at the pharmacy.
Mittens - I find gloves leave my finger tips really cold.
Hat
Ear Band
Cold Weather Base Layer
Light Run Jacket
Fleece Lined Jacket
Full Length Tights
Fleece Lined Tights

When it is in the 30s- I'll opt for tights or capris and light running jacket. Sometimes my toss gloves, since my hands get cold.

When it is in the 20s- I'll opt for tights. A base layer and light running jacket. Usually go with a hat or ear band. Either Fleece Lined Gloves or my mittens.

When it is sub 20- I'll opt for the lined tights. A base layer and fleece lined jacket. Hat and mittens.

Sometimes I'll throw on a running scarf to give me another warm layer if the wind is whipping.

I am thinking it is time to invest in some smart wool running socks. My regular run socks leave my toes cold for the first 30 min or so.

I don't know if I heard this somewhere or made it up- but I always dress for 10 degrees warmer than it really is outside. That way I am cold when I start but okay when I am warmed up and running.

Of course, all of this changes with precipitation and then depending on distance too. But these are some of my general Cold Weather Running ideas.

It was in the 20s and windy this day- mittens, hat, tights,

 cold gear and light jacket and SCARF :)

Turkey Day- Trotting and Relaxing

Another Thanksgiving which means another Turkey Trot. For the last few years we have run the local 10k and this year wasn't going to be any different. I had texted my friend and team mate from Luna Chix, Lisa to come out. How many people can  you text at 11pm to come run the next morning at 8 in the freezing cold and they'll actually show up?!  Even though D didn't feel like running when we got up. We hopped in the car and headed to the race.

A couple years ago it was in the 50s on Thanksgiving. This year it was a FRIGID 20 something with 50mph wind gusts. I think it was the howl of the wind that made D not want to go out to run. To be honest I wasn't too excited either. I had spent the last week doing any workout that wasn't swim, bike or run. I had only run 2 miles the week before. This 10k was going to be interesting and COLD! Lisa being from Minnesota thought we were wimps.

We headed to the start line and tried to hide behind cars to block the wind. So much for 8am start time. Come on we are getting really cold. We stood in the mass of humanity singing the national anthem and suddenly before it was over, the group surged. WAIT?! what?! We aren't going to finish the national anthem?

Turkey Trot is the best place to end up with people lined up on the start line that don't belong there. Look if you aren't going to run a sub 20min 5k move back! Walkers just put yourself in the back! It is chip timed. I laughed and told Lisa luckily I am not going for a PR. D buzzed off and we joked that we would see him as he did his second loop.

Miles 1 and 2- 9:09, 8:31
The first part of the course was a lot of dodging the 5k runners that seeded themselves in the wrong spot. And to be honest- I know better I could have saved myself and put myself up closer to the front. The first couple miles were uneventful. A bit slow with all the weaving.

Miles 3-4- 8:51, 8:49
Then we turned the corner the river is to the left and the wind started to howl. It was so bad you couldn't even get enough of a full breath. I pushed but it felt like I was going backwards. Then luckily the second loop takes you out of the wind again for a couple miles.

Miles 5-6- 8:45, 9:11
As we hit the wind again I pulled back on my mittens and my scarf. Looked down at my watch and realized I wasn't going to PR, which wasn't the plan. But I could beat my time from last year which I thought was a 56. The wind literally stopped me in my tracks at one point, in mile 6. As we turned off the wind whipped road Lisa tried to push me. "Come on Juls Don't let me beat you." I just laughed and said WHATEVER! haha

We crossed at 55:50. And my time from last year was a 58:30 so I crushed the course. And even running and chatting with Lisa, being pushed around by the wind, and I ended up 4 min away from my 10k PR. We had fun taking pictures after then headed home.

D and I were planning on having "his" thanksgiving- Dutchgiving. We laid and watched the Macy's parade and hung out with no place to be and no timelines. Got up and watched football and warmed up our turkey pot pies from the local farm. We ate the pot pie and pecan pie and even fell asleep watching football. It was a really nice relaxing holiday! If you have never had a relaxing holiday I highly recommend it. Sitting around with no one else's timeline or stress or pressure was really nice!