Is Winter Over Yet?

I know it is national and in some cases international news that Boston and all of Massachusetts has had a  harsh (no down right SUCKY) winter! I spent 2 weeks around Christmas training, reading, coaching it was great. I continued to coach well into February which eats up a lot of my time out of work Monday to Friday. I actually have no idea how many hours are spent either on a pool deck or prepping for the pool deck from November to February. I can sometimes squeeze in workouts before and after practice or at lunch. But it is hard and I am generally really exhausted during the season with the hectic schedule.

Then add in the fact that almost every weekend in February resulted in a major blizzard. Then there were the week day storms all told we ended up buried. So it was off to the gym day after day after day. I don't lack motivation to go to the gym. I have no problem getting off the couch to head there. The problem is.... staring at the wall or whatever for an hour or more. I can trick myself in to 30-45 min no problem. The whole hour and I want to run out of there screaming.

I have been doing audible and getting through some great "reading". I try pandora, my itunes, and netflix. I just mentally get to a point where I just can't take another day feeling like a hamster on a wheel. Going to class with friends for computrainer on the weekends helps me get through those 2 hour rides. And finally on Sunday I scheduled to do a long run with my friend Lisa. She is the best and lives by the motto "more miles is more smiles" also known as the best person to get you through a long run. Saturday the sun was shining it was 50 and I was psyched to think about my run Sunday. Then I got up Sunday morning to whipping wind and wind chill temperatures back in the teens and 20s. But it was so nice to get out and run in the sun and get some vitamin D. The company and getting to spend time with a friend is always so much better! I am hoping eventually spring will show up here. Though I know it will be a while until the roads are clear enough for riding.  What do you do to get through a long winter in the gym?

Want to Improve Your Swim

I really get sick of hearing everyone during the season complaining about their swim times. To be honest after being a swimmer since age 6 I am lucky enough not to have to spend much time in the pool training. I get to focus my energy on running and biking. To have gains in swimming at this point I would have to put in a TON of training for the gains of only a few minutes at most in a 5-6 hour race. I am better off spending time to gain 30 minutes or more on the bike or run through some hard core training. It would be so much easier for me and in my comfort zone to work my swimming for hours every day. Growing up I would swim for an hour or 2 before school and an hour of dryland after school with a 2 to 3 hour practice in the pool after that. So that is where I am comfortable. But we all know no gains come from staying in your comfort zone.

So if you want to improve your swim, you have to get out of that comfort zone. I know swimming is not the comfort zone for MANY triathletes. I know I am the slim minority that loves the swim. In the winter I am a head coach for a high school swim team so I am very used to providing swimmers feedback to improve strokes and even the little things to get gains. I have to say triathletes are a tough group. They don't often go out and ask for help in general. I am learning to do that with my own work in cycling and running, I have a coach and go to weekend hill climb classes to work my weaknesses.

The time is now if you want to see changes in your swim times this coming season. You need to find a master's team with a coach who is willing to provide feedback. Or find a friend who knows swimming and can help. Sign up for clinics. Spend some time working the pool. Maybe video yourself and ask a friend or coach to provide feedback. Don't stay in your comfort zone of riding the trainer and running, hit the pool. I know it is cold when you walk out and your hair freezes but when your swim time drops dramatically this season you will be thankful for that time you commit now.


I am happy to help friends and they are always asking but not many have ever materialized.... keep me posted if I can help in anyway!!

Christmas Training Camp Week 1

Work has been nuts for a few months. I was working overtime and doing everything I could to get our stuff in by deadlines. In the mean time I was trying to think about my coming season but I hadn't gotten very far in making decisions. My desire to train was low. I think knowing I can get through a 70.3 with little to no training is something that has come after doing 7 of them. I didn't have any thoughts as to what I wanted to do with this coming season.

I had my first computrainer class of the winter a couple weeks ago. Nothing like an hour and a half on the trainer next to a friend who is gearing up for her first full ironman to make you realize it is time to figure out your plans for the season. In addition to the friend gearing  up for an ironman other people in the class were saying how great my season was from following it on social media. Made me realize I really did have a good season. I started realizing it was time to figure out my 2015. The focus this year is going to be get faster!

My boss was telling me I had to use my time off before I lost it at the end of the year- while also asking me to take care of things (two statements that do not go together). So I decided FINE I am taking the next week and a half. D headed to visit his family for Christmas and I was only coaching and had some time. I told my coach lets get a training camp going. Lots of training trying some classes etc.

Monday- Run and Swim 3k
Tuesday- Ride
Wednesday- Run and Swim
Thursday- Run and Ride
Friday- Run Ride and Swim 3.5k
Saturday- Ride 2hrs
Sunday- Long Run 10mi

Monday I got both workouts done and Tuesday's ride. Wednesday I swam in the practice with the team I coach and then went for a soggy run. Thursday I was home and able to get out for a few miles with my dad and their dog. Sadly the gym was closed so no ride. Friday was kill Juls day. I did the run with my dad and their dog again then headed to practice. Did my coaching then went home to ride and swim. As I finished up the ride I was getting a stuffy nose.

Friday  night my nose got all stuffy and I had to take some cold meds. But I signed up for a spin class at 7:30 to do an hour then hit the gym for an hour. The silly spin class sign up gave me the wrong time for class and I did 2 hours in the gym. I headed to family christmas.

Something happen at family Christmas and I ended up heading home with a slightly swollen eye. Something that seems to happen when I have an allergic reaction. My eye got worse and worse all night and I woke up and I couldn't see. Damn! No long run! Gonna try tomorrow!

2014 Season Break

Part of what I looked forward to while running my first marathon was the thought of 2 weeks with no training. It had been a long season. I spent the winter working hard on my cycling like I do every winter in computrainer classes. I wanted to work on my running but it didn't do much of that. I was coach-less going into this season. In April I flew to LUNA summit and met with my friend and now coach Terra. We kicked the training into high gear and she pushed me to set goals I never thought possible. I went into Patriot with a sub 6 goal and did it. I went into Timberman with the goal of beating my times of the past years- though I wasn't sub 6 I was faster! And I ran my first marathon!


I had 2 weeks in my training plan that said things like enjoy your social life, take naps. We spent a week after the marathon in DC relaxing with my family, napping and enjoying a week off from work. I even ate cupcakes for breakfast one day! haha I took this relax do nothing to heart. Though I did already start thinking what am I going to do next season.

When we got back home returned to work and got settled back into life. I am not going to lie it was nice to go to work, get groceries, come home and not have to rush to the gym. Going into the race I was as close to burnt out as you can get. I needed 2 weeks to have my life and realize that I like training. It was nice. I have not had that much time off from training since I had my hip surgery.

I started to feel a bit lost. Training and racing is a lot of what I do with my time. Most of my friends are training partners and race also. Though I did reconnect with my old roommate which I have been wanting to do for 3 years! As I get back into training my plan is to try to keep up my running fitness I built with marathon training. I am going to try trail running to try to find the passion in running again.   This week was my first week back to training and I did 2 of my 3 runs on trails I discovered close to my house. I am working on  my core and weight training. And as usual keep up the spin fitness. Now the break is over and it is time to get back to training and planning for next year!

Marathon- Mission Accomplished

This race was 2 years in the making, after deferring my Marine Corps Marathon entry for a year it was time to take on the challenge in 2014. As I said in my I’m Running a Marathon?! blog, I was nervous and ready to take on the challenge. By the time we boarded a plane for DC I was tapered and rested. I had talked myself through the fact that I had run 20 miles 2 times and was able to finish. The biggest thing I found some calming in was I had finished 7 70.3 distances. My first took me over 7 hours. I knew I was able to keep putting one foot in front of the other for 7 hours. I knew they were different but I knew I could get through that long of racing. I had panned to be somewhere around 4 hours. That seemed to work with the long runs I had done. I figured I could maintain around a 9 minute mile.

We flew down Friday before the race and planned to go to the expo. My uncle even joined us, he was excited to see his first expo. We walked around I picked up my official Marine Corps Marathon Jacket. I didn’t really want to spend the 90 bucks on it. But I knew it was my first marathon and I’d be disappointed if I didn’t get it in advance and I couldn’t get it later. I picked up some of the usual expo deals on some gels and nuun and the usual free bees. I had a little incident with the Marine Corps shirt- luckily the one I ended up with fit okay but after a rude exchange with the exchanges guy. How was I to know I was a LARGE in your shirt when I am standing talking to the guy in a SMALL?! 

We spent most of Saturday relaxing and watching some shows we missed Friday night on TV. My nerves were starting to strum up a bit. But not too bad. I still was a bit rational. D and I worked out a plan in case he ran by himself, as far as I knew that is what he planned to do. I received a sweet text message or 2 from friends who run marathons frequently. Telling me to enjoy my first. You only get to run your first once. And the best advice I have received a couple times in my endurance sport years- Remember whatever you are feeling good, bad, pain whatever- it will be gone in 5 minutes. It is so true. 

Race morning plan was to head down to the start early. Ate my morning oatmeal and headed for the metro. MCM recommends 2 hours early with their security procedures. We got there about an hour and a half early. Breezed through security and were some of the first in the portapotty lines. I was plenty warm in my throw away sweatshirt. I wished I had brought something more to eat but I wasn’t starving. I didn’t have my usual nerves. I was just trying to stay as calm as possible. D and I made our way to the start line, found the self seeding around 4 hours. As we stood there we watched the Marines jump in and land on 110, one of them took of their parachute and was going to run. They had a cool fly over. And before I even knew it the cannon went off. As we started to move we saw another portapotty before the start line. We decided to duck in before the clock started. 

Miles 1-6 9:41, 9:35, 9:39, 8:59, 9:34, 8:53

I crossed the start line and the nerves came but I tried to just enjoy the experience. D was running with me and told me to keep all the energy I could I would need it at the end. He was right! I really tried to take it all in. See all the signs. Watch the scenery. I thought D would leave at some point. Maybe run a few miles with me then go. I was floating around the pace I had hoped and figured I could drop down later and make the goal. Around mile 5 I saw my Uncle and my cousin for the first time. I threw them my arm sleeves. Gave em each a hug and off we went.

Miles 7-12 9:17, 9:09, 9:14,9:11, 9:15, 9:21 

D ended up staying with me. Miles 7, 8 and 9 were through Rockaway park. It was pretty. I knew miles 8-10 would feel crummy. They always did in my long runs. D suggested salt, water, and gels. I took in what I could. I knew it would bounce back. Around 11 we saw my Uncle again. Then we headed out onto Haines Point. Anyone who has run races out here knows that is a tough part. The nice thing was they had the blue mile out there. There were pictures of fallen Marines and folks with flags. It really reminded you of the reality of the situation. I saw a few people stop and turn around to take pictures with the signs. 

Miles 13-18 9:18, 10:20, 9:41, 10:51, 11:51, 10:29

I started to have this hyperventilation issue around mile 13. I felt like I was cramping right across my diaphragm. I couldn’t take deep breaths. D calmed me down slowed me down got my form back in check. Somewhere around here we headed out on the mall. I started to feel even more crummy. I started to see the slower times I was like GREAT there goes 4 hours! Which made me get upset and made the cramping worse. Somewhere on the mall I started to feel really sick. Crap am I going to throw up. D was like find a hole between people- don’t throw up on people. I tried to get down salt and hope it would clear the cramps but I gagged and headed to a clear spot of people. We saw my uncle a couple more times right before we headed up the 14th street bridge. 

Miles 19-26 10:12, 12:45, 10:09, 12:59, 13:53, 12:17, 13:38, 13:51

The 14th St bridge is the “beat the bridge” portion of the race. We were up here and my watch was 3:20ish. I knew this meant my 4 hours wasn’t going to happen because I had about a 10k left at this point. The rolling up and down of the bridge. In the hot sun. No people out there. No aid station. At this point everyone around us was dropping like flies. I have done this bridge at the Army Ten Miler a few times now but it was right near the end this time there was a lot left. I got bummed again about not making my goal time, but also realized OMG we are approaching the farthest I have ever run. I came down into Crystal City. An area I know really well from working there for a few years. I started to realize this is the longest I have ever run. Every time I got upset my breathing went to crap again and I’d cramp up. I was trying to dig in and push it to finish, but every time I dug in it hurt again and I couldn’t breathe. D reminded me we could walk a 10k- we just needed to make sure to make it to the finish. The focus now was get to the finish in one piece. A marathon is a long day you can’t just push your way through it and hope it will be okay- you have to think strategy. So every time my breathing and cramps got me. D would talk me through getting upright again. People around would think he was helping them and thank him. It was starting to get hot. At mile 24/25 we watched a woman get taken off by 4 medics. She had cramped so badly she couldn’t even walk anymore. D said this is why I am telling you to slow down she isn’t going to cross the finish line- we are! 

Somewhere in here the reality of I AM GOING TO FINISH set in! I started to cramp up as I got emotional again. We took the left off 110 and headed up that last .2 up to Arlington. That last .2 is up hill. I wasn’t going to be the one that walked. The hill was lined with Marines. The road said Marine Up! Take the Hill! D and I crossed the finish holding hands. We have never finished a race like that. 

As we walked through the finish area- it was lined on both sides with Marines. They shook your hands congratulated you. One said to me “Smile! You did something GREAT today!” It was an amazing finish experience. I took out my phone just as my brother messaged me saying “way to go Jul! You finished in under 5 hours! That is so bad ass!”  I started to cry! We headed for medals. There were 10-12 corrals single file set up. At the end were Marines with arm’s full of medals. One at a time you walked up and the Marine put your medal on you and talked to you about your race. It was a very personal experience. I have never had a finish line like that. We headed to take our MCM picture infront of the memorial. As we walked like zombies through the food line we saw my Uncle and cousin through the fence. They were so excited for us! My uncle walked our zombie selves back up the hill to their house. After a couple miles of post marathon walking my legs started to feel okay. I think all the walking really helped. 

The biggest thing is I finished! I finished my first marathon in 4:42. Not exactly the 4 hours I had hoped. I had a great coach on my shoulder supporting me every step of the way.  I can’t thank D enough for spending the whole time with me for my first! Everyone told me Marine Corps is the best first marathon. They were so right! I would recommend it to everyone! 

When I was training I would have told you I wouldn’t want to train for another marathon. In the middle of it I was enjoying the race. When I finished I didn’t immediately go I never want to this again. I went I am not sure… and not sure turned into maybe…. and right now I am considering Marine Corps again next year. A friend said she wanted it as her first, so maybe I will run on her shoulder. Or maybe I will see if I can get that 4 hour time I was hoping…..

Thank you all who offered your advice through training, before the race and congratulations after. A special thank you to those who donated to my Breast Cancer fund page- Kelly, Kim, Kira!!! My uncle was so excited he bought me a 26.2 sticker for my car- I put it on right under my Timberman sticker.

I'm running a marathon?

Oh my god- that title just makes me take a huge gulp and get butterflies in my stomach. I have been training since tri season ended and actually some in the last weeks of the tri season to get ready to run Marine Corps Marathon. Last year we decided to defer and it was for the best but this year is on! I have put in the training miles. I have made sure to hit every long run- I know those are the most important. I have had some days where I haven't gotten out for my runs during the week and I know that isn't ideal but life happens. To be honest my job right now isn't what I want it to be and it is stealing my training time and energy which really is the most disappointing part- but that is a whole different part of the story. But I do know that I have twice run 16, 18, and 20 miles in my training. I can tell you I got to the end of those 20 mile runs and couldn't even think about running another hour.

I honestly think the main reason I signed up for a marathon 2 years ago was just to prove to myself I could do it. I have had many friends, family members, and others run marathons. It is just a block in my brain I want to check off. I want to prove that I am strong enough for 26.2. I honestly never thought running a marathon was easy. When people say to me you have done 70.3 miles, raced for like 6 hours come on... but a marathon is ONE activity for that time of 4 or whatever hours. The same muscles taking a beating. No change in mental focus just run... gulp.. just run. I have the drive to do something just to prove to me I can do it. That will be what I am tapping into when it gets tough. This is what I wanted to do when I first took on the 70.3 distance and that has turned into 6 more times of trying to better my time and my race.

At this point I have had more than one time in the training where I have decided I hate running. Not just a little but don't wanna run anymore. I have had long runs where I came in the house crying half way through. Everyone tells me training for a marathon isn't easy. I have to say I will take my training 3 sports anyway per this run, run and more RUN! I have been very careful to be sure that training for my first marathon doesn't result in the same issue my first half marathon did- Hip Surgery. I have been working hard to be sure and stretch, even do a little yoga every morning. I have found the new found pain but relief from ice baths. They have become a savior- though they are painful at the time. I've been foam rolling a lot. I tried to stick to yoga once a week but when the long runs got so long I couldn't stand the yoga standing series.

It is coming up fast- I am at the point of hating running again. I am ready to get this challenge done. I hope the goal time we have set will happen. Getting ready mentally for the fun of a marathon. I want to soak it all in. My friend suggested that as how to enjoy it- look around enjoy the spectators and I mean it is DC enjoy the sights. Wish me luck- here we go on a new adventure!

Nutritionist Trip- Under Fueling

So last week I had decided I had enough of the feeling like garbage at races and I didn't want it to happen at my big first marathon at the end of Oct. so I broke down and went back to the nutritionist. I figured I had an idea of what I was doing wrong. I wasn't eating enough. Not just not eating enough fueling through the race I mean not eating enough day in and day out. Anyone who has tried to lose weight knows to cut calories and you will drop weight. Well I was living that way.

I walked my nutritionist through what I ate in a day normally. We came up with around 1200-1500 calories. Well with my height and moving around for a work day then add in about 500 cals a day to account for my workouts I need about 2500-2900 calories a day. Anyone who can do basic math can see I am woefully under fueling my body. And I was living in a constant state of tired, cold, easily frustrated. Come to find out my candy cravings were my body just saying I"M HUNGRY!!! Yes folks I unlike most of America need to figure out how to eat more not live on your smoothie diet of 900 cals a day!


Not just was I not getting enough. I wasn't getting enough protein by about 10g a day. Not that far off but need that to keep training. And calcium was ULTRA low too. We went back through my day and beefed up my normal menu with calcium and protein options. We even added in a second lunch every day. Changing breakfast to 500 cals, Lunch to 500, a Second Lunch of 500, and Dinner of 500 or so will help me to end up fueled every day. I have a hard time making myself eat but I am going to try.

The hope is changing to eating enough will help me be well fueled for my work outs. Help me have better results on race day because I won't be living daily on the razor edge of under fuel. And not be so tired and irritable on a daily basis. I am having to track what I eat to help me understand how much food this is and help me get closer. I am still having a hard time with it. But I hope in the next couple weeks I can fix it!!!