February 2008

February 28 Back Log Blog

Thursday, February 28, 2008
Hey Real Brides!
I know you're nosey biatches, you RealBrides.
So, you're checkin up on the new girl to see what I'm about.
Well, thanks for letting me into your club. I'm having fun chatting with you ladies.
posted @ 2/28/2008 8:58:35 AM (0) Comments
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The Stinky Treadmill Woman, and Grandpa Almostfelloff (Um, it's German)
Robyn inquired about my below post, and the patrons of my gym. Specifically she asked if I go to a gym for "special people."
Here's my explanation:

From: Robyn Karlage To: CourtneyCSubject: OMG

I just died laughing reading your blog..m.ostly the part about the gym...wow do you go to the gym for special people?
XOXO
R
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:55:36 -0600Subject: RE: OMG
haha no but you'd think I do.


Seriously, I was doing an interval ladder monday and I kept getting this feeling that there was a creepy old man behind me watching me. . sure enough..

so then he climbed onto the treadmill, and believe me, it took everything he had to get up there, and stared at me. I think he was just trying to figure out how to operate it, but I head my head phones up, and if I tried to talk I would have puked.

OUt of the corner of my eye I see him start the machine, and I'm thinking "WTF he has his walker on there!!" so he gets it up to about 2.1 which is what.. like 29 min/miles? anyway, it is moving TOO FAST for him, so he lets go of his walker and grabs hold of the side of the machine. well he's walking- sortof, but his walker is going with the treadmill, so with in two steps it smacks into him and nearly teeters over. Thankfully the guy to his left grabbed it and hit his "eject button" (ya know the emergency stop). So then he got the old guy to kind of press some of the right buttons… but I'm next to him doing 1 min at 11 min/mile and :30 sec at (by this point I was going my 30 sec max) 7:15/mile. So I'm moving pretty good then sprinting. I kept praying saying "God, please don't let me be a clutz and slip or flail an arm mid sprint and smack this poor old guy."

IT’S THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY AND THERE ARE 30 TREADMILLS IN THE GYM. For whatever reason, FOUR PEOPLE ARE ON TREADMILLS RIGHT IN A ROW. WTF!?

After a few minutes of teeter tottering the old man climbs off. But have no fear. On my right side I keep getting wiffs of something not good. There is a very large woman next to me walking (ok great, she's fat and exercising, but she's going as fast as the old man… go get on the elliptical- save your joints- and then push your heart…anyway)… and she's sweaty. But, really, I'm almost 40 min into this interval set, so I'm not one to talk about sweaty. .. but you know what I mean by gross sweaty? well that was her. .. and she was ripping ass. I kept pretending like I was wiping my face with my towel but really I was trying to make a mask to breath thru.

And that's my story.
posted @ 2/20/2008 11:08:43 AM (0) Comments
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Hi, I'm a Freaking Popsicle.
I am so TIRED of the cold. No, really. It’s freaking cold out. I have ran outside ONCE this year. Twice if you count a 5k race.

Last winter I toughed it out. Snow? Use your meaty shoes. Ice? Take the grass or road. Cold? Pff, it’s not that bad.

This year, however, I have decided that I am a warm-blooded runner. Ever hear the running adage of “The air will feel 20 degrees warmer after your body heats up?” So, for example, if I am to run tonight, that means, after my warm-up, the air will feel like a balmy 24 degrees.

It is FOUR degrees outside right now. My car doesn’t want to start, the electronic radar detector inside of it has gone kaput, and the fuel pumps at the gas station near my house are freezing.
Right now I am very angry at the states of Florida and Texas. You are warm. So much warmer than I.

Not to mention the wind. Not even the windy city has beat KC this week.


It’s cold. Really cold. Get this. My neighbor’s dog peed on their back deck last night. She went outside to “check the temperature” (Um, it’s cold!) and stepped in her dog’s pee puddle in furry house slippers. The slipper is still frozen to the pee puddle this morning.

Tomorrow’s workout? Out door track workout- usually a favorite- about an hrs worth of repeating .5 mile run at 10k pace, then run the bleacher steps. Well, do not worry. That just isn’t gonna go down. Why? Well, beyond having my face cryogenically frozen, it’s going to ice, again. Then snow. Again.

I guess I’m stuck on the treadmill. At least the gym got new machines with personal TVs. Now I can watch Rock of Love 2 and ANTM while I try not to breath the sweaty walker woman’s farts, and hope that the old man using HIS WALKER on the treadmill doesn’t die. You see those commercials where someone gets shot off the back of a machine? That’s going to happen to him.

The treadmill and the trainer. My new worst enemies. It beats sticking my tongue to a flag pole though.
** Ed. Note. I just read Liz Fedofsky's blog. So happy to know others are comiserating.**
posted @ 2/20/2008 9:14:06 AM (1) Comments
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Fluid Recovery Athlete Profile Now Posted!
http://livefluid.com/crutcher.php
Click the above link to go directly to the site. Includes photo slide show!
Courtney Crutcher
Name: Courtney "Corky" Crutcher
Height: 5'10
Weight:: I more than qualify for Athena at most races.
Age Group: Women's 20-24
Specialty:: Yes, I am special. Oh, you mean race distance? Last year was all about IronMan. For 2008 I'm trying to make the transition to a short course speedster and survive some 70.3's.
Job: Foreclosure Analyst by Day, Super Homemaker by Night, Swim Coach and Triathlete by Choice.
Educational Background: I have a degree, but I don't use it, much to my mother's chagrin.
What's your location? I live on the east side of the metro Kansas City area with my fiance Eric, and our two dogs. People sometimes call me a Space Cadet, so I'm sure I have a mother ship in this galaxy, it just hasn't beamed me up yet.
How long have you been competing in multi-sport races? I started multisport in 2006. I came to triathlon after making the transition from a decade plus swimming career. My shoulders and I have since made friends again.
How did you get your start in Triathlons? I woke up one day and thought, "This is me!?" I had been the "most athletic" in high school and even signed to swim in college. However, I decided I couldn't handle the pressures of moving away at 17 to swim for an education, and I pretty much dropped off the face of the sporting planet. I dabbled in skateboarding and wakeboarding. I made a "come-back" of sorts with a club swim team during college. The semester I graduated I decided I needed to make a change, and entered the first triathlon I could find. I had wanted to do one since I was nine years old. I even remember being about 12 or 13 watching Kona on tv- I told a friend of mine I was going to be an IronMan some day. Whoda thunk it.
What is your favorite workout? My favorite workout is 12 oz curls- I mostly train with the hubby-to-be... but for some odd reason my coach doesn't put that in my training plan, so I really enjoy doing cross training- I like to lift. I have a set of hill repeats by my house that are brutal. I like doing those because you can really see your strength increase over time.
"When I'm not training/racing, I enjoy..." Sleeping! I am the self proclaimed Queen of Multitasking. I run myself ragged (I wouldn't have it any other way!) so a good day of sitting on the couch with the dogs and fiance makes me happy! I also enjoy wakeboarding, skateboarding, and watching Eric and brother race motocross.
If you could train with any other athlete in the world, who would it be and why?I have to pick two gals: Bree Wee and Liz Fedofsky. They've been mentors of sorts for me the last 6 months or so, and they would drop me in a second at any workout (ok, maybe I'd survive at masters' practice). They're really amazing ladies and great inspiration to me. Also, one of my bridesmaids, Robyn, lives really far away but is doing her first Ironman this year. I wish I could help train with her for that.
If you could have one superhero power what would it be? If I could have one power I would have...the ability of good digestion? Not sure. I'm pretty happy with my own mere mortal powers.
Do you have a non-negotiable pre-race ritual? Check, recheck, and check again my goggle straps. I wear Swedish goggles and I worry about the nosepiece breaking at the start. Oh, I make a general announcement at the start of my heat "If someone hits me, I will swing back." I actually said that at the start of my very first race, and 9 months later in spin class someone said to me "I was in your heat at Heritage Park this year, I thought to myself 'I'm not drafting off this chick', and I remember you from that." Since then it's been a joke.
What culinary indulgence do you allow yourself after a big race (that you don't normally partake of)? I almost always crave French fries, so I usually hit up Micky D's or Wendy's. I would say ice cream, but I partake in that more than I should (sorry coach).
What adjective describes you best?There's two. Determined, and bossy. In no particular order.
Finally, do you have any advice for athletes new to multi-sport competition? Race yourself first, the course second, and your competition last.
Drink Fluid Recovery. Shop at Trisports.com, and tune your bike at Freeride Bike & Skate.
Oh, don't forget to read my blog. www.sponsorhouse.com/members/courtcrutcher
posted @ 2/13/2008 11:18:21 AM (0) Comments
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Supportin Chad Reed.
I just want to go ahead a throw out a big go get 'em for my favorite factory rider.
I the late 90's and early 2000's I was all about Jeff Emig. I have since moved on.
GO 22!!
Heeelllooo Chad Reed. I really dig dark hair (ya know, like Eric's. :)
(see the resemblances?)
Reed
Emig
Staton
posted @ 2/13/2008 6:52:03 AM (0) Comments
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Head-first.
Well I'm really diving in head first.
The tickets to Wild Flower are purchased. I'm entered, and I have flight.
Funny thing is, all I have to do now is train. It sounds so simple, but damn, it's tough.
So I'm trying to re-commit myself to my training after a couple weeks of sub-par workouts. I've to really get on the stick. So here it goes..
posted @ 2/12/2008 10:27:31 AM (0) Comments
Monday, February 11, 2008
Playing Catch Up
Things are difficult right now. I've felt so incredibly exhausted, really truly tired. Remember how I described my physical fatigue when doing my longest training for IronMan? Well bingo-bango, that's how I'm feeling now. Pretty much, sumthin aint right.
Last Wednesday I was at the chiropractor. She was reviewing my nutrion and noted that I really don't eat a lot. (yeah, duh). But commented on how that doesnt reflect on my weight, especially considering how much I workout (well lets not count about the last 16 days or so, all I've done is sleep). She asked if my family had a history of hypothyrodism or diabetes. I chuckeled and explained my theories on the hypothyroidism. She called her dad (another doctor in the office) in the help examine me. The began with my holing my arms straight out in a mummy stance while pushing up, and two aides were pushing down on my arms, a la exercise resistance. The male Dr. began prodding at me with two fingers. He poked my forehead, my shoulders, collarbone, knees, and then under my ribs. When he pushed under my ribs, my arms just fell straight down. WTF? We repeated the test with the same results.
They then explained to me that my body is having some adrenal gland function problems. From what I understand, my adrenal glands pretty much just produce adrenaline all the time, vs in quick bursts like for others. However, since it's just a steady flow, I'm still reaping the bennefits of endorphines- the hormones that give you an excercise high, most specifically after/during a very long event (ie: IronMan/ Marathon).
The doctor brought out some minerals called Drenamin (http://www.standardprocess.com/display/StandardProcessCatalog.spi?ID=62). He performed the same test. However I would put one mineral under my tongue. I worked my way up to 4 before I could hold my arms up. So, I have started those minerals everyday, and will get a check up again on Wednesday.
I only got in a couple workouts last week, and only one would I call quality. I'm having a hard time finding motivation. I am SO excited about WildFlower, but I think I'm putting some unnecassary pressure on myself. Which really is setting me up for self sabatoge and a general fear of failure. I know, I have to get over it. Tonight is a 5 mile run for time. Honestly, I don't see how I'm gonna make it, let alone get my elgs underneath me, but I'm going to try.
Sad news. After a really long battle with bunny pnemonia Srgt. Cadburry the Fluffy One died yesterday. :( I'm actually pretty tore up about it. I have had that rabbit for SO long, so I'm dealing. I'm also pretty pissed about spending all the cash I did on getting him better just to fail. He was really looking so much better the last couple weeks, and he was eating and gaining weight like he needed to. However when I went in to feed him last night I found him curled up in the corner of his hut. He looked like he was sleeping peacefully, but alas, wasn't really sleeping. :( so sad!! I love that little bunbun!!!

posted @ 2/11/2008 6:55:07 AM (0) Comments
Friday, February 01, 2008
A Fairy Tale for Big Girls
Once upon a time ~~~~~~~~ in a land far away, ~~~~~~~~ a beautiful, independent,self-assured princess ~~~~~~~~ happened upon a frog as she satcontemplating ecological issueson the shores of an unpolluted pondin a verdant meadow near her castle. ~~~~~~~~ The frog hopped into the princess' lapand said: ' Elegant Lady,I was once a handsome prince,until an evil witch cast a spell upon me. ~~~~~~~~ One kiss from you, however,and I will turn backinto the dapper, young prince that I am ~~~~~~~~and then, my sweet, we can marry ~~~~~~~~ and set up housekeeping in your castle ~~~~~~~~ with my mother, ~~~~~~~~ where you can prepare my meals, ~~~~~~~~ clean my clothes, bear my children, ~~~~~~~~ and forever feel grateful and happy doing so. '~~~~~~~~ That night,~~~~~~~~as the princess dined sumptuously~~~~~~~~on lightly sauteed frog legs~~~~~~~~seasoned in a white wine~~~~~~~and onion cream sauce,~~~~~~~~she chuckled and thought to herself:~~~~~~~~I don't fuckin think so.
posted @ 2/1/2008 6:35:57 AM (0) Comments