October 2007

http://sponsorhouse.loopd.com/Members/CourtCrutcher/Blog.aspx?month=10&year=2007

Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Making Comparisons...
Making Comparisons...
I guess this is what 28lbs will get ya. ((Well, I have put on 2lbs in my taper... I guess I forgot to taper my food too!))

posted @ 10/30/2007 12:21:34 PM (0) Comments
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Are We There Yet!!??
AAAHHH! I can't concentrate on work. I just need to get home and finish packing (no, mom, it's STILL not done yet) and cleaning. I want to have as relaxing of an evening as possible. I'd liek to get to run tonight since I didnt yesterday. The sun goes down soo early. I was in the midst of packing and then I realized it was dark and 50 degrees out. I know that doesn't sound so bad, but when I know I'm going to warm tropical weather, the last place I want to be at is my dark blustery street at night.
I'm really looking forward to seeing Eric too. I haven't seen him since Sunday, and I really miss him. Oh, and guess what?? Tomorrow is our SEVEN year anniversary. Yes! He's the best and I get to spend it smooching on a white sand beach. A-MAZE-ING.
Also, everyone keeps asking me about the damn tropical storm. No, it's shouldn't come anywhere near us, we are like 800 miles from Cuba, so we should be good. Start thinking good weather thoughts. My biggest fear is battling the wind which will put more resistance on my knee, so let's hope for calm weather. And, since it's going to be so hot, I might end up racing in a bra top. SCARY. But, I think I've lost enough weight I won't look like a baffoon!
Don't forget to check back for updates!!
-Courtney #2072 and soon to be IronMan.
posted @ 10/30/2007 11:38:09 AM (0) Comments
Monday, October 29, 2007
That's Our Story, and We're Stickin' to It.

One day, when a seamstress was sewing while sitting close to a river, her thimble fell into the river. When she cried out, the Lord appeared and asked, 'My dear child, why are you crying?'
The seamstress replied that her thimble had fallen into the water and that she needed it to help her husband in making a living for their family .The Lord dipped His hand into the water and pulled up a golden thimble set with pearls.'Is this your thimble?' the Lord askedThe seamstress replied, 'No.'
The Lord again dipped into the river. He held out a silver thimble ringed with sapphires.'Is this your thimble?' the Lord asked.Again, the seamstress replied, 'No.'The Lord reached down again and came up with a leather thimble. 'Is this your thimble?' the Lord asked.The seamstress replied, 'Yes.'The Lord was pleased with the woman's honesty and gave her all three thimbles to keep, and the seamstress went home happy.Some years later, the seamstress was walking with her husband along the riverbank, and her husband fell into the river and disappeared under the water.When she cried out, the Lord again appeared and asked her, 'Why are you crying?''Oh Lord, my husband has fallen into the river!'The Lord went down into the water and cam e up with George Clooney.'Is this your husband?' the Lord asked.'Yes,' cried the seamstress.The Lord was furious. 'You lied! That is an untruth!'The seamstress replied, 'Oh, forgive me, my Lord It is a misunderstanding. You see, if I had said 'no' to George Clooney, you would have come up with Brad Pitt. Then if I said 'no' to him, you would have come up with my husband. Had I then said 'yes,' you would have given me all three. Lord, I'm not in the best of health and would not be able to take care of all three husbands, so THAT'S why I said 'yes' to George Clooney.And so the Lord let her keep him.The moral of this story is: Whenever a woman lies, it's for a good and honorable reason, and in the best interest of others.That's our story, and we're sticking to it.Signed, All of Us Women
posted @ 10/29/2007 1:19:53 PM (0) Comments
Monday, October 29, 2007
Projected Times
If all goes well...

Projected Race Times—C. Crutcher IronMan Florida November 3, 2007





Leg Time
Pace
Overall Time
Clock Time
Swim
1:15.00
2 min / 100 meters
1:15.00
8:15 AM
T1
0:10.00
-
1:25.00
8:25 AM
Bike
7:00.00
16 mph
8:25.00
3:25 PM
T2
0:07.00
-
8:32.00
3:32 PM
Run
6:33.00
15 min / mile
15:05.00
10:05 PM


Total Time
15:05.00
10:05 PM




posted @ 10/29/2007 10:46:31 AM (0) Comments
Monday, October 29, 2007
I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane.. Don't Know If I'll Be Back Again. (Track me online!)
I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane.. Don't Know If I'll Be Back Again. (Track me online!)
Friends & Family-
The time has finally arrived, Ironman Florida is this Saturday! We fly out soon and will spend the next couple of days getting checked in and set up, driving the course, and doing a few practice swims in the Gulf. The race starts at 7:00 am on Saturday morning, and ends at midnight. I am hoping to finish in around 15 to 15 1/2 hours, so that would be about 10:00pm ish.
You can track me throughout the day to see how my race is progressing, and even watch me cross the finish line live at www.ironmanlive.com Just go to the website, select “track an athlete” and you can search for me by my name or my race number: 2072. It SHOULD be on the main page of the website, but if not, just go to “events”, and then select “Florida”. I’m going to give SOMEONE (maybe my mom Robin, maybe Eric, maybe brother Jeff) my phone on Saturday, so feel free to call either their phones or my cell if you want a more personal update. They’ll have 15 or so hours to kill, and you might as well bother them.
I’m going to plan on posting a couple of blog updates while we’re in Florida leading up to the race, and I’ll have my race report up by the end of next week.
Thank you for all of your support and encouragement over the last year, it has meant more than you can possibly imagine!
(thx Jules- I totally just copied your email)
posted @ 10/29/2007 7:42:12 AM (0) Comments
Friday, October 26, 2007
8 Days
What's that movie? The RING? the one where you watch some creepy movie then the phone rings and a voice says "You will die in Seven Days?"

Well, that's kind of how i'm feeling. EXCEPT, i'm calm about dying..er, racing Ironman. :)

Here's what I have decided:
1. I have no control over the weather. Thank God because it's supposed to be sunny and low 70's, so that's nice!
2. Just because the gulf water report is saying that there is an explosion of Portuguese-Man-of-War jellyfish that have migrated north early, does NOT mean I will necessarily be stung.
3. Dammit, let the jellyfish thing go.
4. Julie says we will have a great race. julie has an amzingly positive attitude. Be more like Julie.
5. I'm trying to be over the jellyfish.
6. I think if I had a full set of Louis Vuitton luggage I still wouldn't be able to pack everything.
7. This trip is expensive! Thank goodness for saving (not enough, but some) money!
8. This is going to be one of the best experiences of my life- it already is.
9. Mine and Eric's 7 year anniversary is Wednesday, and we will get to spend it together sitting on the beach watching the sunset. I love him so much and he has supported me more than I could have done this year.
10. Even if I get out of the water and my wetsuit is filled with jellies, the winds are bad, I have mechanicals, my knee hurts, my shoes get wet.. even if we're racing in a snow storm, dammit..
I AM GOING TO BE AN IRONMAN.
posted @ 10/26/2007 11:33:02 AM (0) Comments
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Split Ends
Now that it's official, I thought I could go ahead and post that Defined Fitness Training, LLC and I have split ways.
I am pursuing my own individual avenues and plan to get in some training sessions with some local clubs. I am also in talks with potential coaches.
I would like to thank Megan Hottman at DFT and all the gals for being so cool. I had some fun and learned quite a few lessons in the last 2 seasons with them. I also made some dear friends that I will be buds with for life. If you're looking for a more relaxed training club enviroment, check out www.definedfitnesstraining.com -from what I understand, this will be co-ed team this year, vs the women-only the past 2 years.
I really hope that everything goes well for DFT in 2008- sounds like they're gearing up for one heck of a season next year.
So, Cheers, DFT!

Oh and speaking of split ends, i get my hair cut today! Yippee!!

posted @ 10/25/2007 7:19:29 AM (0) Comments
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
"My Mom Doesn't Believe Me"... why I heart Slowtwitch.com
Go here for the funniest story(ies) EVER:

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1535890;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

or just check out www.slowtwitch.com forum and search out "my mom doesn't believe me"
posted @ 10/24/2007 10:48:39 AM (0) Comments
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
You Need a Coach. I know a girl that knows a girl....
Courtney Crutcher
Personal Swim Coach
Offering personalized training and lessons to swimmers of all abilities.


One on One – Tri Season Prep - High School Swimming Prep – Adult Lessons - Clinics - Masters Team

Competing since age nine, Courtney is a former national record holder in the 400 medley relay. After swimming through a torn labrum in the right shoulder, she hung up her full-time goggles at the end of her sophomore year of college. She has since began a successful triathlon career, including winning the women’s 20-24 age group National Title at the 2006 US Half-Max National Championship and being named to TEAM USA for the 2006 and 2007 Long Distance Worlds.

Courtney has coached and taught private lessons since age 15. She is a former USA Swimming registered coach and is certified in First Aid, rescue breathing, and CPR by the Red Cross. Upcoming certifications are ISSA personal training, USA Triathlon and US Masters Swimming coaching certifications.

***
Swimming is very technical and it is easy to lose your "feel" for the water. Many athletes such as triathletes, high school, and masters swimmers can get into the pool and put in the distance, but don’t understand the mechanics. Having a watchful coach with years of experience in and out of water can help you pull the most out of every practice.

One on One and Adult lessons:

I like to get into the pool with you for at least your first session- it's helpful to have someone in the water with you instead of just standing over you when you're swimming. I learn better by watching and following an example, and it seems most people do as well. This is usually 2 hours and is best to do on a weekend when we have a little more flex time. I recommend meeting twice a week, preferably Saturday for 1hr 30min to 2hrs and a week night. The week night lessons are about one hour to 1hr 15min- depending on your goals, fitness, and what we're working on. I also give you "homework" or written up sets and practices w/drills for you to do on your own, once or twice a week, depending on your schedule.

The initial lesson is $60. How the first day works: I will give you some skills and drills to try, and will demonstrate them. I will also be testing your swimming fitness. This will include your strength and weaknesses, technique, and how well you swim in aerobic and anaerobic zones (important when racing long distance vs. sprint). This will give us a base to build on for the rest of your lessons and the workouts I will write for you. You and I will have a sit down and discuss your goals and what you expect out of me as a coach, and what you want to get out of your lessons and workouts.

From there we will start twice-weekly sessions which will cost $50 dollars a week and include written workouts for you to do on your own, as well as dryland skill and technique workouts. If you want to only meet once a week it is $35. Minimum is 6 weeks plus the initial review session. Returning clients need not repeat the initial session.


High School Prep, Tri Season Prep

Getting ready to start a new season as a high school swimmer or triathlete? Wanting to get the edge on the other swimmers before tryouts? Prep training consists of technical skills and drills to correct any troubles before it becomes a problem. This is a great way for new swimmers to get into a team environment and learn swim-speak such as the names of exercises, reading pace clocks, and responding to up front coaching. Not sure if HS swimming is for your kid? HS Prep offers a trial look at sets common in HS practices. Each High School and Tri Prep practice includes dryland training. Workouts will vary between an 1hr 15min and 2hrs- swimmers will be notified on the length each upcoming practice. It’s best to start Prep sessions six to eight weeks prior to the season start. Preparation sessions for both HS and Tri Seasons are 4 weeks minimum. I like to coach at two practices, and give one or two “take-home” swim workouts for swimmers to do a week on their own time. Maximum number of swimmers in either Prep session is eight. This ensures each swimmer individual attention. As a pricing guideline, three swimmers with two practices a week is $105/week at a six week minimum. Additional swimmers are $20 each (up to 8 maximum).

Clinics

Clinics are one day sessions where swimmers learn basic swimming techniques, importance of training, goal setting, and motivational talk. I will bring in my national medals for swimmers to try on- younger kids love this! Clinics are four to six hours. These are best set up through your High School teams or local swim clubs with assistance of team coaches. Please call for pricing.
NEW! Master's Swim Team
I recently took on the role as the head coach of an 18 and over swim team in Blue Springs, MO. For more information please email me at the address below, or go to http://www.ymca-kc.org/index.php?PAGE_ID=35

*Dreams are Never Wrong*


Please contact me if you have any questions. You and I can work together to decide what is best for you and your training. References are available upon request.

Contact Info:

Courtney Crutcher
triswimcoach@yahoo.com
posted @ 10/24/2007 8:05:08 AM (0) Comments
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
OOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWw
The oowws lessen each time but OOOOOOOOOOOOWWWW!!! (*&%^$#%@!!! (*&$%$#!!! **%$#%$#%$!!!!!
"Pull tight, breath, and cuss..."
Thanks Beth Anne Corbett-- http://inthepinkskincare.com/

posted @ 10/23/2007 11:32:39 AM (0) Comments
Monday, October 22, 2007
Take a Number!!
YEEEESSSSSS!!
FINALLY. We have numbers:
Ford Ironman Florida 2007 Participants
1 records found in "LAST NAME" that contain "CRUTCHER":
BIB NUMBER
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
AGE
SEX
CLASSIFICATION
DIVISION
CITY
ST/PROV
COUNTRY
COUNTRY REP
OCCUPATION
2072
CRUTCHER
COURTNEY
22
F
AGE
W18-24
BLUE SPRINGS
MO
USA

FORECLOSURE ANALYST
1 records found in "LAST NAME" that contain "MCAVOY":
BIB NUMBER
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
AGE
SEX
CLASSIFICATION
DIVISION
CITY
ST/PROV
COUNTRY
COUNTRY REP
OCCUPATION
2122
MCAVOY
MEGAN
27
F
AGE
W25-29
SYRACUSE
NY
USA

PHARMACEUTICALS
1 records found in "LAST NAME" that contain "HURLEY":
BIB NUMBER
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
AGE
SEX
CLASSIFICATION
DIVISION
CITY
ST/PROV
COUNTRY
COUNTRY REP
OCCUPATION
2158
HURLEY
JULIE
29
F
AGE
W25-29
OVERLAND PARK
KS
USA

COMMUNITY PLANNER
posted @ 10/22/2007 12:41:20 PM (0) Comments
Monday, October 22, 2007
My Body Hates Me.
My Body Hates Me
Ok, so I have officially earned the Sicky McSickerton title. Let’s recap (warning, it’s a touch graphic):

Two weeks ago I got “gastroenteritis” so bad I ended up in the hospital. Scroll down for more info on that. Then, since Eric was sick with a crazy cold thing, he passed that along to my weakened immune system. Now I cough, hack, and hurt. My head feels like it’s in a vice grip. My knee, wait, my GOOD knee, has decided to take a sabbatical. I am pretty sure that I may as well have a peg leg and be in less pain when cycling, and it would function better. Finally the kicker: I have gone into Secondary Amenorrhea. This is fancy for My-Periods-Have-Stopped. No, I am not prego. Yes, I have tested- very clearly negative. I thought a couple times I was having the bloody uterus feeling. When I checked, there was nothing. I talked to a couple of my friends that are doing IM’s too. One said she hasn’t had one in months, and the other did not have one last month either, and her hoo-ha doctor said he was surprised that she hasn’t missed more because of the heavy training. I think mine is combo of heavy training and stress. Which, are both causes- I’ve done some research on it now.

So now we have come to the conclusion of: My Body Hates Me.

I called my doctor today for some help on getting over this cold. I can’t do ANYTHING feeling like this. It’s miserable. It’s really not helping the freak out feelings. To top it all off I had a dream Friday night that I DNF’d IMFL and Julie went 13 hrs. While it would be bad ass for Jules to go 13 hrs, it would so not be cool to DNF. Ugh. What’s the saying? Death before DNF. Please, knee, work with me here.




posted @ 10/22/2007 8:37:08 AM (0) Comments
Friday, October 19, 2007
She's Making Her List, Checking It 3578 times...
Okay, so I'm stealing this straight from Jules. She posted the list of stuff shes' thinking she'll take. I'll spare you the list of my medicine and casual clothing... but as for RACE Necessities... I'm not for sure what I'm going to wear during the bike, so there's a couple options there. I have also considered just leaving my Splish suit on for the bike, but I ride a Specialized Toupe saddle, and I don't think the hoo-ha can handle 112 miles w/o a chamois.
Race Day Gear
(Possible Race Gear)
SWIM
Splish Custom Suit
Bag of goggles
Wetsuit
Body Glide
HalfMax Finisher towel
BIKE
TriSports.com sports bra
Fluid Jersey
Freeride armwarmers
DFT bike shorts
TriSports.com jersey
Helmet- white Spiuk
Tri shoes
2pr thin socks
3 Tubes- size?
Co2 cartridges- 2… send with Tom
Bike Pump... send with Tom
Wind vest
White Sunglasses
Bike... Send with Tom :)
Zipp 404s... Send with Tom
race belt- TriMag
RUN
Green Asics
Orange Asics
2 pr socks- low top, achillies guard
Athletic tape, cotton balls- will sperate for SN bag
vaseline/ body glide
trisports.com visor
trisports.com tri shorts
run bra
trisports.com tri top
periwinkle longsleeve drifit
reflective tape
hair bow :)
race belt- TriSports
Nutrition
Bottle of Succeed Electrolytes
25 Gels
One bottle with Fluid for post race
8 Clif Bars

posted @ 10/19/2007 7:18:27 AM (0) Comments
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
OMG MY CAR!!!!! ::gasp::
SO. I went to lunch and came back and parked and ran in since it was pouring. ...

um... Apparently I forgot to pull the parking brake.

No worries. Sally can park herself.
.... as a side note THANK GOD it was a curb, and not a car (like the yello truck 2 feet from it) or the BUILDING. NOT ONE BIT of damage was done to my car and I was able to just drive right off the curb. THANK GOD.-Courtney Crutcherwww.sponsorhouse.com/members/courtcrutcher
posted @ 10/17/2007 11:25:00 AM (0) Comments
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Why Some Local Running Stores are STOOO-PEED.
I’m not going to write this in story format, as the more I think about it, the more irritated I get. SO, I’ll just set the scene:

Jmoo needs some electrolyte capsules and Gu. I told her I would be glad to go with her over lunch, and that Elite Feet- a “running goods” store is right around the corner in Hawthorne Plaza (Note: any “running store” next to Tivol Jewelry is probably not a hardcore running store). I have been there once, but that was in my “before triathlon life.”

JMoo and I walk in. About a half dozen people are milling about walking in shoes they’re trying on for, presumably, the KC Half Marathon- or just the 5k, which is Saturday (yes- yes, we all know, BAD idea to buy shoes for long distance race and wear them to race without proper break in). We walk over to the display of “Supplements.” This was actually just Cytomax Recovery in different packaging, and some single serving packs of Gu. (Um, who buys Gu one pack at a time? JMoo? Ok,ok, I’ll let that one slide.. but I mean, seriously? Last time I bought Gu it was by the Half Gross). I hear an employee telling this rather overweight woman with the biggest freaking diamond on her hand (sorry, I want to get married, so I notice things like this. I assume, she was also the person driving the double-parked Land Rover in a handicapped spot... but I digress) that she is a severe over pronater. Her response? “Wow.. I didn’t know that. I wonder if that will effect my 5k walk on Saturday?” You have to be kidding me. Finally the employee asks if we can be helped. Here’s the dialogue:

Employee (old, chubby guy): Are you looking for something?
Me (snobby iron tri girl): Yes, thank you. We need salt capsules.
Employee: Salt?
Me: Yes, salt. Like Endurolytes or Succeed Caps. Salt capsules.
Employee: Capsules? Cap.. Cap?? Capsules? Is that what you’re saying?
Me: Yeah, ya know, salt capsules? Electrolytes?
Employee: We have Cytomax.
Me: You have Cytomax recovery. It’s a drink mix. And it’s for after workouts. We need during-race electrolyte tabs.
Employee: I’m sorry, I don’t think that’s right. We have Cytomax.
Me: That’s not what I want. We need endurolytes. Salt.
Employee: No, you shouldn’t take that. We don’t have those. People shouldn’t be take salt. You should be careful with that.
Me: Jennifer, let’s go. I’m going to Garry Gribble’s.

WHAT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? You are a running store in Kansas City- where it gets to be over 100 degrees with 90% humidity and not only do you not carry electrolyte replacing salt capsules, you proceed to tell me what I should or should not be taking. I’m sorry, I’ve been doing this for a while now. In fact I am doing a FREAKING IRONMAN. I DEPEND on Succeed Capsules. I NEED THEM. You, sir, are a moron. Here’s your sign.

Then we went to GG’s, and I bought some Succeed Caps and a running skirt, Jmoo got some Gu, and we had a very nice conversation with some REAL runners that work there. Ya know, people you would actually LIKE to have advice from?

Usually I’m not in the business of calling people or businesses out- but by God ELITE FEET- you need to carry actual running supplements …now yes, Cytomax RECOVERY is nice, but Fluid is better. :) .. oh and NOT HIRE IDIOTS.

Bib Numbers

On a positive note, IMFL bib numbers should be posted today. So far, only two random people have theirs: Lisa Butler and Lincoln Weis come on down.
posted @ 10/17/2007 9:14:28 AM (0) Comments
Monday, October 15, 2007
Sicky McSickerton
Tuesday afternoon I got the poo's. I know, I know, not the favorite way to start a blog. But I mean, in the outlook of IM training, the poo's are not a rare thing.
Afterwork I hit up the local Price Chopper and picked up some items to make my big ball of sinus infections aka the boyfriend, feel better. After I fed him I bathed the dogs, all the while not feeling my best.
Instead of my 75 min planned ride on the trainer, I decided to go to bed. I still had the poos and was feeling a bit woozy. It was 7pm. Flash forward 5 hrs.
Me: head inside of trash can dry heaving, while, not so dry other end planted firmly on toilet. About 12:15 am I crawled out to the living room where Eric decided to sleep to avoid getting MY sickness. I tugged on his arm "Baby, I need to go to the ER"
I couldn't keep down any fluids, much less keep them in my system if I could get it past my throat. Like a superhero my baby scooped me up and took me to Centerpoint.
After THREE bags of fluid and some good drugs, they decided to release me the next morning. I had stopped vomitting. The nurse was walking us out the corridor when I said I felt dizzy. Next thing I know I'm in some poor patients room with my head in the trash can puking, thus starting the process over.
Eventually Eric got me home, fed me some broth and kept me alive. My temperautre dipped and spiked from 97.3 degrees (the low) the 102.1 (the high). I was freezing cold and soaking in sweat at the same time.
From Tuesday at noon, until Friday at 5pm, I took in only 330 calories. I was able to start keeping Gatorade down, however.
... so, no training except for a brief run for me last week. I stayed in bed from Tuesday night until Saturday afternoon. Yesterday I was feeling MUCH MUCH better so I did some mega cleaning on the house. It was less work than training, but enough to get me up and moving about.
I also made the best damn chilli ever. :) Although, I can't say I ate much of it.
So, that's where I was the last 7 days.
Great Job LIZ & CHRIS! Way to go!
The Waterstraat's both did Kona on Saturday and did a great job. Also, Liz, thanks for the words of encouragement on getting better. I'm hoping for a good 2 1/2 weeks leading up to IMFL now.
posted @ 10/15/2007 6:15:39 AM (0) Comments
Monday, October 08, 2007
Making deposits in the IMFL checking account

Hi, I’d like to make a deposit please. I have two checks. One in the amount of a 15.13 mile run and the other in the sum of 96 cycling miles.

This weekend I made a big deposit. No, scratch that, I made deposits all week. And last weekend. Come to think of it, pretty much the last two and half weeks have been some big chunks of change.

I am hurt. I am sore. I am tired and beat down. I could sleep on command. In fact, I just might. My joints ache, and I have random scratches and bruise from sliding hip first across the pavement while clipped to my bike. My neck feels like it could snap from the weight of my own head. I love it.

Saturday morning was simple enough- I got to sleep in until 8am which was a relief, however, I didn’t get my run started until nearly 9:45am. It was already 86 degrees. I clicked away 15 miles without too much thought. It took me a little longer than I expected, but I also didn’t expect it to be 92 degrees when I finished either. The afternoon was spent cleaning. Then I met up for some much-needed family time and a little birthday celebration for my grandpa. Dan and Gary were in town too, and I don’t think we had all been together since probably May or June two years ago.

Sunday morning I was up much earlier than I wanted to be, but it was nice to be ready to go on time (and a pleasant change for Julie who didn’t have to wait on me). Julie and I left my house about 6:40am- in the dark, mind you- and rode over to Melissa’s. From there we headed out on a little adventure. First off, it started raining right away. Which meant I would of course kiss the asphalt. We were starting around a sweeping corner, and I could feel that it was slick. I sat up to decrease my speed, but instead, the weight shift took me down. I knew it was coming, so I just lay flat and slid fifteen feet in white paneled bike shorts. Boo. I got up, looked my bike over first, then myself, and off we went. I wasn’t scrapped up too bad- my elbow and side of calf, and the side of my butt/hip area has a pretty good strawberry burn/ bruise. I was pissed though- my favorite bike shorts were stained (they managed not to get ripped thanks to the ice like mud that I made my own Slip n’ Slid through), as was my new Fluid Recovery jersey. Oh well, we still had about 80 miles to go so I couldn’t do much about it. The rest of the ride was decent, although we rode slow as molasses. Possibly due to the rain which never fully let up, only to down pour, and switch again- and possibly because of the wind. It was frustrating but I had a good time riding with MK and Jules. We got in the miles and that’s what matters.

However, on the way back to my house my left knee really started to bother me. It actually got quite painful the last couple climbs. It was hurting when I went to bed Saturday night so I’ll chock it up to a long run and a low pressure system moving in. I’m slightly concerned about it today since both knees are sore, but, I think things are ok. I’m taking it easy this week. I only have a recovery week and then two taper weeks. Hallelujah.
What was really important to me the last couple weeks was putting in the work. You don’t really see fitness gains close to an event. What’s the window? Four- six weeks at the latest? At either rate, what I have logged in the last two weeks is ultimately what will effect me at the race. Be it quality and quantity, both were equally important. Now, its quality. My training hours decrease, but it’s the time to drill perfect form, some minor speed work, and finally, my metal focus.

I have a few minor “long” workouts, but nothing lasts much over 3 hrs. Now it’s little deposits of gold in the account. They need to gleam. It’s time to start making the lists, scheduling the tasks of packing, readying for travel, and all the things that come a long with that.

On November 3rd I’m going to be ready to say “I’d like to make a withdrawal, please. Make it out to cash for 140.6 miles.”



The M-Dot Tattoo

Yes, I will be getting one. I have my ideas, but I’m not telling. But I want to see yours! Have an M-Dot tat that you’d like to share? Please email it to me: triswimcoach@yahoo.com



Athlete Guide

Now posted: www.ironmanflorida.com Bib numbers to follow shortly.
posted @ 10/8/2007 11:58:30 AM (1) Comments
Monday, October 08, 2007
Number Cruncher

22- Number of gels I plan to consume at Florida
2,200- Number of calories said gels have
26- days until race day
23- days until flight to Florida
112- miles to bike
26.2- miles to run
2.4- miles to swim
140.6- race miles
20- hours of training the first week of October
5276-dollars spent in training and racing for 2007 before sponsor help
25000- my annual “real job” salary
21-percent of my annual “real job” salary that is spent on racing and training in 2007
48-hours I work a week
7.5- minimum number of hours I spend commuting to work each week
800- hours of training this year
23- loads of laundry to complete between now and travel day
0- number of flats in a race this year
0- number of flats I hope to have at race in Florida
2- times I have crashed this year
4- places of road rash on my body
1031- date I leave for Florida
7- years Eric and I have been together as of 10/31
78- current temperature in degrees of the gulf of Mexico
4- number of nightmares had about jellyfish
86400- seconds in a day
86399- number of seconds each day spent thinking about Ironman
22- lbs lost since start of Ironman training
6- Coronas I plan to drink following finishing IronMan
15- guessed race hrs
17- possible hours
12- midnight cutoff time
12498- times I have questioned myself on my intentions
0803- day I was born to do IronMan
posted @ 10/8/2007 6:49:33 AM (0) Comments
Thursday, October 04, 2007
An ode to this morning's attitude
There was a woman who had a temper,
And Pissy was her mood-y
P-I-S-S-Y
P-I-S-S-Y
P-I-S-S-Y
And Pissy was her mood-y.

There was a woman who had a temper,
And Pissy was her mood-y
(clap)-I-S-S-Y
(clap)-I-S-S-Y
(clap)-I-S-S-Y
And Pissy was her mood-y.

There was a woman who had a temper,
And Pissy was her mood-y
(clap)-(clap)-S-Y
(clap)-(clap)-S-Y
(clap)-(clap)-S-Y
And Pissy was her mood-y.

There was a woman who had a temper,
And Pissy was her mood-y
(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-S-Y(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-S-Y(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-S-Y
And Pissy was her mood-y.

There was a woman who had a temper,
And Pissy was her mood-y
(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-Y(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-Y(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-Y
And Pissy was her mood-y.

There was a woman who had a temper,
And Pissy was her mood-y
(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)
And Pissy was her mood-y.

posted @ 10/4/2007 11:31:14 AM (0) Comments
Thursday, October 04, 2007
The Fluffer
Yesterday was a stressful day at work. Crazy busy. I take a moment at the end of the day to call Sarah at Trisports.com to order some stuff. I try my best to talk quietly as I sit in a cubicle surrounded by 15 other desk jockeys. Everyone can hear EVERYthing someone says.
As I am about to end my conversation an email from Julie pops up. I giggle because it’s the most random thing ever. It’s about a what a pro racing IronMan listed as his occupation. I read it out loud to Sarah- its all scrambled into one word, but I read it as Moneys hot fluffer. “How random is that?” I asked Sarah. There’s a pause and then she starts laughing “I can’t believe they put that on there.” I read it again. “Moneys hot fluffer? No, wait, that’s not right,” at this point Sarah is dying laughing, “it says Money Shot Fluffer. Money shot fluffer? OMG. MONEY SHOT FLUFFER!” Now, Sarah is gasping for breath, and two people in my cubical area have stood up and are looking at me. I just yelled MONEY SHOT FLUFFER in a dead silent office about five times.
Now, I realize what is going on. Sarah is about to go into hyperventilation, and I begin cackling with laughter. “I just got it! OMG I just got it!” I wheezed into the phone. Wow. We finally get off the phone- and I am still laughing.
On the way home from work I call Jules and ask her about it, this then began the both of us laughing for a good 15 minutes. Julie google’d him and came up with a picture and that he was a Swedish athlete.

Man, are those Swede triathletes weird.

***
Was just looking to see what pros are signed up for FL, one of them lists this as his occupation:

MONEYSHOTFLUFFER
posted @ 10/4/2007 11:30:28 AM (0) Comments
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Madame Butterfly
On the log for the workout Tuesday night was a 30 min swim and 60 min ride. No problemo. The pool I coach at is only about 5 min from my house, so I went straight there after work (I even packed my swim bag so I wouldn’t have to pit stop at home and get distracted). Of course, the parking lot is packed. I know what this means: High School swim meet. Grrreeaat.
I started home thinking I would miss my swim. However, I was on the phone with M.Mac. and she was trying to find a pool to swim at too. I decided, ah, to hell with it, I’ll drive to Centennial. Centennial is the dump of all dump pools. But hey, I’ll take what I can get.
I walk in and the frumpy pool manager “greets” me. I ask if lap swimming is available. She tells me no. I ask if I can just go talk to the coach (of course, the entire pool is rented out to a swim team—actually a team that I swam for in my early teens for a while). Again she tells me no, in fact she proceeds to tell me that she just couldn’t let me in the pool. WHAT? Um, ok. “Well look, lady, I’m going to go talk to the coach, and he’s going to let me swim.” And I walked past her.
UGH! How irritating.
I introduced myself to the coach, told him I was only looking for 30 minutes of water, and he told me I would be welcome to swim. On one condition-, I’m going to have to swim their workout with them, and if I think I can hang, get in. I glance across the pool. Junior and Senior national qualifying girls warm up. Gulp. “Ok, I’m in.” The coach kind of looks at me like, girl, you are going to get run over. “Don’t you want to hear the workout?” “No thanks.” He kind of smiled and shook his head.
I walked over to a lane and pulled on a cap and goggles. I picked the lane on purpose. There was the least amount of swimmers in it. Why? Because they were the fastest girls. The way I figured was I’d get chewed up and spit out, or maybe, just maybe, I could actually swim their sets and stay with them. I mean, after all, it’s only 30 minutes. The coach hollers the warm up to me, and I jump in after the last girl flipped. Hhmm, easy enough, I think. After the warm up I took a look at the workout pasted on a kickboard by the starting block. I could feel the other four girls in the lane staring at me. (I screamed “triathlete” not swimmer- trisports.com swim-bra top, blue Tyr briefs, a neon pink race cap, and of course, a heart rate monitor. Hey, I had not planned to have to bust out my “former collegiate swimmer” attire. Had I known the events unfolding I would have sported a UF cap and printed suit with drag shorts.) I took a sip of water out of my water bottle while reading the workout. I almost choked. The next set read: 40 x 25 Butterfly. Build 1-4. OMG OMG OMG. At least they’re 25’s!!

SOMEHOW I managed to swim that set, the lead-up and the next set (duh, more fly of course) with them. I heard the girls whispering when ever I came into the wall- “Who is that?” “Where did she come from?” “Is that…” “Why is she swimming with us?”

And then, I heard the doosey “Isn’t she kind of old?”

Well, time’s up, kids. Thank fully I had a date with my bike and didn’t need to be reminded anymore of how I’m not 16 and swimming a 58 in the 100fly.

posted @ 10/4/2007 11:29:28 AM (0) Comments
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
31/34
Those are the big numbers. 31 days. 34 possible workouts.
Now this doesnt have the long run I did on there, but this is pretty much it. Drum roll, please.
posted @ 10/2/2007 1:13:44 PM (0) Comments
Monday, October 01, 2007
The Little Reminders
If you read my blog below, you'll know about my crappy long run. It was terrible. But, it happens to everyone. As Julie reminded me (and Erin); there are shit workouts and there are terrific ones.
Click here to read about Julie's rock-bottom run. http://tri-chick-julie.blogspot.com/2007/03/2-good-runs-and-really-bad-one.html
Also, last night I was reminded of all the emotions I went through when signing up for Ironman. Why is that? Well, Robo commited. She is now signed up for IronMan Louisville in 2008. I can remember being shakey and freaked out- worried I wouldn't get in, worried I couldn't do the race. I still have the later of the worries, however, I now have 100's of hours of training to push that to the back of my mind. Even 6 crapstastic hours of running (and then walking) on Saturday.
Here's Robo's blog so you may follow along http://robynkarlage.blogspot.com/ Her latest posts is about dodging bullets at the University of Memphis where is a currently enrolled in grad school (yeah, she's smart too!)
.. Speak of the devil- Robyn just sent me an email. Here's what it said:

mmmmmmm clif bar!xoxo
R
posted @ 10/1/2007 12:13:20 PM (0) Comments
Monday, October 01, 2007
Break down, break-break down…
I want to break down but don't know if I can
I need to break down but don't know if I can
-Youth Brigade, Breakdown



It finally happened. I finally had it. The wall. The massive, brick and mortar, steel, barbed wire, mound in-cased fortress of a wall. I knew there was no way I could go all season without hitting it. It would be impossible. In fact, I started to worry about not climbing the mental barricade outside of a race. Well, worry no more. I had slammed head first at full throttle right on in to it.

Saturday morning at 7:00 am Julie and myself (along with the rest of Runner’s Edge and Erin and Michele) started off on our run. Julie ran 2 before I met her, so she was actually going to go 22, I was going 20. No worries, I did 18 a few weeks ago and comparatively speaking, it was a breeze- we ran the whole thing. Saturday however, as we started out on the first couple miles I could tell I was working harder than usual. I felt like my effort and HR weren’t matching up, and that everyone else was going at a much easier pace. From what I understand, this could be a symptom of two things: overtraining, or under recovery. Of the two, I’m assuming that under recovery is to blame- I did just do a half ironman 2 weeks ago.

The course was an odd layout at best. We started at Ward Parkway mall, went parallel to Ward Parkway, went through Waldo, Brookside, the edge of the ghetto, the Plaza, Loose Park… and then back. I still feel like I’m forgetting a section.

Julie and I ran side by side for the first 10 miles; however there’s a long hill between miles 9 and 10- she put in a little distance on me there. It is awesome to see how her running has progress. I’m sure she remembers- just about a year ago Julie and I decided to run from my house, to the fire station and back. Two whole miles. I think we almost died. After our turnaround at mile 10 we had a couple other gals catch up with us. We mostly ran in a pack together as Julie and I explained IronMan and how we train for, eat during, poop when, and the feelings we have. People make you feel like a rock star, but I had to keep explain to these gals “You’re doing a marathon!! It’s the same mentality; we just do some extra training.” For whatever reason, nobody believes that.

Julie and another girl or two ended up together and myself and another woman ran along together. Things were getting difficult for me and I was having a dang hard time to keep from going all-negative and dragging the other girl down. After the water stop at mile 14 I tried to run again, but I only could of a little ways. I wanted to run, but my legs were burning and my body wouldn’t listen to my mind. RUN! GO! I kept telling my self, but alas I was walking. So after so was the other gal. We marched along in silence for a long time. I kept taking little running steps every so often, but eventually I thought, Who am I kidding? I’m not running right now. The other girl had to stop to use the bathroom and I went on up ahead… Until I had to sit down. Yes, I sat down. I couldn’t continue to put one foot in front of the other. I just couldn’t do it. In fact, I was pleased with myself that I sat on a park bench, versus the intersection like I wanted to. After sitting and stretching for a minute my legs felt the burning go away, so I got up and started walking again. At this point I felt like I might actually be ok, so I started running again. Nope. I got nothing. It hurt. So, I was walking again.

Once in Brookside and back on the Trolley Trail I was feeling a flush of emotions, I knew I only had 4 miles to go, and if I were running I’d be done in 50 minutes. However, I was not running. As I was moving along two older gals ran up along side of me and asked how I was doing. I just looked at them and said “fine.” One of the ladies said “Oh honey, you are not fine.” And started handing me sport beans and clif blocks. “You need something with a pep,” one told me. They asked if I had gels and sodium. I did, and was taking them like clockwork, which I believe helped to ward of the leg cramping. “We’ll stay with you for a while.” Hearing that I decided I couldn’t let these women walk too, so I jogged along side of them while they gossiped back and forth about people in their Bunko group (Ok, seriously, they were in their 60’s, and yes, they were going faster than me). At mile 17 I was walking again, and told them to go ahead. Within minutes I was sitting again. This time, on the trail, stretching, petting passersby’s’ dogs, stalling. The gal I left at the bathroom had caught back up, so I got up and walked with her. Again, we marched in silence. I could feel tears brimming in my eyes, but I felt like I needed to be strong in front of a stranger. Then I heard her sniff. I looked over and she too had tears in her eyes. Finally I said “All I want to do is go home lay on my bed and cry,” she said she thought she would right then if she could find a decent spot to lay down. My watched beeped reminding me of the time. I reached up and yanked my HRM strap off. I was over it. My HR didn’t matter to me. Forward motion did. The stranger at my side started to jog. “Come on” she whispered. I took about 10 steps in what at the moment felt as if it were a sprint. “I can’t” I said as she slipped away. She wasn’t looking back and I didn’t want her to. I didn’t want anyone to see me. Me, in my bright blue spandex shorts and butterfly tank top. This isn’t me. This is someone else in my body, someone else in my head. I’m a fighter. I claw my way through workouts, I literally scream, yell, urge myself on. Instead, I was shrinking. I felt like a fake.

At just over 18 miles I came to the final aide station. I poured a cup of Gatorade, and plopped down on someone’s front steps. As I fumbled through my salt capsule pack the person picking up the RE’s stations pulled up. “You want a ride back to the mall?” I didn’t answer. I wanted to pretend I was invisible. “Hey- you want a ride?” The man asked again. I shook my head no, and opened my lips to say thanks, but I don’t believe any words would come out. In my body I was kicking and screaming yelling YES! Take me back! Please! I want out! I want to be done! I quit! I quit! I stood up, got some more water, and started to walk again. At this point, I was completely by myself. Some people were out walking, and I tried to pretend to be one of them, just moseying along, enjoy the first of fall weather (however it was over 80 degrees).

It took me 30 minutes to go less than 2 miles. I simply couldn’t move any faster. As I started to walk back into the mall parking lot, head hung low, Julie pulls up. “Hey. You okay?” I actually had to smile and laugh to keep from crying. “I’m fine.” “You want a ride?” Ride. Ride? Ride! To go back!? To go the last 200 yards, by God, phuck that. I am going to drag my arse the last of the way if it kills me.

I made it back into the mall to check in with Eladio and let him know I was done. “How’d it go?” he asked with a look of apprehension. “Not good, not good. I totally fell apart.” Now, the tears came. I was admitting aloud that I had a crash, that I was toasted before mile 14, and that in some aspects I had failed. He discussed in his coach-ie way how I was likely not recovered from my difficult half ironman, and that after all I would be so much stronger for pushing through and completing the miles.

Which, I did do. I made all the miles. And it sucked. Bad. However as much as it sucked, I still completed every last foot under my own power.

After I got into the car to drive home, my mind flooded with emotions. I was thankful I had the opportunity to push through a wall that big. While I did not run again at the end, I did keep moving. I had constant forward motion.

I turned on the radio, and Tom Petty started to rock me a song about breaking down.

Loudly, I sang along.