Hip (Hip Hooray! It's OK! ((we think))

Anybody with a four year old, particularly a four year old on the very top of the growth chart knows, growing pains a very real thing. It will take your happy go lucky little guy or gal and turn them into a screamy little thing that Ibuprofen and snuggles can hardly alleviate. Then BAM. It's gone as fast as it started.

According to KidsHealth.org, the average four year old boy is 40 lbs and about 40 inches tall. E2 is 49 lbs and according to the doctor's office, right at 47 inches tall. He has grown two and half inches in five months. If you do the math, he's growing at a rate of an eight of an inch PER WEEK.

Photo Phriday

I left him!
I left Squid to the care of the child watch attendants at the gym today. It was really really hard, but I did it! And, HE DID IT! Didnt cry til right before I came to pick him up. Yay!

Speaking of gym. WOW. What a lift session. I hurt. Bad. It's been since oh.... early 2009 since I lifted at all, and that was very sport specific, so it's totally different. I did three lifts today that I've never even attempted before: Deadlift, Romanian Deadlift, and Front Bar Squat.

There's more info at Figure'n It Out.

But on to today's topic:

Photo Phriday.

Eli: A Race, er, Birth Report

Cramps.  The, I have held my pregnant pee too long cramps. At least, that's what I thought it was.

Saturday, the 24th (Lil' Dude's official due date), I went to my pedicure lady. "Massage me." She agreed. It was time. There's this old wives' tale that having your feet massaged will bring on labor. I need a cut and polish anyway.

Husband and I had a relaxing afternoon. Went to bed at a decent time. At some point, that's when the cramps started.

By 5:30am, I had decided they weren't pee cramps.  Still laying in bed, snuggled together, we started timing them. Seven minutes. Six minutes. Five. They were consistent. And getting closer.  I said I wanted breakfast. Husband climbed in the shower.  I knew a trip to the Big Biscuit would never happen.  I made us a breakfast at home. One way or another, this would be our last Sunday breakfast as Eric and Courtney. We knew next Sunday we would be The Staton Family. Bittersweet.

I paged the on-call doctor.  I knew it was going to be Dr. Dickhead, the OB I switched from. My own doctor called me back instead. "Well, if there's a bit of bite to them, come on in. We'll check you out. Worse case, you'll come back tonight." My terrific Dr. Lady had switched on-calls with Dr. Dickhead. AWESOME.

We arrived at the hospital just past 9am. Husband walked in holding my hand. I told the nurse, as she hooked me to a monitor, that I wasn't sure if they were real contractions. There wasn't much in my abdomen area, but my back hurt like hell.  Her response: "Uh-oh."  That's not good.  She checked me for dilation and effacement. 2cm. Maybe 60%. Not numbers you want to hear when starting labor. I had made no progress from the previous week's OB appointment. After a quick scan over, she confirmed my back pain. Sunny side up. Straight OP. (differences here) Back Labor. Lil' Dude was kicking and squirming and giving no relief. Like a squid in my stomach.

I was told to walk. So I did. Husband and I walked the hallways. And walked. And walked. The contractions were getting stronger. And stronger.  I needed to sit. Then I was hit with the WHAMMY. Pain hard enough to make tears roll from my eyes, and vomit surface in my mouth. This is the real deal. After 90 minutes of waddling, and eventually needing to stop during contractions to focus only on breathing, I was checked again. Almost 4cm, 80%. Progress, but not much. Dr. Lady decision time: Well, you're coming back tonight anyway, so why make two trips? Let's get some active labor started. We were well past inducing, now, we were augmenting. Whatever. I just want my baby!

I was moved to a room where we would remain for our stay. The pain was getting tough. Dr. Lady broke my water. It was painless. I even asked "Would this hurt?" but she was already done. I was hooked to an IV tower, and told to walk some more.  I made it about 10 minutes. I was still on the no pain medication train. Barely. I agreed to Stadol. But I wanted to use the birthing ball and whirlpool tub first. I made it through one contraction on the birthing ball. Fuck the tub. Give me the narcotic.  It made me itchy. ITCH-EE. I was given Benadryl. The combination of Benadryl and Stadol made me sleepy. During this time, Eric called the fams. My dad and grandma came in. I mostly remember it. I was hurting like hell. My contractions were now double peaking, something that comes with back labor. I was "sleeping" between contractions, and waking right in the peak. So, I was out for about two minutes and yelling in pain for two minutes. Effing A. I remember saying something along the lines of This Fucking Sucks. Sorry grandma.

Get me the epidural.    NOW.

Eric held my hand.  Well, he held still while I tried not to break his bones. I recall during a Stadol coma contraction him telling me that there are pins in that hand, and he can feel them. Sorry honey. Let me take a second to say what an amazing, huge, terrific help Eric was. He never left my side. He held my hand through every contraction. Stayed right next to me. Perfect. They kept me turned half on my side hoping to get Squid to roll over. It didn't work, but they kept me in that position.

The epidural was painless. Not that I would have felt anything besides the explosion rocking my core. All was right with the world once I had my epidural. I still felt every contraction, but had full control over my legs and could feel the "urge to poop" coming on. I wasn't numbed entirely. Exactly what I hoped for. At 3pm, the time my epidural was administered I was at a 6, and almost 90% effaced. I took a nap.

At 4pm they came in to check me again. My nurse, an angel named Shannon, told me it was time. Dr. Lady agreed. You're at a 10, 100%. Let's have a baby. You're ready to push.

Whoa. Shock waves. Can't believe it. I'm about to have a baby!

The nursery nurses came in. There was a little meconium in the fluid, so they wanted to be sure they were ready in case the Squid needed to be intibated. That was a scary thought, but I figured the best I pushed, the less likely he would be to inhale any goo.

In my birthplan I had expressly said NO to a mirror. But once I was ready to go, I asked for one. I am SO glad I did. The first couple pushes are practice really.  The nurse asked if Eric could count for me. He did and did great. I did ask him to count slower. I wanted to push for as long as I could in every contraction. There wouldn't be any pushing for four hours BS here. Squid was ready. Husband did get up the guts to look in the mirror one time. It was maybe a bit much for him.

After 35 min. Shannon said STOP. STOP STOP! I panicked. I could see his head! The Dr. Lady was scurrying into her gear. I had to sit out two contractions. That was awful. I could see his hair (OMG! beautiful dark hair, just like my husband!). I reached down, I touched him. I bawled. I was moments away from mommy-hood. Gathering myself, I readied for the big transition. Here we go. I looked at Eric, he started counting.

One contraction.

Two contraction.

50 minutes of pushing. Here's your baby.

The emptying of your abdominal cavity is the craziest feeling ever. I immediately felt lighter, yet as if I would burst open. The nursery nurses looked him over. He inhaled no meconium. He was wailing. It was amazing.

Eric got to hold his hand while he got cleaned up. Then he was able to hold the Squid while the placenta delivered (no, we didn't keep it to eat it. Google that. No, don't) and my stitches were completed (2nd Degree. Not fun, but not horribly awful.).

I was then given my little bundle. Little is kind of a loose term.
Our Squid weighed in at 9lbs 1oz, and 21.5" long. The measuring tape only went to 21". The nurses had to extend the tape out to get him measured.

Ten perfect fingers (that look like Eric's).
Ten perfect toes.

I am in love.

Eviction Papers

Waiting for the dr at the 39 week appointment.

Yes, I really am this amazing looking.

Eric, waiting oh so paitiently.

37 weeks

Well, here we are.  Week 40.  The end-all be all of pregnancy. Unless you go long.  We're going long. Luckily, we're only going a few days. 

Today, Dr Lady informed us we're still measuring big, as in currently at 42weeks (I say we- that's me, Lil Squid Dude, and Husband Dearest), and that, despite all of our best efforts to dialte and efface, we got nothin'.  Dilation maybe at 2cm., and effacement is the Berlin wall. Effing A. Even that thing got taken down.

Then, she asked the magic words:

How do you feel about induction?

I didn't really have an answer.  I desperately want a thru-the-hoo-ha delivery, and prefer to go no drugs.  However, if the squid is growing at the rapidly expanding rate that he is, my little fatty will be too big to squeeze through these hips of mine.  Thus, induction is our best chance.  Inducing is scary though.  The rates of c-sections do increase.  But having a 9lb baby would also increase the odds of a tummy delivery.  We're gonna take our chances.  Dr Lady feels confident.  We'll go with that.

I have an eviction notice now issued for our Lil Squid. Papers to be served Sunday 8 PM. He can leave on his own anytime he wants.  However, Monday armed guards will be removing him from the premises.  My grandma swears Full Moon means baby deliveries. Look at what I found today:

Full Moon Phase:  2010 Jul 26 01:38 Mon

Either way, I'm gonna be a mom soon.

Weird.

Professional photos courtesy Monika Herbert at MONPhotography.com

23 Miles Straight Down

Either this guy is the biggest idiot ever (120,000 FEET!!!?? that's like, 23 MILES), or has the biggest balls on the face of the planet (or edge of outerspace). Here's a picture of the guy. Yes, he's kinda hot.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/skydiverplansrecordbreakingsupersonicspacejump/print

Skydiver Plans Record-Breaking Supersonic Space Jump



Zoe Macintosh





A skydiver is making progress with plans to leap from near the edge of space in a dive that would break world records and the sound barrier.






Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner is a step closer to attempting the feat after a series of recent high-altitude test jumps. He plans to make his ambitious jump attempt later this year.






Starting in the stratosphere at 120,000 feet above the ground, Baumgartner will leap from a capsule suspended by a helium balloon near the boundary of space.






Sponsored by the energy drink company Red Bull, Baumgartner's mission — called Red Bull Stratos — seeks to extend the "safety zone" of human atmospheric bailout last set in 1960 by diver Joe Kittinger. This limit defines the uppermost altitude a human being can safely jump from.






"Right now, the space shuttle escape system is certified to 100,000 feet," said the mission's medical director Jonathan Clark, a former NASA flight surgeon. "Why is that? Because Joe Kittinger went there. You've got a lot of companies that are vying for the role of being the commercial space transport provider for tourism, for upper atmospheric science, and so on. These systems, particularly during the test and development phase, need a potential escape system, which we may be able to help them provide with the knowledge we gain." [Graphic: Earth's Atmosphere From Top to Bottom]






Taking the leap






A team of aeronautics experts recently led Baumgartner through a week of testing meant to illuminate any possible weaknesses in his equipment and to familiarize him with the skills needed to navigate the conditions expected to assail him as soon as he opens his vessel door.






Only a few feet above ground in a capsule dangling from a crane on Sage Cheshire Aerospace test grounds in California, Baumgartner practiced exiting and stepping off his hot-air balloon. Even a slight stumble during this step could cause dangerous alterations in his in-flight position only moments later, as well as reduce his chances of actually breaking the sound barrier.






"The team anticipated that the capsule would tip forward when Felix moved his approximately 270-pound self from the seated center position of the capsule to the step-off platform on the edge of the capsule," Red Bull Stratos Aerial Strategist and Skydiving Consultant Luke Aikins told SPACE.com. "What the exercise demonstrated was that the capsule moved only about a foot, which tells us that we don't have to worry about the capsule swinging back violently when Felix steps off."






Baumgartner proceeded to practice his step-off technique from higher up by doing bungee jumps while wearing a pressurized spacesuit and helmet. At 200 feet above ground in an abandoned fairground, the setting was a far cry from a high-altitude jump, but mimicked the sensation of trying to achieve the necessary forward rotation, said mission technical director Art Thompson. After a few leaps, one team member described Baumgartner's performance as "perfect."






"We still have an unknown, which is what happens to my body when I break the speed of sound, but at least we're going to know that I'm able to handle the step-off," Baumgartner said.






Improved equipment






Lastly, the pilot passed several high altitude test dives at 26,000 feet over the desert in Perris, California. Thanks to a new chest pack aligned to one side of his body, Baumgartner exhibited a harmonious passage compared to previous trials a year earlier.






The previous chest pack had jammed his helmet, blocked his vision and constrained his movement during descent and the critical landing.






During the recent tests, body positions and suit deflation went well enough that the team accomplished all of its objectives.






Dive to death






No simple showman, Baumgartner wondered if the dangerous pioneering mission would mean his own death.






"My biggest concern is that dangerous part of the project which we just haven't thought of," Baumgartner said in a statement. "We try to think of every contingency, but there's always going to be something that you would never imagine could happen. And that might kill you."






The possibility has proved daunting enough to impact his decision to invite his own mother to watch the dive.






"If everything is successful, I would love to have her on site, because the first person that I would want to talk with is my mom, of course," he said. "But if something goes wrong, I definitely don't want my mum on site, because I don't want her to witness a fatality. So I still haven't made up my mind."






According to a press officer for Red Bull, the actual experiment will take place somewhere in North America in 2010. Along with a range of experts and test pilots, mentor and former record-setter Joe Kittinger will also be present.

 
So, homeboy's estimated freefall time will be just over 5 min, 30 seconds. I google's some pictures of Joe Kittinger's jumps, and well, it just looks like a bad idea.
 

Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon 2009

October 17, 2009

Poor poor Husband. He really thought I was kidding when I said we had to leave the house at 5:15am. Poor poor dog. He didn't know he wasn't going to dog park.

About 6:00am the Husband, Zeus dog, and I rolled into the parking lot on the south end of Crown Center. Here we were. Marathon day. In the rain. And cold. BUT! The temperatures were over 40, and I couldn't have been happier.



Before I found my pace group, I hung out with Merple and the blue beast for a bit. I wanted to stay in warm dry clothes as long as possible.



Zeus, however, was getting hugged loved and snuggle by triplet three year olds and their two older brothers. Nothing like seeing a hulking 110 + lbs cane corso getting mauled by a handful of toddlers.




Before taking off, Husband snapped a couple pictures of me, and gave me my throw-away DFT jacket. Throw-away jackets are the world's best invention. Seriously. They're like trash bags, shaped like coats, with a zipper. Genius.



I started the race with the 5:20 pace group. The pace band Julie gave me was for 5:25. I felt really confident in this time (oops! Except I only ran three times in as many weeks leading up to the race!).


I talked with a lady there quite a bit, and we ran together for a long time. Here's the course map to follow along the recap!



The course started at Crown Center, went north a long Power & light and Sprint Center, cut west where Andrea came up behind me (she was running the 5k), and then went back south. When we went under bartle hall, i lost signal on my Garmin. I looked down and saw the time stopped, then forgot to start it back up again. Duh. The rest of the race I had to add 6 minutes and .5 miles to the calculations. Stupid bridges.




As we were passing mile three (I think) the lady next to me told me to "Check out that dog!" It was my dog!!! He was sitting so pretty next to Eric. Zeus' head was going back and forth, like he was watching a tennis match. Good puppy! That's when Merple took this picture->


This is when I should mention I ran in a running skirt. I've only worn it twice to run, but I pulled it on over a pair of tri shorts. I figured my ass could use the extra layer.




The course went south up this long hill by the Liberty Memorial. Loooong steeep hill. I started feeling like my bladder was full, and needed to pee- already! So, I kicked ahead of the pace group to potty at like mile 4, which was right out of the Liberty Memorial out-and-back. The line was ssoooo long. I decided I'd keep going. I spotted an Wendy's about a mile later.


I went in and line was about four women deep. I considered using the men's, until the grossest, biggest, greasiest man waddled out. He must have dropped a deuce the size of Raytown, because I, with my gag reflexes of steel, started feeling nauseated.


**Speaking of deuces: Friday morning I had a luncheon at one of my favorite restaurants. I had some salmon and cheesy rice. I'm not sure if the rice had something in it with gluten, or if my stomach was just not tolerating sustenance, but I had awful diarrhea. It lasted all afternoon, and until about 2am. I couldn't poop in the morning before the race, so I started with poo in bowels and completely dehydrated.**


I waited at the Wendy's for seven minutes. After I pee'd my bladder felt so deflated. I could drink and take in fluid again! Yay! But now, I was way behind my pace group. For whatever reason, I let me legs get WAY out from under me. I was hauling ass to catch up, for no real reason! I still had about 20 miles to go! Yet, I got back seven minutes in about 2.5 miles. Which meant I was basically running at 5k pace. I'm an idiot.


I felt really great and was still with the pace group at mile 10, where I saw Julie being a very up beat spectator. She had planned on running KC. But she raced Chicago the weekend before. I still think she should have done both. ha!


Mile 11 marks the start of the big climb- Sunset Dr. If you're familiar with Kansas City, and the ritz-tastic plaza, then you know the fancy-schmancy Sunset Dr. area. If not, check this out. This place has been for sale for a couple months, and I want it. You should buy it for me. Yes, that is a 25 yard infinity edge lap pool in the back. The homes on this street are freaking ridiculous. They are some of the best in KC. Even Ward Parkway, which we also visited, can't touch the Sunset Dr. homes.


Just after the peak of Sunset, is Loose Park. It's a staple for the Urbanites and Yoga-in-the-park people. Right at the top of Loose Park was my favorite band on the route (yes, there were bands along the route!). A Rastafarian reggae band! They were so good! Anyone know who those guys were? I want to see them play.


I started to loose footing on my pace group going up Sunset, and I could just see them in the distance at this point. However, I was now following a 5:20 pace band from the pace leader, and I was only 40 seconds off the cumulative time.


Now, I'm pretty sure I saw Julie on 75th street, by the brewery, but I don't remember. Somewhere around here she said she would see me at the 20 mile mark, but I couldn't tell you where.


In the Wornall-Brookside Blvd area I saw a handful of spectators I know. Thanks everyone!


I finally made it back to mile 20. We passed this on the way out. It was mile 8.5 for me, and the lead men were going past 20. Pff. If I were Kenyan I'd be fast too.


Here's where I was starting to hurt. I needed to poop, bad, and my knees were toast. My left foot started to throb along with my ankle at about mile 15, but it was tolerable. I had two emergency Tylenol that I took at the mile marker 20 aide station. I saw Julie and told her my stomach was acting up. I went in to poop, and of course, the seat was a mess, and there was no toilet paper. My gloves would have to do. The worst part was squatting. I thought my knees would explode and that I wouldn't be able to stand.


I felt much better, and Julie said she had talked to Husband. Apparently, he took the dog home, got a shower, had some lunch, and was driving back. Gawd, I'm so slow.


Somewhere about the infamous mile 18 I started to fall apart. I was taking longer walking breaks thru the aid stations, and was falling farther and farther off pace. I gave myself a pep talk here at 20, and was convinced it was now just a 10k. How many 10k's have I ran? Probably a hundred!


That didn't last too long, and I started doing run five minutes, walk two, plus the aid stations. There's several decent ascents in Hyde Park and the Paseo, which I struggled with.


I cop holding traffic asked me how I was feeling just before turning onto 18th St. "Like I'm at mile 24 of a marathon."


My foot really really hurt, and I was sluggish, but there was GREAT jazz coming off 18th and Vine and I was headed down the home stretch. The last two miles are flat to down hill, and I was trucking along (aka, moving at 13:55 min/miles).


I was so happy to turn down 18th cruising past the coffee houses and bicycle shop. So close! There's a gradual uphill to the finish. I could see Husband and Julie, but I wasn't very chipper.


I finished the race in 5:51.42. It was about 25 min off my goal time, but you can't be mad when you finish a marathon. It was also 13 min faster than my IMFL marathon split, which to date, is my only other marathon.


Next up, Gasprilla Distance Classic in Tampa Bay, FL. I'm not sold on the marathon yet. That's what I'm thinking, but I'm not positive. Mom's says she's going to do the half. I sent her a training schedule and she didn't respond. Hope I didn't scare the poop outta her!

We'll see if I'm okay to start training in a couple weeks. I sorta kinda stress fractured my foot Saturday (that explains that ouch during the race), so I have boot on. We'll see how long that lasts. I want to be healed to train, but I hobble and look stupid.

Kick My A....nerobic Threshold

Ah, it's that time agian. Believe it or not, KMA is right around the corner! January is coming faster than we want to beilieve (so is next season!).

This year, KMA is at a new locale right down the street from the Bike Stop. If you want to develop some serious power in your legs and get your heart primed for cycling, you should be in this class. I've taken a half-dozen different types of "Spin" Classes, and this, by far, kills them all. I'm going to C&P the information. I highly highly highly suggest signing up for the class taught by Dr. Goodpain, er, Greg Goodman.



KMA ADVANCED INDOOR CYCLING CLASS
Want to ride faster? Read on…For the 5th year we I will be teaching the Kick My A…nerobic Threshold (KMA) indoor cycling class. This will be a 12 week program meeting twice a week Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30-8:15 p.m. (a change from last year). Classes will run from Jan. 5th- March 25th 2010. I’ll schedule an optional outdoor time trial in the spring at a date TBA. This year class will be held in a warehouse on corner of 40 hi way and Cemetery Rd. (One mile west of the BS Bike Stop on the north side of 40)
Greg Goodman will be leading this class in which you will go through a progressive program that will have you ready to ride for the 2010 season. All types of cyclists will benefit from this program. Workouts are designed to challenge the strongest of cyclists but adjustments are made for the 1st timer or beginner cyclist. You’ll be working at an intensity that you can handle…no one gets dropped on this group ride! This IS NOT your local gym spin class, pedal to the rhythm type training. You will learn about nutrition, strength programs, heart rate monitoring, cadence, and mental toughness. Workouts will consist of interval work, time trialing, strength building sets, climbing sets, power developmental sets, anaerobic threshold training, core training, and drills to improve your cadence and pedaling technique. We will also be using an my strength/power and flexibility program with Flexbands. Prior to the December starting date feel free to contact me at 699-8918 or at gggoodman@comcast.net and I will help you with your training during the months prior to class to prepare you for KMA 2010. I will email everyone aerobic (base building) workouts that you can do on your own to prepare for class in January.
Price for the class will be $175. ($200 if you don’t own a Flexband) Space is limited so get your spot reserved early. Cash is preferred but checks accepted. Make checks payable to Greg Goodman. Classes will start at 6:30 p.m. (AOB) and last approximately 1hr and 45 minutes. All participants must have a trainer (fluid trainers are the best)...magnetic trainers are ok if they are new models, heart rate monitor, cadence mode on your computer and a METAL SKEWER on the back wheel to prevent your bike from falling off the trainer. We are going to do this the "right way” thus the equipment requirements. You will get a 15% discount on trainers (that aren't already on sale) and 15% off on heart rate monitors at the Bike Stop.
Our goal is to get you stronger both mentally and physically on the bike. Whether you are a competitive cyclist or just want to get in the best shape of your life I promise KMA will make you faster, stronger, and have more endurance! I hope to see you for some fun at this one of kind class in the area. To sign up contact Bike Stop at (816)224-8588, amy@bikestoponline.com or contact me at the above mentioned phone number or email. Sign up right away to reserve your spot. A $75 (cash preferred, checks accepted) reservation fee is required.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Greg Goodman, a Physical Education instructor for 30 years will lead you in this advanced conditioning class for cyclists which incorporate the latest advances in training techniques. Greg has a Master's Degree in Exercise Sports and Science. He is a former CMSU basketball player and a 5-time Ironman finisher placing 38th in the World in 1985 with a time of 10 hours and 18 minutes. Greg has taught a variety of classes such as Spin, Speed Agility and Quickness and Core & Functional Training. Greg has worked with athletes from 8 to 75 years of age and is looking forward to working with the Bike Stop cyclists for a 5th year.


The 5th Annual KMA
“Kick My A….nerobic Threshold”
Indoor Cycling Class

Want to ride faster? Get in better shape? My goal is to get you stronger both mentally and physically on the bike. This is a class for any type of cyclist who wants to get in the best shape of their life. I promise KMA will make you faster, stronger, and have more endurance! All levels of cyclists are welcome. Workouts are designed to challenge the strongest of cyclists but adjustments are made for the 1st timer or beginner cyclist. You’ll be working at an intensity that you can handle…no one gets dropped on this group ride! I hope to see you for some hard work and fun in this one of kind class in the area.

Dates: Januay 5th to March 25th. An optional outdoor Time Trial will be arranged at a date TBA

When: Tuesday and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:15 P.M.

Cost: $175 ($200 if you don’t have a “Flexband.” (See Required Equipment
below for more information about Flexbands)
There is a $75 dollar fee to reserve your spot. (cash preferred, check accepted) Make checks payable to Greg Goodman.
Full payment due Dec. 1st. (Cash only) Full refund of $75 reservation fee prior to Dec 1st. After Dec. 1st refund will be $25 fee.

Where: Warehouse on corner of 40 hi way and Cemetery Rd. (Approximately one mile west of the BS Bike Stop on the north side of 40)


Required equipment:
- Bike…If you haven’t had your bike fit to your measurements I’d highly advise a BG Bike Fit from the Lee Summit Bike Stop.
- Resistance trainer. Fluid trainer are the best but newer model magnetic trainers will work. Include a front wheel riser to level off the bike and a METAL SKEWER (the heads of the skewer need to be metal not plastic) for the back wheel.
- Heart rate monitor
- Bicycle computer with cadence. Power meter is a great option for the serious cyclist.
- A couple towels to wipe the sweat off yourself and the floor after class. We’ll be on cement this year.
- Food and at least 2 bottles of fluid replacement (I’d advise one of water and one of Gatorade etc.)
- Flexband: These are 40 inch industrial grade bands we use for an innovation strength and flexibility program that is crucial to your improvement. A very simple but effective piece of equipment that will give you years of use to aid in your strength and flexibility. Go to www.performax4u.com for more information on the bands. We use the light band (purple).
- A desire to work hard with no whining because it’s all goooooood pain!

*The* Big Scary Run

Saturday morning has a big scary run waiting for me. Most things: distance, heat, mental weakness, I've battled before. Saturday, I battle them all.

The biggest war I've ever had in training was a run with Runner's Edge in 2007. Saturday, I will set out to conquer the course again. Here's the blog from that awful run.


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.
Posted: 8:45 AM
Discussed: blog, IronMan

Longest Solo Run Ever (And I Pooped in a Field)

Sunday morning I ended up at work, instead of doing my 16-18mi planned run. It was storming so I wasn't too upset about it, but I know I would have to make it up Monday... AFTER work.

I was lucky enough to leave work a few hours early. That meant, at 3:30pm, I headed out on my longest run ever done by my lonesome (breaking last week's record of 14.25 on my own). It was overcast, and pleasantly cool, although quite humid from the morning storms. I kept expecting the skies to open up, but they didn't, thankfully.

My route took me south, out of Blue Springs, down 7hwy. There's a wide bike lane and shoulder, so it wasn't too sketchy to run on. Then, in Lake Lotawana, I made a right turn, onto Colbern. Colbern is 4 lanes across, no shoulder, no sidewalk. I ran on the side of the road for about 3.5 miles, then jumped on the path that basically appears from no where on the north side of Legacy Park in Lee's Summit. I continued down the trail as it went south along Blackburn Rd. I went past the LS Rec Center, reminding myself to stop there on the return trip to fill up the CamelPak and potty. I decided I was only doing 16, and right at the 8mi turnaround, my stomach dropped. I had to poop. NOW. In a beautiful residential neighborhood. Shit. Shit. Shit. Literally.
I started walking clenching my butt and waddling. Coach Lady told me cramping and stomach issues can be salt problems, so I was sure to pop an extra endurolyte. It seemed to help and I started running again. I got on the trail that looked to be the "shortcut" to the rec center.

WRONG.

About a half mile in the wrong direction, and exactly across from the rec center (on the other side of a LAKE!) I couldn't wait. I took about ten steps off the path into knee high grass, turned around in a cirle like a dog making bedding, and well. I pooped. It felt AMAZING.

Then I started back in the direction I came from. Again, I had to go off course to make it to the rec center, filled bottles, got the luxury of wiping, and started back.

At about mile 13, I looked down and realized I was only 10min of my best half marathon time (not including the pit stops, but including the near mile walk from 7.5-8.5). Nice. I was keeping it easy, and crusing pretty well.

Things turned around from 13-15. The sun was out and getting HOT. I was getting tired. I was running on the concrete road, and my knees were hurting. My calfs were tight. My back hurt. I was over Orange gatorade.

At mile 16 I picked up someones discarded, nearly full water bottle from the side of the rd. I poured it all over me. I maybe even drank a little. I know, but I was running out of liquids, FAST.

I took solace in knowing that my now death march stride was almost a minute faster than my death march of two years prior. I could stop and walk, but, then it would take LONGER until I got home. Eff that. I wanted home. NOW.

I finally arrived home just over 3 1/2hrs from when I left, arriving at 17.64mi. I guess the extra mile and change was the marathon god's way of saying to do the longest possible planned runs.

I streched and climbed into the ice bath, tears on my face, so happy to be done. Hubs asked why I do this to myself, and that it obviously isn't fun. I couldn't really answer him, but told him deep down I actually like it.

"You're ate up, honey." He said, as he went out the door to walk the dog.

I know, but I'm 18 miles stronger than the day before.

For No Real Reason

This will at least bring a smile to your face.

No News is Good News

Well, last week was a recovery week, so, I didn't really have much to talk about. And I use the term recovery losely- I really wasn't spot on my workouts, which made Monday rather painful (swim, bike, yoga).

In the time since my last post, however, I did have a night out with the girls (Chrissy and Smashley), and enjoyed some awesome homemade fondue for Valentine's Day with the Husband.

Mind Games

We're playing those mind games together
Pushing the barriers planting seeds
Playing the mind guerrilla-John Lennon


I did not want to go to spin class tonight. No, let me restate that. I couldn't give a phuck less about going. Long day at work. Dog with an eye issue. Husband making travel plans. Sore from yesterday. Yesterday's THREE workouts.

Yet, I went. I was late, and started setting up in the corner. Then I realized I forgot my clycling shoes. I drove home. Got the shoes. I made up new expletives. Not really sure what the mean or how the sounded, but if you can speak in tongues, and better yet, understand tongues, you would have been embarrased for me.

When I got back to spin, I put my shoes on, and mounted my bike. The warm up was nearly over. Then my HR monitor kicked the bucket. Actually, it did a while ago, but I forgot the new strap, so I had to borrow. More expletives (in my head this time, appearantly someone couldnt get a babysitter and had to bring their two kids to class. Im sure that was fun for them.).

Let it go. My subconcious spoke. Just let it all go.

So I did. I let everything that wasn't Here and Now leave my mind. I focused on the task (PAIN!) at hand. Leg crank series. Power and strength. Turning the damn pedals. 3 to 9, 9 to 3. Physically tough? yes. But I've done tougher. Mentally straining? Sure, but I've focused more. Today was about tuning out everything that didn't matter or that I couldn't do a damn thing about at This. Exact. Moment.

A tought entered my head: Go home, it's just 30 min early. This is 30 min you'll never get back in your life... yes, that's right, 30 min. This is 30 min you cannot come back to later and try to train in it again. The time is fleeting. No one is turning the big wheel to move the island to another time dimension.

It's just a mind game.

Til Your Arms Fall Off or You Eventually Fall Down a Hill

Or lats explode. Your choice.

Robo hasn't blogged about the ridiculous pulling swim workout yet, although, she really hammed it up about her swim test. Last week, her coach lady wanted to kill her. Well, her arms at least. And Robo thought it would be fun to pass on the joy to me. I'm not going to tell you the particulars of the workout, as that's between Robyn and Robyn's Coach Lady (and me because I stole that workout). However.

Howevvver, I will tell you that the main sets (Yes, plural) were pull. A lot of it. All 2300 yards of it. As far as I could see, there was nothing that said "pull bouy allowed" either. There were things like "let legs hang" and "band together" as well as, "no flip turn, turn like at marking bouy." It was sick, I tell ya.

I thought today would be a good day to do this set. After all, I work at a pool, and had some time over lunch. So I put on my gear and got in. Geesh. After Monday's spin- thankfully only a functional threshold test, not Max HR test; that's tomorrow- I took yesterday to lightly recover. Good thing I don't need my arms to run tonight. I'm planning to make another trail attempt, only this time, with Mr. TriathleteBride. Yes, that one. The crosscountrysuperstarwhatever. But, it will be dark, so I should just put some big sticks on the trail and he can roll down the hill.

When I asked my dear hubby if he wanted to join me he asked if it's a good idea. "It will be dark by then," he tells me. Yes dear, that's why I want you to come with me. "Won't you twist your ankle or break your leg? That sounds like something Wimpy would do." Gee, thanks for your supreme confidence in me!

Wimpy is my pet name. It has nothing to do with being a puss. It's a derivitive from the Wimpony, which I have no idea where that came from.

Maybe I will need my arms to catch me tonight, like, when I fall into a ravine.

Functional Strength Training Winter Attempt #1

Gail at Gorilla Multisport sent me this great packet on Functional Strength Training for the triathlete last week. Tuesdays are late start work days for me, so I decided I would start it today.

I got on the treadmill and did a little warm up for 10 min at 9:52 mile/pace (FYI For some reason I just run WAY faster on a treadmill. This doesn't feel even CLOSE to warm up pace on the road). While I was running away one of the trainers, whom also works for me as a swim lesson instructor and water fit teacher came over and picked up my packet. He flipped through it, not seeming all that impressed (um, whatever, this is for triathletes, not body builders, duh). After I stretched and completed my 2 sets of 12 walking lunges with the med ball, he came back over and said something to the effect of Hey, why don't you let me put my personal twist on this. Fine, it's free personal training, so, whatev.

Some how, instead of finding myself happily doing 1-arm rows, I'm now standing on top of an upside down bosu ball, squatted, and doing 1-arm rows with the cable machine. The workout only progress to harder from there. V-twists with the med ball on top of a fit ball. Step ups and burpees, pushups on the fitball- that actually was directly from Gail's packet and was H-A-R-D. The push ups, planks, and tables, all mostly Gail's directive, but with Nate's "Don't be a pussy" speech.

I

Effing

Hurt.

I will continue on with the GMS Functional Strength Training, but, with out The Nate as I don't want to tear/hurt/harm anything, and this PT school student leaves town to get back to class shortly, allowing me to gradually work up to things as I should.

However, I see what a long way I have to go. But hey, it's still not even Official Training Season, right?