Kristen Keeping Up

Friday, February 10, 2012

A case of the {unintentional} "Next Weeks"

I will start that diet, working out, getting up, etc, etc Monday. Ahh, Monday. The great "start over" day.

In 12 weeks I am hoping to get my half marathon PR*. In 16 weeks I will be cycling 545 miles in 7 days. In 21 weeks I have my second half ironman*. I better get on it.

Between work and busy weekends January was a whirlwind. Knowing this, I didn't plan to start any serious training in January. In fact, I took the entire month off from running (hence the * on the above events - more on that in a minute), and just got back in touch with my cycling legs and did a few swims.

My plan was to start my Aids/Lifecycle (ALC) training and half marathon training January 30 but as I mentioned in my last post I was hit was a bad cold/flu bug that knocked me out for the past week and a half and I am just starting to feel better.

Last week I made the necessarily adjustments to the schedule for delayed "next week" start. "Next week" came (this past Monday) and I was still out for the count and again made the adjustments for a "next week" start (this coming Monday, the 13th). It made me anxious losing those two weeks of training but luckily I had people reminding me that a few days off to get healthy now will be better than multiple days off later because you never let yourself heal properly (because I think you all know I am queen of pushing myself too early.) Luckily it is still early in the game and the time can be made up.

So despite feeling better and planning two long rides this weekend - next week - February 13 - the official training will start for both ALC and the Pleasanton Half Marathon. Half ironman training will kick in February 29 (which will really only be adding swimming since running and cycling will already be happening.)

Here is what February looks like:

My Saturday rides are already set. The "optional" rides are ones organized through ALC if I chose to attend.

I have mixed feelings about formal training schedules. My crazy control freak side loves them. I like knowing what I am doing when, where, and how far. I love creating them, starting something new and ultimately they are essential to ensure you are properly trained for any event. On the other hand sometimes they cause burnouts and make things that are supposed to be fun no fun anymore. Also, they lead to massive guilt if a workout is missed (although, maybe that is a good thing - keeps you accountable). However, not having had anything formal in place for a few months I am excited to get started.

And of course, you can't have a training plan without a race to train for. Here is my final race schedule for the first half of 2012:

March 18: {running} Emerald 12K Across the Bay
March 31: {cycling} Cinderella Challenge 88 miles
April 1: {running} Sac Town 10 miler
April 29: {running} Pleasanton 1/2 Marathon (half PR please!)
May 5: {cycling} Wine Country Century
May 20: {triathlon} Morgan Hill Sprint Triathlon
June 3 - 9: {cycling} AidsLifeCycle
June 24: {triathlon} Silicon Valley Olympic Triathlon
July 8: {triathlon} Rev 3 Triathlon 70.3
July 29: {running} San Francisco 1/2 Marathon (first half)

Cheers to "next week"!

* My back issues are no stranger to this blog and despite my best efforts, multiple doctors, and time off, they are not cured. In all reality, I still don't even have someone who can give me a true diagnosis other than the bones will not hold themselves in place, slip, cause pain, need to be re-set, are re-set, feel relief, slip again - a vicious cycle. While things are a lot better than they were and cycling and swimming are pretty pain free, I can't always say the same for running. I will save it for another post if need be but it is no fun to be in so much pain for something that is supposed to be fun.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Flirty, Fabulous & Fun: 30

30.

It happened - it was a whirlwind of fun. Then I got sick and seven days later I can finally function again. I guess the powers that be were giving me a nice reminder I can't party like I am 21 anymore.

I wanted to write a 30 post. I debated - a list of 20 things I learned in my 20s, 30 things to look forward to in the future, etc but as January 26 crept closer and closer I had nothing besides an arbitrary and random list.

Leading up to my birthday I was really having a hard time with the idea of turning 30. I don't really know why. I guess mostly I just didn't like the idea of losing that "2" and the idea that I could actually be 30.

30 came and my birthday far exceeded my wildest dreams. I was treated to multiple flower deliveries, cupcakes and singing at work, completely and utterly spoiled by my family and friends, and celebrated with a last minute trip to Vegas with two of my best friends where the surprises kept coming. As I went to bed that Sunday night we got home and thought about the past four days I was overwhelmed with a sense of guilt for all the love and affection I had received - what had I done to deserve it?

Then I got sick and it was work, sleep, work, sleep with no creative energy left to craft anything creative for 30.

Today I had to travel to the North Bay for work. It was my first time doing an "on site" and I was nervous to say the least. Add a 10 car pile up where I traveled 5 miles in two hours and I was going crazy (but so thankful I allowed 3 hours to make a normal hour and twenty minute trip) and even arrived 5 minutes early. I felt a little lost throughout the whole thing, which is par for the course - I spent a lot of my time at work a little lost - but my expert was awesome and I left excited to go home and write my report.

We had amazing weather in the bay today, sunny, clear but still cool. Riding the high of a successful day there was a point in my drive home where I looked to my right and saw water sparkling in front of San Francisco skyline, was listening to a current favorite song on the radio, and drinking Starbucks and thought wow, this is my life! So simple, (and so corny I know) but so awesome. Everything I have set out to accomplish thus far I have and while there is still so much more left to do I feel right on track.

Then my "30" post clicked. Why was I dreading 30? I had a fantastic time in my twenties and almost everything I spent my 20s working for I have achieved. Isn't 30 what I wanted? A career, a body that is healthier and stronger than it has ever been, true, lifelong friends, continued close relationships with family and a healthy, happy marriage?

Thus, while I may still be getting used to the look of that "3" the girl behind the number loves looking at life at 30.

40 can take its time though. :)

Monday, January 16, 2012

My 30th Year Challenge

Last year my friend and riding partner Samantha rode all 545 miles and raved that it had truly been an an experience of a lifetime. So much so she is doing it again this year.

As I turn 30 in 10 days I wanted something "big" to start this new chapter of my life, something unlike anything else I have done before. After hearing about Samantha's experience, the physical and mental challenge, the sense of community along the way and the opportunity to support an excellent cause I knew this was exactly what I was looking for. After a talk with the husband, my family and my boss I decided to go for it and from June 3 - June 9 I will ride with 2200 others 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

There are a lot of things that scare me about this ride - how will I ride an average of 80 miles a day for 7 days? How do I even begin to make a training plan? There will be hills, we will be sleeping in tents, there will be no electricity. Will I really be able to raise the $3000 I need to ride this event?

However, the fact that I have these fears makes me know that this is exactly the challenge I am seeking. I think it is good to be a little {a lot} scared - it makes you work harder and push yourself further so you know you don't fail.

The other thing that intrigues me about this ride is the chance to not only do something good for myself but something good for others. I have to raise $3000 in order to participate in this ride. All the money goes directly to support the fight against HIV/AIDS. I know everyone has a cause that they support but if you find yourself with any extra change hanging around I would love to have your support. I will take dollars, I will take pennies, I will take your well wishes - nothing is too small and everything is greatly appreciated.

I feel so lucky to have found hobbies that bring me such joy and if you asked me five years ago what I would wanted to do to celebrate my 30th birthday I can 100% guarantee I would not have said ride 545 miles for fun. Now I can't think of anything better.

Here is to a great start to a new decade of adventures!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Race Report: Brazen Races NYE 10k/New Years Day 5k

Mid-December as I was checking out race websites planning my 2012 race calendar I came across Brazen Races. I knew they hosted primarily trail runs and given that one of my goals for 2012 is some trail running I decided to see what they had to offer. As I was perusing the site I saw they had a NYE race and a New Years Day race and if you did both you got a really cool medal - even if you didn't do the half marathon. Motivated by bling I signed Kevin and I up for 10ks for both days.

NYE 10k

My back, while better, is still not 100% and I am on my way to the doctor today to discuss some more options. However, race morning I felt pretty good but slightly nervous since I haven't run more than 5 miles in about two months.

The course was a out and back course - half paved trail and half packed dirt trail - running along Lake Chabot. Not having ever done trail running before I wasn't 100% sure what to expect but I knowing I was only doing this race for fun took pressure off.

The race started and we were off. The first mile and half was on the paved trail. Around mile 1.75 we ran over a little bridge and were on the dirt trail for the rest of the race until we hit the bridge on the way back.

Right at mile 2 we hit a fairly good size hill - that kept going, and going and going - for about 1.2 miles. I had looked at the elevation chart but guess I was picturing a hill that was more like the ones that can be found in the Nike Women's half. In my opinion this one was way steeper than any of the hills in that race. I ran the first 1/4 mile but some points were so steep I ended up walking most of it but I wasn't alone, everyone around me was too. Despite the climb, the top provided fantastic views - I wish I would have taken a picture.

At the top was a water station stocked with not only water/Gatorade, etc but fruit, pretzels, gummy bears and other yummy snacks. I was so impressed as I had never seen this for a running event before.

It was fun to fly down the hill on the way back. It was precarious at points but I love a good down hill. Once we were down the hill it was an easy 1.75 miles on paved trail back to the finish.

Garmin Stats
Distance: 6.37 miles
Time: 1:11:48/11:16 min/mile avg

Race Stats
Distance: 6.2 miles
Chip Time: 1:13:01/11:45 min/mile avg

New Years Day 5k

As I mentioned above, originally I had planned to do two 10ks but I think that climbing that hill threw my back for a loop because it was not happy Sunday morning despite my attempts to stretch it around. I decided to drop to the 5k. Like I said, these races were for fun, not time, and there was no sense in pushing myself farther when I didn't need to.

We had a fairly mellow NYE, fun, but mellow so I woke up feeling just fine. The 5k course was the paved portion of the 10k so I knew exactly what to expect.

Once we started my back was pretty angry so I focused on trying to keep a slow (i.e. not a 5k race pace) and steady pace. Once I settled in I felt a little better but was not regretting the decision to only do the 5k.

Garmin Stats
Distance 3.34
Time: 35:14/10:32 min/mile avg

At the finish both days they had quite the abundance of snacks - the standard bagels, oranges, bananas but also pies, a candy table, hot chocolate, coffee and ice cream sandwiches! Not wanting to "ruin" my workout I only took some hot chocolate but the organization of this race was beyond amazing and the fact they give you a medal no matter what distance you do it pretty cool too. The prices were also completely reasonable despite the little extras. I will definitely do more Brazen Races in the future!

Of course, I got what I came for - my medals! One for each race and then a third connector piece to make one large medal.

Both runs were a really fun, and different, way to say goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012! Hope your new year started off with a bang!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Farewell 2011/Welcome 2012

Wow! What a year 2011 was - a complete 180 from 2010. I sure hope this good fortune continues into 2012.

I approached my goals for 2011 differently than in the past. Ending the year with a pretty severe injury and having to re-take the bar again, I didn't want to set myself up for failure. Instead, I focused on setting small goals throughout the year based on my back recovery and getting my career on track.

I did lay out a few small goals to get the year going and I can proudly announce I accomplished them ALL! That feels SO good to say after the disappoints and failures of 2010.

2011 Goals

1. Complete Oakland 1/2 Marathon, Cinderella Challenge, Big Sur Marathon, Wine Country Century and Levi's Ride.

DONE! Due to my never-ending back injury saga I didn't run/ride all these events like I hoped BUT I completed them all and had a blast.

2. Spend more time on my bike.

DONE! I did 5 organized bike events this year - one being another century ride - plus two triathlons. I also hit my goal pace on my bike for my 70.3 - at least 15 mph for 56 miles!

3. Complete a 70.3.

DONE!! Recaps here and here. I am so happy I was finally able to accomplish this goal which had originated in 2009. I can't wait for the next one.

4. Dive into trail running.

DONE! I squeaked this in just in time and completed the Brazen Racing New Years Eve 10k. Race report coming with the Brazen Racing New Years Day 10k. Brazen Racing might just be one of my new favorite race organizations - it was awesome!

5. Pass the Bar.

DONE DONE DONE!!! Despite knowing that for some this was an easy, "pass on the first time no big deal" event, this accomplishment for me still makes me giddy. I even took it one step further and even have an awesome job!! This made my year.

This picture will NEVER get old!

Without further adieu, here are my goals for 2012:

Athletic Goals
1. New PRs

In 2012, I will be gaining a "3" in front of my age and losing a "2" which means I will be moving into a new age group and hoping to set new PRs in each of the following distances:

5k
10k
Half Marathon
Marathon
70.3

As they say, I hope things get better with age. :)

2. Become a stronger cyclist.

This is a little difficult to measure as organized bike rides are just that, "rides" not "races," but my Garmin distinguishes between "overall time" and "time actually riding the bike" so I am hoping to see faster "time on the bike" times for the distances as the year goes on. I also hope to become a stronger climber. Again, slightly hard to quantify right now in terms of measuring results but I think this will be a good one to incorporate into specific rides as the year goes on.

3. Continue exploring trail running.

Professional Goals
Bro Bono Work

First, I cannot stress how much I am enjoying my job. I am extremely lucky to have landed it in this economy and I don't take it for granted for a second. I have an incredible, patient, smart boss and mentor and wonderful co-workers who put up with my incessant questions. Despite some long hours and struggling to find that "work/life" balance (my own time management) I truly enjoy going to work everyday. However, outside of work I would really love to take on some cases pro bono and help give back. I have always felt strongly about public interest work and now I am in a place where I have the time and resources to give back in this way.

Personal Goals
While I was in law school I picked up a bunch of new hobbies - sadly, I never had the time to actually cultivate them. FINALLY, I can make them a priority.

1. Re-learn to knit.

2. Learn to use my camera. (I have a beautiful DSLR camera and use the auto setting)

3. Get caught up on all my photo albums. (I am still working on 2009)

4. Limit computer usage (I can get lost online for hours)

Easy enough right? I can't wait to get started! And for a trip down memory lane, here is some of the highlights of 2011.

January and February

I did a lot of studying.