As I looked at the calendar yesterday, I realized that I have exactly 30 days until Oceanside. Okay…HOW did that happen? This year I'm racing some longer distances, and the Ironman Oceanside 70.3 is my first big test. Training for the year officially started on Jan. 6th, and all has been going great! But I seriously can’t believe how quickly the time went by. So here’s a quick recap of the past 2 months…
Hot Chocolate 15k – I just ran this as a training run, but
it was a gorgeous day to run through Golden Gate Park and along the ocean. Although I am happy to live in the ‘burbs, it
definitely made me reminisce about by San Francisco days and my runs through
GGP and the Presidio.
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| Fondue, Hot Chocolate, Bananas and Rice Krispies for dipping?? Yes please! |
Metabolic rate and bone density scan – My friend Vickie
mentioned to me that a grad student at San Jose State was looking for female
athletes to participate in a study that she was doing for her thesis…free
tests? I’m in! I got to wear this cool mask and basically
nap for 45 minutes to determine my resting metabolic rate (how many calories I
burn doing absolutely nothing - 1352/day, which appears to be about average). And my
bone density was scanned – apparently all of the running that I do means that
my bones are more dense than normal, which is a very good thing.
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| Apparently sneezing burns a lot of calories - new fitness trend? |
I started P90x3 as the strength component of my training –
thoroughly impressed with the program!
It’s been easy to fit into my training (only 30 minutes a session) and I
don’t have to add any extra travel time to get the workout in. I’ve seen the biggest improvement in my hip flexors
and glutes which is definitely contributing to my strength on the bike (I even
hung with some of the boys last weekend!!!) Seriously, if you find yourself skipping strength sessions in the gym, or don't have them on your schedule, give P90X3 a try...definitely won't regret it!
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| Check out the workouts HERE and shoot me any questions you have! |
Took a week long vacay to Tahoe. Finally got some snow…and some ICE!
Lastly, we added a new member to the family – my new Cervelo
P3, Penelope. Can’t even tell you how
much we’ve bonded. Seriously, I refer to
my bike as a person, even when I’m talking to other people. They probably think I’m crazy, but I am
beyond in love with her! Cannot wait to put her speed to the test on March 8th and at Oceanside!
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| Meet my new baby, Penelope (Penny for short ;) |
Since Jan. 6th, I’ve logged lots of miles in the
pool, around the track, and in the saddle and have felt great, being fueled by Proanox Biogenesis and Osmo Nutrition. But all
of the mileage finally caught up to me on a VERY rough track session. About 3 laps into mile number 3, Coach
literally stepped onto the track and called it quits for me for the day. After that track
session, coach made the executive decision to taper me for the next week and a
half into my first race of the season, the South Bay Duathlon in Morgan Hill.
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| You can still sign up...just click the photo! |
I am definitely accepting this taper, as my
body clearly needed it, but I cannot WAIT to saddle up on Penelope to see how
much of an improvement I’ve made over last year’s duathlon! I get to race hard and lay it
on the line for the 10k, 25 mi, 5k race, then will start a 15 day build into Oceanside!! So ready!
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| The countdown begins - accountability calendar on the bedroom mirror! |
With all of the increased
mileage and hard training days (including a 5,220 foot climb up Mt. Hamilton and my first 75 mile ride), I’ve found myself falling back onto old habits of unnecessary snacking
being justified by my “really hard workout”.
Huge spoons full of peanut butter, crackers, cookies, cereal, you name it, somehow make their way to my mouth before
and after dinner, and the excessive and not so healthy treats are adding up. No more!
For the next 30 days, I’m laser focused and have my eye on O-side. Lots of protein, veggies, sweet potatoes and
quinoa are on the menu and I’m determined to get to March 29th as a
lean mean racing machine!
#makeithappen
