"i left it all on the course"

that's one of my favorite things to hear when i hear a pro (or anyone actually) talk about their racing or their training. it's just such a good visual for me, i guess. to leave everything you had that day on the course. or out on your run, to have nothing left when you are done! wow. to race like that and train like that must be so amazing/painful.

obviously if i'm so amazed by it i must not do it. right? well, ya not really. i'm kinda more known for smiling during racing and training. i actually get made fun of for this. what i usually tell people is number 1: i'm so tough that i can smile through the pain (he he he, and i don't get away with that). number 2: i'm not out there to be miserable so why push to that place? my excuses go on and on. my point is, no matter what, i leave A LOT out there even when it's not everything i have. i actually visualize just my daily baggage falling off each mile or each step. whatever has been bugging me, just trickling off, and a lot of the time i can start a run feeling sad, or bummed, or stressed, or ANY feeling. and finish my run feeling SUPER HAPPY.
i have to give some of the credit to my body's chemistry and those lovely endorphins, but my training is my time for reflection and most of the time seems to make me a better person. it helps me make good decisions and wipes my slate clean.

today, for example, was just a bad day. a gloomy day. those days come around for me. just like everyone else. i felt exhausted, had a headache, started feeling sorry for myself, and then just couldn't get out of it. luckily i hit my bottom, and almost instantly got a phone call that urged me out the door to the track. even driving to the track i was so sad i thought i will probably just walk. luckily becky got me going and we did about 5 miles of INTENSE track work. i was LEAVING it on the track. now again, not everything.....but all my FEELINGS are out there (so don't go to the clovis north track, it's not safe....those were some SAD feelings. fyi). our friends kept commenting how i must, "feel so good tonight" b/c i was running well. i was thinking, if they only knew what was driving this train wreck tonight? :)

although i have yet to leave it ALL (and probably never will) on the course/track/field/arena (?). i'm so glad i have somewhere to leave some of it. :) i will keep practicing the "leave it all out there" concept when i'm racing. sometimes i like to act tough when i race. i will think to myself, "just leave it on the course katy" by the end i'm like "you do this cuz' you love it not to win, it's ok to slow down" :).

k. that's all. oh, and i'm better so don't worry. :)

planning for ironman

there are so many different parts of my ironman experience that i feel like writing about but, as soon as i get to writing, i find myself writing these detailed descriptions that are important to me but probably seem lame to EVERYONE else. then i feel dumb for writing about something that nobody else really cares about especially if you don't understand my obsession with ironman. in the end though, maybe this will help you understand?? or, maybe you'll get bored and stop reading. let's just say you've been warned. this post is about my ironman training planning which really a lot of my energy goes into, it's kind of like a behind the scenes look at the crazy behind the crazy. :)

one of my favorite parts of ironman training is the planning. sitting down and reading through my ironman training books and mapping out a plan that is going to make me train hard and do my BEST come ironman day. i'm not sure if it's the fact that i like to plan things in general, if i like calendars, or if it's actually just a really really good way to procrastinate while feeling productive. regardless, i love it.

i have my little stash of books that last year for my first ironman i read them ALL cover to cover and then sat down with pen in hand and laid out a plan that i felt was do-able. after going to all of that work last year, this time around i was able to do a little less leg work and just use my ironman library for quick references. my ulitmate companion that i wouldn't make it without which i would recommend to anyone training for ironman is:

"Start to Finish: Ironman Training". This book has it ALL. A detailed day to day training program, tells you when to rest, when to go hard, how many reps to do. It's also written by Roch Frey and Paul Huddle who are known for coaching world class triathletes AND are well known successful triathletes themselves. This is definately the closest thing you get to professional ironman training coach for only $11.00. :)

other books from my library i couldn't live/train without are here:

"Going Long: Training for Ironman-Distance Triathons"
This book was less detailed and specific as far as a "plan" goes. It was more designed for someone to read and then make their own plan. What I loved about this book was it's detailed race week preparation sections, and mental preparation sections which can be helpful for any athlete!

"The Triathlete's Training Bible"

This is definately the best book for triathletes in general. It has great information for newbies starting out, but also enough important information for the ironman triathlete to learn something new.

"The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Triathlon"

I didn't even know I should be lifting weights for my ironman until I got my paws on "Start to Finish: Ironman Training". After reading through their breif but perfectly detailed weight training chapter, I wanted to know more. I found this little book that has been super helpful in my quest to be buff. So, really I barely lift, but regardless this is a nice little book for the triathlete looking to get a bit stronger.

"Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletetes"

most of the above mentioned books have nutrition information in them specific to training and racing. but again, i wanted to know more. i found this book recommended on a professional triathlete's blog. it is SO informative. it talks about eating for recovery, eating for races, sport specific eating. WOW. this lady is good.

"Becoming an Ironman"

This is one of my all time FAVORITE ironman books, i read it over and over. it really doesn't belong in the training category, unless you are training your mind to love every second of what you do. this book could make ANYONE at least look into signing up for an ironman. i think that every triathlete needs to own this book, and most athletes should also. :) it is a compilation of stories written by athletes who competed in ironman and ranges from the first time ironman competor who "just happened to place in the top three", to the veteran who couldn't finish his race on a given day. it is inspirational, heartbreaking, hilarious, and fun! did i say i loved it?!?

ironman morning....i can't wait.

i'm picturing that morning. the nervous excitement that kept me up at night during the previous week. that same excitement that made me pop out of bed at 4:00 am, knowing it would be a wonderful day. hoping for the least disasters possible. my friends were surrounding me, speaking quietly focusing on their own dreams for the day. we bustled quietly around like silent bees preparing for the journey ahead. forcing food down, but really only thinking of it as calories and energy, since "just food" surely wouldn't make it past the lumps of fear in our throats. we headed out the door, our minds racing through the massive list of things to not forget. reminding ourselves to think positively. today is the day. the day that all the sacrifice was for. that all the sweat and tears were for. the day that all the pain and early mornings were for. today is the day. no one is talking. you just hear the occasional deep breath to calm the nerves. we arrive at the race site. now, you can REALLY feel the bustling of bodies and the nervous tension floating around the air like a thick fog. you remind yourself that today is the day. you suddenly need to separate from your pack of friends to finish preparations. you know will see them again before the race. regardless, this sudden separation leaves you feeling alone and vulnerable. trying to pull yourself together tears are welling in your eyes. fear, excitment, anxiety! you want someone to hold your hand for the whole day. it feels like your brain and your heart are alone burning 500 calories a minute as you anxiously run around finishing last minute preparations. bike set-up here, check tires, water, numbers placed correctly....transition bags are over here, hopefully everything is in there! double check you have your glasses, your helmet, shoes, nutrition, pain killers, salt tabs........ deep breath. today is the day. scrambling around to find friends and family, panic sets in. the tears are back. swallow (gulp!). remembering leaving them last time. this time, good-bye will be for the whole day. you're on your own, to power through the ironman. today is your day. i can't wait!!!