Getting Into a Rhythm

It's been a little while....

Last post I was exactly 6 months from Ironman Cozumel...today, I sit 124 days, 21 hours, and 12 min from the start line.

YIKES.

That being said, I am cruising into week 4 of my official training plan.  When I say "official" training plan, I'm meaning the 20 week plan that I am following week to week.  However, BEFORE the "official" training plan started...I was already training and doing some benchmark testing to see where I'm at with certain things.  For instance...

I absolutely positively made myself promise that I would do a 50 mile bike ride before I left for vacation at the end of June.  And I did.  I also made myself absolutely positively promise that I would do close to a 2 mile swim in the open water while on vacation.  And I did (almost...1.85ish...close enough).  I wanted to kind of see where I was at with the first two disciplines BEFORE I started training, so that as I get better, I can track my progress.  The endurance part of the swim and bike don't scare me.  It's getting it done in the time it needs to be done in (in Ironman there are cutoffs...if you don't make the cutoff...you don't continue to the next thing...so I have to HAVE TO HAVE TO...be able to do it in a certain amount of time).  Running wise, I'm still taking it pretty easy, I know that's my sweet spot, so I've been focusing less on logging a ton of miles, and instead on running QUICKLY right off the bike.

So I'm entering week four.  Last week, I kind of had a "light bulb"  "AHA!" moment if you will.  I've caught myself doing something as I've gotten into the groove of training.  To understand...I have to give you a little background.

Before I did all the running, swimming, biking, active hobbies that consume my free time...I used to do this...

***For anyone that knows anything about music, please excuse this little ditty.  I am obviously WAY WAY WAY out of practice, sitting on my couch, and I haven't sung this Aria in over 10 years, and those are the words I remember.  

I think I've said it before (probably a lot...), I was a choir geek.  From Elementary school until College.  I was a Vocal Performance Major at Texas Tech for 3 semesters.  Before I would even think about running a mile, I spent up to 8 hours a day in choir practice, piano lessons, studio time with my private coach, etc.  Everything to me was about my voice, singing, performing.  I used to live, eat and breathe it.  When I was 20 years old, I was ready to move on, and kind of let it go for a while.

Point being, I used to live music.  I lived rhythm.  I took classes on conducting, I had a nifty metranome, I lived to a beat.

This has never translated into my running.  Mostly because I spend my miles usually drowning out the world to someone else's beat.  I run to super fast up-tempo music of many genres, that keeps me going. So in a way, music fuels my runs.  Especially my long ones.  Running a silent marathon at Ironman (no headphones allowed!) has been a fear of mine...until now.

I kind of caught onto it a month or so back in the pool.  I would need to do 1200 meters or so, and I would count the laps, and I would be counting, in my head, under the water.  I really find myself not thinking about anything else but the numbers.  Think...

TWEN-TY TWO (BREATH), TWEN-TY TWO (BREATH)...

Over and over, counting down until it was done.  Sounded like "triplet" measures, all swim long in my head. I swim to the counting rhythm.  I zone out.  Ok, easy enough, so I'm bored in the pool, and all there is to do is count my laps and think about my form.  

But then...One day I was on my bike trainer, and I didn't turn on a movie to watch, and I didn't have my iPhone playing Pandora, it was just quiet.  And I started counting...1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4 etc.  When I was going easy it sounded like 4 bar measures.  Then when I'd sprint, it would turn into 8 counts, or even 16.  At the end of the ride, I looked at my stats and I had gone faster with a more even cadence.  SO IT WORKS!

And then when I run...I hear it too!  HOLY MOLY.

So I'm on to something.  As I've turned off the Lil Wayne and Imagine Dragons, I've begun making my own music in the quiet, with my own body.  I asked Kristofor if he thinks like that when he is going...and not really.  Whatever knowledge base hidden in the back of my brain from all those years of musical training...it's resurfacing.  And rearing it's head in my triathlon training.  I feel like I'm conducting my workouts, like I used to conduct my precious 4th graders that I had in my classroom lab class I had to take when I was 19.  

The water, the bike, my feet are the instruments.  And I'm making music as I go.

Now don't let that blow your hair back too far.  I realize this sounds mucho cheeze-ball deluxe over here.  But it's working for me.  And I got a chance to try it this weekend.

YESTERDAY!!!

I did an INTERNATIONAL DISTANCE triathlon.

*** SIDE NOTE:  Was I the only moron that didn't know that Olympic distance and International distance were different.  Could have fooled me!  International has an extra 5k tagged to the bike distance.  40k vs 45k.  Nothing makes Lacy more aggravated than getting to mile 22.5 of the course thinking ALMOST DONE...and finding out I'm not.  Grrrr...Extra mileage appreciated...but at the time, I was nonplussed.

This was my first international distance...as I've only done Olympic distance because I didn't know the difference.  Anyways...it was in Boerne.  And I'm going to say this about you race coordinating people up in Boerne.

From now on, when you say "soft rolling hills"  I'm going to go ahead and just keep in mind that you mean "chip sealed road mini mountains for miles"...kthanks.  That bike ride was brutal.  I have never pushed so hard on the ups, and I had to keep myself from getting well into the 35+ mph zone on the regular on the downhills.  Fun, but scary.  WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! (probably peed my pants a little).  

My swim was good.  I had swam in the lake before, so I knew what I was getting into.  My first 300m or so were tough because I forced myself, FORCED MYSELF, to not get into the water last.  I started with the pack and got kicked and elbowed, and fought...because I need the practice and Kristofor told me I had to. (I do listen to him, occasionally....).  I was going all over the place, not in a straight line at all.  As I headed to the first buoy, I knew I had probably swam a bit extra with all the weaving.  As I got close, I decided to calm it down, and I started thinking about "sighting"

SIGHTING:  The magical art of swimming, and interrupting your stroke so that you can look up and see where you are at and make sure you haven't swam wwwwwaaaaayyyyyy off course.  Which is my favorite thing to do ever.

It's hard to practice in the pool because you are in a lane, but I took yesterday as an opportunity to try it out.  And guess what.  GUESS FRIGGIN' WHAT.  I did it to a rhythm.  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6(LOOK UP)! over and over and over...AND IT WORKED!!!!  I went in a straight line, and I even passed some people which has never ever happened on a swim because I am slow.  SLOW SLOW.  I wasn't even close to last out of the water which was a HUGE deal for me.  38:34 for 1500meters.  Over 2 min faster than last years time.  Improvement.  I think I'm about to hit a breakthrough on the swimming.  I feel it.

Out of the water and I got through transition 1 with no hiccups.  I'd like to thank Powerbar Gel for their amazing new blueberry banana fruit mashy things that I can slurp down like a champ.  Those things were clutch for me yesterday.  It was overcast, so not too hot, and I took off on my bike, down on my aero bars, new Tifosi (LOVE THEM) sunglasses on my face, ready to kick butt.  Until I hit the FRESH chip sealed (its that rocky kind of asphalt that makes your teeth chatter and feel like your bike is falling apart...) frontage road that had an immediate hill climb.

This was my toughest bike course to date.  You never were really flat for long, it was always up up up or down down.  At one point I was climbing so hard, I was going 5mph feeling like I was doing 100+lb leg presses over and over.  I switched to my small wheel gear (just learning that one...) and it didn't help a whole lot.  I suffered through it.  I took advantage to really save my legs when I was flying down the hills.  I saw Kristofor about mile 8.5 (he was coming back in...), and he said "It gets worse."  GEEE THANKS HUN!  I was already dying...but he was right.  Toughest course for sure.  And then tacking on 3 extra miles was an unpleasant surprise.  I dismounted my bike (like everyone around me at that point), and walked up one of the last hills.  

When I got into T2, I took some time to drink my hot powerade and down a PowerBar gel with mucho caffeination, and I accidentally stepped across the run start line BEFORE I stopped at the first water stop.  So I started my run time early without knowing it, OOPS! But then I took off.  

And I mean I took off.

WOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!  Last year I could not, repeat, COULD NOT, run off my bike.  AT ALL.  I almost quit the island tri because I was so cramped up and couldn't hardly walk a mile let alone run a 10k.  Yesterday, I clipped my first mile at under 8min.  And other than the 4 water stops to grab wet towels, down powerade, and douse myself with water (it was 85 degrees by then and the sun had come out), I kept a pretty even 8:20-8:30 pace (finished in about 58 min). I walked up one hill (Did I mention that the run was also super hilly...and HOT???).  

But I felt amazing.  I didn't even feel like I was going that pace.  I passed a lot of people (that's a huge confidence builder for me...as last year...I came in LAST at both tries).  I had several people yell "great pace" "good form!" "you are burning it up girl"...and I couldn't help but smile.  I almost got teary eyed. Kristofor can tell you, as someone who spectated me last year.  I have come a long long long way.  So I'm going to be proud of myself.  Because yesterday I didn't just finish.  I finished strong.  I couldn't say that last year.

As I came to the finish line, Kristofor was waiting to take my picture!

FINISHING!

I was super excited!  As we went over to transition to start packing our stuff, I had to have my picture taken doing my now signature triumphant pose "teen physique"

Doing my best MSHELLL Impression.

I think when I finish Ironman, I will probably bust out "teen physique".

**What is teen physique???  Well, in bodybuilding competitions, for women, there are categories, bikini, figure, then physique.  The physique class for women is like bodybuilding-esque but still very feminine...and they do little routines to show of their amazing muscles.  I joke that I could win the teen physique category....because there are rarely any competitors, and I look like a teenager.  So I would definitely win.  It's now my favorite pose.  I actually can do an entire physique routine.  It's fairly impressive....(not so much).

While waiting around for awards, I got to talking to a lady that had an Ironman Texas shirt on.  Come to find out, she too is training for Cozumel in December!  And she intro-ed me to another lady that is doing it as well!  It's not their first IM, so I'm super grateful to now be in touch with fellow competitors that are not IM rookies that are doing the same race!  Very exciting!  And then...

I WON A TROPHY!  I stinking love trophies.  It's the best.  

2nd PLACE in my age group!!  13th Woman Overall

All in all, this was a great experience for me.  I know without a doubt, I have a ton of work to do in the next 16 weeks.  A TON.  But I'm confident that if I keep at it, getting all my workouts in, pushing the envelope on my bike (meaning riding in the wind even when it sucks big time), I'll come out ok.  Please pray for an injury free training season.  I've been so lucky lately with that, I have felt awesome!  Today, I'm sore from all the hills, so I'm using this as my one rest day to recoup.  

One thing I can definitely say is that I'm determined.  I'm committed.  I know that doing this means that I won't always get to do the fun stuff on the weekends, because I'll have early morning bike rides and bricks.  And I know that as the training days get longer, I'm going to have to really balance my energies to make sure I keep my home life, work life, and training life all in sync.  But that's the thing when you want something.  

You sacrifice.  I told my girls this week.  Nothing easy was ever worth it.  If you want something bad enough, you are going to have to endure some sacrifice to earn it.  REALLY EARN IT.  Whether what you want is to lose weight, build muscle, train for a show, run a half, run a full, whatever.  It all involves sacrifice.  Some days will be harder than others, some days you want to quit.  But if it's important to you, you will find a way.  You'll put the crap food down, you'll stop drinking like 80 beers on the weekend, you'll make it into the gym, you'll put in your long runs, whatever.  If you want it, you have to do it.  If you don't really want it, you won't.  And you have to be ok with your choice, because only YOU can make that choice.  You can make the choice to do it, or make and excuse.  You pick.

I pick.  I choose.  I choose to work my ass off for the next 16 weeks.  Until I am crossing that finish line after a full day's work, after all of these weeks of training.  And I will bust out my "teen physique".  Because I will be an Ironman.  Can't stop me.

Thanks for cheering me on!

Lacy

6 months to Race Day. IRONMAN COZUMEL. IMCZ bound!

I'm staying up late tonight.  As I look at my clock, it's past midnight, officially June 1st.  And in 6 short months, my 31st birthday, I should be sound asleep in a hotel TBA...trying to fight off pre race jitters, nightmares, and dreams.  In 6 months, I will wake up...

On IRONMAN day.

The thought at this point is mildly terrifying.  Electrifying.  And almost dreamlike.

Ironman Cozumel Swim Course

Dreamlike, right?  I've never seen such crystal clear, blue, clear water.  But I'm doubtful of the calmness that this picture portrays.  For I know that even though I've chosen a race with the #2 ranked swim on the entire Ironman circuit, it is unlikely to be the "lamb" of a course, that is shown above.

IRONMAN COZUMEL.

First things first, if you know me personally, you know my husband just finished his first IM.  He trained diligently, consistently, and super-humanly for 10 months while enduring a grueling work schedule that included 24hour-7day duty weeks, and anything but typical hours.  Let's be honest.  I work IN the fitness industry.  I workout FOR A LIVING...so the training aspect, for me, should be an easier road.  I have more time.  For us, Kris' IMTX journey was a labor of love.  A lot of his time was spent before or after work.  My focus is to get in my training while he is at work, so that the work is done by the time the evening hours come.  I'm lucky.  He was not.  His road was a balancing act of epic proportions.  Mine will be a test of time management, and sacrificing my down time for training time, week after week.  

My husband completed literally the toughest Ironman around 2 weeks ago.  The week leading up to it, I was racked with anxiety.  My training partners and clients can tell you.  M-W that week, I showed up at 6am, wide eyed and tired.  Spouting "I'm just ready for this to be over."  I had a bad sinus infection I was hell bent on not bestowing on the soon to be Ironman, and I wasn't sleeping. He was, I was not.  Which is good...since he was the one racing.  God has a strange way of working.  Kristofor didn't get sick.  Even though he was sleeping next to a fever riddled, sniffly, coughy, sneezy, mess of a wife.  I prayed nightly that it wouldn't hit him, and it didn't.  

As we packed up the car on Thursday morning to leave, I knew we would return differently.  The Ironman journey for us, had changed our dynamic.  We had so gotten used to the day in day out goings of planning for a race of this magnitude.  It sounds selfish.  But my client/friend/Dr. Claudia can agree.  The weeks leading up to the race, we were as much doing the race as our husbands were.  You see, this is a very selfish goal.  It is.  The time, the emotional trials, it takes a lot.  Gives a lot in the end, but takes a lot for the duration.  IMTX for us, for me, felt like my race.  

When I watched my husband enter the swim start on May 18th, I cried.  I hung close to our best friend Mark, who in his bewildered amazement, didn't really realize the gravity of what this event meant.  He was taking it all in for the first time.  I was experiencing, the culmination of almost a year's worth of work.  I told myself that I'd watch the swim, watch him through T1, then go back to the condo and rest before the run.  Yeah RIGHT.  No sooner than breakfast and Lulu expedition completed, I was ready to find my husband on the bike course to make sure he was OK.  

Mark and I spent over 3 hours trying to track Kristofor down.  We ran into road blocks all over the Woodlands and Montgomery County.  Race related back ups.  We never saw him.  I was sitting at mile 90 when I looked on my phone to see he had finished the bike course.  And he was almost 9 miles into the run before I got to the course through all the traffic to see him struggling.

Hot, Not happy Hubby at mile 9.

When I called my Mother in Law after I saw him, my report was not as upbeat as I had hoped.  He was hot, grumpy, and walking.  He didn't want to talk.  He didn't want me to cheer, he just wanted to get away.  I tried not to let it hurt my feelings.  Robin said he was "acting like he is in labor" and to forget anything he said because he isn't thinking straight.  I can't express how hot it was.  I was standing and was covered in sweat.  I was dehydrated, and I wasn't racing.  It was pure awful.  I watched so many people struggle.  I have never seen so many people trudge forward with such a look of "oh my gosh I want to pass out right here" attitude.  Brutal.  Except for my friend Javier....who was the quintessential HAPPIEST IRONMAN TO BE ON EARTH.  He passed us smiling from ear to ear every time.  That made me cry.  I was worried for my husband, but I cried to see his friend so happy to be on the course.  

As I was watching across the lake, I saw Kristofor come around for the 2nd lap.  Mile 13ish.  I followed him along the lake.  He saw me, he pointed, I pointed back.  I followed him, across the lake, step for step, until he went to the outer loop.  And I waited for him at mile 17.  When he emerged around the corner, I told him to pick up his feet and run.  It was cooler now.  He had eaten a bit.  He and I chatted, and I can't remember what about.  Then Mark saw us, and he gave him the most colorful pep talk ever.  Like an Army General yelling at a troop.  Whatever he said made Kristofor pick up his feet, and for the first time, I saw him run.  Not trot.  Not walk.  But run.  

When we caught up to our group, Jun!  JUN!  Was there (thank GOD!), I was so excited to see that man, the IRONMAN himself.  He said Kristofor had run by and looked strong.  We headed to the finish line.  Even though we knew it would be a while, the anticipation of the finish had begun.

I will say this.  I love a finish line.  There is no purer place in the world than a finish line of a race.  Any race.  That's why the Boston Tragedy hit me so hard.  I love the finish.  Who dares mess with that.  The  Ironman finish was so much greater than I had ever experienced.  Electric.  Cheesy, but the God's were at that place.  It was so pure, so happy, so giving to the athletes, so emotional, so perfect.  Nothing I've ever experienced compared to that finish line.  

As my phone battery dwindled, I tried my best to keep family and friends up to date with Kristofor's ETA.  When I saw him, I was surprised I didn't cry.  I couldn't.  I was too happy to cry.  Tears in any form would have been too much.  I just screamed.  Yelled so loud.  And when he crossed, I couldn't wait to get to him.  Mark and I weaved our way through the crowds, and greeted our Ironman not 5 minutes after his finish.

IRONMAN!

Mark, IRONMAN, Me!

Naturally, after 14 plus hours, Kristofor was ready to get home.  He couldn't wait to watch the others, he needed to change and eat NOW.  He was hurting a bit.  Thank goodness for my friend, Stefanie, she drove Mark to our car parked in BFE and allowed Kristofor the curbside service he needed.  I ran into the HEB to buy the last minute supplies for the feast we were about to cook. 

The ride back to Lake Conroe was short.  Mark and I started on the post Ironman feast while Kristofor winded down, and by the end of the night, the Vazquez's had joined us with IRONMAN Javier, and we all ate a large fajita fiesta and were ready to call it a night.  22 hour day done.  Yes  22 hours.  No nap.

Kristofor had a fever.  I know I shouldn't have worried with a Dr. sleeping right above us, but I did.  He slept fitfully, but woke in the morning ready to eat and move around.  Same for Javier, they woke up early, and hungry.  We ate Cheesecake Factory 2x on Sunday.  Special, I know.  Ironman gets what an Ironman wants!  We took Mark to the airport and headed to our hotel in Katy for the last night.  His Ironman journey was coming to a close.  We passed out cold that night.  Ironman weekend almost....DONE.

So here's the thing.  A few weeks before IMTX, I found my needle in a haystack.  For a year, I'd been searching for a triathlon bike.  I've never been comfortable on my road bike.  Even after I got a good fit.  It wasn't for me.  I had never stopped searching.  The week before we left for the Woodlands.  I found my bike.  I found my needle.  And after some prompting, I schedule an appointment with Tad Hughes Bike Fit Studio in Houston, for the Monday after Kristofor's race.  So we had carted my bike up so that I could get some work done.

I can't stress enough how much doing that fit did for me.  It made me a believer.  A believer that I could do what I've wanted to do since Kristofor pressed the "go" button on Ironman last year.  Tad fit me to my bike.  He is a genius.  He told me that it not only fit me, but he changed my shoes, my pedals, my aero bars, everything so that it helped my pronating right foot, and evened me out so I was finally comfortable.  He even, with just looking at me stretch, was able to tell me how I sleep.  And he was dead on.  I was amazed.  I learned a lot about my ability in that 2 hour session.  And I came home and rode 35 miles.  IMMEDIATELY.  Comfortably.

I spend a lot of time here, now.

Yes, my bike is super miniature.  Yes, it looks like an American Girl's bike.  But it fits me like a glove.  And that is all I wanted.  And I love it.  I've logged 200 miles since we got home.  A start of a long road.  And like I promised myself...

I signed up for my Ironman once my bikefit was done.  It was my last puzzle piece.  

Kristofor has talked about our "bucket list" of things we want to do before we "settle down." For me, Ironman has been one of those things.  Now don't get ahead of yourself (Mom.....)....but finally getting to do what I've wanted to do makes me feel like I'm finally "sowing my oats."  My oats just happen to be large endurance races.  

I very begrudgingly dropped out of my bikini competition a couple of months ago.  Hard decision.  Renea told me, what I knew in my heart.  I wouldn't forgive myself if I injured myself doing something that wasn't what I really wanted to do more than anything.  And although I love fitness competition and what that training brought to me, my "more than anything" has been Ironman...for a while.  In the same way that Marathon was to me 3 years ago.  I want that challenge.  I need it.  I want to push my mental and physical limit past something that I know I can't just "go out and do for fun."  I am going to have to work my ass off in the next 6 months.  I know it.  I feel it.  I am ready for it.  

Since March, I feel like I've really set up myself to go into this well.  I have lost a total of 8.6 lbs of fat off my body.  I have gained 5lbs of muscle.  I am stronger than I have ever been.  I am leaner.  My running times have improved (from what little running I have done...), and while cycling, I don't feel as fatigued.  I have been able to transition from bike to run easier than last year.  And my first litmus test will be a Duathlon next weekend.

I plan to do an Olympic tri, a half iron, and a half marathon before I head to IMCZ.  I am getting a swim coach.  I have a training plan and a group that I've joined online for help and support.  I'm doing yoga 2-3x a week.  And I plan to do a lot of open water swimming in Maine on our vacay in 3 weeks.  I'm optimistic.

Watching my husband complete his amazing Ironman race inspired me.  Living the training with him for 10 months taught me how it gets done, and inspired me.  Pretty much, watching him from the beginning made me want to play monkey see monkey do, and go out and power through 140.6 miles.  So that's what I'm going to do.  After 6 month of hard work.

I have the biggest cheering section around.  Bod Squad.  When I told them I was going to do IMCZ, I was met with hugs and huge smiles and plans to come watch.  My sisters (co-workers) are 100% on my side.  In the same way that I've watched and cheered them and will cheer them onto their stage on July 13th, they will cheer me to my start line December 1st.  

BUT, I know that 6 months from today, anything can happen.  And I know that between now and then, a whole lot is going to go wrong, frustrate, and annoy me.  I plan to draw on the strengths of my girls that I train every day for inspiration.  If they can succeed with busy schedules and kids and crazy lives, then I can do this.  If they can devote themselves, then I can devote myself.  If I can watch my Bod Squad teammates go through 16+ weeks of competition prep, then I can do 6 months of this with them by my side.  

I am immensely lucky.  No matter what happens in the next few months, I will be grateful, even when I'm grumpy, happy even when I'm horrifically tired.  And I will be steadfast in my goal to finish, even when Pendleton Pool smells bad, it's 800 degrees outside with a 20 mph head wind and I don't want to ride my bike, and even when I  get stung by bees (which happened last week...so...I'm already good...).

I'm changing this blog to the little Ironman that could.  Maybe...eventually.

Thanks for cheering me on!

Lacy

Rejuvenated.

Allllllright.  No more doom and gloom.  I feel like my last blog was super somber and sadd-ish.  So I'm checking in this week (that's almost 3 weeks in a row!) to give some good news and happy thoughts about what went on this week!

First off, I want to give a special shout out and high five to two of my competition training prep partners.  Yes, I still consider them my partners because honestly, I still am mentally in the game of contest prep on some levels, and I see them work day in and day out.  And I figure right now, if I can't be getting ready to strut my booty on a stage wearing a wicked dark spray tan...I can be their biggest cheerleader along the way.  SOOOOOO....Irma and Sandra.  Seriously, you two impressed the bejeezus out of me this week.  Irma, you are strong and focused.  I see so much in you that I wish I had in myself.  I love your commitment, I love your drive, and I love that you are stepping out of your box. You are going to be the most amazing figure competitor in my eyes on July 13th.  I will scream so loud I won't have a voice!  SANDRA!  Woman you are changing by the day.  I don't know how you do it.  With your job, your kids, you amaze me.  I couldn't do it.  I would be exhausted.  But you do it, day in day out, and you always smile.  I have never ONCE heard you complain, ever.  You take it all with such passion and positivity.  I admire that so much.  I am so in awe of you!  Ladies, training for Adela and Branch Warren...you are kicking ass and taking names.  You have the BEST trainer ever, Renea, and she should be so proud of the work that all of you are doing.  I know she is.  And Renea...you are like my idol.  Thank you for always pushing us!

So then there's me.  Like I said above AND last week.  I am NOT going to be able to step on stage this summer.  My knee is better, much better this week.  But I'm still baby-ing my leg workouts and modifying and keeping my cardio to things that don't put as much strain on my knee while I'm letting it heal up.  I'm icing 3-4x a day, taping, and overall, I feel about 90%.  Which I am very thankful for.  And I'm stretching.  I plan to do yoga tomorrow too.  Still, I'm steadfast in the goal I had originally set for myself back in late February.  I wanted to be in the absolute best shape of my life by my Summer vacay.  I've been on track pretty much so so as far as food goes. I've definitely had my moments.  But I have more good moments than bad, so I'm pleased with that!  And I still plan to do my photo shoot like I had wanted to from the start!  So I best be getting my booty in gear!  I haven't "weighed in" since I quit prep, but I plan to next week...and I think I may have actually put on a little bit more muscle (fingers crossed....) since I switch to doing the figure girls workouts last week.  So close your eyes or stop reading now if you don't want to see...but here is my latest progress pic.....

I'm pretty happy that I haven't fallen off the wagon and been inhaling large pizzas, bowls of pasta, and cheeseburgers by the truck load.  I haven't even touched a cookie...well, maybe like one...but I've stuck to it pretty well.  I haven't had anyone take pictures of my legs or back...probably need to...I'm not the best at selfies(???).  And usually I am half asleep at 5:30 am when I snap these.  Enough of this...

Let's talk about TRIATHLON!  WHOOOOHOOOO!  Alright so, I plan to start training for a Half Ironman this Summer, hope to do another couple of Olympic Distances as well.  And I'm putting the hard core press on my friend Kelly to join me.  She really has no choice in the matter at this point.  I'm probably going to drag her by her hair with me.  She is like the Sprint triathlon queen.  And I'm determined to make her get out of her comfort zone and go the distance with me!  Also, I think I have gotten my friend Gina bit with the bug a bit as well.  Gina is my rockstar runner that has been with me since Day 1 of the running team, and I love that she has taken on the challenge of multisport now!  My VERY first runner has done her first mini tri, and ALSO my VERY FIRST training client ever, Delia is about to do her first sprint tri at the Spa Girl in a couple of weeks.  These ladies are AMAZINNNNGGG!  They do inspire, for sure.  And I love that.  I am so proud of them!

Kelly and Gina after finishing their Tri's in Brownsville

Gina and I after her first Triathlon!

Kristofor and I both are hot on the tails of many of our girls to start trying out Duathlons and Tri's this summer.  In fact...we are going for a ride this Sunday, and even my client in her 60's, Shirley, has agreed to join us!  I am in no way anywhere close to ready to "coach" people on how to do this stuff.  BUT the more friends I have doing it, the more motivated I am.  So the more the merrier.  I'll leave all the technical stuff to Mr. 15 days away from Ironman himself.  Let's be honest...I can't even change a tire on my bike yet.  Or a car for that matter.  

I did attempt to purchase a new bike last week.  Sadly...dun dun dun...my midget size frame strikes again.  I didn't reach the pedals comfortably...so I didn't come home with a new bike.  BUT I did get a much better fit on my existing one (Thanks Wally's Bicycles!).  And I hope that I can learn to like it a little bit more before I start diving into riding it for hours and hours.  I'm still hopeful that I can find a triathlon bike that will fit someone the size of a 4th grader...but until then, my Jamis will have to do.  HEY!  At least I have a bike!

And now on to my absolute favorite thing on the entire planet right now...our new beginner 5k/10k Bod Squad Run Team!  We started practice this week.  We have 43! new runners (a couple return runners too)...and we actually had more interest than we could take this session.  We try our best to keep our group small enough where it's still personal, so its hard to put a limit on it, but I know that is what is best for the ladies.  Hopefully we will have another session in the late Summer where we can take more.

This group is truly special.  I could feel it at practice on Tuesday.  As we ran our first mile, I was touched when all my girls cheered every single runner in.  I love when you guys cheer for each other.  It makes it so worthwhile.  We ARE a TEAM.  So cheering each other on is an absolute must, and they did it without even having to ask!  Awesome!  We have a new coach with us this session, my client Jody.  Jody is a rockstar, and one of my most consistent trainees and runners!  She has such a kind sweet heart, and I know her 5k team is so lucky to have her.  She is going to do an amazing job.  Our other Coach Amy is always 100% the most organized and "put together" coach.  She brings together all of my crazy antics and ideas so the team runs smoothly.  She is the brains behind the operation.  I'm just the super loud crazy lady that yells real loud and talks about stuff that no one wants to talk about :).  We are all training for the FOOTWORKS 2nd anniversary run...

The Valley is so lucky to have this store.  They literally have pushed this running community onto a whole new level!  So we are excited to run this race, celebrate their business, and Bod Squad is sponsoring it!  Thank you Footworks for all you do!

Bod Squad Spring/Summer Team!

There's our ladies!  As a coach, I couldn't be prouder.  As a person, I actually couldn't feel more blessed to be in the place where I'm at.  I absolutely adore my job.  I am in love with the people I work with every day.  They make me a better me in so many ways I can't even count.  This week, I felt like I was full of energy.  After feeling lackadaisical and tired last week, I can say I woke up this past Monday feeling rejuvenated and ready for things to come!  

I'm staring a 7 week challenge for my training client this coming Monday.  It's going to be a challenge for me too.  I'll be participating, which mean 100% back on my food and plan. And I'll be spending the weekend making their plans too.  I can't wait to show you their progress.  I know they are going to knock my Mizuno's off...because my girls are simply the best!  So stay tuned to see what's in store for the next few weeks.

Next post will probably be about....IRONMAN TEXAS!  2 weeks out!  Kris has been training his butt off...excited to see the fruits of all his hard work!  

Thanks for cheering US on!

Lacy

It was a really bad Monday.

I've delayed writing this post all week.  I've started it.  And stopped, but after another half-hearted attempt at it Friday, I put down the computer and said I'd give it the weekend before I recount my feelings and emotions of the past week.  I definitely have hit the reset button in more ways than one this weekend.  Much needed.  And I got some time (and a lot of sleep...) to reflect on everything that has happened.

I'm going to start with last Sunday.  In all it's innocence and happiness.  Kristofor and I traveled to Corpus for him to compete in his first half Ironman.  A little more than a month out from the FULL IRONMAN...he was ready to tackle half the distance and try out his fueling plan and get a feel for what he would need to tweak going into the last month.  The day was perfect.  Overcast, cool-ish, not windy.  Perfect triathlon weather.  From start to finish, Kristofor had about as good of a day as could be expected.  And as a spectator, I couldn't have asked for a better course, because it was easy to park it in a spot and watch him go by every so often on the loop course of the bike and then run.

Kristofor on his first bike loop (thanks Adrianna for the picture!)

It was fun to see him as the race progressed!  I knew once he started the run that he was firmly in the front of the pack of half distance finishers.  Still looking strong, I knew he wasn't going to "go all out"...after all...the big race isn't too far off.  I saw him go out on his last run loop and walked over to the finisher's area to see him cross the line.  I also noticed that I had gotten quite ummm....toasty....

I started the morning wearing a long sleeve, but as it got warmer...I switched to a tank.  And since I'm so super smart, I didn't put sunscreen on for the last hour and a half of the race.  Amazing idea.  The volunteers at the finish looked at me with concern by the time Kristofor was about to cross....

And cross he did!  Arms up and not much worse for the wear.  First half Ironman done!

Kristofor crossing the finish line!

My shoulders were as red as the volunteers shirts by this point.  Kristofor was also a little toasty.  And thirsty evidently...because he promptly downed a cold beer within minutes of finishing.  Carbs.  Beer tent.  Perfection.  As we started to head back to get our things, we poked our head into the timing area, and asked if it was worth sticking around for awards....it was...

  Fabian, Kris, and Jun with their trophies!  TRI MECCA!

Turns out Kristofor got 1st in his age group and 6th overall! I'd say that was a pretty good showing for his first half Iron distance, and I know all of our tri club members left that race feeling like they had conquered Corpus Christi.  

As we traveled home, we recounted the day, went over the play by play, and more than once we talked about Monday.  Marathon Monday.  Kristofor is from New England.  Patriot's Day is a holiday there, banks close, schools close, the Red Sox have a game day, and then of course, the Boston Marathon takes place.  Kristofor and I visited Boyleston Street in Boston 2 summers ago and took pics right near where the finish line is.  Its a magical place even when it's not race day.  So I was excited for Marathon Monday.  I had already gone back and forth with Irma about how I couldn't wait to watch Shalane and Kara race.  I had been "liking" their pre-race statuses all day.  I was ready to see how the cards fell.  

When we got home...I was made aware of the severity of my sunburn...

Half Iron Spectator burn 

And about a half hour after we got home, we headed to CVS so I could get some aloe.  And then it happened.  Out of nowhere.  As I was perusing the lotion aisle, my knee locked up.  My right knee suddenly felt like it was in a tight grip.  And I couldn't bend it.  It happened just like that.  Out of nowhere.  Sure, my knees had been sore from all the competition training.  I had pretty much been keeping KT tape in business, and I had already been modifying my plyo and leg workouts to try and work around my increasingly sore knees. But it wasn't anything out of the ordinary.  This, THIS was different.  As I hobbled out of the store, I never regained mobility of my knee.  And that lasted into Monday.  I couldn't hardly get out of bed....

So Monday morning came early, Kris got out of bed like he hadn't even done 70.3 man powered miles and I needed crutches.  I wrapped my ice pack around my knee, took ibuprofen, and hobbled into work.  I only trained for 2 hours, made my 830am girls carry me as part of their workout, and decided to call it a day and go see a Dr.  I was promptly told what I already knew.  My knees had fluid in them.  I have arthritis, they looked bad, and I needed to rest.  For a week. Which is a hard thing to do when you are 10 weeks out from your first bikini competition.  I had work to do.  A lot of work.  This was not good news.  

As a trainer, I am constantly curious about how things in the body work, and since I've had so much trouble in the past with my knees, I make it my job to try to learn how best to fix and rehab these things.  I don't want to always be putting a band-aid on this issue, I'd like to resolve it. Figure out where its coming from.  What I can do better to fix it.  So at about 2pm, I headed to a physical therapy office to speak with a PT I had seen before and get his take.  As I sat in the waiting room...it happened.  I've told this story a hundred times.  Just like all "where were you when..." stories.

I was sitting at Total Rehab in Harlingen.  Watching the waiting room tv.  The tv show "the Talk" was on. They were talking about how sex makes you smarter.  I turned my attention for a moment to the other side of the room to speak to an old co-worker.  When I turned my attention back to the TV, the first footage of the Marathon Finish line was on.  I thought it was an episode of CSI or Law and Order. It didn't register that this was live.  When I reporter chimed in, it clicked it was not a tv show, and I stood up to get closer.  In the first moments, they didn't blur stuff out.  I checked Facebook and no one had posted anything yet.  I'm "friends" with hundreds of runners.  So I posted this...

When it became clearer after a few moments, I began to cry hysterically.  I caused a bit of a scene in the waiting room.  A lady stood up to ask me what was wrong, and I could really only point at the tv.  I called Kristofor and he didn't answer, so I called Irma, and I cried.  I couldn't stop crying.  When I went in to see the PT, I was still pretty shell shocked.  I tried to listen to what he had to say, got the jist, tried to be amicable, but I kind of wanted to get out and see what was going on.

Kristofor and I were glued to the TV for the rest of the evening.  I just couldn't believe it.  The Boston Marathon is my dream event.  I want to run in it so bad.  To see that happen broke my heart in so many many ways.  Running events are so innocent.  Running events are for charity full of all ages shapes and sizes.  They are full of such happiness for the elite runners to the every day Joe's just out there trying to do something great.  To watch that unfold.  It broke my heart.  And it made me angry.  It broke my heart.

As the night unfolded, runs were planned in remembrance for the following morning.  And I was reminded that I couldn't run.  My knee still wasn't better.  So this already bad Monday, with the hobbling into work, the no good news at the Dr., the unthinkable Boston bombings, and now, a big decision to make.  

I quit the bikini competition.  More crying.  On the phone with Renea, I told her that I needed to be done, and she agreed.  The Dr. and the PT didn't tell me I COULDN'T do it.  They more told me that I shouldn't.  I was told I would have to rest completely for a week.  Change my workouts drastically.  No more plyo, no more lunges or heavy squats.  I just felt like I was setting myself up for failure.  I ran the risk of A:  Doing what I could and then not being ready for the show and being heartbroken.  or B:  Injuring myself even more where I may not be able to run or anything OR WORK.  So it was a hard decision that had to be made, even if I didn't like it.  I hate to quit, and I wrestled with it all week.  I had a couple of sleepless nights.  I still ate my food like I was doing it, still did my upper body work.  I had trouble letting go.

I tried to use this weekend to re-set.  I cheated on my food big time.  But I went to the store and got all the stuff to prep for the week.  I still plan to do it, just a scaled down (physically speaking...) version that won't be as tough on my joints.  I still want to look amazing in my bathing suit this summer and take pictures like I planned to.  And I still want to be there for my teammates still going through the process.  So I'm going to continue in the same direction like planned for the next 9 weeks.

Being told that I shouldn't do something strengthens my resolve to get better.  I know I need to take it easy-er than I have been, work on some of the weaknesses I have so that I can truly rehab my knee.  Focus on stretching and foam rolling, and mentally focus.  My confidence isn't shaken, it was for a bit, but I'm at peace with not going forward and stepping on stage.  Even though I will probably cry on June 22nd.  

My resolve also isn't shaken about running.  Nothing would keep me away from running large scale events.  I don't view it as dangerous.  We are literally in danger ANYWHERE these days.  If we live in fear of that sort of thing, they win.  And I'm unwilling to let anyone that cowardly take away one of the great joys of my life.  I love nothing more than crossing a big FINISH line.  And I will do it again. 

AND...I will do it at the Boston Marathon.  It may take me a while.  And I was told to not give up my dream of running it when I knew I wouldn't get there this past year, but I now know, I will do it.  Even if I'm older when I qualify, or if it's this year.  Who knows.  But I will run that Marathon.  It is still my dream.  

I cried a lot of tears this week.  Monday was a really bad day.  I'm confident tomorrow will be much better.

Boston Strong,

Lacy

12 weeks...NOW WHAT??

If you take a look at the tag line on this blog.  I just changed it.  It used to say "the journal of a runner.  a really small one."  Which is true.  I am a small runner.  Not a runner that runs small...but since I'm vertically challenged...well, I'm a little runner.

I decided today, after having that tag line when I began this blog in July of 2011, that well, things...have changed.

When I started this blog almost 2 years ago, I was diving into training for my second full marathon, and I wanted to document it.  And I did, with painstakingly elaborate updates about literally...everything.  Since then, my posts have tapered off a bit, and while looking back at them, I realized that really, no longer is this just a blog about my running.  Yes, I'm still the "little runner that could"...but currently the little runner is on a bit of a hiatus trying out some new things.  Which is what inspired the tag line switch.

Flash forward 21 months, and I'm no longer a girl documenting her running adventures (although I still do that...), but instead, I'm a girl that has branched out...a bit.  I've written posts on triathlons that I've done, and I've written about the girls I coach to run, their conquests, their goals, etc.  So as I've entered "go time!" as my trainer/coworker/bestie, Renea has said, on my newest venture, I decided.

Why in the heck am I not documenting this...like I did when I was training for that second marathon.  This is even NEWER territory for me here.  I've NEVER done this before.  I may NEVER do it again...WHO KNOWS.  Either way...my current goal is pretty much consuming my life...all things social and professional.  So I'll be talking about it in detail...probably until around the beginning of July.

Let's establish my goal:  I'm going to compete in the Adela Classic, June 22nd.  In the bikini A division.  The division for short people...like me!

What am I doing to reach this goal?  Well, I'm doing about 5 days of weight training.  I drink a lot of protein shakes.  I eat a lot of chicken and ground turkey and greens and sweet potatoes and brown rice and drink a lot of water.  And I only get to cheat on my diet currently on Saturday evenings and all day Sunday.

That's probably going to change this week...as I've been at this goal for 4 weeks now...and now that Saturday was the official 12 WEEKS UNTIL I STEP ON STAGE AND FLAUNT (and yes...I will flaunt...responsibly...) my little self, things are about to get more...interesting.  Intense?  Hard.  I won't know until tomorrow when I see my coach that takes care of my diet and nutrition.

It's a little hard to imagine, today, that this is going to get harder.  For me, it's been about a complete 180 in my way of thinking and my lifestyle.  Not to say that I didn't workout or eat well.  I'm a trainer...its my job.  So I worked out a lot.  But it was more piecey to say the least.  I would do a little bit of stuff here and there with my clients, and then usually spend 2 hours a week devoting 100% attention to my workouts.  And then I would run.  A lot.  And bike.  And swim.

Right now, I have a specific plan that I follow every Monday-Friday mixed in with a crazy a** cardio routine that involves me doing some rhythmic dance stuff (not really...but kind of...) on a treadmill to help build my endurance and well...build my booty.  I lift weights almost every day.  I target a different muscle group(s) everyday, and then I do my fun fancy cardio routines.  I'm not running....

At all.  I went swimming a couple of weeks ago.  Asked if that counted as my cardio.  NOPE.  But I still do it.  But running is not allowed.  WHY???

Because...well,  running will inhibit my muscle growth.  When I run as much as I do, I've had issue with keeping muscle because...I burn it off.  So right now.  That's a big no no.  And since I'm on runcation.  And had decided to take a runcation before I decided to do this...it was perfectly fine with me.  So I don't run.

Unless I'm sprinting...during my cardio routine.  Renea told me today to throw out my runners knowledge.  Because my plan this week said to sprint at a 9 min mile.  Smarty pants that I am, I naturally informed her that a 9 min mile is not a sprint (for me...).  She told me to hush and just do it.

So no running.  BUENO!  There's a group of us at Bod Squad that are all training for shows this Summer.  A couple are doing bikini, the rest are aiming to compete in the figure category (easiest way to describe the difference...more muscle in figure...less muscle in bikini).  It's been amazing to feel the camaraderie that has grown between the ladies that are all doing this right now.  We are all "suffering" together...so we vent, we bitch, we cry and whine.  It helps.  But all commonly, we all want to do this...really bad...and we want to do it well...and we are all new to it.  So it helps to have partners.

Now let me say this.  I know very little about this process other than what I'm learning and watching every day.  This is such new territory for me.  I'm 100% in the hands of my trainer Renea, and my nutrition coach, Daniel from Lean Nutrition.  They decide for me.  Because I know NOTHING.  It's kind of freeing in that aspect.  The past couple of years, I've been honing in on all the knowledge I could get my hands on in regards to the running and triathlon world.  Getting certified in coaching, and I routinely draft plans for runners...all the time.  So having someone draft a plan for me is like going back to the basics.  It's like I'm learning a whole new craft.  Which I love.  I dig learning.  So I'm like a baby bird being fed all this knowledge by bigger birds that know a lot of stuff.  So I listen, and I try not to whine too much.  But whining...is inevitable.

Let's talk about CHEAT DAYS!  Which are about to turn into cheat meals.  Which then will turn into cheat MEAL (singular)...and then to...I really wish I could eat an entire pizza and a gallon of ice cream and a bucket of chicken but I can't because I'm going to step on a stage in a bikini and be judged soon.

CHEAT DAYS!  Up until this weekend, I'm going to be honest.  I had "cheated responsibly."  That sounds funny.  But yes, I was kind of watchful to not go completely overboard and indulge my ever loving every fantasy on Saturday night and Sunday with food...and alcohol.  I chose things that I like to eat regularly.  That aren't necessarily bad for me.  That I can't eat right now.  Like last week.  I had sushi and oysters and like 5 vodka sodas (ok that sounds excessive...).  And Sunday I had a super yummy Cranberry Gorgonzola Salmon burger.  This weekend...really...all bets were off.

I knew my plan was going to change this week.  And I don't know how much.  So I cheated the sh** out of Saturday night and Sunday.  I will not divulge the extent.  But yes, I was fairly awful.  I feel mucho satiated...and I'm glad I got that out of my system.  I had been responsible for 4 weeks...and well, before I head into the "you are 12 weeks from stepping on stage" unknown...I figured I would go out with a bang.  And by golly...I did.

Mostly, this experience is teaching me a level of discipline that I haven't had in a while in regards to my own training.  When I started training others, I lost a little bit of the "me" focus, and became kind of haphazard with my own stuff.  I was never off the wagon completely, but I lost a little bit of the drive I had when it was simply all about me.  Now, balancing this very all about me goal...and training others...is well, requiring a lot of discipline. And time management.  And it makes me more tired so I have officially become a granny that is in bed by 9pm.  But I'm so grateful for what it's taught me so far in 4 short weeks, that I can't even begin to think how much more I will know by week 16.

In all honesty, I am hoping this does what I want it to.  And I know it will.  It is going to make me a stronger athlete (I still giggle when I use that word in relation to myself...), which will hopefully make me a stronger runner.  And the knowledge of muscle growth, diet, discipline will make me a better trainer for my girls as well.  I'm learning a lot about my body.  Through experiencing this.  I've read and studied a lot since getting certified, taken tons of CEU's, etc.  But actually implementing and doing things on myself, that's where I think the true knowledge thrives.  So I'm soaking it all in.  And hoping that this will make me more well rounded in a lot of areas.

So I've taken some photos. Before and After.  The first was on the Monday I began my training.  March 4th.  I was 2 weeks removed from running my Austin Marathon...and well...I'd been on a bit of a "post 3 marathons in 3 months I am winding down from a bunch of craziness and doing whatever I want workout and food wise" binge.  When I started, March 4th, I was really...all over the place.  The second photo was taken Saturday, March 30th.  Both pics taken in the morning.  And if you don't like this sort of stuff...you can feel free to stop now...but here's my progress so far.  Pictures really don't lie.  They tell the truth.  And I'm happy with the truth after 4 weeks, and I look forward to it over the next 12!

Thanks for cheering me on!

Lacy

Evolution?

Since I blogged after the Houston Marathon...well, I've been busy.  Quick recap of my final marathon of the season...

I ran the Austin Marathon.  PRed my half time with an unofficial 1:52:06. (WHY DO I ALWAYS PR MY HALF DURING FULL MARATHONS????) But lost my marathon PR in the last .25 mile.  Finished in about 4:02 unofficially, overjoyed and happy to end the season on a high note.  My friends Amy and Michele ran their first 26.2's (on a hilly course!) and my girl Vanessa PRed her second marathon (hills schmills)...all in Austin.

And up until today...I hadn't run a mile since that race.  I've been coaching from the car (i.e. driving stalker slow beside my girls honking and playing loud music and allowing them to throw things they don't need into my moving vehicle...), and I've been training for something else.  More on that later....

THIS WEEKEND!

Last year, Kristofor, Irma, and I set out with the loving permission of Renea and George, and formed THE BOD SQUAD RUNNING TEAM.  I put it in caps because its such a big deal.  This team literally in 16 months has become...well, our life?  Not our whole life, but a HUGE part of it.  I've blogged before about our half and full marathoners.  This weekend was a continuation of the goal we set out to do over a year ago.  Get women (and some men) who maybe didn't think they could do it, or maybe didn't want to do it alone...across finish lines.

Since late January, Kristofor and I have had over a dozen ladies (and one very brave strong man) running with us 3x a week training for a half marathon.  About half of these ladies were on our beginner team last Spring.  Most started with us and couldn't run more than a minute.  So this half team was extra close to our hearts, as we got to see the fruits of their hard work over the past year.  We chose a local race that we had done last year.  WE LOVE THIS RACE.  The Show the Trail Who's Boss Half Marathon is a small, well organized race that runs an out and back through a historic battlefield.  Bod Squad LOVES small races.  Why?  You gotta support the local guy, right?!  AND how fun is it to do your first half and PLACE!

So yesterday morning...

Some of the girls (a few missing)

We all got together on a super humid, super muggy, March morning, and set out to run 13.1 miles.  When I say humid, it was like breathing soup.  The fog was so heavy after the girls passed the half point, visibility was way down.  If you've never run in those kinds of conditions, you probably don't want to.  It's tough.  It takes a lot out of you, can cause major cramping and dehydration, and can make for an uncomfortable run.  But these ladies did it in style with smiles on their faces.  No one complained (well...not during the run anyways).  They all passed us at the 7 mile mark happy and ready to meet their goals.  Weather didn't deter them.  In some of their cases, injury (ummm....chipped feet?) didn't even stop them.  They were all going to finish.  And they did!  As I watched them come in, one by one, I was in awe.  Some of these women will tell you, they know they aren't typical runners.  Some of our girls created the self proclaimed "turtle team."  No matter the pace, they plug ahead, never stopping, always going, always finishing.  That is to be admired.  Their courage to push their limits is what makes them so inspiring to so many women.  So ladies, you deserve a pat on the back.  For your amazing finishes, your smiles while doing it, and your inspiration to women in general.  You make us so proud!

Several of the ladies post finish!  With the AMAZING sign Coach Amy and Coach Heather made :)!

And did I mention that a couple placed???.....

 Alejandra 2nd overall female with a 1:53 (that's gun time...she started this race 3 min LATE because she got lost on the way to the convention center).  She is a speedy lady!

Jody 2nd in her age group!  Her first half!  One hard working lady!

I'm going to talk for a bit about one of our halfers...DeeDee.  She joined our team, spent a few weeks out with an injury, but REFUSED to ever give up, ever.  She came back to us a couple of weeks ago, stronger, and this weekend, she took on quite a challenge....

DeeDee (left) and Alejandra (right) stretching post race

I joked a few weeks ago, that any of our girls that did the half marathon in Brownsville on Saturday, then went to Corpus Christi Marathon and did that half marathon there the following day, would get a special prize.  I was laughed at, and no one took me seriously.  I joked again on Thursday.  DeeDee took me seriously.  She did it.  2 halfs.  2 days.  Saturday, she battled humid temps, and puked at the end (darn gatorade...).  Then today, she battled the 25-30mph SUSTAINED winds, with 40mph gusts along the Corpus Christi Bay.  She is a strong, tough, and determined runner.  I know she will be conquering a Full with us soon.  DeeDee,  you are a rock star!

DeeDee smiling her way through her second 13.1 of the weekend!

So...that leads me to today.  We left the race in Brownsville yesterday, hustled home, rested for about 1.5 hours, and then took off toward Corpus to see 5 Full Marathoners (and DeeDee) run the Inaugural Corpus Christi Marathon.  It was my Dad's FIRST marathon, and also our girl Sarah's FIRST marathon!  Lorena was making her second 26.2 attempt, her husband Alex's 3rd, and Irma's like 80th because she is a rock star like that.  

Marathoners before the race!

This morning, we woke up, and we knew it was going to be windy....

I had no idea it would be this windy....

My Dad and Irma around mile 5

LOOK AT THE TREES!  The wind was so strong, it would literally blow you sideways.  They headed out on the out/back course with the wind at their backs.  BUT...the last 7-8 were dead into it.  We caught up with them at mile 4 and then 5, then we camped out about mile 10ish, then we sat at about the 17/20 mile marks to see them head out for the last 3, and then come back in...into the wind.  

Dad, Irma, and Lo on the course. TOGETHER!

I will say this.  I don't know if I've ever seen tougher conditions (save for maybe heat at San Antonio...but I'm iffy on even saying that...).  Along the sea wall, I ran out to give Lo her water bottle, the wind PUSHED me hard as I sprinted.  When I turned around to head back, the winds were so strong, I was blown into the median.  SIDEWAYS.  I could hardly move.  A wall of air.  Cold-ish air.  Wet air from the ocean.  I don't know how they did it.  I don't think I could have done it.  I struggled to open my car door.  The wind was so strong.  When I greeted them each outbound, they were happy, when I greeted them inbound, I saw some tears.  I saw some frustration.  But I saw a HELL OF A LOT of determination.  These people showed a lot of grit.  My Dad (he is 59...ran his first marathon...Rockstar), said his glasses almost blew off. He said his feet were blowing together and making him almost trip.  I can't say enough about how hard they fought today..

Dad and I running into the wind.  I am so proud of him.

And the fruits of their hard work paid off....

Irma PRed BIG TIME.  She took close to half an hour off of her last marathon time.  She looked so strong, so poised, and so happy.  I have never seen someone look so focused.  I look up to her so much.  I wish I had that focus.  She never flinched today.  Always went on!  

Irma victorious in the wind!

Lo also PRed BIG TIME.  By close to 50 minutes.  In the wind.  She fought hard through those last miles.  She was determined to get this done, and when she was done....she relaxed in style on the lawn and took in the sun....

Lo.  Chillin'

Lo's husband Alex, debuted a really strong mustache showing at this marathon.  And he also placed 2nd OVERALL and hit a new PR.  He was flying today.  I know this guy is going to Boston Qualify soon.  He is a beast.

Alex.  Medal. Trophy. Beer.  Epic Mustache.

Sarah finished her first full marathon and showed some serious guts.  She wanted out at a couple points.  She had been injured the past few weeks.  Foot in a boot, but she came back today, and with a little pep talking, some dirty profanity on my part, and me yelling things that probably made no sense to her for 1.5 miles as we ran from 20-21.5, she finished strong with tears of joy and accomplishment.  I am so happy for her.  She should be epically proud!

Sarah basking in the glory of her 26.2!

And finally, my Daddy.  He put his mind to his goal of completing a Full before age 60, and he never doubted or looked back.  He listened to everything we said.  Listened to his body, was proactive when he needed to tailor it back or tweak his training or gear, and he persevered like a true HERO.  I was so proud of him today.  At mile 20 I told him I thought he would place.  He said he just wanted to finish.  He finished...and PLACED.  3rd in his age group.  He never wavered today, always was focused.  I am so so so proud.  He is an amazing inspiration.  Daddy, I love you and I'm so proud to be your daughter.  And I'm so glad that we both love running, and now we can do it together.  You inspire me. 

My Dad.  Crossing the finish line.

All of the marathoners.  Medals and Trophies in hand!

So this weekend was amazing.  I can't say enough about all of these men and women I call friends.  They are top notch.  And I told Renea something that I didn't think I would ever say ever today...

At this point right now...I love coaching running more than I love running.  I love watching them run distance...than running the distance myself.  And that's a big thing.  I'm not over it.  I know I still want to do it, and I will, but I've evolved a little bit.  Maybe a lot.  I get way more pleasure watching them, than doing it myself.  And they inspire me, and I feed off that.  So I'm going to embrace this evolution.  But I'm also taking a hefty RUNCATION.  I don't plan to run any distance at all until July.  And I mean at all.  

And I'm training for something else.  Something new and different.  And yes, a million people have asked me why or questioned, and I may have a different answer every day.  But I'm loving it and loving what it's doing to my body.

I'm going to compete in a bikini competition.  Like the "body building" kind...not the Spring Break Hooter's girl kind.  NPC competition (look it up).  And I'll be doing it at the Adela Garcia Classic in Austin June 22nd.  I am 13 weeks out from training, but I've been on a plan for 3 weeks so far.  I'm seeing my body change weekly.  It's mentally the hardest thing I've ever ever done, and it kicks my ass most days, but I haven't cried yet and thats a big thing.  I'm not quite ready to share my before/current pics to the entire blogosphere...but I'm sure I will eventually.  Renea is coaching me, and Daniel from Lean Nutrition is setting me up with the right meal plan.  And I'm learning a lot.  And changing a lot.  And changing and evolving is a good thing.  That's how we grow, right?

So over the next 13 weeks, I will be evolving.  I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for cheering me on!

Lacy