Another Goofy Done

I am back from Orlando where the 2012 Goofy was held this past weekend. Most of you are familiar with the small gang of us who have been training for the Goofy for the past 7 months, finally the day came when we had to put that training to the test. We arrived last Thursday in Orlando ready to run but first we had to pickup our race packages at the World Wide of Sports a large complex at Disney World and a very busy one. The expo provided was a really good but so busy that getting around was difficult and if you did not like enclosed spaces and large crowds you were in trouble.

That evening we ate our dinner early and prepared ourselves for our event that weekend.

Saturday Morning - Donald Duck 1/2 Marathon (Approx. 16,500 people)

We had to get up to catch the 3:15 a.m. bus to Epcot Centre where we gathered in a holding area (concrete) until it was time to start the race. Once we were given the go ahead, we walked about 1 km to the start line which took a good 1/2 hour or more where we all got into our corrals (I was in H last one) everyone else was in a corral ahead of me.

The race for me started at about 6:30 a.m. and I ran this one by myself. I kept my throw away clothes on for about 5K as it was really cold that early in the morning. The race course was flat and took us thru the Magic Kingdom where we had a chance to run thru Sleeping Beauty's castle and stop for photos with various characters.

I ran using my heart rate monitor so my pace was pretty slow, but that was ok cause I did not wish to run the half marathon fast if I had to run the full the next day. It was a tougher half than most due to the amount of walkers and congestion on this run. You were always weaving in and out of people.

There was plenty of entertainment along the half marathon route but I made the mistake of keeping my music on the whole route so I missed some of it. There were tons of spectators along the route right up to the finish line. Once I got the finish line I took out my head phones so I could hear the cheering crowds, I looked for my special cheerleader (my hubbie) and sure enough there he was in the stands waiting for me. It is always a great feeling to cross that finish line with him cheering me on!

I finished the half marathon in about 3:10 and was glad it was over. However, I have to admit that when Jeff found me with me with my friends I confided to him that I was not looking forward to doing the full the next day.

Sunday Morning - Mickey Mouse Marathon (Approx. 11,000 people)

Got up at 2:45 a.m. again for the marathon, wasn't nervous or excited just knew I had to get it done and over with and I also knew I had done it before so for sure I could do it. Again we were held in the holding area and then did the 1k walk to the start line. I was in corral H but snuck into corral G so I could start with everyone. It was not as cold as it was Saturday so a little more bearable waiting to start. The American National Anthem was sung then a moment later our group starting belting out Oh Canada - it felt good.

About 15 minutes went by and the next thing you know we were underway. My legs felt pretty good, mind was clear and I knew I had made the right choice and was glad I was there.

The marathon was great, this time I did not listen to my music instead I paid attention to what was happening around me, music, characters, spectators, other runners, the road and my running buddy, Warren.

I was loving this marathon, I will not say it was easy but it certainly wasn't hard. Everything worked and nothing was shutting down. 21k came and went and I only had 21k more to do (I know only 21k more) but I had a great running buddy and we stuck together like glue (well except for the 4k that i lost him when he went to the washroom, but we found each other).

At about 41k Warren and I decided to walk 1k then run the rest in. Once we hit Epcot we started running and the next thing we knew there was the finish line. Again I looked into the stands for my special cheer leader and there he way waving his hat waiting for me. I crossed the finish line holding Warren's hand and that was that - another Goofy under my belt.

Our group was waiting for us when we were done and had received our medals (yes I said medals - 3 of them) and then we went back to the finish line to cheer in one more of our team before we went back to the hotel for some rest before our celebration dinner that evening.

So, you ask will I do it again. Well I said that this would be my last marathon but on the plane home one of my co-runners suggested the Niagara Falls Marathon...my hubbie looked at me and said "so it starts".

Am now back home, tired, sick and have to work in the morning. I am glad marathon training, I'll miss running with my buds but I am looking forward to putting 100% into iron man training.

Wish Me Luck

This weekend I am running Goofy, this is goal #1 for 2012.

This will be the 2nd time I have done this race, hoping to do a bit better than last time, but I'll just be happy to finish and get those wonderful medals (yes medals you get three of them). I plan on doing my race running with my heart rate monitor on so when it beeps, and it will beep, I'll be slowing down.

I am pretty relaxed about this race, to be honest I am just happy the training is over and the race is here. I always dislike training for a marathon - seems so long. But no longer! Race day is just around the corner.

So, wish me luck.

Merry Christmas

Just realized that my last post was Dec 10th and tomorrow is Christmas Day. I have been keeping up my training for my ironman but could do better, so today I hopped on my biked and did a ride while watching Jumaji on the T.V.

Tomorrow is Christmas Day and I am at my goal weight (I think) that I wanted to be at for Christmas - 150 pounds. Once the day is over I have two weeks to lose 2 pounds to get to my 148 goal weight for Goofy (race in Florida Jan 8 & 9).

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all happy Christmas. Love Maria

Feel A Little Lighter These Days

Rejoice!! I started my training at 158 pounds, goal weight 140, current weight....wait for it.....150! So I am def. feeling a little lighter these days. I'd like to be 148 before I run Goofy in January, 2012.

Overall my eating habits have changed (less carbs, more protien - lots of nuts and Greek Yogurt which is really high in protein) but the decrease in my weight may also have something to do with my training (you can't not lose weight if your training 6 days a week).

I have, however, had this week off work - been sick. Just could not get enough sleep this week, most nights was having a nap before dinner, bad head cold and just plan dragging myself around. It was tough cause we went out twice this week (once for a work shopping event which could not be missed and then to the hockey game which my hubbie was looking forward to - would have just loved to have gone home to bed instead).

Coach said to be careful as the signs of over training is getting sick. Will see how it goes, if I get sick again you can bet I'll be taking it a bit easier. But for now I am running 32K tomorrow, I have my fingers crossed I'll be running on clear pavement and that it will be warm.

Cheers and Happy Holidays

Snow Day

I have never been a a fan of snow...and while the weather today was warmer than I expected the snow really had an impact on my 27K run, which turned out to be 15K that was really hard due to the deepness of the snow and how slippy it was. I keep losing my footing, my breathing was off and my pace was slower than normal.

I can run a 1/2 marathon in 2:30 and today it took my 2:30 to run 15K - what is up with that?

I am at home now watching some awful moving about Nazi's who have gargoyles that have come to life and they are using them to fight the Americans in WWII...my feet are defrosting and my laundry has just beeped...I can't be bothered to go downstairs just yet to get it as I am tired.

IFM (Ironman For Mortals) training is in its 7th week and I am still liking it but I do get tired more often. My typical week looks like this:

Monday - Swim or Run (5K) - but easy
Tuesday - Run 5K and do a Strength Class
Wednesday - Run 5K and Swim Class
Thursday - Brick Session (Bike for 1 hour and run for 40 minutes)
Friday - Run 5K
Saturday - Spin Class and then if I don't have IFM class that day a swim
Sunday - LSD with the goofies

Weight lost to-date 4 pounds but I go according to Melissa's scale today 8 pounds (can't be that lucky).

Merry Christmas

Getting Back On Track

Well, took what seemed like a break and now I am getting back on track. I don't wish to take a break again.

My Mother Is A School Teacher

Just did my training in Creston, 40 minutes in the rain ugh...it was cold.

Then I got home and showed my mother my blog, she proceeded to tell me I had a grammatical error in my title, which I have since change!

Once a school teacher, always a school teacher!

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.

Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Taking Night Off

Suppose to do my brick training tonight but feel so tired. On Tuesday night I did a strength class and I have DOMs. After a few weeks this will all change and my body will get use to this, but for the next few months until I get use to this trianing I am going to have to SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP!

Hello Mr. Negative

Hello Mr. Negative, I was NOT expecting you.

He was not welcome on the run but he came with me anyway.

I did NOT follow my IFM training as I had normally and suffered for it.

Lost Mr. Negative at 19K when I cut my run short (suppose to do 29K).

THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, he is not welcome to run with me and the next time he tags along he is in for a surprise.

I Am Training For An Ironman

This a great video, it made me laugh - I Am Training For An Ironman and is so true except for the getting up early in the morning part.

Race Day Countdown

262 days
6291 hours
377518 minutes
22651107 seconds

Till My First 1/2 Ironman at Sylvan Lake Tri

Felt Like a Fish Out of Water

After I handed out candies to the tiddlers this evening (and some were so cute) I decided to go for my first practice swim. Finally got my schedule down between two pools in my area so that is why it has taken so long since I started my swimming lessons.

Anyway, off I went to the pool to practice my TI swimming technique and was feeling pretty good about it all. Got into the pool and it all left my head, I had no idea what I had learnt over these last 7 weeks and left 1/2 hour after getting into the pool.

Think some private lessons might be in order otherwise come race day I'll drown.

Sometimes it's tough to stay positive....

It has been a rough couple days for this "iron woman in the making" and I am trying to stay positive in my soul so that my focus does not stray from my training.

Those of you who know me know one of the reasons why I am feeling sad, you are in the same boat as me...so a prayer would be appreciated, the other reason I'll share later if necessary.

Swim class is this evening, 2nd last one before I move onto the intermediate class.

Vitalize

Had my lactate acid threshold tested today, as well as my weight, measurements and body fat measured at Vitalize (http://www.vitalize/) my new heart rate is 150 (but we are monitoring it). The whole thing was very interesting and no not painful, except for the fact that my body fat is quite high and I need to lose weight, my goal for weight lose is about 18 pounds (I'll be super skinney) so have to cut out some of my wine and def. no sweets!

My coach Grant is great, every interesting man (you can read his bio on the website) and I like the relaxed way the training is done, ETZ.

Off to bed soon, doing a 26K run tomrrow so need my sleep.

Then Event Has Been Chosen

I have finally done it, I have registered for my 1st Half Iron and it will be the Sylvan Lake Half Iron http://www.outbackevents.ca/Sylvan%20Lake%20Tri/Course%20Information.htm.

I am still pinching myself that this is actually going to happen and that on July 22, 2012 I'll be able to scatch this off my bucket list.

Is it too early to start thinking about a Full Ironman?

First Week of Ironman Training

Week 1 done, it wasn't that bad but of course I had to pick my first week of training to catch a cold! Training comes with ups and downs.

So you ask, what part do I enjoy the most?

The running is easier than what I was doing in the RR - I am running to HR so going a little slow but I have tons more energy when I am done. I don't run distance I run to time and have to, HAVE TO, warm up and cool down before each run and this counts as part of the time. LOVE IT

Biking, well I like the biking. Did my first class Saturday morning @ 8 a.m. about 80 minutes then this week did 45 minutes in my basement with Ipod blaring (my hubbie laughs cause I sing out loud and apparently I am not that good, I thought I sounded great).

Swimming - quite like the new type of swimming I am doing TI, nice and relaxed.

My coaches are great and very helpful.

The only bad thing, am not spending as much time with my Goofies during the week as I would like my IFM training is taking over my weekends nights, but I knew this would happen and I don't get to sleep in as much as I use to, ok I won't get to for about 8 months.

However, still have decided on my race yet but I am betting it is going to be Sylvan Lake (if only they would get their registration open I am dying to sign up).

Which Race Should I Do?

Well, the buzz around the water cooler is there is a potential that the Calgary 70.3 may not happen next year. Of course this could suck for me, this has been my bucket list race for about two years now. Of course after I heard the rumor I thought I better get my act together and get myself signed up so some 1/2 Ironman somewhere soon.

Choices I have are: Oliver, BC, Sylvan Lake and the Great White North.

A number of people I know have signed up for GWN so I would know people, Sylvan is close so hopefully friends would come a watch and Oliver, BC the water will be warmer.

By the end of the week I will have made up my mind but if you can help me in anyway make a decision I'd sure appreciate your help.

Thanks....

Ghost Lake Looks Cold

Hubbie and I drove to Kelowna this weekend to spend time with friends as well as allow me to be a pace bunny for the Okanagan Half Marathon. My goal as the 2:45 pace bunny was to get my peeps across the finish line at 2:45 and that is exactly what I did!

I was very proud of myself, I had to maintain a 7:40 pace and keep my peeps on target each 2K in order to get us across the finish line at 2:45.

Now, on our way back from Kelowna my hubbie point out Ghost Lake to me....it look figgin cold (this is the lake that the 70.3 uses for the half ironman) burrrr. Might have to sit in and ice cold bath to get my body use to being in this cold lake.

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving, me I'll have to do a lot of running (besides the 21.1K I did this weekend) to wear off the wine and turkey I consumed.

Ironman For Mortals

The adventure beings October 15th - wish me luck!