26.2 (Really 26.4)

First marathon is in the books! Finally walking a bit more normal, but going down stairs is still challenging. Will drum up a race report by the weekend...first I have life to catch up on!

Rock On

JK

It was a rainy, damp (a bit windy) morning in Erie, PA. Great racing weather.

Rolling through the 13.1 mark.

The last 1.4 miles. At the end of 26.2, even 0.2 extra seems long.

Just An Ordinary Thursday

This last Thursday started out just as any Thursday, or any other day, for that matter. I pulled myself out of bed with the delicious smell of coffee (after hitting snooze 2 times), went through emails as I sipped the drink of life, slipped on my running clothes, and headed out the door to run. I drove up to North Boulder to meet Julie for nice little 80 minute run.

The morning proceeded to following its normal routine. I meet Julie, we exchange our hello's, and head out toward the trails. We both are tired. Julie is training for Kona and I have my marathon in 10 days. There is a light at the end of my tunnel which is brighter then Julie's at this point in time. We continue to chat about life, work, boyfriends and husbands, racing, and food. About 30 minutes into the run, we hit a crucial decision point-do we take the road back or do we take the trail? Julie says the trail. Trail it is.

I take the lead and head down the trail. Julie is right behind me. We crest the top of a hill. I hear Julie stumble. I keep running. I hear her fall and turn around just in time to see her go forward into the ground and roll into a pile of dried horse poop. I stand there and watch. And then I do something awful....I laugh. Julie had her hands over the face and I think she is laughing. She is actually borderline crying. I stop laughing. I bend down and start to help her to her feet. As she slowly gets up she says she is nauseated and feels light headed. She said she hit her knee. I ask her to let me look at it. As she rolls up her kicker, she said she does not want to look at it. As I look at it, I tell myself it is a good idea Julie did not want to look at it. It is deep. I tell her I think we need to get you to a doctor. "Really?" she remarks. "Yeah, I think you need stitches." I hatch a plan. Julie needs to walk about 300 meters to the trail head in the time I run back to get the car and come and get her. She says ok. Takes a few steps, starts to feel light-headed again, and sits down again. I wonder what I will do if she does not make it down there, but save that problem solving for later. I head off to get the car and rescue Julie.

About 15-17 minutes later, I return. Julie has made it back down. She gets in the car and I hand her a bag of edamame. I tell her to put it on her knee and we drive to the doctors office in Boulder. We arrive just as they open and tell the receptionist what happened. She tells us to go to the 2nd floor. And RN from the 2nd floor walked out and looks at Julie's shin. She says she does not have anyone in the office who can take care of this type of trauma. We both look at each other and then back at her with a WTF look and ask is she is serious. All she needs is stitches! She tells us we have to go the clinic in Lafayette.

Back in the car, we decide that we need coffee. On the way to the clinic we stop for coffee. The Thursday has resumed some sort of normalcy by getting coffee. Over to Lafayette we head. The car is starting to get rank because we are both sweaty and in our running clothes. We walk into the clinic amongst stares. Have people never seen 2 girls wearing all black running clothes? Or maybe it is the fact that Julie is walking around with "GO NATIVE" on her ass. Whatever it is, people turn their heads and stare. We head up to the 4th floor, crossing our figures that there are people here who can "take care of this type of trauma." We are in luck today, this doctors office has doctors in it who learned how to stitch up open wounds.

About 60 minutes later, Julie emerges from the clinic with a fresh set of stitches and orders for no swimming, biking, or running until next Friday. As we leave, she is already asking me when I think she can start training again. "What about a waterproof bandage?" "What about just running?" "What about running, just not on trails?" I tell her wait until Monday. Give your body a chance to heal. She says "You're right". Then 10 minute later Julie asks me to ask Jeff what he thinks about swimming with a waterproof bandage. Ironman Athletes!

I drop Julie off at home and resume my Thursday. At 11 am I get to work and start my Thursday- a couple hours and and adventure later. What will Friday bring?

Rock On

JK

26.2

I am running a marathon. In 20 days.

On June 12th, I decided to run a marathon on September 12th. Why? There were a couple reasons for my decisions. They ranged from my change in careers to a new challenge to marking a goal off my life list. I have never run a marathon and for some strange reason, people are surprised when they asked me if I have ever run one and my response in "NO". This is one of the 2 primary questions I am asked at least once a week. "Have you ever run a marathon?" and "Are you and Jeff going to have kids". Maybe it is one of those questions that you are asked once you reach 30.

Jeff and I set out a solid 13 weeks plan to get me ready to race. We have been working on a 3/1 schedule where I build milage for 3 weeks followed by a recovery week. We only increased milage at about 10% per week and increased the long run at the same 10% but based off time. With only 3 weeks to go, it is now time to throw in some quicker, more intense bursts of speed to sharpen up for race day.

I must admit that I underestimated how hard this type of training was going to be. I have not just run (without biking or swimming thrown in the mix) for about 9 years. Switching to running and increasing the milage has added a entirely new stress/pounding to my body that was not there when training for duathlon or triathlons. It took awhile to get used to all the running. Trying to run 60-75 miles per week is a lot of running. It is a lot of runs throughout the week. I could do a whole load of laundry with just my running clothes in 1 week. I could tell how many runs I got in during a week by counting the sports bars that were just washed.

Jeff has been so supportive during this process. He has been heading out on my longer runs with me. He has been my support crew biking with me for the runs. Every mile he has been there on the bike, handing me water, giving me a gel, letting me bitch and be crabby at mile 18, listening to me tell anyone who is listening that I want to be done running, yet I have 4 more miles. He has been an amazing husband and coach-not just during the last 13 weeks, but always.

More to come (hopefully) over the next 3 weeks
Rock On
JK

Was this a good idea?

First off, big congrats to my good friend Jax for running the Leadville Trail Marathon. She crushed it and is ready for the next big race...Marraige!!

With the 4th of July upon us already, the 3 day weekend was filled with local races. Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs...races everywhere. I had no intentions of running any of these races. My goal is bigger (and longer) then a 5K, and ending a 3 week block of high volume was not the ideal recipe for a fast race. With all that said, Jeff and I ended out Sunday morning to watch our speedy local Brit, Ewen, race the Superior Down Hill Mile. Somewhere between walking from the car to the finish line-a mere 400 meters-I decided to race a 4K at 9.00am. It was 7.05am.

We roll home and I get ready to run. I was nervous getting dressed. I don't know why. Maybe it was the fact that I have been running ALOT for the last 3 weeks and my legs were TIRED. Maybe it was the fact that I run 14 miles the day before and my legs were TIRED. Maybe it was the fact that I was just TIRED in general. Whatever it was succeeded in making me more nervous then I have been in awhile.

Warming up, my legs were heavy. No zip. Hmm...I wonder why. But hey, this is just for training right (at least that is what I told myself). We line up and I am thinking "Maybe I should not do this. Maybe I should just run a tempo run." Jeff has told me I might feel bad and just to run hard-time does not matter. This is part of my training. I got a comp entry to the race, so I was not loosing money by not racing. BUT I was loosing out on potentially FREE BEER if I did not race. Decisions. Decisions.

Gun goes off. Decision made. I am racing.

Note: This was only a 4k. 16 minutes of hell. The hell actually began at about 800 meters.

I make it through the mile right around 6.00 min flat. From there to the finish, I felt every one of the 14 miles I had run the day before. My legs were not happy. My mind was not happy. But I kept running. Free beer was on the line.

I cross the finish line disappointed. I walk away from the finish line as quickly as I crossed it. I find Jeff and let loose my emotions. I know deep down the poor performance was not surprising. But given the training I have been doing the last 3 weeks, it was a good end to a large volume block. It was part of the training and it was time to move on. Jeff and I walk in silence as I process. This was a D priority race. It was on a whim. There are

bigger goals I need to keep in mind. I talk it through with Jeff, cool down with some good friends, and head back home for a nap.

Oh..I won my free beer (2 six packs). Ironically, the name of the beer was KARMA.

Rock On

JK

Updates, updates, and more updates

It has been almost two months since my last post and a lot of things has changed in 2 months To start off with, and the most notable, I ended my teaching career. After 10 yrs of teaching, I decided to pursue a new career. I was presented with an amazing opportunity to do something completely different. I am proud to say that I seized the chance and pleased with my

decision.

Jeff has also been very busy at his new job (started March 1). He is an art director on the Coors/Miller event team. What does that mean? Jeff and his compadres design the graphics for all the Coors/Miller events-NASCAR, MLB, NBA, the SuperBowl etc etc. As a result of this new job, Jeff has started supporting the company by indulging in drinking Coors Banquet. And I started drinking red wine. I think that is a sign I am becoming more mature and sophisticated.

Note: Glass of red wine in my hand. It is another story about what is in Jax's hand!

Athletics goals have also changes for the both of us. Jeff is taking a year off from competitive racing and helping/coaching me. He has been training hard for the last 6 years. It is time for a break. He has directed all his training time toward gaming. Gaming? Yes...XBox360 gaming. It is a trip to witness Jeff do things he did not have time to do before because of the 20-30 hrs per week of training while maintaining a 40+ hr/wk job. I am proud to say he already "beat" Bio-Shock and Gears of War. I would venture to say that in the next two week he will add Gears of War 2 to the list.

I am taking a step forward (or backwards depending on how you look at it and who you ask) to focus on some new athletics goals. I am very excited about what is on the horizon and the journey. Jeff has been instrumental in helping me define my goal(s) and set a plan in place that will get me there. Stay turned for updates (at least within the next 2 months).

So there it is. A 2 month update in 4 paragraphs.

Rock On

JK

Nationals 2010

In late February I decided to race a duathlon- the National Duathlon Championships in April. I am not sure why I choose that race. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Just running and biking--no swimming. Jeff committed to helping me get ready for this race, the training would be a little different then training for a 70.3 race he warned me. He also told me I would have to get some work in on the track (gasp!). I was ready for the challenge though. I have about 2 month to get ready!

All of a sudden, it was April 22nd, and I was leaving to go race Nationals! Where did the 8 weeks go!? I wanted a few more weeks. More hot days with sun. More rides and runs with Jeff there to push more. More core work sessions. I just needed a little but more. However, there was no more. There was only the race 4 days away. I piggy backed a trip to visit my sister and her family while I was on the East coast. It was a nice change of pace to chase kids around rather then worry about the race.

I also had one of my dearest friends Jax coming to support me as well. All good things to keep my mind off of the race Sunday.

The weather called for rain, rain, and more rain. And humidity. About 70% of that. Living in Colorado, you forget how sticky the east can be (I even grew up there). Things don't dry quickly. Slick roads with 1300 racers on them is not exactly my ideas of fun. But what can you do. I prayed to the rain gods to wait until noon to open the flood gates. Bike check-in occurred Saturday night. Rain was expected all night. I wrapped up my bike as best I could, racked her up, said some encouraging words to her, and said goodbye. The next time I would see my bike would be race morning.

RACE DAY: 9.15 AM start. No rain.

At 7.15 I was pumping up my tires when I hear what sounds like carbon cracking. I look at Jax. She looks at me. Front tire is flat. No worries. I have 2 hours. Take it all over to the mechanic to fix for me-I don't trust myself. Wheel got fixed and the anxiousness of the morning continues.

At 9.10 we line up at the start line. We have to run first. Not swim. I think I like running first and not swimming. I have not done a duathlon in almost 3 years. This is a strange feeling-no rubber constricting my neck and shoes on my feet. I look around and don't know what to expect. I don't know who these people are anymore. I am the new kid.

Jeff and I talked about a plan the night before based of my training. I was going to stick to it and race smart. First 5K, the women go out FAST. I figured they would come back to me. At 2 miles they are still out there. Maybe they will come back on the bike. I am working comfortably hard during the 1st run-running off a girls' shoulder. Making her do the work. First 5k goes through in 19.20.

The bike course was technical and wet. And a lot of people were on this 3 loop course. The corners where tight and the approach to them at 30+ mph after coming of a hill was nerve racking. I managed to hold my own on the bike picking of a few girls. My cycling is improving...this was validation for me.

The 2nd run had a lot wrong with it. I was the cause of most of that wrong. There was 1 girl ahead of me (about 5 seconds) and I passed her in the first 100m of the run. I was running comfortably--not redline, but not easy. At about 1.5 miles, a women passes me in my age group. I know she is fast. She and a few other women ran sub 19 on the 1st 5K. I let her pass me and keep running my pace. In hindsight, I should have pushed more. There was too much left when I finished. But what can I do. Lesson learned as I looked at the results after-about 4 minutes separating 1st place though me (8th place).

Overall, I finished 8th. And 4th in the 30-34 age group. This age group was tough this year. This was one of the toughest duathlons I have ever raced in terms of fast women. The women who won our age group and overall title ran 2 sub 19's (low 18's) I am complacent with my result, but know what I am capable of. I guess I will just have to race again.

BIG THANKS to all those who helped and supported me: Specialized, Native Eyewear, Splish for the kick ass top, PowerBar, SKINS, and Boulder Running Company. HUGE THANKS to the love of my life Jeff and bestie Jax for being there when I needed it. You are rock stars!

Rock On

JK

Flow

"Music and rhythm find their way into secret places of the soul" -Plato

Research has demonstrated that music can affect concentration, endurance, muscle tension, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. Music increases positive emotions and lifts spirits by stimulating neurochemical changes associated with healing. According to the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, training to music can bring good health, motivation, and harmony. Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of training to music. A treadmill study at Ohio State confirmed that exercisers felt less perceived exertion when they jogged to music. Another investigation reported in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness showed that music makes exercise seem less difficult, allowing the participant to continue longer.

Our iTunes collection is extensive. We have everything from Chopin, Johnny Cash, PDiddy, to Bobby "Blue" Bland. We frequently change out iPod selections to keep it fresh. I have been spending quiet a bit of time of the trainer listening to music and thought I would share some of my motivation. (Note: Please don't judge me based of my music!)

Hello Good Morning-Diddy

Don't Stop the Music-Rihanna

Sunshine Hotel-Louis La Roche

Shiny Disco Balls-The DJs of Euro Trance

Break Your Heart- Taio Cruz

Genesis-Justive

Sleepyhead-Passion Pit

Beautiful People-Marilyn Manson

I don't Like Your Band-Annie

Something Real-Hott 22

Kings and Queens-30 Seconds to Mars

Walkie Talkie-DJ Shadow

Work That-Mary J.Blige

Rock On (with or without your music)

JK2