I have never really been an athlete. In middle school I joined the girl's basketball team and played one game before quitting. I think I lasted a week in track. In high school I was a choir and drama geek; I hated gym class and had to beg my teacher to give me a D so I could graduate. After high school, I sort of got into the solitary activities; biking, running, walking; but never for any extended period of time. I would ride my bike all summer, hike through the mountains, run a few times, walk all over the place - but come winter I would become lazy, sedentary, and chubby. It never failed.
In 1996, I not only started inline skating regularly but I also began mountain biking and weight lifting. I was pretty gung ho about it and got into the best shape I'd ever been in up until that point. But of course, summer gave way to autumn gave way to winter; I went through a divorce and I traded in going to the gym for going to the nightclubs. I've tried to make lifestyle changes off and on since then but have never been able to sustain the changes. I would get bored, I would have some type of life changing event; I would give it up and get sedentary and chubby. I have always envied those 'natural' athletes - you know the ones who can do any type of physical activity and make it look effortless. I always wanted to be one of those people but apparently I didn't want to make the commitment necessary to get there...
This year I turned 40 and decided that THIS would be the year that I made permanent LIFESTYLE changes, instead of going through the same old cycle of lose/gain/lose/gain again. I started off the year carrying around my usual winter blubber in excess of 10 lbs... But it's not just about getting thin or having fun anymore, it's also about being healthy overall, so that I can age more gracefully without being dodged with fun sounding stuff like osteoporosis or heart disease. Of course the year began with the typical false starts until I got mad at myself and got serious around the beginning of May and FINALLY committed. I'm doing fairly well so far; I'm going on 12 weeks of steady workouts, eating better, and getting rid of the goo around my middle. I've gotten pretty gung ho about it, I feel invincible! I want to do everything!! I'm lifting weights 3 days a week, skating 2-3 days a week, and playing softball on Sundays. I have my first inline skating marathon in just 7 days! I've been pushing my body pretty hard - skating hard, upping weight each time I work out: playing softball as hard as I can, so I guess it's only natural that my body decided it was time to remind me that I am NOT 25 anymore...
I subbed a softball game for a team at work this past Thursday, and pulled my quad muscle. I can't even believe it happened because I didn't even care enough about this team to put 100% into playing. I was hobbling around like an old lady all day Friday, I kept my leg iced and elevated and tried not to feel pissed off about it; but I am pissed. I had to skip my Friday leg workout and I had to skip a 30 mile social skate that I was scheduled to skate this morning with members of the Denver inline skate club. My anger is directed solely at myself. It's totally my fault for not warming up properly prior to the game. I know how pulls happen - basically a sudden burst of stress on the muscle (i.e. sprinting from first to second base) can cause micro tears in the muscles if they aren't warmed up first. This hurts like hell and sidelines you. I believe the injury is grade 1 because I'm walking fine today, it just feels a little tight and not nearly as sore.
The good news is that I was planning on using this week as a 'recovery' week anyway since St. Paul is in a week: so no weight training/hard cardio. So now the plan is for 2, maybe 3 short skates and some swimming and yoga; along with a focus on hydration and eating well. I'm going to TRY to sit out softball tomorrow night, I'm hoping we can find someone to sub for me. I'm terrified of hurting the muscle MORE and being healthy for the marathon is just more important to me.
You know, youth truly is wasted on the young. When I was 25 I had no idea of my body's full potential. I never pushed it to see what it was capable of; I was too busy worrying about inconsequential things. Considering what I'm doing now, 15 years later - I'm guessing I could have been pretty bad ass back then...
Skating Stats as of 7/26/11:
Fastest 13.1 Miles - 54:08
Fastest 26.2 Miles - 1:57:07
Total Miles Skated - 814
Skating
A2A, 38 mile finish line; 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The Art of Over Thinking...
I'll be the first to admit that I over-think EVERYTHING. I have ditched many a workout just by thinking about every step needed to get me out of my office chair and into the gym... (get up, get into hot car, drive, change my clothes, get all sweaty, have to change back, get back into car: etc...) Just thinking about it made me tired. I have tried to get my brain to think about just one word - GO - and not over-think the journey, focus on the destination. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
I've been really good about not over-thinking skate prep; because it takes me a while to gear up and get my wheels on the pavement. I have pretty much gotten to the point where I can get my brain to skip past thinking about gearing up and get straight to the part where I'm actually coasting along, happy as a lizard baking away on a rock in the sun.
So, last night I went to Washington park to skate with another skater. I was a bit hesitant because I haven't skated Wash park since '98, and my memory of the park is basically one of painfully trying to cruise along on a cobblestone-like surface, and enduring rude cyclists who like to spit on people. I was also not looking forward to the drive in rush hour traffic in 90+ degree heat. But I focused on the fact that I would be meeting with a speed skating coach and that was going to be really exciting. I got to the park, strapped on my skates and rolled around with the coach.
He gave me a lot of good pointers on things like what to wear, how to hold my position at the front of the pack so no jerks could cut in front of me; what to eat, how to recover, how to stop without using a brake; things like that. As we were skating along I was also surprised to realize that the cobblestone was gone and the pavement was actually pretty smooth. I didn't get spit on, cussed at, yelled at, clipped, or ran over by any rabid Denver cyclists either! Happy! After the coach was done and we were standing by his vehicle chatting about the Rocky Mountain speed skating group, another skater came up to ask if we were with the Denver inline skate club. (I had sent out an email earlier to see if any of them would be skating so we could meet up.) I said I was, introduced myself and after coach left I set off to cruise with skate club guy.
Skate club guy helped me with my stride, showed me how to draft, and videotaped me skating so I could see how badly my upper body (head in particular) bobs all over the place. He drafted me for a while to show me how it felt and I have to admit - it was really uncomfortable. I got really self-conscious about having some dude I just met crouched a foot from my ass with his hand on my back. He was completely professional, so this was all on me. When it was my turn to draft, oh lordy - I couldn't do it. I felt awkward and uncomfortable. I couldn't maintain a steady pace. It felt too WEIRD. He kept reassuring me that it was ok, that while skating in a line it's expected to feel a hand on your back, or to get passed, or to have someone cut in front of you (how rude! But anyway...) We skated a few laps together and then I realized it was getting late. All in all, the entire evening was a really good experience and I appreciated meeting and skating with both of them and I feel like I learned a lot.
Here is a shot of a few of the Texas Flyers in a pace line... See what I mean?? CLOSE!!
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So... Not only do I need to work on my head bobbing (I had NO idea I moved around that much!) but I also need to work on getting that insecure part of my brain to stop wondering if the person behind me is marveling at how fat my ass looks in spandex (or how awkward it is to have an ass encased in spandex less than a foot from MY face) and focus instead on the fact that a pace line is a beneficial part of skating a marathon. If I'm going to continue to improve and keep moving up to the next levels, then drafting is a part of that growth.
I've been really good about not over-thinking skate prep; because it takes me a while to gear up and get my wheels on the pavement. I have pretty much gotten to the point where I can get my brain to skip past thinking about gearing up and get straight to the part where I'm actually coasting along, happy as a lizard baking away on a rock in the sun.
So, last night I went to Washington park to skate with another skater. I was a bit hesitant because I haven't skated Wash park since '98, and my memory of the park is basically one of painfully trying to cruise along on a cobblestone-like surface, and enduring rude cyclists who like to spit on people. I was also not looking forward to the drive in rush hour traffic in 90+ degree heat. But I focused on the fact that I would be meeting with a speed skating coach and that was going to be really exciting. I got to the park, strapped on my skates and rolled around with the coach.
He gave me a lot of good pointers on things like what to wear, how to hold my position at the front of the pack so no jerks could cut in front of me; what to eat, how to recover, how to stop without using a brake; things like that. As we were skating along I was also surprised to realize that the cobblestone was gone and the pavement was actually pretty smooth. I didn't get spit on, cussed at, yelled at, clipped, or ran over by any rabid Denver cyclists either! Happy! After the coach was done and we were standing by his vehicle chatting about the Rocky Mountain speed skating group, another skater came up to ask if we were with the Denver inline skate club. (I had sent out an email earlier to see if any of them would be skating so we could meet up.) I said I was, introduced myself and after coach left I set off to cruise with skate club guy.
Skate club guy helped me with my stride, showed me how to draft, and videotaped me skating so I could see how badly my upper body (head in particular) bobs all over the place. He drafted me for a while to show me how it felt and I have to admit - it was really uncomfortable. I got really self-conscious about having some dude I just met crouched a foot from my ass with his hand on my back. He was completely professional, so this was all on me. When it was my turn to draft, oh lordy - I couldn't do it. I felt awkward and uncomfortable. I couldn't maintain a steady pace. It felt too WEIRD. He kept reassuring me that it was ok, that while skating in a line it's expected to feel a hand on your back, or to get passed, or to have someone cut in front of you (how rude! But anyway...) We skated a few laps together and then I realized it was getting late. All in all, the entire evening was a really good experience and I appreciated meeting and skating with both of them and I feel like I learned a lot.
Here is a shot of a few of the Texas Flyers in a pace line... See what I mean?? CLOSE!!
Another one of a gaggle of skaters in a line... It's going to take a while to be comfortable enough to do that!
So... Not only do I need to work on my head bobbing (I had NO idea I moved around that much!) but I also need to work on getting that insecure part of my brain to stop wondering if the person behind me is marveling at how fat my ass looks in spandex (or how awkward it is to have an ass encased in spandex less than a foot from MY face) and focus instead on the fact that a pace line is a beneficial part of skating a marathon. If I'm going to continue to improve and keep moving up to the next levels, then drafting is a part of that growth.
A group of speed skaters meets up at Washington Park every Tuesday. The coach told me that they are all really nice, and that I just need to go up and ask them if I can tag along with them. Will I actually have the courage to do that? Every skater I've met so far has been super friendly and more than willing to share their knowledge, so I sure hope so. I'd really like to work past this. I'd like to be able to comfortably skate a foot away from the person in front of me and reap the benefits. But most of all, I'd really like to learn how to stop thinking so much and start learning to trust my skating instincts.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Good days and bad days.
I skated twice this past weekend since I had a three day weekend, I went for a 30.81 mile skate on Friday and a 21.72 mile skate on Sunday. Sunday was an excellent day. Friday was crap.
Friday morning I was already expecting rough trail conditions due to the massive rain from the night before, so I should have played it safe and stuck to familiar terrain. But a trail leading west had just opened after some construction and I was anxious to go exploring. I used to ride my bike that way a long time ago and was eager to see what kinds of memories would come flooding back while skating the trail. I veered west at the junction where I normally go east at the 7 mile point of my usual skate and I was filled with happy anticipation.
This was short lived when I hit the first wet wooden bridge. (Lets just say I'm lucky I'm flexible.) That was the first of three wet bridges that almost took me out. Things levelled out and I finally hit the newly paved portion of the trail that went through Bear Creek Park. That part was really nice: and lasted about 3 minutes. After heading under the Sheridan bridge I hit some seriously horrible conditions and almost wiped out a few more times. (Torn up asphalt, major patches of mud and sand, sticks, cars; etc.) Skating along at 5 mph was the polar opposite of fun so after about 3 1/2 miles I turned and headed back. I was dreading the wet bridges because one of them was at the bottom of a steep hill. I gingerly made it over the last bridge, and headed back to familiar territory.
The trail was so bad; gravel, sand, rocks, twigs, and geese. (yes, geese.) I've had skater vs. fowl near misses before but this was the closest one ever. and the best part is I almost hit the same goose twice! By the time I finished up and limped home, my mph average was shot, (12 mph) I was tired and sore (from doing the splits every time I hit a twig or pebble) and I was in a really bad mood. I did the usual 'at least I got out there' and took a nice hot shower as soon as I got home. Lesson learned; leave the trail exploration for when I'm on foot or on a bike. (Obviously my memories of that trail were spotty!!)
Sunday morning dawned overcast and a little cool. My favorite skating weather. I headed out with the goal of focusing on form and trying not to wipe out; and it turned out to be one of the best skates I've had this season. I flew along w/ a 14 mph hour average. My form felt great, and the speed came almost effortlessly. I did my sprints and managed to maintain the higher speeds for longer periods of time. I felt that exhilarating high that I get when I'm having a good skate and that made me happy. I passed cyclists - hell, I left them in the dust like they were standing still! Several of them even commented on it, and it made me feel great! I finally feel like I'm gaining the stamina and speed that I so greatly desire. The way I feel after a skate like that is why I keep going back for more. I always say that getting in shape is just a side effect of my drug!
As of 7/10/11 I am at 721 miles skated. My best half marathon time is 54:08. My best marathon time is still 1:57:07 but I hope to change that this weekend. I have 24 more days until St. Paul and I am SO excited!!! The good skate days definitely outweigh the bad skate days and when it really comes down to it; any time spent skating sure beats being at work!!!
I believe I will hit my goal of 1000 miles by the end of next month; so once again I will be making some new goals. This is the best skate season ever!
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Friday morning I was already expecting rough trail conditions due to the massive rain from the night before, so I should have played it safe and stuck to familiar terrain. But a trail leading west had just opened after some construction and I was anxious to go exploring. I used to ride my bike that way a long time ago and was eager to see what kinds of memories would come flooding back while skating the trail. I veered west at the junction where I normally go east at the 7 mile point of my usual skate and I was filled with happy anticipation.
This was short lived when I hit the first wet wooden bridge. (Lets just say I'm lucky I'm flexible.) That was the first of three wet bridges that almost took me out. Things levelled out and I finally hit the newly paved portion of the trail that went through Bear Creek Park. That part was really nice: and lasted about 3 minutes. After heading under the Sheridan bridge I hit some seriously horrible conditions and almost wiped out a few more times. (Torn up asphalt, major patches of mud and sand, sticks, cars; etc.) Skating along at 5 mph was the polar opposite of fun so after about 3 1/2 miles I turned and headed back. I was dreading the wet bridges because one of them was at the bottom of a steep hill. I gingerly made it over the last bridge, and headed back to familiar territory.
The trail was so bad; gravel, sand, rocks, twigs, and geese. (yes, geese.) I've had skater vs. fowl near misses before but this was the closest one ever. and the best part is I almost hit the same goose twice! By the time I finished up and limped home, my mph average was shot, (12 mph) I was tired and sore (from doing the splits every time I hit a twig or pebble) and I was in a really bad mood. I did the usual 'at least I got out there' and took a nice hot shower as soon as I got home. Lesson learned; leave the trail exploration for when I'm on foot or on a bike. (Obviously my memories of that trail were spotty!!)
Sunday morning dawned overcast and a little cool. My favorite skating weather. I headed out with the goal of focusing on form and trying not to wipe out; and it turned out to be one of the best skates I've had this season. I flew along w/ a 14 mph hour average. My form felt great, and the speed came almost effortlessly. I did my sprints and managed to maintain the higher speeds for longer periods of time. I felt that exhilarating high that I get when I'm having a good skate and that made me happy. I passed cyclists - hell, I left them in the dust like they were standing still! Several of them even commented on it, and it made me feel great! I finally feel like I'm gaining the stamina and speed that I so greatly desire. The way I feel after a skate like that is why I keep going back for more. I always say that getting in shape is just a side effect of my drug!
As of 7/10/11 I am at 721 miles skated. My best half marathon time is 54:08. My best marathon time is still 1:57:07 but I hope to change that this weekend. I have 24 more days until St. Paul and I am SO excited!!! The good skate days definitely outweigh the bad skate days and when it really comes down to it; any time spent skating sure beats being at work!!!
I believe I will hit my goal of 1000 miles by the end of next month; so once again I will be making some new goals. This is the best skate season ever!
This is a picture of a hill that I absolutely love to sprint up! I don't care how tired I am, as soon as I hit the bottom of this hill, I try to see how fast I can get up it... :)
Saturday, July 2, 2011
When you reach your goal - set a new one...
Today was an AWESOME day for me!!! I started my skate at about 9:00 am: the weather was PERFECT! Clear skies, sunshine, a slight breeze. There were a ton of cyclists on the trail so that made for some tricky maneuvers but I still skated 26.56 miles; and I did it in under two hours... GOAL CRUSHED! (time was 1:57:07) - I averaged 13.4 mph. If you click on the below link you can see the map and my stats:
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/oXnfh438rS8
I started this year with a goal of 700 miles skated for the entire year. I'm currently at 637 - so I changed that to 1000 miles. Then I made a goal to skate a half marathon (registered/airfare booked/hotel booked: this goal will be accomplished next month.) Then I decided that just participating wasn't good enough - I want to do it in under an hour. My current personal best time for a half marathon was accomplished today: 56:53... Then I decided I don't want to wait until next year to do a full marathon, I want to do one this year so I'm waiting for registration to open for the Houston inline marathon. My goal for that is to do it in under 2 hours. I think that is definitely achievable!
I was told by a dear friend that you can train for an inline skating marathon 'in just two weeks'. Sure, if you just want to just show up and complete it. But that isn't good enough for me. I want to show up, skate hard - maybe finish with a few of the elite skaters??? Eh, that might be a bit lofty but I sure as heck want to be killing that finish line well in front of the rest of the recreational skaters...
I have to say, I feel really good right now. I feel fit, I feel healthy; and I feel accomplished. I'm excited by my progress and looking forward to seeing just how far I can take it. This is definitely my best skate season yet! Next skate is Monday morning; I'm thinking a distance recovery skate w/o focusing on speed - just form.
Happy trails!
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/oXnfh438rS8
I started this year with a goal of 700 miles skated for the entire year. I'm currently at 637 - so I changed that to 1000 miles. Then I made a goal to skate a half marathon (registered/airfare booked/hotel booked: this goal will be accomplished next month.) Then I decided that just participating wasn't good enough - I want to do it in under an hour. My current personal best time for a half marathon was accomplished today: 56:53... Then I decided I don't want to wait until next year to do a full marathon, I want to do one this year so I'm waiting for registration to open for the Houston inline marathon. My goal for that is to do it in under 2 hours. I think that is definitely achievable!
I was told by a dear friend that you can train for an inline skating marathon 'in just two weeks'. Sure, if you just want to just show up and complete it. But that isn't good enough for me. I want to show up, skate hard - maybe finish with a few of the elite skaters??? Eh, that might be a bit lofty but I sure as heck want to be killing that finish line well in front of the rest of the recreational skaters...
I have to say, I feel really good right now. I feel fit, I feel healthy; and I feel accomplished. I'm excited by my progress and looking forward to seeing just how far I can take it. This is definitely my best skate season yet! Next skate is Monday morning; I'm thinking a distance recovery skate w/o focusing on speed - just form.
Happy trails!
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