A Change of Mind

Well, today was my last day at CrossFit Durham. I know I have been going on and on in this blog about my fitness program. I finally decided this month that I am done with Crossfit, at least for the near future. I need to get back to the core of triathlon training - swimming, biking, and running. I am looking forward to working out by myself again. I don't want to feel the pressure of the group fitness. I have watched my friends get better and better at different exercises while I feel like I have remained the same. At least now, I won't be competing against anyone but myself. I am also looking forward to those extra dollars in my pocket each month.

Maybe I will change my mind come the fall, but I think this is a good decision for now. I can't wait to run tomorrow.

2011 Shamrock Half Marathon

Yesterday, I ran my 7th half marathon and second Shamrock Half Marathon in Virginia Beach. I had high hope going in to this event because I had set my PR here in 2009. Well, the day did not disappoint.

Now, on paper, this race should not have been great for me. The weather on Friday was spectacular, so hubby and I decided to sit outside on our deck and drink beer. Well, one beer led to another, which then led to getting a pizza because we were not in the mood to cook. Overindulging two days before a race is probably not in the manual under "good ideas." We were much better on Saturday, however. We ate well and went to sleep early. Despite our going to bed at a reasonable hour, we did not get as much sleep as we had hoped. The winds were blowing so hard (16-17 mph) that is was causing the balcony railing to shake and make noise. I woke up several times and wondered how it would affect the race. It was still windy in the morning, but I don't think it was a huge factor in the race overall. Once you add that I have not been running long distances (I think I did 8 miles in January, last 13.1 was at the Kiawah Island Half in December) and have only been running once a week, I should not have done well at all. My attitude when I started the race was not to worry about a PR, but to just have fun. If it didn't happen, it didn't happen.

I started the race feeling pretty good. I knew the course and knew that it was pretty darn flat. This race is known for it's crazy costumes, and this year was no different. Everyone is in such a good mood - people are just out to have fun and get the beach party sponsored by Yuengling at the end of the race. I was running along feeling pretty good at about mile 4, and I decided to check my watch. I was a little slow off my PR pace, but it wasn't too far off. I had lots of race left, so I decided to experiment. I thought of my intervals like a CrossFit WOD. I thought I would see what would happen if I pushed a little bit harder through the last 45 seconds of my two minute run interval. I worked on it for awhile, and saw that my pace was now at my PR pace. I was encouraged.

I decided that I was going to go for it. I was going to leave everything on the course. I thought about my friends at CrossFit and about the mental toughness to get through those difficult workouts. It's OK to take a break, but then get right back to it. Try to get just a little bit more before the beep lets you know that it is time for a walk break. I stuck to that idea, and it worked. By the halfway point in the race, I was below my PR pace. I knew it wasn't over yet - I would have to keep pushing and get a negative split (faster on the second half of the race than the first) to get the PR. I kept pushing, and when I got tired, I would adjust the surge time - 30 seconds, 25 seconds, then 20 seconds. Then, there was the wall.

At about mile 11.5, everything seemed to go. I was really tired and my left IT band at the knee was really hurting. I was checking my watch, and I could see my pace slowing. People were lining the road, yelling for the runners. I was trying to suck it up, counting down the distance remaining with each interval. For the last mile, I had to literally concentrate on two minutes of running at a time. We made the turn onto the boardwalk, and I could see the finish about a 1/2 mile away. I was aching, but I ran it in. I could see my time, and I knew it was close.

I managed my way through the gauntlet of folks with the medals, water, finisher's hat, finisher's shirt, and food. I found Bill, and thought I might collapse. My legs just could not take my weight anymore. I was so thankful that our hotel was about 50 yards away. I did manage to make it back to our room, but nearly lost it when we could not get the door open. Standing hurt too much. I went right in to a cool bath, and I really think it helped my legs. After soaking for a bit, I was able to take a shower and get dressed so we could leave the hotel and get a much needed celebratory burger and beer.

I checked the website for my official time last night, and it was to the second the exact time of my previous PR. Sure, I wish I could have broken it, but I am happy. I did second guess myself for awhile - what if I hadn't stopped to drink the water at that one stop? What if I had had my Sports Beans instead of Gu? What if I hadn't done CrossFit and actually trained to run? Well, it doesn't matter now. I did it, I finished it, and I am happy with the overall race. I learned that I can push myself. Just wait until next year.

Well, it can't be good

OK, so if you have read this blog at all, you know I am a triathlete. I am starting to train for the longest race of my career, a half iron distance (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run). Well, I guess I am training with my friends who have long races earlier in the season (my race is at the end of October, so I will start focused training this summer.) I realized a few weeks ago that I don't really like bike riding. That could be a bit of a problem over a 56 mile course.

I am a decent swimmer and I can manage a half marathon. I just really don't like to bike. It hurts - plain and simple. It is just an uncomfortable thing for me. It hurts my shoulders, my lower back, my elbows, and my...lady parts. That darn saddle is not pleasant. I also find that I am just not good at biking. I will go riding with friends, and even when I think I am doing well, I fall far behind. It is just so disheartening.

I did my longest ride ever a few weekends ago. It was 50 miles over a fairly hilly course. I did it, but it just took everything out of me. My body was so achy, I told AC at one point that I would walk back to the start pushing my bike if I could. I can't really imagine running after it, but, then again, I will be so happy to be out of the saddle that running may be a breeze.

People keep telling me that I will love the course of my half iron distance because it is really flat (hubby and several friends did this race last year.) Still, I don't know that a flat course will help. I will still have to be on the darn bike for 56 miles.

One woman told me that I should do upper body work to help my biking. I am already doing CrossFit, and I will continue to CrossFit to build strength. Will it be enough? The same friend said to carry pain relievers with me during the race. That may be my best bet.

Decision Made - Fitness is worth it

Well, I decided I have too much more to learn at CrossFit to give it up now. I really, really like the strength I am feeling from my workouts and I love my CF friends. I am going to cut back slightly from 4 times a week to 3, but I think I will still reap the benefits. I have never done any form of strength training, so I know this decision will have many long term benefits. I think, ultimately, it will also help my triathlon training.

I may have to reconsider in the summer when tri training really ramps up, but for now - I am still a CrossFitter.

The Price of Fitness

I have a dilemma. I have never really been into fitness. A few years back, my husband suggested that I join a women's running group that was for women who had never really run. I was skeptical, but decided to join it anyway. Now, nearly 5 years later, I have run a marathon and am a triathlete. I was training in the regular triathlon sports-swimming, biking, and running, but not doing any sort of strength workouts. So, my wonderful hubby had another great suggestion - join CrossFit.

He had been doing CrossFit for a while at that point. He really liked the feel of the gym and the killer workouts. I had been to the gym during an open house, and I frankly thought those folks at CrossFit were crazy. Hubby knew there was a way to try CrossFit without being a full member - going to one of the bootcamps. I hated the bootcamp at first (I mean, it was hard!), but then I really started liking it. I completed 2 1/2 camps (I was injured about a third of the way through the first one), and met a great group of friends. When the latest camp ended in December, my friends and workout group decided to be real Crossfitters. I debated for a long time, but decided to join them.

We had our first Foundations class on January 4. There are several classes that you must take to learn the various power lifting techniques used in CrossFit. After the first class, you are allowed to take any of the regular CrossFit workouts. My group and I took our first regular class on January 10 when the new 7:15am time became available.

Here's the dilemma part. The 7:15 bootcamp was always finished by 8:00am, but the regular class will be one hour. That means I hit more traffic on the way home and have 15 less minutes to get ready for work which starts at 9:00am. It is very difficult to get to work. My boss is OK with me being just a little late, but I worry that it is being noticed by my colleagues. So, do I continue with CrossFit or not?

Pros
1. It is a strength workout that I don't get
2. I have a strong bond with my group - they encourage me during the workouts and to go to the workouts
3. It is hard and continues to push me to do better
4. It is a different workout every day
5. The coaches are wonderful

Cons
1. It is difficult to get to work on time
2. It is expensive
3. I already pay to belong to another gym. They have morning classes that I could take that would have a strength element, but would not be the same as CrossFit.
4. I would miss my friends
5. It is not really triathlon training.

What's a girl to do?