Still Alive, Just Blah

Well, I'll be brief since there's not much to report.

Last time I checked in it was all about the 10K. And that ends the exercise report.

My groove has been missing since I deferred the marathon. I am still finalizing my 2010 schedule. Currently I'm looking at The Shamrock Marathon or 1/2 Marathon in March, something in April, Florida HALF-Ironman in May, at least one race in the summer, and the Marathon Du Medoc in Bordeaux, France in Sep (there's wine at the rest stops - almost a guaranteed Personal Worst but also guaranteed to be a blast). If I can't get into the French race, I'll do another Half in Sep and Marine Corp in October.

Other catching up - while home I got to visit with my high school buds. I had a blast and it gave me opportunity to once again be thankful for all the good in my life. I have friends taking care of their elderly parents, going through divorce/separations/break-ups, lingering illness, surgeries, job loss, deployments to Iraq, etc. The silver lining is they are all taking it in stride. Seems the common theme is "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Then add vodka."

On the family front, there's some old drama that I have just become privy to and it's really pissed me off. I'm very angry with my sister but she doesn't know it (because I'm passive-aggressive). We'll see how long until she notices that I haven't called.

Other then that, still uber-happy with Dude. Still looking for motivation to exercise. Still trying to lose weight (haven't exercised since the 10K and dropped 1 pound but I'm still above Ironman weight). Still working my way through 101 in 1001.

All in all, life is good, just uneventful.

If only I won Fool's giveaway!

I'm frustrated...

Bordering on pissed off!! But first the good part...

My long bike ride went exceptionally well this week. Dude and I rode in Virginia Beach on Friday - he did about 50 and I did just over 85. Since we were in VA Bch, the ride was flat - yeah! I nailed the nutrition - it helps to have a timer that goes off every 15 minutes to remind me to eat/drink. I hear things were not so great for my teammates on Sat - toughest ride ever (Culpepper - hills, followed by steeper and longer hills) and a massive heat wave that had them riding in 90+ degrees.

Sunday - the plan was a 16 mile run. First, let's go back to my Excuses for Sale post where I said "have I mentioned that I love running?"

What happened to that girl???? Two weeks in a row that I have not been able to run. Am I injured? Nothing hurts that bad - yes I hurt but not enough for the "injured" label. Was it the heat this week? Possibly - it was fricking hot! I just can't get into a groove while running, which use to come naturally.

Anyhow - since I'm 99% positive I will not be able to run the full marathon at IMS I've decided to start run/walk training - trying for 12/2 (12 min. run/2 min. walk). That worked for the first 1/2 (oh, by the way, I think I only got 12 miles in - if that). On the return, I reversed the 12/2 and walked for 12, ran 2. Ok, maybe not that bad, but pretty darn close.

Disappointing, frustrating, demoralizing.

Send some positive thoughts my way people - cause I'm fresh out!

Groove Missing

It started last Saturday during the 20 miler. I ran it, there were no issues but I never found my groove. Like I said in my blog - I just plodded along.

Now, two swim practices later, still no groove. Usually I find it during the first set and settle in for the duration. Nope, nada, zilch.

It's not that I'm having trouble with the workouts. The runs are going great. In the swim I'm keeping up, even considering moving up a lane. OK, so I haven't been outside riding in awhile but I do make spin class and I keep up with the workouts and I get on the trainer on Sundays. So it's not difficulty (not saying it's easy), I'm not bored, I'm not burned out. Perhaps it's apprehension about my 1st marathon and IMS? Or maybe I'm not pushing myself enough? Or, maybe this is just a phase and is a normal part of training. Who knows.

This doesn't do justice to the feeling - it's hard to describe. All I can say is my groove is missing. If you happen to see it out somewhere please send it back home.