The Bittersweet Half Ironman

My Mom, my Dad, and I right before the swim.

This past weekend, my Dad competed in the Steelhead Half Ironman in Benton Harbor, MI.  Needless to say this was a very bittersweet event for me to witness.

First off, I just want to say that my Dad is amazing.  He was awesome throughout the entire event, and ended up finishing 12th in his age group out of 80.  I am so proud of him, and couldn't be happier for him.  Now for the bitter part...I should've been in this event with him.

About a year ago, I started doing triathlons with the intent of doing this Half Ironman.  I had training schedules planned out, as well as other races leading up to it.  Unfortunately though, school got the better of me.  My final year of college was crazy busy and I had very little time to train.  Which ment by the time summer hit, it was simply too late to get into shape for this event.  I know that this is a "legitimate" excuse, but it is still an excuse nonetheless.  Although I had a great time cheering my dad on, I couldn't help but be a little disappointed in myself for not participating as well.  I kept thinking things like "If only I would've gotten up earlier during the semester, I could've trained."  I understand that to most these thoughts seem irrational, I mean, who takes THREE Senior Capstone Projects, AND trains for an event like this? Me. I do.  This is what I do.  I work myself to the breaking point both physically and mentally to achieve what I want to achieve.  I do think that I made the right decision to only focus on school, but it's a decision I had to face the repercussions of head on this past weekend, and it was NOT easy.

My awesome Dad after finishing the Half Ironman.

BUT, life goes on.  There will be more races, and you better believe that I will be competing in them.  So what's next on the race schedule?  A few things.  First, on September 15th, I will be running in a nighttime 10K.  Then on October 23rd, I will be running the Rock 'n Roll St. Louis Half Marathon.  Then, I will be doing the Las Vegas Ragnar Relay in November.  I'm really excited to get back into racing.  After all, it's my motivation.  This time, I intend to train for them doing the Crossfit Endurance program.  I've got nothing to lose trying it out.  I've heard a lot of good things, and it will definitely make me a better athlete.

I know I will for sure be able to successfully train for the half marathon using this method, but I really want to push this program to the limit and see if I can train for next year's Steelhead doing CFE.  It is a very controversial thing within the running/triathlon community.  There are a lot of people who think that it is not possible to train for such an event without putting in countless hours.  However, there are also a lot of crossfit people who believe it's more about the quality of training as opposed to the quantity.

So, even though I may have disappointed myself a bit by not competing this past weekend, I think some good has come out of it.  I don't think I would've found out about the CFE program had I not fallen out of training for so long.  I am really excited to see how far I can push myself, and I look forward to exploring all that CFE has to offer.

CrossFit and Paleo

Well, I have officially joined a crossfit gym in Chicago! (crossfitdefined.com).  So far I love everything about it.  The coaches are great, the atmosphere is great, and the peer support is great.  I really look forward to becoming a part of the community.

Now, before I talk about why I started doing crossfit, I want to talk about why I started Paleo.  Well, there are many reasons, such as, not really ever feeling 100%, being tired, not being healthy, etc... but, the biggest reason is I am not happy with my body, nor have I ever been.  I know I'm not overweight, actually, I am exactly the right weight for my height, however, I am still not happy with that.  I want to be lean and fit and running was not cutting it.  I've spent 3 years marathon training and still not gotten the body I wanted.  I would attribute that mostly to diet.  I'm pretty used to eating whatever I want whenever I want and that simply doesn't cut it.  So about 2 months ago I started eating paleo.  I cut all grain out of my diet and most dairy.  I only eat good quality foods, but don't watch quantity, which is awesome!  I don't need to count calories at all.  By doing this, in 2 short months I have already started to see results (and that's with virtually no exercise).  If there's one thing I've learned by doing this, it's that you absolutely cannot out-exercise diet.

Now, a bit as to why I started crossfit.  Well...again....I am not happy with my body, but also I am very one sided as an athlete.  Running was awesome at getting me into running shape, but that didn't make me very well rounded.  I really want to become a more rounded athlete, with not just leg strength, but upper body strength, and core strength as well.  I also want to see how far I can push myself fitness wise.  Since I ran my first marathon at age 19, I often find myself thinking "well, now what", so I need something a little different to work towards.  The really awesome thing about the gym I joined, is they also have endurance classes, which incorporate long distance training with crossfit training.  So I am still able to do my running with crossfit.

I am really looking forward to this new kind of training, and I am optimistic that this time I will get the results I'm looking for.  One of my goals is to compete in the CrossFit Games this upcoming season.  I may not get very far, but at the very least I am going to compete in the Open bracket.  A longer term goal of mine is to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  This is something I've wanted ever since I started running, unfortunately though, I have always been slow, so I never really saw it as a realistic goal, just a dream.  Now, with this new kind of training, it is looking more and more possible for my dream to become a reality.

Off the Wagon

Whelp, not only did I fall of the band wagon, it ran me over, backed up, called me fat, then ran me over again.  I ran the Chicago Marathon in October and the Route 66 Marathon in November.  Since then I haven't done much of anything at all.  Well I graduated College, I suppose that is something.  My final semester was insane and I simply did not have the time to dedicate to training.  BUT, school is over, summer is here, and it's time to whip my ass back in shape.  How will I be starting?  Crossfit.

My Dad has been doing Crossfit for a few months now and I decided to give it a try.  This weekend I will be accompanying him for my first real workout in 6 months.  I guess we will see how I like it.  Now, I do not plan to do ONLY Crossfit and stop running and triathloning.  I want to use Crossfit as a mechanism to become a more rounded athlete.  Crossfit 2 times a week, swim/bike/run the other days.  As of right now I am not signed up for any long distance races and I think I want to keep it that way this season.  I really want to focus on becoming faster and stronger as opposed to focusing on long distance races.

This is something I've been wanting to do for quite some time, but I've always been signed up for a marathon, so I never really had the chance.  Well here's my chance.  I am essentially starting over fitness-wise and I fully intend to build myself for speed and strength alongside endurance this time.

Tri 1 Down and Marathon Update

Well I completed my first triathlon which officially makes me a triathlete and a whole new flavor of crazy. I did the Clark Lake Triathlon in Jackson MI on July 17 2011. The distances were .5 Swim, 13.5 Bike and 4.25 Run. It was tons of fun and I discovered that I am actually a pretty good swimmer in comparison to others in my age group. My biking skills (or lack thereof) however, need great improvement.

Next tri on my list is the Bangs Lake Triathlon in Northern Illinois on August 14 which my dad will do as well. This tri is an Olympic distance which is a 1500 meter swim, 40K bike 10K run. All of this is in preparation for next racing season where my dad and I are going to tackle a Half Ironman, most likely in Benton Harbor, MI or Muncie, IN.

But wait Elisa, aren't you signed up for the Chicago Marathon again this year?
Oh yeah...that...I'm still training for the Marathon as well, it's actually a lot more enjoyable because I'm not just running all the time, I'm also biking and swimming. I threw together a mish-mash of about 4 different training programs to accommodate all of the races I have planned for this year. I basically took a beginning sprint tri, intermediate olympic tri, half marathon and marathon training program and created the madness that has become my summer.

For the first tri I took the swims and bikes from the sprint tri program and mashed them with the runs of the half marathon program, then after Clark Lake I switched over to the swims and bikes from the Olympic program and the runs from the marathon training. So far it's been working great. I haven't gotten injured and I haven't felt under-trained for my long runs (knock on wood) So after the Olympic I will take out the swimming and add more runs in prep for the marathon. If all goes according to plan I will still be in great shape for the marathon on October 9th.

Because Marathons Aren't Crazy Enough....

Well, I bought a bike. The reason? IronMan.

I've been thinking about getting into triathlons for quite some time now and I finally took the plunge. I bought a bike and I intend on doing a sprint tri and an olympic tri this year. Next year I am going to do a half IronMan and attempt to qualify for the IronMan World Championship in Kona Hawaii. In order for me to qualify I need to place first in my age group in any IronMan event of either 70.3 distance or full distance. Since not too many people my age are attempting these distances, I have a pretty decent chance.

Why would I want to do this? The answer is simple: Because marathons aren't crazy enough.

Book

As crazy as it may sound, I've decided that I want to write a book about running. The direction I'm thinking is a training guide for college students. There are several running books out there geared towards the elite, Boston qualifiers and middle aged runners, but not so many aimed at the younger population. Since I ran my first half marathon at 18 and full at 19, I think I would be able to help train and motivate other college students to tackle 26.2.

Possible title...

Midterms and Marathons: The long distance training guide for college students.

Wish me luck.

Do's and Do Not's of Racing

Over the past two years I have run quite a few races and at each of these races I see a lot of first timers making MANY mistakes. So I have compiled a list of racing do's and do not's.

1.) If you run at an 11-minute pace, don't start up with the 7-minute milers. Everyone will hate you for being in the way and you will just feel bad about yourself for not being able to keep up.

2.) If you run at a 7-minute pace don't start with the 12's and then wonder why everyone is "in your way"

3.) At the start line, if you are in the right pace group BE PATIENT. Don't try to push your way up. Everyone will cross the start line eventually.

4.) BRING TOILET PAPER. I cannot express the importance of this one enough. At a race with 40,000 runners toilet paper can be a scarce resource in port-o-potties, bring your own and avoid some very unpleasant experiences later.

5.) Along with the port-o-potty theme. Hand sanitizer. Enough said.

6.) Hydrate. Just because you feel great now doesn't mean you will feel great later. If you wait until you are thirsty to drink some water, it's too late.

7.) If you are running with friends, please try to be aware of other runners. If you have 4 people in your group all running next to each other, it is extremely difficult for other runners to conveniently get around you.

8.) Just because you are cold while waiting for the race to start does not mean that you will be cold while running.

9.) Please do not just stop in the middle of the road to stretch, tie your shoe, blow your nose, whatever...someone will run into you, and it will hurt.

10.) Last but not least, have fun! It's your first race, you shouldn't be obsessed with finishing time or beating your friends. You should just focus on finishing and enjoying yourself.

Hot Chocolate 15K

This past Saturday was the Hot Chocolate 5/15K in Grant Park. I ran the 15K in 1:31:30 which I am very happy about.

I must say, this race is the ideal post-marathon race for many reasons.
1.) It's a race.
2.) The race is long enough so that you don't let yourself completely stop running after the marathon.
3.) The race is short enough so you don't feel pressured to "train" for it. Just a few runs to keep yourself moving is all that is needed.
4.) A chance for redemption. If you happen to not have a super fantastic marathon. This race will help you sort of redeem yourself.


Overall, this was a really great race and I highly recommend it =)

www.hotchocolate15k.com

Chicago Marathon 10-10-10

This past weekend I finished marathon #2 =) Last year I ran with my dad, but this year I ran it with my mom.

My goal for this year was to sneak under 4:30, but about 2 miles into it I knew that because of the heat tha

t just wasn't going to happen. So I decided to back off the pace and just enjoy the race with my mom.

It was yet another amazing race and I can't wait to run another. I signed up for the Hot Chocolate 15K on November 6th and my dad and I are going to try and do another marathon sometime in December or January. I just need to decide if I still want to hammer out the fulls or if I want to work on my speed with the half. I guess we will just have to

see =)

Rock 'n Roll Chicago

This past Sunday I ran the Rock 'n Roll Chicago Half Marathon and had a blast! I ran most of it with Kelly (one of my running buddies). We were on track to break 2:10 up until about mile 9 when I had to slow down a smidge. I ended up finishing in 2:12:27 which is yet another PR for me =)

Before the race I was worried about if I would be able to set a new PR or not when Kelly's husband Steve said "Elisa, nowadays you set a PR going from your bed to the kitchen." Which is true! I feel like every training run and every race I am getting faster and faster. It's an amazing feeling, definitely makes my goal of Boston-by-25 look more and more realistic!

Also, at the expo, I got to meet Kara Goucher! I got a picture with her and she signed my bib =)

Chi-2010 Training

Well, I have officially started my training for the Chicago Marathon. This year I am shooting for 4:30:00 (maybe faster...we'll see) which would knock about a half hour off of last years time.

What I decided to do is combine a few of Hal Higdon's training programs into one that I think will work pretty well for me. I'm taking the long runs from the intermediate program, the speed workouts from the advanced and the number of times running per week from the novice. I am also going to do core workout/upper body strength 2-3 times a week. So hopefully this custom program will help me reach my goal =)

It's amazing how addicted I have become to running. I used to hate it with a passion and now I just wish I was fast enough to hang with the elite crowd =P It's funny how that happens...you start running just to prove that you can do it. You don't care how slow or how fast you cross that finish line, just that you do. Then you start to think "Well I can go faster than that." and then it becomes a competition with yourself. You train harder, faster and you run more miles per week just to feed your addiction. It's pretty incredible.

Dexter/A2 Half Marathon

On June 6th I ran the Dexter/A2 Half Marathon and set a new PR! 2:15:07 which beats my previous PR (set during the first half of Chicago) by 13 minutes!

The race went really well, I felt strong the whole time and finished with a sprint. It's amazing what speed training can do. Just in the past few months I have knocked 1-2 minutes over my mile pace =)

PAWS Chicago

Alright, so the first time around I ran the marathon for me. This time I am running it for someone else =)

As many people probably know, my dog passed away recently. So I have decided to run this year's Chicago Marathon on behalf of PAWS Chicago. PAWS is an anti-cruelty organization that supports no animal should be destroyed simply because it is homeless.

My fund-raising goal is $600, I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could donate to my cause. Even if it is only a couple of dollars. Every little bit helps!

Here is my fund-raising website https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=342429&supId=293566907

Thank you!

Racing Time!

OK, so I've signed up for 2 half marathons. Dexter-Ann Arbor and Rock 'n Roll Chicago. Dexter is on June 6th and Chicago is on August 1st. As of right now I am set to break my previous half marathon PR by at least 20 minutes. I'm pretty excited at how much I have improved over the past year. Also, if I keep up the pace I've been going I will break my marathon time by 20 minutes =D

Boston 2016?

Well, I am getting faster and faster as my training progresses. Today I ran a 44:28 5-miler and this past weekend I ran a 1:58:04 12-miler. This is significantly faster than I am used to running. It is definitely a great feeling when you look down at your watch expecting to see 22 minutes at mile 2 and you actually see 18.

Today was also the Boston Marathon, I know a few people who ran this year and have run in the past. My dad has run Boston twice in the past. (He was my inspiration to start running in the first place). Over the next 5 years or so I hope to get my pace down to BQ time, which for a female my age is 3:40:59. That may seem nearly impossible considering my marathon time is currently 4:57:38, but I disagree. Through my speed training I have gotten exponentially faster over the past few months. I am hoping that a combination of intensive speed work, my long legs and my young age will be enough for me to qualify by the time I am 25. Quite a goal, and it's a goal that I fully intend on meeting.

Wait..what?

So the other day I went out for a 5-miler and ran it in 46:30...wait...what? Yeah, I was pretty impressed with myself. Initially I thought I left half a mile out somewhere. Alas I did not. Normally that run would take me about 50-55 minutes, so that's pretty awesome. It's great to see that my speed training has actually been paying off. I can't wait to set some new PR's over the next few months =D

Chi-2010!

Well, today I signed up for the 2010 Chicago Marathon. It is on 10/10/10 and I think I am going to try and make it my 10th long distance race. We will see =P

I'm really excited to be running my 2nd marathon. It's kind of funny, even though I have run multiple half marathons and one full, I still don't really consider myself to be a runner...strange.

My mom also signed up for the race and I'm pretty sure my dad is going to as well. It is going to be an awesome race and I cannot wait!

Pounding the Pavement....Again.

I haven't really been running much since the marathon, so I've decided that it's time to sign up for another race to get my motivation going again. I am going to run the Martian Half Marathon in Novi Michigan on April 11. I am very excited, this is a race that I have been wanting to run for quite some time now. I am also very happy to actually have a race to look forward to, now I feel like my running has purpose again.

I have also decided that I want to get faster, so I have upgraded to an intermediate training schedule with a lot more speed training. So hopefully in April I will kick some butt!

OK...So now what?

Since the marathon I have been experiencing a little bit of "post race depression" if you will...I have been really been struggling with the motivation to continue running. I really want to keep running but when I'm not looking forward to a race it's difficult to keep with it. With that being said I have been running a bit, usually about 15 miles a week. I did an 8-Miler this past Sunday and guess what, my OTHER knee started acting up. It is the exact same thing that happened to my left knee, the irritating thing is I did so many things to prevent this from happening and it did anyways. Oh well, at least it happened after the race. So hopefully with some ice and smart exercise the problem will go away. I am also trying to find other races to do to keep me motivated, unfortunately I do not want to have to spend a crapload of money...I guess we will have to see. I know it will be easier to find races in the spring, it's keeping it up through the winter that I am worried about...

Bank of America Chicago Marathon

As many of you know today I ran my first marathon. I loved it! I ran it in 4:57, kept a consistant pace and finished strong. BOTH of my half marathon splits were faster than my PR, that was definitely an awesome feeling.

Once me and my Dad met up with Steve and Kelly at the start we sat down and relaxed for a while before checking our bags. It was 32 degrees at the start. Frickin freezing but PERFECT running weather. The startline was a madhouse with over 45,000 people lined up.

About 5 minutes into the race I knew that I was going to beat my goal of 5 Hours. I've only had that feeling once before and that was during the Somerset Stampeed Half Marathon. Kelly ran with me, my Dad and Steve for a while, but then she broke off and finished in 4:30. After about 14 miles Steve decided to slow down a bit and my Dad and I kept hammering towards my 5 hour goal.

I felt great through about mile 17 where I started to slow down a bit, miles 17-21 were tough mentally because there weren't many spectators. At about 21.5 miles we ran through Chinatown which was exactly the pickmeup I needed. There were thousands of people through this stretch and we actually ran into one of my Dad's running buddies from Jackson, what are the odds of that?!

The last 5 miles seemed to fly by, at mile 23 there were about 10 people handing out beer which was fun and since I still had a decent amount of energy I was passing people left and right. At mile 25 my Dad looked at me and said "Just enjoy this last mile." And that's exactly what I did. Coming up on the finishing stretch we hit the one hill on the entire course, but I barely noticed it because I could see the finish line and there were so many people cheering.

As I crossed the finish line I instantly broke down with tears of joy, as did my Dad when he said "You did that EASILY! I'm proud of you."

The race was amazing and I loved every minute of it. If I can do it anyone can do it! Just remember: "Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small people who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it."

CHI 2010 HERE I COME!