What Now....

Mind if a brag for a moment? I mean I really need to share this with someone. Today I ran 10 miles. I know you are thinking, "So what? That's what you do." But, but, but in the three weeks since Dopey, I've run a TOTAL of 7.5 miles. Yes, I've been swimming and spinning. It's such a surreal feeling to know I can pull a 10 mile run out of my back pocket. It helps when you're running with a friend who talks as much as you do. And you stop a few miles in to chat with friends you've crossed paths with on the Silver Comet Trail. But I did it! And damn if TG doesn't like to park where we have to run up a hill at the end.

The most horrible selfie ever taken of me and Tshirt Guy

Ok, back to the life updates...

A couple of months ago I was shopping for a new triathlon coach. After talking with a few and thinking some personal changes were going to be happening, I decided to not select a coach at this time. However, one of the coaches I spoke to said he was raffling off a free month of coaching, would I like to enter? Sure, why not. Not like I've won anything recently. I jest! I had a very lucky year which is one of the reasons I did not enter the Kona lottery. I was afraid I would win.

Anyway... Brant from Dream Big Triathlon Coaching LLC contacted me and told me I'd won a free month. SWEET! I tell him I have Dopey. We both agree to wait to get started until after I'm fully recovered from it. The time has come. I'm STOKED!

Other things that happened this week. Ironwilled, LLC was formed and filed or is it filed and formed? I was accepted and registered for the Level 1 USAT course in Nashville. I signed up to learn how to teach adults to swim. Lacrosse season started (#whistlewhileyouwork).

I had a date. I think I'm now the Vice President of my homeowners association board of directors, or something like that. I burned myself at Starbucks.

I think the most exciting thing to report on was that I got 11 hours of sleep Friday night. I know I need to get out more.

I'm guessing most of you won't read this because I'm publishing it during the second half of the Superbowl, but sometimes, I just like to yammer about.

If you actually read this far and you missed last week's about volunteering, you should check it out. I had a blast with Stacy at the Hot Chocolate 15K/5K volunteering.

Have a great week!

A Wig, a Bike, a Big Mouth....

What a weekend! I am learning to embrace going out of my comfort zone. What is the saying? Growth begins where comfort ends?

Friday night I got to enjoy amazing home made Indian food with some amazing tri friends and then Saturday was a whirl-wind of events including a lovely quick trail run on which I performed a public service and confirmed that gravity is still indeed working on our planet.

Then dinner with some FB friends in real life...

Happy Birthday, Dash!

And then a NGTC social in which these simple yet delish treats disappeared almost before I got them down on the table.

Cheesecake filled strawberries and chocolate covered strawberries

Then there was Sunday....The Hot Chocolate 5K/15K in downtown Atlanta. I don't like the course and I find it expensive, so I opt out of racing it. However, I knew many people who were and a good friend invited me to come down and cheer with her.

This was my first time spectating a race AND wearing a costume. Cheering I could handle, it was the wig and tutu I wasn't necessarily excited about. But then this happened....

In a moment of being humble: I looked adorable and the sign says: In search of a good man with BETTER endurance.

A special thanks to my sister who loaned me her bicycle. Yes, I have two of my own, but neither is a comfy beach cruiser!

Me and Stacy on our way from Mile 1 to Mile 9 to continue cheering.
Thanks for the picture Richie Rich!

I loved seeing friends on the course. A couple even took time to stop for a quick picture. Others came by for a high-5 or a hug. I thoroughly enjoyed cheering on EVERYONE. The fast runners, the walkers and everyone in between. I got lots of laughs and when I realized (which I already knew this race would be mostly women) I was cheering a pack of women I just yelled, "Tell your brother to call me!" and "I'll be on this corner later too!" Lots of laughs, high-5s and even some random pictures.


Milia at the end of the race (she turned around and came back for me)!

Dash at the beginning

These lovely ladies suggested we take our picture with them. I probably shouldn't out them and say, I think they wanted an excuse to stop. But look at them, they looked awesome!

I had so much fun. If you remember I had fun volunteering too! What have I learned? There is much joy to be found just being part of the race day. Volunteer, spectate, race just get out there!

After the race Stacy and I were having so much fun with the bikes, we took them down to the river to keep riding. We had a blast remembering that we used to ride our bikes for fun. I must admit if my trainer had the saddle this beach cruiser has, I'd pedal away everyday. No hoo-ha issues!!!


Thanks Luis for the photo. Thank you Steve P. for the streamers!

After a fantastic weekend (I also found out I'm going to be attending the USAT Level 1 class in April!!) I had a blah start to Monday. How hard is it to remember to pack your panties in your gym bag? AND while this is not the first time I have forgotten an under garment, I also packed the wrong jeans. I packed my skinny jeans and not my baggy jeans. Why is this a problem? One, I don't feel 'skinny' and two, the skinny jeans sit tight on my knees that are banged up from the weekend. Good thing I work in a 'no dress code office'. I'm in my running tights for later!

And a funny dating bit since I know many of you enjoy these. I haven't heard from this man in 3 weeks. This is the text I get today:

I'll leave you with this thought....changes are in the air. Watch this space for developing information!

That Was a Dopey Idea.....

Back in April 2014 in some sort of delusional state I, and about 7000 other people, signed up for runDisney's Dopey Challenge. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Challenge shirt and 6 medals

At no point in my training after IMFL did I ever get excited about going out to run. Was I happy to spend amazing moments on foot with friends, yes, but the run part, meh. Then leading up to my last long weekend of training, I began to have legitimate calf and arch issues. My handy network of trusted advisors and massage therapist all advocated I ditch the long workouts and just begin my taper. This development did nothing to change my attitude of impending doom of 2:45am alarm clocks.

I kept telling myself I would get more excited as the event got closer. Meh.

I met up with Joel and Tammi Wednesday morning and we made the drive down together. Headed straight to the Orlando airport to pick up Kemper and then off to the house we rented to unload the car. Driving down has its privileges. A lot of things I had to buy last year I just brought with me.

We piled back into the car after claiming rooms and then picked up Jason to head to the expo.

Jason doesn't know what to do with his hands if he's not photo-bombing.

I was very disciplined and only picked up 1 thing I wanted (new green tiara visor) and 1 item I forgot (spibelt - duh!). Otherwise there was nothing commemorative I needed as Stephanie had already picked me up a magnet and that was the only souvenir I was getting. With my registration fees I was given 1 t-shirt and 5 long sleeve tech shirts. Why do I need more event clothing?

Paige and Charlie spotted me at the expo and then they joined us for dinner. After dinner there was a quick trip to the grocery store and then to our home for the week. It didn't suck! 5 bedroom, 6.5 baths, pool/hot tub, home theatre, pool table, natural gas grill and the best stocked kitchen I have ever seen in a rental property. If you want information on staying here on your next visit to Orlando, let me know.

Each bedroom had a king sized bed except for one which had 2 twins.

This trip was different from last year. Not saying it was better or worse, just different. Last year everyone in the house piled into cars and headed out together for each race and waited for each other at the end. This year groups divided and fended for themselves. Last year even though we had the house for the weekend, we ate out every meal (or ordered in). This year I ate out a total of 3 meals, everything else we cooked in the kitchen. Okay, this part was better. I really enjoyed cooking at the house. We ate less, we spent MUCH less, and it was quiet and we were able to talk with each other. We had pancakes and bacon, make your own fried rice, chicken and veggies from the grill, baked ziti. Simple and easy. Many meals thanks to Joel's peer pressure were cell phone-less.

Last year I met up with some tri friends I had connected with through a Facebook group for single triathletes. We met at Downtown Disney and it was loud and hard to talk to each other. This year I offered to host it at our house. I made some food. Michele brought salad and Tobias and Mark brought some fruits and veggies. Most memorable though was that Tobias brought Rittersport chocolate from Germany. I may be in love. I digress. We just sat around the table and chatted about different things and ate. I think Andrew might have even managed to stay awake the entire time.

Outside of the races it was a nice relaxing weekend. Hung out, talked with new friends, watched a movie in the home theater and just kicked back.

But the part you are really waiting for is the race reports. Yes, plural because if you missed it, the Dopey Challenge is 4 events (I choose to not call them races.) in 4 days. The 5K starts at 6:15am and then the 10K, half, and full all start at 5:30am. That's the Dopey part...waking up when half the country is just going to bed.

The whole goal of the weekend was to have fun and take lots of pictures. Stephanie and I knew we were going to run the half and full together, the 5k was just an added bonus.

The 5K is Disney's Family Fun Run. It stays within Epcot and you weave back and forth a lot. I was in Corral B with Stephanie (of course because all of our races have been together!). We both hid in the car as long as we could because it was cold and windy. There was a wind advisory. I don't think I'm going to race in Florida ever again. While waiting in the corral for the race to start, everyone just huddled up. There was no such thing as personal space. It wasn't desired. B-list characters, long lines, and chilly temperatures had us skip the posed pictures and just take some scenery ones. Nice relaxed 5k, some posed pictures at the end because the lines weren't too long and it was home to eat.

These 'Bananas' were awesome at IMFL too!

The 10K started from the same place as the 5K, but 45 minutes earlier. Stephanie was going to run with her friend and I decided to run with my housemates/new friends: Charlie and Kemper. We agreed to run slow and easy. Stop for pictures and walk every 5 minutes or so if it didn't overlap with a character picture. When I'm not running for time, I LOVE running with others. We got some great pictures and had a nice time running with each other. The 10K is part Epcot and highway. It isn't an exciting race. But it also isn't that long. The weather was slightly better and I was able to run in long sleeves and capri pants. The crew from the house decided that this morning was a good one for getting breakfast out. Woot-woot...Perkins! We don't have these in Atlanta.

The Half was a lot of fun. Stephanie and I met up at gear check and walked out to the corrals. The corrals are probably about a mile from the parking lot. T-shirt Guy found us at our corral and we were able to wish each other good luck (this was our first race together last year). It's really easy to meet up with someone as there are unique signs all over the place. 

Stephanie and I ran. We took pictures. We tried to keep each other reeled in when one of us picked up pace. We had a lot of fun! Very excited about putting together a book for this one and 2014. Funny, both of us were 'done' at mile 10, but neither of us said anything about it. We confessed it during the marathon the next day. The only issue from the half was one blister on my foot. We got home to pancakes and Canadian bacon made by Joel, Tammi, and Paige!

Lane is basking in the glory that he beat us, but it didn't last long as we got him on the full.

The Marathon is one race worth 3 medals. When you finish the marathon you get a medal. Then you also get the Goofy Challenge Medal for finishing the half and full and then the Dopey Challenge Medal for finishing all 4 events. I'm not ashamed to admit it, I really don't like the marathon distance. This was the part of the weekend I was dreading the most. My arches and calves were acting up and I already had one blister on my foot. During the half marathon Stephanie assured me she didn't care how long it took, she was not dropping me. We would get through it together.

The ugly: I must have messed up my nutrition or my blood sugar must have dropped because at one point I took a moment to whine out loud about what was hurting (HUGE, I mean HUGE blister on my toe that I could feel sliding around and my quads and arches) and I started to cry. A few miles later, I grabbed some miniature Hershey bars (I NEVER eat the stuff they put out on the course). I ate them and half a Twizzlers a child was handing out and almost instantly, the pain wasn't any better, but I could process and cope much more rationally. Oh, and we skipped Everest. We got there too soon, lol. It wasn't going to start running for another 10 minutes and I was really afraid if we stood still in line for 10 minutes, I might not be able to start running again.

The good: The miles just ticked off. Running with Stephanie is always a joy. She's such a strong runner and positive person. We took lots of pictures. I got to see my friends Ada and Martin as they volunteer at a medical tent. We talked to other Ironmen on the course. We walked through every water stop to sip on water and/or Gatorade. We thanked the volunteers. We kept moving forward. There was a time getting in and out of ESPN that we noted how freakin' boring the course was, but considering how long it took us to get through the course, the time really flew by.

The villains were awesome. It was absolutely worth the wait. Special thanks for the cast member who refused to take pictures of a woman who cut in from the other side.

This marathon was by far the hardest, the slowest and the toughest I've ever run. I never had any doubt that I would finish (even though I didn't really want to start it). Let's be clear: I'M NOT DOING THIS AGAIN NEXT YEAR!

The most awesome part of Dopey last year was running the half and full with friends, especially Adam. The most awesome part of running Dopey this year was getting to run with Stephanie. It was a fun trip and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know some of my housemates better and enjoyed getting a chance to meet some friends from the interwebs in real life. It was also nice to just be. To my friends that knew I was in the area but I didn't reach out to: it wasn't personal. I didn't really leave the house after I returned from running.

I'm buying all the photos, I'm just waiting until they sort them all out before doing my download.

Here's the bottom line: I did it twice. I had two good experiences. It's time to find a new experience to conquer (and it's up to $550 before Active fees). Before you say it, yes, I'm thinking about an ultra, but not until 2016. 2015 is the year of IMLou and only other stuff that gets me better prepared for it.



Calling it quits on a high note.

Any Idiot Can Run.....

It takes a special kind of idiot to run 4 races in a row that requires one to wake up at 2:30/3am for 4 days straight.

I can't wrap  my head around why I'm so indifferent about this event. Maybe because I'm going with a different crew than last year... maybe because I never took any time off after IMFL. I don't know. I am going with some great people and I'm running with Stephanie for the long races. Our goals match perfectly and I know it will be a lot of fun. My house is even hosting a meet up for some friends on Saturday. It'll be tons of fun and lots of pics to prove it!

I just can't get psyched up for the event. I'm in a Facebook group and everyone is wigging out and freaking out and I'm sitting over here thinking: Eh. Is it over yet? I know once I'm packed and on the road, I'll start getting more excited. Last year I had 3 PRs for slowest times for each distance. Maybe I'll see if I can get all 4 this year!

Some of this disinterest I'm crediting to still adjusting to not having a coach. I've never needed the encouragement to get out the door. I have found that I'm missing the accountability of someone looking at my workout to see that I did it as assigned. I'm thankful for a good friend who has promised to help me with some things after Dopey. After I recover, I want to work on strength and speed to build my base for lacrosse season as well as prepping for IMLou training (another issue and it's still 9 months away.)

Yes, Barry, I'm still dating. There was the kid Christmas Day. What the heck, I'll open up my age range...he was a kid (legal but young). And he was wigged out because we knew people in common. Then there was a guy New Years Day. I thought it went well. We met up for a drink and talked for about 2 hours. He's a cyclist and a runner. Again, we knew people in common. To be honest, I'm legitimately confused as to why I haven't heard from him. I'm also over it.

It's a new year and time for renewed focus. I'm trying to figure out what I want this blog to be. Do I just keep spewing the thoughts from my head?

Do I try to become a brand like some other bloggers and some of my friends? Do I want to expand my reach or just keep sharing my 'diary' with people who, for the most part, already know me? Do you have an opinion?

So many decisions....

And That's a Wrap....

2014 comes to an end tomorrow night. I know this surprises none of you after all, the year always ends on 12/31. However, has this year left anyone wondering: Where did the 365 days go? I remember specifically panicking about IMFL being 6 months away and now IMFL was 2 months ago.

It was a good year.

I moved back home after being displaced for 12 months.

It was a good year.

For about 2 weeks I thought I had a boyfriend. I had some fun first dates, a few second dates and fewer 3rd. The dialogue on my Facebook page about my dating (frequency to lack there of) was always amusing.

It was a good year.

I participated in some events: ATC Resolution Run, Inaugural Dopey, Tybee Run Fest, Publix Half Marathon, Blalock Lake Olympic, the GA 400 Hospitality Ride, the Peachtree Road Race,   the MAAC Century, Augusta HIM, and Ironman Florida. Gatorfest was even in there somewhere (I won my AG and there was even another person in it!). Some were definitely more fun than others.

It was a good year.

I formed new friendships. I end some old ones. Both scenarios helped me get closer to becoming the person I want to be.

It was a good year.

I re-rated for lacrosse and it went very well. Janie and I started a Facebook group for female triathletes: Ironwilled: Women who TRI. This blog was finally begun.

In 2014 if I needed/wanted it, it went on my credit card. This year if I need it the first question will be: Can I borrow...? Then it will be: Do I really need it? Where can I find it for less?

I may or may not race a lot. That will depend on a few things. I know I'm doing IM Louisville, but beyond that, who knows. For those of you who really know me, I'm a planner. This lack of plan is driving me batty a bit, but it is going to be okay.

I'm looking forward to coaching. Plans are in the works for me to officially start working with a runner to help her reach her goals. I'm looking forward to that challenge and hopefully picking up a few more athletes along the way.

What can you look forward to if you stick with me? More of the same: I'm still single and dating. I'm still chasing the words: Shawna you are an IRONMAN! I'm still doing the best I can to live life to the fullest. However, this is me we are talking about, I'm sure there will be some new challenges to meet, greet and conquer!

Let's all have a kickass 2015!

Mice and Men...

The best laid plans of mice and men and all that stuff...

IMFL happened. I followed coach's guide to recovery. I started building back up for Dopey. That thing that sounded like a good idea in April: run 4 races in 4 days for a total of 48.6 miles. Don't get me wrong, it's gonna be fun! But I'm putting it in writing: I'M NOT DOING IT NEXT YEAR.

This is my first event I'm doing coach-less (in 2 years). Kind of. I worked with coach last year for this event and I pretty much copied the previous year's workouts.

But this year, something went wrong.

16 days till the first event.



 

It started a bit ago, my calves were tight. Hell, they are always tight. Then the consecutive days of running began. I haven't run 2 days in a row since I trained for Dopey last year. Actually, the last time I ran 2 days in a row was at Dopey. My calves and my arches have been bothering me.

 

Saturday I participated in a clinic conducted by AVC Endurance on running drills. I didn't think anything of it and went through the clinic without issue. Well, I mean the coach told me multiple times to slow down, but no major pain issues. If you are interested in seeing some of the drills broken down. Check out the highlights they put together.

 

After the clinic I went on to complete a double digit run. Part of it I ran with Smitha the not so "Faux Runner".

Donuts for a job well done!

Sunday I rolled out of bed and could barely walk. I do think some of it was from the drills, but you know that 'achy feeling you get after a good workout of muscles you haven't used in a while' feeling. I wasn't sure how I was going to complete my 18 mile run but I really suck at quitting aka: I'm stubborn and not very bright. I met up with Sarah and Stephanie and knocked out 10 with minimal whining. After discussing the run from Saturday we all concurred that I didn't really need 18, 15 would be fine.

Best running friends!

Sarah and Stephanie headed off to their commitments and I finished my run. I decided to check out a "new to me" route. Blah blah blah... 17.4 total on Sunday.

 

I texted one of my favorite massage therapists and she told me she had an opening Monday after work. Book it! Something huge is up with my legs and this 'thing' cannot become an injury.

 

I tried to heal myself with latkes (the first and only latkes I have eaten this Chanukah). A nice night with the family Sunday. And despite my best efforts, I didn't even manage more than a 1st degree burn playing with hot oil.

 



Monday morning was our last iAthlete Yoga session at Inspire Yoga. Lots of attempts to not do an impersonation of the Tin Man. I'm not sure I succeeded.

Work, then massage time. Renee (my go to) worked on my calves and my feet for an hour if not more. Consensus: My calves are in pretty rough shape but not emitting heat (that's a good thing) and my plantar fasciitis is trying to make a reappearance after not having issues for 9 years. Renee isn't just a massage therapist, she too is an endurance athlete/Ironman/crazy in her own way athlete. We talked about what I wanted to do this week between Thursday and Sunday: 3.1, 6.2, 10 and 20 mile runs. The first one I was going to try was 20 miles on Thursday. General consensus...this is a bad idea.

How am I going to keep this nagging issue from becoming an injury? I'm going to try and not be stupid and stubborn. I have gotten some great runs completed and Dopey is all about fun with friends, pictures and medals. I cannot risk injury right now. I have plans for my legs. Lacrosse season starts in February and IM Louisville is less than 10 months away!

I going to kick up my swimming. Already on the schedule was a swim today. I've been checking out the masters swim at Agnes Scott College run by Blue Iron Coaching. Today was just as good as the others and I even got a compliment while doing my drills!

Wednesday was already scheduled as a rest day. Thursday may now be a bike trainer day and I may try running on Friday, but only if I'm pain free. 16 days to race. I have a greater risk of doing damage than reaping benefits from running on pained legs.

And of course there's this:

Doesn't everyone wear compression socks to work and keep a frozen water bottle and lacrosse ball under their desk? And for those in the know: it is not a NOCSAE ball so it's even firmer.

My new mantra:

And if you celebrate:

Merry Christmas!!!!

Dopey in 30 days (or so)....

On Monday my mother had her shoulder replaced. It's been a very tough week for her and for my dad. I was "this" close to calling out from work, canceling all my plans and heading out to be there with her. Then tonight I spoke to mom and she sounded great. She was lucid, aware and while there were still some cognitive issues, she was aware of them. I think it might have been the best conversation I've had with my mom in a while. To those of you who have included her in your prayers and have sent well wishes, thank you! Please continue as she still has a long road ahead of her!

My next event is the Dopey Challenge in January. This week was also the first week I created my own training plans, sorta.

I went back into my Training Peaks Calendar to see what I did last year and I modified it. Last year I was coming off of a sprained ankle. This year, I am coming off of recovering from IMFL. I feel confident ramping up my mileage a little bit. 

Originally I was going to run 9 miles on Friday but after running 6.2 with Adam we decided that a swim would be a better workout. After all, I didn't really have a rest day on Saturday as I had 4 lacrosse games. Sunday I was reffing 4 games before running 12 miles. He agreed with me that NOT running on Friday was a good idea.

The biggest difference between having a coach and not is that a little voice inside my head during the workout sometimes chirps: If I don't do this, or I change it, no one knows but me. While I didn't need a coach for accountability to get started on the work out, having a coach helped me stick to plan. I did end up modifying my 3 on Wednesday. I had assigned myself a cut back run, but the evening got away from me. Instead I just found a challenging route and ran that.

On Thursday I was looking for a swim workout that would break up the monotony of just swimming laps in the pool. A Facebook friend answered my inquiry for a swim workout and I did pretty well with it. It was for a full body workout and I felt it! 2400 yards done and no boredom.

Sunday was a good day! Not only did I get to trot out a pretty steady 12 mile run over one of my favorite routes, but I got to do it with 2 good friends. Then a 3rd found us and joined us for a 2 hour dinner of good food, good laughs...good times! I've taken to running in Roswell and part of the loop I do is up Timber Ridge Road. It really is getting easier. Our pace dropped slightly, but nearly as significantly has it has in the past.

Earlier in the week the t-shirt fairy came by....

I do love my Raw Threads t-shirts. There actually isn't a t-shirt fairy, but there is a T-shirt Guy. Remember him? I think the last time we were able to hang out was before he dropped me at the Publix Half Marathon. Maybe we got together after that, but I'm really not sure.

Lo and behold, TG doesn't work too far from my office so he swung by for a short visit. He also commented how he hadn't been in my blog for a while and he felt neglected. Hey TG... you made it again!

No new dates to report, but the count this week of married guys (or might as well be married guys) who have told me, "If I weren't married you'd be in trouble," is THREE. As I tell them, this isn't helpful. Maybe I'll make a great second wife.

Meanwhile, I'm tired. It's late. I survived my first week of only be accountable to me!