Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Routine, goals, changes.

Alex is off to his first day of High School. I would post a picture but he refused to allow us to take one. He was excited and nervous but mostly it was Bill and I who needed a hug. He's going to a small school and is involved in football so he knows lots of kids. This will make the transition easier. Bill took the morning off and we both drove him there expecting it to be a jittery event but he hopped out of the car and was off. For me this means routine is back in order. Summer was hard this year. Alex is just old enough to be more independent but I was having a really hard time letting him. With all his summer activities it made my routine fly out the window. I just rolled with it but now am craving the schedule.

I am only 6 short weeks out from Javelina 100M and the training has been going very well. My new coach is quite different than Scott. Change is good. However, letting go is a bit hard but it's exactly what I needed and am embracing it fully. Running is simple but how you put it all together to maximize time and energy is hard. For me the challenge is and most likely always will be not over doing. Once I put my money down I do what I am told. So far I have 2 hard runs a week and the rest are comfortable. During the summer I added spinning to my schedule and am doing that about 3 days a week as additional recovery. I try to keep it short. No more than 45 minutes per class. I am liking the additional strength in my medial quads. Cyclist's have rock-in legs so I put a pair on my vision board to inspire me. :) As part of my training for Javelina I signed up for a double marathon in CA. Susan and her friend are going down and I get to crash their party or add mischief to it. Susan is using it as final prep for her 100M in Kansas. The terrain is perfect for Javelina and the timing seemed right. I am excited to do something new. Which bring me to my next plan.

I have felt a bit stale lately. I really feel the need to see and experience some new stuff. For 2011 I have come up with a list of races I want to do. Many of them will be new. It's time for me to pick some races I have never done before. In 07 when I did the Grand Slam and finished the Leadville 100M I was immediately drawn to the Leadwoman. Bill remembers me talking non-stop about it for a month. I came home and in the Fall bought a mountain bike. Well it got dusty after I really hurt my knee riding. My refusal to learn how to use clips cost me plenty and my recovery was not fun. The following year I put in the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike race and didn't get in. I moved on. Well I've moved back. After being there this year for Micheal's race I got the itch again. And.....I found out (almost 90% sure) you can get into the MTB race if you sign up for the Leadman or Leadwoman event. I can't stop thinking about it so therefore I need to do it. If this entry policy is the case I am going to do it! Bill is all in. Alex.....only if don't make him climb another 14er, I am sure I will. This means I need to learn to ride my really nice full carbon mountain bike! I don't have a clue how to ride but I have friends in all the right places. Kris and her soon to be hubby are experts so I am lined up with a couple of events. Also, Susan's hubby Rich can give more info about how to ride a bike than I will ever need to know. Finishing the MTB in under 12 hours is a requirement. I think that's pretty stiff and will most certainly be my biggest hurdle. I am excited! The Leadwoman event starts with the Leadville Marathon on July 9th then 2 weeks later you can choose the 50 mile run or 50 mile MTB. 2 Weeks later you need to complete the 100M MTB race then the following day the 10K run. The finale is a week later when you run the Leadville 100M run. I better get those tires pumped up!

8 comments:

  1. Wow crazy! That scares me. But I can see why it entices you!

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  2. The biking will be a cool adventure for you. I can't wait to hear how this progresses. What fun!!!

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  3. Did you pick an east coast run?

    I might just have to find a MTB and do a little training with you. It's something I fear, but also something I'm anxious to tackle.

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  4. I am all for new challenges and new races and unusual goals! Stale never sits good with us:) Heck, I am planning on yoga competition in a year..eek! Please do hint on a coach, curious whos' captured your plan these days. Alas, don't let these comments dissapear! Rock on, sista!

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  5. Olga, I will email you! :) I like the idea of a yoga competition and will be rooting for you from the non-bendy sideline.

    Amy, Bull Run Run if I can make it happen. Please, please get a mountain bike. Nice race up at Hood that Kris says I could do. Also, AZ in Feb for a race....or more like "can I do this without killing myself or someone else".

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  6. Bull Run Run is a personal favorite. I might even join you. I'll work on the mountain bike, although I'm trying to stay upright these days.

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  7. Ronda,

    I got goosebumps reading about the Leadwoman schedule!!! What a perfect set of events/adventures to get you out of the training doldrums! My husband rode in the Shenandoah Mountain 100 MTB race in 2007 (check my 2007 posts for a fun report with pics). Hard as heck for him but perfectly doable for someone like you with an ultra mindset. Can't wait to follow your training! Keep us posted. I may have to get back into mountain biking myself...thanks for the inspiration!

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  8. WOW! That is so exciting and sounds like a big challenge that I know you can tackle. It's important to mix it up and this sounds like it's right up your alley!

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