August Round Up

Oh hey, another month down and another month of me not really hitting my goals. I did manage to finish the CO Trail challenge, though, and "race" two tris as part of the Feisty Team's Feisty Games (... over the course of several days. I regret nothing).

This year, man.

Anyway, on to the numbers, shall we?

Swimming: 14050m (8.7 mi)
Cycling: 112.51 mi
Running: 35.66 mi
Strength: 31 sessions (5:29)
Other: three hikes (2:24:26), two walks (1:20:51)

Swimming was the only thing I met (and exceeded) my goal on this month. I'm trying to get back to my bare minimum 10K a month again and right now, it's working. The process of getting to the gym so I can guarantee a lane is kind of a pain in the ass, but I'm still grateful that I even can swim, so there's that. Hopefully that gratitude keeps continuing.

Cycling ... just ugh. I really need to get out on my bike more and I REALLY need to get back doing hills. The 40K ride I did as part of the Feisty Oly tri was NOT fun. Ugh.

Running has weirdly been coming around. I had a speedy run in Vegas before we left (went for B's birthday) and then the 10K I did for the Feisty games was only a minute slower than the SMASH virtual Mother's Day run (which I went hard at). I'll take it.

Not as much extraneous stuff (hiking and the like) and with the weather changing, I'm not so sure that will change either. But maybe. We'll see.

I don't know. 2020 is weird. Planning is hard. All I try to keep doing right now is to move my body and maintain some semblance of fitness.

July Round Up

Can you guess how July went? Can you? 

I'll tell you - not as well as I was hoping. Oh wait! That's how it always goes!

... I'm over this year. I really am.

Swimming: 8372m (5.2 mi)
Cycling: 106.96 mi
Running: 28.53 mi
Lifting: 28 sessions (5:56)
Other: six hikes (9:42:32), three walks (2:31:28)

Swimming was down again. Partly due to the birthday trip (no swimming there) and partly due to the fabulous pool of fabulousness changing its hours. However, even though my good 24 closed for good (*cries*), the crappy, closer one is back open, so swimming there has started to happen again. I have to get there like 15 minutes before my reservation time to make sure I snag a lane (and go dressed in my swimsuit), but hey. It's been working.

I don't know what happened with the bike. It's been rough. I'll just say that.

Same thing with running. A few of those walks were actually supposed to be runs. Ugh.

While I didn't technically lift every day (still with the TIU daily), I didn't skip a daily - screen-shotted them and doubled up. I did actually have another off day, too, thanks to feeling like crap after our road trip.

Hiking, though, hiking has been great. That's been the main upside to things.

We just got word (literally as I was writing this) that Memphis has been cancelled (big surprise), so we'll see if I race again this year. I'll have a fake tri as part of the Feisty team and a few running races are starting to happen around the metro, but I'm still not sure on whether I actually want to do any of them. We'll see.

June Round Up

June was a bit disappointing for both of us. But also really, really nice in other ways. Read on ...

Swimming: 13684.91m (8.5 mi)
Cycling: 137.38 mi
Running: 36 mi
Lifting: 30 sessions (6:34)
Other: one hike (3:00), four walks (4:13:16)

The biggest and best part of this month is that swimming number. LOOOOOK AT IT! So while 24 just opened, their pool still isn't. And they closed the nice one anyway. However, the outdoor pool near my parents' house is open and for $7 (non-resident), you can swim for 70 minutes. I am all about that and have been going on average twice a week. CCSP also finally opened for open water, so we got in one of those, too.

I'm also learning that I have probably been swimming in yard pools (as opposed to meter pools), so there's that. Whatever, I'm swimming again in a gorgeous pool and it is GLORIOUS.

Everything else though ... ugh. Cycling has been a struggle again. Have gotten up to Boulder to climb hills a tiny bit, but not nearly as much as I would like. It doesn't help that Tucson is on fire and the Catalina Highway (that is, Mt. Lemmon) is closed so I will not be able to do the original birthday goal. I will still ride; it just won't be an epic ride up a mountain.

Running I have no idea what's going on there. Half those walks (or more) were supposed to be runs. 

Boulder 70.3 was officially cancelled, so the only race still on the schedule is Memphis and we'll see if that actually stays a thing. There have still been virtual races (SMASH has another one coming up on the 4th), but eh. I'm doing a bit better with the Colorado Trail challenge, and my main goal for July is to actually finish that (a month early). We'll see if I do.

I'm also hoping to hike more, so fingers crossed that happens!

May Round Up

Working out ever since the pandemic hit as been weird. Obviously I haven't been able to swim as the pools have been closed (hopefully that changes sooooooooon) AND all the normal places for open water have also been shut down (argh), but running and biking? That can happen.

March went terrible because our brains were in shock of what was actually happening. That makes sense. April, we were settled in for the long haul and it made it easy to move. May, stuff has been kind of opening up but in weird ways and the odd frustration and impotence from March came back.

As a result, my May was crap.

But I DID GET TO SWIM AGAIN SO YAY.

Swimming: 2194.56m (1.36mi)(2400yd)
Cycling: 91.34 mi
Running: 42.95 mi
Lifting: 30 sessions (6:28)
Other: four hikes (4:15), four walks (3:22:14)

We disappeared down to Tucson for a few days and the hotel we booked had a lap pool we could use, so I finally got to swim again. Given the layoff and my usual bodily reaction to it, my final swim was the only one where I kinda felt "normal" again (I usually get nauseous my first few swims back after long layoffs and this was my longest layoff in a while). I didn't get to swim as much as I wanted, but it was still so nice to be able to swim.

Cycling was a huge disaster (got sick of dealing with people on the trails and also just sick of the same old routes) and running ... kind of the same.

I also had my first off day since August of last year when my neck freaked out on the first ... thanks to being super hungover when I finally cracked.

I'm not even saying any goals for June ... but trying to find some water might be nice as 70.3 Boulder, as of today, is still on ...

Oh wait. I have one goal - ride hills. Birthday Lemmon extravaganza is still on as scheduled, so the husband and I need to get some vert on in our lives.

Plus we did sign up for the virtual Colorado Trail challenge, so in general, miles would be good.

On Virtual Racing

We're in the middle of a pandemic. We might be nearing the end of it; we might just be gearing up for another wave. WHO KNOWS?

All we athletes know is that we don't have gyms to go to and all of our races are being cancelled.

... or are they?

Enterprising companies started hosting virtual races. Some were just the natural alternative for a race day that could no longer be held. Some just seem ridiculously on brand (see: IRONMAN, Rock 'n' Roll and their swag which includes masks ...). Others are just to give us racing and competitive types (or medal hounds) something to chase after. And some, well, it's just for the community aspect as that's a big reason a lot of us do sport - for the community aspect, and that's been taken away from us.

We can't see our friends at a race, so why don't we do the same race virtually?

... sure, let's go with it.

In any case, I've done three recently. I haven't put them in the race log (... because they're not actually races imho), but I figured I could at least make them into some blog content.

 Race #1: Mother's Day Smashfest Virtual 10K

Smashfest Queen put on a Mother's Day virtual race for either the 5K, 10K, or half-marathon distance. I decided on the 10K because why not. I actually attempted to race the thing, too. 

Race cost some money, for a swag race shirt. That I'll get some time in June. Because SMASH. Part of the fee also went to charity - No Kid Hungry.


With my bib. Yes, I printed all my bibs out. No, I didn't actually wear them running. #selfconscious


Husband got me as our run paths crossed.

I haven't actually raced a 10K in quite some time, so this kinda hurt. And also reminded me why I don't particularly like the distance.

Result: 6.26 mi in 1:05:05

Race #2: Skirt Strong Frickin' Women Virtual 5K

A couple of the current ambassador captains came up with the idea of this virtual race and, as an ambassador myself, of COURSE I was going to do this.

Race was free. It was for everyone. You could walk it or run it or whatever. 


Note the new race hat - it's a T. rex! Thanks to a random friend for introducing me to Bandanna Running in Boise and then Bandanna themselves for shipping to Colorado.





Didn't race this one nearly as hard. Also ran it with B, so that was partly why. Also it's really hard (at least for me) to click into race mode without the whole atmosphere and stuff.

Result: 3.12 mi in 33:03

Race #3: Conquer COVID-19 Virtual 10K

What, another 10K? Yes, I know. B and I both signed up for this one. Since running the Dino Half a few years back, we still get emails from Runtastic Events. With the whole shift to virtual ... they got creative. And really, we just ran this one for the medal.

So yes, we paid for this one. Did not pay extra for the t-shirt. Mostly just paid for the medal. Also had to actually upload results. They also donated $5 from every entry fee to a local running store. I chose Cadence Running Company in Arizona, since apparently that's how I'm getting shoes now.




The ever elusive both feet in the air running shot.




B coming into the "finish."


Done! The medals look like rolls of toilet paper. There's a spinner in the middle that looks like the coronavirus. The stuff on the back is along the lines of that Stay Home logo thing you see on Instagram.


My medal Monday shot. You get a sense of the ridiculousness here.

I will say we signed up for this basically solely for the medal. I'm hoping that, sometime in the future, we can look back on this medal as a humorous reminder of a pretty tough time.

Also B remembered with me why 10Ks suck. We didn't run this one nearly as hard as I did the Smash one the week prior.

Result: 6.21 mi in 1:11:25

*****

I think the virtual races do have a place, but they definitely don't replace actual racing (for me, at least). 

The other thing that's emerging, however, is virtual challenges. One I know a lot of people doing is GVRAT - the Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee - run however many miles it is for the length of Tennessee (... somewhere around 1000, I think?) over the course of the summer. I'm not interested in that, but local company 3W Races is doing something on a smaller level - hike, walk, run, and/or bike the length of the Colorado Trail (486 mi) over 90 days (essentially June, July, and August). You can do it with a team or solo - Brandon and I think that we can hit that mileage across all those disciplines easily. 

Check back for the May recap next week to see if we actually pull the trigger on it ...

Finish Lines

There are a lot of start lines in our lives. 

Birth, jobs, relationships, friendships, races, projects. 

It only stands to reason that there are finish lines, too.

Some are our own, but some we're only witness to. We may not have seen our grandmother's start line, but we've probably seen her finish line.

Some are worth mourning. Some are worth celebrating. Some, you feel nothing but relief.

In terms of racing, I've seen 125 start lines and 120 finish lines. Of those five missed finish lines:
- four I'd make the same choice on missing them again.
- one I regret.
- one which was nothing but relief.
- one where I still wonder "what if."

(Note: the "what if" and the regret are not the same race.)

Some finish lines in life blindside you. The end of friendships, divorces, death. Some leave you feeling relief; others bitterness; others joy. Some leave you feeling all of the possible feels you can feel.

The announcement of Skirt Sports' possible finish line is doling out the latter - feeling all the feels. 

I understand and respect Nicole DeBoom's decision to explore another path in her life. 

I'm deeply saddened at the potential loss of a brand that has been there for me for 13 years; one that I can know automatically if I purchase something that it will fit. 

I (okay, really B) feel a bit of relief that I no longer have to get creative with closet and drawer space to fit in even more Skirt. 

I also feel relief that Skirt is so well made that I will continue to have those pieces for another 13 years if I so choose to since I know they'll last that long. 

I feel anger at the circumstances that forced their hand while simultaneously understanding that this decision would probably have come regardless eventually, but maybe just not. right. now. 

I rejoice in the friends and connections I have made, knowing that those won't just go away because the clothing brand connecting us might.

I don't even know how to describe one of my feelings - of what I might miss out on, whether it be some amazing new fabric or print or product, or even new friend that might now not be made. Not fear, not angry ... impotence? Frustration? Sadness of what will never be? Mourning of lost possibility?

My first Skirt was a shirt, and I wrote a poem back in 2018 about what that one simple item of clothing meant. I converted to Skirt fully in 2010. I became an ambassador back in 2015, a captain in 2016, a model in 2018. I attended retreats each year I was an ambassador (this year not withstanding)(dang COVID-19)(2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).

I'm thankful a friend talked me into doing Tri for the Cure in 2007, not only for sparking my torrid love affair with triathlon, but for unintentionally teaching me about Skirt Sports (the apparel sponsor).

I'm thankful for the silly SkirtChaser series that Brandon and I decided to run in 2008 which got me my first actual Skirt.

I'm thankful for the wide range of products and awesome patterns that got me sucked in.

I'm thankful I took the plunge and introduced myself to Nicole at the Tri for the Cure expo in ... either 2011 or 2012.

I'm thankful for the reboot of the ambassador program (the current one to this day) and for them accepting me in 2015.

I'm thankful for that first retreat in part for introducing me to Kim and Jake's.

I'm thankful for their faith in me and choosing me to be a captain in 2016.

I'm thankful for the countless connections I have made through Skirt.

I'm thankful for the community they gave me at a time in my life when I deeply needed one.

I'm thankful for them pushing me out of my comfort zone in so many little ways that I didn't even realize it was happening at the time.

I'm thankful for their trust in me to become one of their Real Woman models, and thankful I ignored my fears to even model a sports bra.

I'm thankful I was able to honor the company's 15th anniversary by wearing the newest iteration of the Race Belt Skirt at IRONMAN Wisconsin, the race Nicole won while wearing the very first Skirt prototype.

I'm thankful that while I wasn't there at Skirt's start line, I stumbled upon their race, and will be able to celebrate with them at their finish line. 

Nicole, thank you. Thank you to you and to everyone I've known at Skirt HQ over the years - Sarah, Noelle, Keri, Jen, Chris, Amy, Jenelle, Rebecca, and so many others I'm forgetting (not to mention Tim and Wilder). I feel blessed to have stumbled upon you and become a teeny tiny part of your story.

April Round Up

Another month has passed us by ... even if it's hard to tell. How did it go for me in terms of working out? Why, well thank you for asking; I'll let you know right now.

Swimming: 0m (0 mi)
Cycling: 161.82 mi
Running: 44.81 mi
Lifting: 30 sessions (8:32)
Other: five walks (2:45), one session yoga (:19)

Still no swimming. Really starting to miss it. My goal for May is to get in the water somehow, whether it be because the gym opened up again or I finally throw myself in a lake/reservoir.

Cycling numbers went up nicely. I think there may have been a trainer ride or two in there, but it was mostly outside. I'm pretty thankful for that.

Running also has been coming along well. I have signed up for a few virtual races - two 10ks and a 5k - so I'll do "recaps" for those as I do them. 

Strength work continued to skyrocket - the TIU app was free (besides just the daily workout) for a while so I did a few extra classes. I also added in some dryland swim work just so I don't lose all my swim fitness. Hopefully.

Otherwise ... I finally cracked yesterday. I'm sick of all of this crap. I'm sick of exercise being the only way I can get out and explore. I'm sick of riding and running the same paths and trails. I'm sick of not being able to travel. I'm sick of everyone else not being able to travel because it's hurting my husband's livelihood. I'm just sick of it all.