On my plate

And no, I'm not talking about food (although I know my husband would love to share to all my "10-year-old diet")...

My lack of posts is equally equivalent to the lack of training I've been doing. I don't want this to be a forum of complaining and I don't have any exciting workouts to share.

But, I think I've finally kicked the last of my bronchitis. Yay! I've given the doctor the one extra week of no workouts that I said I would give her. But - it's been so long, I don't know what to do and I'm not sure I want to do anything with my group yet. (I'd rather jump back in by myself so no one sees my struggles to get the workout done...)

So, these past few weeks, with the no workout plan going on, I've been thinking about what my 2009 game plan is - what my races will be, which determines my training schedule. 2009 is bringing new opportunities for Bryon and me, and we have so much in the air! This is the first year in my years of racing (does that make me sound experienced??) that I don't want to nail down any certain races. I feel that this year will bring more obstacles (good obstacles) that will make me/us forgo a race we've signed up for which is a loss of money - and frustrating!

Jan - ?
Feb - ?
Mar - ?
Apr - ?
May - Mini Marathon Half Marathon, Indianapolis, IN
June - ?
July - Swim coordinator for Playtri again?
Aug - ?
Sept - Tour des Fleurs event coordinator
Oct - Komen Race for the Cure volunteer; Livestrong Challenge, Austin, TX
Nov - Lottery entry for NYC Marathon?
Dec - ?

(Hmm...there's no tris on here....)

What's your 2009 racing plan? If there were 1 or 2 KEY races that you could only commit to, what would they be?

Lots of holes, but lots on our plates in other parts of our lives! Here's to 2009 and great racing - and injury-free racing - for everyone!

This just in: I'm racing on Sunday

You know how my last few posts have been stating my lack of any sort of training for the past two months? So call me crazy now that you know that, but I'm thisclose to running the White Rock half on Sunday. THIS Sunday. Eek! I know I can do it, and I know not to set any great expectations for my run, but it still puts a butterfly in your stomach when you start thinking you're in a race this weekend.

(Unfortunately, my husband won't be running with me as he had recent steroid injections in his spine. :( )

But isn't that the beauty of racing? The excitement, the thrill, the hoards and hoards and thousands upon thousands of people running around you?

I have to start my mental preparation in one...two...three...

The race of no return

Not quite ready to do a full race report on Longhorn 70.3 for several reasons, but I can provide a quick overview:

Swim was short (I prefer to think fast, though)
Bike was NOT just "rolling hills"
Run was a hike

All in all, I finished. And I finished better than my last half iron distance race more than two years ago yet didn't get a PR. So at least it wasn't my worse time.

I'm still recovering, obviously. And still feeling dehydrated.

More to come...

Mind games aren't welcome

The mind games are starting. The visualizing a good, positive race is trying to trump the bad thoughts.

My chest is getting tight like I'm in the water and I can feel my heart rate getting higher.

No you don't - you're just stressed with work.

No really - I'm typing this and my heart is racing.

I don't know why. You're ready. You've had more endurance training at this point than any other big race in your years of racing.

I'm just ready for my post-race beer and food. I'm ready to be done.

That's what I'm already dealing with - but I can't! I was sitting at my desk today and found myself drifting into thoughts of a bad race or a drop out. But that's not what I want to think!

These next two days I not only need to get more sleep, but I have to start going through my race strategy.

Let's end this tri season on a good race!

5 days

Five days.

Five days until my third - yes (only my) THIRD - and final triathlon of the 2008 season. Boy has the time flown by.

Just looked up my first 70.3 race results (to give me hope) - I've come a long way since that May 2006 race. I've got two + more years of endurance training under my belt; I've done an Ironman; I've been through many injuries, many head games, much self-motivation talk -- I should be able to handle this, right?

Here they are...Ironman Florida 70.3, May 2006:

1.2 mile swim - 40:57 (2:03/100m pace)
T1 - 3:46
56 mile bike - 2.46:58 (20.1 mph pace)
T2 - 2:15
13.1 mile run - 2.41:16 (12:19 mph pace)
TOTAL: 6 hours 15 minutes 10 seconds

It was hot (98+ degrees). It was humid (90%+). Supplies on the run ran out. It was soul-breaking.

Hopefully Sunday brings great weather and good racing. (And hopefully the racing gods are watching over me - I did just give up hours of my time this past weekend to volunteer!)

Recovering post-race.

Mark my calendars!

We've made a decision! Instead of pursuing Ironman New Zealand next March, Bryon and I are tackling the PARIS MARATHON in April 2009!! How exciting?

And yes, we do know how expensive Europe is right now; the dollar is horrible; yaddayaddayadda. However - have you looked at how much a flight is to Sydney or Auckland? Let alone ship two bikes each way and enough luggage to carry ALL the gear that's required of a triathlon, let alone an Ironman? I didn't think so. :)

So, we're planning on the Paris Marathon, April 5, 2009, and do a two-week tour of Western Europe. I'm so excited! Never been to Europe, this is a big deal as it's always been a goal to visit Europe before having kids...I'm sure this is why Bryon is excited! :)

So instead of having NY Marathon my first marathon-only marathon (no swim or bike before the run), it'll most likely be the Marathon de Paris!

Any suggestions for the top 5 cities to visit? We're thinking London, Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome. Maybe Munich?

MC200 photos

Photos from this past weekend's Madison to Chicago 203-mile, 12-man running relay.

Steamed Muscles Team 2 before the race start last Friday

Handing off to Bryon on our first legs - I PR'd my 5k time, and my next leg which was a 10k!

Our last legger running down the finish chute at Montrose Beach on day 2. We finished in 25 hours and 41 minutes.

Steamed Muscles Team 2 after the race on Saturday. Time for sleep!

Bryon, me and Kevin (Bryon's brother) - Team R at it again!

Driving down the 101

My sister and me at her graudation

Whew. What a weekend. I actually left this town and left my laptop and work behind! (Although I will admit I did - briefly! - check my email on Saturday.) Hence my lack of posting, as well. So I'll try to catch you up...

Thursday afternoon I left for LA and actually ended up flying with my parents (we didn't book them together), which was nice. Bryon met us at the airport and we drove off into the sunset of Santa Monica...or at least into all the smog.

I love SoCal! Of course it had to be the hottest weekend of the year, so far, for them (temps were beating records set back in 1880-something!), but it was fun nonetheless. Saw William Shatner at LAX picking up luggage next to us, and my parents were antique shopping in Santa Monica next to Marcia Cross. Bryon got to see the Hollywood sign up close for the first time and down Sunset Blvd and Rodeo Drive. Ugh - I do hate the LA traffic though. (Where do all these people come from? And how are you able to go to the beach on an early Friday afternoon??)

The R's take Hollywood!

Friday morning, bright and early, we went to the USC campus to see my sister graduate. I was happy to say I got her her first piece of alumni gear! It was very exciting but extremely hot and stuffy, especially in the tent we were stuck in for 2+ hours! We saw her walk, helped her move out of her "apartment" (it was an attic added on to an o-l-d house that looked like it could be blown over with one puff of air), and made it to the beach for a couple of hours before we met up again for dinner.

My workout for that day: 5+ miles of walking in 93+ heat, all before noon!

Saturday was busy busy too - Bryon and I woke up and ran 6.5 miles down the Santa Monica/Venice Beach boardwalk. It didn't seem like 6.5 miles but it was - we were so distracted by the variety of people that show up! Plus, it was the first visit for Bryon so he was quite amused. And bewildered. He didn't realize that area was so dirty... After the run we rushed to get ready and went to the 3rd Street Promenade to meet the family for breakfast and shopping, took off for the Hollywood Hills and then came back for dinner at an Italian restaurant in the Promenade that Bryon and I ate at Thursday night (but it was really, really good - but the service SUCKED!).

Sunday, we raced. Of course! Can't take us R's anywhere without wanting to race. We did the Playa del Run Santa Monica aquathlon - 1000m ocean swim and 5k run. It was small and Bryon and I could actually place our transition spots next to each other, as well as start at the same time! And dang the water was cold! 63 degrees. And then we had to trek what seemed FOREVER up the beach through soft sand to get to our shoes. My legs were shot from the days of walking the whole weekend and I definitely wasn't fresh, but it was good to do a race and get an ocean/wetsuit swim in, and before CapTex this weekend! I did do what I estimated I would although I know my run could be faster. The ocean current was strong, and there were 3-4 swells that you were paddling through and all of a sudden you were stroking through air and not water 4 feet high - what a rollercoaster ride that was, so my swim time was fine with me. Plus, I finished right before Bryon! I finally got to a point in the swim at the end where I could stand up and start running out and for some reason I look behind me and there's Bryon popping up from a wave! We were at our transition spots at the same time and Bryon offered to help me out of my wetsuit, but I said no - I didn't want to keep him behind! The run was tough - I think I swallowed too much salt water and the heat was pounding down. But I kicked it in gear after getting over a stomach cramp and finished in 50 minutes.

What you don't see in the below photo is our two plates of Krispy Kreme donuts and croissant rolls! Yum. :)

The R's after the race. We tried to show those LA Tri people what's up. But uh, they were pretty fast...

After the race we cleaned up, packed, laid by the pool, said bye to my family and left for the airport. Again - whew!

Now it's Tuesday, and I haven't done anything remotely active... eek!

Oh, and can't forget - it's supposed to rain all weekend not only in Dallas, but Austin as well!! This better not be a repeat from last year when it was rained out!

California dreamin'

Santa Cruz board walk, 2006

This morning's swim:

600 pre-warm up

500 warm up

3x100, 1:50

2x200, 3:50

1x300, 5:20

100 easy

Total = 2200y

Then I had to leave. Not too shabby though.

Ugh, and it's so humid outside. Like Houston humid. Totally gross. For someone who sweats an awful lot without doing anything, it's annoying. I hate it when it just hangs around like it is. Dreaming of cool, beautiful, sunny weather... I have to keep saying it to myself...

Two race options this weekend - half marathon and aquathlon. Pretty excited and love the options we have. Of course, it'll all be a last-minute decision, but I want to do something! Never done an aquathlon before. Do you just leave your shoes in the transition area like you would your bike and shoes for a tri? I'm assuming so. We'll see how that goes.

This is my excuse

Since the beginning of the year, Bryon's been traveling nearly every week. While this is great most of the time - I finally get the house to myself! - it is a bit stressful especially on my training. He's usually here to make me breakfast in the morning after our workouts and feed the dogs - but when he's out, it means I have more to do in the same amount of time. Which means recovery drink while getting ready, feed the dogs and put Duke away, and breakfast at the office. And then I have to come home at lunch to let Duke out for a while before putting him back in the sunroom. I miss my hubby!

This morning I ran up to the gym (~1.5 miles) to meet the running group for track, ran to the track (~1 mile), did speed work but cut it short (2x200,4x400,2x800), run back to the gym and then back home. About 7 miles today which is really good for me. Feel much better than a couple weeks ago when I first attempted all that at once. Now to build on that consistently every week!

Has anyone out in SoCal done the following two races: Palos Verdes Mary, Half Mary, 5k (I would only do the half or 5k) or the Playa del Run aquathon? Bryon and I will be in LA for my sister's graduation from USC (GO SIS!) and thought we'd take delight in sharing company with fellow racers in the LA area. And we don't have to lug our bikes, which is tops! Are they worth to do both or is one better than the other?

Time to take care of the dogs before bed...

Tri-McKinney race report

As of last week, Bryon and I hadn't made much of a start to our racing season. Signing up for today's Tri-Historic McKinney sprint tri was a 'do or never get off the pot' kind of race because we were lacking motivation to sign up for anything.

We woke up to lots of rain and below 60 temps (which it's been 60+ in the mornings, 80+ during the day, so this was cooold!). Driving in the rain at 5:30 in the morning makes you realize what a great day it is to sleep in and stay in bed all day. But, we stuck it through and made it the race site. We get to the race and realize that the wind is so strong! Ugh, not something I was looking forward to.

But I had a great day! (And so did Bryon!) Go Team Richardson!

The tri was a 300y pool swim, 15.3 mile bike and 5k run. The swim was great (5:02 - would have been under 5 if I didn't have to wait for the guy in front of me to climb off the ladder); 52:45 bike (damn 30+mph winds and rain!); and 26:35 run (REALLY good for me!). In fact, that run is my new PR by 4 seconds - and off the bike too! I'd love to see what I can do this year in a stand-alone 5k... I couldn't even feel my feet off the bike for the first mile it was so cold. And there were a few times I almost wiped out because it was muddy and wet.

I was slotted to start 61 out of 300+, and ended up finishing 58 overall, 13 overall female, 1st in 25-29. Not bad for a nasty day.

Hello! Race season is here!

I don't know where this year has gone. It's already half way through April and what do I have to show for the already-in-progress racing season? It's been hard to concentrate on the race plan when the first three months were spent wedding planning!

But, with the wedding out of the way for over a month now, Bryon (Mr. M-Dot) and I have signed up for our first two races of the year: Tri-Historic McKinney Sprint - it's next week!! - and the CapTex Tri Olympic in May. AGGGHHH! But luckily, the wedding was such a training motivator to be in super shape during the off-season that I have a good base going and started track work for speed a few weeks ago.

On another note, even though it's only two months away, we're also thinking about signing up for Buffalo Springs 70.3. Is that crazy? I'm good on hills, I'm not worrying about my swim, I just hope I have a good enough base for distance. Bryon's done it and even qualified for 70.3 championships in its first year, but I haven't. Any advice out there? I want to do a half this year - it's been since Florida 70.3 2006 since I've done one - and we've decided to do US Open instead of Longhorn 70.3 in October since they're the same day. What to do, what to do?

Got out of work a little early today and went for a ride in the beautiful but gusty 74 degree weather with the hubby and got in just over 30 miles. Did some hills to test the legs and endurance for BS70.3, but I think it's going to be a last-minute call. But, if it counts, I did pretty darn well! Next test will have to be Cedar Hill/Duncanville ride.

And, I'm officially being sponsored this year by Team StayPut! I'm really excited and happy to be representing them. We have to work a Girls on the Run event, which actually ends up being this weekend and the same day as Bryon's best friend's wedding. I'm going to have to see what I can swing.

IM Arizona 2008 race report

Starting to hear back race reports from IM AZ yesterday, and it doesn't sound any better than last year. The wind and heat were factors again and it sounds like even more athletes weren't able to finish the grueling 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run.

I have to admit, it wasn't fun. If you read my report from last year's race, not only did distance take a toll on me, but being beaten up by the wind for so long wore on me. When you're on the bike and you start wishing you could just go straight for miles and miles instead of facing the turnaround with the 40+mph winds to finish, there's something wrong. I despised that turnaround. I would start tearing up just at the thought of the turnaround - and not because I only had 25+ miles to go until I got off the darn bike.

If you raced yesterday, I'd love to hear how it went. Nothing like sharing sob stories - I mean life-defining stories. And congratulations to all the starters and finishers. You are an Ironman!

One year M-dot anniversary

Wow. Today is my one year anniversary since earning my place in the Ironman crowd. It feels like it was either 10 years ago or just a few months ago. I still have moments running through my head, recapping all the highs and lows I encountered along the way. It is a bummer I'll never get the exact same excitement but I know each one I'm able to finish will eventually mean the same to me.

But the biggest replay in my head is seeing my family at various spots on the course, and seeing my name in chalk on the bike and run courses. It still gives me goosebumps knowing my family is so awesome enough to withstand spectating for 15+ hours due to unknown circumstances just to see me accomplish the biggest thing in my athletic "career" so far.

Without them, and without the one lone guy on the bridge before my last lap as the sun was setting saying "Today you are an Ironman" (yes, I still get chills), I don't know that I would have ever made it. I can only entertain myself for so long, and every loop they gave me some hope and little shove to keep moving.

And for that, I want to say THANK YOU!

Here's to IM New Zealand or IM Australia 2009. If anyone has any recommendations on which to do, I'd love to hear them. (I used to live in Sydney and would love to race there, but never been to NZ although the race weather there always seems iffy.)