Team sports

I’m a full month into playing paddle tennis & feeling the ups and downs of team sports. I’m empathizing with our two boys. One who’s just finishing up his first football season (yes, tackle), and cross country, which wrapped up a week ago.

It’s tough…the other day while practicing paddle with fellow team mates, I felt I let my partner down on one of the games I served. I was just not focusing…or should I say had trouble focusing. I tried and it wasn’t happening. It’s one thing when you, as an athlete, are out there alone- running, biking, or swimming- and if you screw up your swim or your T1, it’s all you- it’s on your time only, no one else’s. But when you play paddle with a partner or have several teammates, you must communicate and your bad shots, poor decisions, or lack of focus is not up to par, it affects your partner, too. Inadaquate sums it up. Ugh….luckily we were just practicing. I guess at least I could peg my weakness in the game – a low ball toss on some of my serves and my mind was elsewhere.

So, the other day, when my football player came home from practice, when it was cold & rainy, and said his coach yelled at them and he didn’t want play again next year- what do you think I said? It’s tough…it’s almost over…just do your best and hang in there, the last game is Sunday. Honestly, I’m not opposed to him NOT playing football, with all the hitting and what not. I told him to seriously think about doing cross country next fall. The coaches don’t yell, but encourage the kids no matter how fast or slow they are. Plus, all you need is a good pair of running shoes! His ideal – little practice and more games.

But – you can’t expect to be ready and do well in a game if you haven’t practiced.

And here I was today, on my own, as I was rotating out on our team paddle match
so I had a little extra time to run AND swim. I enjoyed my 3 mi easy run, every step of it with my new song- David Gultta with Usher. Then grabbed my swim bag and headed to the pool for a 20-30 min swim of drills. I saw an acquaintance swimming there – triathlete who’s also running the Hot Chocolate 15k next week.

Right away, i felt my arm muscles work the resistance of the water. It was refreshing. I did drills, and enjoyed moving through the water without any particular workout.

I like my solitary workouts and I like team sports. It’s a give and take with the team
and sole survivor on your own!

WGN Healthy Living segment taping today!

The buzz phrase today: inactive to active athlete. WGN TV host, Jane Monzures, of the Living Healthy Chicago show (11:30 am on Sundays) shot us questions all morning:

How do you do it? How does someone who’s inactive – doesn’t exercise at all- get off the couch and start?

We met this morning at Lake Shore Athletic club on Fullerton to tell all. Women who Libby and I featured in our book, Tri The Journey, told some of their secrets on camera- their life story and how getting active and doing a triathlon changed their lives in many ways.

Joni, Nancy & Pam – all amazing women who have inspiring stories to tell. Nancy – how she went from mom of three to doing an Ironman- giving herself a gift of health that made her an even better mom and wife. Nancy jumped into the pool to tell Jane her story, with Greg doing all the lighting and camera work. Jane, who has an awesome smile, listened intently to each of our stories and advice.

We headed into the spin room with Joni to tell her story of how, at age 59, came to do a triathlon. She learned to swim, and bike and speed walks the run. Joni’s now done 8 tri’s and still going. She had the desire and keeps on going.  Afterward, we got some “B” roll tape of Joni on the spin bike with me coaching…

Then off to the track to interview Pam- how becoming a triathlete helped her find her true calling (see my previous post). She went from advertising sales turned actress and voice over talent. WOW! All because she gained confidence in herself to so something she’s never done before and to take ownership of her life.

Libby and I ran on the track with her – whew! The power of three!

Then to the weight room where Libby and I had the spotlight. Jane shot us question after question – what does it take to get into the habit of exercising? (Jane’s in the groove – she loves to kick box and works out 6 days a week!) What does it mean to be an athlete? What can you do to become active if you are inactive?

It takes baby steps some days….it takes some desire, a program, a goal, some support. But let’s get people moving – and it’s OK to SWEAT! Learn MORE by watching the show…

Check out the show on Sunday, November 6th at 11:30….you’ll see our segment all from our 4 hour taping!

GET INSPIRED!

Finding your passion

Where is your life’s path leading you? Are you doing what you are passionate about? “Find your true calling! A guide to discovering who you’re meant to be” is promised on the cover of the November issue of O The Oprah Magazine off the shelf the other day.

I can’t remember the last time, if ever, I bought this magazine. I wanted to flip it’s pages because I emailed one the editors an article idea. I wanted to become more familiar with it’s layout and story sections. But, also, this feature story grabbed my interest. What is my true calling? What if I live my life without finding out who I’m really meant to be? or is it too late! Yikes….

O magazine’s story lays it all out in a workbook form. Some of it’s a little over the top – like “throw an idea party.” Can’t see doing this….but I did get a lot of good info out the experts and workbook. Basically, explore what you are good at, what your strengths are, what motivates you, then put it all into a plan.

I’m motivated by security and connection. It’s funny, but I can clearly see others in some of these different categories….As I do things and stretch myself, I find I’m motivated by the feeling and outcomes of my accomplishments. I like to work, I like to write, to work on the office’s book keeping. I like to keep busy.

It’s tough as a mom who’s also nurturing a writing a career for myself, to find a balance. I’ve been meaning to write this blog last Friday – took notes and even put a list of ideas on the “new post” page…but then other things got in the way. Or shall I say, became a priority. We shouldn’t always put ourselves at the bottom of our priority list! But, I do have the need to write everyday…I get pumped up when I sell a story idea to a magazine, newspaper, or online. And I get to learn something and teach other people something new they might not have known.

While running I often think of what I’d like to blog about. Awareness – we all should be aware of our surroundings (and not always be tuned out wearing our iPods). Aware – that we should think of safety while out on a run. With Bruce out of town last week, I sent my son, who was with friends, a text letting him know I was going for a 20 minute run. If I went and something happened, he’d know where I was. Eric was at summer baseball tryouts – already!

I was very aware running hills Saturday morning with the TWT Run Clinic with Vachee. Aware of my gut hurting at the top!! Another fabulous morning with a great group of runners. We hit a different hill this week. Pushing it at the top – we kicked it into high gear- and the discomfort hit- but it’s getting more tolerable. I admit, there are times when the discomfort then feels like I was working hard and gaining strength, tolerance, and cardio. And the adrenaline’s also helpful and keeps me motivated….am I getting to be an adrenaline junkie?

What motivates you and have you found your true calling in life? Your right mix of talent, strengths, passions, motivations to enjoy what life has to offer?

Ravenous

It hit me at 2 & 4 pm today: intense hunger. I couldn’t eat fast enough! I even went to the store to get more of my fav Greek yogurt – Fage (fa-yeh) with fruit & I munched on some trail mix with m&m’s. 30 mins later as I type this my stomach is still asking for more.
Soon after my run I ate a full cup of oatmeal with some dried fruit & nuts and had some leftover veggie pizza & and apple for lunch, a Diet Coke and a piece of bread.

Anyone else ravenous after the hill repeats today? What have you replenished with – good & bad??

keep drinkin’n & eatin’

Hills & more hills….

Where did my lazy Saturday mornings go? We were all up this morning as if it was a work/school day – what’s up with that? But who am I kidding, really….I can’t sleep in anymore. I can’t keep my eyes open much past 10 pm and I’m up before 7 am. It’s gotta be this 40-something body rhythms.

Brad had to be out the door by 7:30 to go on a church retreat with his confirmation class – up to Lake Geneva in WI which should be a lot of fun. Eric had his football practice and I headed off for the run clinic at the Park Center. Bruce was on dad duty…

Many of us this morning were juggling family stuff- swim meets, soccer games and family time. We try to fit it all and somehow we do. Whether we can only run 1/2 the hills it’s still important we make up those hills. We carry that strength and determination with us throughout the day.

So, we hit the hill this morning behind the Park Center- the high hill with the little gazebo at the top (which should have a bucket tucked in the corner in case we can’t keep our breakfast down after we kick it hard going up). As I first ran the hill with this amazing, smiling, group of people -almost double the size of last weeks group) I looked out over the lake and took in the view – beautiful, sunny, albeit windy, morning. I knew that warm up first hill it was only gonna get harder.

Up and down…4 times, then 3 times on the flat path, which still has a little gradual incline. The group pushed me and the number of times I ran up then down got lost somewhere in between the determination and gasping for air. I felt the energy of others as we pushed, gasped and pumped our legs and arms together (ants marching….). The wind whipped around us – would’ve been nice to have it push our behinds up the hill. Too much to ask, I know.

By the time I was running the last stretch- 70%, then 80%, then 90% effort- I’m pretty sure my effort levels had dropped from when I started 40 mins ago. The girls (thanks SO much btw- Anne, Bridget & Kim with Mark as our rabbit) I was running with kept me honest. With only 3 more loops to go, we just did it- we just ran and went as hard as we could – sure, of course, I felt pain…this tightening of the gut. Like coach Vachee said, when it’s tough, just focus on FORM, PUMP YOUR ARMS, and look a short distance ahead.

After that final push at the end – yes, race pace ending 4xs after running hills- ugh- I thought for a split second – well maybe a minute- I couldn’t move anymore. But I shuffled back to the end point. Better my feet kept moving after all of this or I may just fall over.

Jogging back to the car with two marathoners, kept me strong. I hesitated to commit to running a marathon next year but I’m the closest I ever been in my life to signing up for one. I think it could happen very soon & I’ve NEVER seen myself as a long distance runner. Belief is creeping in.

So- as I stretched a bit and got into my car- my lungs felt INCREDIBLE! WOW- We had just run 7 mi some hard with some recovery running in between. I really wonder – and I’m afraid to know- what week 6 of the run clinic will look like? I guess by then, we’ll all be ready.

And…off for the family “running around” – walking the dog, car emission’s test, haircut for Eric and basketball tryouts. And of course eating some carbs and drinking all day to replenish my muscles.

I just finished my edits for an article I wrote for Women’s Running magazine on Food fixes for Running Woes – for their winter issue. I love learning about this stuff – yes, eat carbs and protein to help with muscle recovery and alleviate soreness. Once it’s out I’ll post a link.

LET ME KNOW – How do you fit in your exercise around family? does it make your day go smoother? Are you more stressed out or more at ease? Do your kids roll their eyes at you or support you?

HOT Chocolate race coming up in Chicago – what are some of your workouts planned so you can make it through the 15k?

40 something athlete

My new Blog title takes me beyond “tri’ing” with me and into the big picture of transforming into a 40 something athlete- triathlete (swim/bike/run), runner, paddle tennis player, skier, golfer etc.

I’m a 40 something mom tapping into her inner athlete. Well, there’s really no hiding your age when it comes to race results. It’s documented and out there for everyone to see if you want to take the time to look it up or simply Google me. So, I don’t have to be elusive. BUT that’s beside the point. With my two boys growing up, and who love sports too, I’m back out there on the “field” so to speak to see what I’ve got – dig deep to find my mojo – my competitive streak- my fire in my belly as some would say. It’s my personality to hold back a bit.

I don’t want to rock the boat with other women, or come across as one of those who whines if they loose. I was always more in it for the fun, comeraderie, and exercise-you get it. But now, now that I don’t have diapers to change, or even have to make my kids their breakfast in the morning, I have some new found freedom & goals. Some inkling that I could be competitive. I may have what it takes to “win.” It (winning) has never been that important to me, but you know, it is kind of fun. It’s not all about winning, but I kind of wonder, do I have it in me? And when you get a little taste- a little sampling- of what it’s like to be on the podium – is it really all that bad? No. It’s fun. It’s a proud moment – that with all the work you’ve done – the sweat, the early morning runs, bikes, and swims – the sore muscles – it’s OK to want to win and do well. Why not? Why not set a goal to go out there, give it your all, do your best and see what happens – in the end you end up pushing other people to do their best, right? Right.

I’ve recently told myself to kick it up a notch- reminding myself to be competitive. I know it may sound silly, but to have the mentality to win helps you achieve that goal. And, what would the world be like it we all just sat back and didn’t take on a challenge.

I heard a female wheelchair marathoner say in an interview before the Chicago marathon that before a race she tells herself she’s going to win, that she’s the best in the crowd. She has to remind herself that sometimes she comes in second and that’s okay, too.

 

Run clinic – group motivation

It was 7:30 am Saturday morning and not that long after the tri season ended that I found myself at the Together We Tri Run Clinic with local athlete/tri/running stud Vachee Loughran. No doubt we all wanted to know a few of his running tips and secrets to his speed.

I was well into Fall running, which I love. The brisk, cool mornings, along with fall foilage are a great reason to get out and run. And the abundance of weekend 5 and 10k’s are motivating. Honestly, I was a little less than motivated that morning to hit the hills, but after meeting the run group, hearing their goals, and jogging our warm-up to do some hill work, I was ready to take it on!

During our short intro meeting, Vachee laid it out plain and simple (but not so simple when you have to put in the work) – doing hill intervals will make you faster, and having a group to push you harder and keep you motivated is the key to success.

After our up and over the hill tag team run 5-12 times (yes, you can pretend it’s a game like you did when you were a kid), I do believe I pushed myself harder than I would have if I ran the hill alone. And I’m 100% certain, I wouldn’t have done as many as I did. Thus, I’d say the first clinic was a success – we all ran the hill repeats, with no cops chasing us with guns! and completed the workout on a extremely fabulous fall morning.

It’s not a full 90-minutes of running – when you include a short discussion, warm-up, hill work, then cool down. Don’t be overwhelmed by the number…besides, when you chatting and working out with others the time and miles truly just fly by. Join the TWT Run Clinic at the Park Center by clicking on the link: Run Clinic

My long rung the next day with Kim was awesome, too. We chatted and knocked off 7.5 miles without thinking much about it, and at a pretty steady 8:00 min/mi clip. Gettin’ ready to run the Hot Chocolate 15k in early Nov…the same start as the Chi marathon.

Congrats to those who did the Chicago Marathon! You ROCK…and you have me thinking about running one!

AND a HUGE CONGRATS to Bruce & Tom for an incredible Nationals 70.3 in Myrtle Beach, SC- They brought on their A game and each qualified for Long Course Worlds next year!! We are so proud of you both. They’ve been training so hard and it’s paid off….now time to enjoy some Off Season fun!