Healing day 2

Pain, swelling, and bruising are about the same today. Still can't put any weight on the foot. It felt so strange to wake up and not head out to a workout nor have any scheduled for this week
Life as a mom is tough. We don't get much done. Its about all I can do to feed them. And the poor baby just doesn't understand why I make her crawl after me all the time and why I have to put her down as soon as she gets out of her crib :( I do feel so bad too not being able to take the kids out though. I'm sure things will get better when I can walk on this foot again

Radiologist reading came back today and it is a confirmed fracture of the 5th metatarsal. Next up is a Dr visit with an ortho at TOSH wednesday morning. I'll update after that. Just a note I thought I'd add, I totally appreciate all your comments, Thank You So Much! But I don't expect you to comment on every post. I'm just trying to track my journey through this and progress as it comes.

Healing Day 1

Feeling a bit better today, as long as I keep the foot and leg wrapped up and in the temporary cast I have. I took it off to shower and was so unstable and my foot and calf ballooned up big time. My blood wounds were pretty painful while redressing them with the help of my handy 5 year old assistant (who has also been so helpful with the other kids for me). Here are some pics from this morning - notice - there are some of the wounds, so if you'd prefer not to see them don't look on (they're not super gory though). Sorry I couldn't get the pics to turn

A view of the feet together. I find it interesting how the right foot looks fine on the left side them morphs into this swollen yucky foot on the right side. The bruising hasn't gone crazy yet, but I'm sure it will in the next couple days

Not sure why this is, maybe because of some of the tendon/ligament damage? But I cannot curl my toes past this point on the right foot. Strange sensation, as is being "down" when just yesterday morning I was a strong, fit athlete. It's gonna be a tough recovery mentally I think.
And the lovely blood wounds and swelling a little closer up. That big wound is wierd, it stays bright red like that, but it isn't bleeding.

BAM

I worried a lot about the weather going into this race as it has been raining everyday (and hard a lot of the time) for the past 10 days or so. Woke up at 4am to finish packing, saw a discouraging forcast online, and was on the road by 4:30am, yes A.M. Well, the skies were cloudy at times, but seemed to be ok, thanks in part I'm sure to my friend's (Ann and Megan in particular) no-rain dancing. Thanks ladies!
Swim - 1500 yards, 25:00. Great! This was a really great swim for me today. We swam in Deer Creek Reservoir and I won't lie, it was cold. I swam there 3 weeks ago and really think it was colder today. So yes, getting in, letting the water in my suit (so I can get out and let it drain out helping to remove the suction factor) and putting my face in was, well, brrr. Took my breath away. That hasn't happened in a while. But once the cannon (yes there was a cannon) went off things went great. Wasn't cold, held a good pace, and sighted well - although I do wish the buoys were bigger.

T1 - Slipped a little on the moss getting out and headed into the transition area. I decided today with cold water and cool air temps that I was wearing my lightweight white fleece no matter what. I wasn't gonna let the tempation of a super fast T1 cause me the uncontrollable shivering I experienced at Kearns. A little hard to get on with wet hands, but definately worth it, I was very comfortable on the bike.
So I ran out of transition, and hopped on the bike.....almost. I swung my right leg over the seat like I do, must've lost my balence somehow and put my right foot down to catch myself. I guess I was a little colder from the swim than I thought as the foot/leg wasn't able to hold me up, I rolled it out and fell over, bike and all. It hurt and I was scraped up, people asked if I was ok, but I climbed up after pausing in pain for 10 seconds or so and went on my way.

Bike - 22 miles, 1:08. Again, a good day. This is a great ride that goes through Midway and Heber and has some amazing views! My favorite was some low clouds hovering right on the green moutain side. There were some sections I felt like I wasn't going anywhere for some reason, but I stayed in my aero bars most of the ride, pushed hard, got to go fast here and there, and wasn't passed by more than a couple women. My foot which I knew was bleeding a little, was hurting a bit now by the last few miles. I was hoping and assuming it'd just be a bit bruised and scraped, and was glad I left socks at T2 just in case as it'd be nice to not have the shoes rubbing against my wounds.

T2 - Approaching transition I slid my feet out of the bike shoes while keeping the shoes on the pedals to save time. It was a bit painful sliding the right foot out. Got to the dismount line, swung my left leg over much to the amusement of the volunteer right there who made a "nice dismount" comment. Upon setting the right foot on the ground and hearing his compliment, I let out a scream. It was horrible. I hobbled in great pain to my shoes hoping maybe they'd help, maybe I could run through the pain. Slid the socks and shoes on as comfortably as I could and hobbled another 200 yards. Oh man, so much pain. Not muscle pain, not scrapes, bone pain. I stopped, thought for a few seconds, tried to get going again and was just stopped. I wasn't going anywhere. I couldn't even walk without a lot of pain. I was faced with my first DNF (did not finish) EVER. I started crying. I took my shoes off and threw them on the ground, and started my hobble walk back to T2. The timing guy saw my moment of tantrum shoe throwing and asking me if I was done with the race. I said "I guess so", he asked if I was sure and I said yes. He said "I'm sorry, but I need to take your timing chip". I really cried then. I know it sounds exagerated and it is sarcastic, but it really hurt to let him take it, almost like he was taking one of my kids or something (again, note the sarcasm, having my children taken away would be much worse, you athletes out there understand what I'm talking about).

I cried pretty good walking back just devistated. Devistated at the pain, the injury, the fact that I wanted to, but I just could not finish the race. This course would've been perfect for me. A 6 mile hilly trail run. I had had a great swim and bike, I was gonna cap it off with a "bam" and well, I guess I did, a "bam" to the foot. Oh yeah and did I mention they lost my wetsuit after cleaning up T1? Yeah, no where to be found. Good thing is the race directors will work to get me a new one. Still, what a day.

The medics attended to me for a couple hours, and I got to chat with some kind friends as they came through the finish line. I hung out for a couple more hours with the help of my friend Chuck (who had a great race!) to watch awards then headed home.
We just got back from an Xray and it looks like a fracture on the outside of the foot. The films are going to a radiologist over the weekend and we'll see what he says tuesday probably. NOT that I'm happy about this fracture, but I'm hoping it's just that. The doctor fears there's a chance it's bigger and could need surgery (ie: pins!) to repair. Yikes, I know! But that is worse case scenerio, crossing my fingers that isn't the case. I also have a referall to go see a doc at TOSH (The Orthopedic Speciality Hospital) in Murray. They're smart, sports specific docs that should give me good council.

So what does this mean for me? It means I'm on crutches for the next 3-5 days. I won't be running on it for 4-6 weeks unless it really heals up in the next week (not a good idea though). Luckily I haven't sign up/paid for any other races till late August. But guess what's this next weekend? The Wasatch Back Relay :( I am SOOOO sad about this. Kicking myself for what happened. I haven't officially told myself this until now, but unfortunately I will not be running with my friends :( I plan on coming to at least the finish line to cheer them on and maybe a place inbetween, but no running I'm afraid. I'm totally letting these ladies down.

I'm so sorry guys!

Pipeline Trail

I got my first real trail run of the season (I think) on friday evening. I ran 3.7 miles up Millcreek Canyon on the road then jumped onto the Pipeline Trail which took me back about 4 miles. The very west end of the trail has a great outlook on the valley below, but I was running a bit short on time so I got off the trail at Rattlesnake Gulch. Oh my word, it is sooo steep going down! I believe I descended 700 feet in just over half a mile I think. Then another mile or so back to the car for 9 miles in all. It was a great run, great scenery decent weather although bit windy at points, had to keep stable footing to avoid getting blown off of the cliffs :). I am so grateful for a body physically able to be trained to run in God's country and to get to see these lovely views (keep in mind they were taken with the cell phone, not top notch, I need to start bringing the camera). I also have 3 wonderful children I love more than anything, and I train around them, not on top of them. I'm so grateful for my husband who comes home to be with them and lets me go out and play.
A section of pipe. The trail apparently used to be a whole section of pipeline bringing water down the canyon A "lovely" view of the valley below. We've had a lot of wind lately, I think it's just dust in the air. Can you see the road below?

THE reason I trail run - single track under a canopy of trees!

Salem Spring Triathlon

What a great day! Drove down at 5am that morning and got parked, packet picked up, and walking into transition to find my bike rack. Felt pretty cool to put my bike on the 2 special "Elite Only" racks because I entered Elite this year. Elite is a division you either qualify for or sign yourself up for to race with the fast people. All the Elite's start in the same wave which is nice because you're racing your competition directly. Anyway, saw all these pretty bikes, my bike and I were definately intimidated and a bit embarassed to have my bike there with all the pretty carbon bikes equiped with race wheels that together cost more than either of our cars. I was really hoping for a good race so I wouldn't make a complete fool out of myself.

A good example of the pretty and very expensive race wheels, Zipp's, behind me. I'm sure I even drooled a little.

I like to be really early, plenty of time to set up and feel relaxed doing it. But as others showed up I continually became more intimidated by these women I've seen win top 3 in all their races, but I decided something. I can race them, I can wanna beat them, they can beat me sometimes too, but we can all be friends. So I introduced myself and got to talk and joke with some really really nice people.

800yd Swim: 5 or so minute warm up about 10-15 minutes before the start, then we were off. The water felt great and didn't taste bad at all despite the widespread film I saw floating on top before the race. I felt good, had a decent but not great time. Sighted well, the sun wasn't in our eyes and didn't make too much body contact with others. Although I will say it never ceases to amaze me how someone can swim horizontally over the top of me when I'm going straight (and in the right direction). Looking back I should've pushed harder, but I was pleased that I felt long and strong and not fatigued like I did last year. Had some water in the bicep of my wetsuit, gotta figure that out. I believe I came out of the water 4th woman. 13:04, 1:29/100yd avg

13 mile Bike: My great nemisis. I always lose time on the bike and it really ticks me off. Today I knew if I wanted to place well I was gonna have to get out of my comfort zone...and I did. I never felt like I was just cruising enjoying the course, I was always pushing hard. Now not cranking down, stomping in my hardest gear, but I was never resting. I was passed by 2-3 women in the bike which is pretty good for me. There were several short but good climbs, and lots of tight right hand turns, many of which came coming off a downhill. Speaking of downhill, I never used my brakes on them and actually pushed hard down them which is really good for me. All that said, hilly, tight turns course, I still averaged 20.4. Nice

5k Run: Well I can tell I pushed hard on the bike because I didn't have the springy yay-we're-off-the-bike-lets-go-run legs I'm used to. I pushed hard and felt like puking (but not in a nauseous way) mostly the whole way. Picked off the first lady that passed me .5 mile in, someone I was surprised at myself for passing. Kept running, couldn't find the other lady in front of me, figured I was in 4th or 5th place. About mile 2.25 I realized the "guy" I thought was in front of me was actually a lady, a really fast one! So now the chase was on. I was pushing as hard as I figured I could and when I first found her I counted and was 15 seconds down, and she seemed to be running just as fast as I was. Took about .5 mile to catch up to her, and I couldn't believe I passed her. These are women that scare the crap out me, these are winners. We had .5 mile to go and I wanted to look back but didn't , just ran my race and held on as best I could. I still figured I was 4th, maybe 5th, but as I ran through the chute they announced my name and "our 3rd place woman". Seriously?! I was so excited, I just did not expect to do so well. In the end I had the 3rd fastest run time of the day with a 20:07. Crazy, I know. I also ended up with very fast transitions too (although did I mention my bike shoe fell off as I was getting on my bike and I had to run back a few feet and retrieve it? Not cool).

The podium was really fun. They put a tiarra on Sarah, the overall winner and gave her sparkling cider to shake and spray, pretty cool :)
I spent a couple hours after the race chatting with the lovely ladies, and a few guys I met today. I did great today and am really happy with it, but it's funny how my body told me I'm not nearly as trained as I thought I was. Time for some added hard work!

Recovery and Preparation

So by tuesday I was fine post Ogden only feeling a little deep soreness in the quads when I'd lunge or squat down demonstrating during one of my water aerobics classes. Thursday morning I went out to this road on the north side of the airport that a lot of cyclists use for speed work. It's a good 2.5 mile strip with plenty of room for both bikes and cars. So I rode down and back 3 times while the sun came up. It felt great to push hard and not worry about some idiot car pulling out in front of me.
I caught these fun images. The first is the fire training airplane for the police. Wasn't sure what it was at first, I thought it was some abandoned burned out plane.

And the second is is the sun behind the traffic control tower.

Had a great swim session friday morning. I swam Master's (adult swim team basically, so a coach, other swimmers, good chance to work hard), something I do several times a month. I was able to pace off a guy much faster than me for several intervals. While it was hard, it was fun to push that hard and stay with him.....and watch as he took off for his next one after 5 seconds rest while I caught my breath :)

Saturday Chuck, a friend of mine, and I did the Battle at Midway Triathlon course preview. We swam in Deer Creek (in full wetsuits). It felt great to be in the open water again. Really wasn't cold at all after we got swimming. Ironically though my hand went numb the last 1/3 and I was sporting Star Trek hands kind of, couldn't pull my pinky in with the other fingers. It's a wierd sensation to swim like that and not have control to change it. Then we got out and dried off and rode 20 miles around Heber and Midway. It was so much fun riding in a paceline and learning how to draft and all other manner of 'roadie' etiquette from Chuck. Than we ran 3 miles at Soldier Hollow. It was great. I am psyched for the race there in 3 weeks.

So there was my recovery from Ogden basically. Saturday was my first run and it wasn't a hard one as the proper recovery from a long race is to not run hard for as many days as the race was in miles, so 26. Now I said proper :) As for the preparation side of the post, well, I have a triathlon on Saturday. Salem! It's short and fast, open water and I'm racing Elite. I've done it 3 times I think, but not in 2 years, so I'm pretty excited even if I am breaking recovery rules :) Hopefully the week doesn't drag too slowly.

Welcome to my new blog!

I'm exited to have this new blog. I have a busy racing season and am always busy training and feel bad taking over the family blog sometimes. So I plan to post mainly race reports, but some training and tips as well. This is my 10th year as a triathlete, 5th as a half marathon+ runner (I've also been swimming for 13). I've had some great coaches and great athletes to teach me as well as done a lot of study on my own, but I will put the disclaimer that I am not a trainer or a doctor, so don't try this at home :) Without the proper time and training anyway :)
Please post comments, they are always fun to read. I don't mind you posting if we haven't met, but please no 50 year old balding stalkers.

Thank You!

Ogden Marathon 2009

Eh. That's my description of today. I have mixed feelings of today. I'll begin with the good.

The Good

The night before a friend of mine Heidi, and myself stayed at her sister's house 10 minutes north. We set 5 alarms between the 3 of us and got up at 4:00AM, ate my traditional PB&J (all natural peanut butter and all fruit/no sugar or corn syrup jelly, and on my whole wheat bread, I'm pretty anal about the prerace meal.) and we took off about 4:30. Caught up with some great ladies - Heidi T who was running her first half marathon (and did fantastic!), and Jessica and Heidi who ran their first full marathons.

The bus ride up was great, no issues, it was warm and nice to talk. The starting line was cold, but not horrible. This lady really had the right idea.

Race got started and off we went. I ran into a friend of mine Jonathan who has run dozens of marathons. He was shooting for the same goal time I was so we ran together most of the race. Things were going great up until about mile 18 when my legs started to tighten up.

The Bad.
Now this typically happens to me and while I was hoping to avoid it I can deal with it. By this time I was 3-4 minutes under the pace I needed to be at, so that was a good thing, I had room to slow down if I needed it.

The Ugly.
Then mile 20 happened (might have been 19, can't remember). So now am I not only dealing with tight sore legs I am SUPER sick to my stomach. All I wanted to do was throw up. I thought for sure I would and kind of hoped to in hopes of feeling better, but it just never came and I wasnt sure about purging. So for the next 3 miles I watched my time in the bank run out and was faced with running 8 minute miles to the end if I wanted my 3:30. Just was not gonna happen. I was running closer to 8:30-9:00 miles and just so sick. I was angry and negative those last 3 miles just so completely 100% wanting to get this over with. Oh, the nausea was horrible. Worst part is I just do not know what brought it on, so not sure how to prevent it next time (no issues like that in the first 2 marathons). I did my best, got passed by a lot of people I didn't think should be passing me, and made it to the finish. I finished in 3:38 which is a 3 minute PR, and qualified for the Boston Marathon. No, I don't plan on running it -unless that is any of you know of free airfare to Boston :) - it's just more a status thing.

My friends Heidi and Jessica and I at the finish. I'm so proud of these girls! They've both worked real hard and had great attitudes about the day afterwords. So now the task at hand is recovering. I have a triathlon in 2 weeks I'm entered elite in, so hopefully my body comes back fast!

Nutrition:
Hammer Gel and Endurolyte 15 min before
Hammer Gel at mile 5, 11, half at 19, half at 22 Maybe delay till mile 9? Caffinated maybe?
Perpetuem at mile 15, 20 (?) 1.5 servings mixed in a 2 oz flask. I suspect maybe it was too concentrated and messed with the osmolity?
Endurolyte at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00

Linda Butters Memorial 5k

Yet another race today, just a 5k, in the lovely rain. It really was raining good too, not just sprinkling. By 1/2 mile into the race I was totally soaked. I ran the 5k, hoping for a personal best, but not today. Too wet, legs a little heavy from the 60 I rode yesterday. Awesome ride though! Rode to Farmington via the Legacy Parkway Trail. Perfection, save the hourds of knats I rode through, seriously, probably ate 4 and had several plastered to my body when I got home. So if you go, try to make it not after a rainstorm and at a time of day when the bugs aren't so bad, GREAT trail though, loved it! 14 continuous miles without big hills and traffic? Oh, my heart is melting.
Anyway, back to today. Felt decent, but not a PR day. 21:10. I did end up winning the women's race, 5th overall with the men. I was hoping for a sweet prize since it was at Jordan Landing, you know, a gift certificate good for dining, entertainment, food, etc? Nope, just a plastic trophy. Oh well, the kids will have fun with it. :)
My kids and husband also got to run in a 1 mile fun run. They were real troopers despite the rain. I don't think I heard any complaints.

This was my boy's first race, cute little guy. Daddy said he did great! His tounge was out of his mouth the entire race I do believe. I LOVE this pic! Look at my little runner and her good form, her race shorts and even my race belt she used today. Too bad the hat was over her eyes, the kids love our tech hats from races though

Spring Sprint Triathlon

First triathlon of the season this morning, yipee! Very cold and wet day, but nice warm water. This pic is of me attempting to smile at the kids.

Then I got out of the pool and ran in the 45 degree air to my bike. I love runs to the transition area from the swim, there's something so exciting about them.
That excitement and the fact that I didn't feel cold on the short run deterred me from putting on the fleece I brought. I planned on wearing this suit I train in instead of my triathlon top because the tri top would've given me drag in the pool (typically it is under my wetsuit which doesn't let water in). In this short of a race (400 meter swim, 14 mile bike, 3.1 mile run) time is precious, so I forwent the fleece and had the fastest transition 1 time I've EVER had. It is typically 1:00-1:20, yeah mine was 34 seconds! Wowsas
And it was almost worth it too :) at least until my legs started shaking uncontrollably the last 4 miles of the bike. I really should've taken the time to throw a fleece on. Oh well. The bike went pretty good. The roads were very wet from the night and early morning before so I was extra cautious on the big decent which definately cost me time. Kills me to brake going down hill, but I was just too nervous to go 30+ mph on a wet road. Was passed by 2-3 women, ticked me off, but I hoped I'd catch them later. I really do need to work on being reckless, I mean more fearless on the bike.
The picture below is me happily coming back from the bike (happy because I could warm up running now). My husband doesn't like the look of one piece suits like this in triathlons. I think they look cool, it's what the pro's wear. Yes I am concious of vanity :) I really feel like feeling like you look good helps you perform better though. Sport is 90% mental. Oh and notice the pump in the back of my suit? Stupid pump almost fell off my bike and into and jamming the chainring.

So got back from the bike, another quick transition, and off on the run. I'm the tiny pink spec in the distance. Oh how I love the run. I'm afraid I have such enjoyable runs because I don't push the bike hard enough. I do bike hard and am a good runner, but I should probably leave a little more on the bike.
Had a great run! Very close to a personal best (20:12 I think?). It was a hilly course like the bike (did I mention it was hilly? It was). Tried and tried to catch up with those girls but never found them. This pic of me would've been cool if it focused, hubby was trying to catch up with me :)
And here is me happy to have my babies. I always get these funny looks when people see me and my 3 kids. Is 3 kids a lot of something? I don't get it. I was pretty discouraged about not placing at this race. I was sure I was in 4th or 5th as I only passed 1 woman on the run and I thought at least 2 started in front of me in the swim. Family went home, I hung around. Results were posted and guess what? 3rd place! Funny how 3rd place could make someone so happy. With that 3rd place I earned a 6 week coaching package from the University of Utah.
Very exciting! Now if I could just win a new bike.......
Great race and so glad to be getting into the season. It's so fun to get to see what all this preseason training has done for me. While I love to race, I've almost been a little sad to be done with the real training (now it's about maintenance and performace). There is joy in the journey for sure! Next up is the Ogden Marathon in 3 weeks, then a whole string of fun, mom-gets-every-saturday-for-the-next-4-weeks events. Stay tuned :)