I’ll give you 3 guesses, but you don’t need them.

The minimalist running craze is hotter than ever. Compression is still around. Bright colors are in (note Erin’s post on Timex watches and a UK company is entering the US market with neon pink and neon orange — visibility and safety without crossing-guard look).

I think there were at least 5 new running shoe companies that touted the “minimalist running” benefits.

Not saying that it is “good” or “bad”. Just saying that the marketing bandwagon is ON.

I even found Austin pro, Patrick Evoe having some fun with lightweight high-heeled running shoes — like lightweight moon boots. They are so spongy, it’s amazing. I would have picked some up, as I like to be TALL, but they were $160. Woah!

On the other hand, that is far cheaper than the price of cosmetic surgery. I know this because I read the menu of services at the dermatologist. (I was getting my annual cancer-prevention skin-scan).

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In case you are a “bottom line on top” person, the bottom line is comeback (barely).

Step 1: Surgery
Bionic ankle surgery — October 28, 2008.
All that soccer caught up to me: no ligaments or cartilage.
That was a dang long time ago. Thought I’d be back at it in 2009. Blah blah blah.

Step 2: Rehab
I spent hours getting fatter and less fit while I balanced on things, increased range of motion, and spun on the bike at 75 watts in the closet on the trainer forever.

Step 3: Chasing
My mental state: chasing. Exhausting! I wrote about this here.

Step 4: DNS
Recognizing that all that energy is forced, not flowing. No IM comeback in 2009.

Step 5: False Start
IMCDA 2010. I made a promise: no IM until I can run 26.2 without a total horrid meltdown experience.

Step 6: Winning/podium finish at stuff that I used to roll my eyes at…. and laughing with joy
Like:
- “Mid-Life Crisis Division” at Couples Tri
- Master’s division runner-up at a 25K trail race (I had to walk down all the hills)
- Master’s division olympic distance Texas championship
- Master’s division winner at Kerrville Half (Where I crossed the line first, only to know that some 30-somethings were going to beat me)

Step 7: Real life perspective
I love my new career.
I went to my 20th undergrad reunion and love my college friends.
My kid rocks at equestrian hunter/jumper (and I took Ian’s advice and leased a pony).
I am now Aunt Juli.
My husband is a hottie (he’ll never read this, so I can embarrass him).

Step 8: Being Well
After an epic meltdown on July 31…. I’ve focused on inner calm and peace. I’m figuring out the whole GI distress thing (another post forthcoming).
My racing mantra: “I am Well: Happy and Peaceful”.

Step 9: Acceptance
Kona or retire from IM racing. If I can’t enjoy it, I’m out. Only way to know is to get out there. The training block was really fun, even the mile repeats.

Step 10: IMAZ
Well, I didn’t get my age-group record back. In fact, I didn’t even win my age group. But I put up a fabulous bike split without a total running meltdown. Off to Kona in 2012. :)
Bonus: My dad will be with me, celebrating his 70th bday.

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Team I AM / I CAN is a group of people who have come together to achieve what they have been told is impossible: walking or running a 5K or 10K. Some of our teammates have Parkinson’s disease or are survivors of strokes and head injuries. Some of us are just pessimists and out of shape. All of us need motivation, inspiration and a team. The team provides support, training and a vehicle to pursue our common goal. We also share a common mission statement, “To achieve the impossible, we must change the environment.” Together, Team I AM / I CAN changes the environment and achieves what we were told was impossible.

Team I AM / I CAN invited me to talk to them about “How to Train Like a Real Athlete” (no snickers).

We talked through preparation and race day for the IBM 10k coming up in October. About half the team members’ goal was to walk or run the entire 10k; half set other distance goals.

The preparation discussion included a great chat about goal setting — setting a minimum goal (what I need to do; period), a solid goal (reachable but challenging), and a stretch goal (on a great day if it all comes together, I might…).

The team had quite a few questions about pacing and hydration on race day, as many of them have neurological issues that impact their decision-making and motor skills in activities of daily living — not adding the stress of a “race”.

Looking forward to seeing how we do!

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I used to loathe recovery week.
However, after noting the lack of injury I’ve experienced (not counting the recurring soccer ankle), I’m a beliver. Not entirely; the real story is that I have a love/hate relationship with recovery week.

Last week was recovery week.
Going into the week, I made a list, prioritized it, and continued to add to it and expect to accomplish more of it as I fantisized about all the time I’d have since I wasn’t training as much. I’m a few weeks into IM training, and I like to load the first 8 weeks, with a 3 on / 1 off pattern.

What I love: Stuff that got done:
- Volunteer at Austin Pets Alive! with Autumn (ok, don’t refer to my post about no more volunteering)
- Laundry (ok, Michael did that)
- Timex event with team I AM / I CAN
- Work stuff – lots of work stuff (e.g., new clients, new hires, administrivia)
- Carpets cleaned
- Landscaping hand-watered (we have some serious water bans given the current weather, and I can’t let the trees die)
- Stock up on training nutrition and freeze water bottles
- Reservations for my 20th reunion (undergrad)

It was Autumn’s final full week prior to Middle School, so we spent quality time together (and if you believe that….) – actually, she worked at the horse stable with her trainer, Lacy, which was right on target with what she loves. Ok, we did spend some time together. She encouraged me to buy a new pair of shoes (shoes that one doesn’t wear running or biking) — to replace the ones I love from 1999. We volunteered. We stayed up late, falling asleep by the TV watching Harry Potter movies.

What I hate: The potential for anxiety from that which did not get done:
Now it is Monday, and recovery week is over. I still have items on my list; perhaps I’ll get to them in a few weeks.
Time to pack the cooler and the bike for the morning.

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1. Nutrition and heat and sweat:

I discovered a new delicacy — Power Bar Energy Gel Blasts “dipped” (ok, more like smothered) in salt.

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2. Saying “never”:
I’m doing another thing on my “I’ll never…” list. Yes, swimming was on this list too — I’m sending my child to private school. It’s middle school, so really, what can be all bad about a school of 10-20 kids. Don’t tell me; I don’t want to know. Anyways, my friend, Ariel Miller, is starting the school, so I’m totally psyched.

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3. Living the glamorous life:
The true logistical answer to "how do you have a family, a new business, and a time and energy-intensive hobby"? Bag management.
I have a bag or bags for every moment: Groceries. Teaching. Training. Food and drink. Horseback riding. Client visits. Networking opportunities. Dog poop.

Oh, the other answer is to not worry about things that don't REALLY matter, like the fact that, after 5 years, I still can't format my BLOGs correctly.

4. Siblings:
I’ll keep mine. Autumn has to “borrow” a step-cousin. Zach and I lived the rock-star life in Northern Wisconsin — skiing/wake-boarding, cycling, eating, staying caffeinated. We had several family adventures including driving Grandma’s white 1996 Grand Marquis.

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