Three is my lucky number, so going into my 3^rd Ironman, I felt lucky.  Yes, my race number is always my lucky number, too.  I’m flexible.

The preparation felt great – I had some memorable key workouts that I would use in my mind on race day.  Everything was going my way: American cancelled my flight and Michael had me on a more direct SWA flight within minutes; illnesses plaguing those around me didn’t strike; I stayed in the tough group ride on Saturday; the final pounds shed easily (and the weigh-in scale was set 5 pounds light to my absolute joy – they wrote down a weight I haven’t seen since I was shorter); I ran my best 20-miler ever; my food survived the trip; I figured out how to get air in my tires.

Yes, I am a strange one – I bring my food.  One of the highlights for IMAZ is the proximity to Whole Foods, so my ‘carry-on food’ was significantly lighter.  I can only imagine what those TSA people think when they scan my luggage or carry-on:  “what is that….?”    I think my toughest workout prior to the race was cycling home with the huge Blue Seventy Transition Backpack (my favorite bag) filled with food. 

In the practice swim, John and Corin from Blue Seventy  (http://www.blueseventy.com/) had me swimming in the sweet new Helix.  Wow.  I even wore matching orange goggles. 

My cycling legs were definitely coming around.   Instead of traditional weightlifting, I use Power Cranks (http://www.powercranks.com/) and Pilates (http://www.gaiam.com/) for strength training.  If I go the other route, instead of Ironman, I’ll be in Mrs. Olympia if there is such a thing.  Quadzilla and then some.  I rode a few hours and hoped the wind would howl on Sunday.

Running – well, I’m not that fast - yet.  My goal for the race:  to run on the run without GI distress, frequent potty stops, or barfing.

Race morning I was up easily at 4am, as I keep my body clock set to wake up a few days prior.  I ate, dressed, and gave myself a final look in the mirror.  At the end of the day, I’m still me.   

The pre-race walk was refreshing.  I got into transition and went down my prep list without any hitches.  As I relaxed and soaked up the energy, I found Lisa Preeg from Austin and The Infamous Rachel Ross. 

During the swim, we went full-contact-swimming – no surprises there. 

My plan included riding myself into a great spot, and the conditions cooperated.  The wind provided steady resistance – and then tremendous concentration to keep the effort high enough on the way back to town.  A great muscular endurance setting, I watched my Timex Bodylink (http://www.timex.com/) carefully, keeping my heart rate within my boundaries.  Going into T2 with Rachel (http://www.runlikeamother.com/): a highlight of my racing career.  I have a photo, but it is only in my head.

So much support on the run course – fabulous conditions.   I ran with Rachel for about 75 meters before she dropped me like the slowpoke I am.  Luis was more social.  He ran with me for a little longer.  Timex fans and ‘mates, Austinites racing, Austinites cheering, my sister-in-law, a couple friends… and the people in my head.  I heard Chann (http://www.channmcraecycling.com/) speaking to me the most.

The bike had felt fantastic, and with Rachel and I the first age-groupers out there, I started running with a good gap (Rachel doesn’t count – I expect her to whoop me).  The run felt great until somewhere around 18 miles, when I began to will the mile markers to come more quickly.  I ran with a nice man, Ed, who was from Scottsdale and had lots of people cheering for him.  Only 1 girl ran me down, and she wasn’t going to catch Rachel, so there.    

My nutrition plan held up exceptionally:  elimination of processed foods, low fiber the days prior, and homemade rice bars and Clif Bloks (http://www.clifbar.com/) for the race.  This was the most exciting news.  Ok, setting my age group course record and going to Kona is pretty cool.

I won’t be so ego-centric to actually think that you know about my “eating disorder” as my dad teasingly calls it.  The bottom line scoop is that for as long as I can remember, eating+exercise has always been a tough combination for me.  My dad thinks I’m nuts.  When we were riding in Italy, he’d put sandwiches and pizza in his bike jersey pocket.  I’d have potions and shakes and my latest experiment.  Last year, it got more challenging. 

Let’s suffice it to say that on a daily basis, my body began rejecting food it didn’t like at the time.  I tracked, counted, researched; I received advice from dieticians, nutritionists, doctors, coaches.  Blah Blah Blah.

On January 20, Autumn and I watched SuperSize Me.  Autumn is my 8-year-old daughter.  Fascinated, she proceeded to watch it over and over (not exaggerating — like 10 times over the next several weeks).  As a side note, I had to ask her to watch it with headphones on in the car because I get so agitated over our decisions (as an economist, it is fascinating and unnerving) on eating and ‘voting with our dollars’ on items we eat.  And what the heck is up on our acceptance of advertising to kids — I envision that some day we will revolt (like we did with cigarettes) against advertising that pushes unhealthy food-substitute (I can’t even call it food) items on our children.  Maybe some day I’ll get on my soap box on that topic, but not right now.  I’m going to attempt to stay on topic.

On January 21, inspired by the concept to do an eating experiment, I began “Purify Me”.  I decided to put only natural, unprocessed food in my body.  Previously, I thought I didn’t eat many processed foods — but I found that when I was tired (frequently!), I grabbed pretzels or ate rice cakes instead of making rice.  

Wow.  I feel better.  I wish I had done some measurements to share with you — but I can tell you that I have thrown up only twice.  And both times I was experimenting - once with meat and once with number of calories per hour on the bike.  I was able to move beyond my ‘Monster’ addiction.  I stopped opening the car door at the stop lights to puke on the street (not in line with being a good role model for Autumn).

Autumn supports me, but hasn’t totally joined up.  It does make my heart smile, though, that she understands the concept that she is choosing what to use to fuel her wonderful and perfect body.  The night before I left for California, we went to the local weekly bike race (she races, I spectate).  She chose water to drink when she was thirsty instead of the other options and said, “Mom, I feel good choosing water.  I know it is the healthiest choice.”

FYI - my staples:  Egg whites, fish, veggies (including my infamous “Skinny Soup”), fruit, rice, beans, oats, and yerba matte tea.  When I work out, I eat homemade ricebars - eggwhite, white rice, and salt; and Clif products (my exception to non-processed).

So, I share this not because I think it is “The Answer” for you.  I share this as an idea, a seed that you may plant. 

:) J

Well, I’ve become a whimp.  When the temp falls below 40 and I put on my amphibs (only Tim, Alex, and the Canadians probably know what these are), double-layer Craft shirt and lobster gloves… friends say, “Didn’t you grow up in Chicago?” 

I’ve tried to acclimate by trying ‘cold water’ swims, racing in the cold… and I just get hypothermia.

Why then on Sunday was I out racing a duathlon in 26-degree weather? 

I can’t say no.  I like a challenge.  I told my friend Michelle that I’d be there.  The prize was a cute mug.  The TREK hadn’t had a ride since Kona.  It was a TRAIL run.  I’ve never raced in a duathlon.  It’s sunny!  Blah Blah Blah

My plan was to change my shirt, gloves, and hat in every transition so I’d be dry and warm.  That went to h$%^ in a handbasket, as the saying goes.  My hands were just too frozen.  I put on an extra vest to get on the bike, and I managed to get my cycling shoes on.  I laughed at myself, which keeps it light and fun.  Thank goodness the bike was only 21 miles, because the cold started getting to me in a ‘delirious’ way around mile 15.  Then again, the TREK section is my favorite– my bike split looked pretty good for the conditions (fastest woman).  

It was a fun day, and I took home a mug!  Wow!  My mom, who was visiting from Chicago, snagged the race sweatshirt.  I was 2nd female overall behind speedy short-distance pro Amy Marsh.

Happy Winter.

My favorite advertisement of all time went like this:

 ”You have a 25th hour in your day, do you eat, sleep, or exercise…. We thought so.” 

Complete with a woman in workout gear and the advertised shoes.

I had that ad on my fridge for years (ok, the ad ran in the early 90s).

So, every fall when I “fall back” in the central time zone, I think of this ad.  I must say that, as an economist, that ad brings a bit of a dry humor to me as well as I debate if eating, sleeping, and exercise, or anything else, are perfect substitutes. 

This year, the 25th hour day fell on the last day of my time off before structured workouts or any running or biking; I didn’t work out.  Instead, I did sleep with my extra hour.  This is highly unusual but became a reality when my daughter went off with her friend to play, and Michael and I parked our bodies in front of the TV for some football - Packers v.Chiefs.  Michael is a huge Green Bay fan - we both love Favre - quite an athlete, and he is our age.  And, I did fall asleep a bit during the game.

Other teammates and friends used their extra hour to recover from IM Florida.  Well raced by many - including the amazing Tim Hola who did this race 3 weeks after Hawaii.  Marie, Paolina, and Mark all looked fabulous.  (If I missed anyone else, I apologize.) 

So, coming around back from triathlon to sleeping to football, any takers for some action on the Packers v. Cowboys game on November 29?  Michael is taking me to Dallas for the game in celebration of my 38th bday.  Yee Haw!  Go Cowboys!  I already have an outfit to wear.  Maybe Jerry Jones will see my spirit and skills and he’ll give me my dream job - owner of the Dallas Cowboys.  Last time they played, I won a trip to Hawaii from Michael (no, we weren’t married yet, so he was still working it).  He won’t bet me straight up (yet).  Both teams are 7 and 1, though, so you never know.  I vote for Dallas-Indy superbowl.  Maybe Mark will join me in this Super Bowl Dream.

By the way, mullet watchers, a guy (Davis, I think) on the Chiefs has a mullet.  He was quoted saying that the front says “success” and the back says “party”.  Ben, I think that should be your mullet interview question, “What does your mullet SAY?”