I love running in the heat of the day. I sadistically feel a greater sense of accomplishment in my workout when my shoes “squish” with every foot strike and sweat is flinging from my elbow with every arm swing (for some reason running partners are hard to come by…hmmm).

At our team training camp, each of us experienced “Christmas in April” as we each received incredible training equipment from our wonderful sponsors:

• from Timex … Bodylink system and two watches – including an OVA
• from Fuel Belt … A fuel belt system and a backpack
• from Rudy Project … Bike helmet and sunglasses w/ case
• from Spenco … Gloves, shoe insoles, and blister kits
• from Headsweats … Hats, visors, and “shells”
• from Ironman Activewear … Race apparel
• from PowerBar … Bars and gels
• from Gatorade … Endurance Formula Gatorade and shakes
• from Aqua Sphere … Goggles
• from Zorrel … Awesome casual apparel

Man! Each and every one of us was feeling spoiled! (By the way, please note we receive awesome discounts from our other sponsors: Quintana Roo, TP Massage Ball, Profile Design and Power Cranks).

Anyway, I am from the old school where if you “stopped” during a run (for any reason), you couldn’t honestly say you ran the whole way. I also remember seeing “goobers” running with those huge water bottles strapped to their backs, with that irritating “sloshing” sound (much different that the “squish” from my shoes), and thinking, “What a wimp! You’ve got to be KIDDING me!”

Truth be known, I have horrible nightmares from my first-ever trail run where I experienced the “slosh monster/goober“ from purgatory! I couldn’t shake him! I would pass him on the uphill; he would pass me on the downhill. It was AWEFUL! I swore I would never be “that guy”!

Fast forward nearly 10 years…YIKES – did I say 10 years! Anyway, education in the importance of hydration (no more “bragging” about being like a camel, most athletes will look at you like you are a fool) has softened my ego. Thankfully, Fuel Belt has developed some incredible running accessories that are a MUST HAVE, especially in the heat during training runs.

My favorite Fuel Belt is the Endurance 4-bottle belt. The design is awesome! The fit around my waist/hips is snug and secure; the bottles are the perfect shape and size – no “slosh” guaranteed (that is if you completely drink/empty one bottle before going to the next). Also, it has a small pocket that is the perfect size for a Gu, key, credit card, ID, and small can of mace.

TIP: I fill the bottles with crushed ice and water (the more ice, the longer it will remain “cool” in this heat – play with it; you may fill one completely with ice), and strap it on “backwards” where the pocket is in the front – I don’t like reaching behind me for my Gu or mace (what a disaster it would be to confuse those, but in this heat who knows?!). Also, I sip first and then squirt water on my hands, wrists, and elbows as needed.

Most importantly, listen to your body and be safe. Training in the heat is not easy. If you need to stop, DO! When needed, I will stop, drink ice water, and refill my bottles with ice water (and my ego allows me to)! Here is a website with some great articles on training in the heat: www.trifuel.com/triathlon/triathlon-training.

Cheers! Lisa

Following my failure to qualify for Kona at IM CDA, I found myself scrambling to find a race qualifier.  I was almost in a panic when  I realized Kona ’07 wasn’t happening for me.  So, I had to ”step back and punt”.

A few weeks ago, I completely took a day off from training to analyze what the best course of action would be for the remainder of my 2006 race season.  I felt deflated and “lost”.  My main goal of re-qualifying was a bust, leaving me in a fog as I tried to find reason in training and meaning/success for this year.  I simply didn’t want to write the remainder of the year off as a total loss, so I decided I needed to face the question “Where do I go from here?” 

Man!  Not again — another deep-thinking, weigh-all-aspects, turning-point decision! 

Option 1:  Compete in a non-qualifying IM race in late Sept, and then hope I could recover well/soon enough to switch gears and train to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Trials in the Women’s Marathon this fall.

Option 2:  Bag IM training for the remainder of the year and focus on qualifying for the Trials. 

As I look at in black and white, it was almost ludicrous I needed to “think” about this decision.  It seems a “no-brainer”, but the reality is I had attached so much of my identity and personal success to IM.  Afterall, my friends and training partners are triathletes (mainly IM triathletes), and “success” is found in IM races — not “just” marathons!

Profoundly I realized everything happens for a reason, and I my personal ”success” is just that.  My “success” must be defined by me.  And as stated by Coach “K” (the infamous head coach of Duke Men’s Basketball following questioning of why he turned down the opportunity to coach in the NBA, as opposed to remaining a collegiate coach at Duke), “Don’t let someone else tell you what is success for you.”

So, I’m stoked!  I have a focus, which has given purpose to my training, and naturally allowed me to gain pride in myself — and the fog has lifted!  I am a marathoner and I am a success! 

Sorry about the belated report. This whole “blog-thing” is quite new to me, so please be patient!

CDA is beautiful, and the race is incredible…the race organization, the overall community support, and the wonderful volunteers make this a MUST-DO race! I was disappointed in my overall time and missing re-qualifying for Kona, but I am already registered for 2007 CDA…I have unfinished business with the run course!

In Feb of 2003 I began running a marathon a month, to ensure when I got to the marathon in an Ironman it would seem second nature to me. In less than a year, I lowered my finishing time from over 4 hrs to sub 3 hrs (ending the 11 month span w/ 2:58 in Dallas White Rock). In 2004, I scaled down the number of marathons, was one of the 34 elite women in Boston’s first-ever women’s early start, and in December set yet another PR @ the Memphis Marathon with a 2:54.

With this said, I expect my marathon to be solid. And because I am somewhat new to swimming and have always had a fear of drowning, I know my swim is my nemesis. My biking, fortunately, has really strengthened as a result of using Power Cranks (an incredible training tool I have had an opportunity to use).

Well, I arrived in Spokane at the airport on Wednesday, and was greeted with “grandma” hospitality from Mrs. Connie Dearing. (She and her husband own a European “hostile-like” cottage/home conveniently less than 6 blocks from the Athlete Village, downtown, and virtually anything I needed). On our way “home” from the airport, Mrs. Dearing explained some of the history of Spokane and CDA, pointed out parts of the bike course, and drove me by where the Athlete Village was being set-up.

Wednesday afternoon, I put my bike together. Thankfully, I remembered how to reassemble my bike, and it only took me less than a few hours!

Thursday morning I decided to go for my first “practice swim” and follow that with an hour ride and 30 minute run. So, I packed my backback and walked to the Village. The wind was blowing and it was pretty chilly, so I tried to prepare myself for the worst. The more I stood on the sand watching people get in the water and scream, and shiver as they exited the water, I was getting freaked out! I would ask other athletes how it was (hoping someone would tell me it was getting better), and the responses were mainly:

“It’s freakin’ COLD!”

“It’s a little choppy going out, but it’s much better coming back.”

“I can’t feel my hands.”

“When you first get in, it takes your breath away, but you get used to it after about 100 yds.”

Okay. So, after 20 minutes I decide to just get in and swim. My plan was to swim one loop of the two loop course. Just get in and start swimming.

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD! It was the coldest water I had EVER been in! And I only wish I could remember the hag that told me the water was “a bit choppy”!! I was so freaked out by the waves splashing in my face, I think I spent more time choking or breast-stroking out to the freakin’ turn around than I did freestyle! The second part wasn’t quite as bad, but when I finally regained enough sense to look at my watch, I nearly fell out! It had taken me 52 minutes to do ONE lap…I was in a panic! Not only because of the time, but I then began realizing:

1. I couldn’t walk straight (thank goodness I didn’t have a policeman near me to give me a sobriety test).
2. I couldn’t think clearly…I was so disoriented I couldn’t remember my way back “home.”
3. My hands and feet were so cold and numb, I feared I was going to have frost-bite!

So, I really started panicking. I had no idea how I was going to get through the swim after that cotastrophe. I ditched the idea of riding or running, I just went “home”, took a hot shower, turned on the heater, and ate some hot soup! Thankfully, I spoke with an incredibly experienced triathlete who centered me and gave me a plan.

Plan B

I got two swim caps, ear plugs, and Ironman legal swim booties from the expo. So, I went back to the practice swim on Friday with much better results. The water was somewhat calmer, and by the time I finished I could still feel my feet, think clearly, and walk a straight line!

The Race

Race morning was gorgeous! The water was like glass, no wind, and the water seemed to be 10 degrees warmer (okay, maybe I am exaggerating a little on that one). My swim and bike right where I expected them to be. All I needed to do was finish my marathon in under 3:30, and I felt confident I could re-qualify.

I melted! My first 3 miles I was running about a 7:10 average, and then I “hit the wall”. I was just overwhelmed by the idea I had 23 more miles to run! So after a good mental scolding, I pulled it together and started thinking positive thoughts…but, that didn’t last very long! After mile 13 and passing up the opportunity to stop at a port-a-john, my bowels informed my brain I better find some bushes — FAST! (apologies to those of you behind me). So, at the turn-around before the run special needs bags, there were some bushes I descretely tried to dive behind.

This was the beginning of the worst! A few miles later, I became dehydrated and the cycle of seeing everything I put in my mouth twice, became consist and nearly expected with every aid station.

All in all, I finished. I am a CDA Ironman finisher. Not the anticipated or expected finishing time, but it’s a finisher medal I will highly regard!

Cheers!

Lisa