Chasing Dreams

Chasing dreams…

So much has happened since my last blog in June.  Probably the most exciting thing is I can see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of my summer classes.  Two more weeks and I will have all 4 of my summer classes completed!  Yeah!!  

My favorite time of day is sunrise.  Lee and I woke up early 4th of July morning and kayaked around Gull lake.

It is crazy to think Saturday will be my first sprint triathlon in two years and the first time racing in my wetsuit since IMoo 2012.  The other races I completed were only 70.3s and Kona where I wore my speed suit.  I’m so excited to get back to having fun in the sport I love.  I really lost that love for triathlon after Kona and thought I was never coming back.  But time and space can change so many things.

I was writing my tri checklist and was looking back at my lists from previous years.  Yes, I’m one of those sentimental people who keep everything.  On my list from 2006 I have things like…snacks for the boys, have them lay their clothes out, baseball gloves, etc. Eight to ten years ago that was how we would spend most of our weekends - driving to races.  Lee has always been an amazing Dad to the boys and supportive husband to me, but back then he would keep 5 very little boys occupied for several hours and to only see mom zipping by on her bike or the run.  It’s so CRAZY how life changes so quickly.  That is why we all need to enjoy each day we can, look at the positive side of everything, and just go for it!  Anything is possible.

So, with that being said and knowing I’m racing in the morning it is hard knowing where I was physically at this time last year and realizing how much work I need to do to get back there and go beyond that point.  I watch the watts on my trainer and can’t believe how hard it is to hold a certain wattage which was my “easy” recovery wattage last year at this time.  I know I needed to give my body a break physically and mentally…but it’s not easy coming back.  I told Lee I better spend some time on my bike these next few weeks so I don’t embarrass myself at nationals.

Grandma’s half marathon June, 21

What a fun day!  Lee and I drove up on Friday afternoon with no hotel reservations.  We were hoping to find a hotel in Canal Park with a cancellation, but we threw our sleeping bags in the truck just in case we didn’t get a room.  We’ve slept in the truck other years before Grandma’s.  This year we had reservations which I made earlier in year.  However, we cancelled because we wanted to make it back in time for the boys’ hockey games and only needed Friday night.   We got lucky and the Sheraton had a room for just Friday night and it’s a great location.  Right on the course so Lee watched me go by and then walked the Lake walk to the finish and saw me there too.  It was easy out after the race with the parking ramp behind the hotel.  In my opinion, it’s the best location.  The bus pick up to the start is just 2 blocks away in the morning.  Hopefully I get in next year and we would stay there again.

Pre-race info….

I really couldn’t afford the time to taper for this race or even take the time after the race to recover so I thought I would train through the race and use it as a hard training day and a chance to gauge my fitness.  If everything went perfect I knew I had the opportunity to flirt with a new PR…sub 1:22 and I knew I would be disappointed in my training if I was slower than a 1:25.  My playlist was set for 1:24.

My training leading up to the race has really been progressing.  I mixed my running up and took out a lot of volume and added intensity.  In reality, I just don’t have the time this summer for high volume even though this is the type of training I really enjoy.  My favorite types of workouts are long swims, bikes, and runs.  This summer I’m pushing myself out of my comfort zone and working on speed.  Basically because I know this is what is missing in my training and what I need to get to the next level with my running.  

Nutrition…

Sushi for lunch and Pizza Luce for dinner was my pre-race meals on Friday.  If this was my “A” race I would not have gambled with pizza.  I have burnt myself so many times with poor nutrition choices the day before races.  I know I don’t respond to foods containing a lot of cheese the day before races. 

Race morning was no breakfast…just MAP and coffee.

Insurance…MAP and a GU

It’s a skill taking in water/PowerAde from a person standing still while running just over a 6 min pace.  The elites make it look so easy when they are ticking off 5 minute miles.  

I’m proud of…

I ran as fast as I could on that day under those conditions.  I really couldn’t have run faster.  I can feel and see the improvements in my training and my nutrition.  The human body amazes me and fascinates me.  We are all capable of so much if we make a commitment to ourselves and daily work toward our goals.  Grandma’s wasn’t a PR by any means.  But I know I’m on the right track with my training and chasing down my dreams.

Race for the Cure 5K June 28^th

My goal was sub 19 minutes.  I figured even with training through this should be doable.  However, that just didn’t happen.  19:22

I LOVE racing close to home!  I slept in until 7, woke up had coffee, rolled and watched the news.  Ran 5 miles on my mill, changed my clothes and headed to the race start.  I took 5 MAP about 30 minutes before and then had a GU about 20 minutes before.  No breakfast other than that and my coffee.  Race went great in terms of how my legs felt, but it was hard to push to the next level.  There were only two guys out in front of me and I was hoping someone male or female would come up on me the last mile to make me push the pace but nothing.  I settled in and crossed line in 19:22.  The race started at 8:45 and the boys’ hockey game started at 9:30.  After crossing the line I headed right to my car then Starbucks for a coffee to drink during the game.  The rink is so cold!

Westin...chasing down his dreams

What did I learn…racing my way into shape is working out wonderfully!  So glad I’m doing this because it pushed me harder than I would have pushed myself at home on my mill or outside.  I see the 5k run as a workout I would have done at home with a hard push in the middle.  

Nisswa Fire Cracker 10K July, 5^th

So far this summer this may have been my favorite workout.  I rode with LAMS crew a hard 30 miles and then ran the 10K after.  My plan was just to jog the 10k as a nice brick run after our hard ride….but…my competitive instinct took over at the 3 mile mark when a guy says to me, “Your girl number 5.  The others are right ahead” At first I said I was just jogging, but then I looked up the road and could see the next three girls. I couldn’t help myself but kick it down and by mile 4.5 I claimed the lead and then just hung on till the finish.  

Bike ride with the Lams crew

Sunday mornings…

Lee and I go for coffee every Sunday morning and read the paper.  Usually I ride my trainer before and now we started kayaking/swimming after my trainer ride before coffee.  Lee kayaks while I swim.  I love it!  I have a 2 hour trainer ride, and open water swim, and a coffee date, all before our boys are out of bed.  

Sunday mornings

School….

I have it figured out where I can take a very large load in the fall, have my spring off, and finish up summer semester.  So, I have two more semesters and I will have my masters in Physical Education completed! Yeah!! 

Fun times with the family…

  Fishing on North Long with Gavin.

The boys are working hard all week at hockey camp getting stronger and faster.  When the weekend rolls around we try to make sure we soak in as much relaxing and family time as possible.  Most of the time you will find us on the lake fishing and tubing, at home having a bonfire, or a movie...maybe even some go carting and mini golf thrown in there.  These 5 boys are amazing and Lee and I are very lucky parents.  Before we know it they will be grown and on their own.  We are making sure we soak it all in while we can.

Tubing with Wyatt and Mitchel

Dreams are being made...watching the NHL draft

Heading to see the movie Tammy

Next up…

Crosby Tri July 19^th

Voyager 50 miler – I’m going to pass on the 50 miler.  The more I have been biking and swimming the more I want to have a decent race at Nationals which means running a 50 miler two weeks before isn’t the smartest training decision.  I may jump in the Chase the Police triathlon next weekend.

Nationals – August 10^th

Lakes Country sprint tri – August 24^th

September – half marathon or a 10 mile race

Chicago marathon – October 12^th - goal to be sub 2:50

Wyatt and Wes hanging with me in canal Park...Of course we found the ice cream shop.

Nutrition...
I've been eating a few more salads and a few less cookies these days and slowly making my way back to my racing weight.  Come October 12th for the Chicago marathon I will be there.  I really enjoy healthy good food so making good choices isn't all that hard for me.  The issue with me is keeping stress in check and getting enough sleep.  There have been several nights where I have a paper due by midnight and I'm snacking to keep myself awake to finish my paper.  To tell the truth...I'm not much of a salad eater... more of a steak and eggs with some berries type of eater.  And...ice cream of course!

Malt night at the Diner.

Olympic Trials and the Olympics…

I have been asked lately about the Olympics and the Olympic Trials…I want to clarify…

My dream is to run a fast enough marathon to qualify for the Olympic Trials.  This is different than the actual 2016 Olympics.  My goal is to be fast enough to be able to toe the starting line with the best female marathon runners in the United States.  I want to be able to have the opportunity to run the same race they do where the top 3 women earn a spot on the marathon Olympic team and represent the USA in the 2016 summer Olympics in Brazil.  My goal is to make it to the trials by running a qualifying time which means I need to be faster than a 2:43 marathon (6:13 pace/mile). With these guys' support I know it will happen!

Keep chasing your dreams!
Michelle

Change is good...maybe even great!

It’s good to have a plan, but it’s GREAT to be open to change.

I’m a super organized person and a planner.  When I had 5 little boys 3 and under I learned quickly I needed to have a plan, but being flexible with the plan was the way to keep sane.  I’ve brought this mentality over into my training.  I always have a plan…whether it’s a 5 year plan or my run session for the day.  Usually I make a big training cycle plan where I map out my key training sessions and races.  Then I tweak it on Sundays when I sit down and write my weekly specific sessions.  Mainly what happens are sessions get moved and tweaked because of life.  The way my training works for me is I schedule it around my family rather than my family around my training.  When I know we will be out of town for a few days I will plan build or speed work before so the days we are gone can be rest or easy training days.  

Black Beauty and I at the 70.3 World champs in the rain.

So with all that being said I realized I needed to change about a month into my marathon training.  One reason I knew I needed to change things was I was starting to get little aches and pains.  I started taking out more running and putting in a few bike and swim sessions.  Then I started to see what I was lacking…speed.  I know I have the endurance to run 26.2 miles.  The question is how fast I can run 26.2 miles.  At this point it’s not as fast I want to and therefore I need to spend more time on quality and less on quantity.

Climbing hills at IMoo 2012...what we like 

to do best!

I’m going to race my way into marathon speed.  I’ve signed up for a 5K, 10k, 2 sprint triathlons, and even age group nationals in Milwaukee.  Of course I’m keeping my 50 mile ultra-trail run on the calendar just because it sounds like a super fun day!

Also, as soon as I got back on Black Beauty it was like I was home.  When I finished Kona the last thing I wanted to do was ride my bike or get in the pool.  I needed a break.  At the time I thought it was a permanent break.  Part of me believes I told myself that Kona was it for me so I could really put it all out there.  After months (6 months) of no training I was really able to sit back and think about so many different things…training, life, goals, dreams, and most importantly what I really enjoy doing.  I love training and racing.  I’ve analyzed my training log to Kona and know I can go faster by tweaking my training.  I know I can manage family life and training.  I have my master’s program through next summer so the marathon is still my focus and triathlon is my cross training. 

Yoga…

I’ve been asked a few times in the last few weeks about why I do yoga so much.  There are several reasons why I keep yoga a main part of my training.  One reason and the most important reason is the fact I love it.  So why do I love it so much?  It builds strength (physical and mental), balance, and teaches me to breathe when life gets hard.  In races when it gets hard I can always find my breathe and I can feel a sense of calm come over me.  When I do yoga I can feel an imbalance or something that may be off and then work to strengthen the area or maybe just take some extra time to rest before it becomes an injury.  So much of our speed and power comes from our core and this is what yoga is all about plus being flexible.  If you want to be aero for 5+ hours on a tri bike it’s important to have core strength and flexibility to not only be in that position for so long, but then get off and run a marathon.

In the summer I have more time to train.  I really don’t put in more time swimming, biking, or running.  I put the extra time into all the other stuff like yoga, rolling, and sleeping.  This summer will be different than last because of my school work.  

Stress…

We all have it and most of the time we choose to bring more or less into our lives.  Whether we choose to do a speed session on the track or signing our kids up for extra curriculum activities we are choosing the amount of stress in our life.  Stress can be good and is important to growth as an athlete….it’s the stress of those harder sessions that build us up.  I have found one of the keys to keeping stress in check in my life is balancing them.  When one area of stress in my life is high then the stress in other areas of my life needs to be lower.  For example, I wouldn’t train for an IM or key race which would happen in December.  For one the boys are all super busy with their hockey season, it’s the holiday season, it’s getting close to the end of the semester for my students, and it’s getting to the end of the semester with my masters classes.  Training is coming in last on the list of priorities in my life during that time.  Maybe this is why a September race (IMoo) works out great for me in the past.  The boys are busy all summer at hockey camp, I’m not teaching, and have a lot of extra time to train.

Training stress needs time to soak in which means having extra time for sleep, rolling, and making good decisions with nutrition.  In my opinion, the actual swimming, biking, and running sessions are a small part of what it takes to race at your highest level.  If you’re not recovery from one session before you start the next you are setting yourself up for injury and/or overtraining.  The more you can pay attention to the “other things” the more likely you will be to make it to the start line and make it to the start line healthy.   

Fun memories since last post….

Memorial Day weekend….

Andres Memorial Day Fish tourney

New this year we broke into teams and boats and had a little competion each day.  Everyone's name went into a hat and the boats were numbered.  It was a great time!

Fishing team of Riley and Wyatt

Monday morning, Memorial Day, was my first bike ride with the LAMS group since September of 2013 when we did the 44X100 swim set followed bike an outside ride and then a hot yoga sculpt class….Kona styleJ.  It was so fun to be back riding with the group.  I’m looking forward to getting outside this summer swimming, biking, and running with the group again.  

Camping in Ely

Cooking pancakes and making coffee

Wes...he can never get enough fishing.

We had a great time.  When the boys were all little we camped in a tent then moved to a small pull behind camper, then an RV.  Now we are back to the real camping of tenting it and keeping it quite rustic.  I would love to do more back packing especially along the North Shore.  On this trip we were kind of testing the waters to see what we needed and if the Andres crew really did like the rustic style of camping.  It was definitely a hit and we learned a few things like…. The boys need new tent.  They got soaked one night.  I’m not 100% sure it was the tents fault.  I’m thinking 5 boys may not have taken the time to properly put their tent and rain cover up the day we arrived.  Our boat in only site was very remote and very quiet.  We had a great time and one of the boys even added another trip up there camping on the summer list with the caveat they have a new tent.

The boys found the honey hole for the sunnies.

A few favorite sayings I heard on the camping trip were…

“I’m glad I’m not an only child.  That would suck!” (Westin)

“Every teenage boy should have to sleep in a wet tent at least once in their life” …(Lee’s words as we were sleeping dry and listening to the boys in their tent)

“This is the best family vacation ever” (Mitch)

“Thanks mom!” This was from Gavin after I used my swimming skills and goggles to find his sunglasses he lost when he flipped the kayak while fishing.

Lee and the boys taking a lunch break between fishing.

So many great funny memories the 7 of us will always remember.  There isn’t one family trip, no matter how terrible it may have went, we regret taking.  They have all been worth it…even the time all our money and car keys were stolen at Disney and even the time I ended up in the Cancun ER with a 8 year old at 2 am.  

Everyone is still happy after a round of intense mini golf.

Andres’ family summer list

Each summer we each pick one thing we want to do over the summer as a family and then we make sure we check them all off the list. I think this is our 4^th summer of doing the list.  This summer our list contains white water rafting, fly-fishing, camping in Ely again, 2 rounds of Go-carts (mom and dad usually only allow one round or we get kicked out after one round), paint-balling, Drive-in movie theater, renting a wake-board boat for the day on the lake, and the State Fair.

Andres family summer list

Zorbaz swim race and Peter Johnson memorial

Sean Kaneski did a great job organizing this event.  It was a great venue and even with the not so nice weather the swim was wonderful.  I highly recommend this swim and will definitely do it again.

Jennifer Imsande...one of coolest chicks I know.  We have lots of swimming history and I would travel the world with her.

New race schedule – I’ve added a few races close to home so I can see the boys’ Saturday hockey games.  

Grandma’s half marathon 6/21
Race for the Cure 5K 6/28
Firecracker 10K Nisswa 7/5
Tri for a Cause 7/19
Voyager 50 miler 7/26
AG Nationals Olympic 8/9
Lakes Country Tri 8/24
TC 10 mile (I hope)
***Chicago marathon 10/12  This is my “A” race for the season.

Isn't this the truth?!

Happy training!
Michelle

Training has started...finally

What is new with training and life in the Andres house….

back yard bonfires

Monday May 5^th was the start of my marathon training…week 1 was just adjusting to a new schedule and seeing what works or what needs to be shifted.  Also, nutrition was my number one focus.  I really need to start getting real with myself and put as much energy into healthy choices like I do my training sessions.  

Mother's Day pic with my boys

Sunday, May 11^th, Mother’s day, marked the official start of my run training to Chicago.  I kicked it off with a nice long 20 mile run averaging a 7:30 pace.  I’m planning to work off a 5 week cycle which I repeat 4x and then take a 2 week taper.  I love trying to new training methods and tweaking them to make them my own.  Over the winter I read several different books on marathon training - Daniels’ Running Formula, Hanson’s Marathon Method, Run Faster from the 5k to Marathon, and Running for Women.  They are all great books which I learned something from each one.  The 5 week cycle is something I’m trying for the Daniels’ book.  The reason I like this one is I get to pick the workouts I do and the weekly structure stays pretty much the same. 

Run for the Lakes marathon was my 20^th marathon I’ve ran.  It really doesn’t feel like I have run 20 already.  There are so many more on my Bucket List I want to do.  The reason I picked the Run for the Lakes marathon was to give myself a wakeup call as to what it takes to run an open marathon and then to realize what it will take for me to run a 2:39 marathon.  In my opinion, an open marathon is harder than the marathon after a 112 mile bike ride during an IM.  

The race itself went better than I anticipated.  Probably because I had Lee and all 5 boys cruising by and handing me anything I may need every few miles.  Wyatt even ran mile 23 with me and I don’t think he will realize how important that mile was to me.  I was struggling and he just kept saying…”You got this Mom…You’re doing great Mom…You’re almost done and you’re going to win”.  

Riley and Wyatt running to the finish line with me at the end of the marathon.

The only thing I took in on a regular basis during the marathon was MAP (master amino pattern) and water.  The second loop the boys had coke for me and I had a few drinks, but otherwise that was it.  No GI issues anymore since I’ve changed my race day nutrition.  

I use Extreme Endurance which really helps with recovery time.  On Monday I felt great and was able to start easy jogging on Monday.  After I crossed the finished line I made a conscious effort to start recovery.  My training hadn’t been what I had wanted and the running mileage wasn’t where I wanted it to be so taking care of me was one of the keys in getting back to running as soon as possible.  I’ve learned what I do in those 24 hours after a race makes a big difference in how I feel the week after the race.  My recovery protocol works for me….it starts before the race starts with upping my extreme endurance, and then making sure I spend time walking throughout the day once the race is over.  I send my legs up the wall, do Epsom salt soaks, wear compression, put on magnesium lotion, and take MAP, roll, and stay active walking. Good nutrition and hydration are part of it too. 

Yep...legs up the wall.  This has to be the best recovery.

Yikes!  It was a scary moment when I pulled my race belt out of the box containing all my racing gear from Kona.  Too many cookies!  Right then and there negative thoughts crept in and I started thinking how I am going to run 26.2 miles with all this extra weight.  I’ve said this in previous blog posts about finding balance with training and all the other parts of life can be hard to do.  When I was training for Kona I wasn’t balanced at all.  In my opinion, to race where I wanted to race I needed to be towards the pointy end of training.  Lee and the boys made sacrifices for me to get in my training and I made lots of sacrifices for myself.  Once Kona was done I needed to swing the pendulum of life in the other direction and take care of them for a while.  I guess I like to bake cookies when I take care of people. 

Seriously...cookie problems

So as I stood there adjusting my race belt bigger and bigger I said to myself –
I’m still strong…anything is possible…the last 6 miles are all mental anyway. 

I went on to win the women’s’ race in 3:05 setting a new CR by almost 10 minutes.  

Speaking at Riverside Elementary… I had the honor to speak to all the students at Riverside Elementary on Work Ethic.  It was a short 10 minute little talk, but I so loved talking to all those little kids.  One thing all kids need to hear more is…Dream Big dreams and be a hard worker.  Anything is possible.  As adults we are sometimes so quick to think about all the obstacles and tell other people, kids, and ourselves the reasons why something won’t work.  This drives me crazy!  If someone tells me it’s not possible I will literally go out and do whatever it is just to prove them wrong.  I’m more about thinking of the ways to make it work rather than discussing all the possible obstacles which may make it harder.  I love those challenges and when they are conquered the finish line is that much sweeter.  

Wyatt and I kayaking in LaJolla

San Diego with Wyatt…We had so much fun!  San Diego was beautiful and we had sunshine each day. I’m so glad I took the time to take these trips with each of my boys.  They are moments I will never forget and memories I will always have with me.  Westin already has his planned for next year.  He picked Boston and going to a Red Sox game and a Bruins game.   

One of my favorite things to do in a new city is find a local farmers market.  We found one on our first day.  My other favorite thing to do in a new city is run. 

Our last day we found time to take out the Segway.

Break from masters classes….I have a 5 week break from when spring semester ended until summer starts.  I have 4 classes this summer.  My summer classes are short…4 weeks, but still a semesters worth of work in those 4 weeks.  So when June 9^th rolls around it will be a crazy 4 weeks.  Then three more semesters and I’ll be done.  I’m not spending more than 5 semesters getting this done.  I would rather have a bigger workload for a short period of time rather than a lighter load for a longer period of time.  Plus, I have so many other things I want to get back to…. like another Ironman right after the Olympic Trials and an epic bike ride in the Colorado Mountains.  The boys want to go back to Kona when they are old enough to all rent mopeds.  That will be 2016 so I better re-think my races these next couple years so I can be in Kona racing in 2016.  

The training room….my new room.  I love my little corner of space in our house.  I love being in there on my bike and on my treadmill.  It’s my space to just listen to my body and train my mind to push past limits and create new ones. 

Over the winter I ordered myself a ring with the words…No Regrets.  It’s the same two words I have on my bike and two words I try to live by.  To me, No Regrets means taking that one more step when it just doesn’t seem possible, it means when every piece of me wants to quit and walk…I take one more step.  It means when something scares the crap out of me I need to at least give it a try it.  I never want to look back on my life when I’m old and gray and say…I wish I would have…

My new favorite crazy eating thing is making a wrap out of Nori Sheet.  I’ve made them with scrambled eggs and veggies or sardines and tomatoes with avocado. YUM!  Seriously give it a try.  It’s super healthy and good. 

Next race is Grandmas half marathon.  This race will be a good gauge for me to check-in with my training and see how things are going.  It’s crazy to think it’s only about a month away. 

Looking forward to summer ….  We are doing a family backpack/camping trip up by the boundary waters after school is out.  Then I’m looking forward to Grandma’s half and the Voyager 50 miler in July. 

New favorite book…  It’s Never Too Late by Dallas Clayton.  It’s a kid’s book for adults.  I found it when Wyatt and I were in San Diego and I just love the message…It’s never too late to tell someone you care, to start something new, to appreciate life.

 

I just had to post this picture....this is what pizza and movie night looks like at the Andres house.  I believe it was 5 pizzas 3 boxes of wings, and a box of bread.  Do you notice the strawberries in the corner.  I try;)