First "Race" of the Season

 Welcome to Medal Monday! This past Saturday, I did the F^3  Half Marathon. 

So, real feel temperature at the start was 0 degrees, but I was surprisingly okay after I started running. Remember, there is no bad clothing, but bad clothing options. I wanted to see how my training was going for the #UnitedAirlinesNYCHalfMarathon in March.

What really helped me was my $6 mittens from Walgreens and 2 sets of hand warmers. The reason for these is simple. I have very bad Reynauds in my hands primarily. My last long run before taper was supposed to be 12 miles but I aborted the run at 10k because I was soo cold. It wasn't the temperature of 9 degrees but it was more the wind that was affecting me.

*getting ready for the start*

I truly loved the course with the backdrop of the Chicago Skyline as well as being able to see Indiana on the Southern end of the course. The course went from Soldier Field to 63rd Street and back on the Lakefront Path. The path was clear and well salted-one of the things that I love about the City. Now, of course there were at least 5 guys wearing shorts! Not shorts over their running tights, but ACTUAL SHORTS! Umm, it was cold outside folks.

*the beautiful Chicago Skyline from the South

Now one of the things that I did not mention in my Instagram post was the fact that I bonked hard at mile 11. The reason for this is I did the one thing that I also tell my athletes not to do. I did not fuel . Not, I didn't have a gel or a waffle, but I DID NOT FUEL AT ALL from Friday until I returned home after the race. Here's a little quirk about me: When I am very stressed out, I do not eat at all, I work out excessively. The past week had me in a very bad tailspin and I recognize that I have very disordered eating but I seriously just can't eat. So, at mile 11, I got dizzy and I had to walk for a while and then I started back running. I recognize I need to try and get a handle on my stress and some causes of my stress is being addressed this week.

Now, as far as my results, I was fine with my official finish time of 2:59:28 for it being the first race of the season. What I was more impressed with was my heart rate. I stayed primarily in the Green Zone or 70-79% of my max Heart Rate. This week, I'm taking it easy, but I will be back to the grind by next week. Only 6 weeks to go.

*all that green was the F^3 Half Marathon*

That's about it, but if you donate $13.10 for my half marathon efforts (I'm running the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon for Team 2 End AIDS) between now and February 5th, you will be entered into a raffle for 2 Private Pilates Session either in person (if you are local) or remote (via the Zoom). 

https://action.aidschicago.org/fundraiser/3625150

*my poor shoes-all that salt

When your Workouts/Trainings Go to Sh$t

I always tell my athletes and clients that you will have at least 3 shitty workouts/training sessions. And let me tell you, that includes coaches as well. Right now, it’s January in the Fitness Industry and it’s hard. If I am being honest, sleep has evaded me (thank you Insomnia), and the long days and let’s add in, I’m currently training for 2 half marathons for the first quarter of the year plus other items makes it tough to get a workout in.

What happens when this happens? It's very easy to sit on your ass and binge watch something on Disney+ (thank you Marvel Universe!) or you can go out and use it as a lesson learned. Something similar can happen on race day so embrace it, but within reason. What do I mean by that? Take notice of what is happening with your body, your breathing, your attitude. 

• If something is not feeling right in your body, I usually tell people to wait after the first mile because the first mile is a liar. If your body is still not feeling right, stop the training. There is no shame in it. Perfect example of this, most people know that I have Reynaud's syndrome really bad in my hands coupled with migraines. Ike, yes, I named my migraine just comes along to my workouts. Now 2 weeks ago, my training plan had 12 miles for my last long run. It did not go well AT ALL! I was dressed appropriately for 9 degrees real feel but my hands were not happy. Although I had on 2 pairs of gloves with the hand warmers in between, my hands were NOT HAPPY. I aborted the run at 10k. Walked over to Starbuck's to get a coffee (really to warm my hands) and took the bus home. Defeated: yes. Discouraged: yes and no. Yes, because my hands were not happy. No, because I've done 11 miles. 
  
  
  
• If your breathing is off, take a step back and think about breathing in for either 3 or 4 counts and exhaling out for 2 or 3 counts: slow inhale/slow exhale. 
• Lastly, check your attitude. Your attitude dictates everything from how your body feels to how you perform at work. Now sometimes, your attitude can fuel your workouts. Sometimes, being pissed off can make you have an amazing workout (but then you feel like you are going to die). Again, check yourself, your ego, your attitude.

Just know that you are not alone. Embrace that shitty workout, learn from it and move on. Oh, and shameless plug, yes, I'm fundraising for T2EA (Team 2 End AIDS). Want to chip in a dollar or $13.10 for the F^3 Half Marathon that I'm running this Saturday? Here's the link: https://action.aidschicago.org/fundraiser/3625150

Welcome to 2022!

Okay, I know we are now 10 days into the New Year, but Happy New Year anyway. January happens to be a very stressful and busy month for me that sets the tone for the rest of the year. So, what do I have on the horizon?

I have the following:

• F^3 Half Marathon: January 29th in Chicago
• Yeah, it may be -20 or it may be 40 degrees. I'm just going to go for it and see how everything goes.
• United Airlines NYC Half Marathon: March 20th in NY
• I'm so excited to return to this Half Marathon and running/representing T2EA (Team 2 End AIDS or #ganginred)
• Wanna donate? https://action.aidschicago.org/fundraiser/3625150
• Chicago Half Marathon: September 25th in Chicago
• Although it is technically a work day for me, I'm always trying to help anyone and everyone who needs my help to get to the finish line.
• Bank of America Chicago Marathon: October 9th in Chicago
• Another work day for me but I need to decided if I will cross the finish line or bail out after going back and forth on the course to help my athletes and anyone else who needs help.
• New York City Marathon: November 6th  in New York
• This has been the one race that I have always wanted to do and I will be doing it running/representing T2EA (Team 2 End AIDS or #ganginred). The goal is to smile and have fun.

Now I have some other races that are in the works:

• Chattanooga 70.3: The return of #theBeez and #theFro adventures.
• Rev3 Williamsburg Sprint and 70.3: I wasn't able to do the sprint last year due to airline issues but I will do the double.

Unknowns and possibilities:

• USAT MultiSport Festival in Irving, TX: Aquathlon only
• ITU Worlds for Aquathlon: Ibiza (date unknown)

We will see how the landscape plays out. But until then, check out some of the awesome photos from my TrainingPeaks Ambassador photoshoot by @snowymountainphotography.