Colorado Blizzard 09

OMG! I just got home from sitting on the bus for 5.5 HOURS!!! Yes, that is correct! To Denver and back which should have only taken about 50 minutes round trip. The blizzard is here and I had a meeting at 9:00 in Denver. I knew my little Ford Escape wouldn't make it so I chose the safer route and jumped on the bus. I'm glad I did because I surely would have gotten stuck.

It was absolutely insane watching the cars. People stuck on the hills, sliding into each other, sliding into the railing, people abandoning their cars and walking back to Boulder, etc. I have never seen anything like this in my life and I've been here 5 years!

I guess we deserve it after a winter full of 65-70 degree days and sunshine. I slid my way down from Magnolia Rd (8700 ft) this morning before it got bad and I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get back up there tonight to release the dogs I'm babysitting for. I'm anxious, I hope they'll be OK and I can get up there tomorrow.

If you're in this area, STAY IN & STAY WARM. If you're not...LUCKY YOU!

That's What I Get...

...For not wearing sunscreen on my run today. Check out the killer tan line (or sunburn) on my calf from my capri tights! Good thing it's turning cold this week and I won't be in shorts! 

My Legs Hurt

I just finished my longest run to date since Kona. Roughly 24 miles around the Boulder Reservoir! I planned to do 3 laps (6.03 miles per lap) for sure and if I felt good tag on a 4th. My friend Melissa joined me for lap #1 and we kept a faster but comfortable pace. I did the next 3 on my own, finishing the first 18 miles 6 minutes faster than I did it last weekend, wahoo! I wasn't sure I had a fourth one in me but I wanted to get at least 20 miles so I stretched my tired legs, downed a gel, and set off for #4. About 20 minutes in I was thinking: BAD IDEA! I was smoked! I slowed down quite a bit on lap 4 but I was happy with the overall effort and for getting in some serious miles. It got hot out there, it's like desert and I ran out of water on lap 4. I could have downed another gallon if I'd brought enough!

I got home and jumped in an ice bath ASAP. Man did that feel good but I could only stand it for about 15 minutes. I ended up with some funky tan lines and a blister on top of a blister, ouch!

At least I look happy, despite being so tired!

My tired legs!

I never take baths so I didn't have a plug to keep the water in. Not to fear, a plastic glove stuffed in the drain works just great! GETTO!

I'm keeping some friends dogs up in the mountains and I went up this morning to let them out and exercise them a bit. On my way up in the meadow I saw a MASSIVE herd of Elk just chillin! It was incredible. And people ask why I want to move up there! I hope so badly that we end up there one day, I absolutely love it!

Elk in the Meadow, this was only half of them!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Mine was decent, minus not seeing Kevin at all. He is super sick at home and I feel so bad for him! I wish I was there to take care of him! He says he's never going to Vegas again! LOL

What Happens In Vegas Stays In Vegas

But nothing too exciting really happened so I'll share... I wrapped up a 4 day Vegas extravaganza on Tuesday and let me just say, 4 days is a little long in Sin City. However, the weekend was split up nicely. A little with the girls and a little with the love of my life!

I arrived Friday afternoon after work and met up with my friend Molly and 2 of her other friends from high school. Molly is getting hitched on June 27th so we were celebrating her bachelorette party! Friday we made our way to Thunder From Down Under, yikes! It was quite funny, although the guys were extremely good looking and had great bodies, their goofy dances kinda ruined it for me. For some reason it seemed all the ladies were ATLEAST 100 lbs up on me and my friends and those were the ones the guys kept pulling up on stage, really boys?? Come on! I had to laugh to myself and think "Wow, these girls are loving this, they probably don't get to look at and touch guys like this every day at home! Not me, I have a sexy triathlete at home that looks better than any of these jocks!" Let me just say how thankful I am that Kevin & I have a healthy lifestyle and take care of our bodies!

I digress...Saturday the other girls slept til 12! Me on the other hand, I can't sleep that late even when I stay up until 2am. I was up at 7:30, out for a run, made $15 on a slot machine, and had breakfast before they even woke up! Once they were up we headed to The Hard Rock pool for some sun & fun. We laid by the pool for most of the day. I skipped the drinks, I simply can't drink all day and I'm in full on marathon mode so it wouldn't have been a good idea! After the pool, we walked the strip, checked out the hotels, and made reservations at Tao for later that evening. This place was really cool but packed! We didn't eat "dinner" until 12 am (is it really dinner at that point?)!!! But got into the club for free for eating at the restaurant. Although, the fact that we were 4 girls didn't hurt either! I wasn't drinking much and my crazy high heels were killing me...(running shoes please)...but it was a blast and a fun night out with the girls, until 4am.

Needless to say I could have slept a bit later than 8am the next day but we had to get up and get out. The girls left around 10:30 and I headed to the gym to run and lift weights before Kevin showed up at 2. He got to town, we checked into our hotel, and hit the casino. We are not big gamblers but it's fun to play the slots, blackjack, and a little roulette. Needless to say, we lost everything we took to play! We were both so tired that we were headed to bed around 9:30. Probably the only 2 in Vegas that were in bed at 9:30 except for the people that passed out from drinking all day. Monday was packed full of walking the strip, more casinos, good food, and great quality time with each other. We have such a blast together time just disappears!

We got home mid-afternoon Tuesday and I have to say I was glad to be back in the beautiful state of Colorado, although I am missing Kevin already! You'd think I'd get used to saying goodbye but I think it just gets harder and harder.

I have an exciting opportunity today. I can't divulge the details yet but I'll keep you posted!

Here are some pictures from Las Vegas!

Just a little 18 mile warm up

As I sit at the airport waiting for my flight to Las Vegas I can't help but think about that brutal run this morning, my legs won't let me forget. I decided to rearrange my runs this week so that I could get in my long run before the weekend in Vegas, knowing it wouldn't happen once there. I braved the cold, dark morning and headed out about 6am to the Boulder Reservoir, a personal fav for long runs. A long run on a Friday ain't easy, especially after a 90 minute run last night. I'm already at 46 miles for the week. Hoping to hit 60 by Sunday. 

3 loops is right at 18 miles and I wasn't sure I would have time for 3 but I felt good, keeping a solid pace and accomplished it feeling good. However, I'm paying for it now. That was my longest yet for this race. The build is coming naturally and the fitness is improving but it comes with a cost of sore legs and a rumbling stomach for hours after! Ahhh, I love it though and wouldn't trade this feeling for anything. 

I packed my running shoes and plan to get in about an hour run each day while I'm in Vegas, or at least 12 more miles. I know, who goes to Vegas and runs?? ME! I can't help it, sorry!

It will be an exciting weekend. 2 nights with the girls doing "fling before the ring" things for my friend Molly and then Kevin makes his way West on Sunday to play in sin city for another 2 days! So fun....and no, we are not getting hitched in a drive through chapel by an elvis impersonator, not to worry mom! 

Have a great weekend!

Beth Hart

Kevin introduced me to this artist and I really like her. It made me think of a friend today so I thought I would post it so she (and you) can check it out. Who knows, maybe you'll dig it as much as me! Great music to enjoy a glass of wine with. Here's the music, get your own wine....

Kona 2008 Video

I found this cool video recapping the race in Kona! Makes me want to go back so bad! 2010 baby!

Light & Fast Lead User Workshop

While Kevin was in NM this past weekend visiting his mom and eating Oryx, I had the opportunity to go to Golden, CO and participate in a workshop that GORE put on along with a German company they had hired, HYVE. It was a marketing research workshop that lead users in the outdoors/sporting industries were a part of. It was a small group, just 7 lead users of various sports-ultra running, triathlon, mountaineering, fly fishing, mountain biking, cycling, hiking, etc. 

Gore is beginning to think about a new line of products that are "light & fast". For what sports exactly is still being determined, which is why they wanted to know what, we as the users, are currently using, what we like/dislike about products on the market, what we would change, things that are not on the market but want to see, etc. 

I love that good companies are going directly to the consumer to find out what we want. Great ideas in the shop are wonderful but will someone buy it? So often companies don't ask users what they want and when it doesn't fly off the shelves they are surprised! Hello?!?!

It was  a weekend full of brain storming, creativity, product development, playing with gear, and meeting new people. I loved getting to talk with other athletes and learning about what they are using when they train and race. The group from HYVE did a fantastic job and so did GORE. I hope that I can be involved as some of the fantastic ideas we came up with come into fruition in the next 2-5 years! If it does, you're going to be amazed because it's some pretty incredible innovation! 

This was right up my alley, market research and sports! I loved it. I wish I could get paid full time to do stuff like this....hmmm, there's idea-I'm going to work on that! 

Hope you had a fantastic weekend! 

Overtrained?

I've finally come to terms with the fact that I very well may be over trained, if not OT, definitely over reached and on the cusp. 

It's been a huge block the last 4 weeks of running and I've been running the most miles I've run in a give week since college. Focusing on triathlon keeps me more balanced and I've always found when I get up above 45 miles of running a week things usually start to fall apart with either injury or over training. Luckily I'm still injury free (besides a tight hammy I've been dealing with all year) but I am super beat! Between the high volume and the 2-3 high intensity workouts per week I can't say that I'm particularly surprised. I did make a rolfing appointment this past week and I think that helped a bit. I'm going to be going frequently to get some more key structural integration. I need to start deep tissue massage again. Thankfully my favorite masseuse is back from her 3 month adventure in Australia, lucky biotch!

Next weekend I am going to be in Las Vegas for my friend Molly's bachelorette party and then Kevin is coming for a couple days. This week was supposed to be recovery but I went into the week thinking I could make next week recovery and stuff another high volume/intensity into this one. WRONG! I found out quickly that my legs just weren't going to cooperate. Thus, a little forced recovery. Here we are on Thursday and my legs are still heavy. Ugh! A few more light days before trying to pick it up again. Hopefully I can still get my long (and SUPER easy) run in on Sunday before starting another week. And yes, I will be running in Las Vegas! I know...crazy! Who goes to Vegas and runs? ME! I'll get my long one in before I go though that way I can just get some shorter runs in in the midst of my bachelorette escapades! 

Fingers crossed the fire comes back soon!

How to $H!T in the Woods

Another fantastic weekend in Boulder. I couldn't go out of town this weekend because I'm dog sitting so Kevin came up Saturday afternoon. After work on Friday I was so worn out I was looking forward to a relaxing night in with some good music, a book, and a glass of wine. It was just what I needed!

Saturday I got up and got my 2 hour ride in along with a quick 6 mile easy run-just resting up for the madness coming my way on Sunday! Kevin showed up and we took the dogs out, skyped with my parents a bit online, went downtown to walk around on Pearl Street and enjoy the sun and then cooked a fantastic dinner: Lemon/Garlic Broiled Salmon & Orzo with Chevre, Mushrooms, and Spinach. The pasta was amazing! I found the recipe on my friend Elizabeth's blog. Check out her site for more great recipes! She's a pro! Here's the recipe. It is a MUST try...

Ingredients:

1 box dried orzo

1 bag (or fresh) spinach

3 cups sliced mushrooms (cremini, button, portobellas were suggested)

4 oz herbed Chevre (goat cheese)

2 tbs olive oil

1 clove garlic

Kosher Salt

Directions:

In a large non-stick skillet saute sliced mushrooms over medium heat with olive oil. Stir frequently for 3-5 minutes. Add minced garlic, continue cooking till mushrooms are completely soft and garlic has lost the raw 'bite'. About 3-5 minutes.

Generously salt pasta water (should be as salty as ocean water) and prepare orzo as directed. 

Once pasta is cooked, turn off heat and pour in spinach. Stir until wilted (1-3 minutes). Drain and return to pan (don't rinse)

Drop in mushrooms. Spoon in goat cheese. The heat will melt the cheese and make a creamy texture. If needed drizzle 1 tbsp of olive oil to help. 

Sunday we didn't sleep in too late. Had to get up and get moving, taking care of dogs, eating breakfast, coffee run, and head to our favorite mountain trail for the weekly long run. This run was intense! We've been running this trail frequently and each time getting faster and fitter. I had a 2 hour run with some race pace and tempo effort on the schedule today. This trail is tough no matter what so my goal was just to negative split each lap (3.2 miles each). The trail starts with a link from the road on Boulder Canyon up to the loop (about 1.25 miles) but super steep. Definitely not the best warm up. We got to the top, dropped our water and extra clothing layers, and began loop one. This was the first time we'd run up there when it was snow free. No doubt that helped with shaving some time but the fitness gain is definitely there as well. 

I have been steering clear of coffee and caffeine. For a couple reasons 1) it's way to 

acidic and messes with my gut and 2) if I abstain and have it only before races or big workouts I get the "buzz" from the caffeine at a much greater level. I knew this workout was going be tough so I decided to get a coffee this morning and it sure did the trick when it comes to energy but it reeked havoc on the good ol' GI. About 5 minutes into lap 1 I new this run was going get interesting. I wasn't sure if my breakfast just wasn't sitting right or if I had to "go". At the end of lap 1 I decided to give the intestines an opportunity to make peace with me and moseyed a few hundred feet off the trail. With gel in hand, preparing for my next lap, I dropped trow and did my business. Nutrients in, nutrients out right? 

Man, that was the magic moment on today's run! haha. I have never felt so much better in my life. We started lap 2 and a minute in (Kevin was right on my feet since it's single track trail) and I let out a loud "AHHHH", which was quite funny as I was so relieved to have a clean gut and feeling better. Lap 2 was 30 seconds faster than lap 1. A quick break for another gel and some water and I was off for lap 3. I was tired and thought for sure it wouldn't happen again. I was hoping for at least an equal split, not slowing down, and I was another 20 seconds faster-fastest I've run it to date. It's not much but I was happy to keep up the pace and not slow down. It's a gnarly trail with allot of up and down and steep terrain. The front 1/4 isn't so bad but as I wrap around the back side I'm usually cursing myself wishing it was over. Finally, downhill back to the canyon and it was over. I love having great runs, feeling the fitness gains, and feeling like I gave it everything I had...Finishing the week with 53 miles in my training log. The most miles I've run in 1 week in who knows how long. I'm feeling it and looking forward to the next 7 days...a much needed Recovery Week!

Time for some massive calorie and glycogen replacement. Home to have some lunch, massage, and chillaxin. It was tough to say goodbye to Kevin today. It'll be 2 weeks before we see each other again. He is headed to NM to see his mom next weekend while I keep the dogs. But the following weekend we are meeting up in Las Vegas. I'm headed there Friday for a bachelorette party and he's meeting me there Sunday for another couple of fun days in Sin City. Can't wait....