threeninteenfiftynine

 yes, it's been almost a month since I ran the NYC marathon - I still can't believe my time --- 3:19.59.  it's crazy, just thinking about it!  but it's such a good feeling going into the winter months knowing that I have my BQ time for 2015.  :)  Ross and I are doing an ultra marathon (50k) on December 28th - its 2 fifteen mile loops on a trail around a lake in Northern Indiana.  I honestly have no idea what to expect.  I have no goal time in mind and I'm ok with that.  We've been busy with the kid's swimming on the weekends so we haven't logged too many long runs.  Although Ross and I both got out on a nice 10 mile run on the cross-country trails of Calvin College in Grand Rapids last weekend.  Ross ran first --- I wasn't going to do 10 miles BUT since Ross did..... you know I HAD to run 10 also :) 

I've restarted my Hanson's training program just to have a workout schedule each day.  I've been trying to keep up my track workouts to keep the speed that I've worked so hard to gain this summer.  I told Ross that I would try to pace him when we run the Kenosha Marathon in May together --- a 7:05 pace will be a big stretch for me --- but if I can last until mile 18 and then let Ross go - we'll see what I have left in my tank for the last 8 miles of the marathon.  If nothing else, it will be a half-marathon PR time for me if I can keep up the 7:05 pace.  Hopefully by pacing Ross, he'll be able to fly in the last 8 miles for his BQ time.  Right now my tempo runs are at about a 7:15 pace and that's pushing it for me --- but it's good to be pushed.... you know that "feeling uncomfortable :)"  We had the first real snowfall last night.... well, not much accumulation but enough to make the roads slippery at 5:30am.  I was able to make it to the track for some 800 repeats this morning and didn't slip around too much.  I cleared a nice little path after a few laps :)

I've been swimming 3 times a week, but no specific workouts - I usually go in and swim a mile straight and a little bit of kicking and then leave.  I've been taking some Tabada classes at my gym - and let me tell you - those will kick your butt!!  they are 30 minute classes at a very high intensity.  I keep forgetting to put on my heart-rate monitor --- but I bet my heart rate is way up there.  It's a nice change of pace from the 3 hour training rides preparing for the Ironman :)  The other night, my arms were so sore that I actually slept in my sweatshirt because I could not get it off! 

I will probably start my official Ironman Boulder training in February.  I literally haven't been on my tri bike since my Ironman --- I've done a few 1.5 hour rides at the gym on a spin bike but that's about it.  I know I'll get plenty of saddle time soon - especially as the weather turns colder in the morning. 

Oh, that reminds me, I finally came up with a name for my bike... I know, sounds a little strange.... but when you spend that much time riding... it's seems only fitting that my bike have a name.  (and a lady whose blog I follow - she named her bike for her Ironman :))  I've decided to call my bike "Bea" as in "Believe".  I think it suits her..... I noticed the white tape on the handle bars is very dingy from all my riding last summer -- so I think this winter I'll get some bright pink tape for Bea :)

 a little note from my sweet Helen when I returned from the NYC marathon

some notes of inspiration that my family left me on my last 20 mile run before NYC :)