Run Eat Tri Yogi

Do you have a friend, family member or a co-worker training for a full Ironman? You're not sure? It's the person you know who is incessantly complaining about their IM training. Symptoms include irritability, constant hunger, no social life and some weird tan lines (that they're oddly proud of). Before you think about cutting off ties with that asshole poor person, let me explain what's really going on behind the scenes and how to best deal with the situation... I come mainly from an ultrarunning background. That's my jam. Which, by the way, they literally have jam out on the course too, which is not the main reason I love my ultras.  Somehow, I decided to go for a triathlon.  And then someone insisted we do a half Ironman. Sure, why not? I JUST signed up for a sprint but training for a 70.3 for next spring sounds more fun. After 2 half Ironmans under my belt, my ego got the best of me and thought, "I'm ready for the full." A full Ironman con...

This is not my first DNF but it is my first for a triathlon.  I'll be 100% honest and say this was not a race I was taking too seriously. I had signed up to use this event as a training day on my way to Ironman Chattanooga in Sept. But as I took on more personal training clients and classes at work, my own training hours dwindled. I kept up with my swimming and running but my bike rides weren't what they were last year when I was training for Ironman Chatt 70.3. This particular event was also just a week before Titletown Ultra 15.5, where I was going to attempt my first 100k. I went back and forth on whether I'd even go ahead with Baycare 70.3. But what better way to get an open water swim session in? And a group ride and run with support along the way? So I went ahead with it... here are the events of that day. I settled into my hotel room (reserved less than 24 hours ago) by 7pm and tried to get some rest before getting up at 4:50am.  Everything was packed and rea...

"Depression hit me hard today," I thought to myself as I was heading off to bed. It was a reminder that what I'm feeling and thinking aren't "normal". I'm extra sensitive to people's expressions, words and my own negative thoughts during days like these. Imagine a flatline on the heart monitor and then a jolt of energy showing up. Except that jolt is the complete opposite of energy. It completely saps me of mine and I feel like I'm in a tar pit, trying to make my way out. I made a mental note to just let it all pass - sometimes it only lasts a day and hoped the next day would be lighter. Day 2... I wake up even more tired and immediately feel anxious. But I don't know why. I make my way to the bathroom and feel this cloud of dread over me. I just want to cradle my head in my hands and cry in the dark bathroom. I try to get a handle on this situation before it gets worse. What is it about today? What happened last night that may have spill...

I have written this post 3 times now, deleting 2 and starting over in one sitting alone. The reasons always changed to this question. It can change from morning to afternoon. And to be completely honest, I haven't wanted to really run this past month. The flu really set me back, and then I lost all motivation. The question of why I run would plague me during the runs if/when I finally did force myself to lace up and run/jog/walk. I welcomed any and all "reasons" to not train every day - which is not the easiest to do when your job is at the gym! WI winter may have something to do with it... I really questioned why I keep doing it. Not just running but the training itself. It put me in a dark place where I felt I had no business posting on social media, showing my "just barely getting it done" training posts and trying to be supportive of others. With the right group of people, running 50M is actually fun! Met this crew along the course: Ann, Mandy,...

I didn't plan on coming back to #im703choo this year. It was my A race last year and was everything I thought it'd be but it never occurred to me that I would do this race again! Even when I got the notification that registration was open... but when I saw the Facebook post about there still being openings days/weeks later, I was shocked and started entertaining the idea. I brought it up to my fiance but then finally, I couldn't NOT sign up anymore. The drive to Chattanooga, TN from central WI is approximately 12 hours, not taking into account gas stops and bathroom breaks.  Fortunately, the ride was uneventful! This time, it was just Ben and me. We left Friday morning and by the time we reached our hotel, we were done. Top of tower at Ruby Falls Since bike check-in wouldn't start until 1:30pm on Saturday, we decided to take advantage of some free time and sight see. Last year, we arrived on Saturday and rushed around before getting to bed early. View from ...

Last year, I completed my first tri at this event. I'm pretty sure I said "never again" to this one. I remembered the hills being pretty bad. So being typical me, I went with the longer distance this time... and the hills were not just "pretty bad", they were a nightmare. Let me tell you all about it (and the lessons I learned)... Leading up to the race, I just didn't feel prepared. I know it's a common feeling for many of us. But I completely stopped swimming for a full month after my half ironman and took awhile to get back on the bike. I had nightmares of this event, especially the swimming portion. Then I'd shake it off, trying to remind myself that I'd completed twice the distance and then some not too long ago.  Race Day: The swim was uneventful. I learned from #imchoo and didn't stray too far from the buoys.  Oh the seaweed though... I got tangled in it a few times.  And best of all, I did not stumble left once I got out o...