Austin is an amazing city with an opportunity to meet new people and stay active...whether it be competitive in sport or just running your dog around the dog park.
When I moved to Austin I ran. Only ran. The same trail, the same distance. My friends Larry and Leslie introduced me to the Gazelles....it rocked! I just didn't stick with it. It is there I can alway join up!
Then there is Rogue. Rogue got me through my very first Danskin triathlon and I had so much support while I had no idea how to clip on or swim efficiently. They got me through. I believe Leslie introduced me to them too.
I was ready for the next level. In comes T3. T3 got me through my first half Ironman and my first Ironman.
I like variety and ready to branch out to other activities and additional people. I love to meet new people and having the opportunity to meet them while trail running, whatever running, swimming, biking or yoga is how I like to live my life. Having people like this in my life keep me going and I never feel alone.
I have lost a few friends I feel like and that is ok. It happens and part of it is due to my situation at the present moment. I have not been myself and am going through some major life changes.
At the perfect time to start over new comes Tempo Multisport!
"Tempo Multisport was founded in 2009 by Tammy Metzger, an Ironman athlete, and student of sports psychology and exercise physiology. Tammy started professional coaching in early 2006 at Cycle University in Seattle, Washington. She currently holds a bachelor of science degree in Exercise Science from Bastyr University, also in Seattle, and is finishing up her Master’s of Education degree from the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Sport & Exercise Psychology, with a strong focus on Exercise Physiology. Next fall she will be transfering into UT Austin’s coordinated nutrition program to attain certification as a Registered Dietitian.".
As soon as I recover from the last two races I have done I will begin a new experience. So far I really like the people involved with Tempo Multisport as it is in it's beginning stages. Such awesome friends Tammy has who are willing to support her and see this group succeed..for the good of the community. I smile every time I see a new sponsor on her list and know this can be a little overwhelming.
To some people it may seem like just another tri group in Austin. To me it is a chance to learn new ways to train, network and have some fun and offer my support and enthusiasm in seeing others succeed.
I don't like letting chances like this pass me by. I never know who I will meet. My new best friend, a best friend for a best friend, friends for Peenelope...whatever. I don't see this as another tri group for which I have to choose. I see it as an addition.
Congratulations to Tammy and thank you for including me in your new venture!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
2010 - The Year of Bandera and Rocky Raccoon
At the beginning of the year my new year's resolution was to begin spending more time off the road and on the trail. This includes trail running and mountain biking. Since I am not making a steady income trail running is all can afford. Will pick back up with triathlon training when I get a job.
So for now trail running it is and Bandera was first on the list. I was so sceeeered. I was told of the rough and challenging hills and rocks so I thought maaaaybe I should wait until I do some trail run training.
Naaaa.
I decided to just go on out there and do the 15 mile ( 30K ?) run. Then I heard it was going to be 10 degrees so I changed my mind. I didn't feel like finding a sitter for Peenelope and staying there over the weekend. Then Ali and Roman said they would drive with me that morning and come back after. Damn Ali! So I changed my mind again, got up at 4 am, drove to Bandera and did the run starting in, yup, 10 degrees. I had THE BEST TIME EVER! I am sooo glad I did it and was able to come home and sleep in my warm bed with Peenelope. Yes, I told her all about my day. Met a couple of new people, saw Logan at the beginning then saw Elizabeth and Jess who were cheering. Then I got my medal, changed in Logan's tent, hung out with Rhonda, Val, Amy, Ali, and Roman and cheered on Vegas, Jane Bui and Jerry as they did the 50K. I also saw Mike and Meredith at an aid station. Fun fun day! Got me out of my funk.
I had soo much fun on the trail not thinking about my shitty life as I know it to be right now. By shitty I mean I really hate not working and buying stuff.
That night after Bandera I signed up for Rocky Raccoon. A 50 MILE trail run in Huntsville. ( My training consisted of a couple of marathons and no trail running except for Bandera - not the smartest move but who cares).
So Rocky...
Drove up there with Vegas and Jane. They knew everything they needed for a trail run of this distance. I was like shit..I need a bandana!? Gators? Green light? Learned a lot! We pick up our packet, go to the briefing, got our drop bags together and went to bed for a 4:15 am wake up call.
Our hotel was so nice and opened breakfast at 4 am for all the runners. Sweet! Jerry met us and we were on our way. 6 am was when the 100 milers started. We saw a bunch of bobbing headlamps running towards us. It was so cool to see!
7 am - We start out for what was going to be the longest friggin run of my life. It was soo pretty out there. Tall trees, a really pretty lake ( which at night was more scary because of the laughing clown sounds coming from it). We had to run 3 loops of about 16 miles...( teeny bit more to equal 50). Start cold, got warm ,ended cold. We got to our drop bag twice and then when we finished so we could change. I could have done better at that. I didn't change my shoes and got massive blisters between my toesies. Sexy. I also should have had my gloves. My hands were cold. I have never had foot pain like I did on this run. Almost a week later and my feet still hurt. That is about it really. No other muscle soreness believe it or not. It took 14 hours.
This was more mental for me than anything. Harder than a 16/17 hour Ironman. Just didn't think I would be able to finish. Really doubted myself but out loud would say I am going to finish this. Inside I was so scared I would drop. I kept going. Didn't sit down once because I totally knew that would be the end.
My plan going in was to eat like I would a normal marathon..gu's and crap. Then halfway in enjoy all the junk at the aid stations. Grill cheese, P,B and J, Ham and Cheese sandwiches, Chicken noodle soup, potatoes and salt, candy...oh the candy! The problem was I completely lost my appetite. It took everything I had to get down the food in the alloted 7 minutes we allowed ourselves at each aid station. I just couldn't eat and that sucked. I forced it. I know I was well hydrated. I had to pee every 20 minutes. Yup, a few squats had to be done.
When we finished all I wanted to do again was of course pee, take off my shoes, assess the damage, take a vicodin, drink some wine, eat pizza and celebrate with Vegas and Jane. That was the best. Hangin out with them, our Rocky Racoon sweatshirts, crawling around the room to get from suitcase to chair to bed and discussing how it went. The 14 hour longest run of my life. I really don't think I can do it again but it all depends on what funk I have going on.
I got to forget about life for a day and focus on the pain in my feet instead. I am so glad I did it and thank Vegas for talking me into it...just like she did Ironman. Watch out for her. She will bring your inner warrior out. Sometimes that is just what I need.
So for now trail running it is and Bandera was first on the list. I was so sceeeered. I was told of the rough and challenging hills and rocks so I thought maaaaybe I should wait until I do some trail run training.
Naaaa.
I decided to just go on out there and do the 15 mile ( 30K ?) run. Then I heard it was going to be 10 degrees so I changed my mind. I didn't feel like finding a sitter for Peenelope and staying there over the weekend. Then Ali and Roman said they would drive with me that morning and come back after. Damn Ali! So I changed my mind again, got up at 4 am, drove to Bandera and did the run starting in, yup, 10 degrees. I had THE BEST TIME EVER! I am sooo glad I did it and was able to come home and sleep in my warm bed with Peenelope. Yes, I told her all about my day. Met a couple of new people, saw Logan at the beginning then saw Elizabeth and Jess who were cheering. Then I got my medal, changed in Logan's tent, hung out with Rhonda, Val, Amy, Ali, and Roman and cheered on Vegas, Jane Bui and Jerry as they did the 50K. I also saw Mike and Meredith at an aid station. Fun fun day! Got me out of my funk.
I had soo much fun on the trail not thinking about my shitty life as I know it to be right now. By shitty I mean I really hate not working and buying stuff.
That night after Bandera I signed up for Rocky Raccoon. A 50 MILE trail run in Huntsville. ( My training consisted of a couple of marathons and no trail running except for Bandera - not the smartest move but who cares).
So Rocky...
Drove up there with Vegas and Jane. They knew everything they needed for a trail run of this distance. I was like shit..I need a bandana!? Gators? Green light? Learned a lot! We pick up our packet, go to the briefing, got our drop bags together and went to bed for a 4:15 am wake up call.
Our hotel was so nice and opened breakfast at 4 am for all the runners. Sweet! Jerry met us and we were on our way. 6 am was when the 100 milers started. We saw a bunch of bobbing headlamps running towards us. It was so cool to see!
7 am - We start out for what was going to be the longest friggin run of my life. It was soo pretty out there. Tall trees, a really pretty lake ( which at night was more scary because of the laughing clown sounds coming from it). We had to run 3 loops of about 16 miles...( teeny bit more to equal 50). Start cold, got warm ,ended cold. We got to our drop bag twice and then when we finished so we could change. I could have done better at that. I didn't change my shoes and got massive blisters between my toesies. Sexy. I also should have had my gloves. My hands were cold. I have never had foot pain like I did on this run. Almost a week later and my feet still hurt. That is about it really. No other muscle soreness believe it or not. It took 14 hours.
This was more mental for me than anything. Harder than a 16/17 hour Ironman. Just didn't think I would be able to finish. Really doubted myself but out loud would say I am going to finish this. Inside I was so scared I would drop. I kept going. Didn't sit down once because I totally knew that would be the end.
My plan going in was to eat like I would a normal marathon..gu's and crap. Then halfway in enjoy all the junk at the aid stations. Grill cheese, P,B and J, Ham and Cheese sandwiches, Chicken noodle soup, potatoes and salt, candy...oh the candy! The problem was I completely lost my appetite. It took everything I had to get down the food in the alloted 7 minutes we allowed ourselves at each aid station. I just couldn't eat and that sucked. I forced it. I know I was well hydrated. I had to pee every 20 minutes. Yup, a few squats had to be done.
When we finished all I wanted to do again was of course pee, take off my shoes, assess the damage, take a vicodin, drink some wine, eat pizza and celebrate with Vegas and Jane. That was the best. Hangin out with them, our Rocky Racoon sweatshirts, crawling around the room to get from suitcase to chair to bed and discussing how it went. The 14 hour longest run of my life. I really don't think I can do it again but it all depends on what funk I have going on.
I got to forget about life for a day and focus on the pain in my feet instead. I am so glad I did it and thank Vegas for talking me into it...just like she did Ironman. Watch out for her. She will bring your inner warrior out. Sometimes that is just what I need.
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