The Simple Life at the Deer Camp

Every December through early January we go deer hunting in Bienville, LA.  I hunt every weekend and during the Christmas holidays with friends and family.  At the deer camp life is just simple.   We cook breakfast, hunt, have a picnic lunch, hunt some more, cook supper, and visit/play dominos.  Sometimes I manage to fit in a run but I don’t stress if time doesn’t allow for me to get in a workout.   I do find time to read, crochet, and knit.  I find these simple activities very pleasurable and although we have a TV in the camp I rarely watch it and we don’t have internet.  For me this is a built in rest, relax, and recuperation period.

It is so nice to be outdoors for the majority of the day and there is nothing like hearing the hounds trailing and running a deer.  The thrill of the chase, talking on our CB radios, and trying to get a shot is so much fun.  Each year at the end of deer season I vow to get outdoors more during the rest of the year.  2015 is no different, I’m going to try to get outdoors and enjoy activities other than working out!  I’m also going to try to make life as simple as possible!

 



Me in my usual hunting get-up with my beloved Benelli 12-guage shotgun!

2014 Year in Review

1. Sometimes it’s about the journey and not your race time.  Just take a look back at my Ironman Texas race report.  I was coming off possibly my best race ever, Ironman Texas 70.3 in Galveston, and I was primed and ready to ROCK Ironman Texas.  Well, it didn’t turn out the way I anticipated but I’m so proud of my performance.  During the race all my pacing goals went out the window and I had the time of my life!

2. There is no such thing as a bad race or a bad workout.  Even though at times my performance fell short of my expectations there was a reason why.  Again, look at my Ironman Texas race.  I’ve analyzed all the events that took place before and during the race and I’ve some to the conclusion that my overall nutrition was lacking.  Therefore, this year I’m concentrating on nutrition throughout my training.   In another instance, I completed a short sprint tri about a month after Ironman Texas and I had to walk twice during the 5k run.  Holy cow, I was an Ironman and I was reduced to walking in a sprint tri!  I immediately emailed my coach and she told me this was completely normal.  This episode kicked off a summer full of speed work.  Now, I’m stronger than ever!

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  I need to improve on my nutrition and in the back of my mind I knew this last year.  I don’t know why, but I just didn’t ask for help.  This year I have already asked for help.  I’m getting more advice about hydration and nutrition.  I can’t wait to see the results of my new hydration/nutrition plan!

So here’s to a better, faster, stronger 2015!

Addicted?

Hi, I’m Summer and I think I may be addicted to working out. 

The days are getting shorter and we have been out of town the past few weekends.  I will also be out of town next weekend, the 10 days after Christmas, and the next weekend.  I’m finding it difficult to get in long workouts and I’m stressing out.  IMTX is only 155 days away!

This past week I missed a swim workout and 2 run workouts.  I didn’t workout Thur., Fri., or Sat.  I felt like crap and I was stressed.  Granted, I was at the deer camp and I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I will probably write a post about how much I enjoy it.  But for some reason this past weekend I just felt yucky.  I did get in a 1 hour 20 minute bike ride and 2 mile brick run on Sunday afternoon.  I immediately felt better.  This got me to questioning myself, “Am I addicted to exercise?”

Yes, there are more serious addictions than exercising but just being addicted to anything does not seem healthy.  So this week I’ve really examined my workout habits and state of mind.  Of course I feel better when I exercise but I’ve decided that there’s more to it than that.  I have no problem setting long term goals, making a plan of attack, and working hard to achieve my goal.  Actually, this is exactly how I roll.  I have a goal (Ironman Texas) and a plan (thanks Becky).  That plan includes a tough off-season.  This time last year I was blissfully awaiting the beginning of ironman training in Jan.  I just wanted to finish and become an Ironman.  This year I’m more determined to rock IMTX (my goal).  The plan is to push myself harder.   To most this wouldn’t seem to blissful, but to me it is like heaven on Earth.  I know that the hard work will pay off! 

I become stressed when I miss several scheduled workouts during a week.  These workouts are the building blocks that will help me reach my goal.  So you see, I’m not addicted to exercise, I’m addicted to meeting or surpassing my goal. 

I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not an exercise addict, I’m a disciplinarian.  I’ve always been my toughest critic and I hate to face myself when I miss a workout without a good reason.  One of my favorite quotes is, “The pain of discipline is less than the pain of regret.” 

Currently, I’m analyzing my strengths and weaknesses and determining which workouts are absolutely necessary.   I’m working on being more flexible in my planning.  Hopefully, this self-analysis and flexible planning will cut down on the stress levels!

My 1st Professional Bike Fit

I’ve always known that I needed to get a professional bike fit but I’ve just never got around to it.  In September while I was at the Rose City Tri in Tyler I happened upon Tri Shop’s booth.  I was really intrigued by the Retul method and I decided to set up an appointment for Thanksgiving Break.  Tri Shop is located in Plano, TX so I knew this would be a day long trip.  My grandmother’s cousin lives nearby so she decided to tag along to shop and visit.

 We arrived about 30 minutes before my 12:00 p.m. appointment but they were ready to get started.  I was shocked that Trent, the bike fitter was from Mt. Enterprise and we knew some of the same people!  We started by testing my flexibility and core strength.  Then, he looked at my feet and he looked at me while I walked.  I discovered I walked slightly pigeon toed on my right side because I have Morton’s toe (my 2^nd toe is longer than my big tow) on my right foot.  This explains a lot (I have been concentrating on running straight).

My main concerns going in were:  upper body comfort and getting faster.  I felt hunched over and when I got off the bike to run my chest felt constricted.  Trent also assessed my cleat position on my bike shoes.  My cleats had to be moved all the way back. 

Next, I hopped on the bike and warmed up for 8-10 minutes.  Trent assumed that I had gotten a fit before based on my saddle height and position.  He was surprised when I told him that I had looked at the pros and tinkered with my seat height and saddle position myself.  Although I thought I had my saddle position down pretty good I still felt like I was hunched over.  Well, I was right but I had no clue how to fix it.  Trent changed my stem (part that holds the handle bars on the bike) to a longer one and lowered by aerobars by 3 cm.  After these adjustments I felt instant relief, my chest opened up and my shoulders were relaxed. 

Overall, I was very impressed with Tri Shop’s knowledge and skills.  I’m looking forward to going back this spring when I buy a new bike (hopefully)!

Before picture

After picture

More pics

 

East Texas Half Marathon Race Report

I’ve ran several half-marathons since setting my PR in 2013 at Cowtown, but I’ve always ran those while training for another race.  Therefore, those half-marathons were more like long runs with no taper before the race.  So I put a lot of pressure eon myself to set a new PR at this race.

All through training I’ve had very consistent workouts and I was running great.  I decided about a week and a half before the race that my shoes were worn out.  So I quickly ordered a new pair of Brooks Ghosts.  I usually can just start running in a pair of shoes straight out of the box, but the new Ghosts felt clunky and my left foot hurt.  I decided to finish up the season in my old Ghosts that I wore for Ironman TX. 

Weather

I LOVE running in the cold weather, heck I don’t even mind a little misty rain.  It’s never been too cold for me to run.  So the forecasted temperatures didn’t bother me but I’m not a fan of running in the pouring rain.  I decided to run in tights, a long sleeve tech-shirt, an ear warmer/headband, Nike tech gloves, and my NET visor (visors/hats are great for running in the rain).  My choice of clothing was perfect; I was warm but not overheating.

Race Morning

John and I had decided to meet Christina in Center at 5:45 a.m.  We planned to pick up our packet and go back to the truck to keep warm.  About 7:00 a.m.  We headed to the porta-potties and the starting line.  Once we finally decided where we were starting I went to the front of the pack.

Race

My goal was  o average an 8:00 min/mile pace.  I felt great the 1^st mile and I completed it in 7:55.  The 2^nd and 3^rd  miles were more of a struggle but I didn’t worry because it usually takes me a while to get warmed up.  By mile 4 I was really struggling, my left foot went completely numb.  It was tough to run on wet pavement with one foot numb!  My pace slowed to about 8:20.  I had to make myself calm down; really the weather conditions and wet pavement weren’t ideal conditions.  I started smiling and waving at spectators.  The course seemed flat but I think we were going up a long, gentle hill.  Miles 4-7 were tough but I stayed focused and concentrated on my form.  Somewhere during mile 7 I started to feel really really good!  I got the feeling back in my foot and I was cruising.  My pace dropped to the 7’s!  I had to hold back to ensure I had enough left in the tank to finish.  Miles 7-12 were great and I knew I was ahead of my goal pace.  It began to mist rain around mile 12 and the pavement became slippery.  It was difficult for me to push off and it felt like I had to take lots of steps.  I focused on good form and not falling.  Breaking my PR was not as important as staying safe.  Finally, I made it back to Pecan Park and I finished with a time of 1:42:26.  My friends Anna and Greg were there to put my medal around my neck and I gave Anna a big hug.  It was so nice to a familiar face at the finish line.  It was emotional but I was too cold to show it! I had finished four minutes under my PR!  My average pace was 7:49 min/mile.  I was 2^nd (30 seconds from 1^st) out of 70 in my age group, the 15^th female out of 351, and 52nd out of 541 overall.  That’s in the top 10% overall and the top 5% of females.  I’m so pleased with my results but I’m over the moon because my husband also ran the race.  It was his 1^st half marathon and the longest distance he has ever ran! 

Post Race

We headed back to Center and had lunch with my grandmother and cousin.  Then, we went home showered and spent the rest of the afternoon by a nice warm fire.

Later on my friend’s Facebook page, I saw this sign:

“At mile 10, I thought I was dead.

At mile 11, I wished I was dead.
At mile 12, I knew I was dead.

At mile 13, I realized that I had become too tough to kill!”

 

 

  

Ironman Florida Inspiration

Here's my teammate/friend's Ironman Florida Race Report.  Be prepared to be inspired!   Congrats Julie!


I'm looking forward to many more inspirational blog posts!


http://pineywoodsrunnergirl.blogspot.com/

The Dreadmill

For the past couple of days I have been in Baton Rouge at a conference.  I have been about to go crazy sitting all day so this afternoon I decided to get in a run on the dreadmill (aka treadmill).   I ran 6 miles and I feel so much better.  I can only remember completing dreadmill workouts maybe 3 other times.  So believe it or not I have probably only completed about 10 dreadmill workouts.  I’m a big fan of Bill Bowerman (famous Oregon track coach) and I love his quote, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just soft people.”  This sums up how I feel about running outdoors.  Cold, wind, rain, sleet, snow, mud, hot, humid, bring it!  Adverse conditions only build character and it makes me feel tough!