I lead a double life...or maybe triple????

So I literally don't lead a double life, but sometimes it feels like I do. Since July 31st I have been all over the board...an IM 70.3 finisher, raw foodie, voluntered then registered for IM Wisconsin 2011, and a total yoga fanatic. Does anyone else in the world go from volunteering and registering at IM Wisconsin 1 week, then the next week make their way to Estes Park, Colorado in hippie tye dye pants to do yoga all day everyday? I don't think so, I'm pretty sure it's just me.

Let's start from the beginning...after Steelhead I raced two short races and did pretty darn good. Placed 6th in my AG (by 1 second!) at the Naperville Sprint, then won my AG at the Woodridge Supersprint Tri which was just a fun easy end of season race for me. After that I knew that I wanted to go through a little detox with my food because I felt like I was CRAZY eating training for Steelhead, so I wanted to give my body a little break.

For about 2 weeks I was a raw foodie which pretty much equals out to raw veggies, fruits, nuts, and seeds. Nothing cooked. Sounds crazy right? I loved it (of course)! I felt more energetic, lighter, slept great, and mentally in a really great place. The best part of the detox is how it helps you mentally. I was able to make some really amazing changes in my life that were much needed, and it's still continuing on now. As I was losing some of the toxic junk out of my body I was able to open up a lot to some areas that needed some change in my life.

After about 2 weeks it was about time to get back into some normal eating and reap the benefits of my detox. It was then that I wound up in Madison, Wisconsin for IM weekend. We headed up really early Saturday morning so I could get in for the volunteer meeting. We had an awesome day, they have the best farmers market in downtown Madison so we hung out there for a while and had dinner with a good friend. We woke up really early Sunday morning to see off a few of our friends that were racing and saw the swim start. Talk about ridiculous. Three thousand people treading water then all get going at the same time. Great, can't wait! After that we watched our friends get out of the swim (they did amazing even with all the kicks and hits) and then headed out to check out the bike course. We had to head back in town shortly after that so I could check in at my volunteer spot. I was in the women's change tent at t2 from 1-6pm. It was by far my highlight of the day. It was so amazing being able to help out these women, not the prettiest place on the course to volunteer, but so rewarding.

After I was done volunteering I was able to catch my friends finish the race, we had a yummy dinner, and just hung out with some friends for the rest of the night.

So I didn't mention the huge pit I had in my stomach when I woke up Sunday morning, a pit like I was nervous and actually racing that day. Definitely some pre-race nerves for me just about a year in advance...oh boy. When I woke up Monday morning that pit had grown even more...reason being it was time to go register for next year. My friend Lisa and I got in line at 5:30am, yes 5:30am, to make sure we would have our spot in the race next year. I had butterflies in my stomach literally ALL day after we registered. No turning back now.

Fast forward a week later...I'm in Colorado and the Anusara Grand Gathering. Pretty much 3 full days of yoga, lectures, and kirtan. The week was amazing, I learned so much about myself and what kind of a person I want to strive to be. I have never been in such a large group (meaning 600 people) that were all so supportive, accepting, and full of love. I was so sad to see it come to an end, but I will take away things that will last a lifetime from those 3 days.

For a long time I never understood how my two worlds connected, and actually felt like they didn't. Most people don't understand how yoga and triathlon connect, I didn't until recently. They balance me out. Yoga helps keep my mind and body healthy, ready to deal with a grueling training schedule and race to my best. Triathlon fuels my competitive nature and need for constant activity. I love my "double life" and I've finally learned to accept it, and appreciate not being "status quo." That's something I never thought I would be ok with, but it feels pretty great!!

IM 70.3 Steelhead Race Report

So to say this race has been an obsession of mine for the past year would be a HUGE understatement. It has honestly been my way of life since September 6th last year. What I ate, how much I slept, how my weekly schedule was planned out...you get the picture all centered around this one day. It's the race I talked to everyone about, but never actually thought would come. Well it did, and it didn't disappoint :)

We headed up to Michigan late Thursday night after my class so we would have the entire day there on Friday. The ride up was great and we were greeted at my Aunt and Uncles house in Sister Lakes by my mom a little after midnight...super excited to be back at the lake house with my family...it has been about 10 years since we were all there at the same time. We slept in a bit on Friday, headed to the race expo where I of course spent a little bit too much money on clothes (why is it that I can spend a fortune on tri and yoga clothes but no other kind) and then headed back to the house to have dinner with everyone. I did my best to go to bed around 8pm with my alarm set to go off a little after 3am.

Race morning started off smooth...I was feeling great, got in my usual breakfast and we were out the door. Before we left I caught a glimpse of a picture of my Aunt Kathy that I hadn't seen, to be honest it's been a long time since I've seen any picture of her. I took it as a sign that she was going to be with me for the day and I knew she would get me through anything that I had going on. Little did I know that in about 45 minutes that would start...

We started our drive to transition so I could finish getting ready. As we were getting closer the rain started...really light though...no big deal. By time we got out of the car and I was in transition it really started coming down. There I am in pitch black and pouring rain trying to pump up my tires. Major mistake...it couldn't see anything and I was already starting to mentally freak out and I broke the valve off my tube...great. I ran as fast as I could with my bike to the bike support and about what felt like a year (was really about 30 minutes) had it fixed. I had just enough time to set up my transition area, wait in line for the bathrooms, rip on my wetsuit which pretty much meant Jim trying to pull it on for me (fyi wetsuits always suck to put on but they really suck when you are soaking wet), and then walk the 1.2 miles down the beach to the swim start. I had about 5 minutes until I had to get in the shoot for my wave to start...ok just breathe...

I tried to mentally let go of my crappy morning and forget about all of the energy I had already blown through. I was a nervous wreck just waiting on the beach, I have never felt like this before a race. My stomach was full of butterflies, so I just took a breath and we were off...

This was by far the BEST swim I have ever had in any race I have done. There was a large space to swim in and only had a few people in my way for the whole thing...it felt awesome. I kept a nice strong but sustainable pace and knew that I was on target for a good time. I was out of the water and into t1 in 33:21...awesome. Even more awesome...the rain stopped.

T1...super slow. Since it was raining before the race started I had everything in bags, including my bike seat, aero bar pads, bike shoes, socks, etc. you get the picture. I figured a few extra minutes in t1 were worth being as dry as I possibly could be. T1 time...4:58 ouch.

I was out on my bike and totally ready for the 56 mile ride. I have developed a new love for biking this year and I am still loving my new bike. The first portion of the ride the roads were really wet, so I was taking it easy so not to kill myself. About halfway through the bike the roads were dry and I started to pound a bit more. I felt really strong and pretty fast. The course definitely plays for some good speeds. It was a really pretty course and felt really calm in the country roads of Michigan. I finished by bike in 2:56:25 with an average speed of 19.05 mph. Really happy with that.

T2...started with me running to my rack with my bike, trying to get my bike on the rack, stumbling into my bag and falling over with my bike. Uh oh my legs are a little gumby-like. No problem they will come back. This transition was a little shorter, thank god, but much longer than I would have liked at 3:28.

Oh shit...I have a half marathon to run. Why didn't I realize this before? Or did I and just try to hide it in the "Half Ironman" label? Who knows...but boy can I play some tricks with myself.

So out of t2 and my legs are feeling just fine on the run. I knew I was running at a comfortable pace and was just doing whatever I could to play some mind games with myself. There were a few really killer hills (one in the first mile of the run) and I decided to give myself permission to walk up them...I have no shame. I'm feeling good and just thinking one foot in front of the other, and then the cramps start about mile 6. Shit I still have 7 more miles to run...keep going you are tougher than this...don't be a baby you knew this was going to hurt. It was also about that point in time that I realized that I really should have hydrated more on my bike, another lesson learned.

Someone above was listening to me about that time because right when my legs and head bullshit started I saw my family, my mom, dad, sister, and niece just got to the race. It was such a help to see them...it gave me that last bit of energy I needed. Over the last 7 miles I saw them 4 times, so great. I can't explain how much I needed that. The last mile of that run I will never forget...the volunteers at the last aid station letting us know how great we were and that we were almost there, all of us athletes encouraging one another to finish strong, the 3 little boys that were obviously brothers and standing in a row clapping everyone's hand that would pass them, the crowd of people on the last few hundred feet of the run and all of their nice words, running into 2 of my friends right after the finish, and then seeing Jim right after I got out of the finishers area. What a day...one I will never forget.

My final time was 5:45:18, 39th in my age group which was the top 28%. Super happy with my time, super happy with my day.

I was able to let the rough part of the morning go and just enjoy my day. I took in every moment that the day had to offer, and I feel so blessed to have had such a great experience. I had the most important people in the world to me there that day and they are all the reason that I was able to do this race.

After the race on Saturday we all stayed at the lake house in Michigan, ate some good food and stayed up late talking and laughing. I never wanted the day to end. I have the best family in the world and no amount of time with them is ever enough. Funny it's actually our second vacation together this year, we haven't even had one is like a decade...something that I hope we continue on with.

Now I'm back to reality and taking some much needed time off from "structured" training. I have two more short races these next two weekends and then I will be into my yoga world until my training starts later this year for IM Wisconsin next year. I'm so looking forward to what it has to offer if the half was this incredible.

I won my Age Group!!!!

I still cannot believe it...but today I won my age group (F25-29) at the Tinley Park Metlife Duathlon!!!! To top it off I beat the second place girl by a minute and the third place by 3 minutes. This is my first AG win and I feel like a rockstar...it's so amazing...let's start from the beginning....

I woke up this morning feeling a tad groggy and quite sore. I had a massage from a very dear friend of mine yesterday and she is amazing, but beat the crap out of my body which I beat the crap out of ever day (IM training isn't easy on the body). I was feeling every area that is knotty and tight, definitely thinking not the best way to wake up on race morning, but couldn't change much about it. Had my oatmeal and peanut butter then out the door to the race site. Arrived with plenty of time to set up in transition, see some family and friends, get in a quick warm up and headed to the start line. Since this race is a very short one, 2 mile run 11 mile bike 2 mile run, I was mentally prepping myself for an hour or so of hell, just letting it all go.

Run 1...I really pushed the first run. I went out hard and was able to keep up/pass most of the women, I knew I had to be in the top 20 at that point. It was super muggy and hot which doesn't make for the easiest run, but I made it through. I did the first run in 15:17 which was better than my time last year of 16:00. I was ready to get on the bike, hydrate and breath...

T1...no messing around anymore in transition...that's my goal this year...I mean business. Caught up with Jim in T1 (sorry) and was out in 1:15 down from 1:18 last year. Not much improvement but I actually wore my bike shoes this year so I had to change them up. Another fear I have got over this year, actually clipping in for races. I was terrified that I would fall and look like the idiot before, now I just don't care.

Bike...clipped in no problem and headed out. Not much longer than that did the wind start...lovely. Crouched in tightly in my aerobars and tried to cut through it. I had quite a few moments on the bike course considering how short it is. I had a kick ass girl right in front of me that helped me keep my pace up. So a little bit into the bike I was noticing all I saw was a sea of men that her and I kept passing, LOVE IT!!!! I should go back quickly, they started us out in 4 waves. Men 40 and under wave 1, 2 minutes later men 40 and up, 2 minutes later women 40 and under, 2 minutes later everyone else (teams included). We picked off a few more women as well that had me on the run. It was then that I realized that there probably weren't too many women ahead of me and I actually might have a chance at placing in my age group. I am finally starting to get over my shit and accept and I am deserving of a win. A little after the halfway point the wind started working in our favor and flew into T2. My bike time was 35:01 down from 37:57 last year.

T2...tried to be lightening fast as I threw on my run shoes, took off my helmet and sprinted out of transition. Took my T2 time down to 1:03 from 1:18 last year once again having to switch out my shoes.

Run 2...started out feeling really good, legs a bit heavy because I really pushed the bike but I knew I was keeping a nice pace. Continued on my journey of passing the guys and finished strong. The most amazing part of the race happened about 1/2 mile away from the finish when it started raining, it was heaven! Run 2 time was 15:52 down from 16:47. So fabulous...I felt amazing when I was done.

Final time was 1:08:27 much improved from 1:13:16.

A little bit after I finished it really started to storm, lots of thunder and lightening, so we decided to leave before the awards ceremony. I really didn't think I placed in my age group anyway because I saw a handful of girls at the turnaround on run 2 ahead of me so I figured of course they will be in my AG because it is super competitive (that my ultra-pessimistic viewpoint for everything that involves me and me only) but I never reason out the truth in my head which is that they could be in another AG or part of a team which would of course make them much faster than me because they don't have to do the bike. So came home and showered, I was absolutely soaking wet from the torrential rain that started on the way to the car, had some yummy food then took a nap. When I got up I checked to see if the race results were up and I couldn't believe what I saw. I seriously stared at the computer screen with my mouth wide open for a minute before I could even talk. It is a high that I will be riding all week long into my much needed week of vacation from work =)

I can't explain how great it feels to win. Not only is it my first and an awesome accomplishment considering how competitive the sport is, but it really gave me confidence. I have been training so hard and so long for this season and this really validated what I have been doing. I do deserve this, I work damn hard and I care about this even more than how hard I work for it. I have the most amazing coaches, family, friends, and training partners around me and they are why I am where I am today. If I can do this than anything is possible.

I am now focused on my big boy...Steelhead. It's coming up fast, 33 days left. My training has been kicked up a million notches and I'm loving every minute of it.

As my coach Val said...we are now walking hand in hand on our way to Steelhead with no turning back. I'm going to kick it's ass!

It's been so long since my last blog...and so much has been going on. I've found myself to be a bit lost from time to time with everything that I am involved in. Just my normal day to day activities...work, teaching 3-4 classes a week, and training for my races...leaves me little time for much else. Most of the time all those things make me very happy, but I know that I am missing out on many other things in life. Every once in a while I have those days that bring me new breath and energy to replenish those voids, and this week is one of those weeks that I have many of those days.
It started out with my first overnight babysitting adventure with my niece Cara on Sunday. I wasn't sure how it was going to go, but it was so much fun. It's so funny how entertaining she is and how long I can just sit and watch her do anything. For the most part she was just running back and forth from playing with my puppy Milo and my two cats Toby and Jinxy. Seeing her explore new things is so hilarious, and she learned how to say "cat." All I kept hearing was "cat"...even when she woke up at 2am and wanted to go play with them. Not going to say that I had the best night of sleep with her, she is absolutely the worst to sleep with, but I felt so great after spending almost an entire day with her.
Back to work yesterday after a holiday weekend, and it did not disappoint as a rough day. I was so drained after the day...and I still had to go teach a class at night. I was on my way there so emotional and not ready at all to teach my class. I walked into the studio to have one of my students ask if there was any poses we could do to release emotional crap, then another asking if we could have wine with practice, then another complaining about her son, another chiming in about her day...funny how you attract what you need from the world. I was able to teach my problems to all of my students who also came to deal with similar issues that I was having. I left class feeling completely energized and ready to move on from my emotional day.
I've got an awesome weekend planned, I'm taking Friday off from work and I'm going to take a weekend long yoga workshop at Moksha in the city. There isn't much better than that. I will get to see a lot of my friends and Jim is even coming to take the Saturday afternoon class with me. We will be hitting up our favorite restaurant in the city (Mana Food Bar) afterwards for a yummy dinner too =)
Sometimes we all need weeks like this to center ourselves and remember what is important in life. I'm enjoying a much needed morning off from training, and I'll be back at it hard tomorrow.
My first race of the season is next Sunday...so wish me luck. I'll make sure to let you know how it goes =)

Living life to the fullest...

I can't begin to explain how great this weekend was, but I am going to try...

It started with teaching kids yoga on Friday afternoon. How lucky am I that the company I work for is allowing me to go out in the community and teach yoga? I taught 2 Girl Scout Troops, 16 girls ages 8-9, at the school behind my store. It was totally crazy, but so rewarding. I left exhausted, but on such a high. I have once again found a new passion within a passion, and I will no doubt teach to kids as much as I can. The feeling I had watching the kids go through poses, lie in Savasana, and then circle around me to chant om together at the end of practice was amazing.

On to Saturday...Jim and I went to Borrowed Earth Cafe in Downers Grove and had a wonderful raw meal. After dinner we made our way downtown to the United Center to the John Mayer concert...need I say more? The opening band was Michael Franti and the Spearheads, we weren't really looking forward to seeing them, but our opinion totally changed after watching their set. They are such an open, fun loving, free spirited band that kept us laughing and engaged the whole time. Listening to their songs, their words, and watching the way they interacted with the audience honestly taught me quite a bit about how I would like to live my life...not something you expect out of a concert. To top off the night we listened to John Mayer do his thing for 2 hours. He is incredible live, we are both looking forward to the next time we can see him.

Sunday was another busy day. Slept in a little late since we got home much later than usual after the concert, did a ride, then went to the new Lululemon in Naperville to do a window demo. It was so great meeting the new staff and interacting with their customers while getting in a yoga practice. To top that off I saw a little girl on the sidewalk doing whatever I was and I asked her to come in to do some yoga with me. She ran in, took off her shoes and jumped on my mat. I had her barking in down dog right away...she had her parents and the whole store laughing. Another sign from the universe where my future with yoga will be going. After the demo I went to my parent's house to spend some time with my family and had a nice dinner. What a great end to a fabulous weekend.

I'll leave you with one thing that will stick with me forever from the concert on Saturday. Michael Franti was talking during his set about living life to the fullest because we never know when it is going to end. Something so true, but so few of us practice. His words of "never let a moment pass" are ones that I will never forget. I don't want to have another day and I say was blah, I don't want have another "same old" comment...I want to continue to have days that I can say that I feel like I have contributed something to the universe, days that I feel rewarded, and days that I just have fun. The last three days I have felt that way...now I just have to find ways to make that everyday.

Planting Seeds =)

When my Yoga Teacher Training ended last year I had mixed feelings. I was happy that the 4 hour Saturday classes were over, but I was also so sad the 4 hour Saturdays were over. Doesn't make sense right?

I fell in love with everyone that was in my training. It was so comforting to know that every Saturday I got to spend 4 hours with these wonderful friends that have the same passion in life that I do. They have the same outlook on life, were always very supportive, and always lifted my spirits when I needed it. I consider many of my beliefs to be "alternative" and don't necessarily go along with the norm of society, and that was just the way of life amongst us. It was normal for all of us to run to our oil case when someone was looking for Panaway, or to have someone go up into a headstand in one corner of the room while others are talking about vegetarian or raw foods and then have another conversation going on about a great meditation that someone had that week. This is something that I have truly missed, although I keep in touch with everyone it just isn't the same.

After my class on Friday night I was talking with one of my students who was telling me about her journey of yoga and raw food. She was telling me how nice it is to be with "like minded" people. That struck a cord with me, it reminded me of my teacher training group. I started to tell her a little bit about it, and she said something that will stick with me forever. She told me that now it is my turn to teach my beliefs and plant seeds everywhere I go.

I know that is something I do everyday without realizing it. It is my turn now to take all of my knowledge and beliefs and start spreading it, to both my students and everyone else in my life. That is one of my favorite things about teaching yoga, I get to teach people how to be happier, healthier, have better relationships, and live more well rounded lives. I truly love teaching both the practice and teaching my students how to take their yoga practice off their mat and into their lives.

I can only hope to create the beautiful kula everywhere I am that we had in our training and that is something that I will always try to do.

Come Play!!

I am holding a special class this Friday at Yoga 360 in Frankfort. It will be from 7:15-8:30pm and the cost is $15. The class is an Enya Slow Flow class in a heated room. Here is the class description:

Enya Slow Flow HOT Yoga
Description:Join the class for a vinyasa class linking breath with movement to the beautiful sounds of Enya. Come hydrated and on an empty stomach. Please work at your own pace. Bring water and a towel to class. ARRIVE AT LEAST 15 Minutes early to insure your space and acclimate to the temperature.

The address is:

Yoga-360, Inc.,

91 Bankview Drive

Frankfort, IL 60423

815.806.0360

http://www.yoga-360.com/

It will be a lot of fun, I would love to see everyone there! Email me with any questions.