Packing for Miami!!!

I am so excited to be heading to Miami tomorrow. I really hope I haven't forgotten anything, after a hectic day at work I laid everything out in the spare room of our house hoping that I would be able to make it all fit into my carry-on, I'm too cheep to pay the extra but I don't like to pack light. I love to have options so packing isn't my favorite task. I couldn't decide what to wear for the race so I packed two options

My forst choice is tank top and capris, my second choice is shorts and a t-shirt. It's like I have completely forgotten how to run in anything above 50 degrees. Race start is at 6 am (ugh, that's 4 am mountain time)

The race temps look pretty great, but the humidity is a little intimidating, I think the highest we have gotten lately in Colorado is less than 40%. No matter what I am so looking forward to this trip, hangin with Amanda from Run to the Finish and wearing my summer clothes that I had to pull out of storage. 

Anyone else racing this weekend? My mom and hubby are racing the Yeti Chase in Colorado. 

Ironman Lake Tahoe Picture Recon

While I was "studying" last night I started googling information about IMLT, I had been getting very nervous about the amount of climbing there would be on the bike. After scoping out the elevation profile carefully I compared it to the IMCDA profile since that is my best frame of reference . It looks like Tahoe has less than 1000 feet more than CdA. Tahoe will definitely be difficult but I had it in my head that it was going to be twice as hard.

As I was trolling around the internet I found a blog called IM Tahoe Live written by a triathlete who lives in Tahoe. This site has amazing information about the race! He has loaded videos of the swim area, and the bike and run course. Plus tons of photos and information about the race.

Photo pf the bike path that the run will be on [Source]

I had fun checking out all the information I could find, the one downside was that I was getting so excited about the trip and race that once it was time to go to bed I felt too ramped up to sleep. Thankfully it didn't take to long to wind down and fall asleep. 

Anyone else so looking forward to races that aren't until this summer, or in my case fall?!?

Ironman Lake Tahoe Training Week 4

Training update is a couple days late but I had the day off yesterday and fully enjoyed a full day of recovery with the hubby. This week is a recovery week after three build weeks. The formula for during the work week usually looks about the same but the weekends are getting bigger and I have to say I love it. We got out on a 50 mile ride and 13 mile run this weekend and it was great to be out in the sun (too bad I don't have a heated outdoor pool to swim in) Guess I should move to San Diego!

[Image Source]

Monday: Complete Rest =)

Tuesday: 90 minute interval run

Wednesday: 75 minute spin

60 minute strength 

Thursday: masters swim 

Friday: easy yoga  

Saturday: easy shake out run if time

Sunday: ING Miami Half Marathon ( thanks to Amanda)

I am happy for a recovery week, normally I am not that excited about them but it lines up perfectly for a mini taper for ING. But more importantly my legs are trashed after last weekend and I need to let the my muscles rest, recover and come back stronger. I didn't think that last weekend was that big of a weekend but I haven't been on my bike in a long time (mostly been on a spin bike) so the 50 miles left me tired and sore. Then on Sunday it was so nice to be out in 40 degree weather running that I pushed the pace on the 13 miles more than I have the past few weeks. Biggest lesson I learned was that spin class is great fun but I need more time on my bike, outside whenever I can or on the trainer.

Gettin Out of the Box

No I don't mean the CrossFit Box, but Someday I would love to try it out. I mean out of my gym, it had been crazy cold in Colorado lately but when Saturdays high was forecasted to be 57 degrees I was stoked to get out on my bike. I even got to try out my new Zoot Knickers that Cory got my for Christmas, I loved them, they kept me nice and warm and I fel lie less of a goob then when I used to put running tights over bike shorts.

Cory and I did an easy 50 mile out and back to from Broomfield to Boulder. It was awesome to see SO many other cyclists out on the road.

Today we set out for a 13 mile easy run, it was awesome to breathe easy and not have to bundle up for once. 

The Nuun giveaway goes to Live4endurance (I used random.org) if you haven't checked out this blog you should, I haven't read a lot yet but he has some pretty great posts and is only 16!!! Live4endurance (I couldn't find your name) please email me your adress  at bethcn at gmail dot com and I will send your nuun to you.

Happy weekend everyone, I will be enjoying one more day of a long weekend happily.

Three Things Thursday

Hello! I have some randomness to report so a three things post seemed appropriate.

1. I judged a grade school science fair this morning. Kids think of some funny shit people! One was testing to see if kids were more flexible than adults and the board was full of spread eagle crotch shots (testing to see who was better at the splits). So funny!

2. Everyone I mean EVERYONE at work is sick and with different stuff so I have been loading up on antioxidants and vitamins from tea and nuun (want some?) as much as possible.

This has been my typical breakfast lately and I am sick of it

I finally ordered some Healthy Bites from Lindsay and I can’t wait to get them! They are much less processed than Luna Bars (nothing against Cliff they make great products)

That’s it for me, anyone have at least one thing they want to share?

Hydration Nation - A Giveaway

Hello out there! I am happy to report that we are finally seeing a warm up here in colorado. It's been rough the last week with highs in the single digits and lows sporting a negative.

Thankfully the streets are thawing and it's much more comfortable to be outside. Regardless it's not warm out and this time of year it's easy to get dehydrated since you aren't as motivated to drink up as you are in the heat of the summer. So I was extra excited to see that nuun has come out with a new product. I have been known to drink original nuun at work because I love it so much. Lucky for me they came out with nuun all day.

From the Nuun All Day site:

• NUUN ALL DAY HYDRATION helps you drink more water every day with crisp and refreshing flavors and is enhanced with an all-natural blend of vitamins and minerals making it perfect for your daily routine.

I have really enjoyed this new option and thought it would be fun to share with you, so here's a little giveaway. I would be happy to send a bottle (Grapefruit Orange). Giveaway is simple follow me and leave me a comment bellow. I will close the giveaway Saturday at midnight (mountain time) and let you guys know on Sunday.

Happy Hydrating!

Acupuncture for Athletes

I was speaking to a coworker earlier today and she peaked my interest after telling me that she has been feeling great after having acupuncture the last couple weeks. I am not normally that into alternative medicine but it peaked my interest because I have heard that it helps athletic performance and recovery also I have heard from people that it has helped heal old running injuries that hadn't healed with rest in years.

As someone who is injury prone and an endurance junky I am not quite interested and considering giving it a go. I did a little web search and found some promising articles on the benefits:

 Studies have shown that acupuncture has measurable effects on the flow of blood to certain areas of the body, which could in turn boost athletic performance. One such study conducted at the Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine involved athletes running 5,000 meters, and then sitting for acupuncture treatments before they had a chance to catch their breath. The heart rates of the athletes who received the treatments recovered more quickly than those in the control group. (source)

Have any of you tried acupuncture? Good or bad results? Voodoo?