Its been since Oct 2010 since I last posted and I will admit that work and life in general seemed to be going so fast that I couldn't keep up. Its now 4 months later and I am sitting here thinking the excuses have to stop and I need to get serious and get committed again to making time to run ( or any form of exercise) and find some better balance in life.
With that in mind I have signed up for my first half marathon of the year, Boulder Spring Half Marathon, and will push myself to work toward a PR. I have found especially when money and my pride is on the line I tend to behave a little differently. Image that, me being motivated by $$$ and my ego?! I guess its a good thing I am sales.
I do also have plans for some goals for this spring, summer and a BHAG to complete a half Ironman this fall.
Here is the plan for the next few months:
May - must have six pack abs by the SilkRoad users conference. No way I can be seen in a bathing suit by co-workers and clients unless I drop some serious body fat. That means no more carbs and focus on consistent cardio and weights, and the all dreaded core workout. There is something really sick about sit ups and push ups.
June- Have massive upper body strength to be able to rock my first surfing lesson on the Big Island. Learning to surf is one of my bucket list items, and God knows that not only do I really want to be able to do it well, but I better look damn good doing it too. Good thing the goal for May is to look good in a bathing suit.
July - Have a really fun birthday party. And surprisingly enough, it will not be all about me. We decided in the Tapley household that any birthday that ends in a 9 will be philanthropy type of party. Since I am turning 39 I have decided to have a party where I ask everyone to bring at least one item to donate to to Dress for Success. It would be great to be able to have my own little "suit drive"!
August - Have a team ride with me in the Venus de Miles ride. I road in this event last year for the first time and it was well done. I am not sure I will commit to the 100 or even 67 mile course, but I will commit to getting more people together to go out and enjoy being on the road and supporting an amazing cause the Greenhouse Scholars. This is a women's only ride, but if any of my male friends want to ride you can do so, you just have to do it in drag.
September - Complete without injury my first half Ironman triathlon. The Harvest Moon has been recommended, so that is the plan for now. And I have put the money down on the race so I am committed. Lord help me.
I am sure there will be other halfs sprinkled in there.....
October - go on a girls only vacation to Disney World with my lovely girls and sister. The goal will be to hide my blackberry from me during business hours and ride as many roller coasters as possible.
I think that covers me for the next few months. Now I only need to commit to updating my blog more frequently with my progress. I think for the first update I may have to post before picture of my abs and then in May post after picture. Maybe that is not what the public needs to see, but it would keep me accountable.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Sunday, October 10, 2010
watching and wishing
I watched the Elite athletes run and finish the Chicago marathon today, via an online webcast, thank you to NBC. And I got to see glimpses of the other runners through the streets packed with volunteers and other spectators cheering them on. All I could think of, "man I really want to be running with them". So I am putting it out there that someday before I die I will run the Chicago marathon and then a serious BHAG, qualify for Boston, that means I have to drop some significant time off of my current pace, but hell, if you don't put it out there, then the Universe cannot bring it to you. Note to self, I just double check the qualifying times and this is one hell of a nutso goal.
So bring it Universe.
In an effort to work toward my goal of improving time I am looking forward to the Denver Rock N Roll half on Sunday. As long as I am faster than my time in March I am good. If I am faster than my splits from the Missoula full marathon I will be super happy.
Let taper week begin!
So bring it Universe.
In an effort to work toward my goal of improving time I am looking forward to the Denver Rock N Roll half on Sunday. As long as I am faster than my time in March I am good. If I am faster than my splits from the Missoula full marathon I will be super happy.
Let taper week begin!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
in sickness and in health
Its been a while since I posted and this past week I hit a rough patch as I caught my first virus (of what I will assume will be several) this fall from my kids. I was throttled with a tremendous head cold which made it hard to breathe through my nose and hear out of my ears. I ran at the beginning of the week, but missed my workouts for tempo and speed on Wed and Friday, and my Thursday Bikram class. I did manage to get myself to yoga class on Saturday and then run my planned 10 miles today.
During Bikram all of the sinus issues went away, gotta love a room that is 104 degrees and 90% humidity! Bikram just makes you get all of the junk, including boogies, out of your body. Yet this morning as I ran, I felt with every step a real challenge to breathe. This got me thinking that I am really lucky to be healthy person. I cannot fathom trying to exercise and not being able to breathe properly. When I got home I pondered even further what would it be like to be an athlete with asthma? Then in research I find that Paula Radcliffe lives with asthma and is the current world record hold in the marathon and has won 7 races.
That just hammers home the sentiment that with commitment anyone can persevere to succeed.
I am optimistic this virus is on the way out and that in 2 weeks I will finish my 3rd half marathon of the year with a PR. Today I was faster than my past times for 10 miles. So even with booger fest 2010 raging in my head my mind pushed my body excel.
During Bikram all of the sinus issues went away, gotta love a room that is 104 degrees and 90% humidity! Bikram just makes you get all of the junk, including boogies, out of your body. Yet this morning as I ran, I felt with every step a real challenge to breathe. This got me thinking that I am really lucky to be healthy person. I cannot fathom trying to exercise and not being able to breathe properly. When I got home I pondered even further what would it be like to be an athlete with asthma? Then in research I find that Paula Radcliffe lives with asthma and is the current world record hold in the marathon and has won 7 races.
That just hammers home the sentiment that with commitment anyone can persevere to succeed.
I am optimistic this virus is on the way out and that in 2 weeks I will finish my 3rd half marathon of the year with a PR. Today I was faster than my past times for 10 miles. So even with booger fest 2010 raging in my head my mind pushed my body excel.
Monday, September 6, 2010
getting my sh** together- time to set some goals
Okay, I have been meandering through the last several weeks trying to figure out what to do with myself and making up every excuse in the book to avoid committing to "exercising" or training for anything. I kicked around doing a tri, but didn't seem uber motivated.
I should comment that I did do a 50 mile bike ride, http://www.venusdemiles.com/ about two weeks ago. I am glad I did the ride as I learned a lot. I learned that I am just not happy on my bike (specifically out on a road with cars whizzing by me at 60+MPH) in comparison to other forms of exercise. While I can bike fairly efficiently, I never, not even once, relaxed the way I do when I run or swim, or even more importantly, achieved the endorphin rush. I can see myself still doing short distance and maybe even Olympic distance tri's, but I know the bike really is the big deterrent to doing a half or full http://www.ironman.com/.
I was a complete SLOTH over this Labor Day holiday, eating and drinking, eating and drinking, sleeping, eating more and more....ugh. Today I spent the day reading http://www.facebook.com/ updates, http://www.runnersworld.com/ articles, and learning about the http://www.posetech.com/ running method. One of the facebook updates came from http://www.lululemon.com/ and put out a challenge to go out and set some goals, and even better to take a picture of yourself with a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). And that is what prompted this post. Following is the list of my goals for the next 12 months, well at least 6 months, I will see how far I get at the end of the post with identifying 12 months out. I do plan to write up my BHAG and send it to Lululemon to see if they post it.
1. Sept 30 : I complete all of my outlined daily training plans, which includes strength training, stretching, and resting.
2. October 17: I have a personal best in the Denver Rock N Roll Half Marathon, http://denver.competitor.com/, with a time of 2:38:27. I know this is not super fast, but it is improvement over both of the half marathon times I have put down this season.
3. November 7: I lose 12 pounds from my starting weight from Sept 7, 2010. This loss will also include a 2 percent reduction in body fat.
4. December 30: I finish the year at 100% of quota - $750M while continuing to exercise a minimum of 4xtimes a week.
5. January 15: I learn to snow shoe and have gone 5x times, twice with Riley.
6. February 14 (or thereabouts): I complete my first 5K snowshoe race, the Screaming Snowman, http://www.racingunderground.com/sssnowman.html with Riley.
7. Mid March (date TBD): I compete in the Boulder Spring Half Marathon, http://www.bouldermarathon.com/27.html and improve my time by finishing at 2:35 or faster.
8, 9, 10, not really sure, there will be another marathon in there, with the goal to finish at 5:25, taking 14 minutes off of my time in 2010. I need to decide on a summer race, some place fun that I can bring the family so they can cheer me on and even see me finish!
Just the exercise of writing this post really makes me stop and think about what is possible and not, and again I remember that the only thing holding me back from anything is me.
I should comment that I did do a 50 mile bike ride, http://www.venusdemiles.com/ about two weeks ago. I am glad I did the ride as I learned a lot. I learned that I am just not happy on my bike (specifically out on a road with cars whizzing by me at 60+MPH) in comparison to other forms of exercise. While I can bike fairly efficiently, I never, not even once, relaxed the way I do when I run or swim, or even more importantly, achieved the endorphin rush. I can see myself still doing short distance and maybe even Olympic distance tri's, but I know the bike really is the big deterrent to doing a half or full http://www.ironman.com/.
I was a complete SLOTH over this Labor Day holiday, eating and drinking, eating and drinking, sleeping, eating more and more....ugh. Today I spent the day reading http://www.facebook.com/ updates, http://www.runnersworld.com/ articles, and learning about the http://www.posetech.com/ running method. One of the facebook updates came from http://www.lululemon.com/ and put out a challenge to go out and set some goals, and even better to take a picture of yourself with a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). And that is what prompted this post. Following is the list of my goals for the next 12 months, well at least 6 months, I will see how far I get at the end of the post with identifying 12 months out. I do plan to write up my BHAG and send it to Lululemon to see if they post it.
1. Sept 30 : I complete all of my outlined daily training plans, which includes strength training, stretching, and resting.
2. October 17: I have a personal best in the Denver Rock N Roll Half Marathon, http://denver.competitor.com/, with a time of 2:38:27. I know this is not super fast, but it is improvement over both of the half marathon times I have put down this season.
3. November 7: I lose 12 pounds from my starting weight from Sept 7, 2010. This loss will also include a 2 percent reduction in body fat.
4. December 30: I finish the year at 100% of quota - $750M while continuing to exercise a minimum of 4xtimes a week.
5. January 15: I learn to snow shoe and have gone 5x times, twice with Riley.
6. February 14 (or thereabouts): I complete my first 5K snowshoe race, the Screaming Snowman, http://www.racingunderground.com/sssnowman.html with Riley.
7. Mid March (date TBD): I compete in the Boulder Spring Half Marathon, http://www.bouldermarathon.com/27.html and improve my time by finishing at 2:35 or faster.
8, 9, 10, not really sure, there will be another marathon in there, with the goal to finish at 5:25, taking 14 minutes off of my time in 2010. I need to decide on a summer race, some place fun that I can bring the family so they can cheer me on and even see me finish!
Just the exercise of writing this post really makes me stop and think about what is possible and not, and again I remember that the only thing holding me back from anything is me.
Friday, July 16, 2010
now what????
So it's been about a week following the race and I have no flippin clue what to do with myself. Yes, I have a few other races planned, but I feel like so who the F*** cares, they are all shorter and some how "easier" in my mind. I have done nothing but sit on my ass and eat and drink this week, and drink some more..... I know the marathon was huge accomplishment, and I am stoked at my overall performance. But I feel like I should want more. Is that reasonable? Or just foolishness?
Perhaps I should set goals on time now rather than distance? Thoughts? Suggestions? I don't want to lose my mojo. I am still planning a 4 mi race with Alan (husband) through an obstacle course, then a sprint tri with a friend from HS, a 50 mile bike, and another half marathon in Oct with a friend from college. I just want to stay on track and have that mojo to do my best.... Any encouragement would be awesome. Perhaps this post should just go to my coach to put me in my place, but I would love to hear other insight on what to next after "the big one".
Perhaps I should set goals on time now rather than distance? Thoughts? Suggestions? I don't want to lose my mojo. I am still planning a 4 mi race with Alan (husband) through an obstacle course, then a sprint tri with a friend from HS, a 50 mile bike, and another half marathon in Oct with a friend from college. I just want to stay on track and have that mojo to do my best.... Any encouragement would be awesome. Perhaps this post should just go to my coach to put me in my place, but I would love to hear other insight on what to next after "the big one".
Friday, July 9, 2010
anticipation
It is two days before the race and I will admit I am nervous. First, I feel not so hot physically. I seem to have caught a cold or triggered my allergies and now have resorted to keeping a box of kleenex in tow with me as I have travel from Chicago home and now today from Denver to Seattle to Missoula. I am fuzzy headed from the OTC meds and am hoping I can wean myself from them in the next 24 hours.
The second aspect around the nerves seems to be from the looks of astonishment I get when I have told people I am running a marathon this weekend. They are all very supportive and verbally extend a "good luck", "you can do it", blah, blah, blah. But the looks on their face, well those are different. Those seem to be saying "What a f***ing nut case", "why in the hell would you want to do that?", and my favorite was one person who immediately looked at his feet and shook their head after I told him.
So as I sit here waiting for my final flight that brings me closer to one of the biggest challenges of my life I am wondering whether or not to share my plans with others.
My anxiety level is high enough normally, I really don't need it fueled by outsiders questions of my sanity.
I keep telling myself its all good. I will be fine. I will feel better. I will finish. Uninjured. I know what matters most is what I believe and know to be true, not what others perceive.
With that in mind, I probably won't chat it up at much over this next flight, but should someone ask why are you going to Missoula, I will answer, proudly to run my first marathon and to finish uninjured.
The second aspect around the nerves seems to be from the looks of astonishment I get when I have told people I am running a marathon this weekend. They are all very supportive and verbally extend a "good luck", "you can do it", blah, blah, blah. But the looks on their face, well those are different. Those seem to be saying "What a f***ing nut case", "why in the hell would you want to do that?", and my favorite was one person who immediately looked at his feet and shook their head after I told him.
So as I sit here waiting for my final flight that brings me closer to one of the biggest challenges of my life I am wondering whether or not to share my plans with others.
My anxiety level is high enough normally, I really don't need it fueled by outsiders questions of my sanity.
I keep telling myself its all good. I will be fine. I will feel better. I will finish. Uninjured. I know what matters most is what I believe and know to be true, not what others perceive.
With that in mind, I probably won't chat it up at much over this next flight, but should someone ask why are you going to Missoula, I will answer, proudly to run my first marathon and to finish uninjured.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
When the music dies....
Today was my final LONG run before the marathon next Sunday. Twenty miles to be exact. In all of my efforts to prepare for the run I had not realized that my iPhone had not charged properly the day before. So this morning I delayed the start of my run to almost 8am and left with the phone 3/4 of way charged.
I got to the track and started running at 8am. An hour and twelve minutes in, bam, phone dies! So I finish my run (jog and a shitload of walking) in silence. Three and half hours later as I come to finish I realize I was probably way more present during my run. Focused on form or lack there of, keeping my arms, shoulders and neck loose, and just an overall presence of what was happening to me physically. I was grotesquely hot, as it was over 95 degrees when I finished and the stickiness from all of the sunscreen was maddening.
At mile 18 I discovered two spots I had missed with body glide and the chaffing spots became pretty unbearable. I literally had to beg myself to do 12 more laps to finish and telling myself to ignore the irritant.
So I sound pretty miserable right? Yes, I was miserable, but amazed at the same time. I was (am still) in awe of the fact that I went 20 miles. Its something I have never done and honestly thought how is that possible?
So as I think about next week and taking on 26 miles, I am sure that I will probably at some point befriend some misery, but found that I can get through that by staying present and just taking it step by step.
I got to the track and started running at 8am. An hour and twelve minutes in, bam, phone dies! So I finish my run (jog and a shitload of walking) in silence. Three and half hours later as I come to finish I realize I was probably way more present during my run. Focused on form or lack there of, keeping my arms, shoulders and neck loose, and just an overall presence of what was happening to me physically. I was grotesquely hot, as it was over 95 degrees when I finished and the stickiness from all of the sunscreen was maddening.
At mile 18 I discovered two spots I had missed with body glide and the chaffing spots became pretty unbearable. I literally had to beg myself to do 12 more laps to finish and telling myself to ignore the irritant.
So I sound pretty miserable right? Yes, I was miserable, but amazed at the same time. I was (am still) in awe of the fact that I went 20 miles. Its something I have never done and honestly thought how is that possible?
So as I think about next week and taking on 26 miles, I am sure that I will probably at some point befriend some misery, but found that I can get through that by staying present and just taking it step by step.
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